Understanding FASB's Restricted Cash Reporting Changes

Published on: Oct 27, 2017 by Bonnie Lilley, CPA, CGMA®, MBA

Updated on: April 12, 2024

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has amended U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to clarify the guidance on reporting restricted cash balances on cash flow statements.

Until now, Accounting Standards Codification Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows, didn’t specify how to classify or present changes in restricted cash. Over the years, the lack of specific instructions has led businesses to report transfers between cash and restricted cash as operating, investing or financing activities — or a combination of all three.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CASH FLOW RESONATES WITH BUSINESS OWNERS

The new guidance essentially says that none of the above classifications are correct. FASB members hope the amendments will cut down on some of the inconsistent reporting practices that have been in place because of the lack of clear guidance.

What is Restricted Cash?

Restricted cash refers to money held by a company that must be used for specific purposes and not for general business operations. Companies typically designate restricted cash for a particular use, such as to fulfill contractual obligations, comply with regulatory requirements, or meet specific financial commitments.

Guidance on Reporting Restricted Cash

Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) — Restricted Cash, still doesn’t define restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. However, the updated guidance requires that transfers between cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents be excluded from the entity’s operating, investing, and financing activities.

In other words, the details of those transfers shouldn’t be reported as cash flow activities in the statement of cash flows at all.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

Instead, if the cash flow statement includes a reconciliation of the total cash balances for the beginning and end of the period, the FASB wants the amounts for restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents.

When, during a reporting period, the totals change for cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents, the updated guidance requires that these changes be explained.

These amounts are typically found just before the reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities in the statement of cash flows.

Moreover, a business must provide narrative and/or tabular disclosures about the nature of restrictions on its cash and cash equivalents.

DECIDING BETWEEN CASH AND ACCRUAL ACCOUNTING METHODS

Effective Dates

The updated guidance goes into effect for public companies in fiscal years that start after December 15, 2017. Private companies have an extra year before they have to apply the changes. Early adoption is permitted.

THE FINANCIAL REPORTING MANUAL: A HOW-TO GUIDE FOR SMALL TO MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES

Contact us if you have additional questions about reported restricted cash or any other items on your company’s statement of cash flows.

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Biz Tip Topic Expert: Bonnie Lilley, CPA, CGMA®, MBA

Bonnie is a Principal with SVA Certified Public Accountants and has extensive experience performing and managing audits, reviews and compilations. Bonnie works with clients on understanding their business, the challenges they are facing, and helping them with a proactive strategic approach to growing their business.

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