FASB Research Paper:

Our FASB research paper will be the combination of two cases contained in our eText.  The first one can be found in the end of chapter materials of Chapter 5: Codification Research Case (also copied below).  This will focus on providing codification references for Accounting Policies as they relate to the Balance Sheet. The second one is in Chapter 6 end of chapter materials  and will focus on the use of Present Value Techniques in Accounting.  Both will require researching the FASB statements and answering questions listed in the cases.  See item listed below for FASB Codification access.  Please answer all questions listed under the Instructions.

Your write up for each case should be at least 2 pages  (4 pages for both) and due Week 12.

Chapter 5:

Codification Research Case
In light of the full disclosure principle, investors and creditors need to know the balances for assets, liabilities, and equity as well as the accounting policies adopted by management to measure the items reported in the balance sheet.

Instructions
If your school has a subscription to the FASB Codification, go to http://aaahq.org/asclogin.cfm to log in and prepare responses to the following. Provide Codification references for your responses.

(a) 
Identify the literature that addresses the disclosure of accounting policies.

(b) 
How are accounting policies defined in the literature?

(c) 
What are the three scenarios that would result in detailed disclosure of the accounting methods used?

(d) 
What are some examples of common disclosures that are required under this statement?

Chapter 6

Codification Research Case
At a recent meeting of the accounting staff in your company, the controller raised the issue of using present value techniques to conduct impairment tests for some of the company’s fixed assets. Some of the more senior members of the staff admitted having little knowledge of present value concepts in this context, but they had heard about a FASB Concepts Statement that may be relevant. As the junior staff in the department, you have been asked to conduct some research of the authoritative literature on this topic and report back at the staff meeting next week.

Instructions
If your school has a subscription to the FASB Codification, go to http://aaahq.org/asclogin.cfm to log in and access the FASB Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts. When you have accessed the documents, you can use the search tool in your Internet browser to respond to the following items. (Provide paragraph citations.)

(a) 
Identify the concept statement that addresses present value measurement in accounting.

(b) 
What are some of the contexts in which present value concepts are applied in accounting measurement?

(c) 
Provide definitions for the following terms:
1.Best estimate.
2.Estimated cash flow (contrasted to expected cash flow).
3.Fresh-start measurement.
4.Interest methods of allocation.