Question

You join the accounting department of a major tech firm after graduation and are asked to assist in preparing end of year adjusting entries to prepare the firm’s financial statements for the end of the fiscal year. One major item you discover is a large part of the firm’s compensation expense is for stock grants and restricted stock units (RSUs). You are unsure how to account for these and so turn to the codification for guidance. What is the accounting for these forms of compensation and how are they presented on the financial statements?

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

Stock based compensation: stock based compensation which is non cash expense is charged as operating expenses to operating income as stipulated in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 718. After a year, the equity account is credited and cash is debited

Restricted stock units: contra equity is debited and common stock is credited. Part of the shares after vesting and recognition as income is charged and withheld for taxes