AICPA CPA-Financial Exam - Topic 1 Question 28 Discussion

Choice 'c' is correct. A change in accounting principle that is inseparable from a change in accounting estimate should now be reported as a change in estimate and thus as a component of income from continuing operations, in the period of change and future periods if the change affects both.

Distinguishing between a change in accounting principle and a change in accounting estimate is sometimes difficult. For example, a company may change from deferring and amortizing a cost to recording it as an expense when incurred because future benefits of the cost have become doubtful. The new accounting method is adopted, therefore, in partial or complete recognition of the change in estimated future benefits. The effect of the change in principle is inseparable from the effect of the change in estimate. Changes of this type are often related to the continuing process of obtaining additional information and revising estimates and are therefore considered as changes in estimates.

Choice 'a' is incorrect. Restating the financial statements of all prior periods would be done in the case of prior period adjustments (corrections of errors), changes in accounting principle (retrospective application), and changes in accounting entity (retrospective application).

Choice 'b' is incorrect. Correction of an error would be treated as a prior period adjustment.

Choice 'd' is incorrect. Separate disclosure after income from continuing operations would be done in the case of extraordinary items or discontinued operations. However, this disclosure would not be made 'in the period of change and future periods if the change affects both' but only in the period of the extraordinary item or discontinued operation.