Joint ventures are entities whose operations and activities are jointly controlled by a group of equity investors, which are referred to as “venturers.” The term “joint venture” may be applied loosely in practice to arrangements that may not meet the accounting definition. Properly identifying a joint venture is important because US GAAP currently treats certain transactions involving joint ventures differently from transactions involving other businesses and joint arrangements.
Among other differences, joint ventures receive unique treatment with respect to one of the criteria for applying the business scope exception to the Variable Interest Model in ASC 810. Additionally, ASC 805 and ASC 845 exclude the formation of a joint venture and transfers of nonmonetary assets between a joint venture and its owners from their scope, respectively. An investment in a corporate joint venture may also qualify for unique income tax accounting considerations.
To meet the definition of a joint venture, we believe an arrangement must have all of the following characteristics:
• The arrangement must be organized within a separate legal entity1
• The entity must be under the joint control of the venturers
• The venturers must be able to exercise joint control of the entity through their equity investments