“Blue skies smiling at me” – How goodwill factors into a sale or acquisition

Description

Abstract: Like the sentiment in the 1926 Irving Berlin song “Blue Skies,” the accounting term “blue sky” — or “goodwill” — is a thing to be welcomed. And with mergers and acquisitions on the rise this year, it’s a good time for auto dealers to familiarize themselves with the terms. This article explains what goodwill and goodwill impairment mean, what GAAP requires and an alternative goodwill measurement method.