PERSPECTIVE l Major Accounting Changes Proposed by FASB for Nonprofits

by Katrina Olson The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) announced in April 2015 proposed changes to reporting for nonprofit organizations nationwide and will impact the approximately 13,340 nonprofits currently registered with the State of Connecticut, Department of Consumer Protection.  The proposal represents the first major overhaul of nonprofit reporting requirements in more than two decades.

FASB, formed in 1973, serves as the standard-setting body that establishes accounting rules governing the preparation of financial reports by nongovernmental entities, including nonprofit organizations.

Changes are expected to be widespread, affecting all areas of the financial statements.  Here are a few of the significant changes:

Net assets

With multiple proposed changes on the table, the greatest impact calls for elimination of the three classes of net assets, the reserves of a nonprofit organization—unrestricted, temporarily restricted, and permanently restricted.  If passed, nonprofits would have to report two classes of net assets, “net assets with donor restrictions” and “net assets without donor restrictions”.

The current distinction between permanent restrictions and temporary restrictions has become blurred in recent years due to changes in state laws.  Many states allow nonprofits to spend from permanently restricted endowment funds under certain circumstances.

FASB hopes simplifying the number of classes of net assets will improve understandability and reduce complexity.

Income statement

Another significant change would impact the statement of activities, which presents a nonprofit’s income and expenses.  The proposed rule would require all nonprofits to report net income or loss from operating activities separate from non-operating activities.  This would more clearly show the income and costs directly related to accomplishing the mission of the organization.

Non-operating activities, such as investment earnings or losses, can distort the operating bottom line. This makes it difficult for an interested party to distinguish the financial performance directly related to the nonprofit’s mission.

Cash flows

A change likely to stir the most controversy amongst nonprofit accountants is the proposed overhaul of the statement of cash flows, which identifies the organization’s sources and uses of cash. The cash flow statement is often cited as the most misunderstood statement.

Key stakeholders frequently gloss over the statement of cash flows, considering it unreadable.   The FASB proposed change would present the statement using the direct method, requiring the reporting of cash receipts from key revenue sources as well as disbursements to suppliers versus to employees for wages.  It’s anticipated that this change would provide a clearer presentation of cash in and out related to operations.

Proponents argue the change to the cash flow statement would provide more useful information to key stakeholders, although some nonprofit advocates take issue with any change that would cause even greater disparity between reporting requirements of nonprofit organizations versus for-profit businesses.

What’s the bottom line? Truth be told, these reporting changes will require an investment of time for nonprofits and their accountants to implement.  Whenever there is any change to accounting rules, there are both benefits and costs.

FASB’s proposal comes at a time when stakeholders have increasingly complained that improvements are needed to the financial statement presentation for nonprofits to provide better information for decision-makers regarding a nonprofit’s financial performance, service efforts, need for external financing, and stewardship of donor funds.

The proposal has been years in the making, dating back to late 2009 with the formation of the Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee (NAC) – a group formed to work with FASB to focus on financial reporting issues affecting the nonprofit sector.

A handful of nonprofit accounting rule changes have passed in the years since the formation of the NAC – the current proposal represents the most sweeping modification to nonprofit reporting requirements, thus far.

Nonprofits and accountants may view these changes as extra work in the short-term, however we can only hope nonprofits will reap the anticipated benefits of providing better information to decision-makers.

The FASB proposed changes are expected to be effective for 2017.  In the meantime, FASB invites individuals and organizations to weigh in on the proposed changes before August 20, 2015.  To comment, visit the FASB website at www.fasb.org and click on Exposure Documents Open for Comment, or email director@fasb.org.

You might notice a comment from me as well!

Katrina Olson is an audit manager with Whittlesey & Hadley, P.C.  She specializes in audits of nonprofit organizations. This article first appeared in Hartford Business Journal.   

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