What Is a Change in Accounting Estimate?

change-in-accounting-estimate

Change in Accounting Estimate

Contents

A change in accounting estimate occurs when new information or developments lead to a revision of a previous accounting estimate. Such changes reflect more accurate predictions about the future, affecting the carrying values of assets and liabilities on the financial statements without amending past financial reports.

In business, changes in accounting estimates are common and necessary due to the dynamic nature of operational circumstances, market conditions, or new information.

These changes ensure that financial statements accurately reflect a company’s current financial status and projections. They are applied prospectively, influencing the financial results from the time of the change forward, without the retrospective adjustment of previously issued financial statements.

Example of a Change in Accounting Estimate

“BuildSmart Construction Co.” initially estimates the useful life of a piece of heavy machinery to be 10 years. However, after 3 years of usage, due to technological advancements and increased usage, the company revises its estimate, projecting the machinery’s useful life to now be a total of 7 years.

Original Estimate: Useful life of machinery = 10 years

Revised Estimate: Useful life of machinery = 7 years

Accounting Impact: The depreciation expense is recalculated for the remaining 4 years, resulting in higher annual depreciation charges.

Accounting Entry Adjustment:

Before Change: Annual depreciation expense based on a 10-year useful life.

After Change: Increased annual depreciation expense recalculated based on the remaining 4 years of the revised 7-year useful life.

In this scenario, “BuildSmart Construction Co.” encounters a situation where the original estimate of an asset’s useful life no longer holds due to changes in operational use and technological advancements.

By adjusting the depreciation expense according to the revised estimate, the company ensures that its financial statements more accurately represent the asset’s value and the expense recognition aligns with its current use.

This adjustment affects the income statement through increased depreciation expenses and the balance sheet through a reduced carrying amount of the asset.

Significance for Investing & Finance

Changes in accounting estimates are significant for several reasons:

Accuracy and Relevance: They ensure that financial statements accurately reflect the latest information and conditions, maintaining their relevance for decision-making.

Compliance: These changes are in line with accounting principles that require estimates to be based on the best available information.

Flexibility: They provide a mechanism to adjust accounting for assets and liabilities as circumstances change, without the need for restating prior period financial statements.

Transparency: Disclosing changes in accounting estimates enhances the transparency of financial reporting, providing stakeholders with insight into how estimates affect financial outcomes.

In summary, a change in accounting estimate is a necessary and valuable aspect of financial reporting, reflecting the adaptability of accounting practices to real-world changes.

By ensuring that financial statements present the most current and accurate information, changes in accounting estimates play a crucial role in financial transparency, compliance, and decision-making processes.

FAQ

How does a change in accounting estimate differ from a change in accounting principle?

A change in accounting estimate results from new information or insights, affecting future periods only and is applied prospectively, whereas a change in accounting principle involves altering the accounting method itself and often requires adjusting past financial statements retrospectively.

What triggers a change in accounting estimate?

Changes in accounting estimates are triggered by new information or developments that impact previous assumptions about the future, such as changes in asset useful lives, salvage values, or realization of receivables.

Are companies required to disclose changes in accounting estimates to their stakeholders?

Yes, companies must disclose significant changes in accounting estimates in their financial statements, explaining the nature of the change and its effect on the financials to ensure transparency and inform stakeholders.

How does a change in accounting estimate impact a company’s financial statements?

A change in accounting estimate can affect the carrying value of assets and liabilities and alter expenses or revenues in the income statement, impacting future periods’ financial results but not adjusting past financial reports.