Question

In: Accounting

Accounting for acquired goodwill has been a controversial issue for many years. In the United States

Accounting for acquired goodwill has been a controversial issue for many years. In the United States, the amount of acquired goodwill is capitalized and not amortized. Globally, the treatment of goodwill varies significantly, with some countries not recognizing goodwill as an asset. Professors Johnson and Petrone, in “Is Goodwill an Asset?” discuss this issue. 

 

Required: 

1. In your library or from some other source, locate the indicated article in Accounting Horizons, September 1998. 

2. Does goodwill meet the FASB’s definition of an asset? 3. What are the key concerns of those that believe goodwill is not an asset?

Solutions

Expert Solution

Requirement 1

Goodwill does meet the criteria in Concepts Statement No. 5for initial recognition as an asset. Goodwill does represent “future economic benefits” that are in the “control” of the enterprise and that have arisen from a “past transaction or event.”

 

Requirement 2

Some believe that goodwill is not an asset because of concerns about (1) equating costs and assets, (2) exchangeability of goodwill, and (3) controllability.


Goodwill does meet the criteria in Concepts Statement No. 5for initial recognition as an asset.

Related Solutions

Air pollution is one critical issue that the United States economy has been struggling to deal...
Air pollution is one critical issue that the United States economy has been struggling to deal with. A vehicle creates a lot of pollution that has negative externality effects in our economy. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) was designed to reduce American dependence on foreign oil by producing more fuel-efficient vehicles to help curb emissions. Should the government force car manufacturers to increase fuel efficiency standards, or should the government increase fuel taxes? When evaluating this question, discuss the...
The United States has traditionally been a two party system. Many other Democracies and Republics have...
The United States has traditionally been a two party system. Many other Democracies and Republics have many parties (Europe). Do you think we should continue the two party system? Why or why not?   What other party would you support if we changed our party system? Please make sure your responses are 250 to 300 substantive words.
In the United States during the early 2000's there were a plethora of accounting scandals. Many...
In the United States during the early 2000's there were a plethora of accounting scandals. Many times, the CEO was the cause of the problem. Congress passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in 2002. A large portion of the act was devoted to making CEO's more responsible for control over accounting. How do the actions of CEOs and upper management affect accounting and financial reporting?
For years, there have been claims from politicians in the United States that the Chinese actively...
For years, there have been claims from politicians in the United States that the Chinese actively manipulate their currency, the yuan, keeping its value low against the dollar and other major currencies in order to boost Chinese exports. In November 2015, for example, presidential hopeful Donald Trump claimed that “the wanton manipulation of China’s currency” is “robbing Americans of billions of dollars in capital and millions of jobs.”18 But is this claim true? Would it even be possible for China...
In the United States, a defendant is innocent until proven guilty. There have been many cases...
In the United States, a defendant is innocent until proven guilty. There have been many cases that have proven the defendant innocent at the end of the trial. In cases against the government, it is easy to automatically assume that a defendant is guilty because of government resources (FBI, CIA, US Attorney’s, etc) being able to use their power to gather information. It has happened in several cases, where the government could be wrong and in doing so, pull “tricks”...
In the United States, a defendant is innocent until proven guilty. There have been many cases...
In the United States, a defendant is innocent until proven guilty. There have been many cases that have proven the defendant innocent at the end of the trial. In cases against the government, it is easy to automatically assume that a defendant is guilty because of government resources (FBI, CIA, US Attorney’s, etc) being able to use their power to gather information. It has happened in several cases, where the government could be wrong and in doing so, pull “tricks”...
The United States has been called a "Melting Pot". Define the Melting Pot. Is the United...
The United States has been called a "Melting Pot". Define the Melting Pot. Is the United States really a "Melting Pot" of Nations? Or is it something else?
Why has there been a proliferation of interest groups in the United States? What have been...
Why has there been a proliferation of interest groups in the United States? What have been the effects on the political process? What are some of the historical reasons for the proliferation of interest groups during the 1930s and the 1960s?
The United States has been described as a melting pot of the world and a favored...
The United States has been described as a melting pot of the world and a favored location for international migration, also referred to as a brain drain phenomenon. Immigration is always a topic of debate in news and media. What are the welfare effects of such requirements? Do you oppose or favor an open immigration policy?
1. Why has accounting for leases been controversial? a) Leasing is uncommon. b) Companies have structured...
1. Why has accounting for leases been controversial? a) Leasing is uncommon. b) Companies have structured leases in a way that the lease liabilities remain “off-balance sheet”. c) All leases are structured the same way and treated the same way. d) Most leases are immaterial. 2. Accounting for leases is important to all EXCEPT the following: a) U.S. Congress. b) leasing companies. c) financial institutions. d) companies who purchase assets outright. 3. An essential element in a lease agreement is...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT