Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
September 22, 2023

At Best, FASB’s Credit Loss Proposal Could Result in Earnings Management; At Worst, FASB’s Credit Loss Proposal Could Result in Lots of Earnings Management

The idea behind the FASB's credit loss proposal is that it would require banks to report the future losses they expect to incur on their loan portfolios. If you think that would require a lot of judgment — or maybe a Magic 8 Ball — you'd be right! 

The FASB proposal would allow banks to use their own forecasts of future loan losses, injecting more judgment and bias into the process, said Jack Ciesielski, publisher of the Analyst's Accounting Observer.

And if you think that sounds like a really great way to manipulate earnings results, then ex-FASB member Edward Trott agrees with you!  

"If I had to dream up a way to manage earnings, I think this is probably as good as it gets," said Edward Trott, a former member of FASB, which writes the standards for the United States' Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
And, really it's not so much an "if" as it is a "when" and a "how many" and "oh, everyone's doing it":  
"The question isn't so much will somebody do bad accounting with this; somebody will," Ciesielski said. "The question is, will it become widespread, accepted practice to do the accounting badly?"
Luckily, for those of you that feel strongly about this issue, the comment window is still open; just know Ed Trott has written two already. You better be bringing something good.

Is making U.S. banks foresee trouble more trouble than it's worth? [Reuters]

 

Latest Accounting Jobs--Apply Now:

Have something to add to this story? Give us a shout by email, Twitter, or text/call the tipline at 202-505-8885. As always, all tips are anonymous.

Comments are closed.

Related articles

ostrich looking annoyed

The PCAOB Got a Ton of Comment Letters on the NOCLAR Proposal, This is the Best One

The comment period for “Amendments to PCAOB Auditing Standards related to a Company’s Noncompliance with Laws and Regulations” is now closed which means we get to see the comment letters (here). As you would expect (and hope), most are thoughtfully presented and argued like the Center for Audit Quality’s 13,803 words. If you want a […]

no one wants to work anymore meme

The Accountant Shortage is a Material Weakness Now

Ed. note: on July 13 we contacted AAP media relations to request salary ranges for accounting positions referenced in the below 10-Q disclosure. We don’t expect a response but if we get one, we’ll update. The Wall Street Journal wrote today about recent disclosures made by Advance Auto Parts, Joby Aviation, and Germany’s Evotec that specifically point […]