FDM.2:4.1 - Start with the financial consequence being examined

State whose payment, position, exposure, control or report is at issue and the relevant time. Identify the actual entities and accounts involved before selecting a group label.

For a payment, find the party that bears the obligation. For a portfolio question, identify the investments or exposures being compared. For a required report, obtain the applicable reporting boundary from the responsible practice. Use SIE.5 when the entities themselves or their continuity are disputed.