The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in widespread uncertainty, disruption and market volatility. The pandemic has left us with many questions, including questions related to accounting for pandemic-related transactions that are far reaching and less common accounting issues, such as impairment testing on goodwill.
Have you considered whether the COVID-19 economic decline constituted a triggering event requiring an assessment of goodwill for impairment? If so, what is the time period that defines the “event” for such an assessment? Is such testing required if the market has subsequently recovered? Is testing required if the related business entity in question has broadly recovered?
Privately-held companies can currently be under any one of three different accounting models for goodwill impairment:
Regardless of the model used, trigger-based impairment testing is required “when an event occurs or circumstances change” that indicate a “more likely than not” possibility that the fair value is below carrying value. This trigger-based impairment testing can take place at any point during the calendar year.
Is an asset impairment testing triggering event related to COVID-19?
Evaluating Trigger-Based Goodwill Impairment Testing
In evaluating whether a trigger-based goodwill impairment test is needed, all three accounting models reference the following qualitative factors (as noted in FASB ASC 350-20-35-3C) to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.
Examples of such events and circumstances include:
In addition, the following qualitative factors should be considered in determining whether a trigger-based goodwill impairment test is needed (as noted in FASB ASC 350-20-35-3F, FASB ASC 350-20-35-3G, FASB ASC 350-20-35-68 and FASB ASC 350-20-35-69):
Timing Related to Triggering Events
In assessing the qualitative factors, it’s important to understand the timing related to events and circumstances. The COVID-19 triggering-event was a broad decline in economic conditions that unfolded over a period of time without a distinct beginning and end. Due to the nature of the pandemic, it seems there is some flexibility in the exact triggering date.
However, based on current FASB guidance, it does not seem that such flexibility extends to an entire annual reporting period (thus, it is not likely appropriate to conclude that impairment occurred in March but economic circumstances improved in the same year and goodwill recovered).
It’s also important to remember that assets like goodwill with fair value-based impairment tests cannot be recovered once impaired. In addition, impairment has not been limited to any certain industry or geographic location. From public company filings in Q2 of 2020, there were 309 impairments with over $100 billion of impairment expense recognized over numerous industries. The impact appears to be widespread.
The Next Step in Goodwill Impairment
Given the magnitude of the pandemic, it is anticipated that robust documentation of consideration of the qualitative factors, carrying value determinations and fair value estimates will be necessary, at a minimum, for companies with material goodwill balances, regardless of the goodwill accounting model used. Lack of diligence in this area could result in materially misstated financial statements in the current and future years.
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