Categories
Resources for Accountants

Accounting for Cryptocurrency [Video]

Accounting for Cryptocurrency

Did you know MicroStrategy has $3 billion of Bitcoin?

And Tesla bought $1.5 billion of Bitcoin.
• But U.S. GAAP doesn’t currently address cryptocurrency
• So how do companies account for cryptocurrency?

Here’s what we know:

Cryptocurrencies aren’t considered cash because:
• They’re a poor store of value (too volatile)
• Not widely accepted as a medium of exchange
• Not backed by a sovereign government

Cryptocurrencies aren’t considered inventory either.
• They’re usually acquired for purposes of speculation
• But even if you purchased or mined the cryptocurrency with the intention of selling it through your ordinary course of business, it’s not “tangible personal property” so it doesn’t meet the definition of inventory per U.S. GAAP

So what are cryptocurrencies?
• They’re indefinite-lived intangible assets, accounted for under ASC 350
• Cryptocurrencies are recorded on the balance sheet at cost (whatever you paid for them)
• They’re not amortized, but are tested for impairment annually (or more frequently if circumstances suggest the asset has become impaired). The impairment is the difference between (a) the carrying value on the balance sheet and (b) the fair value

Here’s an excerpt from MicroStrategy’s 10-Q:

“The Company accounts for its digital assets as indefinite-lived intangible assets in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other. The Company’s digital assets are initially recorded at cost. Subsequently, they are measured at cost, net of any impairment losses incurred since acquisition.”

They treat cryptocurrencies as an indefinite-lived intangible asset, measured at cost minus impairments.

But there’s a problem here, and it’s why the Wall Street Journal said cryptocurrencies could create headaches for these companies.

Companies write down the cryptocurrencies for losses, but they can’t write them up for gains.

Let’s say a company pays $2 billion to acquire cryptocurrency.
• It would initially be on the balance sheet for $2 billion
• If the fair value falls to $1.5 billion, the firm would record a $500 million impairment
• But if the fair value increases, the company doesn’t record a gain. The value could go to $8 billion and it would have no effect on the company’s earnings. The increase in value has no effect on the P&L statement unless the company sells the cryptocurrency

There is an exception to all this.
• In some situations, an investment company might be able to account for cryptocurrency as an investment and use fair value accounting
• In that case, both unrealized gains and losses would affect the company’s earnings

That’s all we know for now. Hopefully the FASB will provide clearer guidance in the future.

Edspira is the creation of Michael McLaughlin, who went from teenage homelessness to a PhD.
Edspira’s mission is to make a high-quality business education accessible to all people.

SUBSCRIBE FOR A FREE 53-PAGE GUIDE TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
* http://eepurl.com/dIaa5z

LISTEN TO THE SCHEME PODCAST
* Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scheme/id1522352725
* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4WaNTqVFxISHlgcSWNT1kc
* Website: https://www.edspira.com/podcast-2/

CONNECT WITH EDSPIRA
* Website: https://www.edspira.com
* Blog: https://www.edspira.com/blog/
* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Edspira
* Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/561316587899818//
* Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/edspira
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/edspira

CONNECT WITH MICHAEL
* Website: http://www.MichaelMcLaughlin.com
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-michael-mclaughlin
* Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Prof_McLaughlin
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prof.michael.mclaughlin
* Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/prof_mclaughlin
*Twitch: https://twitch.tv/prof_mclaughlin
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prof_mclaughlin
*TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@prof_mclaughlin

Watch/Read More
Categories
Resources for Accountants

How to Account for Early Retirement of Bonds [Video]

This video explains how to account for the early retirement of bonds (aka early extinguishment of debt or early redemption of bonds).When a company retires (redeems) its bonds prior to the maturity date, the company must do several things:-Reduce the cash account by the amount used to repurchase the bonds (if cash is used to retire the bonds)-Remove the bonds payable-Zero out the unamortized discount or unamortized premium-Record a gain or loss IF the repurchase price is different from the carrying value (aka book value) of the bonds on the date the bonds are retiredThere are two ways to calculate the gain or loss on the early retirement of the bonds:(1) record the journal entry; if a debit is required to make the journal entry balance, then debit a loss on early retirement (or loss on bond redemption, loss on early extinguishment of debt, etc.). If a credit is instead required to make the journal entry balance, the credit a gain on early retirement (or gain on bond redemption, gain on early extinguishment of debt, etc.)(2) calculate the difference between the repurchase price (the amount paid to retire the bonds) and carrying value (aka book value) of the bonds at the time they are retired. If the repurchase price is less than the carrying value, there is a gain. If the repurchase price is greater than the carrying value, there is a loss.0:00 Introduction0:39 4 things to do when retiring bonds1:20 Example3:59 T-account for discount on bonds payable4:18 Journal entry to record gain on retirement of bonds5:53 Alternative situation (loss on retirement of bonds)— Edspira is the creation of Michael McLaughlin, an award-winning professor who went from teenage homelessness to a PhD. Edspira’s mission is to make a high-quality business education freely available to the world.— SUBSCRIBE FOR A FREE 53-PAGE GUIDE TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PLUS: • A 23-PAGE GUIDE TO MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING• A 44-PAGE GUIDE TO U.S. TAXATION• A 75-PAGE GUIDE TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS• MANY MORE FREE PDF GUIDES AND SPREADSHEETS* http://eepurl.com/dIaa5z— SUPPORT EDSPIRA ON PATREON*https://www.patreon.com/prof_mclaughlin— GET CERTIFIED IN FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS, IFRS 16, AND ASSET-LIABILITY MANAGEMENT * https://edspira.thinkific.com — LISTEN TO THE SCHEME PODCAST * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scheme/id1522352725 * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4WaNTqVFxISHlgcSWNT1kc * Website: https://www.edspira.com/podcast-2/ — GET TAX TIPS ON TIKTOK * https://www.tiktok.com/@prof_mclaughlin — ACCESS INDEX OF VIDEOS * https://www.edspira.com/index — CONNECT WITH EDSPIRA * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Edspira * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edspiradotcom * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/edspira — CONNECT WITH MICHAEL * Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Prof_McLaughlin * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-michael-mclaughlin — ABOUT EDSPIRA AND ITS CREATOR * https://www.edspira.com/about/* https://michaelmclaughlin.com

Categories
Resources for Accountants

Key Steps and Strategies for Starting a Business [Video]

Starting a business is an exciting and challenging endeavor that requires careful planning and strategic execution. Whether you are launching a small startup or a large enterprise, understanding the key steps and strategies involved is essential for turning your vision into a successful venture. This video outlines the crucial stages and tactics to help you navigate the complexities of starting a business and increase your chances of long-term success.

Categories
Resources for Accountants

Taking the Pipeline Pledge [Video]

Mark Koziel, CEO of the AICPA, encourages accountants to take the Pipeline Pledge, an initiative of the National Pipeline Advisory Group. Its goal is to spur CPAs to volunteer and take action to increase awareness of accounting among K-12 and college students, and to support those considering a career in the profession. Visit https://www.accountingpipeline.org/participate/

Categories
Resources for Accountants

How to Buy a Home with the Help of AI [Video]

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we live, work, and even purchase real estate. In the past, buying a home involved a great deal of manual research, multiple in-person visits, and back-and-forth negotiations. Today, AI tools can simplify and streamline this process—saving you time, money, and stress. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to buy a home with the help of AI, step by step.