Stock Based Payments to Non-Employees – Performance Commitment Consideration
History indicates that smaller reporting companies, development and exploration stage entities, and any other small business with little capital rely heavily on meeting their obligations, of all varieties, via the issuance of common stock . Reviews of 100’s of public company filings and contractual agreements reveals the interpretation of agreement terms and GAAP application may not always seem to be consistent with the economic substance of an individual transaction. Consider the following example: Company A issues 1,000,000 shares to Consultant Z to receive consulting services for a period of 24 months. The agreement describes a variety of tasks the consultant is going to perform, but there are no specific performance milestones, essentially providing for Consultant Z to earn the shares with the passage of time, assuming task performance. On the grant date, January 1, 2012, the 1,000,000 shares have a fair value of $500,000. Additionally, Consultant Z must forfeit the “unearned” shares for non-performance in the event of early termination of the arrangement. Upon early termination, Company A has the right to cancel the unearned shares without additional significant financial consequence enforceable against Consultant Z. Over the term, the value of the shares is perpetually $0.10 higher at the end of the month than the beginning (e.g. 1/1/12 = $0.50; 1/31/12 = $0.60; 2/28/12 = $0.70; etc. to $2.90 at 12/31/13) Frequent Recognition (Restatement Exposure): Company A Grant Date Entries: Debit Credit Prepaid Consulting Fees $500,000 Stock and Paid in Capital $500,000 On January 31, 2012 and the remainder of the 24 month term, Company A recognizes the following: Debit Credit Consulting Expense $20,833 Prepaid ...
Simplifying Complexity – Closing the GAAP
Ingenium Accounting Associates, a PCAOB and CPAB (Canada) registered accounting Firm, is pleased to announce its new blog, known as “Closing the GAAP.” The Blog’s objective is to promote an active dialogue surrounding operational, accounting, and financial reporting topics impacting small to mid-size businesses in all industries. Seemingly straight forward transactions can require potentially unknown GAAP application. This application may require unanticipated recognition within your financial statements. These discussions are intended to minimize unknown financial reporting consequences, hence "Closing the GAAP". In upcoming posts we will provide examples and case studies of transactions we have encountered that could be applicable to a broad range of companies. We strongly encourage sharing experiences and opinions.
