Accounting
CHAPTER 3
THE REPORTING ENTITY AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Q3-1 The basic idea underlying the preparation of consolidated financial statements is the notion that the consolidated financial statements present the financial position and the results of operations of a parent and its subsidiaries as if the related companies actually were a single company.
Q3-2 Without consolidated statements it is often very difficult for an investor to gain an understanding of the total resources controlled by a company. A consolidated balance sheet provides a much better picture of both the total assets under the control of the parent company and the financing used in providing those resources. Similarly, the consolidated income statement provides a better picture of the total revenue generated and the costs incurred in generating the revenue. Estimates of future profit potential and the ability to meet anticipated funds flows often can be more easily assessed by analyzing the consolidated statements.
Q3-3 Parent company shareholders are likely to find consolidated statements more useful. Noncontrolling shareholders may gain some understanding of the basic strength of the overall economic entity by examining the consolidated statements; however, they have no control over the parent company or other subsidiaries and therefore must rely on the assets and earning power of the subsidiary in which they hold ownership. The separate statements of the subsidiary are more likely to provide useful information to the noncontrolling shareholders.
Q3-4 A parent company has the ability to exercise control over one or more other entities. Under existing standards, a company is considered to be a parent company when it has direct or indirect control over a majority of the common stock of another company. The FASB has proposed adoption of a broader definition of control that would not be based exclusively on stock ownership.
Q3-5
THE REPORTING ENTITY AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Q3-1 The basic idea underlying the preparation of consolidated financial statements is the notion that the consolidated financial statements present the financial position and the results of operations of a parent and its subsidiaries as if the related companies actually were a single company.
Q3-2 Without consolidated statements it is often very difficult for an investor to gain an understanding of the total resources controlled by a company. A consolidated balance sheet provides a much better picture of both the total assets under the control of the parent company and the financing used in providing those resources. Similarly, the consolidated income statement provides a better picture of the total revenue generated and the costs incurred in generating the revenue. Estimates of future profit potential and the ability to meet anticipated funds flows often can be more easily assessed by analyzing the consolidated statements.
Q3-3 Parent company shareholders are likely to find consolidated statements more useful. Noncontrolling shareholders may gain some understanding of the basic strength of the overall economic entity by examining the consolidated statements; however, they have no control over the parent company or other subsidiaries and therefore must rely on the assets and earning power of the subsidiary in which they hold ownership. The separate statements of the subsidiary are more likely to provide useful information to the noncontrolling shareholders.
Q3-4 A parent company has the ability to exercise control over one or more other entities. Under existing standards, a company is considered to be a parent company when it has direct or indirect control over a majority of the common stock of another company. The FASB has proposed adoption of a broader definition of control that would not be based exclusively on stock ownership.
Q3-5