RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS [Abstract]

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

(4) RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In September 2011, the FASB amended the provisions of ASC350 related to testing goodwill for impairment.  This update simplifies the goodwill impairment assessment by allowing a company to first review qualitative factors to determine the likelihood of whether the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount before applying the two-step goodwill impairment test. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, the company would not be required to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test for that reporting unit. This update is effective for interim and annual goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 with early adoption permitted which for the Partnership means January 1, 2012.  This amended guidance will be adopted by the Partnership effective January 1, 2012.

In June 2011, the FASB amended the provisions of ASC 220 related to other comprehensive income. This newly issued guidance: (1) eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity; (2) requires the consecutive presentation of the statement of net income and other comprehensive income; and (3) requires an entity to present reclassification adjustments on the face of the financial statements from other comprehensive income to net income. The amendments in this guidance do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income nor do the amendments affect how earnings per share is calculated or presented. This guidance is required to be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2011, which for the Partnership means January 1, 2012.  As this new guidance only requires enhanced disclosure, adoption will not impact the Partnership's financial position or results of operations.