Financial Accounting Description Accountants_13 pot

before deducting partners’ salaries; partners’ salaries are treated as a means of dividing partner- ship income.” 5 Dixon, Hepworth, and Paton, on the other hand, indicate that the interpretation of partners’ salaries should vary with the circumstances: Where there are a substantial number of partners, and salaries are allowed to only one or two mem- bers who are active in administration, there is practical justification for treating such salaries as oper- ating charges closely akin to the cost of services furnished by outsiders. This is especially defensible where the salaries are subject to negotiation from period to period and are in no way dependent upon the presence of net earnings. Where there are only two partners, and both capital investments and contributions of services are substantially equal, there is less need for salary adjustments; if “salaries” are allowed in such a situation it would seem to be reasonable to interpret them as prelim- inary distributions of net income—an income derived from a coordination of capital and personal ef- forts in a business venture. Between these two extremes there lies a range of less clear-cut cases 6 (iii) Bonuses. Where a particular partner furnishes especially important services, the device of a bonus—usually expressed as a percentage of net income—may be employed as a means of provid- ing additional compensation. The principal question that arises in such cases is the interpretation of the bonus in relation to the final net amount to be distributed according to the regular income ratio, as illustrated in the following example. Stark and Bruch share profits equally. Per the partnership agreement, Bruch is to receive a bonus of 20% of the net income of the firm, before allowing the bonus, for special services to the firm. If in a particular year the credit balance of the expense and revenue account is $27,000 before allowing the bonus, profits are divided as follows: Stark Bruch Total Bonus, 20% of $27,000 $05,400 $05,400 Balance equally $10,800 $10,800 $21,600 $10,800 $16,200 $27,000 If the bonus is to be treated as an expense item in the computation of the final net income, the $27,000 credit balance of the expense and revenue account represents both the bonus and the final net income. Hence the $27,000 is 120% of the net income, and the net income is 100%, or $22,500. Under this method the profits are divided as follows: Stark Bruch Total Bonus, 20% of $22,500 $04,500 $04,500 Balance equally $11,250 $11,250 $22,500 $11,250 $15,750 $27,000 (iv) Debtor–Creditor Relationship. At times, when a partnership is formed, a partner may not be interested in investing more than a certain amount of assets on a permanent basis. He, therefore, may make an advance to the partnership that is viewed as a loan rather than an increase in his capi- tal account. The firm may thus obtain the initial financing it needs without having to negotiate with an outside source on less favorable terms. The loan may be interest bearing and may be repayable in installments. As noted by Meigs, Johnson, and Keller (1966), interest charges on such loans 40.2 ACCOUNTING FOR PARTNERSHIP OPERATIONS 40 • 9 5 Norman M. Bedford, Introduction to Modern Accounting (Ronald Press, New York, 1962). 6 Robert L. Dixon, Samuel R. Hepworth, and William A. Paton, Jr., Essentials of Accounting (Macmillan, New York, 1966). should be treated as an expense of the partnership, and the loan itself should be disclosed clearly as a liability of the firm. Occasionally, a partner may withdraw a sum from the partnership. This type of transaction should be treated in the manner dictated by the circumstances. If the loan is material relative to the partner’s net personal assets, if no repayment terms are stipulated, and if the loan has been long outstanding, the loan is, in effect, a withdrawal and should be viewed as a contraction of the firm’s capital. If, on the other hand, the partner has every intention of repaying the sum, the loan may be regarded as a valid receivable. (v) Landlord–Tenant Relationship. In some cases, a partner may rent property from or to the partnership. Transactions of this type should be handled exactly as rental agreements with others are handled. The only possible difference in recording this type of event would find the rent receivable from a partner being debited to his drawing or capital account instead of to a “rent receivable” account. If the rent was owed to the partner, the payable could be recorded as a credit to either the partner’s drawing or capital account. To minimize the possibility of confu- sion, it is preferable to record rental transactions with partners in the same manner as other rental agreements. (vi) Statement Presentation. Receivables and payables arising out of transactions between a partner and the firm of which he is a partner should be classified in the balance sheet in the same manner as are receivables and payables arising out of transactions with nonpartners. However, any such receivables and payables included in the balance sheet should be set forth separately; they should not be combined with other receivables and payables. SFAS No. 57 indicates that receivables or payables involving partners stem from a related party transaction and, as such, if material, should be disclosed in such a way as to include these four: 1. The nature of the relationship(s) involved 2. A description of the transactions including transactions to which no amounts or nominal amounts were ascribed, for each of the periods for which income statements are presented, and such other information deemed necessary to an understanding of the effects of the trans- action on the financial statements 3. The dollar amounts of transactions for each of the periods for which income statements are presented and the effects of any change in the method of establishing the terms from that used in the preceding period 4. Amounts due from or to related parties as of the date of each balance sheet presented and, if not otherwise apparent, the terms and manner of settlement 7 (e) CLOSING OPERATING ACCOUNTS. The operating accounts are closed to the expense and revenue account in the usual manner. That account is then closed by crediting each partner’s capital account with his share of the net income or debiting it with his share of the net loss. The drawing ac- count of each partner is then closed to the respective capital account. (i) Division of Profits Illustrated. The articles of copartnership of (the fictitious firm of) Ahern and Ciecka include the following provisions as to distribution of profits: Partners’ loans. Loans made by partners to the firm shall draw interest at the rate of 6% per annum. Such interest shall be computed only on December 31 of each year regardless of the pe- riod in which the loan was in effect. 40 • 10 PARTNERSHIPS AND JOINT VENTURES 7 Financial Accounting Standards Board, “Related Party Disclosures,” Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 57, FASB, Stamford, CT, 1982. Partners’ salaries. On December 31 of each year, salaries shall be allowed by a charge to the ex- pense and revenue account and credits to the respective drawing accounts of the partners at the following amounts per annum: Ahern $14,400; Ciecka, $12,000. Partners’ salaries are to be al- lowed whether or not earned. Interest on partners’ invested capital. Each partner is to receive interest at the rate of 6% per annum on the balance of his capital account at the beginning of the year. Such interest is to be al- lowed whether or not earned. Remainder of profit or loss. The balance of net income after provision for salaries, interest on loans, and interest on invested capital is to be divided equally. Any loss resulting after provision for the above items is to be divided equally. On December 31, the books of the partnership show the following balances before recognition of in- terest and salary adjustments: Sundry assets $309,000 Sundry liabilities $066,000 Ahern, capital $120,000 Ahern, drawings $015,000 Ciecka, capital $060,000 Ciecka, drawings $009,000 Ciecka, loan $030,000 Expense and revenue $000,000 $057,000 $333,000 $333,000 Balances of the capital accounts on January 1 were: Ahern $105,000; Ciecka $48,000. The loan from Ciecka was made on April 1. Division of profits is as shown in Exhibit 40.1. (ii) Statement of Partners’ Capitals Illustrated. Formal presentation of the activity of the partners’ capital accounts is often made through the statement of partners’ capitals (Ex- hibit 40.2). (f) INCOME TAXES. According to Hoffman: Unlike corporations, estates, and trusts, partnerships are not considered separate taxable enti- ties. Instead, each member of a partnership is subject to income tax on their distributive share of the partnership’s income, even if an actual distribution is not made. (Section 701 of Sub- chapter K of the 1954 Code contains the statutory rule that the partners are liable for income tax in their separate or individual capacities. The partnership itself cannot be subject to the in- come tax on its earnings.) Thus, the tax return (Form 1065) required of a partner ship serves 40.2 ACCOUNTING FOR PARTNERSHIP OPERATIONS 40 • 11 AHERN AND CIECKA, PARTNERSHIP Schedule of Division of Net Income For the year ended December 31, 20XX Total Ahern Ciecka Interest on loan $01,350 $01,350 Interest on capital 9,180 $6,300 2,880 Salaries allowed 26,400 14,400 12,000 Remainder—equally $20,070 $10,035 $10,035 Profit earned $57,000 $30,735 $26,265 Exhibit 40.1 Division of profits. only to provide information necessary in determining the character and amount of each part- ner’s distributive share of the partnership’s income and expense. 8 Some states, however, impose an unincorporated business tax on a partnership that for all practical purposes is an income tax. 40.3 ACCOUNTING FOR CHANGES IN FIRM MEMBERSHIP (a) EFFECT OF CHANGE IN PARTNERS. From a legal point of view, the withdrawal of one or more partners or the admission of one or more new members has the effect of dissolving the original partnership and bringing into being a new firm. This means that the terms of the original agreement as such are not binding on the successor partnership. As far as the continuity of the business enterprise is concerned, on the other hand, a change in firm membership may be of only nominal importance; with respect to character of the business, operating policies, relations with customers, and so on, there may be no substantial difference between the new firm and its predecessor. To determine the value of the equity of a retiring partner or the amount to be paid for a specified share by an incoming partner, a complete inventory and valuation of firm resources may be required. Estimation of interim profits and unrealized profits on long-term contracts may be involved. In any event, there should be a careful adjustment of partners’ equities in accordance with the new relation- ships established. A withdrawing partner may continue to be liable for the firm’s obligation incurred prior to his withdrawal unless the settlement includes specific release therefrom by the continuing partners and by the creditors. A person admitted as a partner into an existing partnership is liable for all the obligations of the partnership arising before his admission as if he had been a partner when such obligations were in- curred, except that this liability shall be satisfied only out of partnership property. (b) NEW PARTNER PURCHASING AN INTEREST. It is possible for a party to acquire the inter- est of a partner without becoming a partner. A member of a partnership may sell or assign his interest, but unless this has received the unanimous approval of the other partners, the purchaser does not be- come a partner; one partner cannot force his copartners into partnership with an outsider. Under the Uniform Partnership Act, the buyer in such a case acquires only the seller’s interest in the profits and losses of the firm and, upon dissolution, the interest to which the original partner would have been en- 40 • 12 PARTNERSHIPS AND JOINT VENTURES AHERN AND CIECKA, PARTNERSHIP Statement of Partners’ Capitals For the year ended December 31, 20XX Total Ahern Ciecka Balances: January 1 $153,000 $105,000 $48,000 Add: additional investments 27,000 15,000 12,000 net income for year—per schedule $057,000 $030,735 $26,265 Total $237,000 $150,735 $86,265 Less: withdrawals $024,000 $015,000 $09,000 Investment, December 31 $213,000 $135,735 $77,265 Exhibit 40.2 Sample statement of partners’ capitals. 8 William H. Hoffman, Jr., ed., West’s Federal Taxation: Corporations, Partnerships, Estates and Trusts (West, St. Paul, MN, 1978). titled. He has no voice in management, nor may he ob tain an accounting except in case of dissolution of the business; ordinarily he can make no withdrawal of capital without the consent of the partners. To illustrate some of the possibilities in connection with purchase of an interest, assume that the firm of Hirt, Thompson, and Pitts negotiates with Davis for the purchase of a capital interest. Data are as follows: Capital Accounts Income Ratio Hirt $20,000 50% Thompson 12,000 40% Pitts 8,000 10% $40,000 100% (i) Purchase at Book Value. If Davis purchases a one-fourth interest for $10,000, it is clear that he is paying exactly book value, and the entry would be: Hirt, capital $5,000 Thompson, capital $3,000 Pitts, capital $2,000 Davis, capital $10,000 The cash payment would be divided in the same manner (i.e., Hirt $5,000, Thompson $3,000, and Pitts $2,000) and would pass directly from Davis to them without going through the firm’s cash account. (ii) Purchase at More than Book Value. Assume now that Davis agrees to pay $12,000 for a one-fourth interest; this is more than book value. In general, two solutions are possible. Bonus Method. Under this method, the extra $2,000 paid by Davis is considered to be a bonus to Hirt, Thompson, and Pitts and is shared by them in the income ratio. The entry is: Hirt, capital $5,000 Thompson, capital $3,000 Pitts, capital $2,000 Davis, capital $10,000 The cash payment of $12,000 is divided as follows: Hirt Thompson Pitts Total Capital transferred $5,000 $3,000 $2,000 $10,000 Premium—in income ratio $1,000 $0,800 $0,200 $02,000 Cash received $6,000 $3,800 $2,200 $12,000 Goodwill Method. That Davis is willing to pay $12,000 for a one-fourth interest indicates that the business is worth $48,000. Existing assets are therefore undervalued by $8,000. Under the goodwill or revaluation of assets method, if specific assets can be revalued, this should be done. If not, or if the agreed revaluation is less than $8,000, the difference may be assumed to be goodwill. Dividing the gain in the income ratio results in this entry: Sundry assets and/or goodwill $8,000 Hirt, capital $4,000 Thompson, capital $3,200 Pitts, capital $4,800 40.3 ACCOUNTING FOR CHANGES IN FIRM MEMBERSHIP 40 • 13 The entry to record Davis’s admission would then be: Hirt, capital $6,000 Thompson, capital $3,800 Pitts, capital $2,200 Davis, capital $12,000 The cash payment will be received in amounts equal to the transfer from the capital accounts. (iii) Purchase at Less than Book Value. Assume next that Davis agrees to pay only $9,000 for a one-fourth interest—that is, less than book value. Again two solutions are possible. Bonus Method. Under this method, the same transfers are made from the three partners to Davis’s capital account as if he had paid book value, but the difference of $1,000 is apportioned to determine the cash settlement, as follows: Hirt Thompson Pitts Total Capital transferred $5,000 $3,000 $2,000 $10,000 Loss—in income ratio $0,500 $0,400 $0,100 $01,000 Cash received $4,500 $2,600 $1,900 $09,000 Revaluation of Assets Method. This approach reasons that a price of $9,000 for a one-fourth in- terest indicates that the business is worth $36,000 and that assets should be revalued downward by $4,000. Where a portion of the write-down can be identified with specific tangible assets, the ap- propriate accounts should be adjusted. Otherwise, existing goodwill should be included in the write-down. (1) Hirt, capital $2,000 Thompson, capital $1,600 Pitts, capital $2,400 Sundry, assets and/or goodwill $4,000 (2) Hirt, capital $4,500 Thompson, capital $2,600 Pitts, capital $1,900 Davis, capital $9,000 (c) NEW PARTNER’S INVESTMENT TO ACQUIRE AN INTEREST. The admission of a new partner when he makes an investment in the firm to acquire a capital interest is illustrated by the fol- lowing cases. Assume that the capital account balances of the partnership of Andrews and Bell prior to the ad- mission of Cohen are: Capital Accounts Income Ratio Andrews $18,000 60% Bell $12,000 040% $30,000 100% 40 • 14 PARTNERSHIPS AND JOINT VENTURES (i) Investment at Book Value. If Cohen invests $10,000 in the firm for a one-fourth interest, the entry is: Cash (or other assets) $10,000 Cohen, capital $10,000 (ii) Investment at More than Book Value. If Cohen is willing to invest $14,000 for a one-fourth interest, the total capital will be $44,000. Bonus Method. Under this method, Cohen’s share is one-fourth or $11,000, and the $3,000 pre- mium is treated as a bonus to the old partners by the entry: Cash (or other assets) $14,000 Andrews, capital $01,800 Bell, capital $01,200 Cohen, capital $11,000 Goodwill Method. If Cohen invests $14,000 for a one-fourth interest, it would seem that the total worth of the firm should be $56,000. Since total capital is $44,000, under the goodwill or revaluation of assets method, there is justification in assuming that existing assets are undervalued to the extent of $12,000. Circumstances may indicate that the $12,000 undervaluation is in the form of goodwill. If it is to be recognized, the entries are as follows: (1) Goodwill $12,000 Andrews, capital $07,200 Bell, capital $04,800 (2) Cash $14,000 Cohen, capital $14,000 If the understatement of the capital of the old partners was attributable to excessive depreciation allowances, land appreciation, an increase in inventory value, or some combination of such fac- tors, an appropriate adjustment of the asset or assets involved would be substituted for the charge to “goodwill.” (iii) Investment at Less than Book Value Bonus Method. If Cohen invests $8,000 for a one-fourth interest, it may indicate the willingness of the old partners to give Cohen a bonus to enter the firm. Since the total capital is now $38,000, a one-fourth interest is $9,500 and the entry is: Cash $8,000 Andrews, capital $8,900 Bell, capital $8,600 Cohen, capital $9,500 Revaluation of Assets Method. Under this method, the investment by Cohen of only $8,000 for a one-fourth interest may be taken to mean that the existing net assets are worth only $24,000. The overvaluation of $6,000 could be corrected by crediting the overvalued assets and charging Andrews and Bell in the income ratio. 40.3 ACCOUNTING FOR CHANGES IN FIRM MEMBERSHIP 40 • 15 (1) Andrews, capital $3,600 Bell, capital $2,400 Sundry assets $6,000 (2) Cash $8,000 Cohen, capital $8,000 Goodwill Method. A third method sometimes offered to handle this situation is the goodwill method, which assumes that the new partner contributes goodwill (of $2,000 in this case) in addition to the cash and is credited for the amount of his interest at book value ($10,000 in this case). This seems illogical, however, since it contradicts the original fact that Cohen’s investment was to be $8,000. (d) SETTLING WITH WITHDRAWING PARTNER THROUGH OUTSIDE FUNDS. The with- drawal of a partner where settlement is effected by payments made from personal funds of the re- maining partners directly to the retiring partner is illustrated by the firm of Adams, Bates, & Caldwell: Capital Balances Income Ratio Adams $30,000 50% Bates 24,000 30% Caldwell $16,000 020% $70,000 100% (i) Sale at Book Value. If Caldwell retires, selling his interest at book value to the other partners in their income ratio and receiving payment from outside funds of Adams and Bates, the entry is: Caldwell, capital $16,000 Adams, capital $10,000 Bates, capital $16,000 The total payment to Caldwell is $16,000, and payments by Adams and Bates are $10,000 and $6,000, respectively. (ii) Sale at More than Book Value. If payment to Caldwell exceeds book value, either the bonus or the goodwill method may be used. Bonus Method. If total payment to Caldwell is $18,000, the premium of $2,000 may be treated as a bonus to Caldwell. The entry to record the withdrawal of Caldwell is the same as above, and pay- ment would be as follows: Adams Bates Total Capital per books $10,000 $6,000 $16,000 Premium paid $01,250 $0,750 $02,000 Cash required $11,250 $6,750 $18,000 Goodwill Method. In the following situation, Adams and Bates are willing to pay a total of $2,000 more than book value for Caldwell’s interest. Since the latter receives 20% of the profits, this implies that assets are undervalued by $10,000. Under the goodwill or revaluation of assets method, all or part of this amount may be goodwill. The entries to record this situation are: 40 • 16 PARTNERSHIPS AND JOINT VENTURES (1) Goodwill or sundry assets $10,000 Adams, capital $05,000 Bates, capital $03,000 Caldwell, capital $02,000 (2) Caldwell, capital $18,000 Adams, capital $11,250 Bates, capital $06,750 (iii) Sale at Less than Book Value. If Caldwell should agree to accept $15,000 for his interest, this is $1,000 less than book value. Bonus Method. The $1,000 may be considered to be a bonus to Adams and Bates. The entry would be the same as in the first example, but the cash payments would be calculated as follows: Adams Bates Total Capital, per books $10,000 $6,000 $16,000 Less discount allowed $00,625 $0,375 $01,000 Cash required $09,375 $5,625 $15,000 Revaluation of Assets Method. In this example, it can be argued under the revaluation of assets approach that the discount of $1,000 for a 20% share in firm profits implies an overstatement of book values of assets by $5,000. If this correction is to be made, the entries to adjust the books and record the subsequent withdrawal of Caldwell are: (1) Adams, capital $12,500 Bates, capital $11,500 Caldwell, capital $11,000 Sundry assets $5,000 (2) Caldwell, capital $15,000 Adams, capital $9,375 Bates, capital $5,625 In preceding examples, the so-called bonus method and revaluation of assets method have been presented as alternatives. Although each method results in different capital account balances in the new firm that comes into being, it should be observed that the partners in the new firm are treated rel- atively the same under either method. This is subject to the basic qualification that the old partners who remain in the new firm must continue to share profits and losses as between themselves in the same ratio as before. (e) SETTLEMENT THROUGH FIRM FUNDS. The withdrawal of a partner where settlement is to be made from funds of the business is illustrated by the firm of Arnold, Brown & Cline. Capital Balances Income Ratio Arnold $040,000 30% Brown 50,000 30% Cline $060,000 40% $150,000 100% 40.3 ACCOUNTING FOR CHANGES IN FIRM MEMBERSHIP 40 • 17 (i) Premium Paid to Retiring Partner. Payment is to be made to Cline from the assets of the part- nership. Payment is $64,000, to be made one-half in cash and the balance in notes payable. Under one treatment, the premium of $4,000 is viewed as chargeable to the remaining partners in their in- come ratio. The entry is: Arnold, capital $02,000 Brown, capital $02,000 Cline, capital $60,000 Cash $32,000 Notes payable $32,000 A second method treats the $4,000 premium as payment for Cline’s share of the unrecognized good- will of the firm. The following entry would be made: Goodwill $04,000 Cline, capital 060,000 Cash $32,000 Notes payable $32,000 A third possibility for recording the retirement of Cline is to recognize a total goodwill or asset revaluation implied by the premium paid for the retiring partner’s share. Since a $4,000 pre- mium was paid for a 40% share, total implied goodwill or asset revaluation is $10,000, and the en- tries are: (1) Goodwill or sundry assets $10,000 Arnold, capital $33,000 Brown, capital $33,000 Cline, capital $34,000 (2) Cline, capital $64,000 Cash $32,000 Notes payable $32,000 Many accountants are inclined to approve of the first treatment on the grounds that it is “conservative.” Meigs, Johnson, and Keller state that it is “consistent with the current trend toward viewing a partnership as a continuing business entity, with asset valuations and ac- counting policies remaining undisturbed by the retirement of a partner.” 9 The second treat- ment is supported by reference to the rule that it is proper to set up goodwill only when it has been purchased. The third interpretation relies on the idea that it is inconsistent to recognize the existence of an intangible asset and then to record it at only a fraction of the proper amount. The accountant may distinguish between a payment for goodwill and one that represents a partner’s share of the increase in value of one or more of the firm’s assets. In the latter case, it is generally not reasonable to record only the increase attaching to the retiring partner’s equity. Suppose, for example, that an inventory of merchandise has a market value on the date of set- tlement substantially above book value. Clearly, the most appropriate treatment here is that under which the inventory is adjusted to market value—the value at which it is in effect acquired by the new firm; to add to book value only the withdrawing partner’s share of the 40 • 18 PARTNERSHIPS AND JOINT VENTURES 9 Walter B. Meigs, Charles E. Johnson, and Thomas F. Keller, Advanced Accounting (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1966). [...]... PARTNERSHIPS AND JOINT VENTURES (d) ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING CONSIDERATIONS As a general rule, the accounting records of limited partnerships are kept on a cash basis However, the SEC requires that limited partnerships registrants prepare and file basic financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) For example, SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 4F requires... to the financial statements The headings of an LLC’s financial statements should identify clearly the financial statements as those of a limited liability company Practice Bulletin No 14 stipulates that the financial statements of an LLC should be similar in presentation to those of a partnership Since the owners of an LLC are referred to as “members,” the equity section in the statement of financial. .. entities along with several other matters that raise similar or potentially related issues about financial statements The FASB is reconsidering issues relating to Accounting Research Bulletin No 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements,” APB Opinion No 18, “The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock,” and FASB Statement No 14, Financial Reporting for Segments of a Business Enterprise.”... Montgomery’s Auditing, 9th ed Ronald Press, New York, 1975 Dixon, Robert L., Hepworth, Samuel R., and Paton, William A., Jr., Essentials of Accounting Macmillan, New York, 1966 Financial Accounting Standards Board, “Related Party Disclosures,” Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No 57 FASB, Stamford, CT, 1982 Hoffman, William H., Jr., ed., West’s Federal Taxation: Corporations, Partnerships, Estates... the guidance in Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No 20, Accounting Changes,” paragraphs 34 and 35, should be followed and financial statements for all prior periods presented should be restated (ii) Financial Statement Disclosure Issues Practice Bulletin No 14 requires that the following disclosures be made in the financial statements of a limited liability company: • • • • • A description of... equity method Accounting for interests in joint ventures that are organized as partnerships or undivided interests is discussed in an AICPA staff interpretation of APB Opinion No 18 that states that many of the provisions of that Opinion are appropriate in accounting for such investments In 1979, the AICPA’s Accounting Standards Executive Committee issued an Issues Paper entitled Joint Venture Accounting. .. control (b) ACCOUNTING BY JOINT VENTURES Regardless of their legal form of organization, joint ventures must maintain accounting records and prepare financial statements just like any other enterprise The primary users of the joint ventures financial statements are the venturers, who need to record their share of the profit or loss of the venture and to value their investment in it Most of the accounting. .. pay within a reasonably short period of time Presentation of comparative financial statements is encouraged, but not required, by Chapter 2A, “Comparative Financial Statements,” of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No 43, “Restatement and Revision of Accounting Research Bulletins.” If comparative financial statements are presented, amounts shown for comparative purposes must be in fact comparable with...40.3 ACCOUNTING FOR CHANGES IN FIRM MEMBERSHIP 40 19 • increase would result in figures unsatisfactory from the standpoint both of financial accounting and operating procedure (ii) Discount Given by Retiring Partner Assuming that Cline receives $57,000 for his interest in the firm and payment is made by equal amounts of cash and notes payable, two possible accounting treatments are... the proposed Statement to specify the accounting for all rights and obligations stemming from a relationship with a special-purpose or limited-purpose entity that is not consolidated The FASB’s EITF has also discussed several matters that may affect the appropriate accounting for investments in joint ventures Those matters include— • Issue No 96-16, “Investor’s Accounting for an Investee When the Investor . effect. 40 • 10 PARTNERSHIPS AND JOINT VENTURES 7 Financial Accounting Standards Board, “Related Party Disclosures,” Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 57, FASB, Stamford, CT, 1982. Partners’. Limited Partnerships. 40.6 LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS 40 • 25 (d) ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING CONSIDERATIONS. As a general rule, the accounting records of limited partnerships are kept on a cash. statement of op- erations or in the notes to the financial statements. The headings of an LLC’s financial statements should identify clearly the financial statements as those of a limited liability