FASB Clarifies Guidance on Accounting for Share-Based Payments
In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (Update) 2014-12 regarding stock compensation. The Update clarifies the accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period.
Start the ConversationWhy Is the FASB Issuing This Update?
Companies will often issue share-based payment awards that require a specific performance target to be achieved in order for employees to become eligible to vest. These performance targets often include revenue metrics, IPO transaction, or other profitability goals. Occasionally, the company will allow these performance targets to be achieved after the employee completes the requisite service period. This is often the cash when an employee is nearing retirement.
The FASB identified that companies were treating the compensation cost on these types of awards differently, as the original guidance (Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 718 – Compensation – Stock Compensation) did not contain explicit guidance on how to account for those share-based payments.
Scope and Application of the Accounting Standards Update
The guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period, be treated as a performance condition. ASC 718 indicates that a performance condition should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award; however, compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved.
At the date it is determined to be probable, a company would recognize compensation cost attributable to the period for which the requisite service period has already been rendered (typically from grant date through the date the target was determined probable). If the performance target is probable of being achieved prior to the end of the requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost shall be recognized prospectively over the remaining service period.
Users should note that this guidance differs from that of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The IASB requires awards with these targets be accounted for as non-vesting conditions which would be reflected in the grant-date fair value of the award.
Who Is Effected by This Update?
The amendments in this Update apply to all reporting entities that grant their employees share-based payments in which the terms of the award provide that a performance target that affects vesting could be achieved after the requisite service period.
Effective Dates
The Update is effective for fiscal years that begin after December 15, 2015 and allows companies to adopt the guidance either (a) prospectively to all awards granted after the effective date, or (b) retrospectively to all outstanding awards with performance targets as of the earliest annual period presented.
Talk to An ExpertPrepare Your Business for the Update
If you require assistance with managing your share-based payment awards, determining the compensation costs to recognize, or other features of ASC 718, contact Signature Analytics.
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