A Closer Look at the FASB's New Hedge Accounting Standard

The final guidance issued by the FASB on hedge accounting is intended to enable entities to better portray their risk management activities in their financial statements. The amendments expand the strategies that qualify for hedge accounting, change how many hedging relationships are presented in the financial statements and simplify the application of hedge accounting in certain situations. New or modified disclosures are required, primarily for fair value and cash flow hedges. For public business entities, the guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after 15 December 2018, and interim periods within those years. For all other entities, it is effective for annual periods beginning after 15 December 2019, and interim periods the following year. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period.

(Source: EY Accounting Link - US Week in Review - March 1, 2018)