Question

2. Idler Co. has an investment in Cowl Corp. for which it uses the equity method. Cowl has suffered large losses for several years, and the balance in the investment account has been reduced to zero. How should Idler account for this investment

Answer 1

Answer:

Since the account's balance is $0, Idler should not continue to use the equity method to report their investment in Cowl Corp. E.g. Idler has 50% of Cowl, but 50% of $0 is still $0. Only if Cowl continues to operate and starts making a profit, should Idler again start including that investment in their balance sheet using the equity method.