webinar slides: mid-year audit and tax brief for public companies
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CBIZ & MHM Executive Education Series™ Mid-Year Audit and Tax Brief
Presented by: Rich Howard, Brad Hale, Scott Wragg
& Dave Lewin June 29, 2015
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Before We Get Started…
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This webinar is eligible for CPE credit. To receive credit, you will need to answer periodic participation markers throughout the webinar.
External participants will receive their CPE certificate via email immediately following the webinar.
CPE Credit
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The information in this Executive Education Series course is a brief summary and may not include all
the details relevant to your situation.
Please contact your service provider to further discuss the impact on your business.
Disclaimer
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Today’s Presenters
Rich Howard, CPA Shareholder, MHM 949.450.4402 | rhoward@cbiz.com Rich serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of MHM and is a member of both our Executive Committee and Professional Standards Group. He is also the Regional Attest Practice Leader for the West Region. Rich leads our SEC practice nationwide and is a member of the Board of Directors for Kreston International, the firm's international accounting network.
Brad Hale, CPA Shareholder, MHM 727.572.1400 | bhale@cbiz.com Brad has extensive experience providing audit and consulting services to public companies. He assists clients with new standard implementation, review of complex contracts and technical account matters, initial public offerings and SEC reporting. As a member of MHM's Professional Standards Group, Brad provides technical expertise to engagement teams and clients regarding revenue recognition and public company reporting.
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Today’s Presenters
Scott Wragg, CPA Shareholder, MHM 401.626.3234 | swragg@cbiztofias.com Scott is a Managing Director at CBIZ Tofias and a Shareholder with MHM. He is the Tax Practice Leader for New England. Scott has over 25 years of experience in planning, supervising, and coordinating comprehensive tax services for privately-held businesses and publicly traded multinational companies. He works with many of the largest companies in New England with a primary focus in the technology, manufacturing, professional services, retail and real estate industries, and has extensive experience with federal, state, and international tax minimization strategies.
David Lewin, CPA Managing Director 617.761.0508 | dlewin@cbiztofias.com Dave is the Leader of the Accounting Advisory Practice for CBIZ Tofias. Some of the services provided by Dave include revenue recognition consulting, financial statement preparation, interpretation and implementation of new accounting standards, technical memo preparation and internal control effectiveness and efficiency. Dave has 20 years of experience in financial leadership roles and public accounting.
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Today’s Agenda
1
2
U.S. Regulatory Update
Other SEC and PCAOB Hot Topics
Disclosure Effectiveness 3
4 SEC Comment Letters
5 Income Taxes
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SEC Activities
Whistleblower program IFRS Convergence Proposed Rules Pay for performance Tick size pilot
Regulation A+ Use of administrative
courts (in-house judges)
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Mary Jo White – Northwestern University Referred to as “Game Changer” Volume of tips greater and higher quality Whistleblowers increase efficiency 17 whistleblowers have received rewards
Payouts total nearly $50 million Awards > $1 million – 3 times Largest award - >$30 million to one individual
Tips span various securities law violations Corporate disclosures and financial
statements Securities offering fraud Market manipulation
Whistleblower Program
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Issues/Concerns Companies may be imposing requirements
Employees to sign confidentiality agreements Impose requirements to receive severance Foregoing whistleblower rewards Representing that they haven’t reported any prior misconduct
SEC taking action to create safe environment Investigate/charge retaliation by companies (even inadvertent) Discourage actions that limit the willingness to report fraud Wall Street Journal article stated: SEC recently contacted a number of companies Requested copies of non-disclosure, employment and other agreements
Whistleblower Program
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Example: Enforcement action against KBR, Inc. Related to a confidentiality agreement Used by KBR in internal investigations SEC said wording violated the whistleblower rule
(Rule 21F-17) KBR settled the matter and paid $130,000 fine KBR amended the agreement wording SEC acknowledged no actual instance where an
employee was prevented from communicating
Whistleblower Program
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SEC is near completing a recommendation James Schnurr, SEC Chief Accountant – May 7, 2015 No details provided but one possibility offered
Voluntary production of IFRS information In a supplemental format
Themes heard from SEC staff discussions Virtually no support for SEC to mandate IFRS Little support for an option allowing IFRS for
domestic companies Continued support for a single, global set
of standards FASB/IASB efforts
Schnurr believes collaboration is the only realistic path
IFRS Convergence
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Pay for Performance
Proposed disclosure rule SEC voted 3-2 on April 29, 2015 Objectives
Provide transparency to shareholders How executive compensation aligns with financial
performance Specific disclosures required
New pay vs. performance comp table Must be disclosed in proxy Comp “actually paid” to CEO and Officers Total shareholder return of company Total return of company peer group Table may cover up to 5 years Clear description of relationship between comp
actually paid and Company performance
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Pay for Performance
Proposed disclosure rule (cont) Required by Dodd Frank Act Section 953(a) Exemptions
Emerging Growth Companies (EGCs) Foreign Private Issuers (FPIs) Registered investment companies
Smaller Reporting Companies Scaled disclosure requirements
Filed in XBRL Must be filed using XBRL tagging First-time proxy disclosures would be tagged
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Pilot to Assess Tick Size
SEC approved pilot program – May 6, 2015 Proposed by securities exchanges & FINRA Assess whether wider tick sizes enhance market quality of
stocks for the benefit of investors and issuers Pilot will begin May 6, 2016 Pilot period – 2 years Include stocks of companies
$3 billion or less in market capitalization
Average daily trading volume of 1 million shares or less
Volume Weighted Average Price of at least $2.00/trading day
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SEC approved pilot program – (cont.) Pilot program will consist of:
1,400 securities and 3 test groups (400 securities each) Control group
Be quoted in increments of $0.01/share Trade at currently permitted increments
First test group Be quoted in increments of $0.05/share Trade at any price increment currently permitted
Second test group Be quoted in increments of $0.05/share Trade at $0.05 increments subject to certain exceptions
Third test group Same terms as Second test group Subject to “trade at” requirement to prevent price matching Additional exceptions will also apply
Pilot To Assess Tick Size
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SEC adopted amendment to Regulation A Enhances exempt securities offering rules Increases amount companies can raise through exempt
public offerings Impacts Tier 1 and 2 offerings Permits non-reporting U.S. and Canadian issuers
Tier 1 offerings up to $20 million Tier 2 offerings up to $50 million In 12 months, without registration Beginning June 19, 2015
Regulation A+
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Regulation A+ offering statement Must be qualified with SEC prior to securities sales Permits “testing the waters” solicitations without any filing Simplified qualification and disclosure requirements
(examples include): First time A+ issuer may submit drafts on a confidential basis Final must be filed 21 days before qualification Financial statements - 2 years required In US GAAP (IFRS ok for Canadian issuers) No audits for Tier 1 offering Audits required for Tier 2 offering PCAOB auditor not required for Tier 2
Regulation A+
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SEC and PCAOB Hot Topics and Activity
SEC Focus Looking for Potential
Fraud Use of Big Data Auditor Independence Enforcement Actions
PCAOB Activity Current Agenda Items Reorganization of Audit
Standards Impact of AS 18 on
Executive Compensation
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The SEC is going on the offensive and are setting their own agenda: Chairwoman Mary Jo White’s “Broken Windows” Strategy for
securities enforcement No longer waiting for self-reporting on the heals of a restatement Proactively looking for potential fraud More sophisticated in their approach to gathering and analyzing
data Gathering “Big Data” through required XBRL tagging Analyzing the Data with their Accounting Quality Model tool
Enforcement actions are increasing in number, covering a broader scope of items and the ramifications are more severe in nature.
SEC’s Focus on Potential Fraud
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SEC’s “Broken Windows” strategy The Theory
“When a window is broken and someone fixes it... It is a sign that disorder will not be tolerated”
No longer over-looking low level fraud Intention to prosecute even minor violations of federal
securities laws with the intention of preventing more egregious conduct
While there are many views on Mary Jo White’s approach, this seems to be the SEC’s current course of action.
SEC’s Focus on Potential Fraud (Cont.)
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SEC’s Use of Big Data
Big Data The SEC is using all of its data sources to: • Identify potential fraud • Carry out investigations • Prosecute cases • Create policy
XBRL – SEC’s Treasure Chest of Data! • Public companies are required to use XBRL for: • 10-K and 10-Q • 20-F and 40-F filings • Audited financial information included in 8-K filings • Within these filings, there are thousands of “Tags” in XBRL
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SEC’s Use of Big Data
Focus on XBRL Quality
As of October 31, 2014 the SEC rules protecting filers from liability related to XBRL misstatements and mistakes have expired.
SEC has shifted focus to the quality of the XBRL submissions.
• Pressure on SEC by Congress for high quality
High quality XBRL submissions have two traits:
• Prepared in a manner that is consistent with other filers • Convey the same information as the traditional HTML financial statements
Use of third party service providers for XBRL filings is high.
“A sloppy XBRL filing by a company whose financials are in good order may be flagged for examination.”
• Lou Rohman – Merrill Corp’s President of XBRL Services
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SEC’s Use of Big Data
Accounting Quality Management (AQM)
Powerful tool that culls XBRL tagged data
• Also utilized data in MD&A, press releases and other investor communications
Aids in identifying earnings management by identifying unusual trends when compared to:
• Past filings • Industry data and trends • Competitor data
AQM generates a risk score.
• SEC uses for priority examinations • Scores provided to directly to enforcement division
The higher the risk rating the more likely to be picked for examination…
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SEC’s Use of Big Data
How AQM works
Analyzing discretionary accruals
• Start with total accruals = GAAP net income minus cash flows • Non-discretionary accruals are then culled out to get to discretionary
accruals,
Discretionary accruals are subjective, require judgment and subject to significant management estimate. Examples are as follows:4 • Allowance for bad debts • Allowances for doubtful loans or lease losses • Inventory reserves • Fair value accounting • Reserves and accruals
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SEC’s Focus on Auditor Independence
SEC continues to focus on Auditor Independence “Independence is an issue that we are very focused on, and will continue to stay focused on,” Michael
Maloney, chief accountant at the SEC’s Division of Enforcement – WSJ, May 12th 2015 Outside of enforcement, the SEC gets about 400 auditor-independence questions a year, or about
one a day, says the agency’s chief accountant, James Schnurr. WSJ, May 12th 2015
Under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, there are four questions the SEC considers when assessing auditor independence: Does the engagement create a mutual or conflicting interest? Does it put the auditor in a position of auditing his or her own work? Does it result in the auditor acting as a member of management or an employee of its
audit client? Does it put the auditor in a position of being the client’s advocate?
SEC Areas of Focus on Auditor Responsibilities: Auditor assistance in the preparation of financial statements they were auditing
Even items as little as report processing Audit partner rotation Prohibited services
$8.2M dollar settlement with a big 4 firm in 2014 Lobbying on behalf of audit client
$4M settlement with a big 4 firm in 2014
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The current trend does not appear to be changing…
Enforcement Actions
Numbers for FY Ended 9/2014 Largest amount of enforcement actions brought in a single year
755
Largest total value of monetary sanctions $4 Billion+ Largest number of cases taken to trial 30 SEC’s largest whistleblower case paid to a single individual (Sept. 2014)
$30 Million
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Enforcement Actions
Administrative Proceedings vs. Federal Court • Far fewer discovery and other rights • Significantly faster trial • SEC has a significantly higher success
rate • Appeals are first heard by the SEC
SEC has come under heavy fire for last two years • Both inside and outside the
Commission • For its increased use of its own
administrative proceedings rather than federal courts as preferred forum for enforcement actions
• Some believe it is unconstitutional
Certain judges expressing doubt as to the use of Administrative
proceedings
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Enforcement Actions (Cont.)
May 6, 2015 Wall Street Journal article - “SEC Wins With In-House Judges” • Article criticized the SEC’s use of
administrative courts. • It reported that since 2010, SEC
has won its cases: • 90% of cases brought before its
own administrative judges • 69% of cases when using federal
court • SEC responded to this article two
days later with its four-step “approach” to selecting forum
Andrew Ceresney, Head of Enforcement, argues • They are fair and unbiased • Federal securities laws should be
interpreted by experts at SEC
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Office of the Chief Auditor issued the PCAOB’s most recent Standard Setting Agenda on March 31, 2015 Going Concern
Pending creation of a consultation paper to seek public comment on potential approaches to take to improve assessments of going concern
Response to ASU No. 2014-15 (Presentation of FS – Going Concern) Supervision of Other Auditors and Multi-location Audit Engagements
More important with increasing number of Global Audits Staff is drafting a proposal for improving standards that govern planning,
supervision and performance of audits involving other auditors and multi-location audit engagements.
Use of specialists Continues to be an area of greater significance as the number and type of
specialists companies are engaging are growing. Typically used for complex or high risk areas that are often subject to estimate
Staff Consultation Paper 2015-1 - Open for comments due July 31,2015 Item discussed at the June 2015 SAG meeting. (Led by Greg Scates, Deputy
Chief Auditor and Greg Fletcher and Joy Thurgood, Associate Chief Auditors).
PCAOB Agenda Items
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Auditing Accounting Estimates, Including Fair Value Measurements and Related Disclosures Staff is considering a proposal to the Board for a standard on auditing
accounting estimates Item discussed at the June 2015 SAG meeting. (Led by Barbara Vanich,
Assoc Chief Auditor) Improving Transparency Through Disclosure of Engagement Partner and
Certain Other Participants in Audits Comment period ended March 17, 2015 Staff is drafting for the Board’s consideration a supplemental request for
comment related to the liability and an alternative location for the disclosure.
PCAOB Agenda Items
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Auditor’s Reporting Model Amendments to the auditor report and auditor's responsibilities Proposed new elements to the auditor’s report: Communication of critical audit matters Independence and tenure Evaluation of other information outside the financial statements
for material misstatement of facts inconsistency with information in the financial statements require communication in the auditor’s report
Re-proposal for public comment expected in Q3
PCAOB Agenda Items
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Quality Control Standards, Including Assignment and Documentation of Firm Supervisory Responsibilities’ Focus on improving the audit quality control process Recommendation resulting from recent PCAOB inspections Anticipated staff consultation paper to be issued in 4th quarter of
2015 Confirmation – anticipated reproposal of a proposed
auditing standard Subsequent events has been removed from the agenda
PCAOB Agenda Items
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On March 31, 2015, the Board adopted amendments to reorganize the PCAOB’s existing interim and currently approved auditing standards using a topical structure with a single integrated numbering system. Updated section numbers and cross references and titles Removed of standards no longer necessary Updated PCAOB rules to reflect updated standards
To-date the Board has issued 18 new auditing standards which have Superseded 12 interim standards and Amended the majority of the remaining interim standards
Will be effective 12/31/2016 pending SEC approval
Reorganization of PCAOB Audit Standards
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Where: PCAOB Release No. 2015-002 dated March 31, 2015 provides
details and an outline of the reorganized audit standards. Why:
Goals of the Reorganization Intended to improve the usability of the Board's standards and help users
navigate the standards more easily Replace the two part interim model – ASB / AICPA Easier to modify over time
What: None of the technical amendments made to its rules and
standards impose new requirements on auditors or change the substance of the requirements for performing and reporting on audits under PCAOB standards.
Reorganization of PCAOB Audit Standards
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Under the reorganization the individual standards will be grouped into the following topical categories as follows: General auditing standards Audit procedures Auditor reporting Matters relating to filings under federal securities laws Other matters associated with audits
Board also recommending that the SEC approve the amendments for application to audits of EGCs pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act.
Reorganization of PCAOB Audit Standards
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Audit procedures to address the risks related to executive compensation Auditor’s risk assessment – to obtain an understanding of
the company’s financial relationships and transactions with its executive officers to identify potential incentives or pressures for the achievement of a particular financial position or operating results
For compensation arrangements with executive officers, auditors will, at a minimum, need to read employment and compensation contracts, proxy statements and other relevant filings with the SEC and other regulatory agencies that relate to the company’s financial relationships and transactions with executive officers to identify risks of material misstatement.
Impact of AS 18 on Executive Compensation
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Require auditors to consider making inquiries of the compensation committee chair and any compensation consultants engaged by the company about the structure of the company’s compensation for executive officers and to obtain an understanding of the company’s policies and procedures for authorizing and approving executive officer expense reimbursements.
The amendments do not affect processes that compensation committees use to design executive compensation programs.
Financial relationships and transactions with its executive officers does not include an assessment of the appropriateness or reasonableness of executive compensation arrangements.
Impact of AS 18 on Executive Compensation
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The definition of “executive officers” is relatively broad and may include individuals whose compensation is not described in the proxy statement.
The new procedures are required to be performed in conjunction with the auditor’s risk assessment procedures pursuant to Auditing Standard No. 12, Identifying and Assessing Risks of Material Misstatement.
Impact of AS 18 on Executive Compensation
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Initially a requirement of the JOBS Act Review of Regulations S-K, S-X and Form 8-K How to leverage technology and EDGAR Objective is to make financial statements more
meaningful to investors, not just reduce the number of disclosures.
Corp Fin’s Disclosure Effectiveness Project
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Regulation S-K Mixture of bright lines and principles-based
requirements Outdated or duplicative requirements including
appropriate scale; Encouraging hyperlinking Number of time periods in MD&A Risk related disclosures Sustainability and social responsibility disclosures Materiality
Corp Fin’s Disclosure Effectiveness Project
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Regulation S-X Acquired businesses Subsidiary issuers and guarantors Equity method investees Possible solution with changes to pro forma requirements
Corp Fin’s Disclosure Effectiveness Project
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Comment Letter Trends
FrequencyComment area 2014 2013 2013 and 2014Management's discussion and analysis 1 1 51%Fair value measurements 2 2 25%Signatures, exhibits and agreements 3 7 18%Income taxes 4 6 16%Revenue recognition 5 5 17%Non-GAAP financial measures 6 3 16%Intangible assets and goodwill 7 8 15%Executive compensation disclosures 8 10 14%Segment reporting 9 9 13%Acquisitions and business combinations 10 11 12%
Source: Audit Analytics - Comment letter taxonomy for SEC staff comment letters issued to registrants
related to Forms 10-K from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2014
Ranking
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Critical accounting estimates in MD&A Results of operations, known trends and uncertainties in
MD&A Income taxes Fair value Venezuelan currency matters Oil and gas industry considerations IPO registration
Areas of Focus
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Proposed Accounting Standards Updates
Intra-Entity Asset Transfers (File Reference
No. 2015-200) Current treatment is to defer income tax
consequences Proposed treatment is to recognize tax impact
when transfer occurs Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred
Taxes (File Reference No. 2015-210) Proposed treatment is to classify all deferred
taxes as non-current
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SEC Areas of Focus
Valuation Allowance Activity Indefinite Reinvestment Assertions Effective Tax Rate Presentation Uncertain Tax Positions Other Interim Accounting Business Combinations Intercompany Transactions Foreign Currency
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Join us for these courses: 6/30 & 7/7: Second Quarter Accounting and Financial Reporting
Update 7/8: How DOL Enforcement and Recent Litigation is Impacting Your
Employee Benefit Plan 7/9 & 7/23: Unclaimed Property - What You Don't Know Can Hurt You 7/30, 8/4 & 8/5: Eye on Washington: Quarterly Business Tax Update,
Q2 2015
Read this related publication: SEC Cracking Down on Internal Whistleblower Policies
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