Blue-Ribbon Panel Picks Differential GAAP

The Blue–Ribbon Panel on Private Company Standards (the Panel) met for the fourth time October 8, 2010 in New York. Previously the Panel has considered seven alternative standard–setting models and structures for private companies including one that retained the current model and two that incorporated IFRS for SMEs. They eliminated four of the models and retained three. The models were further delineated between a restructured FASB Board and a separate private company standards board.

At the October meeting after thoughtful discussion a majority of panel members favored differential GAAP and a separate board.

On October 19, 2010 at their fall meeting the AICPA Governing Council approved a resolution supporting work of blue ribbon panel on private company financial reporting. An overwhelming voice vote supported the resolution. The Council declared the profession's readiness to implement differential GAAP for private companies as determined by a separate standard-setting board.

Those recommendations will be included in a report to the Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF). The separate board would consist of people with private company experience and report to the FAF, which oversees the FASB and GASB.

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The minutes of the Blue-Ribbon Panel's meetings are available on FASB website, http://www.fasb.org/ under Standards.

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