Business combinations play a crucial role in today’s corporate world, but they can be complex to account for under U.S. GAAP. This is where ASC 805 comes into the picture. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) created ASC 805 to standardize how companies recognize and report business combinations. 

On October 28, 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2021-08Business Combinations (Topic 805)—Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract liabilities from Contracts with Customers. (Source)

If your organization is involved in mergers, acquisitions, or restructuring, it is essential to understand ASC 805. This understanding is crucial for precise and compliant financial reporting.

In this blog, we will break down the key aspects of ASC business combinations Topic. These include its valuation, buying price allocation, and disclosure requirements. We will also give a practical example of its application.

What is ASC 805?

ASC 805, Business Combinations, outlines the standards for recognizing transactions. It guides how companies should account for transactions where control over another business or assets is obtained. According to the ASC 805 definition of a business, a business is an integrated set of activities and assets. These can be conducted and managed to give a return to investors or other owners. This definition is broad, covering everything from acquisitions of entire companies to smaller purchases of business units.

Yet, not all acquisitions are treated equally under ASC business combinations Topic. A key determination is whether a deal forms a business combination or an asset acquisition. The difference is critical, as it impacts the financial reporting and taxation of the deal.

ASC 805 Valuation: How It Works

When applying ASC 805, the acquirer must measure the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired. This process is crucial because it determines how the deal will be on the balance sheet.

The ASC 805 valuation process typically uses one of three approaches:

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  1. Income Approach – Discounted cash flows based on future benefits.
  2. Cost Approach – The cost of replacing an asset with one of similar utility.
  3. Market Approach – Valuing assets based on comparable transactions in the market.

Accurately valuing these assets is vital. This is especially true for intangible assets like customer relationships, trademarks, and patents. These are outlined in ASC 820, which guides fair value measurement. Goodwill is also included.

ASC 805 Purchase Price Allocation

The next critical step in applying ASC 805 is the purchase price allocation. After acquiring a business, the total consideration paid must be allocated among the acquired assets and liabilities. This is done based on their fair value at the acquisition date.

In the ASC 805 purchase price allocation process, different categories of assets are identified. These include both tangible and intangible assets. Each category is assigned a portion of the purchase price. The remainder is attributed to goodwill. Importantly, ASC business combinations Topic mandates that transaction costs must be expensed in the period they are incurred. These costs include legal and advisory fees. They are not capitalized.

ASC 805 Contingent Consideration

One unique feature of business combinations under ASC 805 is the treatment of contingent consideration. Contingent consideration involves additional payments. The acquirer agrees to make these payments to the seller if certain future events occur. Alternatively, payments are made if performance metrics are met.

ASC 805 contingent consideration must be included in the fair value measurement of the total consideration transferred. If this contingent consideration is a liability, it requires remeasurement at fair value at the end of each reporting period. This continues until the obligation is settled. This means companies must be diligent in estimating and updating the fair value of any contingent payments.

ASC 805 Example: Practical Application

To better understand the application of ASC 805, let’s consider a real-world scenario.

Imagine Company A acquires Company B for $50 million. Under the acquisition method, the fair value of all identifiable assets and liabilities is calculated. The total consideration is then allocated accordingly. Company A first determines the fair value of tangible assets. Then, intangible assets like trademarks and customer relationships are evaluated. Next, they assess liabilities. Finally, Company A allocates the remaining amount to goodwill.

This allocation ensures compliance with ASC business combinations Topic. It ensures that all aspects of the acquisition are properly reflected in the financial statements.

ASC 805 Asset Acquisition vs. Business Combination

One of the most important determinations under ASC 805 is whether the transaction should be classified as a business combination. Another crucial decision is if it should be an asset acquisition. While both involve acquiring assets, the accounting treatment differs significantly.

If the acquired assets do not meet the ASC 805 definition of a business, it is considered an asset acquisition. In such cases, the acquirer does not recognize goodwill, and the deal costs are capitalized rather than expensed. This approach differs significantly from standards like ASC 842, which addresses lease accounting.

For a transaction to qualify as a business combination, the acquired assets must include more than just assets. They must also include activities and processes that can generate outputs.

ASC 805 Disclosure Requirements

Companies involved in business combinations must adhere to specific ASC 805 disclosure requirements. These disclosures provide transparency to investors and other stakeholders regarding the nature and financial effects of the acquisition.

Some of the key disclosure requirements include:

  • The fair value of the consideration transferred.
  • A breakdown of the assets and liabilities recognized.
  • Details of any contingent consideration arrangements.
  • Information about intangible assets, including goodwill.
  • Any significant transaction costs incurred.

These disclosures help ensure comprehensive understanding for users of financial statements. They clarify the impact of the acquisition on the company's financial position. They also highlight its performance.

ASC 805 Transaction Costs: What to Know

When conducting a business combination, companies often incur various transaction costs, such as legal, accounting, and advisory fees. Under ASC 805, these transaction costs are treated differently from how they are handled in other accounting scenarios.

ASC 805 requires that these costs be expensed as incurred rather than capitalized as part of the acquisition. This means expenses like legal fees, valuation services, and due diligence costs must be recognized in the income statement. They should be reported during the period they occur. These costs should not be added to the purchase price of the acquired business.

This approach to transaction costs ensures that companies accurately reflect the immediate impact of acquisition-related costs. It provides clearer insight into the profitability of the business combination.

Recognizing Intangible Assets in ASC 805

One of the key areas of focus in ASC 805 is the treatment of intangible assets. When acquiring a business, companies must recognize identifiable intangible assets separately from goodwill. This is critical because intangible assets like customer relationships, trademarks, and patents are important. They often represent a significant portion of the value in modern business combinations.

To meet ASC 805’s criteria, intangible assets must be:

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  • Identifiable: They must arise from contractual or legal rights or be separable from the acquired business.
  • Valuable: These assets must have a fair value that can be measured reliably.

Common types of intangible assets recognized under ASC 805 include:

  • Marketing-Related Intangibles: Trademarks, trade names, and internet domain names.
  • Customer-Related Intangibles: Customer lists, contractual relationships, and non-contractual relationships.
  • Technology-Related Intangibles: Patents, trade secrets, and proprietary technology.
  • Contract-Based Intangibles: Licensing agreements, royalty agreements, and franchise rights.

Identifying and valuing intangible assets correctly is essential. This ensures compliance with ASC 805. It also provides an accurate picture of the acquired business’s value.

Goodwill and Impairment Testing Under ASC 805

Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable assets. It also includes liabilities acquired in a business combination. While goodwill is an intangible asset, it differs from other intangible assets in that it is not amortized over time. Instead, goodwill must be tested for impairment at least annually under GAAP standards.

Impairment testing ensures that the goodwill on the balance sheet is not overstated. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized. This process requires companies to evaluate both external and internal factors that affect the value of the acquired business.

Bargain Purchases: When the Consideration is Less than Fair Value

In some rare cases, the total fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities can exceed the consideration paid. This is known as a bargain purchase under ASC business combinations Topic. When this occurs, the acquirer recognizes a gain on the acquisition date. This gain reflects the difference between the fair value of the net assets acquired and the purchase price.

Bargain purchases can happen in distressed sales. In these scenarios, such as bankruptcy auctions, the seller is motivated to dispose of the business quickly. These transactions, while less common, highlight the flexibility of ASC 805 in handling a wide variety of business combination scenarios.

ASC 805 Example: A Practical Application

Let’s explore another ASC 805 example to illustrate how business combinations are accounted for.

Consider a scenario where Company X acquires Company Y for $100 million. Company Y has identifiable net assets of $50 million in tangible assets. It also has $20 million in identifiable intangible assets such as customer relationships and trademarks. After calculating the fair value of these assets, Company X determines that $30 million of the purchase price represents goodwill.

If the fair value of the net assets was more than the $100 million purchase price, Company X would recognize a bargain purchase. They would report the difference as a gain on their income statement.

This example shows how the acquisition method under ASC 805 applies to both tangible and intangible assets. It also explains the treatment of goodwill and contingent considerations.

Conclusion

ASC 805 provides essential guidance for navigating the complexities of financial reporting. It covers areas from determining business combinations to valuing assets and handling contingent considerations. By adhering to these standards, companies can show precise financial statements that inspire investor confidence. Whether managing intangible assets or goodwill, mastering ASC business combinations Topic is essential for transparent business combination accounting. For deeper insights into ASC guidelines, visit NJCPA USA’s ASC Standards page. This will help you stay informed on the full scope of ASC topics.