Betsy Kirkland, Inc. incurred a flood loss during the first quarter of 2013 that is deemed both unusual and infrequent. The loss is considered immaterial to the twelve-month period, but is material in amount relative to the first quarter. The proper accounting treatment in the first quarter interim statement is to:
A) Ignore the loss.
B) Record the loss in the first quarter as an extraordinary loss, net of income taxes.
C) Record one-fourth of the loss in the first quarter as an extraordinary loss, net of income taxes.
D) Ignore the loss in the first quarter, and record it in the annual statement only.
E) Record the loss in the first quarter, but not as an extraordinary loss, and disclose the loss in a separate note or in the income statement as a separate line item.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most appropriate accounting treatment for an unusual and infrequent loss that is material in amount relative to the interim period is to record it in the interim period, but not as an extraordinary loss. Instead, it should be disclosed in a separate note or as a separate line item in the income statement. This is because the criteria for extraordinary items under U.S. GAAP are very strict, and not every unusual or infrequent item qualifies as an extraordinary item. Therefore, choice E is the best option.