Rough Water Ahead

This case gives students an opportunity to determine the accounting for impairment of long-lived assets in accordance with ASC 360-10.

1. How should Smooth Sailings’ management perform the recoverability test for the cruise ship as of December 31, 2010? In addressing this question, consider:

1. When is a company required to perform the two-step test for goodwill impairment? Explain in your own words and provide citation from the ASC.

Goodwill is not amortised. Instead, goodwill is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired, and is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold.For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to each of the Group 's cash-generating units (CGUs), or groups of CGUs, expected to benefit from the synergies of the business combination. CGUs (or groups of CGUs) to which goodwill has been allocated are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired.If the recoverable amount of the CGU (or groups of CGUs) is less than the carrying amount of the CGU (or groups of CGUs), the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the CGU (or groups

25-7 If a loss cannot be accrued in the period when ti is probable that an asset had been impaired or a liability had been incurred because the amount of loss cannot be reasonable estimated, the loss shall be charged to the income of the period in which the loss can be reasonably estimated and shall not be charged retroactively to an earlier period. All estimated losses for loss contingencies shall be charged to income rather than charging some to income and others to retained earnings as prior period adjustments.”

If their stock price dropped to ZERO, an impairment would not be required because they are comparing the market price of their stock to their carrying amount of stockholder’s equity, which in a deficit. Also, the Company is anticipating those assets to produce future benefits that exceed its costs.

Where explain the concept of Intangible asset, which represents assets that absence of physical substance. Moreover, Goodwill represents an asset from which is expected future economic benefits, emerge from the acquisition of other assets or business combination. Another important point would be the impartments testing as refers ASC 350-20-35-28 where indicates that Goodwill of reporting unit must be tested for impairment annually. The test can be accomplished at any time in the fiscal year. In the case of different reporting unit, the impairment test could be at different times. This citation in the memorandum was provided incorrect (ASC 305-20-35-1 and 28) this encoding does not exist in FASB.

We will discuss whether the Company’s approach for testing goodwill for impairment after recognizing an impairment charge related to a long-lived asset group classified as held-and-used is appropriate. This issue pertains to whether it is feasible to have a long-lived asset impairment without goodwill impairment.

Goodwill Impairment is the Goodwill that has become or is considered to be of lower value than at the time or purchase. From an accounting perspective, when the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds the fair value, then it is considered to be impaired. Negative publicity about a firm can create goodwill impairment, as can the reduction of brand-name recognition. Since the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) first introduced its standards update on testing for goodwill impairment (ASU 2011-08), entities with goodwill on their balance sheet have had the option when testing goodwill for impairment to first assess qualitative factors as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the traditional two-step approach described in ASC Topic 350. The optional qualitative assessment is commonly referred to as “step zero.”

ASC 320-10-35-35: “In periods after the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment loss for debt securities, an entity shall account for the other-than-temporarily impaired debt security as if the debt security had

1. How should Smooth Sailings’ management perform the recoverability test for the cruise ship as of December 31, 2010? In addressing this question, consider:

According to Section 360-10-35-21, examples of events that would cause an asset to be tested for impairment include a significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset, or a asset group, a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset or asset group is being used or in its physical condition, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of a long-lived asset, or asset group, and a current period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset or asset group.

The authoritative guidance for asset impairment is to ensure that impairment is recorded and dealt with as depreciation. The scope of the standard is writing off of assets and depreciation. According to the guidance of 360-10-35, it address how long-lived assets that are intended to be held and used in an entity’s business shall be reviewed for impairment. The impairment loss can only be recognized if the carrying amount of a long-lived assets is not recoverable and

Another important factor necessitating consideration is the effect the default will have on the nonrecourse debt. In our research we concluded the impact from the default does not influence the UFCF, the fair value, or the carrying value. According to FAS 144, the loss from impairment and the gain from the extinguishment of debt are two separate and distinct transactions. The Board continues to explain “the recognition of an impairment loss should be based on the measurement of the asset at its fair value and that the existence of nonrecourse debt should not influence that measurement.” Thus, the nonrecourse debt does not impact Smooth Sailing’s impairment loss calculations.

recognized. At worst, there is not sufficient information (based on ASC 410-2025-10) to determine the fair value of the asset retirement obligation as it is