IMPACT OF RECENTLY-ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

IMPACT OF RECENTLY-ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

IMPACT OF RECENTLY-ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

NOTE 15. IMPACT OF RECENTLY‑ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, modifying the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e. lessees and lessors). The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee.  This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight line basis over the term of the lease, respectively.  A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification.  Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for in the same manner as operating leases today. The new standard requires lessors to account for leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sales-type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases. The guidance supersedes previously issued guidance under ASC Topic 840 “Leases”. The guidance is effective on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted.  The Partnership is currently in the process of evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, which eliminates a requirement for the retroactive adjustment on a step by step basis of the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings as if the equity method had been effective during all previous periods that the investment had been held when an investment qualifies for equity method accounting due to an increase in the level of ownership or degree of influence. The cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee is to be added to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and the equity method of accounting should be adopted as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. This guidance is to be applied on a prospective basis and is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The adoption of ASU 2016-07 will have no significant impact on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements. 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. ASU 2016-15 addresses eight specific cash flow issues and intends to reduce the diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Partnership is currently in the process of evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-15 will have on the Partnership’s consolidated statement of cash flows.