Revenue

The GAAP rules relied upon for revenue recognition are primarily outlined in the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." This standard provides comprehensive guidance on when and how to recognize revenue from customer contracts. ASC 606 establishes a five-step framework for revenue recognition:

• Identify the contract(s) with a customer.

• Identify the performance obligations in the contract.

• Determine the transaction price.

• Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations.

• Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

Additionally, ASC 605, "Revenue Recognition," was the previous standard that provided guidance on revenue recognition prior to the implementation of ASC 606. ASC 605 was superseded by ASC 606 for most entities, but it may still be relevant for certain transactions or industries.

These standards provide detailed rules and principles for recognizing revenue to ensure consistency and comparability in financial reporting.

In addition to ASC 606 and ASC 605, which are the primary standards governing revenue recognition under GAAP, there are other rules and guidelines that may be relevant depending on the specific circumstances of a transaction or industry. Some of these include:

• Industry-specific guidance: Certain industries have unique revenue recognition considerations, and specific guidance may be provided by accounting standard setters or regulatory bodies. For example, software companies often follow specific revenue recognition guidance outlined in ASC 985-605, "Software—Revenue Recognition."

• Contract-specific guidance: Revenue recognition may be influenced by the terms and conditions of individual contracts. Entities may need to consider specific contractual provisions when determining the timing and amount of revenue recognition.

• Revenue recognition for multiple-element arrangements: In transactions involving multiple goods or services, revenue recognition may need to be allocated to each component based on its standalone selling price. Guidance for such arrangements is provided in ASC 606 and ASC 605.

• Revenue recognition for long-term contracts: For contracts that span multiple periods and involve significant performance obligations, specialized rules for recognizing revenue over time may apply. These rules are typically outlined in ASC 606 or ASC 605, depending on the timing of the contract's inception.

• Revenue recognition for non-profit organizations: Non-profit organizations may follow specific guidance provided by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) or other regulatory bodies regarding the recognition of revenue from donations, grants, membership dues, or program services.

• Revenue recognition for franchises: Franchise arrangements may involve complex revenue recognition considerations, including initial franchise fees, ongoing royalties, and other payments. Specific guidance may be provided by accounting standard setters or industry organizations.

• Other revenue recognition: ASC 610 Other Income specifies standards of financial accounting and reporting for income recognized that is not in a contract with a customer within the scope of Topic 606 on revenue from contracts with customers, other Topics (such as Topic 842 on leases and Topic 944 on insurance), or in accordance with other revenue or income recognition guidance. 

These are just a few examples of additional revenue recognition rules and considerations that may apply in various situations. It's essential for entities to carefully evaluate their specific circumstances and consult relevant accounting standards and industry guidance to ensure compliance with GAAP.

See also Bookkeeping, Financial Statements, Reg. S-X, Revenue, Total Enterprise Value, Book Value, Distinguishing Revenue and Free Cash Flow, and Distinguishing Revenue and FFO.