New accounting standard could change merger negotiations

Description

Abstract: Late last year, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued a revision of the accounting rules for mergers and acquisitions. FASB Statement No. 141R, Business Combinations, revises the earlier FASB Statement No. 141. As this article explains, it expands the scope of covered business combinations, revises the treatment of transaction costs and addresses the recognition of intangible assets, bargain purchases and contingencies. These changes could affect the value of a combination deal.