In contrast, amortized cost-based reporting has two features that introduce potential
complexity and uncertainty into the auditing process in the real estate industry: component
depreciation and impairment testing. Under component depreciation, a property is
depreciated based on the lives of its separable elements. For example, for a building,
electrical/plumbing components can be assigned a 20-year life, the roof a 15-year life, and the
foundation/structure a 50-year life. The assignment process across multiple components for
multiple properties can increase audit costs; such costs do not arise for firms reporting under
fair value, where depreciation is not recorded. Second, impairment testing requirements
under amortized cost can lead to higher audit costs. In contrast to the valuation process that
must be established under fair value reporting, if a property value decline implies potential
impairment, the auditor must assess both the firm’s valuation process and estimates in a non-
routine (and likely contentious) setting. Further, this process can differ from an assessment
of fair value as impairments anchor on the notion of recoverable amount. Recoverable
amount reflects the higher of fair value less costs to sell and firm-specific value in use, where
the latter may substantially deviate from the former and involve higher discretion by
management. Thus, potential impairments can lead to substantial frictions, and thus higher
audit fees, for firms reporting under amortized cost.
In contrast, amortized cost-based reporting has two features that introduce potential complexity and uncertainty into the auditing process in the real estate industry: component depreciation and impairment testing. Under component depreciation, a property is depreciated based on the lives of its separable elements. For example, for a building, electrical/plumbing components can be assigned a 20-year life, the roof a 15-year life, and the foundation/structure a 50-year life. The assignment process across multiple components for multiple properties can increase audit costs; such costs do not arise for firms reporting under fair value, where depreciation is not recorded. Second, impairment testing requirements under amortized cost can lead to higher audit costs. In contrast to the valuation process that must be established under fair value reporting, if a property value decline implies potential impairment, the auditor must assess both the firm’s valuation process and estimates in a non-routine (and likely contentious) setting. Further, this process can differ from an assessment of fair value as impairments anchor on the notion of recoverable amount. Recoverable amount reflects the higher of fair value less costs to sell and firm-specific value in use, where the latter may substantially deviate from the former and involve higher discretion by management. Thus, potential impairments can lead to substantial frictions, and thus higher audit fees, for firms reporting under amortized cost.
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