All Posts by Charles Hall

Understanding the New Nonprofit Accounting Standard

By Charles Hall | Accounting

Are you ready to implement FASB’s new nonprofit accounting standard? Back in August 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-14, Presentation of Financial Statements of Not-for-Profit Entities. In this article, I provide an overview of the standard and implementation tips.

New Nonprofit Accounting – Some Key Impacts

What are a few key impacts of the new standard?

• Classes of net assets
• Net assets released from “with donor restrictions”
• Presentation of expenses
• Intermediate measure of operations
• Liquidity and availability of resources
• Cash flow statement presentation

Classes of Net Assets

Presently nonprofits use three net asset classifications:

1. Unrestricted
2. Temporarily restricted
3. Permanently restricted

The new standard replaces the three classes with two:

1. Net assets with donor restrictions
2. Net assets without donor restrictions

Terms Defined

These terms are defined as follows:

Net assets with donor restrictions – The part of net assets of a not-for-profit entity that is subject to donor-imposed restrictions (donors include other types of contributors, including makers of certain grants).

Net assets without donor restrictions – The part of net assets of a not-for-profit entity that is not subject to donor-imposed restrictions (donors include other types of contributors, including makers of certain grants).

Presentation and Disclosure

The totals of the two net asset classifications must be presented in the statement of financial position, and the amount of the change in the two classes must be displayed in the statement of activities (along with the change in total net assets). Nonprofits will continue to provide information about the nature and amounts of donor restrictions.

Additionally, the two net asset classes can be further disaggregated. For example, donor-restricted net assets can be broken down into (1) the amount maintained in perpetuity and (2) the amount expected to be spent over time or for a particular purpose.

Net assets without donor restrictions that are designated by the board for a specific use should be disclosed either on the face of the financial statements or in a footnote disclosure.

Sample Presentation of Net Assets

Here’s a sample presentation:

Net Assets
Without donor restrictions
Undesignated	$XX
Designated by Board for endowment	XX
	XX
With donor restrictions
Perpetual in nature	XX
Purchase of equipment	XX
Time-restricted	XX
	XX
Total Net Assets	$XX

Net Assets Released from “With Donor Restrictions”

The nonprofit should disaggregate the net assets released from restrictions:

• program restrictions satisfaction
• time restrictions satisfaction
• satisfaction of equipment acquisition restrictions
• appropriation of donor endowment and subsequent satisfaction of any related donor restrictions
• satisfaction of board-imposed restriction to fund pension liability

Here’s an example from ASU 2016-14:

Presentation of Expenses

Presently, nonprofits must present expenses by function. So, nonprofits must present the following (either on the face of the statements or in the notes):

• Program expenses
• Supporting expenses

The new standard requires the presentation of expenses by function and nature (for all nonprofits). Nonprofits must also provide the analysis of these expenses in one location. Potential locations include:

• Face of the statement of activities
• A separate statement (preceding the notes; not as a supplementary schedule)
• Notes to the financial statements

I plan to add a separate statement (like the format below) titled Statement of Functional Expenses. (Nonprofits should consider whether their accounting system can generate expenses by function and by nature. Making this determination now could save you plenty of headaches at the end of the year.)

External and direct internal investment expenses are netted with investment income and should not be included in the expense analysis. Disclosure of the netted expenses is no longer required.

Example of Expense Analysis

Here’s an example of the analysis, reflecting each natural expense classification as a separate row and each functional expense classification as a separate column.

The nonprofit should also disclose how costs are allocated to the functions. For example:

Certain expenses are attributable to more than one program or supporting function. Depreciation is allocated based on a square-footage basis. Salaries, benefits, professional services, office expenses, information technology and insurance, are allocated based on estimates of time and effort.

Intermediate Measure of Operations

If the nonprofit provides a measure of operations on the face of the financial statements and the use of the term “operations” is not apparent, disclose the nature of the reported measure of operations or the items excluded from operations. For example:

Measure of Operations

Learning Disability’s operating revenue in excess of operating expenses includes all operating revenues and expenses that are an integral part of its programs and supporting activities and the assets released from donor restrictions to support operating expenditures. The measure of operations excludes net investment return in excess of amounts made available for operations.

Alternatively, provide the measure of operations on the face of the financial statements by including lines such as operating revenues and operating expenses in the statement of activities. Then the excess of revenues over expenses could be presented as the measure of operations.

Liquidity and Availability of Resources

FASB is shining the light on the nonprofit’s liquidity. Does the nonprofit have sufficient cash to meet its upcoming responsibilities?

Nonprofits should include disclosures regarding the liquidity and availability of resources. The purpose of the disclosures is to communicate whether the organization’s liquid available resources are sufficient to meet the cash needs for general expenditures for one year beyond the balance sheet date. The disclosure should be qualitative (providing information about how the nonprofit manages its liquid resources) and quantitative (communicating the availability of resources to meet the cash needs).

Sample Liquidity and Availability Disclosure

The FASB Codification provides the following example disclosure in 958-210-55-7:

NFP A has $395,000 of financial assets available within 1 year of the balance sheet date to meet cash needs for general expenditure consisting of cash of $75,000, contributions receivable of $20,000, and short-term investments of $300,000. None of the financial assets are subject to donor or other contractual restrictions that make them unavailable for general expenditure within one year of the balance sheet date. The contributions receivable are subject to implied time restrictions but are expected to be collected within one year.

NFP A has a goal to maintain financial assets, which consist of cash and short-term investments, on hand to meet 60 days of normal operating expenses, which are, on average, approximately $275,000. NFP A has a policy to structure its financial assets to be available as its general expenditures, liabilities, and other obligations come due. In addition, as part of its liquidity management, NFP A invests cash in excess of daily requirements in various short-term investments, including certificate of deposits and short-term treasury instruments. As more fully described in Note XX, NFP A also has committed lines of credit in the amount of $20,000, which it could draw upon in the event of an unanticipated liquidity need.

Alternatively, the nonprofit could present tables (see 958-210-55-8) to communicate the resources available to meet cash needs for general expenditures within one year of the balance sheet date.

Cash Flow Statement Presentation

A nonprofit can use the direct or indirect method to present its cash flow information. The reconciliation of changes in net assets to cash provided by (used in) operating activities is not required if the direct method is used.

Consider whether you want to incorporate additional changes that will be required by ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows–Restricted Cash. If your nonprofit has no restricted cash, then this standard is not applicable.

You can early implement ASU 2016-18. (The effective date is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018.) Once this standard is effective, you’ll include restricted cash in your definition of cash. The last line of the cash flow statement might read as follows: Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash.

Effective Date of ASU 2016-14

The effective date for 2016-14, Not-for-Profit Entities, is for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (2018 calendar year-ends and 2019 fiscal year-ends). The standard can be early adopted.

For comparative statements, apply the standard retrospectively. 

If presenting comparative financial statements, the standard does allow the nonprofit to omit the following information for any periods presented before the period of adoption:

• Analysis of expenses by both natural classification and functional classification (the separate presentation of expenses by functional classification and expenses by natural classification is still required). Nonprofits that previously were required to present a statement of functional expenses do not have the option to omit this analysis; however, they may present the comparative period information in any of the formats permitted in ASU 2014-16, consistent with the presentation in the period of adoption.
• Disclosures related to liquidity and availability of resources.

Restricted Cash: The Skinny on ASU 2016-18

By Charles Hall | Auditing

FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows, in November 2016. This standard changes the way restricted cash is shown in cash flow statements.

The standard is effective in 2019 for calendar year-end private companies. Early adoption is permitted

Here’s the skinny on the new standard. (To download the slidedeck, click here. The video below was created before I changed the name of my blog from CPA Scribo to CPA Hall Talk, but the information is current.)

 

ASU 2018-17: A VIEry Good Gift from FASB

By Charles Hall | Accounting

AICPA Hosting Services Interpretation

By Charles Hall | Auditing

As of July 1, 2019, hosting services impair independence, so says the AICPA. And most firms are providing hosting services (though they may not know it). This can be dangerous. Below I explain the AICPA hosting services interpretation. 

AICPA Hosting Services Interpretation

Starting July 1, 2019, your possession of client documents (e.g., tax records) or information (e.g., the housing of QuickBooks files on your server) can, in some instances, create an independence impairment. (If you temporarily possess original documents (e.g., tax records) but return them to the client in a short period, then the possession of the original documents does not impair your independence.)

The AICPA recently adopted a new interpretation, “Hosting Services,” which appears in the Code of Conduct under nonattest services. See 1.295.143 of the Code.

Why would possessing documents or information potentially impair independence? Because you accepted the responsibility for designing, implementing or maintaining internal controls for the records in your possession. And this is considered a management function.

In effect, the AICPA is saying there is an implicit understanding that you (the CPA) will safeguard the client’s records. And to safeguard the information, you agree to create controls to ensure the safety of the information in your possession.

To understand the actions that would impair your independence, see Catherine Allen’s article in the Journal of Accountancy. Specifically, look at her examples of where independence is impaired and where it is not. 

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What I Wish I Had Known About Public Accounting

By Charles Hall | Accounting and Auditing

As I enter the latter part of my career, I look back and see several mistakes I made. Here’s what I wish I had known about public accounting–before I started.

I thought I knew a lot when I graduated from college, but my education was just beginning.

Job #1 – The Lesson of Firm Culture

In my first job, I went to work with a “big eight” public accounting firm in Tampa, Florida. As soon as I moved to my new digs on Tampa Bay, they shipped me out to Jackson, Mississippi where I remained for months (seeing my Tampa apartment twice in three months). Most days I did the expert work of pro-forming work papers—the thing they gave to newbies. Boredom defined. So I had this sexy job with a big firm, but I spent most days dawdling with routine duties. I kept thinking, “I went to college for this?” Surely accounting had to be more interesting.

I felt uncomfortable. This international firm was cold (even if this office was in Florida). I had grown up in a small town where you spoke to everyone and respected all. Soon I left Tampa and headed back home to Georgia.

What I learned: Work in a place that allows you to grow and one where you fit in. Firms have cultures. I needed one that aligned with who I was.

Job #2 – The Lesson of a Niche Practice

Back in Georgia, I landed work with a regional firm. I felt more at home. The work was more challenging than my former job, and my knowledge began to expand rapidly. This particular business had a strong niche practice and was very profitable. The firm used a pooled staffing approach, so I worked for one partner one week, another the next week, and another the next. I did not get a chance to start and finish audit engagements. It stressed me that so many different partners wanted me to complete their work. And each partner felt their work was the priority. After three years, I moved on.

What I learned: Firms that focus on niches perform better than those that don’t. As an employee, it’s better to work with one partner. You get to see engagements from start to finish, and the stress decreases since you know what your (one) boss wants. 

Job #3 – The Lesson of Working for One Boss

My new firm was even smaller than the last, having about thirty people. Here I worked for one partner which was nice, and he worked in one industry which was also pleasant. When I interviewed with the firm, I was told that my assigned partner would retire in three or four years, and I would have the opportunity to take his place. Since I was the audit manager, I learned a great deal, but over time it became apparent to me I was doing most of the work and the partner was receiving most of the pay.

The partner was a wonderful guy, but after eight years (not three or four), the partner was still in plain sight (and had not retired). 

So one day I screwed up my courage and asked, “When are you retiring?” The conversation was difficult (an understatement, he yelled at me). He wouldn’t answer my question. It was clear he had no intention of retiring (even though he was 68). I was angry. I had been duped (at least, I felt that way). 

So I left.

What I learned: I like working for one boss. I knew what he wanted, and I delivered it. When someone makes you a partnership offer, get it in writing (clarify the timetable and how the transition will occur). Don’t allow years to go by without communicating.

Job #4 – The Lesson of a Solo Practice

The next step in my journey was to start a new firm. I bought a small company that was only yielding $200 per month (yes, you read that right—$200 a month). My wife was at home with our kids, so we had no other income. 

About this same time, my two-year-old son was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. I wondered how we would make it. I’ve never been so low in my life. And then three years into the solo practice, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. (See my article, Audit Lessons from a Brain Tumor.)

We had an excellent opportunity to exercise faith, so we did, praying often. All I can say is God took care of us. At the end of the first year, my income was equal to my prior year of employment. The following five years were successful.

But after six years of being a sole proprietor (and then as a partner), my father’s health began to fail, and I was called to attend to his needs and…yes, you guessed it, another job.

What I learned: Going solo is one of the hardest things you will ever do. I quickly realized how important it is to have other professionals around me so I can bounce things off them and seek their guidance. Being alone is…lonely. (I brought in a partner in my third year. Having her there was wonderful.) 

Without the economies of scale afforded to larger firms, my overhead ate most of my cash flow. I found it hard to get potential audit clients to take me seriously. They saw me as “small” though my skill level was no different than it was in my previous jobs. When it comes to marketing, perception is everything.

On to the next job.

Job #5 – The Lesson of Learning to Speak and Write

I returned to my first Georgia employer (job #2 above) as their quality control director. I was 42 years old and had never been a quality control guy, so this was all new to me. But I enjoyed the challenge. While the firm had a niche practice, it still afforded me the opportunity to see a wide variety of audits, reviews, and compilations. I also began teaching more continuing education classes and loved doing so. When I taught, I felt “in my element.” The firm did (and still does) an excellent job of marketing. 

After six years in this position, my father passed away, and my wife wanted to move back to middle Georgia to be near her mother. So we did.

What I learned: Exposure to a broad range of work expands your professional abilities. It is easier for niche firms to market themselves as go-to experts. A niche practice generates higher profits since a common client base allows a firm to build repeatable processes and train staff. Also, I was beginning to realize the importance of speaking and writing. 

On a personal note, being there with my Dad was awesome. The conversations we had are some of my most treasured memories.

Job #6 – The Lesson of Staying with a Firm

For the last ten years, I’ve worked as the quality control director and now as the quality control partner for our firm, McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co. We are well diversified, but we have specialized niches within the company, so no one industry defines us. The diversity of work keeps me on my toes. I deal with accounting and auditing issues for banks, telecommunication companies, nonprofits, governments, small businesses and more. I continue to speak at professional conferences and to our staff, and, as you can see, I write. 

The Main Lessons Learned

One thing I have thought about as I look back over my career: I changed jobs too often.

If I had my career to do over again, I would find a good firm, and I would stay.

What I learned: Finding and staying with a good firm will provide you with significant opportunities.

Speak to groups and write professional articles and blog posts. Doing so will allow you to make new friends and great contacts.

Reflections on the Journey

Finally, let me say this: Finding balance and taking care of ourselves physically and spiritually are keys to success. Sitting at a desk for ten to twelve hours a day—without breaks—will only make us less productive and less healthy.

Praying and running (now walking as I’m older) have been my two biggest allies. At 6:00 every morning, I spend about 30 minutes reading my Bible and praying. I also walk five days a week with my wife and every Saturday with my twin brother (he blogs at ProjectRiskCoach.com).  Praying and walking give me energy and stamina. (See my article How to Create Energy that Sustains You.)

By the way, I mentioned my son with cystic fibrosis. He was three years old when diagnosed. Today he is twenty-four and works as a data scientist at the University of Georgia. Most importantly, he is doing well. And I am so thankful. 

What Lessons Have You Learned?

These are some things I have learned. I’d love to hear about your lessons. Please share one or two career experiences in the comment field below.