最新2008版会计师手册--Version11版

Preface

This is the first supplement to the 11 th edition of the Accountant's Handbook. Annual updates to this work provide important revisions and new topics that update the Handbook between editions. In addition, feedback suggests additional topical areas that are of interest to our readers. We are pleased to expand the Handbook to include those topical areas of significant interest. This supplement brings forward two chapters that were scheduled to be included in the published 11 th edition. In addition, it introduces a new set of experienced authors for and a revision of the very important chapter on State and Local Government Accounting—Chapter 34.

Chapter 20: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets includes a comprehensive examination of all current accounting literature bearing on the financial reporting of intangible assets, with a new emphasis on the intellectual property rights that are increasingly the foundation for business operations. Among the complex matters given expanded attention are determinations of useful economic lives, the handling of research and development costs, and accounting for such intangible assets as patents, royalty and license agreements, goodwill, and specialized industry accounting rules. The impact of Sarbanes - Oxley on governance matters pertaining to intangible assets is also addressed.

Chapter 34: State and Local Government Accounting is a revision of the 11th edition chapter. In the last decade there have been significant changes in accounting for State and Local Government entities and this has been a significant period of activity for the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. The further emphasis on accrual accounting and financial reporting that focuses on the stewardship and responsibility aspects of government accounting make this topic both interesting and important and one of potentially fast - breaking change. The new authors of this chapter are particularly well qualified to address the contemporary, fast-moving environment and we welcome them to the Accountants' Handbook.

Chapter 50: Cost-Volume-Revenue Analysis for Nonprofit Organizations. Ideally, breaking even is a potential targeted goal of a nonprofit organization. If you generate a surplus over a number of periods, donors or funding agents may question your need for the funds, and they may be curtailed. On the other hand, operating at a long-term deficit, the nonprofit may become insolvent or unable to perform the desired level of services. It is a delicate balancing act. Cost - volume - revenue (CVR) analysis, together with cost behavior information and budgeting, can assist nonprofit managers in performing many useful planning analyses. By studying the relationships of costs, service volume, and revenue, nonprofit management is better able to understand the implications of many planning decisions. The chapter discusses this useful technique.