Deloitte's Roadmap: Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures

This Roadmap provides Deloitte’s insights into and interpretations of the guidance on accounting for equity method investments and joint ventures.

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Preface On the Radar Contacts Chapter 1 — Overview Chapter 2 — Scope and Scope Exceptions Chapter 3 — Applying the Equity Method of Accounting Chapter 4 — Initial Measurement Chapter 5 — Subsequent Measurement Chapter 6 — Presentation and Disclosure Chapter 7 — Identification of a Joint Venture Chapter 8 — Accounting by the Joint Venture Chapter 9 — Accounting by the Venturer Appendix A — Glossary of Selected Terms Appendix B — Differences Between U.S. GAAP and IFRS Standards Appendix C — Titles of Standards and Other Literature Appendix D — Abbreviations Appendix E — Roadmap Updates for 2022

This Roadmap provides Deloitte’s insights into and interpretations of the guidance on accounting for equity method investments and joint ventures. The 2021 edition includes updated and expanded guidance (see Appendix E for details) as well as On the Radar, a new section that briefly summarizes emerging issues and trends related to the accounting and financial reporting topics addressed in the Roadmap.

Although Chapter 6 in this publication covers the presentation and disclosure requirements for equity method investments for SEC registrants, readers who wish to explore this topic in depth may consult Deloitte’s Roadmap SEC Reporting Considerations for Equity Method Investees.

The accounting principles related to equity method investments and joint ventures have been in place for many years, but they can be difficult to apply. The lack of prescriptive guidance surrounding initial measurement upon formation of a joint venture and accounting for equity method basis differences, as well as on the calculation of an investor’s share of earnings or losses of an investee, particularly in complex capital structures, has resulted in diversity in practice. For these reasons, accounting for equity method investments and joint ventures can be a particularly challenging aspect of U.S. GAAP.

This Roadmap is written on the assumption that entities have adopted certain accounting standards that affect the accounting for equity method investments, including, but not limited to, FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.