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Yes, the SEC *Has* Heard About the Trend of Accounting Problems at Reverse Merger Companies

Posted on by Caleb Newquist

The Securities and Exchange Commission warned investors about the risk of fraud, accounting problems and other abuses at companies that obtain stock listings through so-called reverse mergers.

The warning on Thursday comes amid a rash of accounting scandals involving China-based companies listed on U.S. exchanges through reverse mergers, or mergers with U.S. shell companies. “Many companies either fail or struggle to remain viable following a reverse merger,” the SEC said in an investor bulletin. Investors should be especially wary of reverse merger operating companies that are “nonreporting,” meaning they are not required to file reports with the SEC, the agency said. “Keep in mind that information from online blogs, social networking sites and even a company’s own website may be inaccurate and sometimes intentionally misleading,” the SEC said. [Reuters]

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AICPA Practically Begging the Financial Accounting Foundation to Develop Private Company GAAP

Were you aware that over 2,500 letters have been sent to the Financial Accounting Foundation “demanding” the development of private company GAAP as well as a separate independent board to oversee the standards? If no, why not? If yes, why aren’t you feigning rage, issuing press releases with impatient statements by various bigwigs? If you’re the AICPA, that’s exactly what you’re doing:

For almost 40 years, the pleas of private companies to set standards for financial reporting that are more relevant too often have been ignored. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) believes that it is time for the Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) to listen to the constituents who have written to FAF demanding differential financial reporting standards for private companies and a separate independent board to oversee those standards. There are approximately 28 million privately held U.S. companies, accounting for more than 50 percent of our economy.

“Ninety nine percent of the letters from the privately held company constituency demanded that the Financial Accounting Foundation create differential standards for privately held companies,” said Barry Melancon, AICPA president and CEO. “We’ve studied this problem for far too long.”

Pick up the pace, FAF. People are getting antsy.

[via AICPA]

New Orleans Hornets’ Audited Financial Statements Leaked

While the House of Klynveld is enjoying their town hall circa now, we’ll share you the latest scoop from Deadspin, who has published the audited (courtesy of KPMG) financial statements of the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets.

We’ve skimmed the financials, noting some interesting items here:

• In 2009, the franchise paid $115,000 for their audit, an additional $10,000 for “accounting issues” and $35,000 for tax compliance services.

• The team has a partners’ deficit of over $80 million thanks, in part to $111.5 million in long-term debt at June 30, 2009.

• The team did have operating income of over $5.8 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, however, paying nearly $9 million in interest (among other things) swung them to a much narrower net income of $1.8 million.

• Net cash from operating activities were a negative $7.4 million for the FYE June 30, 2008 but improved to a negative $1.5 million for FYE June 30, 2009. The team’s cash balance at June 30, 2009 was a mere $650k.

• George Shinn, the team’s owner, owes the franchise approximately $5 million from “various advances” but has also loaned the team over $8.3 million.

• The franchise has various investment associated with the NBA that have negative equity including: NBA Joint Venture; WNBA Holdings, LLC; NBDL Holdings, LLC

• The team has principal payments of approximately $115 million coming due through 2014.

• Guaranteed contracts to players through the 2013-2014 season amount to $247.5 million.

• “Revenue assistance” from the NBA (team is eligible if it has both an actual loss and a pro forma loss) for the FYE June 30, 2009 was $3.4 million.

Whew! So as you can see, the franchise isn’t in the best of shape. Our analysis is just a scratch on the surface so if you’ve got some time, crunch some numbers and share your findings with the group below.

Earlier:
Who Leaked the MLB Financial Statements?