Auburn-Opelika (334) 887-7022 | Montgomery (334) 244-8900

Returning Value Blog

Melissa Motley, CPA

Melissa Motley has worked in the field of accounting for more than 25 years. She specializes in audit and accounting work with an emphasis in governmental audit.

Recent Posts

Revenue Recognition and Leases: FASB Gives Certain Entities More Time

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Jun 02, 2020

Private companies and most nonprofits were supposed to implement updated revenue recognition guidance in fiscal year 2019 and updated lease guidance in fiscal year 2021. In the midst of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has decided to give certain entities an extra year to make the changes, if they need it.

Full Story

Posted in Audit & Assurance

CARES Act Provides Option to Delay CECL Reporting

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Apr 03, 2020

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27. Among other economic relief measures, the new law allows large public banks to temporarily postpone the controversial current expected credit loss (CECL) standard. Here are the details.

Full Story

Posted in Audit & Assurance

Beware: Coronavirus May Affect Financial Reporting

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Mar 16, 2020

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak — officially a pandemic as of March 11 — has prompted global health concerns. But you also may be worried about how it will affect your business and its financial statements for 2019 and beyond.

Full Story

Posted in Audit & Assurance

FAQs About Audit Confirmations

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Feb 19, 2020

Auditors use various procedures to verify the amounts reported on your financial statements. In addition to reviewing original source documents and comparing trends from prior years, they may reach out to third parties — such as customers and lenders — to confirm that outstanding balances and estimates agree with their records. Here are answers to questions you may have about audit confirmations.

Full Story

Posted in Audit & Assurance

What Are the Responsibilities of an Audit Committee?

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Jan 24, 2020

Before you jump headfirst into the year-end financial reporting process, review the role independent audit committees play in providing investors and markets with high-quality, reliable financial information.

Full Story

Posted in Audit & Assurance

Year-End Accounting Recap

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Dec 23, 2019

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) hasn’t issued any major new accounting rules in 2019. But there have been some important developments to be aware of when preparing annual financial statements under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Full Story

Posted in Audit & Assurance

Valuing Profits Interests in LLCs

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Nov 15, 2019

The use of so-called “profits interest” awards as a tool to attract and retain skilled workers has increased, as more companies are being structured as limited liability companies (LLCs), rather than as corporations. But accounting complexity has caused some private companies to shy away from these arrangements. Fortunately, relief from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) may be coming soon.

Full Story

Posted in Audit & Assurance

Auditing Grant Compliance

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Sep 06, 2019

Has your organization received any public or private grants to fund its growth? Grants sometimes require an independent audit by a qualified accounting firm. Here’s what grant recipients should know to help facilitate matters and ensure compliance at all levels.

Full Story

Posted in Audit & Assurance

Attention: Accounting Rule Delays in the Works

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Aug 08, 2019

On July 17, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) voted to issue a proposal that would delay several landmark accounting rules for certain companies. If finalized, the deferral would apply to new guidance for reporting leases, hedging transactions, credit losses, and long-term insurance contracts.

Full Story

Posted in Accounting & Outsourcing

Private Companies: Beware of SEC Scrutiny

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Jul 12, 2019

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) doesn’t monitor just publicly traded companies. It also looks at the dealings of some private companies, often to the surprise of their owners and executives.

Full Story

Posted in Accounting & Outsourcing

Recent Posts

Returning_Value