ASC 718

Definition

ASC 718 refers to the Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, which governs the accounting for share-based payment arrangements, specifically equity and liability awards. This standard requires companies to recognize the cost of share-based compensation in their financial statements, impacting executive compensation structures significantly by ensuring transparency in how these costs are reported.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. ASC 718 was introduced to enhance the transparency and consistency of financial reporting regarding share-based payment arrangements, requiring companies to measure and recognize compensation costs based on fair value.
2. The standard mandates that companies recognize the cost of equity awards over the requisite service period, which aligns with when employees earn their share-based compensation.
3. Under ASC 718, companies must disclose the method used to calculate the fair value of share-based payments and provide detailed information about the nature and terms of their equity compensation plans.
4. The implementation of ASC 718 can significantly impact reported earnings, as it requires companies to account for share-based payments as expenses on their income statements.
5. Executive compensation structures often include stock options and other equity awards, making compliance with ASC 718 critical for accurately representing the true cost of these compensation strategies.

Review Questions

• How does ASC 718 influence the way companies report executive compensation in their financial statements?
  • ASC 718 influences executive compensation reporting by requiring companies to recognize the cost of share-based payments as an expense in their financial statements. This standard ensures that any stock options or equity awards granted to executives are reflected in the company's earnings reports, providing a clearer picture of total compensation. As a result, this leads to greater transparency for investors and stakeholders regarding how much executives are being compensated through equity instruments.
• What are the key disclosure requirements under ASC 718 that companies must adhere to when reporting share-based payment transactions?
  • Under ASC 718, companies must disclose several key details about their share-based payment transactions. This includes the method used to calculate the fair value of the awards, any significant assumptions made during this calculation (such as expected volatility and expected term), and information about the nature and terms of equity compensation plans. These disclosures help stakeholders understand how equity awards impact financial performance and overall executive compensation structures.
• Evaluate the potential effects of ASC 718 on corporate governance and executive compensation practices within publicly traded companies.
  • The introduction of ASC 718 has significant implications for corporate governance and executive compensation practices. By mandating that companies recognize share-based payment costs transparently, it encourages more responsible compensation strategies that align executives' interests with those of shareholders. Additionally, as investors become more aware of how much executives are compensated through stock options and other equity awards, boards may feel pressure to implement more rigorous oversight on these compensation packages to ensure they reflect performance and shareholder value, ultimately enhancing corporate accountability.

Related terms

Share-Based Payment: A transaction in which a company pays for goods or services with its own equity instruments or incurs liabilities that are settled with equity instruments.

Fair Value: The estimated price at which an asset or liability could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, often used in determining the cost of share-based payments.

Stock Options: A type of equity award that gives employees the right to purchase shares of the company’s stock at a predetermined price, often used as part of executive compensation packages.