Chapter 13

FOREIGN CURRENCY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Answers to Questions

1 No. Translation of revenue and expense accounts at average exchange rates is an exception because average rates are merely an approximation of the exchange rates in effect at the transaction dates. In addition, paid-in capital accounts are translated at historical rates and dividends are translated at the exchange rates in effect at the time of payment. In contrast to translation, remeasurement into the currency of the reporting entity requires conversion of most nonmonetary items at historical rates and intercompany balances at reciprocal amounts.

2 A change in the functional currency of a subsidiary that results from restructuring manufacturing and distribution lines is not an accounting change because the change is necessitated by transactions and events different in substance from those previously occurring. [FASB Statement No. 52, paragraph 45]

3 A highly inflationary economy under Statement 52 is one that has cumulative inflation of approximately 100 percent or more over a three-year period. Judgment must be exercised in applying this rule to avoid changing functional currencies frequently due to minor differences in the inflation rate.

4 In accounting for a 60 percent owned foreign investee that operates in a highly inflationary economy, the financial statements of the foreign entity are remeasured using a U.S. dollar functional currency. Subsequently, the investor records its income from the investee based on the remeasured financial statements.

5 The functional currency of a foreign subsidiary does not affect the original recording of the business combination. This is because all assets, liabilities, and equities of the foreign subsidiary are converted into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate in effect on the date of consummation of the business