Fair Value: Overview of ASC 820 Self-Study eLearning Course
While “what” is required or permitted to be measured at fair value and “when” it is required or permitted to be measured at fair value is addressed in separate topics in the accounting guidance, there is a principle-based fair value framework provided in ASC 820 and IFRS 13 that must be applied that increases consistency and comparability of fair value measurements in financial reporting.
Fair value is defined in both frameworks as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Key concepts to this definition include:
The Transaction: A fair value measurement assumes the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place in the principal market.
The Price: Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability under current market conditions. In other words, it is an exit price.
Market Participants: Fair value of an asset or a liability must be measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming that market participants act in their best economic interest.
Orderly Transaction: An orderly transaction is a transaction that assumes exposure to the market for a period before the measurement date to allow for marketing activities that are usual and customary for transactions involving such assets or liabilities.
Determining these components of fair value and applying the principles of the fair value framework are not always straightforward. Significant judgment and assumptions are sometimes needed to estimate fair value, which can include determining the principal market, establishing an exit price, identifying the type of transaction, and determining the market participant’s perspective.
Let’s review some of the accounting issues and key principles of the fair value framework.
Principal Market
As we discussed, fair value is the exit price in the principal market. But what is meant by the principal market? And how does one go about determining it?
ASC 820 indicates that the principal market should be determined based on the market with the greatest volume and level of activity for the asset or liability. In the absence of contrary evidence, the market in which an entity would normally enter into a transaction is presumed to be the principal market.
If the principal market is not determinable, then the most advantageous market should be used to determine fair value.
A reporting entity does not need to undertake an exhaustive search of all possible markets to identify the principal market or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market, but it should take into account all information that is reasonably available.
It is also important to note that different entities may have different principal markets for identical assets or liabilities depending on their activities and which markets they can access.
Valuation Techniques to Determine Fair Value of Financial Assets
Valuation techniques that are appropriate to the circ*mstances, and for which sufficient data are available, should be used to measure fair value. ASC 820 identifies the following three valuation approaches:
Market Approach – A valuation technique that uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable (i.e., similar) assets, liabilities, or a group of assets and liabilities, such as a business.
Income Approach – A valuation technique that converts future amounts (e.g., cash flows, or income and expenses) to a single current (i.e., discounted) amount. The fair value measurement is determined on the basis of the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts.
Cost Approach – A valuation technique that reflects the amount that would currently be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (i.e., current replacement cost).
The objective of using a valuation technique is to estimate the price at which an orderly transaction to sell the asset or to transfer the liability would take place between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. Evaluation of the merits of the valuation techniques should be done to determine which one to apply or whether to weight the results of different valuation techniques.
Highest and Best Use Concept
When determining the fair value of a nonfinancial asset, it is important to base the measurement on the asset’s highest and best use.
ASC 820 requires that a fair value measurement of a nonfinancial asset take into account a market participant’s ability to generate economic benefits by using the asset in its highest and best use or by selling it to another market participant that would use the asset in its highest and best use.
The highest and best use of a nonfinancial asset might provide maximum value to market participants through its use in combination with other assets as a group (as installed or otherwise configured for use) or in combination with other assets and liabilities (for example, as a business).
The highest and best use is determined from the perspective of market participants.
Net Asset Value as a Practical Expedient for Fair Value
Some reporting entities, such as investment companies, frequently invest in funds and other alternative investments. It is not easy to value alternative investments because sales are typically private and not available to the public.
These types of investments usually report Net Asset Value or NAV. NAV is the amount of net assets, recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded within profit or loss, attributable to each share, or unit, of the fund.
The FASB permits but does not require the use of NAV as a practical expedient for fair value if certain conditions are met.
IFRS does not contain a practical expedient for estimating fair value of certain investments using NAV.
Under U.S. GAAP, investors may use net asset value (NAV) to estimate the fair value of investments in investment companies that do not have a readily determinable fair value if:
- The investment does not have a readily determinable fair value
- The investment is in an or is an investment in a real estate fund for which it is industry practice to measure investment assets at fair value on a recurring basis and to issue financial statements that are consistent with the measurement principles in ASC 946
- The NAV is calculated consistent with the measurement principles of ASC 946 as of the measurement date
The Fair Value Hierarchy
To increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements and related disclosures, ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that categorizes the inputs used in valuation techniques to measure fair value into three broad levels.
Fair value measurements must be categorized in their entirety based on the lowest level input that is significant to the entire measurement.
- Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that the reporting entity can access at the measurement date
- Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that are observable either directly or indirectly
- Level 3: Unobservable inputs
Accounting for fair value measurements under U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards remain predominantly aligned. IFRS 13, Fair Value Measurement, sets out the framework for measuring fair value under IFRS and defines fair value consistently with the definition under ASC 820. Still, although the standards are closely aligned, there are areas where divergence exists.
While not meant to be all inclusive, here are some of the key differences between ASC 820 and IFRS 13:
Day 1 gains and losses
Under U.S. GAAP, for assets or liabilities required to initially be measured at fair value, any difference between the transaction price and fair value is recognized immediately as a gain or loss in earnings unless the relevant Codification topic that requires or permits the fair value measurement specifies otherwise.
Under IFRS, an entity is prohibited from recognizing inception gains or losses for a financial instrument unless fair value is evidenced by a quoted price in an active market for an identical financial asset or liability, or is based on a valuation technique whose variables include only data from observable markets.
NAV as a practical expedient for fair value
As we discussed earlier, the FASB permits but does not require the use of NAV as a practical expedient for fair value if certain conditions are met.
IFRS does not contain a practical expedient for estimating fair value of certain investments using NAV.
Join the Revolution with GAAP Dynamics!
GAAP Dynamics training courses are designed to help leading accounting firms and multinational companies move beyond the training status quo. Our courses are continually updated and new courses are constantly being added, so check back often! Below are a few of our courses related to fair value measurements.
Fair Value: Overview of ASC 820 - Do you realize that fair value is one of the most widespread financial concepts in U.S. GAAP? As such, this course is a must for any accountant or auditor! After a review of the various balance sheet items which utilize fair value measurements, this CPE-eligible, eLearning course (1.5 CPE) explores key concepts of fair value including: Utilizing market participant assumptions, distinguishing between orderly transactions versus forced transactions, using exit prices and not entry prices, and determining the principal market. This online course then discusses the various approaches to determine fair value measurements, including the importance of inputs and their classification within the fair value hierarchy. The course concludes with a look at "real-life" fair value disclosures, highlighting the disclosure requirements within ASC 820.
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Fair Value: Advanced Issues - Now that you have a good understanding of fair value accounting in accordance with ASC 820 Fair Value Measurements, it’s time to take you knowledge to the next level! The second course in our Fair Value Measurement series, this CPE-eligible, eLearning course (1.5 CPE) dives into advanced fair value measurement issues. Level up your fair value measurement accounting knowledge with advanced topics such as distinguishing, active, inactive and disorderly markets, using net asset value (NAV) as a practical expedient to fair value, and considerations when determining the fair value of liabilities. This online course is a must for any accounting, but especially those responsible for financial reporting or auditing financial institutions..
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Fair Value Restrictions on the Sale of Assets - How should fair value be applied to assets whose sale is restricted? After reviewing the definition of fair value and the requirement within ASC 820 to consider market participant assumptions, this CPE-eligible, microlearning course (0.2 CPE) presents a case study focused on determining whether a restriction is "entity-specific" or "security-specific." After the case study, we provide helpful guidance in determining the type of restriction and the impact on estimating fair value. This online course concludes with providing examples of common restrictions and their effect on fair value of the related securities.
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Fair Value Hierarchy Advanced Issues - One of the main disclosure requirements of ASC 820 Fair Value Measurements is the fair value hierarchy. Such disclosures help users of the financial statements understand the inputs used to measure the fair value of financial instruments. In this CPE-eligible, microlearning course (0.2 CPE), we discuss the fair value hierarchy implications of “off-the-run” U.S. Treasury bonds, bonds priced using matrix pricing, and centrally-cleared derivatives.
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We’ve bundled all these eLearning courses into a US GAAP fair value course collection for big savings!
Fair Value: Overview of IFRS 13 - Fair value measurement is used all over the financial statements and yet, it is one of the most complex and judgmental areas of accounting! In this online training course (1.5 CPE), we will explore key accounting concepts of fair value measurement under IFRS 13, including various methodology approaches, and required disclosures.
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Explore More Revolution Training!
There are resources available on accounting for fair value measurements under both ASC 820 and IFRS 13. To save you time searching, we have compiled a list of resources below to assist you in your research on fair value accounting.
Resources from GAAP Dynamics:
We publish blog posts regularly on various accounting topics and issues. If you want to stay updated by receiving an email notification as new blog posts are published, you can subscribe to our blog here: Subscribe to GAAPology
ASC 820 Related Blog Posts
Fair Value Disclosures Just Got Easier (ASU 2018-13)
ASU 2018-13 was issued as part of the FASB’s disclosure framework project. The objective and primary focus of this project is to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to financial statements by facilitating clear communication of the information required by GAAP that is most important to users of each entity’s financial statements. The amendments in ASU 2018-13 modify the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements found within ASC 820 Fair Value Measurements.
Readily Determinable Fair Value Updates and the Use of Net Asset Value
Transitioning from ASC 840 to ASC 842 is proving to be time consuming and difficult; however, the FASB has issued a recent ASU providing relief.
Resources From the FASB and IASB:
- Understanding the Issues: Measuring Fair Value - This links to an article published by the FASB regarding potential problems that may be encountered when estimating fair value and provides some guidance on using cash flows in the estimation process.
- Post-implementation Review of IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement - The IASB’s summary report on its post-implementation review of the fair value measurement Standard (IFRS 13)
- IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement - This link will take you to the authoritative guidance (professional subscription required).
Resources From Accounting Firms:
The Big 4 accounting firms have informative, in-depth guides on accounting for fair value measurements. To save you time and effort in your research, we have linked to them below.
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