Description: 1996 Valuation Actuary Symposium. Topics discussed in this session on GAAP and purchase GAAP included: 1. FAS 115, so-called actuarial or SEC adjustments, and how practice has been evolving in that area. 2. How companies determine the gross margins for mutual GAAP products and the traditional participating business of mutual companies. 3. Mutual company GAAP. 4. Basics of purchase accounting.

Description: The panel discussed the accounting profession's attempts to codify an area that has long been subject to a wide variety of practice. Topics covered: 1. Accounting under the various methods of acquisitions: pooling of interests, purchase of stock, assumption reinsurance, indemnity reinsurance. 2. Benefit reserve approaches under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 60 within the context of defined-valuation premium approach versus defined-initial reserve approach. 3. Approaches to determination of discount rate for the present value of future profits and purchase date 4. Effect of differing levels of goodwill on earnings accretion versus dilution.