Lesson: Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights

Instructor: Nick Palazzolo
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In this lesson, Nick Palazzolo, CPA, explains the differences between stock options and stock appreciation rights (SARs), key to employee compensation tied to company stock. Stock options allow employees to buy stock at a set price, offering profit if the stock price rises, whereas SARs provide financial gain from stock price increases without requiring purchase. He covers the accounting: stock options are treated as equity with recognized compensation expense over time, while SARs are recorded as liabilities that adjust with stock price changes. This lesson delivers essential insights into these compensation strategies, their implications for the FAR exam, and corporate finance.

Updated: March 26, 2024 Create an account

In this lesson, Nick Palazzolo, CPA, explains the differences between stock options and stock appreciation rights (SARs), key to employee compensation tied to company stock. Stock options allow employees to buy stock at a set price, offering profit if the stock price rises, whereas SARs provide financial gain from stock price increases without requiring purchase. He covers the accounting: stock options are treated as equity with recognized compensation expense over time, while SARs are recorded as liabilities that adjust with stock price changes. This lesson delivers essential insights into these compensation strategies, their implications for the FAR exam, and corporate finance.

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Financial Statement Accounts
Module: 9 Concepts, 123 Lessons
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