Explaining results analysis using event-based revenue recognition

In this lesson, we describe event-based revenue recognition (EBRR). You will learn which changes in the accounting principles require the use of EBRR and you will understand the advantages of this method for the period-end closing of a company.

You know that period-end closing in the plant and mechanical industry is very time-consuming: Unfinished products with large costs must be valuated as work in process. Unfinished products will be billed to the customer at a later point in time. EBRR is also ideal for revenue recognition of subscription-based revenue models.

Leading accounting principles such as IFRS and US-GAAP require period-end accounting for quarter-end and year-end closing in order to show costs and revenues in the same period, when actual costs occur. It is an accounting approach for capturing revenues and expenses at the time of the period close or settlement, and not upon billing or receipt of payment. Accounting revenues in this way represents business results more precisely and is a decisive characteristic of the period calculation

The Bike Company fulfills large production orders for customers purchasing hundreds of bikes. The sales invoice is issued upon delivery. The Bike Company also offers bicycle fleet management and maintenance as a subscription service to large customers. The customers pay for the service with an annual invoice for the entire year.

With traditional calculation models, the financial books of the Bike Company do not reflect reality for large periods of time. EBRR and modern accounting standards allow you to give a more realistic snapshot of the company's financials throughout the year.

Without the use of EBRR, revenue would not be visible until the billing document for a sales order takes place: If the order volume is high, especially in the project business, this can only be done once agreed milestones of the project have been reached. Period accounting and periodic accrual are used to calculate the expected revenue when the results analysis is performed during period-end closing.