Why Not Use An ASC 842 Excel Template for Lease Accounting Compliance?
Accounting and finance professionals have many concerns when it comes to the financial reporting requirements for FASB/IASB that affect both public companies and private companies. Most of these concerns are made worse by the three biggest downfalls of using spreadsheets for lease accounting compliance. Any Excel template for lease accounting tends to lack the following:
1. Complex Calculations and Data Integrity
Spreadsheets are typically not the best choice when it comes to handling complex, critical calculations and functions necessary for FASB, IASB and GASB compliance. An ASC 842 Excel template is a stopgap at best. Although both large and small organizations have been known to use them, they are something that should only be used on an interim basis.
Spreadsheets can be copied, unlocked, duplicated, or deleted too easily. Additionally, the amount of time-consuming, manual input required to maintain spreadsheets in programs such as Microsoft Excel introduces human error and risk. Your organization should ensure the solution can lock an entry, detect potential duplicates, and perform complex calculations.
2. Audit Trails
One of the major aspects of the updated reporting standards are audit trails.
Spreadsheets lack a cell-by-cell history. For example, a user opens a spreadsheet in a shared drive and inputs a dollar amount incorrectly (the decimal is in the wrong place). Unfortunately, that cell feeds a calculation, which will now be incorrect. The owner of the spreadsheet has no idea what cell was changed, who made the change, and when the change was made. The solution of choice for your organization must have a clear audit trail, allowing auditors to see detailed information about specific changes.
3. Flexible Reporting
Spreadsheets lack reporting engines that enable consistent, repeatable reporting alongside query-based analysis. They also require users to aggregate cells -- either in or across tabs -- and understand how to modify numerous formulas when columns or tabs are added.
Further, inflexibilities in spreadsheets and their struggle to accommodate ASC 842 nuances simultaneously -- varied calendars (12- or 13-month periods), portfolio level segregations, Foreign Exchange (FX), dual FASB/IASB reporting, etc. -- all lead to reporting risks and irregularities.
To receive an auditor's "Opinion on the Financial Statements" and achieve compliance, having a quality and flexible reporting system is critical. While auditors will check the underlying lease level calculations required under the new ASC 842 accounting standards, individual leases are not presented. Therefore, without being able to summarize and present information in the required manner for inclusion into financial statements, it is like not having a system at all. Spreadsheets, despite their ease of use, are ultimately neither a system nor a permanent solution for gaining and maintaining ASC 842 compliance.
Ensuring Accountability
Unlike any internal policy or procedure update, the changing FASB/IASB lease accounting standards require a more robust and proficient software solution than a spreadsheet program. These standards call for unwavering control and accountability.
So, when it comes to ensuring all your real estate and equipment leases are compliant with the lease accounting standards, do you default to the familiar spreadsheet program with its known downfalls, or do you make the move to a third-party verified, built-for-compliance lease accounting software solution?
Let us help you ease into the changes and get compliant as early as possible with real, proven accounting software. Contact us today!
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