The proposed approach, while being much more resistant to structuring opportunities, is not perfect. In particular, by having preparers and auditors treat options as if they have already been exercised, the proposed model raises a number of concerns. The first concern is conceptual. Given the definition of a liability, which is a probable future sacrifice of economic benefits arising from present obligations as a result of past transactions or events, one might reasonably argue that the option to renew a lease in the future does not create a present obligation to pay for that leased asset. For example, consider that firms may plan to continue employing their sales force in future periods,
and may do so with near certainty, but that does not create a present obligation for those future salaries, wages, and commissions. Thus, there is a question as to whether the proposed approach faithfully represents the economics inherent in these arrangements.