Your Ask Joey ™ Answer

What is the difference between the fair value method and the equity method?

The main difference relates to the amount of ownership the company has in another entity. If the company owns less than 20% of the outstanding shares for the company they invested in, then the fair value method (i.e., cost method) is used. If the company owns between 20% to 50% of the outstanding shares, then the equity method is used.

There are exceptions where a company can own less than 20% but have significant influence. In this case, the equity method will be used. The company can also own greater than 20% but not have significant influence. In This case, the fair value method can be elected.

Anything over 50% requires consolidation.


Back To All Questions

You might also be interested in...

  • CECL Excel Workbook

    If you would like to use the Excel workbook that was used to create the Universal CPA lecture on CECL for debt securities, please click the link below to download the Excel workbook: CECL Calculation workbook (Universal CPA Review)

  • Journal Entry for Direct Materials Variance

    Journal Entry for Direct Materials Variance In the current year, Mission Burrito budgeted 6,000 pounds of production and actually used 4,000 pounds. Material cost was budgeted for $5 per pound and the actual cost was $8 per pound. What would the debit or credit to the direct material efficiency variance account be for the current...

  • Understanding Variance Analysis

    Variance Analysis Variance analysis is a method for companies to compare its actual performance vs its budgeted amount for that cost measurement (related to the flexible budget). The differences between the standard (budgeted) amount of cost and the actual amount that the organization incurs is referred to as a variance. By analyzing variances, the company...