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Note 4 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]  
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Note 4 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In July 2013, the FASB issued guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carry forward exists. This guidance requires the unrecognized tax benefit to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset. When a deferred tax asset is not available, or the asset is not intended to be used for this purpose, an entity should present the unrecognized tax benefit in the financial statements as a liability. The guidance became effective for us at the beginning of our second quarter of fiscal 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2013, the FASB issued guidance clarifying the scope of disclosure requirements for offsetting assets and liabilities. The amended guidance limits the scope of balance sheet offsetting disclosures to derivatives, repurchase agreements, and securities lending transactions to the extent that they are offset in the financial statements of subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement of similar agreement. The guidance became effective for us at the beginning of our first quarter of fiscal 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

On June 10, 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-10 (ASU 2014-10), which eliminates development stage reporting requirements under ASC 915, as well as amends provisions of existing variable interest entity guidance under ASC 810. Additionally, the ASU indicates that the lack of commencement of principal operations represents a risk and uncertainty and, accordingly, is subject to the disclosure requirements of ASC 275. As a result of the changes, existing development stage entity presentation and disclosure requirements are eliminated. For public business entities, the amendment eliminating the exception to the sufficiency-of-equity-at-risk criterion for development stage entities in paragraph 810-10-15-16 should be applied retrospectively for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods therein. Early application of each of the amendments is permitted for any annual reporting period or interim period for which the entity’s financial statements have not yet been issued. Upon adoption, entities will no longer present or disclose any information required by Topic 915. We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of ASU 2014-10 on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein, using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements and have not yet determined the method by which we will adopt the standard in 2017.

 

In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update ASU2014-15 Disclosure of Uncertainties about an entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. This ASU amends ASC205-40. ASC205-40 provides guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related note disclosures. With the amendments made by ASU 2014-15, financial statement disclosures will be required when there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern or when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of considerations of management’s plans. The new standard provides management with principles for evaluating whether there is substantial doubt by: providing a definition of substantial doubt, requiring an evaluation every reporting period (including interim periods), providing principles for considering the mitigating effect of management’s plans, requiring certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management’s plans, requiring an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated, and requiring an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). The amendments are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.