A PDF version of this publication is attached here: Bankruptcies and liquidations guide (PDF 2.90mb)

PwC is pleased to offer our Bankruptcies and liquidations guide. This guide furthers our aim of helping our clients and other interested parties to implement the accounting and reporting standards applicable to bankruptcies and liquidations.

While the accounting guidance for bankruptcy accounting has not been updated for a number of years and is unique, it remains relevant given the continued volume of bankruptcy filings. This guide explains the fundamental principles of bankruptcy and liquidation-basis accounting, as well as considerations prior to entering bankruptcy, for companies that prepare financial statements under US GAAP, and provides our perspectives on the application of those principles.

This guide summarizes the applicable accounting literature, including relevant references to and excerpts from the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification (the Codification). It also provides our insights and perspectives, interpretative and application guidance, illustrative examples, and discussion on emerging practice issues. The PwC guides should be read in conjunction with the applicable authoritative accounting literature.

Definitions, full paragraphs, and excerpts from the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification are clearly labelled. In some instances, guidance was cited with minor editorial modification to flow in the context of the PwC Guide. The remaining text is PwC’s original content.

This guide focuses on bankruptcy and liquidation-basis accounting and financial reporting considerations. It supplements information provided by the authoritative accounting literature and other PwC guidance. This guide provides general and specific references to chapters in other PwC guides to assist users in finding other relevant information. References to other guides are indicated by the applicable guide abbreviation followed by the specific section number. The other PwC guides referred to in this guide, including their abbreviations, are:

Following is a summary of recent noteworthy revisions to the guide. Additional updates may be made to future versions to keep pace with significant developments.

This publication has been prepared for general informational purposes, and does not constitute professional advice on facts and circumstances specific to any person or entity. You should not act upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining specific professional advice. No representation or warranty (express or implied) is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this publication. The information contained in this publication was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for purposes of avoiding penalties or sanctions imposed by any government or other regulatory body. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, its members, employees, and agents shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person or entity that relies on the information contained in this publication. Certain aspects of this publication may be superseded as new guidance or interpretations emerge. Financial statement preparers and other users of this publication are therefore cautioned to stay abreast of and carefully evaluate subsequent authoritative and interpretative guidance.

The FASB Accounting Standards Codification^® material is copyrighted by the Financial Accounting Foundation, 401 Merritt 7, Norwalk, CT 06856, and is reproduced with permission.