At any point in time a company can elect to use the fair value option to account for equity method investments.

Fair Value Option

An accounting strategy allowing companies to choose to value and report certain assets and liabilities at fair market prices.

Equity Method Investments

An accounting technique used by a company to record its investment in another company, where the investment gives the investor a significant influence over the investee.

Account For

Refers to the process of recording financial transactions in the financial statements.