Proposed Lease Accounting Changes: What It Means To Tenants

Responding to the need for greater transparency in financial markets in the post-Enron era, a new accounting standard is being presented requiring tenants (both public and private companies) to recognize the current and future value of all leases on their balance sheets.   This standard is jointly presented by FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) and IASB (International Accounting Standard Board).  The proposed standard, if enacted, will be a factor in the real estate decision-making process for all companies.  It will have a major impact on financial statements of companies with large lease obligations which are currently considered “Operating Leases”.  While this proposed standard applies well beyond the lease of real property, my focus is on its impact to tenants in office leasing.  It has been reported that this change will result in between $1 and $2 Trillion being transferred to companies’ Balance Sheets.  Some question the timing of this proposed change given the economic conditions and the state of the commercial real estate industry. 

All forward thinking tenants should review with their real estate advisor how the proposed standard will impact their real estate strategy.  Below is a summary of the current accounting standard, the proposed new standard and its impact on office tenants. 

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