When a when the parent company is split into two or more entities but the parent company is liquidated and does not survive such process known as?
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The threshold for a reporting entity to adopt the liquidation basis of accounting is when liquidation is imminent, unless the entity follows a plan for liquidation which was specified at inception in its governing documents (e.g., its article of incorporation). When it is appropriate to apply the liquidation basis of accounting, it is not an election; a reporting entity should apply the guidance in ASC 205-30 to determine when a liquidation is considered imminent and, consequently, when the liquidation basis of accounting is required. Show
ASC 205-30-25-2 Liquidation is imminent when either of the following occurs: a. A plan for liquidation has been approved by the person or persons with the authority to make such a plan effective, and the likelihood is remote that any of the following will occur: 1. Execution of the plan will be blocked by other parties (for example, those with shareholder rights) 2. The entity will return from liquidation. b. A plan for liquidation is imposed by other forces (for example, involuntary bankruptcy), and the likelihood is remote that the entity will return from liquidation. Whether liquidation is imminent should be carefully considered in light of the facts and circumstances and the actions of management regarding its plans for the reporting entity. Depending on a reporting entity’s bylaws or the laws of the state of incorporation, a voluntary plan of liquidation would ordinarily require approval by at least a simple majority of the shareholders. The liquidation basis of accounting should not be adopted in financial statements prior to such approval because until such approval, liquidation of the reporting entity is not “imminent.” If a plan of liquidation is imposed by other forces, the decision to liquidate is usually imposed by the Court and is outside the control of the reporting entity. In this case, it is remote that the reporting entity will return from liquidation and should adopt liquidation-basis accounting even if formal board approval is not obtained (i.e., in such a case, the decision to liquidate does not rest with the board). Management should consider seeking the guidance of legal counsel in determining when an involuntary liquidation is imminent. ASC 205-30 does not consider the length of time the liquidation process could take as a factor in determining when the imminent threshold has been met. A reporting entity is required to adopt the liquidation basis of accounting as soon as its liquidation meets the definition of imminent, even if the actual liquidation event is 12 months or more in the future. However, when the liquidation process is expected to occur over a lengthy period that includes significant operating decisions, the reporting entity should carefully consider whether it has met the requirements of ASC 205-30-25-2. Figure BLG 6-2 illustrates the determination of when the liquidation basis of accounting should be adopted. Figure BLG
6-2 The liquidation basis is applied prospectively only from the day that liquidation becomes imminent, and so a reporting entity adopting the liquidation basis for the first time would not retrospectively adjust its historical financial statements. For practical reasons, the liquidation basis of opening account balances and adoption adjustments may be determined using a "convenience date." A convenience date is a date shortly before or after the date the criteria for adoption are met (such as the beginning or end of the month or quarter in which the criteria are met) and is used when the impact is not quantitatively and qualitatively material to the reporting entity's financial statements for all periods presented. Notwithstanding, the adoption date as presented on the statements and disclosed in the notes is usually the actual date the criteria were met. Generally, a convenience date should not cross a quarterly or annual reporting period. In instances when the imminent threshold is met after the balance sheet date but prior to the release of the financial statements, prior period financial statements should continue to be prepared on a going-concern basis and appropriate subsequent event disclosures, which may include pro forma financial data for the liquidation basis of accounting, should be provided. The liquidation basis of accounting does not apply to a planned wind-down of a reporting entity’s activities that occurs over time where the legal entity will be kept active and may continue or increase operations with an improvement in the business climate. In such circumstances, the resolution by the board of directors or other governing body is usually not clear that liquidation is imminent and it may be difficult for the reporting entity to assert that the likelihood it will return from liquidation is remote. Example BLG 6-1, Example BLG 6-2, Example BLG 6-3, Example BLG 6-4, and Example BLG 6-5 demonstrate circumstances when it may or may not yet be appropriate to adopt the liquidation basis of accounting. Example BLG 6-5 and Example BLG 6-6 illustrate the timing of adoption of the liquidation basis of accounting. EXAMPLE BLG 6-1 A mortgage origination entity's management determines that the reporting entity will not process any new mortgages and will sell off its existing mortgage portfolio to third parties within the next six months. Following the distribution of the assets of the reporting entity, the business will not be dissolved as it holds a state mortgage license that the reporting entity's parent wants to keep intact because it may begin to originate mortgages once market conditions improve. Should the reporting entity adopt the liquidation basis of accounting? Analysis No. The mortgage origination entity should not adopt the liquidation basis of accounting because its liquidation is not considered imminent. The reporting entity would not be able to assert that its return from liquidation is remote since it is keeping its mortgage license intact and may resume operations if market conditions improve. EXAMPLE BLG 6-2 The board of directors of a research entity decides that because of the loss of a patent, the long-term viability of the reporting entity is in doubt. The board authorizes management to sell the reporting entity's assets and settle all of its obligations, but there is no plan to make a final distribution of its assets or to dissolve its charter as the board explores other investment alternatives. Should the reporting entity adopt the liquidation basis of accounting? Analysis No. The research entity should not adopt the liquidation basis of accounting because its liquidation is not considered imminent. While the reporting entity is disposing of its assets and settling its obligations, the entity's charter is neither being dissolved nor are the proceeds from the liquidation being distributed. As the board explores other investment alternatives, the reporting entity is a going concern since it is considering using the sale proceeds to enter a new business. The reporting entity would not qualify for the liquidation basis of accounting until its board of directors approves further actions, such as a full dissolution of the reporting entity's charter and distribution of any remaining proceeds to its shareholders. EXAMPLE BLG 6-3 Company A files a petition under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, which involves an independent trustee taking over management of a reporting entity for purposes of liquidating the assets. Is liquidation imminent for purposes of adopting the liquidation basis of accounting? Analysis It depends. The filing of the petition under Chapter 7 is a significant event, and in most cases would necessitate the adoption of the liquidation basis of accounting. Generally, when the filing of petition under Chapter 7 is voluntary, the plan would have been approved by the person or persons with the authority to make the plan for liquidation effective. When a reporting entity's filing under Chapter 7 is involuntary, by definition the plan for liquidation has been imposed by other forces. Whether voluntary or involuntary, it is generally unlikely that a reporting entity filing under Chapter 7 will return from liquidation. Of course, a reporting entity's facts and circumstances surrounding a Chapter 7 petition are unique, and so management should review the facts to ensure the criteria in ASC 205-30-25-2 are met prior to adopting the liquidation basis of accounting. EXAMPLE BLG 6-4 Fund A is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and its governing documents do not specify a contractual life. Management of Fund A intends to liquidate Fund A's investments whereby all investors will be fully redeemed and all expenses will be paid. Management does not intend to legally dissolve Fund A as the legal structure may be used in the future to start a new fund. Should Fund A adopt the liquidation basis of accounting? Analysis It depends. Under ASC 205, liquidation, whether compulsory or voluntary, is the process by which a reporting entity converts its assets to cash or other assets and settles its obligations with creditors in anticipation of the reporting entity ceasing all activities. Upon cessation of the reporting entity's activities, any remaining cash or other assets are distributed to the reporting entity's investors or other claimants. A fund's process to liquidate all assets, settle all debt, and distribute all net assets would most likely meet the definition of liquidation even if management does not legally dissolve the reporting entity after the liquidation process is completed. However, in this scenario, an understanding of what the potential future use of the fund would be and the likelihood of such future use should be considered when determining whether adopting the liquidating basis of accounting is appropriate. A future likely use of the legal entity with similar or identical investment strategy to that of the recently liquidated fund should be considered as part of the analysis as to whether it is appropriate to adopt the liquidation basis of accounting. EXAMPLE BLG 6-5 On June 30, 20X1, Company A was notified by its only customer that the customer will no longer order its product. Existing orders are expected to be completed by May 20X2. From July through December 20X1, Company A continued efforts to raise additional financing from venture capital groups and secure new customers. By December 15, 20X1, it was evident that these efforts would not be successful. On March 1, 20X2, Company A obtains the required shareholder approval for a plan of liquidation that will be completed by May 20X2. Upon ceasing its operations, all employees will be terminated, and the reporting entity's assets will be liquidated to repay its creditors. Company A is preparing its December 31, 20X1, financial statements. Should Company A adopt the liquidation basis of accounting in its December 31, 20X1, financial statements? Analysis No. In its December 31, 20X1 financial statements, Company A should apply the going-concern basis of accounting as liquidation is not considered “imminent” at that date. Under ASC 205-30, liquidation is considered “imminent” when either the plan has been approved by the person(s) with the authority to make such a plan effective, and the likelihood is remote that (1) execution of the plan will be blocked by other parties, and (2) the reporting entity will return from liquidation, or when a plan of liquidation is imposed by other forces and the likelihood is remote that the reporting entity will return from liquidation. Furthermore, the liquidation basis is applied prospectively only from the day that liquidation becomes imminent, and so a reporting entity adopting the liquidation basis for the first time would not retrospectively adjust its historical financial statements. In this fact pattern, Company A’s liquidation does not meet the imminent threshold until the required shareholder approval is obtained. Although going-concern accounting is utilized as of December 31, 20X1, given the significance of the subsequent event and the pending change in the basis of accounting, it may be necessary to provide a pro forma statement of net assets in liquidation giving effect to the change to liquidation basis of accounting as if it had occurred on the date of the balance sheet. See FSP 28.6.3.12. EXAMPLE BLG 6-6 The criteria for liquidation being imminent are met under ASC 205 on October 29, 20X1. Can liquidation basis of accounting be adopted by the reporting entity on October 31, 20X1? Analysis Assuming the reporting entity reports annually on December 31, 20X1, it would prepare its "going concern" financial statements for the January 1 through October 28, 20X1 period and its liquidation basis financial statements for the October 29 to December 31, 20X1 period. Alternatively, any activity between October 29 and 31 may be included in the October 28, 20X1 financial statement, if, after considering the impact of using a convenience date together with the effect of all other identified errors, the financial statements (all periods presented) are not considered to be materially misstated. 6.4.1 Limited life entities in the liquidation basis of accountingASC 205-30-25-3 describes additional considerations for limited life entities. A reporting entity with a contractually-limited life which liquidates its assets in accordance with the plan specified at the reporting entity's inception as outlined in its governing documents would not adopt the liquidation basis of accounting upon commencing liquidation. Limited life entities apply liquidation accounting only in the event of an unplanned liquidation. Therefore, when the final approved plan of liquidation differs from the plan specified at inception, the liquidation basis of accounting may be applicable. When a limited life entity decides to liquidate its assets at a different point in time than that contemplated in its governing documents (which could be upon a certain date, event, milestone, etc.), but at amounts commensurate with fair value, the liquidation is not considered unplanned. Conversely, when a limited life entity is forced to liquidate its assets in exchange for consideration which is not commensurate with the fair value of its assets, it is presumed that the reporting entity's liquidation does not follow its plan of liquidation as laid out at its inception. In such a scenario, a reporting entity with a contractually-limited life would adopt the liquidation basis of accounting on the date that its unplanned liquidation becomes imminent. Example BLG 6-7, Example BLG 6-8, and Example BLG 6-9 illustrate considerations for the application of the liquidation basis of accounting for a limited life entity. EXAMPLE BLG 6-7 Company B’s governing documents specify that its contractual life will end in year ten. Company B is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. On March 11 of year six, Company B’s board of directors determined that the reporting entity would not be able to meet its debt obligations and voted to begin liquidating the reporting entity earlier than planned. Company B required approval from Company C, a third party, to make its plan of liquidation effective. Company B obtained approval from Company C on April 10 of year six. No other parties could block the execution of the plan of liquidation, and the likelihood that Company B would return from liquidation was remote. Under the plan of liquidation, Company B anticipated that it would not have sufficient time to sell its assets in exchange for consideration that would approximate the fair value of those assets. Should Company B adopt the liquidation basis of accounting in its financial statements? Analysis Yes. Considering Company B will liquidate its assets for consideration that is not commensurate with fair value, Company B should begin preparing its financial statements using the liquidation basis of accounting as of April 10 of year six, which is the date that the reporting entity obtained all of the approvals required to make its plan of liquidation effective. EXAMPLE BLG
6-8 At its inception, Partnership A has a contractually-limited life whereby its assets will be liquidated at the end of its tenth year. Partnership A is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In year seven, due to favorable market conditions, Partnership A's general partner, having the authority to do so, approves a plan to immediately liquidate all of Partnership A's assets at fair value. The partnership will not return from liquidation. Should Partnership A adopt the liquidation basis of accounting in its financial statements? Analysis No. Even though Partnership A will liquidate its assets before the end of its contractual life, which was not anticipated at its inception, it would not adopt the liquidation basis of accounting because the sale of its assets are expected to be sold at a price commensurate with fair value. A reporting entity with a contractually-limited life would only adopt the liquidation basis of accounting if it has an unplanned liquidation event at amounts not commensurate with fair value. EXAMPLE BLG 6-9 At its inception, Partnership A has a contractually-limited life whereby its assets will be liquidated at the end of its tenth year. Partnership A is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Given the market conditions at the end of year ten, the advisor decides to extend the life of the fund for an additional year as provided for in the governing documents. Should Partnership A adopt the liquidation basis of accounting in its financial statements? Analysis Generally, no. The governing documents for many private equity and venture capital funds allow the advisor/general partner to extend the life of the fund for a limited number of consecutive one-year periods if required for an orderly wind-down. Generally, the exercise of these provisions is not a "difference" in the plan of liquidation requiring the adoption of liquidation basis of accounting. Rather, these provisions are included in the governing documents to allow a fund manager some latitude to consider market conditions at or near the scheduled termination date. Relatively minor delays or accelerations in end dates for limited life entities do not require the adoption of liquidation basis of accounting unless assets are not expected to be liquidated at fair value. What is it called when a company splits into two?A split-up is a financial term describing a corporate action in which a single company splits into two or more independent, separately-run companies. Upon the completion of such events, shares of the original company may be exchanged for shares in one of the new entities at the discretion of shareholders.
When a company splits into two what happens to the stock?When a company splits its shares, the value of the shares also splits. For example, suppose the shares of XYZ Corp. were trading at $20 at the time of the two-for-one split; after the split, the number of shares doubles, and the shares trade at $10 instead of $20.
When a parent company creates two new companies and its shares are distributed to the parent's shareholders it is called a an?A spinoff is the creation of an independent company through the sale or distribution of new shares of an existing business or division of a parent company. The spun-off companies are expected to be worth more as independent entities than as parts of a larger business.
When a parent company separates a unit into a new company and shareholders can exchange their shares in the parent for that of the unit it is called a an?A corporate split-off is the process whereby a parent corporation organizes a subsidiary corporation to which it transfers part of its assets in exchange for all of the subsidiary's capital stock, which is subsequently transferred to the shareholders of the parent corporation in exchange for a portion of their parent ...
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