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Preface

Preface

Preface

We are pleased to present the 2023 edition of Consolidation — Identifying a Controlling Financial Interest, a comprehensive guide to navigating the frequently complex consolidation accounting models. This Roadmap breaks down the requirements in ASC 8101 and reconstructs them in a logical narrative, making them easier to understand and apply. While the discussion focuses primarily on the complexities of identifying whether a legal entity is a variable interest entity (VIE) and whether a reporting entity should consolidate the VIE, it also addresses the voting interest entity model and provides a framework for its application.
It is assumed in the Roadmap that an entity has adopted:
  • ASU 2018-17, which (1) requires all indirect interests held through related parties, regardless of whether they are under common control, to be considered proportionately in the determination of whether a service provider's fee represents a variable interest and (2) expands the private-company scope exception to the VIE guidance for entities under common control.
  • ASU 2017-05, which amends the deconsolidation/derecognition guidance on nonfinancial assets.
  • ASU 2016-02, which affects any entity that enters into a lease, and supersedes ASC 840 (codified in ASC 842).
At the beginning of several of the Roadmap’s chapters, we have included a small flowchart that, when clicked, opens a larger version that contains links to each step of the consolidation analysis. If you get lost when performing the analysis, we recommend grounding yourself by going back to the flowchart at the end of the Introduction. (Believe us, it can be easy to lose your way!)
We encourage you to use this Roadmap as a guide throughout your application of the consolidation guidance. However, the Roadmap is not a substitute for consulting with Deloitte professionals on complex accounting questions and transactions. Appendix J summarizes key changes made to the Roadmap since publication of the 2022 edition.
Be sure to check out On the Radar (also available as a stand-alone publication), which briefly summarizes emerging issues and trends related to the accounting and financial reporting topics addressed in the Roadmap.
We hope that you find this publication a valuable resource, and we welcome your suggestions for improvements as new chapters in the consolidation story unfold.

Footnotes

1
For a list of the titles of standards and other literature referred to in this publication, see Appendix H. For a list of abbreviations used in this publication, see Appendix I.