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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
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3 Months Ended |
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Mar. 31, 2015
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| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The COPT consolidated financial statements include the accounts of COPT, the Operating Partnership, their subsidiaries and other entities in which COPT has a majority voting interest and control. The COPLP consolidated financial statements include the accounts of COPLP, its subsidiaries and other entities in which COPLP has a majority voting interest and control. We also consolidate certain entities when control of such entities can be achieved through means other than voting rights (“variable interest entities” or “VIEs”) if we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary of such entities. We eliminate all significant intercompany balances and transactions in consolidation.
We use the equity method of accounting when we own an interest in an entity and can exert significant influence over but cannot control the entity’s operations. We discontinue equity method accounting if our investment in an entity (and net advances) is reduced to zero unless we have guaranteed obligations of the entity or are otherwise committed to provide further financial support for the entity.
These interim financial statements should be read together with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 included in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments that are necessary, in the opinion of management, to fairly present our financial position and results of operations. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the accounting policies described in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance regarding the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. Under this guidance, an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Additionally, this guidance requires improved disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. We are required to adopt this guidance for our annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2017, using one of two methods: retrospective restatement for each reporting period presented at the time of adoption, or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this guidance recognized at the date of initial application. We are currently assessing the financial impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
In January 2015, the FASB issued guidance regarding the presentation of extraordinary and unusual items in statements of operations. This guidance eliminates the concept of extraordinary items. However, the presentation and disclosure requirements for items that are either unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence remain and will be expanded to include items that are both unusual in nature and infrequent in occurrence. This guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015. We expect that the application of this guidance will have no effect on our reported consolidated financial statements.
In February 2015, the FASB issued guidance regarding amendments to the consolidation analysis. This guidance amends the criteria for determining which entities are considered variable interest entities (“VIE”), amends the criteria for determining if a service provider possesses a variable interest in a VIE and ends the deferral granted to investment companies for application of the VIE consolidation model. This guidance is effective for annual periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2015. We are currently assessing the financial impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance that changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements. This guidance requires an entity to present such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. This guidance will be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
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