ASC 805: Business Combinations

Business combinations are not transactions most accountants and auditors deal with every day, but when an acquisition occurs, understanding the accounting is critical. Our ASC 805 CPE courses provide practical training on business combination accounting under ASC 805, Business Combinations.

This collection includes three self-study courses eligible for 3.0 CPE credits. The courses begin with the definition of a business and the distinction between a business combination and an asset acquisition. They then walk through the acquisition method, recognition and measurement principles and exceptions, noncontrolling interests, measurement period adjustments, and disclosure requirements. The final course gives learners an opportunity to apply the guidance to an acquisition example.

Topics covered include:

• Definition of a business
• Business combination versus asset acquisition
• The acquisition method
• Recognition and measurement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed
• Noncontrolling interests
• Measurement period adjustments
• Business combination disclosures and application

Further details

The collection begins with a decision that must be made before acquisition accounting can be applied: did the acquirer obtain a business or merely a group of assets? Learners examine the definition of a business under ASC 805, Business Combinations and why the answer determines whether the acquisition method or asset-acquisition accounting applies.

The training then works through the acquisition method, including the recognition and measurement of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the items that are recognized separately from goodwill. The second course digs deeper into exceptions to the general recognition and measurement principles, noncontrolling interests, measurement-period adjustments, and the disclosure requirements that accompany a business combination.

The final course turns the guidance into practice through an acquisition example, allowing learners to work through the accounting decisions in sequence rather than viewing each ASC 805 requirement in isolation.

Who will benefit

These courses are designed for accountants, corporate development and transaction-accounting teams, controllers, and auditors who deal with acquisitions under U.S. GAAP. They are particularly valuable when a transaction has just landed on someone's desk and the team needs to distinguish a business combination from an asset acquisition, execute purchase accounting, or review noncontrolling interests and measurement-period adjustments.

Value proposition

Purchase all 3 courses for $249 instead of $370 if purchased separately—a savings of $121.

Interested in group discounts? Contact us today to learn more.