New Accounting Pronouncements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Text Block]

3. New Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08 (“ASU 2011-08”) Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). Under ASU 2011-08, an entity has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to perform the first step of the two-step impairment test. Under ASU 2011-08, an entity has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to performing the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test. An entity may resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. We do not expect that ASU 2011-08 will have a material impact on our financial statements or related disclosures.

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an amendment on the presentation of other comprehensive income. Under this amendment, entities will be required to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or two separate but consecutive statements. The current option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity has been eliminated. This amendment will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2012, and retrospective application is required. The Company does not anticipate that this amendment will have a material impact on its financial statements.