{"schema_version":2,"canonical_url":"https://asc.understandingaccounting.org/asc/350/20/#15-scope-and-scope-exceptions","source":"FASB Accounting Standards Codification, Basic View","usage":"Study and research edition. Verify current requirements with the official source. Summaries, enrichment, and tags are machine-generated study aids. Paragraph html preserves source markup; snippet is abbreviated. Pending content is not necessarily effective.","topic":"350","topic_title":"Intangibles—Goodwill and Other","subtopic":"350-20","subtopic_title":"Goodwill","section":{"number":"15","label":"15 Scope and Scope Exceptions","anchor":"15-scope-and-scope-exceptions","is_sec":false,"groups":[{"block":null,"heading":"Overall Guidance","paragraphs":[{"citation":"350-20-15-1","para":"15-1","html":"
This Subtopic follows the same Scope and Scope Exceptions as outlined in the Overall Subtopic, see Section 350-10-15, with specific transaction qualifications noted below.
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The guidance in this Subtopic applies to the following transactions and activities:
  1. a
    Goodwill that an entity recognizes in accordance with Subtopic 805-30, Subtopic 805-60, or Subtopic 958-805 after it has been initially recognized and measured
  2. b
    The costs of internally developing goodwill and other unidentifiable intangible assets with indeterminate lives
  3. c
    Subparagraph not used.
  4. d
    Amounts recognized as goodwill in applying the equity method of accounting and to the excess reorganization value recognized by entities that adopt fresh-start reporting in accordance with Topic 852.
  5. e
    Subparagraph not used.
","snippet":"The guidance in this Subtopic applies to the following transactions and activities:\n(a) Goodwill that an entity recognizes in accordance with Subtopic 805-30, Subtopic 805-60, or Subtopic 958-805 after it has been initia…","pending":false,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:1afd9b109a7e4b8a2503c81f1c1da93a07e88c0854b2536503a3f2bc3801b6bc","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147482713","source_sha256":"278ae928416bb9d3c531fbdb192221d6013dbc96c169b5264a17f3b166f960bd"}},{"citation":"350-20-15-2A","para":"15-2A","html":"
Paragraph superseded by Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-07.
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Although goodwill is an intangible asset, the term intangible asset is used in this Subtopic to refer to an intangible asset other than goodwill.
","snippet":"Although goodwill is an intangible asset, the term intangible asset is used in this Subtopic to refer to an intangible asset other than goodwill.","pending":false,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:9ca44b264190ee6592f7cb5817eb25ca5b6736b4e63915ddff86a99354f016a5","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147482713","source_sha256":"278ae928416bb9d3c531fbdb192221d6013dbc96c169b5264a17f3b166f960bd"}},{"citation":"350-20-15-3A","para":"15-3A","html":"
Paragraphs
350-20-15-4 through 15-6
,
350-20-35-62 through 35-86
,
350-20-40-8 through 40-9
,
350-20-45-4 through 45-7
,
350-20-50-3A through 50-7
,
350-20-55-26 through 55-29
, and 323-10-35-13 provide guidance for an entity electing the accounting alternatives in this Subtopic. See paragraphs 350-20-65-2 and 350-20-65-4for transition guidance for private companies and not-for-profit entities on applying the accounting alternatives in Subtopic 350-20.
","snippet":"Paragraphs 350-20-15-4 through 15-6, 350-20-35-62 through 35-86, 350-20-40-8 through 40-9, 350-20-45-4 through 45-7, 350-20-50-3A through 50-7, 350-20-55-26 through 55-29, and 323-10-35-13 provide guidance for an entity …","pending":false,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:6ff16504c0d91f06a7fc3f4854c5f9d5c1de33f17a43f0039d056195252006da","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147482713","source_sha256":"278ae928416bb9d3c531fbdb192221d6013dbc96c169b5264a17f3b166f960bd"}}],"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:eaf9484f3e193d853cc57093cabfeab49d4af19929e6a2d22a16ee289d5584a2","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147482713","source_sha256":"278ae928416bb9d3c531fbdb192221d6013dbc96c169b5264a17f3b166f960bd"}},{"block":"Accounting Alternatives","heading":null,"paragraphs":[{"citation":"350-20-15-4","para":"15-4","html":"
A private companyor not-for-profit entitymay make an accounting policy election to apply the accounting alternative for amortizing goodwill in this Subtopic. The guidance in the Accounting Alternatives Subsections of this Subtopic applies to the following transactions or activities:
  1. a
    Goodwill that an entity recognizes in a business combination in accordance with Subtopic 805-30, in an acquisition by a not-for-profit entity in accordance with Subtopic 958-805, or in a joint venture formation in accordance with Subtopic 805-60after it has been initially recognized and measured
  2. b
    Amounts recognized as goodwill in applying the equity method of accounting in accordance with Topic 323 on investments—equity method and joint ventures, and to the excess reorganization value recognized by entities that adopt fresh-start reporting in accordance with Topic 852 on reorganizations.
","snippet":"A private companyor not-for-profit entitymay make an accounting policy election to apply the accounting alternative for amortizing goodwill in this Subtopic. The guidance in the Accounting Alternatives Subsections of thi…","pending":false,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:0a5953103bcd4cb4e59c89fe6cbe9a99e99e8d0df8f72fc0eeca78b148a8001e","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147482713","source_sha256":"278ae928416bb9d3c531fbdb192221d6013dbc96c169b5264a17f3b166f960bd"}},{"citation":"350-20-15-4A","para":"15-4A","html":"
A private company or not-for-profit entity may make an accounting policy election to apply the accounting alternative for a goodwill impairment triggering event evaluation to goodwill subsequently accounted for in accordance with Subtopic 350-20.
","snippet":"A private company or not-for-profit entity may make an accounting policy election to apply the accounting alternative for a goodwill impairment triggering event evaluation to goodwill subsequently accounted for in accord…","pending":false,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:6caabcdb7f10c4085a544dfbd91b76b14931db53e877cbed8eca3dd196cd7c3d","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147482713","source_sha256":"278ae928416bb9d3c531fbdb192221d6013dbc96c169b5264a17f3b166f960bd"}},{"citation":"350-20-15-5","para":"15-5","html":"
An entity within the scope of paragraph 350-20-15-4 or paragraph 350-20-15-4A that elects the accounting alternative for amortizing goodwill or the accounting alternative for goodwill impairment triggering event evaluation shall apply all of the related subsequent measurement, derecognition, other presentation matters, and disclosure requirements upon election. An accounting alternative, once elected, shall be applied to existing goodwill and to all additions to goodwill recognized in future transactions within the scope of that accounting alternative.
","snippet":"An entity within the scope of paragraph 350-20-15-4 or paragraph 350-20-15-4A that elects the accounting alternative for amortizing goodwill or the accounting alternative for goodwill impairment triggering event evaluati…","pending":false,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:06bd4def962253ef40e9861c5577d2fc9641b6844997c3491061ac59b3910620","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147482713","source_sha256":"278ae928416bb9d3c531fbdb192221d6013dbc96c169b5264a17f3b166f960bd"}},{"citation":"350-20-15-6","para":"15-6","html":"
An entity that elects either of the accounting alternatives in this Subtopic is not required to elect or precluded from electing the other alternative.
","snippet":"An entity that elects either of the accounting alternatives in this Subtopic is not required to elect or precluded from electing the other alternative.","pending":false,"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:16f6bdcf65e58f085911bba1c4f5d2c6dc9004b2aaa9b9a83ee9305b10e4fbe3","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147482713","source_sha256":"278ae928416bb9d3c531fbdb192221d6013dbc96c169b5264a17f3b166f960bd"}}],"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:065df3aa350f91f51df1b503a73d9ac26a919e5ad1621787b1e4ccf620294eb1","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147482713","source_sha256":"278ae928416bb9d3c531fbdb192221d6013dbc96c169b5264a17f3b166f960bd"}}],"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:9bc961ffae82944a6f0daca96779811fb6af45ced9c609c4ede48eca9b2b7e62","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147482713","source_sha256":"278ae928416bb9d3c531fbdb192221d6013dbc96c169b5264a17f3b166f960bd"}},"provenance":{"source_url":"https://asc.fasb.org/","snapshot_version":"sha256:15aea8165dff9f5ae47d9484f8470588b13b307f56e1d50801bf4d85ec190e3f","record_version":"sha256:9bc961ffae82944a6f0daca96779811fb6af45ced9c609c4ede48eca9b2b7e62","downloaded_from":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","last_downloaded_at":"2026-09-10T00:00:46.644Z","date_scope":"source_page","effective_as_of":null,"effective_as_of_status":"Not established by retrieval timestamps","source_key":"1943274/2147482713","source_sha256":"278ae928416bb9d3c531fbdb192221d6013dbc96c169b5264a17f3b166f960bd"}}