Key impacts
Valuing transactions in private entity stock can be complex, and the AICPA’s Cheap Stock Guide provides guidance for preparers of financial statements, independent auditors and valuation specialists. The AICPA is planning significant enhancements to the guide, which was last updated in 2013. The working drafts of chapters 8 and 9 are the initial phase of this update.
The working drafts include proposed enhanced guidance on estimating the fair value of equity securities underlying share-based payment awards. They also propose guidance on evaluating and assessing the impact of secondary transactions and repurchases on estimating fair value, and whether those transactions have a compensatory element.
Once finalized, the updated guidance is expected to better align with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, and have significant implications to financial reporting valuations of private company securities underlying share-based payment awards.