FASB修订“公允价值”计量方法

The Financial Accounting Standards Board has provided new flexibility to allow banks and other financial institutions to re-price their assets during the credit crisis by amending its standard on fair value measurements.

近日，美国财务会计准则委员会（FASB）通过修订“公允价值计量”会计准则提供新的灵活性，允许银行和其他金融机构对其处于信用危机中的资产重新定价。

The FASB Staff Position clarifies the application of FASB Statement No. 157 in an inactive market and provides an illustrative example to demonstrate how the fair value of a financial asset is determined when the market for that financial asset is inactive.

《FASB工作人员立场公告》（FSP）对于《美国财务会计准则第157号公告―公允价值计量》（SFASNo.157）在非活跃市场的应用进行了澄清，并提供了一个解释性范例用以说明当金融资产市场不活跃时，如何确定金融资产的公允价值。

At a meeting on Friday, FASB considered the amendment, which it had put out for comment on Oct. 2. FASB received over 100 comment letters in just a week's time and on Friday the board made some modifications to the proposed staff position and planned to quickly issue it.

在上周五（10月10日）的会议上，FASB认真考虑了修订案，该修订案于10月2日对外发布以征求意见。在仅仅一周的时间内，FASB收到了100多份反馈意见。同样在上周五，FASB对被提议《FASB工作人员立场公告》也做了一些修正，预计将很快对外公布。

"The staff analyzed all the comment letters and the recommendations of the board," said spokesperson Christine Klimek. "The board was in favor of the staff's recommendations and the FSP will reflect that."

FASB的发言人Christine Klimek说：“工作人员对所有的反馈意见及建议进行了分析，委员会十分赞同这些建议，这些建议将在FSP中有所体现。”

Among the suggestions received by the board, the staff had recommended ways to make the illustrative model clearer, she noted.

她表示，在FASB收到的建议中，谏言者推荐了许多方法以便使得解释模型更加清晰明了。

FASB and the Securities and Exchange Commission are under pressure to suspend fair value and mark-to-market accounting rules altogether as some critics blame the rules for causing or exacerbating the credit crisis. A provision in the recently passed financial rescue bill authorized the SEC to conduct a study of mark-to-market rules. The SEC has commenced work on the study, which it plans to issue by Jan. 2, 2009 (see SEC Begins Mark-to-Market Study).

目前，因为有批评家指责“公允价值”和“按市场计价”会计准则导致并加剧了信用危机，使得FASB和美国证券交易委员会（SEC）处于压力之下，不得不暂缓上述两项会计准则。近期通过的金融援救法案中的相关条款授权SEC开展“按市场计价”会计准则的研究。SEC已开始此项研究，计划于2009年1月2日对外公布（详见“SEC开始‘按市场计价’会计准则的研究”的报道）。

For now, the FASB guidance leaves fair value in place, though. "Fair value is still here," said Klimek. "We're just providing more guidance on how to value assets in a non-active market."

即便如此，眼下，FASB的指南仍将公允价值置于其应有的位置。Klimek说：“公允价值仍然存在，我们正就如何对非活跃市场的资产进行估值提供更多的指南。”

The American Institute of CPAs was one of the groups that commented on the proposal. Jay Hanson, chairman of the AICPA's Accounting Standards Executive Committee, said the committee supported FASB's proposed staff guidance about how to apply FASB Statement No. 157 and believes the proposed guidance will be helpful in practice. He noted that preparers and auditors may need additional guidance for Level 3 measurements and recommended that FASB clarify that the contractual cash flows used in the example are not appropriate for purposes of determining whether there is impairment under EITF No. 99-20.

美国注册会计师协会（AICPA）也对修正案进行了评述。AICPA的会计准则执行委员会主席Jay Hanson表示，该执委会支持FASB制定的关于如何应用SFASNo.157的工作人员指南，并相信该指南将在实践中发挥作用。他认为财务报表编制者和审计人员需要关于三级计量的额外指南，建议FASB澄清范例中所使用的“合同约定现金流量”与其紧急问题工作小组（EITF）No. 99-20用以确定是否存在减值的目的不相符

安永全球收入增长16％

Ernst & Young has announced a year-on-year revenue increase of $3.4bn (￡1.9bn), increasing worldwide revenue for 2008 to $24.5bn.

近日，安永会计师事务所宣布，其2008年全球收入为245亿美元，比上年同期增长了16.2%，增长额为34亿美元（约合19亿英镑）。

The 16.2% growth rate was a result of winning new clients and the introduction of new services. It was partly offset by audit efficiencies enabled by the new US internal control standard and the economic downturn in many markets.

安永本年度的增长主要得益于赢得新客户以及新服务的引入，而美国的内控标准所导致的审计效率和诸多市场的经济衰退则部分地削弱了收入增长率。

The strongest increase was witnessed across the Asia-Pacific region where the growth rate was 34.3%, reaching $3.3bn, consisting of Japan, which increased by 42.6% and passed the $1bn mark, the Far East Area, which grew 32.3% to $1.3bn, and the Oceania Area which reached $1bn, having grown by 29%.

2008年，安永收入增幅最为强劲的是亚太地区， 达到了34.3%，收入总额为33亿美元。其中，日本的增幅为34.3%，收入逾10亿美元；远东地区创收13亿美元，增幅为32.3%；太平洋地区的收入为10亿美元，增长了29％。

E&Y global chairman and CEO James Turley said: ‘We took two additional vital steps towards achieving our vision of global integration. We brought together 87 national practices across Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa, and 15 national practices across Asia, to create operationally integrated EMEIA and Far East Areas.

安永全球的主席兼CEO James Turley说：“为了达到全球一体化的愿景，我们采取了两项格外重要的步骤。我们整合了欧洲、中东、印度以及非洲等87国以及亚洲15国的业务，创建了统一营运的欧、印、非、中东及远东大区。我相信这些举措将进一步巩固我们作为全球整合度最高的专业服务团体的地位。”

‘I believe these moves further confirm our status as the most globally integrated professional services organization.’

John Ferraro, E&Y global chief operating officer, added: ‘We are mid-way through a four-year programme that will see us invest $1bn, principally in the emerging markets.’

此外，安永全球首席营运官John Ferraro也表示：“我们正处于一项为期4年的计划的中期，该计划将主要针对新兴市场进行投资，投资额为10亿美元。”

ICAS发布报告阐述转换至IFRS面临的挑战

As the US embarks on its ‘roadmap’ to adopting International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), a new research report published this week by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland suggests that the transition to IFRS has had a significant impact on the profits and net equity of companies.

当美国着手实施“路线图”以采纳“国际财务报告准则”（IFRS）之际，苏格兰特许会计师协会（ICAS）发布了一份最新的研究报告。该报告认为，会计准则向IFRS转换已给公司的利润及权益净额带来了显著的影响。

The project, led by academics from Dundee University and the University of Brescia in Italy, examined the annual reports of 175 companies in three European countries – the UK, Ireland and Italy.

该研究计划是由来自苏格兰Dundee大学和意大利Brescia大学的学者共同主持的，研究了欧洲三国（英国、爱尔兰和意大利）175家公司的年度财务报告。

The analysis of the annual report and financial statements was supplemented by interviews with preparers and users of the reports, such as investors. The main economic impacts on the annual reports of the firms switching from domestic GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) to IFRS (international financial reporting standards) were to increase reported profits and reduce net equity.

通过拜访财报的编制者及使用人（如投资者），年度报告和财务报表的分析资料得以充实。调查显示，当公司年报的编制方法由本国“公认会计原则”（GAAP）转变为IFRS时，主要的经济影响是增加了报告利润（reported profits）、减少了权益净额。

In the UK reported profits were 51% higher under IFRS than those reported under national GAAP. In Italy the increase was 18% and in Ireland, 12%.

在英国，按IFRS编制的财务报表显示的报告利润要比按英国GAAP编制的高出51％。在意大利，高出的比例为18％，而在爱尔兰则是12％。

In the UK, net equity under IFRS was 35% lower compared to that reported under national GAAP. For Ireland the IFRS equity was 6% lower than its national GAAP equivalent. In Italy, equity was 3% higher under IFRS.

与此同时，按IFRS编制的财务报表显示的权益净额要比按英国GAAP编制的低35％。在爱尔兰和意大利，降低的比例分别为6％和3％。

Opinion varied on whether the changes made the financial statements any clearer for investors. The study found that the impact of the introduction of IFRS on users in Italy was far greater than in the UK and Ireland. In Italy, users were very positive that financial statements were now to be aimed at investors rather than creditors.

在回答“对于投资者而言，编制方法的改变是否使得财报更加简单明了？”这一问题时，仁者见仁智者见智。研究表明，在IFRS引入对于财报使用人的影响方面，意大利要远大于英国和爱尔兰。在意大利，财报使用人对于目前的财务报表的编制是针对投资人而不是债权人持十分肯定的态度。

The resulting increase in disclosure was seen to be positive. UK and Irish interviewees were more sceptical about the transition to IFRS and did not feel that the change altered or improved their analysis of financial statements. Further, they felt that IFRS-compliant statements were too complex and that users had to be financially literate to understand them. IFRS financial statements had not changed any of their investment decisions and were not felt to be any more useful than UK/Irish GAAP statements.

财务披露的增加也被视为是有积极意义的。英国和爱尔兰的受访者对于转换至IFRS是持怀疑态度的，他们并不认为这样的变化会改变或提高他们对于财务报表的分析。而且，他们认为，按IFRS编制的财务报表过于复杂，使用者必须具备财务知识才能理解该报表。按IFRS编制的财务报表不能改变他们的投资决策，并不会比按英国或爱尔兰GAAP编制的财报提供更多有用的信息。

Commenting on the research, Executive Director, Technical Policy, David Wood, said: “The economic effects of the switch - for instance, the reported reduction in net equity for UK companies may have implications for companies who wish to raise additional finance. Any change which heightens the perception of risk could scare off funders, especially in the present climate. The rises in profitability which have been reported after switching to IFRS may affect stock market . The report emphasizes the need to communicate to users that, despite the change in reported figures, the economic reality of the business has not been affected by the switch to IFRS.”

在对该研究报告进行评述时，ICAS主管技术政策的执行总裁David Wood说：“转换是有经济影响的—例如，英国公司公布的权益净额的减少也许暗示这些公司希望筹集额外的资金。任何能提高风险认知的变动都会吓跑投资者，在目前的氛围下尤是如此。转换至IFRS后所公布的收益率的提高可能会影响证券市场。此份研究报告强调了与财报使用人进行沟通的必要性，尽管公布的数字会有所变化，但是，商业的经济实质并不会因为转换而受到影响。”

IASB新近承诺对金融危机中的会计准则进行反思

The international accounting standard setter has said statements made on fair value do not amend the now controversial rule but offer guidance on using fair value in illiquid markets.

近日，国际会计准则制定者－国际会计准则委员会（IASB）表示，其就近期引起争议的公允价值会计准则所做的声明无需修正，但将提供指南以指导如何在非流通市场内运用公允价值。

Observers will interpret the statement as saying that fair value principles remain intact and no significantly undermined.

观察人士倾向于将IASB的声明解读为“公允价值原则依旧完整，并未遭受严重破坏”。

A fresh commitment has also been made to any study of accounting in the current financial crisis.

同时，IASB也做出了最新的承诺，将对目前金融危机中的会计准则进行研究。

The board said it would also examine whether US standards that allow assets, in rare circumstances, to be reclassified so they escape a fair value principles are consistent with international standards and whether the US practice should be adopted. Discussion is due at a public meeting in mid October. The need for anti abuse measures will also be on the agenda.

IASB表示，其将检查美国的会计准则是否允许在特殊情况下将资产重新分类，使之逃避与国际会计准则相一致的美国公允价值原则，以及是否应采用美国会计惯例。相关研讨预计在10月中旬的公开会议上展开，而急需反对滥用会计方法也被列入了会议议程

Sir David Tweedie, IASB chairman said: ‘The IASB is committed to doing its part in responding to the credit crisis and recognizes the need to provide additional and needed guidance on determining the fair value of financial instruments in illiquid markets. The SEC-FASB staff clarification on fair value accounting is a useful contribution, and our staff believes that it is consistent with IFRSs.

IASB的主席David Tweedie爵士说：“在回应信用危机的过程中，IASB致力于做好本职工作，识别需求，提供额外且急需的指南用以确定非流通市场中的金融工具的公允价值。美国证券交易委员会（SEC）和美国财务会计准则委员会（简称FASB）对于‘公允价值会计准则’的澄清是有益的贡献，我们相信该澄清与国际财务报告准则（IFRS）是一致的。我们将继续确保关于公允价值计量的IFRS相关指南与SEC及FASB提供的澄清相一致。”

‘We will continue to ensure that any IFRS guidance on fair value measurement is consistent with the clarification that has been provided by the US SEC staff and the FASB staff.’

The IASB has a project underway reviewing IAS39.

此外，IASB还拟对国际会计准则第39号（IAS 39）《金融工具：确认和计量》进行检查。

美国：2008年度百强事务所的收入将呈两位数增长

Sept. 29, 2008 (SmartPros) — CCH's Public Accounting Report (PAR) has released results of its annual Top 100 Firms survey of highest revenue accounting firms, showing that the majority on the 2008 list are realizing double-digit revenue growth rates.

近日，CCH公司的《公共会计报道》（PAR）公布了“2008年度百强会计师事务所”的排名，该榜单是以会计师事务所的收入作为排名的标准。同时，PAR显示，大多数上榜的会计师事务所的收入将实现两位数的增长。

The PAR 2008 Top 100 found an average revenue growth rate of 11.4 percent, up from a growth rate of 10.8 percent in 2007. As in previous years, firms outside the Big Four posted stronger overall results than their larger counterparts, with non-Big Four firms growing their revenue at an average rate of 14.4 percent compared to 10.6 percent for the Big Four. For 2008, the "Top 100" actually includes 102 firms, with a three-way tie in revenue for the last spot on the list.

PAR“2008年度百强会计师事务所”的收入平均增长率为11.4%，高于2007年度的10.8％。在过去的数年间，“四大”之外的会计师事务所的总体收益要优于“四大”，非“四大”会计师事务所的收入平均增幅为14.4％，而“四大”只有10.6％。2008年度，共有102家会计师事务所上榜，其中有3家会计师事务所并列百强事务所的最后一名。

In addition to revenue growth rates for overall firms, composite net revenue per partner also rose to more than $2.87 million, a 6.3 percent increase over the previous year, while net revenues per professional for firms in this year's top 100 increased 4 percent to $320,194 compared to those firms' previous performance, according to PAR 2008 Top 100 results

根据PAR“2008年度百强会计师事务所”的显示，除全体会计师事务所的收入增长率之外，每位合伙人的综合净收入也超过了287万美元，较前一年增长了6.3％。与此同时，在2008年，百强事务所的从业人员的净收入增长了4％，达到了320,194美元。

While an increased double-digit revenue growth rate for the third straight year appears to be good news, there are signs that point to an economic slowdown.

虽然，收入连续第三年呈现两位数的增长是个好消息，但是同样存在着经济放缓的迹象。

Weakness in underlying data suggests the revenue growth rate may not make a return trip to double-digit growth territory next year. Drilling down beyond the surface of the numbers reveals that 2008's revenue growth rate figure of 11.4 percent is actually weaker than the previous year's rate of 10.8 percent when taking into account that this year's growth rate is largely contributed by firms with fiscal year ends prior to March 2008. Further signs of slowdown are apparent when reviewing the data from firms with fiscal year ends from April to August 2008.

潜在数据的羸弱表明，明年的收入增幅有可能达不到两位数。考虑到今年收入增长率的大部分是由2008年3月之前的财年收入所贡献的，所以，透过数字的表象，2008年的11.4％的收入增幅实际上是不如前一年的10.8％。通过检查事务所截止于2008年4月至8月的财年的数据，更多的经济放缓迹象将会显现。

Firm Rankings

会计师事务所排名

Historically, there has not been a great deal of fluctuation in the ranking among the top 10 in PAR's Top 100. This year, the top 10 remained the same as in 2007 with PricewaterhouseCoopers maintaining the No. 2 spot that it won over Ernst & Young last year.

从历史上看，PAR“百强会计师事务所”的前10名并没有太大的变化，今年的前10名与2007年完全一致。自从去年取代安永会计师事务所排名第2后，今年，普华永道依旧占据第2名。

According to the 2008 PAR survey, the top 10 of the Top 100 ranked by revenue are:

依据2008年度PAR的调查，以收入排名的百强会计师事务所的前10名分别为：

1. Deloitte (New York, N.Y.)

1、德勤

2. PricewaterhouseCoopers (New York, N.Y.)

2、普华永道

3. Ernst & Young (New York, N.Y.)

3、安永

4. KPMG (New York, N.Y.)

4、毕马威

5. RSM McGladrey (Minneapolis, Minn.)

5、RSM McGladrey

6. Grant Thornton (Chicago, Ill.)

6、均富国际

7. BDO Seidman (Chicago, Ill.)

7、德豪国际

8. CBIZ/Mayer Hoffman McCann (Cleveland, Ohio and Leawood, Kan.)

8、CBIZ/Mayer Hoffman McCann

9. Crowe Group (Oak Brook, Ill.)

9、Crowe Group

10. BKD (Springfield, Mo.)

10、BKD

Overall, across the Top 100, Burr, Pilger & Mayer (San Francisco) achieved the biggest ranking jump, climbing 21 spots from No. 78 on the 2007 list to No. 57 on the PAR 2008 Top 100.

此外，纵览百强榜单，Burr, Pilger & Mayer会计师事务所排名的提升幅度最大，由2007年的第78名，一下攀升21名，排名2008年度的第57名。

法务会计需求激增

The demand for CPAs who provide forensic accounting services has accelerated in the past year, according to a survey by the American Institute of CPAs.

近日，根据美国注册会计师协会（AICPA）的一项调查显示，在过去的几年间，对于能提供法务会计服务的注册会计师的需求一直在增加。

Sixty-eight percent of the 5,400 members of the AICPA's Forensic Valuation Services Section who were polled say their forensic practices have grown over the past year.

在参与调查的AICPA“法务评估服务部”的5400名成员中，有68％的受访者表示他们的法务会计业务在过去的几年间持续增长。

Of those respondents who reported increased demand, 67 percent cited computation of economic damages as the leading reason, followed by marital disputes (56 percent) and investigations of financial statement fraud (54 percent).

在上述表示法务需求有所增长的受访者中，有67％的人将“评估经济损失”列为引起增长的首要原因，紧跟其后的是“婚姻纠纷”（56％）和“财报欺诈的调查”（54％）。

AICPA research shows that CPAs represented 94 percent of forensic experts hired over the past two years.

AICPA的调查表明，在过去的两年间，有94％的注册会计师是以法务专家的身份被招募的。

"The survey findings tell us that not only are forensic accounting services in demand, but specifically that CPAs with this expertise are in high demand," said AICPA director of firm practice management and specialized communities Stephen Winters in a statement.

AICPA的“事务所业务管理与专业团体”主管Stephen Winters在一份声明中表示：“此次调查告诉我们，不仅对法务会计服务是有需求的，而且对于拥有法务专业技能的注册会计师更是求贤若渴。”

美国：IASB和FASB设定趋同时间表

The International Accounting Standards Board and the Financial Accounting Standards Board have updated their 2006 memorandum of understanding and set a goal of completing their major joint projects on convergence of International Financial Reporting Standards with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles by 2011.

近日，国际会计准则理事会（IASB）和美国财务会计准则委员会（FASB）更新了双方于2006年度签订的谅解备忘录，并设定了具体的目标以便双方在2011年前完成“国际财务报告准则”（IFRS）与“美国公认会计原则”（US GAAP）趋同的重要合作项目。

The convergence work is being sped up in part because of the Securities and Exchange Commission's proposed roadmap for moving U.S. companies' financial statement reporting from GAAP to IFRS starting in 2014. The state of convergence between the two sets of standards will be one of the milestones that the SEC will take into account at a meeting in 2011 before finalizing the roadmap.

由于美国证券交易委员会（SEC）提议的趋同路线图是美国上市公司在2014年度起以IFRS代替GAAP来编制财务报表，因此，趋同工作正加紧开展。两套会计准则的趋同将是会计界的重大事件，SEC考虑在完成该路线图之前，于2011年召开相关会议。

IASB Chairman David Tweedie noted that other countries have their own convergence plans set for 2011. "A number of jurisdictions, including Canada, India, Japan and Korea, have announced plans to adopt or converge with IFRS from 2011," he said in a statement. "Completing the MoU beforehand will avoid the need for those jurisdictions to make major changes shortly afterwards as MoU projects are completed."

IASB的主席David Tweedie表示，其他国家将其自身的趋同计划设定在了2011年。在一份声明中，David Tweedie说：“包括加拿大、印度、日本和韩国在内的诸多会计监管机构已宣布相应计划，即从2011年起采用IFRS或将现有准则与IFRS趋同。事先完善谅解备忘录将避免这些会计监管机构在谅解备忘录项目完成之后，随即进行重大的改动。”

Among the major issues set for convergence are financial statement preparation, leases and revenue recognition. FASB Chairman Robert Herz said the two boards would decide by the end of this year whether to modify their short-term convergence program to focus more on the major improvement efforts. "We will continue our dual objectives of working toward global convergence while addressing reporting issues of critical importance to U.S. investors and financial markets," he said in a statement.

趋同过程中的主要问题包括财务报表的编制、租赁及收入的确认。FASB的主席Robert Herz表示，FASB和IASB将在今年年底决定是否修正短期趋同程序，以便将更多的精力放在主要改进效果上。在一份声明中，他说：“当报告对美国投资者和金融市场而言是极端重要的问题时，我们将继续朝着全球会计准则趋同的双重目标迈进。”

In some cases, FASB may simply adopt IFRS standards in areas such as accounting for taxes, investment properties, and research and development. However, the rush toward adoption of IFRS has attracted opposition. At a conference sponsored by the New York State Society of CPAs, Charles Niemeier warned, "IFRS has the potential to de-link us from our regulatory model," according to Reuters. He supports convergence of the accounting standards, but not outright adoption of IFRS.

在某些情况下，如税务会计、投资性资产及研发费用等，FASB可以采用IFRS。但是，匆忙采纳IFRS也会带来负面影响。据路透社报道，在由“纽约州注册会计师协会”资助的研讨会上，美国上市公司会计监管委员会（PCAOB）成员Charles Niemeier警告说：“IFRS会使我们与现有监管模式相脱离。”他支持会计准则趋同，但反对完全采纳IFRS。

美国：联合租赁公司支付1400万美元了解欺诈指控

United Rentals has agreed to pay $14 million to settle charges that it engaged in financial fraud and a broad range of improper accounting practices.

近日，联合租赁公司（United Rentals）同意支付1400万美元，以了结对其的财务欺诈以及大量采用不当会计处理的指控。

The company is one of the largest equipment rental providers in the world with locations throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The Securities and Exchange Commission alleged that between late 2000 and 2002, URI engaged in a series of dubious three-party sales-leaseback transactions to meet earnings forecasts and analyst expectations.

联合租赁公司是世界上最大的设备租赁提供商之一，租赁业务遍及美国、加拿大及墨西哥等国。美国证券交易委员会（SEC）宣称，在2000年下半年至2002年间，联合租赁公司从事了一系列可疑的三方“售后回租”交易，以迎合预计盈利和分析人士的预期。

URI sold used equipment to a financing company, leased it back for a short period, and then arranged for a third-party equipment manufacturer to agree to sell the equipment at the end of the lease period. URI guaranteed both the financing company and the equipment manufacturer against any losses. Former CFO Michael Nolan and former chief acquisitions officer John Milne have already been individually charged with orchestrating the transactions.

联合租赁公司将使用过的设备销售给融资租赁公司后，再短期回租，然后与第三方设备制造商达成协议同意其在租赁期末销售租赁设备。在此过程中，联合租赁公司保证融资租赁公司和设备制造商都不会有所损失。联合租赁公司的前任CFO Michael Nolan和前任财务长John Milne已因为操纵交易而分别受到指控。

URI also allegedly sold blocks of used equipment for amounts in excess of fair value, in exchange for financial inducements to some of its suppliers.