The FASB’s conceptual framework clearly spells out when to recognize any gains and
losses. Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (SFAC) 5 states that “(r)evenues and gains
are not recognized until realized …” and that this occurs when “… assets are exchanged for cash
or claims to cash” (paragraph 83). In addition, SFAC 6 says “(t)he related terms realized and
unrealized therefore identify revenues or gains or losses on assets sold and unsold, respectively”
(paragraph 143). Since the parent company is a separate legal entity, the sale must result in a
realized gain or loss in its books to correctly capture the economic consequences of the
transaction. A consolidation entry would then adjust the results of the parent company to ensure
that the sale is accounted for as an equity transaction from the group viewpoint.