Wish you didn’t have to face another annual goodwill impairment test? Does amortizing goodwill or using a trigger-based assessment sound better? The FASB is soliciting feedback on these ideas and more in their recent invitation to comment on identifiable intangible assets and the subsequent accounting for goodwill. Before you put pen to paper, hear what Andreas Ohl tells Heather Horn regarding the details of the proposal, including: 

6:19 - Amortization period. Over what period of time would a company amortize its goodwill? We discuss some options and the challenges involved.

11:44 - Other assets. Should other assets be subsumed into goodwill? We debate this and discuss the related private company alternative.

16:00 - Impairment testing model. How will  impairment testing be impacted? We discuss how it could be simplified.   

18:16 - Disclosures. What would a change mean to disclosures? We tell you what’s being considered.

20:22 - Other considerations. What else do you need to know? We wrap it up by sharing some final thoughts.

About our guest

Andreas Ohl is a partner in PwC's National office, where he focuses on mergers and acquisitions under US GAAP and IFRS. Andreas is chairman of the Business Valuation Standards Board at the International Valuation Standards Council, is  a member of the working group that authored the AICPA's In-Process R&D guide, and has served as a member of the FASB's Valuation Resource Group.

About our host

Heather Horn is PwC’s National office thought leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting and financial reporting matters. She is the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series, as well as periodic webcasts for the power and utilities industry. With over 25 years of experience, Heather’s accounting and auditing expertise includes financial instruments and rate-regulated accounting.