Cloud computing implementation costs post-ASU 2018-15

Updated: Q&As for customers applying the new guidance on cloud computing implementation costs.

This Hot Topic addresses questions about customers’ accounting for hosting arrangements that are service contracts (i.e. do not contain a software license) after adopting ASU 2018-15.

Applicability

• Customers in hosting arrangements that are service contracts

Relevant dates

Mandatory effective dates and early adoption provisions:

Annual periods – Fiscal years beginning after

Interim periods – In fiscal years beginning after

Early adoption allowed in annual and interim periods?

Key Impacts:

• ASU 2018-15 was issued in August 2018 based on a consensus of the EITF.
• ASU 2018-15 aligns the accounting for implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that does not include a license to internal-use software (a cloud computing arrangement) with one that does.
• ASU 2018-15 requires companies to capitalize potentially significant implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that were often expensed as incurred under legacy US GAAP and amortize them over the term of the hosting arrangement.
• Application questions have arisen about the new guidance.

KPMG in-depth guide to accounting for software and website costs under ASC 350-40, ASC 350-50 and ASC 985-20.

Report contents

• Applicability
• Background
• Effective dates and transition
• Concepts and definitions
• Questions and answers

Download the document:

Customers’ accounting for cloud computing arrangements after adopting ASU 2018-15

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