New Accounting Standards

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

New Accounting Standards

New Accounting Standards

2.New Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) that introduces a new five-step revenue recognition model in which an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  This ASU also requires disclosures sufficient to enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including qualitative and quantitative disclosures about contracts with customers, significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract.  This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period.  The standard will allow various transition approaches upon adoption. The Company is assessing the impacts of this new standard; however the adoption of the guidance in this Update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.  This Update provides guidance pertaining to the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists, to resolve diversity in practice.  The Update requires that companies present an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a tax loss or credit carryforward on the balance sheet when (a) the tax law requires the company to use the tax loss or credit carryforward to satisfy amounts payable upon disallowance of the tax position; or (b) the tax loss or credit carryforward is available to satisfy amounts payable upon disallowance of the tax position, and the company intends to use the deferred tax asset for that purpose. The guidance in this Update is effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company adopted the guidance in this Update prospectively and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity.  This Update clarifies the guidance pertaining to the release of the cumulative translation adjustment (“CTA”) to resolve diversity in practice.  The Update clarifies that when a company ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business within a foreign entity, the company should release any related CTA into net income.  In such instances, the CTA should be released into net income only if a sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided.  The Update also requires the release of the CTA (or applicable pro rata portion thereof) upon the sale or partial sale of an equity method investment that is a foreign entity and for a step acquisition in which the acquirer held an equity method investment prior to obtaining control.  The guidance in this Update is effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The adoption of the guidance contained in this Update did not have an impact on the Company’s 2014 Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  However, the guidance contained in this Update will impact the accounting for the CTA upon any future de-recognition of certain subsidiaries or groups of assets within a foreign entity or of an investment in a foreign entity; and the effect will be dependent upon the relevant transaction at that time.