When changes are made to the terms of existing equity awards, the accounting treatment depends on whether the modifications are considered beneficial to the employees or not. If the modifications are favorable, such as a reduction in the vesting period or an increase in the number of shares granted, the entity would recognize the increase in fair value resulting from the modification, adjusting the expense over the remaining vesting period. If the modifications are unfavorable to the employees, like an increase in the vesting period or a decrease in the number of shares, the entity would not reverse any previously recognized expense. Therefore, statement A and C are both not entirely accurate representations of how modifications to share-based payment awards are accounted for. The correct accounting treatment aligns with statement B, which states that the entity records both the increase in fair value from the modification date and the amount based on the grant date fair value of the original equity instruments.
Understanding the Accounting Treatment for Modified Share-Based Payment Awards
Which of the following statements about modifications of share-based payment awards is true?
A. When changes to the terms of existing equity awards appear to cause a decrease the fair value of the instrument, the decrease is recognized over the remainder of the vesting period
B. The entity records both the increase in fair value from the modification date and the amount based on the grant date fair value of the original equity instruments
C. When changes to the terms of existing equity awards appear to cause a decrease the fair value of the instrument, previously recognized expense should be reversed immediately