Fair Value Accounting Essay

See the following sample essay on fair value accounting. To read the introduction, body, and conclusion of the essay, scroll down.

Recently. just value accounting suffers heated argument because the fiscal crisis. The intent of this article is to measure and understand just value both in literature analysis and pattern. This paper emphasizes the advantages and disadvantages of the just value measuring. Advocates believe that just value can supply timely information that reflects current fiscal market conditions. and information supplied is dependable.

On the other manus. critics argue that just value accounting consequences the job of volatility. limited verifiable and dependable information and procyclicality tendency.

After measuring the just value method. two companies were selected which are Qantas and BPH Billion to reflect the existent application of just value and other alternate methods in their 2011 fiscal studies. The dominant measuring is still historical cost. but houses still widely use just value in derivative fiscal instruments. employee portion program and so on.

This article besides remarks the differences and similarities between two companies.

The last portion shows the hereafter development of just value. and the sentiment is non to abandon this measuring. Suggestions are besides provided to work out peculiar jobs. for illustration. houses can disclosure sufficient and relevant information and premises in Level 1. 2 and 3. and regulators should go on to publish just value measuring criterions and do alterations.

There are some heated arguments about just value virtues and demerits and whether it has future development in fiscal study. Fair value is besides called mark-to-market accounting and it is defined as the value of assets and liabilities could be exchanged between knowing and willing parties in weaponries length minutess.

Get quality help now

Prof. Finch

Verified

Proficient in: Accounting And Finance

4.7 (346)

“ This writer never make an mistake for me always deliver long before due date. Am telling you man this writer is absolutely the best. ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

The research methods of this article are based on some empirical groundss and analysis of literature. In the first portion. it critically evaluates the just value accounting by turn toing the pros and coins. and pull a decision that just value measuring is non a perfect
method and will trip many jobs like inaccurate appraisal. but issues still exists when utilizing other methods like historical cost. Second. Qantas and BHP Billion that listed on ASX were selected to analyse how they used just value and other methods in their 2011 fiscal studies. The decision is that their major measuring is still historical cost. but they still applied just value in derivative fiscal instruments. employee portion program and hard currency et Al. The differences are how they revalue belongings. works and equipment. and how they recognize gross. The last portion illustrates the bing issues related to fair value and suggests some recommendations for future development. For illustration. the appraisal of just value contains mistakes and undependable information when the market is inactive and leads excessively much direction discretion. It is suggested that regulators have to see how much latitude should give to directors. and besides houses can supply sufficient information to investors no affair in Level 1. 2 or 3. Overall. the chief thought for the last portion is the just value will non be abandoned in the hereafter.

Harmonizing to AASB 13. it defines the just value as the appraisal of monetary value that would be received from the sell of plus or payment of transportation liability in an active market between willing parties at the measuring day of the month ( AASB. 2011 ) . The just value measuring encompasses three hierarchies. in degree 1 if the quoted monetary values for the same assets or liabilities in active markets are available. just value measuring should be used based on Level 1 inputs. If non. it should see Level 2 or Level 3 inputs. Level 2 inputs are discernible. including quoted monetary values for similar assets or liabilities in active markets. quoted monetary values for same or similar assets in inactive markets. and other relevant market informations. In footings of Level 3. the inputs are unobservable for assets and liabilities ; so mark-to-model attack will normally be used to find the just value ( Laux & A ; Leuz 2010 ) .

One of the advantages of the just value is that it can supply up-to-date and
most relevant information than historical cost because it determines the value of assets and liabilities based on current market conditions. Therefore. the just value measuring increases the transparence and encourages prompt disciplinary actions ( Skoda & A ; Bilka 2012 ) .

Fair value is a market-based measuring. therefore it can supply indifferent measuring which is non influenced by factors related to the peculiar entities and the measuring is besides consistent from period to period and cross entities ( Penman 2007 ) . Furthermore. the market-based measuring can provide verifiable and impersonal information informations. it besides means the information is dependable because houses will unwrap methodological analysiss and measurings they applied and relevant information ( Skoda & A ; Bilka 2012 ) .

The just value accounting will ensue the job of volatility. which contributes to inordinate purchase in roar periods and leads to excessive write-offs in flops because the alterations of assets and liabilities follow with the market environment. Furthermore. the being of volatility of a market perchance has more hazards and unfavourable deductions on companies’ investing capacity ( Laux & A ; Leuz 2010 ) .

Some oppositions argue that just value measuring can non supply verifiable and dependable information. Harmonizing to Magnan. ML ( 2009 ) . standard-setters should concentrate on supplying verifiable and conservative information. Nevertheless. FVA can non ever supply verifiable or conservative information particularly for nonfinancial assets that companies utilizing appraisal to mensurate values instead than the existent market monetary values in Level 2 and 3 values. Then the state of affairs will ease use for direction and cut down the dependability of information.

It is believed by many oppositions that FVA creates plus bubbles and
aggravates the effects of crisis and leads to procyclicality tendency. which increases the systematic hazards in fiscal market ( Jaggi et al. 2010 ) . Because the FVA dependants on market state of affairss. when just value increases. it is boon to banks’ balance sheets at the top of the rhythm and lessenings will weaken the banks’ balance sheets at the underside rhythm which besides cause the market to panic and impact the development of future market and even the whole fiscal system ( Veron 2008 ) .

After the treatment of pros and coins of the just value. it is clear that the virtues of just value are supplying seasonably and dependable information. while the demerits of just value are ensuing high volatility. limited dependable and verifiable information and tendency to procyclicality. Thus it is obvious that FVA remains imperfect and besides it is difficult to make up one’s mind whether just value makes good betterments in accounting measuring ( Skoda & A ; Bilka 2012 ) . For illustration. it has been discussed that just value measuring causes jobs when estimate the illiquid assets. whereas is it doing state of affairss better if companies utilizing different measurings like historical-cost accounting ( Laux & A ; Leuz 2010 ) ? If there is no other measuring can work out the jobs triggered by FVA. it is still utile and should be applied to some extent.

Qantas is regarded as one of the most prima trade names in Australia and it provides domestic and long distance air hose. The one-year study shows that the company used historical-cost. realizable value. present value and just value measurings. Fair value measuring is widely applied in Qantas study. First. derivative fiscal instruments are measured at just value both ab initio and on an on-going footing ( Qantas. p56 ) . Furthermore. fiscal warrant contracts are besides stated at just value when the warrant is issued ( Qantas. p58 ) . The just value of hard currency. hard currency equivalents and non-interest-bearing fiscal assets and liabilities approximate equal to their carrying sum as consequence of the short period adulthood. As for interest-bearing liabilities. they are valued ab initio at just value minus attributable dealing costs ( Qantas. p61 ) . Secondly. some grosss for
illustration rider and cargo gross and salvation gross use just value method to some extent. Passenger and cargo gross is carried at the just value of the consideration received. while the salvation gross is depending on management’s appraisal of the just value of the expected awards for which the points will be redeemed ( Qantas. p57 ) . Furthermore. the assets classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of transporting sum and just value less costs to sell ( Qantas. p58 ) . Besides. share-based payment is valued at the just value method ( Qantas. p60 ) .

Qantas non merely applies the mark-to-market measuring but besides uses alternate methods in its study. The company prepared the Consolidated Financial Statements based on historical costs except some assets and liabilities should measured at just value that consistent with the accounting policies ( Qantas. p55 ) . When the house reports the belongings. works and equipment. they are ab initio measured at cost or stated at deemed cost less accrued depreciation and impairment losingss. and so utilize cost theoretical account in reappraisal for the subsequent twelvemonth ( Qantas. p58 ) . The stock lists are carried at the lower of cost and cyberspace realizable value and the footing of leaden norm costs is used on the costs of technology outgo and consumable shops ( Qantas. p58 ) . Furthermore. leased assets and liabilities are reported to the present value of the minimal rental payments ( Qantas. p59 ) . In add-on. non-current receivables and proviso are measured at present value ( Qantas. p58. 60 ) .

BHP Billion is a world’s largest manufacturer that major running the concern in excavation and crude oil. It is clear that the dominant method used by BHP Billion is historical cost measuring. and it besides uses just value and net nowadays value methods. BHP Billion applied just value in each category of fiscal instruments. All fiscal assets and liabilities except derived functions are ab initio reported at just value of consideration paid or received. and recognized at just value or amortized cost later ( BHP Billion. p211 ) . The just values of derived functions are based on quoted market monetary values ( BHP Billion. p211 ) . Available for sale and trading investings are
measured at just value ( BHP Billion. p171 ) . Besides. the share-based payments are measured on the just value at grant day of the month ( BHP Billion. p168 ) .

Harmonizing to BHP Billion 2011 one-year study. the fiscal statements are drawn up on the footing of historical cost. while derivative fiscal instruments and other peculiar fiscal assets are carried at just value ( BHP Billion. p166 ) . Besides. the rating of belongings. works and equipment are carried on cost less accrued depreciation and damage charges. and the recoverable sum of them are measured at the higher of just value less costs to sell and value in usage ( BHP Billion. p169. 172 ) . Inventories. including work in advancement. are valued at the lower of cost and cyberspace realizable value. Furthermore. leased assets are capitalized at the lower of the just value of the belongings. works and equipment or the estimated present value of the minimal rental payments ( BHP Billion. p169 ) . Additionally. closing and rehabilitation commissariats are measured at the expected value of future hard currency flows. discounted to their present value ( BHP Billion. p171 ) .

Comparing two companies. the similarities are that historical cost method is their major measuring and they both use just value in derivative fiscal instruments. share-based payments and fiscal assets and liabilities. Because the just value can reflect the up-to-date information of the current market. companies both apply this method in derivative and share-based payments. Besides. for some short period adulthood assets and liabilities. just value can be seen as equal to transporting sum. Furthermore. they both apply same method to mensurate stock lists. As for the differences. Qantas calculated rider and cargo gross and salvation gross in just value method. while BHP Billion acknowledge the gross revenues gross when economic entity has passed control of the goods or other assets to the purchaser. Item of belongings. works and equipment. Qantas used cost theoretical account to appreciate them. whereas BHP Billion recorded the ab initio cost and so find recoverable sum at the higher of just value less costs to sell and value in usage.

Harmonizing to the treatment of virtues and demerits about the just value measuring. and presentation on how Qantas and BHP Billion applied the just value in their one-year studies. it is still hard to find whether just value method contributes benefits in accounting. Some argues that just value accounting in fiscal coverage may speed up its disjunction from a firm’s concern world. while standard-setters and accounting faculty members believe there is no alternate measuring or describing theoretical account better than FVA ( Magnan 2009 ) . As mentioned by Jaggi et Al. ( 2010 ) . ordinance on just value is important for offering dependable. transparent. and accurate information on plus values to investors. and information is utile during stable market conditions. while it fails to be usefulness when the fiscal market is unstable and volatile. The advantages of just value can back up this statement that it provides timely information. which is more utile and reflect current market conditions than historical cost for investors. that is the ground why Qantas and BHP Billion both use this method to mensurate the portions. derived functions and some fiscal instruments. However in an unstable fiscal market. for illustration. when confronting the fiscal crisis. companies’ values written down dramatically utilizing just value measuring. Another terrible job of the just value is that the appraisal of assets and liabilities contain mistakes and the information is non dependable comparison to true market value because it based on unobservable information and will take excessively much discretion for the direction. so it is suggested that the value of assets should non be based on a theoretical account that provides some theoretical value ( Jaggi et al. 2010 ) . Furthermore. regulators have to see how much latitude to give directors when they estimate just value. It is suggested that houses can widen revelation of the implicit in premises when usage just value appraisal no affair in Level 1. 2 or 3. For case. in Level 2 appraisal. companies should supply sufficient information to investors that can assist them to find which assets or liabilities are applied as the footing for comparing. and in Level 3. all relevant theoretical account inputs should be provided to investors ( Landsman 2012 ) .

Even the measuring of just value is non accurate ; other alternate method still contains mistakes such as historical cost. Therefore. just value
accounting should non be abandoned and in order to better it. alteration to the just value accounting should be concerned to work out the specific jobs. It is a challenge for regulators to supply guideline for the rating of fiscal assets that can forestall the companies from fiscal prostration and avoid greater uncertainness in the fiscal markets ( Jaggi et al. 2010 ) . Fortunately. academic accounting research workers like IASB and FASB continue to do attempt in publishing criterions associating to fair value measuring. revelation and acknowledgment that aim to supply ample chance for future research ( Landsman 2012 ) . Additionally. the ordinance compositors will hold a good chance to analyze the efficiency and utility of disclosed information comparing in different adoptive houses.

Although the just value is far from perfect now. it is non necessary to abandon this method and all unfavorable judgment can promote farther explore to settle these issues and impulse related establishments to modify the ordinance in order to do betterments in just value measuring ( Skoda & A ; Bilka 2012 ) .Fair value measuring suffered many critics after the consequence of the fiscal crisis. It clearly shows the strengths and restrictions of the FVA in this article. The pros are that FVA supplies up-to-date and dependable information ; besides it is an indifferent measuring because it is non affected by factors related to other entities. Even though FVA will do many jobs like high volatility. limited verifiable and dependable and procyclicality tendency. it is still utile to some extent because other alternate methods may non execute better than the FVA.

In Qantas and BHP Billion 2011 one-year study. they both reported elements like derived function. some peculiar fiscal instruments. and share-based payments on the footing of just value. The just value can outdo reflect the current market conditions. which is utile to do determinations for investors. There are besides some differences bing in two companies. They recognize belongings. works and equipment in different method. Qantas used cost theoretical account
while BPH Billion measured on the footing of reappraisal theoretical account. Besides. Qantas recognized some gross like rider and cargo gross and salvation gross in just value. while BHP Billion was non.

As for the hereafter development of the just value. just value accounting should non be abandoned. When confronting the job of just value appraisal. it is suggested that extend revelation of the implicit in premises to users whether in Level 1. 2 or 3. In order to better the measuring. regulators should maintain issue and modifying criterions related to just value measuring and hole progressive in the system. Additionally. ordinance compositors can analyze the efficiency and utility of just value among different adoptive houses.