Describe the Two Options in Measuring the Non-Controlling Interest

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The Answer is In financial accounting, when a parent company owns a majority stake in a subsidiary but not 100% of its equity, the portion of the subsidiary that is not owned by the parent is referred to as the non-controlling interest (NCI), also known as minority interest. There are two primary methods for measuring non-controlling interest in the consolidated financial statements:

1. **Fair Value Method**:
Under the fair value method, the non-controlling interest is measured at its proportionate share of the acquiree's identifiable net assets at fair value at the acquisition date. This method involves valuing the non-controlling interest as if a market participant would buy it, which means that the value of the non-controlling interest reflects the full amount that a market participant would pay for the current ownership level. This includes the non-controlling interest's share of any goodwill that arises from the acquisition. The fair value method is more commonly used and is required under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as per IFRS 3 "Business Combinations".

2. **Proportionate Share Method** (also known as the Book Value Method):
Under the proportionate share or book value method, the non-controlling interest is measured at its proportionate share of the acquiree's identifiable net assets at their carrying amounts (book values) without any adjustments to fair value. This method does not include the non-controlling interest's share of goodwill that might have been recognized if the entire subsidiary had been acquired. This method was allowed under previous accounting standards but is less common under current standards.

The choice of method can have a significant impact on the reported assets, liabilities, and equity of the consolidated entity. The fair value method tends to result in a higher reported value for non-controlling interest on the balance sheet, as it includes the non-controlling interest's share of the subsidiary's goodwill. The proportionate share method, on the other hand, results in a lower reported value for non-controlling interest, as it excludes goodwill.

It's important to note that accounting standards and practices can change over time, and the choice of method should be in accordance with the relevant accounting framework being applied, such as IFRS or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States.

Describe the Two Options in Measuring the Non-Controlling Interest

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