Final answer:
The ASC 605-35-25-52 provides two methods for calculating the percentage of completion on long-term contracts for revenue recognition: incurred costs ratio and other measures reflecting progress. These recognitions contribute to determining a company's accounting and economic profits, with recognition lags posing challenges in timely data collection and interpretation.
Step-by-step explanation:
When dealing with long-term contracts, it is crucial to measure the percentage of completion to recognize revenue across multiple fiscal years, as per accrual accounting standards. The FASB ASC 605-35-25-52 outlines two bases for calculating the completion percentage: A) the ratio of incurred costs to date to the estimated total costs, considering the most recent information on estimated costs to complete, and B) any other measure that accurately reflects the progress toward completion, keeping the work performed in consideration.
Revenue recognition for long-term contracts is not merely about the cash exchanged but looks into the economic essence of the transactions over time. It distinguishes between reported accounting profit, which is total revenue minus explicit costs, and economic profit, which also considers implicit costs. Recognition lags, common in collecting economic data, further complicate timely revenue recognition and the reporting of a business's financial health.