Select three of the following questions for your initial response. Important: At least one (and preferably two) of the questions you decide to answer should be a question not answered by a classmate as of when you make your initial responses. Copy and paste the questions you decide to answer in bold type. It is a good idea to select questions to which you do not know the answer or would like to understand better. Also, be bold and answer a question you have not seen a classmate answered yet.
- How does a variable interest entity differ from a traditional corporate business entity? Be specific.
- What major criteria must be met before a company is consolidated? Again, be specific, referring to the Codification where necessary.
- What types of entities are referred to as special-purpose entities, and how have they been generally used?
- What is meant by indirect control? Give an illustration or an example.
- Explain the differences between consolidated and combined financial statements. Be specific.
- What is meant by a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary?
- What must be done if the fiscal periods of the parent and the subsidiary are not the same?
- When is consolidation considered inappropriate even though the parent company holds a majority of the voting common shares of another company?
- Are consolidated financial statements likely to be more useful to the creditors of the parent company or the creditors of the subsidiaries? Why or why not?
- What characteristics are normally examined in determining whether a company is a primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity?
Include in bold type in your initial response the above question(s) you are answering.
Chapter 3 in Advanced Financial Accounting
Deloitte. (2018). A roadmap to consolidationIdentifying a controlling interest. Retrieved from https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/audit/articles/a-roadmap-to-consolidation-identifying-a-controlling-financial-interest.html
Jones, R. C. (2018, August). Common control entities and consolidation of variable interest entities. The CPA Journal. Retrieved from https://www.cpajournal.com/2018/08/15/common-control-entities-and-consolidation-of-variable-interest-entities/
Chapter 3 in Advanced Financial Accounting, PowerPoint presentation
Lange, C. D., & Fornaro, J. M. (2017). Consolidation of variable interest entities for private companies. CPA Journal, 87(2), 46-50.
PWC. (2015). A comprehensive guide to consolidation and equity method of accounting under U.S. GAAP. Retrieved from https://www.pwc.com/us/en/cfodirect/publications/accounting-guides/consolidation-framework-equity-method-accounting-vie-guide.html
PWC. (2016, January 19). In depth: New consolidation standardUpdated insights. Retrieved from http://www.pwc.com/us/en/cfodirect/publications/in-depth/new-consolidation-standard-fasb-guidance-adoption-updated-insights-us2015-08.html