Accounting Pronouncements

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]

Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)". The new guidance was intended to be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. On July 9, 2015, the FASB decided to delay the effective date of the new revenue standard by one year. Reporting entities may choose to adopt the standard as of the original effective date. For public entities, the deferral results in the new revenue standard being effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The FASB decided, based on its outreach to various stakeholders and the forthcoming amendments to the new revenue standard, that a deferral is necessary to provide adequate time to effectively implement the new revenue standard. The Company is still determining the impact of this standard.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, "Interest - Imputation of Interest (Suptopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs". The amendments in ASU 2015-03 require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments. The FASB issued the updated guidance as part of its initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards, as it had received feedback that having different balance sheet presentation requirements for debt issuance costs and debt discount and premium created unnecessary complexity. On June 18, 2015, the SEC observer stated that given the absence of authoritative guidance within ASU 2015-03 for debt issuance costs related to revolving debt arrangements, the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting such costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing them ratably over the term of the revolving debt arrangement. For public business entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company will reflect the impacts of this ASU in the first quarter of 2016.