Intermediate Accounting, 15th Edition

CHAPTER 6 Accounting and the Time Value of Money

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After studying this chapter, you should be able to:

1. Identify accounting topics where the time value of money is relevant.
2. Distinguish between simple and compound interest.
3. Use appropriate compound interest tables.
4. Identify variables fundamental to solving interest problems.
5. Solve future and present value of 1 problems.
6. Solve future value of ordinary and annuity due problems.
7. Solve present value of ordinary and annuity due problems.
8. Solve present value problems related to deferred annuities and bonds.
9. Apply expected cash flows to present value measurement.

How Do I Measure That?

A significant part of accounting is measurement. And as we discussed in Chapter 2, we have a mixed-attribute measurement model. That is, many items are measured based on historical cost (e.g., property, plant, and equipment, inventory), but increasingly accounting measurements are based on fair value (e.g., financial instruments, impairments). Determining fair value of an item is fairly straightforward when market prices are available (Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy). However, when a market price is not available, accountants must rely on valuation models to develop a fair value estimate (Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy).

Developing fair value estimates based on a valuation model generally involves discounted cash flow techniques, which has three primary elements: (1) estimating the amounts and timing of future cash flows, ...