WHY DID THE FASB ISSUE A NEW STANDARD ON NOT-FOR-PROFIT FINANCIAL REPORTING?
WHY DID THE FASB ISSUE A NEW STANDARD ON NOT-FOR-PROFIT FINANCIAL REPORTING?
On August 18, 2016, the FASB issued a standard intended to simplify and improve how a not-for-profit organization classifies its net assets, as well as the information it presents in financial statements and notes about its liquidity, financial performance, and cash flows.The current not-for-profit financial reporting model has held up well for over 20 years since the issuance of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 117, Financial Statements of Not-for-Profit Organizations, in 1993. However, stakeholders voiced concerns about:
- Complexities in the use of the required three classes of net assets
- Deficiencies in the transparency and utility of information in assessing an organization’s liquidity
- Inconsistencies in the type of information provided about expenses, and
- Misunderstandings about and the limited usefulness of the statement of cash flows, particularly with regards to the reporting of operating cash flows.
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WHAT ARE THE KEY PROVISIONS OF THE NEW STANDARD?
HOW WILL THE NEW GUIDANCE IMPROVE ACCOUNTING?
HOW WILL THE NEW GUIDANCE IMPROVE ACCOUNTING?
The Board expects that the standard will improve how not-for-profits communicate their financial performance and condition to their stakeholders, while also reducing certain costs and complexities in preparing financial statements.By simplifying the face of the financial statements and enhancing the disclosures in the notes, not-for-profits will provide more relevant information about their resources and the changes in those resources.
This will be helpful to users, such as donors, grantors, creditors, and others in assessing a not-for-profit’s:
- Availability of resources to meet cash needs for general expenditures
- Liquidity and financial flexibility
- Financial performance
- Service efforts and ability to continue providing services
- Execution of stewardship responsibilities and other aspects of its management’s performance.
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WHO WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE NEW GUIDANCE?
WHO WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE NEW GUIDANCE?
Not-for-profit organizations that will be affected include charities, foundations, colleges and universities, health care providers, religious organizations, trade associations, and cultural institutions, among others.CONTINUE TO FULL PROJECT INFORMATION
WHEN WILL THE STANDARD BE EFFECTIVE?
WHEN WILL THE STANDARD BE EFFECTIVE?
The amendments in the standard are effective for annual financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Application to interim financial statements is permitted but not required in the initial year of application. Early application of the amendments in this Update is permitted.CONTINUE TO FULL PROJECT INFORMATION