How FASB ASC 842 Improved Lease Accounting in 2022
The FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) for topic ASC 842, Lease Accounting, became effective at the end of 2021 for all reporting periods after December 15, 2021. This standard introduced significant changes across various industries. With the standard now in effect, public and private companies had to ensure compliance with the new accounting guidelines.
The adoption of ASU (ASC 842) allowed companies to improve their accounting infrastructure significantly.
Benefits of ASC 842 on Accounting:
- Increased Accuracy: Companies enjoyed more accurate representations of lessee and lessor rights by recording leased assets as per the new standard.
- Reduced Fraud Opportunities: The detailed nature of the new accounting principles minimized chances for fraud and misrepresentation, making it easier for auditors to identify any discrepancies.
- Enhanced Statement Understanding: The thoroughness of the new standard, coupled with detailed disclosure notes, improved the understanding of financial statements for external auditors, investors, and other stakeholders, fostering greater trust.
- Improved Transaction Alignment: Following the new guidelines, lessors achieved better record-keeping for lease accounting, especially in sale and leaseback transactions, enhancing revenue recognition and strengthening the bottom line.
- Informed Decision Making: The detailed lease accounting information helped companies and investors make better decisions regarding lessor activities, enhancing risk recognition and mitigation.
- Clarification of Lease Practices: The new lease accounting standards allowed lessors and lessees to better analyze and align lease accounting and treatment practices, addressing issues within the current GAAP and offering more versatility in lease management.
This summary highlights the array of benefits companies experienced by implementing the new ASU guidance. For those looking to adopt these changes efficiently, iLeasePro was suggested as an effective lease accounting software option, providing necessary features at a reasonable cost.