Q & A Database

The GIPS Standards Q&A database contains questions and answers (Q&As) on various searchable topics that provide additional interpretation on an issue. Q&As are considered to be authoritative guidance and must be followed in order to claim compliance with the GIPS standards.

Content from prior Q&As was included in the GIPS Standards Handbook as much as possible and many Q&As were archived. Change the Status drop-down filter to "Archived" to see the archived Q&As.

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Archived

Effective: 1 January, 2006 - 31 December, 2019

Categories: Private Equity

Source: Interpretive Guidance for Private Equity

Can managers value investments on a cost basis and still be compliant with the fair value approach?

A general policy of holding investments at cost is not compliant with the GIPS standards. In some circumstances, cost is the best estimate of fair value, for example, where it reflects a recent arm’s length transaction with no subsequent events or information affecting its validity. There may also be circumstances where a fair value estimate is not reasonably ascertainable and in these circumstances cost less a reduction for any value impairment is the only practical option.