Title: REVENUE RECOGNITION
1REVENUE RECOGNITION
Accounting Day 2009
May 18, 2009
Wayne R. Pinnell Managing Partner Haskell White
LLP
2Revenue Recognition
- Revenue Recognition Overview
- Basic Revenue Recognition Criteria
- Multiple Elements in Revenue Recognition
- Other Revenue Recognition Considerations
- US GAAP vs. IFRS
- Conclusion and Q A
- NOTE Last Year this topic was covered in a
three-hour session. This year we just have an
hour. - Ready or not.here we go!
31. Revenue Recognition Overview
- There are hundreds of references in
authoritative guidance and interpretations under
US GAAP covering revenue recognition. - There are general standards and numerous
standards written to apply to specific industries
or situations. - Codification from FASB came out Q1-2008.
(http//asc.fasb.org) You can register and access
the website for free before July 1, 2009 then
charges.
41. Revenue Recognition Overview
- Some of the more common revenue criteria include
- FASB Concepts Statement No. 5 (the foundation)
- SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 104 applies
to public companies, but is generally considered
applicable to all companies - SFAS 66 applies to real estate
- SOP 97-2 and its related interpretations applies
to software - SOP 81-1 applies to contract accounting
- EITF 99-19 applies to gross revenue as principal
vs. net as agent - EITF 00-10 guidance on accounting for shipping
handling fees - EITF 00-21 applies to multiple deliverable
arrangements
52. Basic Revenue Recognition Criteria
- FASB Concepts Statement No. 5 (December 1984)
- Revenues of an enterprise during a period are
generally measured by the exchange values of the
goods or services. Recognition of revenues in a
given period requires that the revenues meet two
criteria. The revenues must be - Realized or realizable, and
- Earned
62. Basic Revenue Recognition Criteria
- When is revenue realized or realizable?
- Revenue is realized when products, merchandise or
services or other assets are exchanged for cash
or claims to cash - Revenue is realizable when related assets
received or held are readily convertible to known
amounts of cash or claims to cash - When is revenue earned?
- Revenue is earned when the entity has
substantially accomplished what it must do to be
entitled to benefits represented by the benefits
of the revenue. In other words, the earnings
process has been completed.
72. Basic Revenue Recognition Criteria
- Major recent revenue recognition standards
- In October 1997, the AICPA issued Statement of
Position 97-2 on Software Revenue Recognition to
address the evolving practices in the software
industry. - In December 1999, the SEC issued Staff Accounting
Bulletin No. 101 on Revenue Recognition to
summarize existing GAAP on the subject
adopting the basic principles from SOP 97-2. The
SEC later amended SAB 101 with the issuance of
SAB 104.
82. Basic Revenue Recognition Criteria
- SAB 104 and SOP 97-2 indicate that revenue is
generally realized or realizable and earned when
ALL of the following four criteria are met in - Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists
- Delivery has occurred or services have been
rendered - Sellers fee is fixed or determinable
- Collection is reasonably assured
92. Basic Revenue Recognition Criteria
- Persuasive evidence of an arrangement is based on
the Companys customary and agreed upon business
practice which may require a - Signed contract
- Purchase order
- Electronic communication
- Credit card authorization
102. Basic Revenue Recognition Criteria
- Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists
- Complete contract is signed by both parties
before period end. If contract is not signed by
either party, terms and conditions are not final,
revenue cannot be recognized. - Does contract include all terms and conditions?
- Are there any side letters/agreements? Such
agreements may include cancellation, termination,
or return provisions that could affect revenue
recognition - No revenue can be recognized unless persuasive
evidence of an arrangement exists, even if
delivery has occurred.
11SAB 104 Discussion Question (summarized)
- Is there Persuasive Evidence of an Arrangement?
- Facts Company A delivers product to Company B
prior to quarter end. Company As normal and
customary business practice for this class of
customer is to enter into a written sales
agreement that requires the signatures of the
authorized representatives of the Company and its
customer to be binding. Company A prepares a
written sales agreement which is signed by their
authorized representative prior to quarter end.
Company Bs purchasing department has orally
agreed to the sale and stated the contract will
be approved the first week of the next quarter.
12SAB 104 Discussion Question (summarized)
- Question Can Company A recognize revenue in the
current quarter? - Interpretive response Revenue cannot be
recognized in the current quarter. As a result
of Company As business practice of requiring a
written sales agreement for this class of
customer, persuasive evidence of an arrangement
would require a final agreement that has been
executed. Company Bs execution of the sales
agreement after the end of the quarter causes the
revenue from the transaction to be recognized in
the subsequent period.
132. Basic Revenue Recognition
- Delivery has occurred or services have been
rendered - Delivery can vary based on the nature of the
product - Physical transfer
- Electronic transmission
- Availability for download
- Installation/Training requirements
- Customer acceptance
- If the undelivered element(s) are essential to
the functionality of the delivered element(s),
delivery may not have occurred
142. Basic Revenue Recognition Criteria
- Delivery has occurred or services have been
rendered - Shipping terms impact revenue recognition, i.e.
FOB shipping point vs. FOB destination - Title and risk of loss must transfer
- The Companys policy of replacing goods damaged
in shipment at no charge to the customer creates
FOB destination terms for revenue recognition
purposes
152. Basic Revenue Recognition Criteria
- Delivery has occurred or services have been
rendered (cont.) - Bill and hold arrangements should be uncommon.
It must be requested by the customer and has
several other conditions specified in SAB 104 - Revenue should not be recognized when customers
have an unconditional right of return
16SAB 104 Discussion Question (summarized)
- Has Delivery Occurred?
- Facts Company Z has an arrangement to deliver
its products to Company A on a consignment basis.
Pursuant to the terms of the arrangement,
Customer A is a consignee, and title to the
products does not pass from Company Z to Customer
A until Customer A consumes the products in its
operations. Company Z delivers product to
Customer A under the terms of their arrangement. - Question May Company Z recognize revenue upon
delivery of its product to Customer A?
17SAB 104 Discussion Question (summarized)
- Interpretive Response No. Products delivered to
a consignee pursuant to a consignment arrangement
are not sales and do not qualify for revenue
recognition until a sale occurs. The staff
believes that revenue recognition is not
appropriate because the seller retains the risks
and rewards of ownership of the product and title
usually does not pass to the consignee.
18SAB 104 Discussion Question (summarized)
- Has Delivery Occurred?
- Facts Company A receives purchase orders for
product. The customer is not ready to take
delivery of the product for various reasons
including lack of space and delays in customers
production schedules. Company A ships the
product to a third-party warehouse but retains
title to the product and payment is dependent
upon delivery to a customer specified site. - Question Can company A recognize revenue when
the product is shipped?
19SAB 104 Discussion Question (summarized)
- Interpretive response Revenue cannot be
recognized. Delivery generally is not considered
to have occurred unless the customer has taken
title and assumed the risks and rewards of
ownership of the product. This could be
considered to be an inappropriate bill and hold
transaction.
20SAB 104 Discussion Question (summarized)
- Has Delivery Occurred?
- Facts Company E is an equipment manufacturer
whose main product is generally sold in a
standard model. The contracts for sale of that
model provide for customer acceptance to occur
after the equipment is received and tested by the
customer. The acceptance provisions state that
if the equipment does not perform to Companys E
published specifications, the customer may return
the equipment for a full refund or a replacement
unit. Title to the equipment passes upon
delivery to the customer. Company E does not
perform installation or other services on the
equipment and tests each piece of equipment it
sells before shipment.
21SAB 104 Discussion Question (summarized)
- Question Company E receives an order from a new
customer for a standard model of its main
product. When should Company E recognize revenue
from sales of this piece of equipment? - Interpretive response Revenue should be
recognized upon delivery of the equipment. While
the SEC staff presumes that customer acceptance
provisions are substantive provisions that
generally result in revenue deferral, that
presumption can be overcome. Although the
contract includes a customer acceptance clause,
acceptance is based on meeting Company Es
published specifications for a standard model.
22SAB 104 Question (paraphrased)
- Have all conditions related to Delivery been met?
- Facts Assuming the same facts as the previous
example. Company E enters into an arrangement
with a new customer to deliver a version of its
standard product modified as necessary to be
integrated into a customers new assembly line
while still meeting all of the standard published
vendor specifications. The customer may reject
the equipment if it fails to meet the standard
published performance specifications or cannot be
satisfactorily integrated into the new line. - continued
gtgtgt
23SAB 104 Question (paraphrased)
- Have all conditions related to Delivery been met?
- Facts (cont) Company E has never modified its
equipment to work on an integrated basis in the
type of assembly line the customer has proposed.
Company has designed the equipment to meet the
standard published performance specifications
with the modifications necessary, but Company E
is unable to replicate the new assembly line
conditions in its testing.
24SAB 104 Discussion Question (summarized)
- Question When should Company E recognize
revenue from this transaction? - Interpretive response The contract includes a
customer acceptance clause that is based in part
on customer specific criterion and Company E
cannot demonstrate that the equipment shipped
meets that criterion prior to shipment.
Therefore, Company E should wait until the
product is successfully integrated at its
customers location and meets the
customer-specific criteria before recognizing
revenue.
252. Basic Revenue Recognition Criteria
- Sellers fee is fixed or determinable
-
- A fee required to be paid in a set amount that
is not subject to refund or adjustment. - If it cannot be concluded that a fee is fixed or
determinable at the outset of an arrangement,
revenue should be recognized as payments from
customers become due (assuming all other
conditions for revenue recognition have been
satisfied).
262. Basic Revenue Recognition Criteria
- Additional factors impacting the fixed or
determinable assessment include - Extended payment terms outside the Companys
customary terms or over 12 months. Can be
overcome if Company can show a history of full
payment. - Cancellation privileges
- Forfeiture or refund clauses
- Customer acceptance clauses/right of return
- Concessions reduce the present value of amounts
due under the original terms and can include - Additional discounts
- Future products at no fee or a reduced fee
- Extension of payment terms
- Additional payment terms
272. Basic Revenue Recognition Criteria
- Collection is reasonably assured
- An assessment of collectibility should be made
prior to recognition of revenue and should
address differences amongst customers - Collectibility assessments of new customers
should be more diligent - Policy should establish time lines for review of
customers creditworthiness (annually) - It is about the customers ability to pay, not
their willingness - Need adequate documentation of assessment
- In general, bad debt expense and revenue should
not be recorded for the customer in the same
period
28Sample Software Company Issues
- Former client, V had sales agreements for
license fees of 2.0M. In turn, licensee was to
sell and install the software to an end user.
The final price payable to Z was dependent upon
sale to end user, and licensee did not need to
pay until sale was completed with user. - While there was persuasive evidence of an
arrangement, delivery had not occurred, the price
was not fixed and collection was not reasonably
assured in the absence of an end-user customer.
293. Multiple Elements in Revenue Recognition Under
EITF 00-21
- EITF 00-21 was issued to address the increased
complexities that exist when companies offer
bundled products and services. - These bundled products and services often
- Involve delivery of products and services at
varying times - Have varying payment terms and payment streams
- The arrangements could create separate units of
accounting for the elements of the
product/services in the package deal.
303. Multiple Elements in Revenue Recognition Under
EITF 00-21
- Multiple revenue elements in one arrangement
could include - the delivery or performance of multiple products,
services, - the rights to use assets
- initial installation, initiation, or activation
services - Payment arrangements can include consideration
as - a fixed fee or fixed fee coupled with a
continuing payment stream corresponding to the
continuing performance, and - the amount of the payments may be fixed, variable
based on future performance, or a combination of
fixed and variable payment amounts.
313. Multiple Elements in Revenue Recognition Under
EITF 00-21
- In an arrangement with multiple deliverables, the
delivered item(s) should be considered a separate
unit of accounting if ALL of the following
criteria are met - The delivered item(s) have value to the customer
on a stand alone basis - There is objective and reliable evidence of the
fair value of the undelivered item(s) - If there is a general right of return for the
delivered item, delivery or performance of the
undelivered item(s) must be considered probable
and substantially in control of the vendor
323. Multiple Elements in Revenue Recognition Under
EITF 00-21
- The arrangement consideration allocable to
delivered item(s) that does not qualify as a
separate unit of accounting within the
arrangements should be combined with the amount
allocable to the other undelivered items within
the arrangement. - The appropriate recognition of revenue should
then be determined for those combined
deliverables as a single unit of accounting.
333. Multiple Elements in Revenue Recognition Under
EITF 00-21
- The following steps should be followed in
reviewing multiple elements - Identify deliverables
- Determine if there is a higher level of
literature (SFASs, SOPs, FASB Interpretations
and Technical Bulletins) - Measure the arrangement consideration (must be
fixed and determinable) - Separate the deliverables
343. Multiple Elements in Revenue Recognition Under
EITF 00-21
- The following steps should be followed in
reviewing multiple elements (cont.) - Allocate the arrangement consideration (should be
based on fair value contractually stated prices
for individual products and/or services in an
arrangement with multiple deliverables should not
be presumed to be representative of fair value) - Identify the revenue model
35EITF 00-21 Example 1
Facts CellularCo runs a promotion in which new
customer who sign a two-year contract receive a
free phone. The contract requires the customer
to pay a cancellation fee of 300 if the customer
cancels the contract. There is one-time
activation fee of 50 and a monthly fee of 40
for the ongoing service. The same monthly fee is
charged by CellularCo regardless of whether a
free phone is provided. The phone costs
CellularCo 100. Further, assume that CellularCo
frequently sells the phone separately for 120.
continuedgtgtgt
36EITF 00-21 Example 1 (cont.)
Facts (cont) CellularCo is not required to
refund any portion of the fees paid for any
reason. CellularCo is a sufficiently
capitalized, experienced, and profitable business
and has no reason to believe that the two-year
service requirement will not be met. CellularCo
is considering whether (a) the phone and (b) the
phone service (that is, the airtime) are
separable deliverables in the arrangement. The
activation fee is simply considered additional
arrangement consideration to be allocated. The
phone and activation are delivered first,
followed by the phone service (which is provided
over the two-year period of the arrangement).
37EITF 00-21 Example 1 (cont.)
Evaluation The first condition for separation is
met for the phone. That is, the phone has a
value on a standalone basis because it is sold
separately by CellularCo. The second condition
for separation also is met because objective and
reliable evidence of fair value exists for the
phone service. Finally, there are no general
rights of return in this arrangement (third
condition). Therefore, the phone and the phone
service should be accounted for as separate units
of accounting.
38EITF 00-21 Example 1 (cont.)
- The total arrangement consideration is 1,010.
The fair value of the phone service is 960 (40
x 24 months), the price charged by CellularCo. - The fair value of the phone is 120, the price of
the phone when sold separately by CellularCo. - Without considering whether any portion of the
amount allocable to the phone is contingent upon
CellularCos providing the phone service,
CellularCo would allocate the arrangement
consideration on a relative fair value basis as
follows - 112.22 1,010 x (120 120 960) to the
phone and 897.78 1,010 x (960 120
960) to the phone service. - However, because a free phone is provided in
the arrangement and the customer has no
obligation to CellularCo if the phone service is
not provided, 62.22 (assuming the customer has
paid the nonrefundable activation fee) is
contingent upon CellularCos providing the phone
service. - Therefore, the amount allocable to the phone is
limited to 50 (112.22 - 62.22), and the amount
allocable to the phone service is increased to
960.
39EITF 00-21 Example 5
- Facts Company S is an experienced home
appliance dealer. Company S offers a number of
services with the home appliances it sells.
Company S regularly sells Appliance W on a
standalone basis, but they also offer
installation and maintenance services. Company S
does not offer installation or maintenance
services for Appliance W unless they sell the
appliance. Their pricing for Appliance W is as
follows - Appliance W only 800
- Appliance W with installation 850
- Appliance W with maintenance only 975
- Appliance W with installation and
maintenance 1,000
40EITF 00-21 Example 5 (cont.)
- Facts (cont.)
- The amount charged by Company S for installation
(50) approximates the amount charged by
independent third party installers. - Appliance W is sold subject to a general right of
return. If a customer purchases Appliance W with
installation and/or maintenance services, in the
event Company S does not complete the services,
the customer is entitled to a refund of the
portion of the fee that exceeds 800. - Assume that a customer purchases Appliance W with
both installation and maintenance services for
1,000. Company S believes it is probable that
the installation will be performed satisfactorily
to the customer. Assuming the delivery of
Appliance W and its installation occur in
different accounting periods and that the
maintenance services cover a one year period, how
should the 1,000 of revenue be recognized?
41EITF 00-21 Example 5 (cont.)
Evaluation The maintenance services are
separately priced at 175 and should be accounted
for based on the guidance of FTB 90-1 on a
straight line basis over the maintenance term
unless some other basis is objectively determined
to be more appropriate. Regarding Appliance W
and the installation fee, the first condition for
separation is met because it is sometimes sold
separately by Company S. The second condition is
met as there is objective and reliable evidence
of the fair value of the installation service.
The third condition is met because performance of
the installation service is probable and the
control of Company S.
42EITF 00-21 Example 5 (cont.)
Company S would allocate 175 of the arrangement
to maintenance services and recognize in
accordance with FTB 90-1, as noted above.
Company S would allocate the remainder of the
consideration (825) to Appliance W and the
installation service based on their relative fair
values. Appliance W would be allocated 776
(825 x (800 divided by 800 50)) and
installation would be allocated 49 (825 x (50
divided by 800 50)).
43EITF 00-21 Example 8
Facts Company B sells computer systems. On
April 20, a customer purchases a computer system
from Company B for 1,000. The system consists of
a CPU, a monitor, and a keyboard. On April 30,
Company B delivers the CPU to the customer
without the monitor or keyboard. Each of the
items can be purchased separately at a cost of
700 for the CPU, 300 for the monitor, and 100
for the keyboard. The CPU could function with
monitors or keyboards manufactured by others, who
have them readily available. The customer is
entitled to a refund equal to the separate price
of any item composing the system that is not
delivered. The arrangement does not include any
general rights of return. Company B is evaluating
whether delivery of the CPU represents a separate
unit of accounting.
44EITF 00-21 Example 8 (cont.)
Evaluation The first condition for separation is
met for the CPU as it is sold separately by
Company B. The second condition for separation is
met because the fair values of the undelivered
items (keyboard and monitor) are objectively and
reliably determined based on the price of that
equipment when sold separately by Company B. The
third condition for separation is met because
there are no general rights of return. Therefore,
the CPU should be accounted for as a separate
unit of accounting.
45EITF 00-21 Example 8 (cont.)
Evaluation (cont.) Without considering whether
any portion of the amount allocable to the CPU is
contingent upon delivery of the other items,
Company B would allocate the arrangement
consideration on a relative fair value basis.
Therefore, the portion of the arrangement fee
otherwise allocable to the CPU is 636.36 (1,000
700 1,100), of which 36.36 (636.36 -
1,000 - 400) is subject to refund if the
monitor and keyboard are not delivered.
Therefore, the amount allocable to the CPU is
limited to 600, which is the amount that is not
contingent upon delivery of the monitor and
keyboard.
464. Other Revenue Recognition Considerations
- SOP 97-2 provides guidance on when revenue should
be recognized and in what amounts for licensing,
selling, leasing, or otherwise marketing computer
software. May need to consider 97-2 and EITF
03-05 when there is embedded software in products
that may be essential to the functionality to the
product as a whole. - As noted previously, 97-2 contained the four
basic revenue recognition criteria now included
in SAB 104. - EITF 99-19 provides guidance on reporting revenue
gross as a principle versus net as an agent.
Revenue and cost or revenue must be netted when a
company acts as an agent or broker. - Key determinants here include consideration of
whether Seller ever took title and risk of loss
to inventory in the overall sales process. - Net accounting is appropriate when revenue earned
is tantamount to a commission.
474. Other Revenue Recognition Considerations
- EITF 00-10 provides guidance on accounting for
shipping and handling fees and costs. - Amounts billed for SH are included in revenues
- Accounting policy needs to be set for treatment
of costs and are generally included in Costs of
Sale. If classified outside of COS and
significant, disclosure of amount and
classification is required. - SOP 81-1 provides guidance on accounting for
performance of construction and production type
contracts. Generally provides guidance for
revenue recognition on long-term contracts. - Generally requires the percentage-of-completion
method of accounting. - High risk area due to inherent nature of
estimates required - Common in construction and longer-term
development projects including custom software.
484. Other Revenue Recognition Considerations
(cont.)
- Bill Hold Such are generally not recorded as
revenues, unless meet stringent guidelines of SAB
104 including - Risk of ownership passes to buyer
- Customer has written commitment to purchase
- The buyer must request the bill and hold
- Fixed delivery schedule in line with buyers
business - Seller does not retain specific performance
obligations - Goods segregated from rest of seller inventory
- Goods must be complete and ready for shipment
494. Other Revenue Recognition Considerations
(cont.)
- Channel Stuffing Sales are boosted or pushed to
customers in amounts higher than they can
promptly sell. (Hint Watch out for those sales
returns after QE/YE) - Side Agreements Formal or informal agreements
that significantly alter the terms of sale. This
also existed at Software Client V discussed
previously.
504. Other Revenue Recognition Considerations
(cont.)
- Right of Return (SFAS 48) When a seller gives
the buyer the right to return the product,
revenue from the sales transaction shall be
recognized at time of sale only if all of the
following conditions (a-f) are met - a. The seller's price to the buyer is
substantially fixed or determinable at the date
of sale. - b. The buyer has paid the seller, or the buyer is
obligated to pay the seller and the obligation is
not contingent on resale of the product.
514. Other Revenue Recognition Considerations
(cont.)
- Right of Return (cont.)
- c. The buyer's obligation to the seller would not
be changed in the event of theft or physical
destruction or damage of the product. - The buyer acquiring the product for resale has
economic substance apart from that provided by
the seller. - The seller does not have significant obligations
for future performance to directly bring about
resale of the product by the buyer. - The amount of future returns can be reasonably
estimated
525. US GAAP vs. IFRS (its coming fast!)
- Hundreds of references in US GAAP vs. ONE
principle (IAS 18) under IFRS. - SEC Roadmap for Conversion (Proposed 11/08)
(comments were due by 4/20/09) - The SEC to make final decision in 2011
- Possible (probable?) requirement for 2014 FY
filings for large accelerated filers (YE gt
12/15/14) - Some of the largest could be on IFRS for 2009!
535. US GAAP vs. IFRS (its coming fast!)
- All accelerated filers for FYE on/after 12/15/15
- The balance of public companies for FYE on/after
12/15/16. - Adoption dependent on several milestones
outlined by the SEC. - What about the private companies? IASB expected
to complete project on IFRS for Private
Entities in 2009.
545. US GAAP vs. IFRS (its coming fast!)
- IFRS revenue from the sale of goods recognized
only when risks and rewards of ownership have
been transferred, the buyer has control of the
goods, revenues can be measured reliably, and it
is probable that the economic benefits will flow
to the company (seller).
555. US GAAP vs. IFRS (its coming fast!)
- IFRS revenue from rendering services
recognized in accordance with long-term contract
accounting, including considering the stage of
completion, whenever revenues and costs can be
measured reliably and it is probable the economic
benefits will flow to the company (seller).
565. US GAAP vs. IFRS (its coming fast!)
- IFRS Multiple Elements IAS 18 requires
recognition of revenue on an element of a
transaction if that element has commercial
substance on its own otherwise, the separate
elements must be linked and accounted for as a
single transaction. (No other specific guidance,
yet.)
575. US GAAP vs. IFRS (its coming fast!)
- IFRS Construction Contracts IAS 18 requires
the use of the percentage-of-completion method if
certain criteria are met. Otherwise, revenue
recognition is limited to recoverable costs
incurred. (Completed contract method is not
permitted.)
58Conclusion and Questions Answers
Wayne R. Pinnell Managing Partner Haskell White
LLP
16485 Laguna Canyon Road 3rd Floor Irvine, CA
92618 T (949) 450-6200 F (949)753-1224
12707 High Bluff Drive Suite 200 San Diego, CA
92130 T (858) 350-4215 F (858) 350-4218