ACCT 301
Professor Chen
From the case we discuss, LabCo’s accounting policy for recognizes revenue from construction contract is reasonable. According to ASC605-35-25-61, an entity… shall use the completed-contract...for which reasonably dependable estimates cannot be made or for which inherent hazards make estimates doubtful. LabCo Company uses a normal standard for its accounting policy which is using Percentage of complection method base on how it determine the profit (cost-to-cost method); but in contract with Halibut, LabCo experiences unexpected difficulties includes: revising design, outsourcing engineering, price of material rising unforeseeably. These are the factors that make cost estimation harder. Percentage of Completion method is appropriate under ASC605-35-25-57, criteria B, The buyer can be expected to satisfy all obligations under the contract and C, The contractor can be expected to perform all contractual obligations. Completion of contract method is used according to ASC605-32-25-90, When lack of dependable estimates…inherent hazards relate to contract conditions or external factors that raise questions about contract estimates and about the ability of either the contractor or the customer to perform all obligations under the contract. Percentage of completion method is inappropriate for this contract, not only because it’s difficult to estimate the cost, but also the product fails to fulfill the buyer’s need. In this case, choosing completion of contract is better decision; based on previous experience, LabCo underestimate the cost and ability of complete the contract is the main reason forces them to change the policy.
Change in method of accounting from the percentage-of-completion to the completed-contract is considering change in accounting principle. In ASC250-10-45-2, it states clearly about company can use alternative accounting principle to better interpret the current financial issues. According to
Cited: Kieso, D. E., T. D. Warfield, and J. J. Weygandt.Intermediate accounting. 14th. Hoboken: John Wiley& Sons, Inc. , 2012. Print. https://asc.fasb.org/advancedsearchresults