One way to invest in another entity is through an investor’s purchase of equity shares of an investee.  Proper accounting for these equity investments depends on the extent of ownership and influence that the investor has over the investee.  It also depends on whether the equity securities are readily marketable. 

This course provides an overview of properly accounting for equity investments under the cost method, fair value method, equity method, and the consolidation method. 

Learning Objectives
  • Discover the proper classification of equity investments in the financial statements per Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topics 320, 321, 323, and 810.
  • Explore the characteristics that determine the method of initial recognition and subsequent measurement of equity investments in another entity.
  • Recognize the impact of recent Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) to accounting for equity securities.
Last updated/reviewed: August 22, 2023
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25 Reviews (112 ratings)

Reviews

5
Anonymous Author
This course provides a thorough overview of the logic used to record and present equity investments. The content is organized in a way that makes it easy to apply the concepts to the investments you are needing to report on.

5
Anonymous Author
This instructor is excellent. There is a lot of detail and she goes into the reasoning and the mechanics for the various types of accounting methods for investments in other entities.

5
Member's Profile
Not a basic level course, will be somewhat detailed in the understanding of various methods of reporting your Investments, whether it is Cost, Equity or Consolidation.

5
Member's Profile
This class was a perfect combination of overview and detail. I appreciated the addition of journal entries to provide a more detailed look at how the accounting works.

4
Member's Profile
Good information, but a bit rushed presentation. It would help to spend a little more time on some more complicated points. Some examples would also help.

5
Member's Profile
Overall the course gave a high level overview of the fair value, equity method vs. consolidation rules. Not super in-depth but a good high level overview.

5
Anonymous Author
I enjoyed this course. Covered a lot of good information related to valuation and financial investments and consolidation accounting. Great overview.

3
Member's Profile
Good information and well organized. A few more examples would have been nice, especially on the equity and debt security realized/unrealized part.

5
Anonymous Author
This provides an excellent highlights surrounding equity investment. It would be helpful if updates of current development are added.

5
Member's Profile
Excellent presentation of a difficult and complex subject. Slides were well prepared and informative. No dislikes noted.

4
Anonymous Author
Good overview of the topic, specifically what has changed in the accounting. The "factors" were a bit confusing.

5
Member's Profile
This course was a good introduction to equity method accounting and new reporting standard implications

4
Anonymous Author
great high-level overview that would help with the basic understanding of equity method of investment

5
Member's Profile
Great material. I would love to see a series that provides more in-depth knowledge of these topics.

5
Anonymous Author
good review of investments. The time is appropriate and the slide deck is not convoluted>

3
Anonymous Author
good overview of the basics especially if its been a long time since using this accounting

5
Member's Profile
I enjoyed this presentation related to equity investments, fair value investments.

4
Anonymous Author
Course includes lots of information which sometimes I found hard to keep track of.

4
Member's Profile
Good overall. I would have appreciated more definitions of some of the terms.

4
Anonymous Author
Nice overview of different methods to account for equity investments

4
Anonymous Author
It is a great over view. It goes into the disclosures as well.

4
Anonymous Author
Good overview of the topic. The slides are also very helpful.

4
Member's Profile
detailed and helpful as reminder. good references as tools.

5
Anonymous Author
It was a good high-level overview of investing accounting.

5
Anonymous Author
Great overview of accounting for equity investments

Prerequisites
Course Complexity: Foundational

No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.

Education Provider Information
Company: Illumeo, Inc., 75 East Santa Clara St., Suite 1215, San Jose, CA 95113
Contact: For more information regarding this course, including complaint and cancellation policies, please contact our offices at (408) 400- 3993 or send an e-mail to .
Instructor for this course
Course Syllabus
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
  Introduction to the Basics of Accounting for Equity Investments in Entities...1:25
  Factors that Drive Proper Investment Accounting15:27
  Net Asset Value Practical Expedient8:34
  Recent Changes to Accounting For Equity Securities12:46
  When to Apply Equity Method Accounting3:00
  How to Apply Equity Method Accounting2:38
  Equity Method Basis Difference - Overview10:47
  Fair Value - Disclosing Measurement Uncertainty5:56
CONTINUOUS PLAY
  The Basics of Accounting for Equity Investments in Entities1:00:33
SUPPORTING MATERIAL
  Slides: The Basics of Accounting for Equity Investments in EntitiesPDF
  The Basics of Accounting for Equity Investments in Entities Glossary/IndexPDF
REVIEW AND TEST
  REVIEW QUESTIONSquiz
 FINAL EXAMexam