Professor Paul Zarowin - NYU Stern School of Business

Financial Reporting and Analysis - B10.2302/C10.0021 - Class Notes

Revenue Recognition - Special Issues

In most cases, revenue recognition is straightforward. Revenue is recognized when two conditions are met: (1) it is earned (i.e., performance is complete), and (2) cash collection is (reasonably) assured. RCJ (pg. 46) refer to these as the critical event and the measurable conditions, respectively. In this module we will discuss some exceptions to the general case. We will focus on cases where either of the two assumptions breaks down.

These cases fall into two categories. In the first category, performance takes place over more than one accounting period; thus, revenue must be allocated across the periods. This is referred to as Along-term contracting@. There are two accounting methods used in this case, the percentage of completion method and the completed contract method. In the second category, cash collection is uncertain, and revenue recognition defaults to a de facto cash basis. There are also two accounting methods used in this case, the installment method and the cost recovery method.

The important point to remember in each situation is that the accounting method choice affects both the B/S and the I/S, and thus any performance measures or ratios constructed from the financial statements. Thus, analysts must understand how the accounting method choice affects the reported numbers.

Percentage of Completion (PCT) and Completed Contract (CC) methods
These two methods are very similar, and are used mainly for construction projects that take more than one period. The methods are comprised of the same 5 journal entries. The entries (and related data) are shown in Exhibit 2.6 on page 76. Entries 1,3,4, and 5 are transaction entries that account for actual construction costs,