📈Financial Accounting II Unit 15 – Foreign Currency Transactions & Translation

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Foreign currency transactions involve monetary amounts denominated in a currency other than the entity's functional currency
• Functional currency represents the primary economic environment in which an entity operates and generates cash flows
• Reporting currency refers to the currency used in presenting financial statements (usually the functional currency)
• Spot rate is the exchange rate for immediate delivery of currencies
• Forward rate represents an agreed-upon exchange rate for settlement at a specified future date
  • Forward rates are used in forward contracts to hedge against foreign currency risk
• Translation adjustments arise from changes in exchange rates when translating financial statements from a foreign currency to the reporting currency
• Remeasurement is the process of converting financial statement items from a foreign currency to the functional currency

Foreign Currency Transactions Basics

• Foreign currency transactions occur when a company engages in business activities involving a currency other than its functional currency
• Common examples of foreign currency transactions include:
  • Purchasing inventory from a foreign supplier
  • Selling goods or services to a customer in another country
  • Borrowing or lending funds denominated in a foreign currency
• The transaction date is the date on which the foreign currency transaction occurs and the exchange rate at that date is used for initial recognition
• Settlement date is when the actual exchange of currencies takes place and any difference in exchange rates between the transaction date and settlement date results in a foreign currency gain or loss
• Monetary items, such as cash, receivables, and payables denominated in a foreign currency, are subject to remeasurement at each balance sheet date using the current exchange rate
• Non-monetary items, like inventory and fixed assets, are not remeasured and remain at the historical exchange rate

Exchange Rates and Their Impact

• Exchange rates represent the price of one currency in terms of another currency
• Spot rates are used for immediate transactions, while forward rates are used for future transactions
• Exchange rates fluctuate based on various economic, political, and market factors
  • Changes in interest rates, inflation, and economic growth can influence exchange rates
  • Political instability or changes in government policies may also impact currency values
• Appreciation of a currency means it becomes more valuable relative to another currency, while depreciation indicates a decrease in value
• A company's foreign currency exposure is affected by the volatility of exchange rates
  • Transaction exposure arises from existing foreign currency transactions that are not yet settled
  • Translation exposure occurs when a company has foreign subsidiaries and needs to translate their financial statements into the reporting currency

Recording Foreign Currency Transactions

• Foreign currency transactions are initially recorded using the spot rate on the transaction date
• The journal entry includes the foreign currency amount and its equivalent in the functional currency
• Example: If a U.S. company purchases inventory from a Japanese supplier for ¥1,000,000 when the spot rate is ¥110 per $1, the journal entry would be:
  • Debit: Inventory $9,090.91 (¥1,000,000 ÷ ¥110)
  • Credit: Accounts Payable $9,090.91
• At the balance sheet date, monetary items are remeasured using the current exchange rate
  • Any difference between the original recorded amount and the remeasured amount results in a foreign currency gain or loss
• Non-monetary items remain at their historical exchange rates and are not remeasured

Foreign Currency Translation Methods

• Translation is the process of converting financial statements from a foreign currency to the reporting currency
• The two main translation methods are the current rate method and the temporal method
• Current rate method translates all assets and liabilities at the current exchange rate, while equity accounts are translated at historical rates
  • Revenue and expenses are translated at the average rate for the period
  • Translation adjustments are reported in other comprehensive income
• Temporal method translates monetary items at the current rate and non-monetary items at historical rates
  • Revenue and expenses related to non-monetary items are translated at historical rates, while others use the average rate
  • Translation adjustments are included in net income
• The choice of translation method depends on the functional currency of the foreign entity and the nature of its operations

Financial Statement Presentation

• Foreign currency transactions and translations impact various financial statement items
• The balance sheet reflects foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at their respective exchange rates
  • Monetary items are presented at the current rate, while non-monetary items use historical rates
• The income statement includes foreign currency transactions converted at the exchange rates on the transaction dates or the average rate for the period
  • Foreign currency gains and losses arising from remeasurement are reported in the income statement
• The statement of comprehensive income presents translation adjustments resulting from the translation process
  • Translation adjustments are reported as a separate component of other comprehensive income
• The statement of cash flows reflects the impact of foreign currency transactions and translations on cash and cash equivalents
  • Foreign currency cash flows are translated at the exchange rates on the dates of the cash flows or the average rate for the period

Hedging and Risk Management

• Companies use hedging strategies to manage their exposure to foreign currency risk
• Forward contracts are commonly used to hedge against future foreign currency transactions
  • A company can lock in an exchange rate for a future transaction by entering into a forward contract
  • The gain or loss on the forward contract offsets the foreign currency gain or loss on the hedged transaction
• Options and swaps are other derivatives used for hedging foreign currency risk
  • Currency options give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a currency at a predetermined rate
  • Currency swaps involve exchanging principal and interest payments in different currencies
• Hedge accounting allows companies to match the timing of recognition of gains and losses on the hedging instrument with the hedged item
  • Cash flow hedges defer the recognition of gains and losses on the hedging instrument in other comprehensive income until the hedged transaction occurs
  • Fair value hedges recognize gains and losses on the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the income statement

Real-World Applications and Examples

• Multinational companies like Apple, Coca-Cola, and Toyota regularly engage in foreign currency transactions and translations
  • These companies have operations in multiple countries and generate revenue and incur expenses in various currencies
• The global financial crisis of 2008-2009 highlighted the importance of managing foreign currency risk
  • Companies with significant foreign currency exposure experienced substantial losses due to exchange rate fluctuations
• The Brexit referendum in 2016 led to significant volatility in the British Pound and impacted companies with exposure to the currency
  • Companies had to reassess their hedging strategies and adjust their financial projections
• The ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China have led to fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and the Chinese Yuan
  • Companies with supply chains or customers in China have had to navigate the impact of these exchange rate changes
• The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions in global trade and capital flows, leading to increased foreign currency risk for many companies
  • Companies have had to adapt their risk management strategies and closely monitor exchange rate movements during this period of uncertainty