Slide CHAPTER 18 TRANSLATING FOREIGN STATEMENTS: THE CURRENT RATE METHOD

Slide FOCUS OF CHAPTER 18 l The Way to Restate to U.S. GAAP l Conceptual Issues in Translating Foreign Currency Statements to U.S. Dollars l The Current Rate Method of Translation l Reporting the Effects of Exchange Rate Changes in a Statement of Comprehensive Income

Slide Restating To U.S. GAAP: Only Oranges Make Orange Juice l Not restating to U.S. GAAP would be mixing apples and oranges together. &

Slide Restating to U.S. GAAP: To Be Done BEFORE Translation--NOT AFTER l Restating Per Se = No controversy. n All agree that it must be done. l Restating BEFORE Translating n Almost all agree that this is the way to go. l Restating AFTER Translating n Very few believe that this is the way to go.

Slide Restating to U.S. GAAP: Is It Easy or Hard? l Difficulty of Restating to U.S. GAAP: n A “ right-to-work law” for accountants. n Often a major task--sometimes 50 + adjusting entries are needed. (May have to work “until the cows come home.”) n Most U.S. companies have their foreign units restate to U.S. GAAP before submitting their financial statements.

Slide Restating To U.S. GAAP: Is It Easier or Harder Than Translating l Translating Foreign Currency Statements Into U.S. Dollars: n Translating is usually much much easier than restating to U.S. GAAP. n In most cases, the translation process is automatically done using specialized software programs.

Slide Restating To U.S. GAAP: Comparing “WWD” With “WWWHBD” l Step 1: List account balances using WWD ( “what was done”) --the FOREIGN GAAP amounts. l Step 2: Determine the account balances using WWWHBD ( “what we wish had been done”) --the U.S. GAAP amounts. l Step 3: Compare amounts in steps 1 and 2--the differences make up the entry to restate to U.S. GAAP.

Slide The Current Rate Method: It’s As Easy As Pie lMerely translate ALL assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, gains, and losses at the current rate. lTranslate equity accounts as follows: n Common Stock and APIC : Use historical exchange rates. n Retained Earnings--B-O-Y : Use prior period ending translated amount.

Slide The Current Rate Method: The Definition of the Current Rate lYou won’t find the definition in the dictionary lFurthermore, the FASB has a dual definition.

Slide The Current Rate Method: The Current Rate’s Defining Moment lIt all depends on whether you are talking about the balance sheet or the income statement : n Balance sheet--” the spot rate at that date.” n Income statement--” the rate existing when the item was recognized.” s Could be 365 (or 366) current rates. s Usually twelve monthly rates are used.

Slide The Current Rate Method: What’s Relevant and What’s NOT l What is relevant? n Maintaining the account item relationships that exist in the foreign currency statements. l What’s is not relevant? n How it is valued (cost, LCM, NRV, FMV). n Whether it is current or noncurrent (in B/S). n Whether it is monetary or nonmonetary. “Sustained” “Overruled”

Slide The Current Rate Method: Is Maintaining Relationships Good? l Only If It Results in Reflecting the True Economic Reality that Exists = 4 l This does NOT always occur = 7

Slide The Current Rate Method: What Winds Up Being the Focus? lThe result of applying the current rate method generally enables one to view the method as a focus on the net asset position: n Assets > Liabilities = A net asset position. n Assets < Liabilities = A net liability position. [Equals the parent’s investment]

Slide The Current Rate Method: Fixed Assets Can Go on Quite a Ride l In U.S. dollars, a foreign unit’s fixed assets can be reported at wildly different amounts each year.

Slide The Current Rate Method: What Is The True Historical Cost In U.S. Dollars? Assumptions: Foreign unit buys land on 1/1/04 when the direct exchange rate is $1.00. Foreign country has 25% inflation in Exchange rate at 12/31/04 is $.80--the $.20 decrease is due entirely to the foreign inflation. LCUs Exchange Rate U.S. Dollars I. 1,000 HC x $1.00 HR = $1,000 II. 1,000 HC x $.80 CR = $ 800 III. 1,250 CV x $.80 CR = $1,000

Slide The Current Rate Method: The BIG QUESTION--What Is the $800? LCUs Exchange Rate U.S. Dollars I. 1,000 HC x $1.00 HR = $1,000 II. 1,000 HC x $.80 CR = $ 800 III. 1,250 CV x $.80 CR = $1,000 Is the $800: 1. Historical cost. 2. Current value. 3. Neither.

Slide The Current Rate Method: Let’s Play “Hide and Seek” l Where are the effects of exchange rate changes reported?” n You won’t find them reported in earnings. n You will find them reported in “Other Comprehensive Income.” The 3 options are: s Expand the bottom of Income Statement. s Add a Statement of Comprehensive Income. s Disclose in Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity. #2 #3 #1

Slide The Current Rate Method: Sometimes The FASB Is Not Consistent l FASB says: n Whether FX gains & losses on foreign currency transactions are unrealized is not relevant-- MUST report currently in earnings. n Whether the statement translation effects as a result of using the current rate method are unrealized is relevant-- CANNOT report currently in earnings.

Slide Review Question #1 l Under the current rate method, which of the following accounts is NOT translated into dollars using the current exchange rate? A. Purchases. B. Cost of sales. C. Depreciation expense. D. Gain on equipment disposal. E. Retained earnings ( ending balance). F. Flood loss--extraordinary item. G. None of the above.

Slide Review Question #2 l Under the current rate method, which of the following accounts is NOT translated into dollars using the current exchange rate? A. Inventory (LIFO). B. Income tax expense. C. Goodwill expense. D. Deferred income taxes payable. E. Deferred charges. F. Bonds Payable (long-term). G. None of the above.

Slide End of Chapter 18 l Time to Clear Things Up-- Any Questions?