The Proper Analysis of Foreign Operations by Financial Statement Users

question 40

Essay

The proper analysis of foreign operations by financial statement users requires that financial statements of the foreign operations be expressed in a common currency.For a U.S.company with a French subsidiary,this means converting the subsidiary's financial statements from francs to U.S.dollars.
One of the major issues in translating the financial statements of a foreign branch,division,or subsidiary is determining the functional currency of the foreign entity.The term "functional currency" has been defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Boards (FASB)as the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates; normally,the currency of the environment in which the entity primarily generates and expends cash.Although the definition may seem relatively straightforward,the Financial Accounting Standards Board found it necessary to list various factors to guide management in determining the functional currency.
Required:
Identify the factors FASB identified that might be helpful in making the functional currency decision.

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Definitions:

Certificate of Occupancy

A document issued by a local government or building department certifying that a building complies with applicable building codes and other laws, and is safe to occupy.

Implied-in-Fact Condition

A legal term for conditions in a contract that are not stated but are understood as a necessary part of the agreement based on the circumstances and actions of the parties involved.

Condition Subsequent

A legal term that describes a condition in a contract that, if fulfilled, terminates the obligation or contract itself.

Debt Discharged

The condition in which a debt is legally eliminated, and the debtor is no longer financially obligated to pay it back.