Account For Contract Modifications

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CPA Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) › Account For Contract Modifications

Questions 1 - 10
1

A company has a contract to deliver 100 units at $10 each ($1,000 total). After delivering 40 units, the customer requests 20 additional units at $9 each. The $9 price does not reflect the standalone selling price of $10. The remaining goods are not distinct from those already delivered. How should this modification be accounted for?

As a termination of the original contract and creation of a new contract, with revenue recognized on a cumulative catch-up basis.

As a separate contract, recognizing revenue on the additional 20 units at $9 each.

As a modification to the existing contract, with the additional units priced prospectively at $9 each.

Ignored until the full modified contract is completed.

Explanation

When remaining goods are not distinct from those already transferred, the modification is treated as if the original contract were terminated and a new contract created. Revenue is adjusted on a cumulative catch-up basis reflecting the new blended price over all remaining units. Answer B is correct. Answer A requires the modification to meet separate contract criteria (distinct goods at standalone price), which is not met here. Answer C describes prospective treatment, which applies when remaining goods are distinct but do not meet the separate contract criteria. Answer D has no basis in ASC 606.

2

Company A has a long-term construction contract originally priced at $500,000. After completing 30% of the work, the parties agree to add scope that increases the contract price by $80,000, which reflects the standalone value of the additional work. The additional work is distinct. How should the modification be treated?

As a cumulative catch-up; prior revenue is restated to reflect the new contract price.

As a new contract replacing the original; the original contract is terminated.

As a separate contract; revenue on the additional scope is recognized separately as it is earned.

As a prospective modification; the remaining transaction price is updated going forward.

Explanation

The modification adds distinct work and the price increase reflects the standalone selling price of the additional scope. Both criteria for a separate contract under ASC 606-10-25-12 are met. The modification is treated as a separate contract and revenue is recognized independently on the added scope. Answer A is correct. Answers B and C describe alternative modification treatments that apply only when the separate contract criteria are not met. Answer D incorrectly terminates the original contract.

3

Which of the following is NOT a method for accounting for contract modifications under ASC 606?

Treat prospectively as a new contract replacing the old one.

Defer all revenue until the modification terms are fully performed.

Apply a cumulative catch-up adjustment.

Treat as a separate contract.

Explanation

ASC 606 provides three methods for accounting for contract modifications: (1) treat as a separate contract, (2) prospective treatment (new contract replaces old), and (3) cumulative catch-up. Deferring all revenue until full performance of modified terms is not a prescribed approach under ASC 606. Answer D is correct. Answers A, B, and C all describe valid modification approaches under the standard.

4

A company agrees to sell 200 widgets at $15 each. After delivering 80 widgets, the customer requests 50 additional widgets. The standalone selling price is $15 per widget, and the modification price is $15 per widget. How should this modification be treated?

As a separate contract, since the additional widgets are distinct and priced at standalone selling price.

Using a cumulative catch-up, blending the price across all delivered and undelivered units.

Prospectively, combining the additional widgets with the remaining original order.

As a new contract terminating the original agreement.

Explanation

The additional 50 widgets are distinct (each widget is separately usable) and the price of $15 per widget reflects the standalone selling price. Both criteria for separate contract treatment under ASC 606-10-25-12 are met. Answer B is correct. Answer A applies prospective treatment, which is used when goods are distinct but the price does not reflect the standalone selling price - that condition is not present here. Answer C (cumulative catch-up) applies when goods are not distinct from those already transferred. Answer D incorrectly terminates the original contract rather than treating the modification as a new, separate contract alongside the existing one.

5

A retailer has a contract to sell a customer 1,000 units over 12 months at $50 per unit. After 4 months (400 units delivered), the parties agree to reduce the price to $45 per unit for the remaining 600 units. The goods are distinct from those already delivered. What is the updated transaction price to be recognized prospectively?

$27,000

$30,000

$45,000

$50,000

Explanation

The modification reduces the price for the remaining 600 units to $45 each. Because the remaining goods are distinct from those already delivered, prospective treatment applies. Remaining transaction price = 600 x $45 = $27,000, recognized over the remaining 600 deliveries. Revenue already recognized on the 400 delivered units ($20,000) is not restated. Answer D is correct. Answer A uses the original price of $50 for all remaining units ($50 x 1,000 = $50,000), ignoring the modification entirely. Answer B applies the new price retroactively to all 1,000 units ($45 x 1,000 = $45,000), which would be a cumulative catch-up approach rather than prospective treatment. Answer C applies the original price to the remaining 600 units ($50 x 600 = $30,000), failing to apply the modified rate.

6

Under ASC 606, an unapproved change order on a construction contract is an example of a contract modification in which the scope has been changed but the price has not yet been agreed upon. How should this be treated?

Recognize revenue at the original contract price and expense the additional costs as incurred.

Recognize revenue to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal will not occur, using the most likely amount or expected value method.

Recognize revenue equal to the costs incurred until the price is agreed.

Defer all revenue on the contract until the change order price is settled.

Explanation

An unapproved change order represents variable consideration under ASC 606. Revenue is recognized only to the extent that it is probable a significant reversal will not occur when the uncertainty is resolved, using either the most likely amount or expected value method. Answer B is correct. Answer A recognizes revenue equal to costs, which describes the cost-recovery method and is not the ASC 606 approach. Answer C defers all revenue, violating the ASC 606 variable consideration guidance. Answer D ignores the additional scope and understates revenue.

7

Which of the following scenarios would most likely require a cumulative catch-up adjustment under ASC 606 contract modification guidance?

A modification that adds distinct goods priced below standalone selling price.

A modification that adds a new, distinct service at its standalone selling price.

A modification that changes the price of a partially completed single performance obligation that is not distinct in the context of the contract.

A modification that extends the contract term at the original contract rate.

Explanation

A cumulative catch-up adjustment is required when a modification affects a single performance obligation (or remaining goods/services that are not distinct from those already transferred). In this case, the modification changes the consideration for work that is part of an ongoing, non-distinct performance obligation, requiring an update to the measure of progress and a catch-up in the current period. Answer A is correct. Answer B describes a separate contract (distinct + standalone price). Answer C describes prospective treatment (distinct but not at standalone price). Answer D would likely be prospective, applied to a new remaining contract period.

8

Which of the following best describes the standalone selling price as used in contract modification analysis under ASC 606?

The price at which the entity would sell a promised good or service separately to a customer.

The average price across all transactions in the prior fiscal year.

The price charged to the most creditworthy customer in the most recent transaction.

The list price published in the seller's catalog, unadjusted for volume discounts.

Explanation

Under ASC 606-10-32-32, the standalone selling price is the price at which an entity would sell a promised good or service separately to a customer. It is the best evidence of standalone selling price when the good or service is actually sold separately. Answer C is correct. Answer A (catalog list price) may be used as an input but is not the definition. Answer B introduces creditworthiness criteria that do not exist in the standard. Answer D uses a historical average, which is not the prescribed definition.

9

Under ASC 606, which of the following is a valid contract modification even if not formally documented?

A change in market pricing that causes the original contract price to be below market.

A customer's email requesting changes that the seller has not yet acknowledged.

An oral agreement between the parties that changes the scope or price, consistent with the entity's customary business practices.

A unilateral decision by the seller to increase the price without customer consent.

Explanation

ASC 606-10-25-11 states that a contract modification exists when both parties have approved the change to scope or price, and approval may occur through written, oral, or other means consistent with customary practices. An oral agreement mutually accepted by both parties qualifies. Answer A is correct. Answer B is a unilateral seller action without customer consent - no modification exists. Answer C has not been acknowledged by the seller - only one party has communicated. Answer D is an external market change, not a contract modification.

10

A homebuilder has a contract to build a custom home for $400,000. After completing 50% of the construction, the customer requests upgraded flooring that adds $15,000 to the contract price. The $15,000 reflects the standalone cost and margin for the upgrade. The upgrade is not separable from the overall construction. How should the modification be accounted for?

No adjustment needed; the modification is immaterial.

As a separate contract for $15,000.

Prospectively, applying the new price to the remaining 50% of construction.

Using a cumulative catch-up adjustment, since the flooring is part of one combined performance obligation.

Explanation

A custom home is typically a single performance obligation measured over time. Since the flooring upgrade is not distinct from the overall construction (it is part of the single combined obligation), the modification is accounted for using a cumulative catch-up adjustment. The total transaction price increases to $415,000 and the percentage of completion is remeasured, with an immediate catch-up to revenue recognized to date. Answer D is correct. Answer A requires distinct goods at standalone price. Answer B applies prospective treatment for distinct remaining goods. Answer C incorrectly dismisses the modification.

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