CHAPTER 22
ACCOUNTING CHANGES AND ERROR ANALYSIS
TRUE-FALSE—Conceptual
MULTIPLE CHOICE—Conceptual
Answer No. Description
Test Bank for Intermediate Accounting, Fifteenth Edition
22 – 2
MULTIPLE CHOICE—Conceptual (cont.)
MULTIPLE CHOICE—Computational
Answer No. Description
MULTIPLE CHOICE—CPA Adapted
Answer No. Description
Accounting Changes and Error Analysis
22 – 3
BRIEF EXERCISES
Item Description
BE22-77 Matching accounting changes to situations.
BE22-78 How changes or corrections are recognized.
BE22-79 Matching disclosures to situations.
EXERCISES
E22-80 Change in accounting principle.
E22-81 Change in estimate, change in entity, corrections of errors.
E22-82 Changes in depreciation methods, estimates.
E22-83 Noncounterbalancing error.
E22-84 Effects of errors.
E22-85 Effects of errors.
PROBLEMS
Item Description
P22-86 Accounting for changes and error corrections.
P22-87 Corrections of errors.
P22-88 Error corrections and adjustments.
CHAPTER LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Identify the types of accounting changes.
2. Describe the accounting for changes in accounting principles.
3. Understand how to account for retrospective accounting changes.
4. Understand how to account for impracticable changes.
5. Describe the accounting for changes in estimates.
6. Identify changes in a reporting entity.
7. Describe the accounting for correction of errors.
8. Identify economic motives for changing accounting methods.
9. Analyze the effect of errors.
*10. Make the computations and prepare the entries necessary to record a change from or to
the equity method of accounting.
Test Bank for Intermediate Accounting, Fifteenth Edition
22 – 4
11. Compare the procedures for accounting changes and error analysis under GAAP and
IFRS.
Accounting Changes and Error Analysis
22 – 5
SUMMARY OF LEARNING OBJECTIVES BY QUESTIONS
Item
Type
Item
Type
Item
Type
Item
Type
Item
Type
Item
Type
Item
Type
Learning Objective 1
1.
TF
2.
TF
21.
MC
Learning Objective 2
3.
TF
22.
MC
24.
MC
68.
MC
78.
BE
4.
TF
23.
MC
25.
MC
Learning Objective 3
5.
TF
26.
MC
43.
MC
46.
MC
49.
MC
79.
BE
6.
TF
41.
MC
44.
MC
47.
MC
69.
MC
80.
E
7.
TF
42.
MC
45.
MC
48.
MC
78.
BE
86.
P
Learning Objective 4
8.
TF
28.
MC
50.
MC
70.
MC
79.
BE
86.
P
27.
MC
29.
MC
51.
MC
78.
BE
80.
E
Learning Objective 5
9.
TF
30.
MC
33.
MC
53.
MC
72.
MC
78.
E
82.
E
10.
TF
31.
MC
34.
MC
54.
MC
73.
MC
79.
BE
86.
P
11.
TF
32.
MC
52.
MC
71.
MC
77.
BE
81.
E
88.
P
Learning Objective 6
12.
TF
13.
TF
35.
MC
36.
MC
77.
BE
78.
BE
81.
E
Learning Objective 7
14.
TF
37.
MC
74.
MC
79.
BE
86.
P
15.
TF
55.
MC
77.
BE
81.
E
87.
P
16.
TF
56.
MC
78.
BE
83.
E
88.
P
Learning Objective 9
17.
TF
39.
MC
60.
MC
64.
MC
75.
MC
86.
P
18.
TF
57.
MC
61.
MC
65.
MC
76.
MC
87.
P
19.
TF
58.
MC
62.
MC
66.
MC
84.
E
38.
MC
59.
MC
63.
MC
67.
MC
85.
E
Learning Objective 10*
20.
TF
40.
MC
Learning Objective 11– IFRS
1.
TF
4.
TF
7.
MC
10.
MC
13.
MC
16.
SA
2.
TF
5.
TF
8.
MC
11.
MC
14.
MC
17.
SA
3.
TF
6.
MC
9.
MC
12.
MC
15.
MC
Note: TF = True-False
MC = Multiple Choice
BE = Brief Exercise
E = Exercise
P = Problem
Test Bank for Intermediate Accounting, Fifteenth Edition
22 – 6
TRUE-FALSE—Conceptual
1. A change in accounting principle is a change that occurs as the result of new information
or additional experience.
2. Errors in financial statements result from mathematical mistakes or oversight or misuse of
facts that existed when preparing the financial statements.
3. Adoption of a new principle in recognition of events that have occurred for the first time or
that were previously immaterial is treated as an accounting change.
4. Retrospective application refers to the application of a different accounting principle to
recast previously issued financial statements—as if the new principle had always been
used.
5. When a company changes an accounting principle, it should report the change by
reporting the cumulative effect of the change in the current year’s income statement.
6. One of the disclosure requirements for a change in accounting principle is to show the
cumulative effect of the change on retained earnings as of the beginning of the earliest
period presented.
7. An indirect effect of an accounting change is any change to current or future cash flows of
a company that result from making a change in accounting principle that is applied
retrospectively.
8. Retrospective application is considered impracticable if a company cannot determine the
prior period effects using every reasonable effort to do so.
9. Companies report changes in accounting estimates retrospectively.
10. When it is impossible to determine whether a change in principle or change in estimate
has occurred, the change is considered a change in estimate.
11. Companies account for a change in depreciation methods as a change in accounting
principle.
12. When companies make changes that result in different reporting entities, the change is
reported prospectively.
13. Changing the cost or equity method of accounting for investments is an example of a
change in reporting entity.
14. Accounting errors include changes in estimates that occur because a company acquires
more experience, or as it obtains additional information.
15. Companies record corrections of errors from prior periods as an adjustment to the
beginning balance of retained earnings in the current period.
16. If an FASB standard creates a new principle, expresses preference for, or rejects a
specific accounting principle, the change is considered clearly acceptable.
Accounting Changes and Error Analysis
22 – 7
17. Companies must make correcting entries for noncounterbalancing errors, even if they
have closed the prior year’s books.
18. Counterbalancing errors are those errors that take longer than two periods to correct
themselves.
19. For counterbalancing errors, restatement of comparative financial statements is necessary
even if a correcting entry is not required.
*20. When changing from the equity method to the fair value method, a company must
eliminate the balance in Unrealized Holding Gain or Loss.
True-False Answers—Conceptual
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MULTIPLE CHOICE—Conceptual
21. Accounting changes are often made and the monetary impact is reflected in the financial
statements of a company even though, in theory, this may be a violation of the accounting
concept of
a. materiality.
b. consistency.
c. conservatism.
d. objectivity.
22. Which of the following is not accounted for a change in accounting principle?
a. A change from LIFO to FIFO for inventory valuation
b. A change to a different method of depreciation for plant assets
c. A change from full-cost to successful efforts in the extractive industry
d. A change from the completed-contract to the percentage-of-completion method
23. Which of the following is not a retrospective-type accounting change?
a. Completed-contract method to the percentage–of-completion method for long-term
construction contracts
b. LIFO method to the FIFO method for inventory valuation
c. Sum–of–the-years’-digits method to the straight-line method
d. “Full cost” method to another method in the extractive industry
24. Which of the following is accounted for as a change in accounting principle?
a. A change in the estimated useful life of plant assets.
b. A change from the cash basis of accounting to the accrual basis of accounting.
c. A change from expensing immaterial expenditures to deferring and amortizing them as
they become material.
d. A change in inventory valuation from average cost to FIFO.
Test Bank for Intermediate Accounting, Fifteenth Edition
22 – 8
25. A company changes from the straight-line method to an accelerated method of calculating
depreciation, which will be similar to the method used for tax purposes. The entry to
record this change will include a
a. credit to Accumulated Depreciation.
b. debit to Retained Earnings in the amount of the difference on prior years.
c. debit to Deferred Tax Asset.
d. credit to Deferred Tax Liability.
26. Which of the following disclosures is required for a change from sum–of–the-years-digits to
straight-line depreciation method?
a. The cumulative effect on prior years, net of tax, in the current retained earnings
statement
b. Restatement of prior years’ income statements
c. Recomputation of current and future years’ depreciation
d. All of these are required.
27. A company changes from percentage–of-completion to completed-contract method, which
is used for tax purposes. The entry to record this change should include a
a. debit to Construction in Process.
b. debit to Loss on Long-term Contracts in the amount of the difference on prior years,
net of tax.
c. debit to Retained Earnings in the amount of the difference on prior years, net of tax.
d. credit to Deferred Tax Liability.
28. Which of the following disclosures is required for a change from LIFO to FIFO?
a. The cumulative effect on prior years, net of tax, in the current retained earnings
statement
b. The justification for the change
c. Restated prior year income statements
d. All of these are required.
29. Stone Company changed its method of pricing inventories from FIFO to LIFO. What type
of accounting change does this represent?
a. A change in accounting estimate for which the financial statements for prior periods
included for comparative purposes should be presented as previously reported.
b. A change in accounting principle for which the financial statements for prior periods
included for comparative purposes should be presented as previously reported.
c. A change in accounting estimate for which the financial statements for prior periods
included for comparative purposes should be restated.
d. A change in accounting principle for which the financial statements for prior periods
included for comparative purposes should be restated.
30. Which type of accounting change should always be accounted for in current and future
periods?
a. Change in accounting principle
b. Change in reporting entity
c. Change in accounting estimate
d. Correction of an error
Accounting Changes and Error Analysis
22 – 9
31. Which of the following is (are) the proper time period(s) to record the effects of a change
in accounting estimate?
a. Current period and prospectively
b. Current period and retrospectively
c. Retrospectively only
d. Current period only
32. When a company decides to switch from the double-declining balance method to the
straight-line method, this change should be handled as a
a. change in accounting principle.
b. change in accounting estimate.
c. prior period adjustment.
d. correction of an error.
33. The estimated life of a building that has been depreciated for 30 years of an originally
estimated life of 50 years has been revised to a remaining life of 10 years. Based on this
information, the accountant should
a. continue to depreciate the building over the original 50-year life.
b. depreciate the remaining book value over the remaining life of the asset.
c. adjust accumulated depreciation to its appropriate balance, through net income, based
on a 40-year life, and then depreciate the adjusted book value as though the
estimated life had always been 40 years.
d. adjust accumulated depreciation to its appropriate balance through retained earnings,
based on a 40-year life, and then depreciate the adjusted book value as though the
estimated life had always been 40 years.
34. Which of the following statements is correct?
a. Changes in accounting principle are always handled in the current or prospective
period.
b. Prior statements should be restated for changes in accounting estimates.
c. A change from expensing certain costs to capitalizing these costs due to a change in
the period benefited, should be handled as a change in accounting estimate.
d. Correction of an error related to a prior period should be considered as an adjustment
to current year net income.
35. Which of the following describes a change in reporting entity?
a. A company acquires a subsidiary that is to be accounted for as a purchase.
b. A manufacturing company expands its market from regional to nationwide.
c. A company divests itself of a European branch sales office.
d. Changing the companies included in combined financial statements.
36. Presenting consolidated financial statements this year when statements of individual
companies were presented last year is
a. a correction of an error.
b. an accounting change that should be reported prospectively.
c. an accounting change that should be reported by restating the financial statements of
all prior periods presented.
d. not an accounting change.
Test Bank for Intermediate Accounting, Fifteenth Edition
22 – 10
37. An example of a correction of an error in previously issued financial statements is a
change
a. from the FIFO method of inventory valuation to the LIFO method.
b. in the service life of plant assets, based on changes in the economic environment.
c. from the cash basis of accounting to the accrual basis of accounting.
d. in the tax assessment related to a prior period.
38. Counterbalancing errors do not include
a. errors that correct themselves in two years.
b. errors that correct themselves in three years.
c. an understatement of purchases.
d. an overstatement of unearned revenue.
39. If, at the end of a period, a company erroneously excluded some goods from its ending
inventory and also erroneously did not record the purchase of these goods in its
accounting records, these errors would cause
a. the ending inventory and retained earnings to be understated.
b. the ending inventory, cost of goods sold, and retained earnings to be understated.
c. no effect on net income, working capital, and retained earnings.
d. cost of goods sold and net income to be understated.
*40. In the process of conversion from the equity method to the fair value method, the earnings
or losses that the investor previously recognized under the equity method should:
a. be ignored.
b. be subtracted from the carrying value of the securities.
c. remain as a part of the carrying amount of the investment.
d. be shown in the income statement.
Multiple Choice Answers—Conceptual
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Accounting Changes and Error Analysis
22 – 11
MULTIPLE CHOICE—Computational
41. On January 1, 2012, Neal Corporation acquired equipment at a cost of $720,000. Neal
adopted the sum-of–the–years’-digits method of depreciation for this equipment and had
been recording depreciation over an estimated life of eight years, with no residual value.
At the beginning of 2015, a decision was made to change to the straight-line method of
depreciation for this equipment. The depreciation expense for 2015 would be
a. $37,500.
b. $60,000.
c. $90,000.
d. $144,000.
42. On January 1, 2012, Knapp Corporation acquired machinery at a cost of $750,000. Knapp
adopted the double-declining balance method of depreciation for this machinery and had
been recording depreciation over an estimated useful life of ten years, with no residual
value. At the beginning of 2015, a decision was made to change to the straight-line
method of depreciation for the machinery. The depreciation expense for 2015 would be
a. $38,400.
b. $54,858.
c. $75,000.
d. $107,142.
43. On January 1, 2012, Piper Co., purchased a machine (its only depreciable asset) for
$600,000. The machine has a five-year life, and no salvage value. Sum-of–the-years’–
digits depreciation has been used for financial statement reporting and the elective
straight-line method for income tax reporting. Effective January 1, 2015, for financial
statement reporting, Piper decided to change to the straight-line method for depreciation
of the machine. Assume that Piper can justify the change.
Piper’s income before depreciation, before income taxes, and before the cumulative effect
of the accounting change (if any), for the year ended December 31, 2015, is $500,000.
The income tax rate for 2015, as well as for the years 2012-2014, is 30%. What amount
should Piper report as net income for the year ended December 31, 2015?
a. $120,000
b. $182,000
c. $308,000
d. $350,000
Use the following information for questions 44 and 45.
Dream Home Inc., a real estate developing company, was accounting for its long-term contracts
using the completed contract method prior to 2015. In 2015, it changed to the percentage–of–
completion method.
The company decided to use the same for income tax purposes. The tax rate enacted is 40%.
Income before taxes under both the methods for the past three years appears below.
2013 2014 2015
Completed contract $300,000 $200,000 $100,000
Percentage-of-completion 500,000 250,000 180,000
Test Bank for Intermediate Accounting, Fifteenth Edition
22 – 12
44. What amount will be debited to Construction in Process account, to record the change at
beginning of 2015?
a. $250,000
b. $100,000
c. $150,000
d. $50,000
45. Which of the following will be included in the journal entry made by Dream Home to record
the income effect?
a. A debit to Retained Earnings for $150,000
b. A credit to Retained Earnings for $150,000
c. A credit to Retained Earnings for $100,000
d. A debit to Retained Earnings for $100,000
46. During 2015, a construction company changed from the completed-contract method to the
percentage-of-completion method for accounting purposes but not for tax purposes. Gross
profit figures under both methods for the past three years appear below:
Completed-Contract Percentage–of-Completion
2013 $ 475,000 $ 900,000
2014 625,000 950,000
2015 700,000 1,050,000
$1,800,000 $2,900,000
Assuming an income tax rate of 40% for all years, the affect of this accounting change on
prior periods should be reported by a credit of
a. $660,000 on the 2015 income statement.
b. $450,000 on the 2015 income statement.
c. $660,000 on the 2015 retained earnings statement.
d. $450,000 on the 2015 retained earnings statement.
Use the following information for questions 47 and 48.
On January 1, 2012, Nobel Corporation acquired machinery at a cost of $1,200,000. Nobel
adopted the straight-line method of depreciation for this machine and had been recording
depreciation over an estimated life of ten years, with no residual value. At the beginning of 2015,
a decision was made to change to the double-declining balance method of depreciation for this
machine.
47. Assuming a 30% tax rate, the cumulative effect of this accounting change on beginning
retained earnings, is
a. $134,400.
b. $0.
c. $157,920.
d. $225,600.
48. The amount that Nobel should record as depreciation expense for 2015 is
a. $120,000.
b. $168,000.
c. $240,000.
d. none of these are correct.
Accounting Changes and Error Analysis
22 – 13
49. On December 31, 2015 Dean Company changed its method of accounting for inventory
from weighted average cost method to the FIFO method. This change caused the 2015
beginning inventory to increase by $840,000. The cumulative effect of this accounting
change to be reported for the year ended 12/31/15, assuming a 40% tax rate, is
a. $840,000.
b. $504,000.
c. $336,000.
d. $0.
50. Heinz Company began operations on January 1, 2014, and uses the FIFO method in
costing its raw material inventory. Management is contemplating a change to the LIFO
method and is interested in determining what effect such a change will have on net
income. Accordingly, the following information has been developed:
Final Inventory 2014 2015
FIFO $640,000 $ 712,000
LIFO 560,000 636,000
Net Income (computed under the FIFO method) 980,000 1,130,000
Based on the above information, a change to the LIFO method in 2015 would result in net
income for 2015 of
a. $1,170,000.
b. $1,130,000.
c. $1,054,000.
d. $1,050,000.
51. Lanier Company began operations on January 1, 2014, and uses the FIFO method in
costing its raw material inventory. Management is contemplating a change to the LIFO
method and is interested in determining what effect such a change will have on net
income. Accordingly, the following information has been developed:
Final Inventory 2014 2015
FIFO $320,000 $360,000
LIFO 240,000 300,000
Net Income (computed under the FIFO method) 500,000 650,000
Based upon the above information, a change to the LIFO method in 2015 would result in
net income for 2015 of
a. $590,000.
b. $650,000.
c. $670,000.
d. $710,000.
52. Equipment was purchased at the beginning of 2012 for $680,000. At the time of its
purchase, the equipment was estimated to have a useful life of six years and a salvage
value of $80,000. The equipment was depreciated using the straight-line method of
depreciation through 2014. At the beginning of 2015, the estimate of useful life was
revised to a total life of eight years and the expected salvage value was changed to
$50,000. The amount to be recorded for depreciation for 2015, reflecting these changes in
estimates, is
a. $41,250.
b. $66,000.
c. $76,000.
d. $78,750.
Test Bank for Intermediate Accounting, Fifteenth Edition
22 – 14
Use the following information for questions 53 and 54.
Swift Company purchased a machine on January 1, 2012, for $600,000. At the date of
acquisition, the machine had an estimated useful life of six years with no salvage. The machine is
being depreciated on a straight-line basis. On January 1, 2015, Swift determined, as a result of
additional information, that the machine had an estimated useful life of eight years from the date
of acquisition with no salvage. An accounting change was made in 2015 to reflect this additional
information.
53. Assume that the direct effects of this change are limited to the effect on depreciation and
the related tax provision, and that the income tax rate was 30% in 2012, 2013, 2014, and
2015. What should be reported in Swift’s income statement for the year ended December
31, 2015, as the cumulative effect on prior years of changing the estimated useful life of
the machine?
a. $0
b. $40,000
c. $60,000
d. $210,000
54. What is the amount of depreciation expense on this machine that should be charged in
Swift’s income statement for the year ended December 31, 2015?
a. $ 60,000
b. $ 75,000
c. $120,000
d. $150,000
Use the following information for questions 55 and 56.
Armstrong Inc. is a calendar-year corporation. Its financial statements for the years ended
12/31/14 and 12/31/15 contained the following errors:
2014 2015
Ending inventory $25,000 overstatement $40,000 understatement
Depreciation expense 10,000 understatement 20,000 overstatement
55. Assume that the 2014 errors were not corrected and that no errors occurred in 2013. By
what amount will 2014 income before income taxes be overstated or understated?
a. $35,000 overstatement
b. $15,000 overstatement
c. $35,000 understatement
d. $15,000 understatement
56. Assume that no correcting entries were made at 12/31/14, or 12/31/15. Ignoring income
taxes, by how much will retained earnings at 12/31/15 be overstated or understated?
a. $40,000 overstatement
b. $35,000 overstatement
c. $50,000 understatement
d. $15,000 understatement
Accounting Changes and Error Analysis
22 – 15
Use the following information for questions 57 through 59.
Langley Company’s December 31 year–end financial statements contained the following errors:
Dec. 31, 2014 Dec. 31, 2015
Ending inventory $22,500 understated $33,000 overstated
Depreciation expense 6,000 understated
An insurance premium of $54,000 was prepaid in 2014 covering the years 2014, 2015, and 2016.
The prepayment was recorded with a debit to insurance expense. In addition, on December 31,
2015, fully depreciated machinery was sold for $28,500 cash, but the sale was not recorded until
2016. There were no other errors during 2015 or 2016 and no corrections have been made for
any of the errors. Ignore income tax considerations.
57. What is the total net effect of the errors on Langley’s 2015 net income?
a. Net income understated by $43,500.
b. Net income overstated by $22,500.
c. Net income overstated by $39,000.
d. Net income overstated by $45,000.
58. What is the total net effect of the errors on the amount of Langley‘s working capital at
December 31, 2015?
a. Working capital overstated by $15,000
b. Working capital overstated by $4,500
c. Working capital understated by $13,500
d. Working capital understated by $36,000
59. What is the total effect of the errors on the balance of Langley‘s retained earnings at
December 31, 2015?
a. Retained earnings understated by $30,000
b. Retained earnings understated by $13,500
c. Retained earnings understated by $7,500
d. Retained earnings overstated by $10,500
60. Accrued salaries payable of $51,000 were not recorded at December 31, 2014. Office
supplies on hand of $29,000 at December 31, 2015 were erroneously treated as expense
instead of supplies inventory. Neither of these errors was discovered nor corrected. The
effect of these two errors would cause
a. 2015 net income to be understated $80,000 and December 31, 2015 retained
earnings to be understated $29,000.
b. 2014 net income and December 31, 2014 retained earnings to be understated
$51,000 each.
c. 2014 net income to be overstated $22,000 and 2015 net income to be understated
$29,000.
d. 2015 net income and December 31, 2015 retained earnings to be understated
$29,000 each.
Test Bank for Intermediate Accounting, Fifteenth Edition
22 – 16
Use the following information for questions 61 through 63.
Bishop Co. began operations on January 1, 2014. Financial statements for 2014 and 2015 con-
tained the following errors:
Dec. 31, 2014 Dec. 31, 2015
Ending inventory $132,000 too high $146,000 too low
Depreciation expense 84,000 too high —
Insurance expense 60,000 too low 60,000 too high
Prepaid insurance 60,000 too high —
In addition, on December 31, 2015 fully depreciated equipment was sold for $28,800, but the sale
was not recorded until 2016. No corrections have been made for any of the errors. Ignore income
tax considerations.
61. The total effect of the errors on Bishop’s 2015 net income is
a. understated by $366,800.
b. understated by $234,800.
c. overstated by $117,200.
d. overstated by $249,200.
62. The total effect of the errors on the balance of Bishop‘s retained earnings at December
31, 2015 is understated by
a. $318,800.
b. $258,800.
c. $174,800.
d. $126,800.
63. The total effect of the errors on the amount of Bishop‘s working capital at December 31,
2015 is understated by
a. $390,800.
b. $306,800.
c. $174,800.
d. $114,800.
Use the following information for questions 64 and 65.
Link Co. purchased machinery that cost $1,800,000 on January 4, 2013. The entire cost was
recorded as an expense. The machinery has a nine-year life and a $120,000 residual value. The
error was discovered on December 20, 2015. Ignore income tax considerations.
64. Link‘s income statement for the year ended December 31, 2015, should show the
cumulative effect of this error in the amount of
a. $1,613,333.
b. $1,426,667.
c. $1,240,000.
d. $0.
65. Before the correction was made, and before the books were closed on December 31,
2015, retained earnings was understated by
a. $1,800,000.
b. $1,613,333.
c. $1,426,667.
d. $1,240,000.
Accounting Changes and Error Analysis
22 – 17
Use the following information for questions 66 and 67.
Ernst Company purchased equipment that cost $2,250,000 on January 1, 2014. The entire cost
was recorded as an expense. The equipment had a nine-year life and a $90,000 residual value.
Ernst uses the straight-line method to account for depreciation expense. The error was
discovered on December 10, 2016. Ernst is subject to a 40% tax rate.
66. Ernst’s net income for the year ended December 31, 2014, was understated by
a. $1,206,000.
b. $1,350,000.
c. $2,010,000.
d. $2,250,000.
67. Before the correction was made and before the books were closed on December 31,
2016, retained earnings was understated by
a. $996,000.
b. $1,008,000.
c. $1,062,000.
d. $1,350,000.
Multiple Choice Answers—Computational
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Item
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Item
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Item
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Item
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MULTIPLE CHOICE—CPA Adapted
68. Which of the following should be reported as a prior period adjustment?
Change in Change from
Estimated Lives Unaccepted Principle
of Depreciable Assets to Accepted Principle
a. Yes Yes
b. No Yes
c. Yes No
d. No No
69. On December 31, 2015, Grantham, Inc. appropriately changed its inventory valuation
method to FIFO cost from weighted-average cost for financial statement and income tax
purposes. The change will result in a $2,500,000 increase in the beginning inventory at
January 1, 2015. Assume a 30% income tax rate. The cumulative effect of this accounting
change on beginning retained earnings is
a. $0.
b. $750,000.
c. $1,750,000.
d. $2,500,000.
Test Bank for Intermediate Accounting, Fifteenth Edition
22 – 18
70. On January 1, 2015, Frost Corp. changed its inventory method to FIFO from LIFO for both
financial and income tax reporting purposes. The change resulted in a $700,000 increase
in the January 1, 2015 inventory. Assume that the income tax rate for all years is 30%.
The cumulative effect of the accounting change should be reported by Frost in its 2015
a. retained earnings statement as a $490,000 addition to the beginning balance.
b. income statement as a $490,000 cumulative effect of accounting change.
c. retained earnings statement as a $700,000 addition to the beginning balance.
d. income statement as a $700,000 cumulative effect of accounting change.
71. On January 1, 2012, Lake Co. purchased a machine for $1,320,000 and depreciated it by
the straight-line method using an estimated useful life of eight years with no salvage
value. On January 1, 2015, Lake determined that the machine had a useful life of six
years from the date of acquisition and will have a salvage value of $120,000. An
accounting change was made in 2015 to reflect these additional data. The accumulated
depreciation for this machine should have a balance at December 31, 2015 of
a. $912,500.
b. $770,000.
c. $800,000.
d. $880,000.
72. On January 1, 2012, Hess Co. purchased a patent for $952,000. The patent is being
amortized over its remaining legal life of 15 years expiring on January 1, 2027. During
2015, Hess determined that the economic benefits of the patent would not last longer than
ten years from the date of acquisition. What amount should be reported in the balance
sheet for the patent, net of accumulated amortization, at December 31, 2015?
a. $571,200
b. $652,800
c. $672,000
d. $698,200
73. During 2014, a textbook written by Mercer Co. personnel was sold to Roark Publishing,
Inc., for royalties of 10% on sales. Royalties are receivable semiannually on March 31, for
sales in July through December of the prior year, and on September 30, for sales in
January through June of the same year.
• Royalty income of $162,000 was accrued at 12/31/14 for the period July-December
2014.
• Royalty income of $180,000 was received on 3/31/15, and $234,000 on 9/30/15.
• Mercer learned from Roark that sales subject to royalty were estimated at $3,240,000
for the last half of 2015.
In its income statement for 2015, Mercer should report royalty income at
a. $414,000.
b. $432,000.
c. $558,000.
d. $576,000.
Accounting Changes and Error Analysis
22 – 19
74. On January 1, 2014, Janik Corp. acquired a machine at a cost of $700,000. It is to be
depreciated on the straight-line method over a five-year period with no residual value.
Because of a bookkeeping error, no depreciation was recognized in Janik’s 2014 financial
statements. The oversight was discovered during the preparation of Janik’s 2015 financial
statements. Depreciation expense on this machine for 2015 should be
a. $0.
b. $140,000.
c. $175,000.
d. $280,000.
75. On December 31, 2015, special insurance costs, incurred but unpaid, were not recorded.
If these insurance costs were related to work in process, what is the effect of the omission
on accrued liabilities and retained earnings in the December 31, 2015 balance sheet?
Accrued Liabilities Retained Earnings
a. No effect No effect
b. No effect Overstated
c. Understated No effect
d. Understated Overstated
76. Black, Inc. is a calendar-year corporation whose financial statements for 2014 and 2015
included errors as follows:
Year Ending Inventory Depreciation Expense
2014 $162,000 overstated $135,000 overstated
2015 64,000 understated 45,000 understated
Assume that purchases were recorded correctly and that no correcting entries were made
at December 31, 2014, or at December 31, 2015. Ignoring income taxes, by how much
should Black’s retained earnings be retroactively adjusted at January 1, 2016?
a. $154,000 increase
b. $46,000 increase
c. $19,000 decrease
d. $8,000 increase
Multiple Choice Answers—CPA Adapted
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DERIVATIONS — Computational
Test Bank for Intermediate Accounting, Fifteenth Edition
22 – 20
DERIVATIONS — Computational (cont.)
Accounting Changes and Error Analysis
22 – 21
DERIVATIONS — Computational (cont.)
No. Answer Derivation
DERIVATIONS — CPA Adapted
No. Answer Derivation
Test Bank for Intermediate Accounting, Fifteenth Edition
22 – 22
BRIEF EXERCISES
BE. 22-77—Matching accounting changes to situations.
The four types of accounting changes, including error correction, are:
Code
a. Change in accounting principle.
b. Change in accounting estimate.
c. Change in reporting entity.
d. Error correction.
Instructions
Following are a series of situations. You are to enter a code letter to the left to indicate the type of
change.
____ 1. Change from presenting nonconsolidated to consolidated financial statements.
____ 2. Change due to charging a new asset directly to an expense account.
____ 3. Change from expensing to capitalizing certain costs, due to a change in periods
benefited.
____ 4. Change from FIFO to LIFO inventory procedures.
____ 5. Change due to failure to recognize an accrued (uncollected) revenue.
____ 6. Change in amortization period for an intangible asset.
____ 7. Changing the companies included in combined financial statements.
____ 8. Change in the loss rate on warranty costs.
____ 9. Change due to failure to recognize and accrue income.
____ 10. Change in residual value of a depreciable plant asset.
____ 11. Change from an unacceptable to an acceptable accounting principle.
____ 12. Change in both estimate and acceptable accounting principles.
____ 13. Change due to failure to recognize a prepaid asset.
____ 14. Change from straight-line to sum-of–the-years’-digits method of depreciation.
____ 15. Change in life of a depreciable plant asset.
____ 16. Change from one acceptable principle to another acceptable principle.
____ 17. Change due to understatement of inventory.
____ 18. Change in expected recovery of an account receivable.
Solution 22-77
Accounting Changes and Error Analysis
22 – 23
BE. 22-78—How changes or corrections are recognized.
For each of the following items, indicate the type of accounting change and how each is
recognized in the accounting records in the current year.
(a) Change from straight-line method of depreciation to sum-of–the-years’-digits
(b) Change from the cash basis to accrual basis of accounting
(c) Change from FIFO to LIFO method for inventory valuation purposes (retrospective
application impractical)
(d) Change from presentation of statements of individual companies to presentation of
consolidated statements
(e) Change due to failure to record depreciation in a previous period
(f) Change in the realizability of certain receivables
(g) Change from LIFO to FIFO method for inventory valuation purposes
Solution 22-78
Test Bank for Intermediate Accounting, Fifteenth Edition
22 – 24
BE. 22-79—Matching disclosures to situations.
In the blank to the left of each question, fill in the letter from the following list which best describes
the presentation of the item on the financial statements of Helton Corporation for 2015.
a. Change in estimate
b. Prior period adjustment (not due to change in principle)
c. Retrospective type accounting change with note disclosure
d. None of the above
____ 1. In 2015, the company changed its method of recognizing income from the
completed-contract method to the percentage-of-completion method.
____ 2. At the end of 2015, an audit revealed that the corporation’s allowance for doubtful
accounts was too large and should be reduced to 2%. When the audit was made in
2014, the allowance seemed appropriate.
____ 3. Depreciation on a truck, acquired in 2012, was understated because the service life
had been overestimated. The understatement had been made in order to show
higher net income in 2013 and 2014.
____ 4. The company switched from a LIFO to a FIFO inventory valuation method during the
current year.
____ 5. In the current year, the company decides to change from expensing certain costs to
capitalizing these costs, due to a change in the period benefited.
____ 6. During 2015, a long-term bond with a carrying value of $3,600,000 was retired at a
cost of $4,100,000.
____ 7. After negotiations with the IRS, income taxes for 2013 were established at $42,900.
They were originally estimated to be $28,600.
____ 8. In 2015, the company incurred interest expense of $29,000 on a 20-year bond issue.
____ 9. In computing the depreciation in 2013 for equipment, an error was made which
overstated income in that year $75,000. The error was discovered in 2015.
____ 10. In 2015, the company changed its method of depreciating plant assets from the
double-declining balance method to the straight-line method.
Solution 22-79
Accounting Changes and Error Analysis
22 – 25
EXERCISES
Ex. 22-80—Change in accounting principle.
In 2015, Fischer Corporation changed its method of inventory pricing from LIFO to FIFO. Net
income computed on a LIFO as compared to a FIFO basis for the four years involved is: (Ignore
income taxes.)
LIFO FIFO
2012 $78,200 $85,700
2013 84,500 88,100
2014 87,000 91,400
2015 92,500 92,700
Instructions
(a) Indicate the net income that would be shown on comparative financial statements issued at
12/31/15 for each of the four years, assuming that the company changed to the FIFO
method in 2015.
(b) Assume that the company had switched from the average cost method to the FIFO method
with net income on an average cost basis for the four years as follows: 2012, $80,400; 2013,
$86,120; 2014, $90,300; and 2015, $93,600. Indicate the net income that would be shown
on comparative financial statements issued at 12/31/15 for each of the four years under
these conditions.
(c) Assuming that the company switched from the FIFO to the LIFO method, what would be the
net income reported on comparative financial statements issued at 12/31/15 for 2012, 2013,
and 2014?
Solution 22-80
Ex. 22-81—Change in estimate, change in reporting entity, correction of errors.
Discuss the accounting procedures for and illustrate the following:
(a) Change in estimate
(b) Change in reporting entity
(c) Correction of an error
Solution 22-81
Test Bank for Intermediate Accounting, Fifteenth Edition
22 – 26
Accounting Changes and Error Analysis
22 – 27
Solution 22–81 (cont.)
Ex. 22-82—Changes in depreciation methods, estimates.
On January 1, 2010, Powell Company purchased a building and machinery that have the
following useful lives, salvage value, and costs.
Building, 25-year estimated useful life, $6,000,000 cost, $600,000 salvage value
Machinery, 10-year estimated useful life, $800,000 cost, no salvage value
The building has been depreciated under the straight-line method through 2014. In 2015, the
company decided to switch to the double-declining balance method of depreciation for the
building. Powell also decided to change the total useful life of the machinery to 8 years, with a
salvage value of $40,000 at the end of that time. The machinery is depreciated using the straight-
line method.
Instructions
(a) Prepare the journal entry necessary to record the depreciation expense on the building in
2015.
(b) Compute depreciation expense on the machinery for 2015.
Solution 22-82
Test Bank for Intermediate Accounting, Fifteenth Edition
22 – 28
Solution 22-82 (cont.)
Ex. 22-83—Noncounterbalancing error.
Quigley Co. bought a machine on January 1, 2013 for $1,400,000. It had a $120,000 estimated
residual value and a ten-year life. An expense account was debited on the purchase date.
Quigley uses straight-line depreciation. This was discovered in 2015.
Instructions
Prepare the entry or entries related to the machine for 2015.
Ex. 22-84—Effects of errors.
Show how the following independent errors will affect net income on the Income Statement and
the stockholders’ equity section of the Balance Sheet using the symbol + (plus) for overstated, –
(minus) for understated, and 0 (zero) for no effect.
2014 2015
Income Balance Income Balance
Statement Sheet Statement Sheet
1. Ending inventory in 2014 overstated.
2. Failed to accrue 2014 interest
revenue.
3. A capital expenditure for factory
equipment (useful life, 5 years) was
erroneously charged to Maintenance
Expense in 2014.
Accounting Changes and Error Analysis
22 – 29
Ex. 22-84 (cont.)
2014 2015
Income Balance Income Balance
Statement Sheet Statement Sheet
4. Failed to count office supplies on hand
at 12/31/14. Cash expenditures have
been charged to Supplies Expense
during the year 2014.
5. Failed to accrue 2014 wages.
6. Ending inventory in 2014 understated.
7. Overstated 2014 depreciation
expense; 2015 expense correct.
Test Bank for Intermediate Accounting, Fifteenth Edition
22 – 30
Ex. 22-85—Effects of errors.
Joseph Co. began operations on January 1, 2014. Financial statements for 2014 and 2015
contained the following errors:
Dec. 31, 2014 Dec. 31, 2015
Ending inventory $80,000 too high $104,000 too high
Depreciation expense 48,000 too low —
Accumulated depreciation 48,000 too low 48,000 too low
Insurance expense 42,000 too high 42,000 too low
Prepaid insurance 36,000 too low
In addition, on December 26, 2015 fully depreciated equipment was sold for $48,000, but the sale
was not recorded until 2016. No corrections have been made for any of the errors.
Instructions
Ignoring income taxes, show your calculation of the total effect of the errors on 2015 net income.
Solution 22-85
PROBLEMS
Pr. 22-86—Accounting for changes and error corrections.
Dyke Company’s net incomes for the past three years are presented below:
2016 2015 2014
$480,000 $450,000 $360,000
During the 2016 year-end audit, the following items come to your attention:
1. Dyke bought equipment on January 1, 2013 for $392,000 with a $32,000 estimated salvage
value and a six-year life. The company debited an expense account and credited cash on the
purchase date for the entire cost of the asset. (Straight-line method)
2. During 2016, Dyke changed from the straight-line method of depreciating its cement plant to
the double-declining balance method. The following computations present depreciation on
both bases:
2016 2015 2014
Straight-line 36,000 36,000 36,000
Double-declining 46,080 57,600 72,000
Accounting Changes and Error Analysis
22 – 31
Pr. 22-86 (cont.)
The net income for 2016 was computed using the double-declining balance method, on the
January 1, 2016 book value, over the useful life remaining at that time. The depreciation
recorded in 2016 was $72,000.
3. Dyke, in reviewing its provision for uncollectibles during 2014, has determined that 1% is the
appropriate amount of bad debt expense to be charged to operations. The company had used
1/2 of 1% as its rate in 2015 and 2016 when the expense had been $18,000 and $12,000,
respectively. The company recorded bad debt expense under the new rate for 2016. The
company would have recorded $6,000 less of bad debt expense on December 31, 2016
under the old rate.
Instructions
(a) Prepare in general journal form the entry necessary to correct the books for the transaction
in part 1 of this problem, assuming that the books have not been closed for the current year.
(b) Compute the net income to be reported each year 2014 through 2016.
(c) Assume that the beginning retained earnings balance (unadjusted) for 2014 was
$1,260,000. At what adjusted amount should this beginning retained earnings balance for
2014 be stated, assuming that comparative financial statements were prepared?
(d) Assume that the beginning retained earnings balance (unadjusted) for 2016 is $1,800,000
and that non-comparative financial statements are prepared. At what adjusted amount
should this beginning retained earnings balance be stated?
Solution 22-86
Test Bank for Intermediate Accounting, Fifteenth Edition
22 – 32
Pr. 22-87—Correction of errors.
Vance Company reported net incomes for a three-year period as follows:
2013, $191,000; 2014, $199,000; 2015, $180,000.
In reviewing the accounts in 2016 after the books for the prior year have been closed, you find
that the following errors have been made in summarizing activities:
2013 2014 2015
Overstatement of ending inventory $37,000 $51,000 $26,000
Understatement of accrued advertising expense 6,600 12,000 7,200
Instructions
(a) Determine corrected net incomes for 2013, 2014, and 2015.
(b) Give the entry to bring the books of the company up to date in 2016, assuming that the
books have been closed for 2015.
Solution 22-87
Pr. 22-88—Error corrections and adjustments.
The controller for Haley Corporation is concerned about certain business transactions that the
company experienced during 2015. The controller, after discussing these matters with various
individuals, has come to you for advice. The transactions at issue are presented below.
1. The company has decided to switch from the direct write-off method in accounting for bad
debt expense to the percentage–of-sales approach. Assume that Haley Corporation has
recognized bad debt expense as the receivables have actually become uncollectible in the
following way:
2014 2015
From 2012 sales 31,800 20,000
From 2013 sales 45,000
The controller estimates that an additional $65,400 will be charged off in 2016: $11,400
applicable to 2014 sales and $54,000 to 2015 sales.
Accounting Changes and Error Analysis
22 – 33
Pr. 22-88 (cont.)
2. Inventory has been shipped on consignment. These transactions have been recorded as
ordinary sales and billed as such on account. At December 31, 2015, inventory billed and in
the hands of consignees amounted to $425,000. The percentage markup on selling price is
20%. Assume that consigned inventory is sold the following year. The company uses the
perpetual inventory system.
3. During the current year, the company sold $600,000 of goods on the installment basis. The
cost of sales associated with these goods sold is $450,000. The company inadvertently
handled these sales and related costs as part of the regular sales transactions. Cash of
$172,000, including a down payment of $60,000, was collected on these installment sales
during the current year. Due to questionable collectibility, the installment−sales method was
considered appropriate.
Instructions
(a) Assume that Haley Corporation reported net income of $1,200,000 for 2015. Present a
schedule showing the corrected net income after reviewing the above transactions.
(b) Prepare the journal entries necessary at December 31, 2015, assuming that the books have
been closed.
Solution 22-88
Test Bank for Intermediate Accounting, Fifteenth Edition
22 – 34
IFRS QUESTIONS
True/False
1. IFRS requires that changes in estimate be accounted for using the retrospective method.
2. IFRS requires that any indirect effect of a change in accounting policy, such as increased
royalty payments, be recognized in income in the year of the change in policy.
3. Under IFRS, the direct effects of changes in the accounting policies are applied
retrospectively.
4. Both IFRS and U.S. GAAP allow that if determining the effect of a change in accounting
principle is considered impracticable, then a company should report the effect of the change
in the period in which it believes it practicable to do so.
5. Under IFRS, errors in financial statements are considered as an accounting change.
Answers to True/False:
Multiple Choice
6. Is the following exception applicable to IFRS or U.S. GAAP?
“If determining the effect of a change in accounting principle is considered impracticable, then
a company should report the effect of the change in the period in which it believes it
practicable to do so.”
IFRS U.S. GAAP
a. Yes Yes
b. Yes No
c. No Yes
d. No No
7. Is the following exception applicable to IFRS or U.S. GAAP?
“If determining the effect of a correction of an error is considered impracticable, then a
company should report the effect of the error correction in the period in which it believes it
practicable to do so.”
IFRS U.S. GAAP
a. Yes Yes
b. Yes No
c. No Yes
d. No No
Accounting Changes and Error Analysis
22 – 35
8. Detailed guidance regarding the accounting and reporting for the indirect effects of changes in
accounting principle is available under
a. both U.S. GAAP and IFRS.
b. neither U.S. GAAP nor IFRS.
c. U.S. GAAP only.
d. IFRS only.
9. Ben, Inc. follows IFRS for its external financial reporting. Ben, Inc. owns 25% of the
outstanding stock of Black, Inc. and accordingly uses the equity method to account for its
investment. Which of the following is true regarding Ben, Inc.’s policies related to Black, Inc.?
a. Ben, Inc. will increase the investment account for its pro–rata share of Black, Inc.’s net
loss for the year.
b. Ben, Inc. will increase the investment account for its pro-rata share of the dividends paid
out by Black, Inc. for the year.
c. Ben, Inc. will conform the accounting policies of Black, Inc. to its own accounting policies.
d. None of these is true regarding how Ben, Inc. accounts for its investment in Black,
Inc.
10. Ben, Inc. follows U.S. GAAP for its external financial reporting. Ben, Inc. owns 25% of the
outstanding stock of Black, Inc. and accordingly uses the equity method to account for its
investment. Which of the following is true regarding Ben, Inc.’s policies related to Black, Inc.?
a. Ben, Inc. will increase the investment account for its pro-rata share of Black, Inc.’s net
loss for the year.
b. Ben, Inc. will increase the investment account for its pro-rata share of the dividends paid
out by Black, Inc. for the year.
c. Ben, Inc. will conform the accounting policies of Black, Inc. to its own accounting policies.
d. None of these is true regarding how Ben, Inc. accounts for its investment in Black, Inc.
11. Haystack, Inc. owns 30% of the outstanding stock of Hallmark, Inc. and accordingly uses the
equity method to account for its investment. The stock was purchased on January 1, 2015 for
$880,000. During the year ended December 31, 2015, Hallmark, Inc. reported the following:
Dividends declared and paid $ 400,000
Net income 2,400,000
Haystack, Inc. uses the FIFO method for costing its inventories, while Hallmark, Inc. uses the
LIFO method to conform with other companies in its industry. Haystack, Inc. determines that if
Hallmark, Inc. had used the FIFO method, its income would have been $350,000 higher
during 2015. What is the balance in the Investment in Hallmark, Inc. that will be reported on
Haystack, Inc.’s balance sheet at December 31, 2015 assuming Haystack, Inc. follows IFRS
for its external financial reporting?
a. $1,825,000
b. $1,480,000
c. $1,585,000
d. $1,375,000
Test Bank for Intermediate Accounting, Fifteenth Edition
22 – 36
12. Haystack, Inc. owns 30% of the outstanding stock of Hallmark, Inc. and accordingly uses the
equity method to account for its investment. The stock was purchased on January 1, 2015 for
$880,000. During the year ended December 31, 2015, Hallmark, Inc. reported the following:
Dividends declared and paid $ 400,000
Net income 2,400,000
Haystack, Inc. uses the FIFO method for costing its inventories, while Hallmark, Inc. uses the
LIFO method to conform with other companies in its industry. Haystack, Inc. determines that if
Hallmark, Inc. had used the FIFO method, its income would have been $350,000 higher
during 2015. What is the balance in the Investment in Hallmark, Inc. that will be reported on
Haystack, Inc.’s balance sheet at December 31, 2015 assuming Haystack, Inc. follows U.S.
GAAP for its external financial reporting?
a. $1,825,000
b. $1,480,000
c. $1,585,000
d. $1,375,000
13. Ridge, Inc. follows IFRS for its external financial reporting, and Cannon Company follows U.S.
GAAP for its external financial reporting. During 2015, both companies changed depreciation
methods, from double-declining balance to straight-line. Compared to double-declining
balance, for Ridge, Inc. the change resulted in a decrease in reported depreciation expense
of $90,000, and for Cannon Company the change resulted in a reported decrease in
depreciation expense of $105,000. The remaining useful lives of the assets impacted by the
change in depreciation method is 10 years for both companies. How would this change
impact the net income reported by Ridge, Inc. and Cannon Company for the year ended
December 31, 2015?
Ridge, Inc. Cannon Company
a. Decrease $90,000 Decrease $105,000
b. Increase $9,000 Increase $10,500
c. Increase $90,000 Increase $105,000
d. Increase $90,000 Increase $10,500
14. Mars, Inc. follows IFRS for its external financial reporting. On January 1, 2015, Mars, Inc.
purchased 25% of the outstanding stock of Jerome Company (which uses U.S. GAAP for its
external financial reporting) for $790,000, and appropriately uses the equity method to
account for its investment. Jerome Company reports the following activity for the year ended
December 31, 2015: Net loss $60,000
Dividends declared and paid 20,000
Jerome Company uses the completed-contract method for revenue recognition related to its
long-term construction contracts, while Mars, Inc. uses the percentage-of-completion method.
Mars, Inc. determines that if Jerome Company had used the percentage–of-completion
method, its income would have been $100,000 higher during 2015. What is the balance in the
Investment in Jerome Company that will be reported on Mars, Inc.’s balance sheet at
December 31, 2015?
a. $825,000
b. $770,000
c. $790,000
d. $785,000
Accounting Changes and Error Analysis
22 – 37
15. Mars, Inc. follows IFRS for its external financial reporting, while Jerome Company uses U.S.
GAAP for its external financial reporting. During the year ended December 31, 2015, both
companies changed from using the completed-contract method of revenue recognition for
long-term construction contracts to the percentage–of-completion method. Both companies
experienced an indirect effect, related to increased profit-sharing payments in 2015, of
$30,000. As a result of this change, how much expense related to the profit-sharing payment
must be recognized by each company on the income statement for the year ended December
31, 2015?
Mars, Inc. Jerome Company
a. $30,000 $30,000
b. $30,000 $-0-
c. $-0- $-0-
d. $-0- $30,000
Answers to multiple choice:
Short Answer
16. Briefly describe some of the similarities and differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRS with
respect to reporting accounting changes.
1. The FASB has issued guidance on changes in accounting principles, changes in
estimates, and corrections of errors, which essentially converges U.S. GAAP to IAS 8.
Key remaining differences are as follows:
• One area in which IFRS and U.S. GAAP differ is the reporting of error corrections in previously
issued financial statements. While both standards require restatement, U.S. GAAP is an absolute
standard – that is, there is no exception to this rule.
• Under U.S. GAAP and IFRS, if determining the effect of a change in accounting principle is
considered impracticable, then a company should report the effect of the change in the period in
which it believes it practicable to do so, which may be the current period. Under IFRS, the
impracticality exception applies to both changes in accounting principles and to the correction of
errors. Under U.S. GAAP, this exception only applies to changes in accounting principle.
• IAS 8 does not specifically address the accounting and reporting for indirect effects of changes in
accounting principles. As indicated in the chapter, U.S. GAAP has detailed guidance on the
accounting and reporting of indirect effects.
17. How might differences in presentation of comparative data under U.S. GAAP and IFRS affect
adoption of IFRS by U.S. companies?
2. Currently, under U.S. GAAP, when a company prepares financial statements on a new basis,
comparative information must be provided for a three-year period. Under IFRS, up to two years of
comparative data must be provided. Use of the shorter comparative data period must be addressed
before U.S. companies can adopt IFRS.