Understanding Extraordinary Items
Extraordinary items once danced the spotlight on financial statements, revealing gains and losses from the corporate equivalent of sighting a unicorn – both unusual and infrequent. Think of them as the financial statement’s special guests that only show up to really dramatic events, like economic tsunamis or fire-breathing dragon attacks (figuratively speaking, of course).
Extraordinary indeed, these items were segregated on the income statement, shining in their own line of fame, away from the humdrum of ordinary revenues and expenses. Until 2015, that is, when the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) decided that the party was over. Citing reasons such as reducing the complexity and costs of financial reporting preparation, FASB pulled the plug on these rare spectacles, leaving behind only memories in the annals of accounting history.
Why Were They Removed?
The FASB’s 2015 decision was not made on a whim. The primary rationale was simplification. The financial world argued that the costs and effort to delineate these rarities were not justified by the benefits. Prior to its discontinuation, if an event or transaction was akin to sighting Halley’s Comet—both unusual and unexpected—it qualified as extraordinary. This required auditors to don their detective hats, a task that was both costly and time-consuming. Now, without this designation, companies still report unusual or rare events, but without the extraordinary hoopla.
Before vs. After 2015 in the World of Extraordinary Items
Before the big change, identifying and reporting extraordinary items was like creating a mini-drama within the financial statements. Post-2015, it’s more like a sober news report noting anything out of the ordinary in the footnotes without sensationalizing it.
Companies previously engaged in detailed analyses to determine if a monstrous storm or alien invasion (figuratively, again) impacted their financial outcomes beyond the norm. Now, these events are noted with less fanfare, emphasizing transparency over spectacle.
Still Required: The Disclosure of Unusual Events
Despite the end of the “Extraordinary Era,” companies are not off the hook completely; they still need to report significant unusual and infrequently occurring events. These just don’t get the extraordinary label or special tax treatment disclosures anymore. Think of it as going to a fancy dress party but without the costume – you still go to the party; you’re just a lot less conspicuous.
Related Terms
- Income Statement: A financial dashboard of a company, outlining earnings, expenses, and net profits.
- FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board): The maestro of accounting guidelines in the United States.
- GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles): The rulebook all accountants swear by in the U.S.
Recommended Reading
- “Financial Shenanigans: How to Detect Accounting Gimmicks & Fraud in Financial Reports” by Howard Schilit: Dive into the exciting world of financial forensics to see what goes bump in the fiscal night.
- “The Essential Guide to the FASB Codification” by Leslie F. Seidman: A shepherd’s guide through the labyrinthine twists and turns of U.S. accounting standards.
Penny Wise signing off, reminding you that in the world of accounting, extraordinary events may be out, but extraordinary insights are always in! Stay financially literate, my friends.
