What are Statements of Position?

Statements of position are recommendations regarding accounting issues that are occasionally produced by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Statements of position are intended to revise or improve upon the guidance included in previously-issued audit guides and accounting guides, as well as to provide guidance on specific audit topics. Once a statement of position is issued, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) may incorporate some elements of it in the FASB's formulation of new accounting standards. The last statement of position was issued in 2013.

Below is a list of some notable SOPs issued by the AICPA, grouped by subject matter:

Accounting-Related SOPs

SOP 81-1: Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts.
SOP 92-1: Accounting for Real Estate Syndication Income.
SOP 93-7: Reporting on Advertising Costs.
SOP 97-2: Software Revenue Recognition.
SOP 98-1: Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use.
SOP 01-6: Accounting by Certain Entities (Including Entities with Trade Receivables) That Lend to or Finance the Activities of Others.

Auditing-Related SOPs

SOP 94-6: Disclosure of Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties.
SOP 01-2: Determination of Properly Designated Hedging Relationships for Auditors.

Industry-Specific SOPs

SOP 85-1: Accounting by Providers of Continuing Care Retirement Communities.
SOP 90-7: Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code.
SOP 92-6: Accounting and Reporting by Health and Welfare Benefit Plans.
SOP 03-3: Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer.

Other SOPs

SOP 94-4: Application of the Depository and Lending Institutions Guide to Certain Mortgage Banking Activities.
SOP 96-1: Environmental Remediation Liabilities.