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CA in Bangladesh

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
Professional Stage Application Level

Study Manual
www.icab.org.bd

Financial Accounting
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh Professional Stage
These learning materials have been prepared by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
ISBN: 978-1-84152-837-3
First edition 2009
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form
or by any means or stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise
without prior permission of the publisher.

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Welcome

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

iii

iv

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Contents

Introduction

vii

Specification grid for Financial Accounting

viii

The learning materials

ix

Study guide

Getting help

xix

Syllabus and learning outcomes

xix

Skills assessment guide

xxii

Accounting and reporting concepts


1.

Conceptual and regulatory framework

Preparation of single entity financial statements


2.

Format of financial statements

41

3.

Cash flow statements

81

4.

Reporting financial performance

119

5.

Property, plant and equipment

157

6.

Intangible assets

211

7.

Revenue and inventories

239

8.

Leases

273

9.

Provisions, contingencies and events after the balance sheet date

317

Preparation of consolidated financial statements


10. Group accounts: basic principles

361

11. Group accounts: consolidated balance sheet

385

12. Group accounts: consolidated statements of financial performance

435

13. Group accounts: associates

479

14. Group accounts: disposals

519

15. Business combinations, consolidated financial statements and


associates

563

16. Group cash flow statements

611

Appendix: BFRS financial statements

647

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

INTRODUCTION

1 Introduction
1.1

What is Financial Accounting and how does it fit within the


Professional Stage?
Structure
The syllabus has been designed to develop core technical, commercial, and ethical skills and knowledge in a
structured and rigorous manner.
The diagram below shows the fourteen modules at the Professional Stage, where the focus is on the
acquisition and application of technical skills and knowledge, and the Advanced Stage which comprises three
technical modules and the Case Study.

The knowledge base


In the Accounting paper you will have been introduced to the double entry system of recording
transactions and the preparation of non-complex financial statements.
Progression to application level
The Financial Accounting module develops these basic principles covered in Accounting, looking at the
preparation of single entity financial statements in more complex situations and also introduces the issue of
group financial statements.
Progression to advanced stage
The Financial & Corporate Reporting paper then takes these issues a step further, enabling students to
prepare extracts from financial statements for entities undertaking a wide range of accounting transactions.
The emphasis is also on understanding financial information as well as preparation with analysis and
interpretation a key feature.
This paper also aims to ensure that students can apply technical knowledge and professional skills to resolve
real-life compliance issues faced by businesses including the accounting treatment of complex corporate
reporting issues, for financial instruments and mergers and acquisitions.
The above illustrates how the knowledge of financial accounting gives a platform from which a progression
of skills and accounting expertise is developed.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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Financial accounting

1.2

Services provided by professional accountants


Professional accountants should be able to:

Explain the contribution and inherent limitations of financial statements in meeting stakeholders needs
for financial information and apply the International Accounting Standards Boards (IASB) conceptual
framework for financial reporting

Prepare and present financial statements from accounting data for single entities, whether organised in
corporate or in other forms, in conformity with BFRS

Identify the circumstances in which entities are required to present consolidated financial statements
and prepare and present them in conformity with BFRS

2 Specification grid for Financial Accounting


2.1

Module aim
To enable students to prepare a complete set of financial statements for single entities and for groups in
conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards (BFRS).

2.2

Specification grid
This grid shows the relative weightings of subjects within this module and should guide the relative study
time spent on each. Over time the marks available in the assessment will equate to the weightings below,
while slight variations may occur in individual assessments to enable suitably rigorous questions to be set.
Weighting (%)
10
55
35
100

1 Accounting and reporting concepts


2 Preparation of single entity financial statements
3 Preparation of consolidated financial statements

Your exam will consist of


Part one

5 - 15 short form questions


(worth 1 - 4 marks each)

20 marks

Part two

4 questions
(each worth around 20 marks each)

80 marks

Time available

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

2.5 hours

INTRODUCTION

3 The learning materials


You will find the learning materials are structured as follows:

Title page
Contents page
Introduction. This includes

a review of the subject to set the context

a list of the top level learning outcomes for this subject area entitled 'Services provided by
professional accountants' (set with reference to what a newly qualified accountant would be
expected to do as part of their job)

The specification grid for Financial Accounting

A brief note about the learning materials

Study Guide. This includes

hints and tips on how to approach studying for your CA exams

guidance on how to approach studying with this study manual

a detailed study guide suggesting how you should study each chapter of this study manual and
identifying the essential points in each chapter

Information on how to obtain help with your studies

The detailed syllabus and learning outcomes

Information on the Faculties and special interest groups

Each chapter has the following components where relevant:

Introduction

Learning objectives
Practical significance
Stop and think
Working context
Syllabus links

Examination context

Chapter topics

Summary and Self-test

Technical reference

Answers to Self-test

Answers to Interactive questions

The technical reference section is designed to assist you when you are working in the office. It should help
you to know where to look for further information on the topics covered. You will not be examined on
the contents of this section in your examination.

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Financial accounting

4 Study guide
4.1

Help yourself study for your CA exams


Exams for professional bodies such as the ICAB are very different from those you have taken at college or
university. You will be under greater time pressure before the exam as you may be combining your
study with work. Here are some hints and tips.

The right approach


1

Develop the right attitude


Believe in yourself

Yes, there is a lot to learn. But thousands have succeeded


before and you can too.

Remember why you're doing it

You are studying for a good reason: to advance your career.

Focus on the exam


Read through the Syllabus and
Study Guide

These tell you what you are expected to know and are
supplemented by Examination context sections in the
text.

The right method


See the whole picture

Use your own words

Keeping in mind how all the detail you need to know fits into
the whole picture will help you understand it better.

The Introduction of each chapter puts the material in


context.

The Learning objectives, Section overviews and


Examination context sections show you what you
need to grasp.

To absorb the information (and to practise your written


communication skills), you need to put it into your own
words.

Give yourself cues to jog your


memory

The Study Manual uses bold to highlight key points.

Try colour coding with a highlighter pen.


Write key points on cards.

The right recap


Review, review, review

Take notes.
Answer the questions in each chapter.
Draw mindmaps.
Try 'teaching' a subject to a colleague or friend.

Regularly reviewing a topic in summary form can fix it in your


memory. The Study Manual helps you review in many ways.

Chapter summary will help you to recall each study


session.

The Self-test actively tests your grasp of the essentials.

Go through the Examples in each chapter a second or


third time.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

INTRODUCTION

4.2

Study cycle
The best way to approach this Study Manual is to tackle the chapters in order. We will look in detail at how
to approach each chapter below but as a general guide, taking into account your individual learning style,
you could follow this sequence for each chapter.
Key study steps
Step 1
Topic list

Activity
The topic list is shown in the contents for each chapter and helps you navigate
each part of the book; each numbered topic is a numbered section in the chapter.

Step 2
Introduction

This sets your objectives for study by giving you the big picture in terms of the
context of the chapter. The content is referenced to the Study guide, and
Examination context guidance shows what the examiners are looking for. The
Introduction tells you why the topics covered in the chapter need to be studied.

Step 3
Section
overviews

Section overviews give you a quick summary of the content of each of the main
chapter sections. They can also be used at the end of each chapter to help you
review each chapter quickly.

Step 4
Explanations

Proceed methodically through each chapter, particularly focusing on areas


highlighted as significant in the chapter introduction or study guide.

Step 5
Note taking

Take brief notes, if you wish. Don't copy out too much. Remember that being
able to record something yourself is a sign of being able to understand it. Your
notes can be in whatever format you find most helpful; lists, diagrams, mindmaps.

Step 6
Examples

Work through the examples very carefully as they illustrate key knowledge and
techniques.

Step 7
Answers

Check yours against the suggested solutions, and make sure you understand any
discrepancies.

Step 8
Chapter summary
Step 9
Self-test
Step 10

Review it carefully, to make sure you have grasped the significance of all the
important points in the chapter.
Use the Self-test to check how much you have remembered of the topics
covered.
Ensure you have ticked off the Learning Objectives.

Learning objectives

Moving on...
When you are ready to start revising, you should still refer back to this Study Manual.

As a source of reference.

As a way to review (the Section overviews, Examination context, Chapter summaries and Self-test
questions help you here).

Remember to keep careful hold of this Study Manual you will find it invaluable in your work. The technical
reference section has been designed to help you in the workplace by directing you to where you can find
further information on the topics studied.

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Financial accounting

4.3

Detailed study guide


Use this schedule and your exam timetable to plan the dates on which you will complete each study period
below:
Study
period

Approach

Essential points

Chapter 1 sets out the conceptual and regulatory


framework which will form the basis of the rest of
the chapters in this manual. As you read through
the chapter try to ensure that you understand how
the various elements of the framework fit together
rather than getting bogged down in the specific
details.

Bases of accounting

BFRS Framework:
qualitative
characteristics

BFRS Framework:
definitions of assets
and liabilities

Proformas for:

Read section 8 carefully which deals with not-forprofit entities. You will not have come across this
type of entity before in your accounting studies.
Complete the Interactive questions and attempt
the Self-test questions.
2

Chapter 2 is an important chapter as it introduces


formats for the balance sheet, income statement
and statement of changes in equity. These will form
the basis of all accounts preparation questions.
Read through the chapter carefully paying
particular attention to the formats. You must be
able to reproduce these. You may also find it
useful to refer to the Appendix at the end of the
manual which includes a proforma set of financial
statements.

Balance sheet

Income statement

Statement of
changes in equity

Also notice sections 4.2 and 5.2. This type of detail


may be tested in OT questions.
Section 9 deals with the presentation of not-forprofit entities. Read through this section carefully.
3

Chapter 3 deals with the preparation of the cash


flow statement. The emphasis here is on technique
so you must work through the worked examples
and Interactive questions.
Read through section 8 carefully and review the
worked example. You may also find it useful to
refer to the cash flow statement in the Appendix
at the end of the manual.
Finally, you should attempt the Self-test questions
to confirm your understanding of this topic.

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Presentation of a cash
flow statement

Technique for
preparation of a cash
flow statement

Due
date

INTRODUCTION

Study
period

Approach

Essential points

Chapter 4 is a very technical chapter so you will


need to work through it methodically. Read
through sections 1-8 carefully, noting the
difference in treatment in a change of accounting
policy and a change in accounting estimate.

Treatment of a change
in accounting policy

Definition and
presentation of a
discontinued operation

Accounting for
revaluations

Accounting for
impairments

Disposals

Disclosure

Treatment of
purchased intangibles

Treatment of internally
generated intangibles

Goodwill

Due
date

Section 7 deals with the treatment of discontinued


operations. Make sure that you understand what
constitutes a discontinued operation and how this
is presented in the financial statements. Attempt
Interactive question 1 to confirm your
understanding of this topic.
Read through section 8 and 9. In section 8 notice
the link between BAS 32 Financial Instruments:
Presentation and BFRS Framework.
You should then attempt all the Self-test questions.
5

You will have covered the basic accounting


treatment of property, plant and equipment in
your Accounting studies. Chapter 5 however, puts
the topic into the context of the relevant
accounting standards.
Read through the chapter carefully taking particular
note of the Worked examples and Interactive
questions as these demonstrate how the standards
should be applied. Also note the disclosure
requirements. These are important as written test
questions are likely to focus on the preparation of
financial statements or extracts.
Read section 10. These differences may be
examined in OT questions.

Read through Chapter 6 carefully. In section 1


note how the underlying principles of BFRS
Framework are reflected in BAS 38. Make sure you
understand the accounting treatment of both
purchased and internally generated assets.
Section 9 introduces the topic of goodwill which
will be covered in more detail in Chapters 10-15.
You should attempt all Interactive questions and
Self-test questions to confirm your understanding
of this topic.

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Financial accounting
Study
period

Approach

Essential points

Read through sections 1 and 2 of Chapter 7 and


attempt Interactive question 1. Pay particular
attention to section 2.8 which demonstrates how
the concepts of BAS 18 Revenue apply to specific
types of transactions. Then try Interactive
questions 2 and 3.

Revenue recognition

Definition of cost of
inventories

Cost formulae

Definition of net
realisable value

Definition of a finance
lease

Treatment and
disclosure of a finance
lease

Treatment and
disclosure of an
operating lease

The remainder of this chapter then deals with


inventories. You will have covered the basic
principles involved in your Accounting studies so
much of this will be revision. Notice however that
the manual puts the topic into the context of BAS
2 Inventories. Complete Interactive question 4.
You should also try all the Self-test questions to
confirm your understanding of these topics.
8

Chapter 8 deals with the accounting treatment of


leases. Make sure that you can distinguish between
a finance lease and an operating lease and that you
understand the importance of the concept of
substance over form. Much of the rest of the
chapter concerns the accounting treatment of
finance leases. Work through the Worked
examples and Interactive questions carefully as
these demonstrate the key points. Note in
particular the impact of the timing of the payments
of the finance lease instalments, i.e. in arrears or in
advance. You also need to be familiar with the
disclosure requirements as a written test question
on this topic is likely to require extracts from the
financial statements.
The treatment of operating leases is more
straightforward. Read through section 7, again
paying particular attention to the disclosure
requirements.
Attempt all the Self-test questions paying particular
attention to the written test question from the
Sample Paper.

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Due
date

INTRODUCTION

Study
period

Approach

Read through sections 1-5 of Chapter 9 on


provisions, noting in particular the definition of a
liability and the link with BFRS Framework. Make
sure you understand the recognition criteria in
section 2.2. Section 4 introduces a number of
specific applications of the principles of the
standard. You should read through these carefully
and attempt Interactive question 3.

Essential points

Due
date

Sections 6 and 7 deal with contingencies. Review the


definitions of a contingent asset and a contingent
liability and ensure that you understand the
accounting treatment of these. Interactive questions
4 and 5 will help you to confirm your understanding.
Then move on to Section 8. This topic is
reasonably straightforward. The key point is the
distinction between adjusting and non-adjusting
events after the balance sheet date. Also note the
treatment of dividends on equity shares proposed
or declared after the balance sheet date.
You should attempt all the Self-test questions
including the written test question from the
Sample Paper.
10

Chapter 10 is the first in a series of chapters on


group accounts. The aim of this chapter is to set
down the broad principles which are applied when
preparing group financial statements. Work
through this chapter carefully reviewing the
Worked examples and completing the Interactive
questions. It is important that you do not move on
to the next chapter until you have a good
understanding of these concepts.

Definition of a group

Single entity concept

Reflecting control and


ownership

Treatment of goodwill

Consolidated balance
sheet workings

Cancellation of intragroup balances

Unrealised profit on
intra-group trading

Fair value adjustments

Attempt the Self-test questions and review the


solutions carefully.
11

Chapter 11 applies the principles introduced in


Chapter 10 to the consolidated balance sheet
specifically. It is a detailed but important chapter so
you will need to work through it carefully. As you
read through the individual sections and work
through the Interactive questions notice the way in
which a technique is developed. This technique is
the key to answering written test questions on this
topic. This is summarised in section 3.
Sections 5-8 introduce a number of consolidation
adjustments. These may feature in both written
test and the OT sections of the paper so review
these carefully. Review the Worked examples and
attempt the Interactive questions to ensure that
you have a good grasp of these adjustments.
Then attempt the Self-test questions to confirm
your understanding.

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Financial accounting
Study
period

Approach

Essential points

12

Chapter 12 applies the basic principles introduced


in Chapter 10 to the consolidated income
statement and consolidated statement of changes
in equity.

Consolidated income
statement workings

Intra-group
transactions and
unrealised profit on
trading transactions

Mid-year acquisitions

Consolidated
statement of changes in
equity

Definition of associate/
significant influence

Equity method in
consolidated income
statement/balance
sheet

Read through sections 1-6 on the consolidated


income statement. Notice that the issues raised
are essentially the same as those you will have
covered in the previous chapter but now
considered from the perspective of the
consolidated income statement. Also notice the
emphasis on technique. Proforma workings are
provided in section 3 which you should follow for
all written test questions.
Then move on to section 7. Review the worked
example carefully taking particular note of the
minority interest column. Work through
Interactive questions 5 and 6.
Attempt the Self-test questions to confirm your
understanding of the topics covered in this
chapter.
13

Chapter 13 deals with the treatment of the


associate in the consolidated financial statements.
Read through section 1, paying particular attention
to the definition of significant influence. Then move
on to the equity method in sections 2 and 3.
Review these sections carefully working through
Interactive question 1 and 2. Make sure that you
understand the difference between this method
and the consolidation technique used for
subsidiaries.
Then move on to section 4. This covers the
specific issue of associates losses which could be
examined in a short-form question.
Work through section 5. This is a little tricky so
review this carefully and use the Interactive
questions to help you. Make sure that you
appreciate that the treatment of unrealised profits
will depend on whether the associate or the parent
is the selling company.

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Due
date

INTRODUCTION

Study
period

Approach

Essential points

14

Chapter 14 covers a lot of technical detail, dealing


with the disposal of subsidiaries and associates.
You may find the summary table at the end of the
chapter useful as it provides an overview of the
topic. Refer back to it as you work through the
chapter.

Calculation of group
profit or loss on
disposal

Impact of full and part


disposal on the
consolidated financial
statements

Sections 2-6 cover the disposal of a subsidiary.


Read through the notes but pay particular
attention to the Worked examples and the
Interactive questions as these demonstrate the key
issues. For each of the disposal possibilities try to
ensure that you can calculate the group profit or
loss on disposal and that you understand the
implications for the consolidated financial
statements. Also notice that the full disposal of a
subsidiary constitutes a discontinued activity which
should be disclosed as such.

Due
date

You should find section 7 more straightforward as


many of the principles are similar to those you will
have seen in sections 1-6. Read section 7.2
carefully, in particular the way in which the
resulting trade investment is calculated in the
consolidated statement of financial position.
Review the Worked example.
Attempt the Self-test questions to confirm that you
have a good grasp of this topic.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

xvii

Financial accounting
Study
period

Approach

Essential points

15

In Chapters 10-14 the emphasis has been on the


mechanics of preparing consolidated financial
statements. Chapter 15 puts this method into the
context of the relevant financial reporting
standards. As such you will find that you are
familiar with many of the points which are made.

Identifying the acquirer


and the means by
which control is
achieved

Fair value of
consideration

Sections 2-8 cover BFRS 3 Business Combinations.


Note in particular the definition of the acquirer in
section 3 and the ways in which one entity may
control another. Sections 4-7 then go on to deal
with fair values and goodwill including the way in
which fair value is attributed to the cost of the
combination and the assets acquired. These
sections are important so work through them
carefully. Attempt Interactive questions 1and 2 to
confirm your understanding.

Fair value of net assets


acquired

Goodwill

Impact of finance leases

Dividends paid to the


minority interest

Dividends received
from associates

Acquisitions/disposals of
subsidiaries/associates

Briefly review section 9. As you will see many of


the points made in BAS 27 Consolidated and
Separate Financial Statements are very similar to
those in BFRS 3.
Then move on to section 10. You should be
familiar with the points made here from your study
of Chapter 13.
You should attempt the Self-test questions to
confirm your understanding of this topic.
16

In Chapter 16 the topic of the cash flow statement


is revisited but from the group perspective. Section
1 provides a brief revision of the material covered
in Chapter 3. Read over this and/or return to
Chapter 3 if you require more detailed revision.
Section 1 also introduces the impact of finance
leases in the individual cash flow statement. Try
Interactive question 1.
Then go on to section 2 which covers the group
cash flow statement. Notice that many of the
issues addressed in Chapter 3 are still relevant,
however in the consolidated cash flow statement
there are a number of additional matters to
consider. The technique of calculating the cash
flow information required, primarily through the
use of T accounts is important so make sure that
you work through the Worked examples and
Interactive questions carefully.
Attempt the Self-test questions to confirm your
understanding of this topic.

Revision phase
Your revision will be centred around using the questions in the ICAB Revision Question Bank.

xviii

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Due
date

INTRODUCTION

5 Getting help
Firstly, if you are receiving structured tuition, make sure you know how and when you can contact your
tutors for extra help.
Identify a work colleague who is qualified, or has at least passed the paper you are studying for, who is
willing to help if you have questions.
Form a group with a small number of other students, you can help each other and study together, providing
informal support.
Call +88 (02) 9112672 or 9115340, or email dos@icab.org.bd with non-technical queries.
Watch the ICAB website for future support initiatives.

6 Syllabus and learning outcomes


The following learning outcomes should be read in conjunction with the Financial Reporting table in
Section 6.1.

Accounting and reporting concepts


Candidates will be able to explain the contribution and inherent limitations of financial statements in
meeting stakeholders needs for financial information and apply the International Accounting Standards
Boards conceptual framework for financial reporting.
In the assessment, candidates may be required to:
(a)

discuss the purpose of accounting regulations, standards and other requirements

(b) explain the objectives of financial statements, giving appropriate examples


(c)

explain the qualitative characteristics of financial information and the constraints on such information,
using appropriate examples to illustrate the explanation

(d) identify the financial effects of transactions in accordance with the IASB Framework, which has been
adopted by ICAB as BFRS Framework

(e)

explain the differences between financial statements produced using the accrual basis and those
produced using the bases of cash accounting and break-up, performing simple calculations to illustrate
the differences

(f)

explain, in non-technical language, the different bases of measurement of the elements of the financial
statements and the different definitions of capital and capital maintenance used in accrual basis financial
statements, illustrating the explanation with simple calculations and examples

(g)

explain and demonstrate the concepts and principles surrounding the consolidation of financial
statements.

Preparation of single entity financial statements


Candidates will be able to prepare and present financial statements from accounting data for single entities,
whether organised in corporate or in other forms, in conformity with BFRS requirements.
In the assessment, candidates may be required to:
(a)

identify and describe the circumstances in which an entity is required to prepare and present statutory
financial statements

(b) identify the laws, regulations, accounting standards and other requirements applicable to the statutory
financial statements of an entity

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

xix

Financial accounting
(c)

prepare and present the financial statements, or extracts therefrom, of an entity according to its
accounting policies and appropriate international financial reporting standards

(d) identify the circumstances in which the use of BFRS and International Public Sector Accounting
Standards (IPSASs) for not-for-profit entities might be required
(e)

calculate from financial and other data the amounts to be included in the equity section of the balance
sheet of a not-for-profit entity in accordance with its accounting policies and the appropriate financial
reporting framework.

Preparation of consolidated financial statements


Candidates will be able to identify the circumstances in which entities are required to present consolidated
financial statements and prepare and present them in conformity with BFRS.
In the assessment, candidates may be required to:
(a)

identify and describe the circumstances in which an entity is required to prepare and present
consolidated financial statements

(b) identify the laws, regulations, accounting standards and other requirements applicable to the legal
entity and consolidated financial statements of an entity
(c)

identify from financial and other data any subsidiary or associate of an entity according to the
international financial reporting framework

(d) calculate from financial and other data the amounts to be included in an entitys consolidated financial
statements in respect of its new, continuing and discontinuing interests in subsidiaries and associates
according to the international financial reporting framework
(e)

6.1

prepare and present the consolidated financial statements (including a consolidated cash flow
statement), or extracts therefrom, of an entity in accordance with its accounting policies and the
international financial reporting framework, using calculated amounts and other information.

Technical knowledge
The tables contained in this section show the technical knowledge covered in the CA syllabus by module.
The level of knowledge required in the relevant Professional Stage module and at the Advanced Stage is
shown.
The knowledge levels are defined as follows:
Level D
An awareness of the scope of the standard.
Level C
A general knowledge with a basic understanding of the subject matter and training in its application
sufficient to identify significant issues and evaluate their potential implications or impact.
Level B
A working knowledge with a broad understanding of the subject matter and a level of experience in the
application thereof sufficient to apply the subject matter in straightforward circumstances.
Level A
A thorough knowledge with a solid understanding of the subject matter and experience in the application
thereof sufficient to exercise reasonable professional judgement in the application of the subject matter in
those circumstances generally encountered by Chartered Accountants.
Key to other symbols:

xx

the knowledge level reached is assumed to be continued

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

INTRODUCTION

Financial
Reporting

Advanced Stage

Preface to Bangladesh Financial Reporting Standards

Framework for Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements

BAS 2 Inventories

BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements

BAS 11 Construction Contracts

BAS 12 Income Taxes

BAS 14 Segment Reporting (see note 1)

Accounting

Financial
Accounting

Professional
Stage
Title

BAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements

BAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors


BAS 10 Events after the Balance Sheet Date

BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment

BAS 17 Leases

BAS 18 Revenue

BAS 19 Employee Benefits

BAS 20 Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of


Government Assistance

BAS 21 The Effects of Change in Foreign Exchange Rates

BAS 23 Borrowing Costs (see note 2)

BAS 24 Related Party Disclosures

BAS 26 Accounting and Reporting by Retirement Benefit Plans

BAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements

BAS 28 Investments in Associates

BAS 29 Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies

BAS 31 Interests in Joint Ventures


BAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation

BAS 33 Earnings per Share

BAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting

BAS 36 Impairment of Assets

BAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets

BAS 38 Intangible Assets

BAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement

BAS 40 Investment Property

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

xxi

Financial
Reporting

Title

Financial
Accounting

Accounting

Professional
Stage

Advanced Stage

Financial accounting

BAS 41 Agriculture

BFRS 1 First-Time Adoption of BFRS

BFRS 2 Share-based Payment

BFRS 3 Business Combinations

BFRS 4 Insurance Contracts


BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations

BFRS 6 Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources

BFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures

BFRS 8 Operating Segments (see note 1)

Note 1

Candidates are expected to have knowledge to level A of BAS 14 Segment Reporting and to have
a C level knowledge of BFRS 8 Operating Segments. Knowledge of BFRS 8 is limited to the key
points of the standard and the principal changes from BAS 14 as outlined in 2010/2011 edition
of the learning materials.

Note 2

The version of BAS 23 Borrowing Costs in issue on 1 January 2007 is examinable. Candidates are
expected to know the key points of the revised standard issued on 29 March 2007 and the
changes from the earlier version as outlined in the 2010/2011 edition of the learning materials.

7 Skills assessment guide


7.1

Introduction
As a Chartered Accountant in the business world, you will require the knowledge and skills to interpret
financial and other numerical and business data, and communicate the underlying issues to your clients. In a
similar way to the required knowledge, the CA syllabus has been designed to develop your professional
skills in a progressive manner. These skills are broadly categorised as:

7.2

Assimilating and using information


Structuring problems and solutions
Applying judgement
Drawing conclusions and making recommendations

Assessing your professional skills


Set out below is a pictorial representation of the different mix of knowledge and skills that will be assessed
in the examinations that comprise the CA qualification.

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Technical Knowledge

INTRODUCTION

Initial Professional
Development

F&CR
TAX

AA&A

ITA
FA

CL&P

ETHICS

A&A

BA

Case Study

FM
PS - K
BS

Skills

In the seven Knowledge Modules of the Professional Stage, you will have experienced a limited amount of
skills assessment, generally 'Assimilating and using information'. Most of the questions were set in a context
that required you to identify the piece of knowledge that was being assessed. In the Application Modules of
the Professional Stage, the context of the examination will be simple business situations, from which you
will be required to determine the relevant information to answer the questions.
To be successful in the Financial Accounting examination, you will need a strong core of subject knowledge
and a good understanding of how this knowledge should be applied in simple situations. You will be
expected to apply your judgement to determine the relevance and importance of the different information
provided and to recommend suitable courses of action.

7.3

Assessment grids
The following pages set out the learning outcomes for Financial Accounting that are addressed under each
of the four skills areas. In addition, for each skills area, there is a description of:

The specific skills that are assessed


How these skills are assessed

Using these grids will enable you to determine how the examination paper will be structured and to
consider whether your knowledge of Financial Accounting is sufficiently strong to enable you to apply it in
the required manner.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

xxiii

Financial accounting
Learning outcomes

Assessed skills

How skills are assessed

Assimilating and using information


1a Discuss the purpose of
accounting regulations
and standards
1b and 1c
Explain the objectives and
characteristics of financial
statements

Reading and understanding


subject matter
Accessing, evaluating and
managing information provided
in a few defined sources
Operating to a brief in
structured situations

1e and 1f
Explain the different bases
for preparing, and
measuring elements of,
financial statements
1g Explain the principles
surrounding the
consolidation of financial
statements

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Questions will contain both


structured and unstructured detail
that candidates have to
demonstrate an understanding of
Requirements will include:
Explaining the contribution and
inherent limitations of financial
statements
Applying elements of the BFRS
framework for financial reporting

INTRODUCTION

Learning outcomes

Assessed skills

How skills are assessed

Structuring problems and solutions


1d Identify the financial
effects of transactions
2a and 3a
Identify when an entity is
required to prepare
statutory financial
statements
2b and 3b
Identify the accounting
standards etc applicable
to statutory financial
statements
2e Identify the circumstances
in which the use of BFRS
and IPSASs might be
required for not-forprofit entities
3c Identify a subsidiary or
associate of an entity
2c and 3e
Prepare and present the
financial statements, or
extracts, of an entity
2f Calculate the amounts to
be included in the equity
section of the balance
sheet of a not-for-profit
entity
3d Calculate the amounts to
be included in an entitys
consolidated financial
statements in respect of
its new, continuing and
discontinuing interests in
subsidiaries and
associates

Understanding data and


information given: identifying
and understanding issues
arising in straight forward
scenarios
Using the data and
information given:
understanding requirements,
analysing data and
information to support
requirement
Drawing upon technical and
professional knowledge
learnt to analyse issues
Applying knowledge from
different technical areas:
analysing problems that
combine technical skills in a
single disciplinary
environment
Using new concepts:
evaluating new ideas and
concepts

Requirements will include:


Explaining the contribution and
inherent limitations of financial
statements in meeting users
needs
Applying elements of the BFRS
framework for financial reporting
Applying knowledge of financial
reporting standards:
Financial statement
presentation, including cash
flow statements
Business combinations
Intangibles
Tangible non-current assets
Valuations and impairments
Associates
Provisions and contingencies
Capital instruments
Post-balance sheet events
Accounting policies and
estimates
Leases
Revenue recognition
Adjusting and presenting financial
data for single entity and
consolidated financial statements
under BFRS
Preparing and presenting financial
statements from accounting data
in conformity with BFRS for:
Single entities, whether
organised in corporate or in
other forms
Entities requiring
consolidated financial
statements

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

xxv

Financial accounting
Learning outcomes

Assessed skills

How skills are assessed

Applying judgement
Not assessed
Drawing conclusions and making recommendations
Preparing, describing,
outlining the advice, report,
notes required in a given
straight-forward situation
Presenting a basic or routine
memorandum or briefing
note in writing in a clear and
concise style

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Explaining accounting and reporting


concepts in non-technical language
to non-financial management.

CA in Bangladesh
www.facebook.com/CAinBD

chapter 1

Conceptual and regulatory


framework
Contents
Introduction
Examination context
Topic List
1

Financial statements

Purpose and use of financial statements

Bases of accounting

BFRS Framework

International Accounting Standards Committee


Foundation (IASCF)

Bangladesh Financial Reporting Standards (BFRS)

Inherent limitations of financial statements

Not-for-profit entities

Summary and Self-test


Technical reference
Answers to Self-test
Answers to Interactive questions

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Financial accounting

Introduction

Learning objectives

Explain the nature of financial reporting

Explain the objectives of financial statements

Discuss the conceptual and regulatory framework affecting the preparation of financial
statements

Discuss the importance of BFRS Framework

Apply the principles of BFRS Framework, including the qualitative characteristics of financial
information, the elements of financial statements, recognition and measurement of the
elements

Explain and demonstrate the differences between financial statements produced using:

The accrual basis

Cash accounting

The break-up basis

Explain and illustrate the different definitions of capital and capital maintenance

Explain the regulatory framework affecting not-for-profit entities

Tick off

Specific syllabus references for this chapter are: 1a, b, c, d, e, f, 2e.

Practical significance
The way that items and transactions are treated and presented in the financial statements may affect an
investor's perception of the position and performance of an entity. Whilst individual accounting standards
can be developed to deal with specific issues it is also important that there is a framework that sets out the
wider purposes that accounting standards are intended to achieve. This helps to ensure that standards are
consistent and not overly affected by political influence or self-interest groups. The International Accounting
Standards Board's Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements (IASB Framework),
which has been adopted by ICAB without any changes is known as BFRS Framework. The framework
attempts to provide this framework in the context of International Accounting Standards and International
Financial Reporting Standards (jointly referred to from this point as 'IFRS'/ BFRS in Bangladesh). It does so
by setting out consistent principles which form the basis for the development of detailed requirements in
IFRS.

Stop and think


What do you think are the advantages of a principles based approach to the setting of accounting standards?

Working context
In the working environment you are unlikely to be consciously aware of the effect of the issues covered by
this chapter. They are important nevertheless as these principles underpin all the financial statements which
you will prepare or audit.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CONCEPTUAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Syllabus links
The issues covered by this chapter and particularly the principles introduced by BFRS Framework are a
fundamental part of the Financial Accounting syllabus.
Throughout the rest of the text we will make reference to the way that the Framework affects the way that
specific transactions are accounted for and presented. These principles will be further developed in Financial
Reporting and at the Advanced Stage.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Financial accounting

Examination context

Exam requirements
Accounting and reporting concepts constitute 10% of the syllabus. This area of the syllabus is likely to be
examined in the written test section of the paper in conjunction with another topic, rather than in its own
right. For example, in a question on tangible non-current assets you could be asked to consider how the
definition of an asset affects the recognition of certain expenses as capital or revenue items. Part (a) of
question 4 in the sample paper required an explanation and discussion of the concept of substance over
form in the context of the topic of leasing.
You could also be asked to discuss the objectives of financial information and the qualitative characteristics
which make information useful. Again this would typically be part (b) or (c) of a longer question rather than
the main focus of the question.
Alternatively, or in addition, this topic could be examined in the short-form questions in the paper.
In the examination, candidates may be required to:

Discuss the purpose of accounting regulations and standards for both profit-making and not-for-profit
entities

Explain, with examples, the objectives of financial statements

Explain the qualitative characteristics of financial information and the constraints on such information

Describe the financial effects of the application of the definitions of BFRS Framework

Perform simple calculations to demonstrate the difference between the accrual basis, cash accounting
and the break-up basis

Explain the different concepts of capital maintenance

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CONCEPTUAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

1 Financial statements
Section overview

In Bangladesh financial statements must:

1.1

Be prepared in accordance with Companies Act and BFRS


Give a true and fair view

What is financial accounting?


Financial accounting is the process of identifying, measuring and communicating economic information to
others so that they may make decisions on the basis of that information and assess the stewardship of the
entity's management.
Financial accounting involves:

Recording transactions undertaken by a business entity


Grouping similar transactions together which are appropriate to the business
Presenting periodic results.

The Financial Accounting syllabus focuses on the preparation of published financial information. Typically,
this information is made available annually or half-yearly (sometimes quarterly) and is presented in formats
laid down or approved by governments in each national jurisdiction. (The Financial Reporting syllabus deals
with more complex reporting issues and analysis and interpretation.)
By contrast, management accounting or reporting is internal reporting for the use of the
management of a business itself. Internal management information can be tailored to management's own
needs and provided in whatever detail and at whatever frequency (e.g. continuous real-time information)
management decides.
General principles relating to financial accounting are set out in BFRS Framework for the Preparation and
Presentation of Financial Statements (Framework), which is explained further below.

1.2

Entity
Most accounting requirements are written with a view to use by any type of accounting entity, including
companies and other forms of organisation, such as partnership. In this text, the term 'company' is often
used, because the main focus of the Financial Accounting syllabus is on the accounts of companies and
groups of companies.

1.3

Financial statements
The principal means of providing financial information to external users is the annual financial statements.
Financial statements are the accountant's summary of the performance of an entity over a particular period
and of its position at the end of that period.
A complete set of financial statements comprises:

The balance sheet (a statement of financial position)


The income statement (a statement of financial performance)
The statement of changes in equity (another statement of financial performance)
The statement of changes in financial position (usually in the form of a cash flow statement)
Notes to the financial statements

The notes to the financial statements include:

Accounting policies, i.e. the specific principles, conventions, rules and practices applied in order to
reflect the effects of transactions and other events in the financial statements.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Financial accounting

Detailed financial and narrative information supporting the information in the primary financial
statements.

Other information not reflected in the financial statements, but which is important to users in making
their assessments.

The individual elements that are included in the financial statements are covered in detail later in this chapter.

1.4

Requirement to produce financial statements


Limited liability companies are required by law to prepare and publish financial statements annually. The
form and content may be regulated primarily by national legislation, and in most cases must also comply
with Financial Reporting Standards.
In Bangladesh, all companies must comply with the provisions of the Companies Act 1994 (CA 1994).
The provisions of the Act are relevant for the purpose of the Financial Accounting exam and therefore this
Study Manual refers to the Companies Act 1994 throughout. The key impact of this is as follows:

1.5

Every registered company is required to prepare a balance sheet and profit and loss account for
each financial year which gives a true and fair view.

The financial statements must comply with Schedule XI to CA 1994 as regards format and
additional information provided by way of notes. Therefore the only disclosures covered by this
text in Chapter 2 are those currently contained in schedule XI.

Specialised entities, such as financial institutions, insurance companies, co-operatives, NGOs and public
sector entities must comply with the rules, requirements of the relevant regulatory bodies.

Financial reporting standards


In most cases company financial statements must also comply with relevant Financial Reporting Standards
and other professional guidance. In Bangladesh these are as follows.

Accounting Standards
These include Bangladesh Financial Reporting Standards (BFRSs which are issued by the
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) as IASs and IFRSs and adopted by ICAB as
BASs and BFRSs.

These learning materials assume the preparation of financial statements in accordance with
BFRS.

1.6

True and fair view


In Bangladesh there is a Companies Act requirement that financial statements should present 'a true
and fair view.' This term is not defined in the Companies Act or Accounting Standards.
Truth is usually seen as an objective concept reflecting factual accuracy within the bounds of materiality.
Fairness is usually seen as meaning that the view given is objective and unbiased.
True and fair is usually defined in terms of accounting concepts. This means:

Compliance with Accounting Standards (which can be overridden on true and fair grounds only
very rarely)

Adherence to the requirements of the Companies Act 1994, including its true and fair
override (see below)

In the absence of more specific requirements, application of general accounting principles and
fundamental concepts and, where appropriate, adherence to accepted industry practices.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CONCEPTUAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Points to note

CA 1994 uses the term 'a true and fair view' rather than 'the true and fair view' because it is possible
for there to be more than one true and fair view. For example, financial statements based on historical
cost can be true and fair, as can financial statements which incorporate revaluations.

What constitutes a true and fair view can then be restricted by stating that where a choice of
treatments or methods is permitted, the one selected should be the most appropriate to the
companys circumstances. This restriction is likely to ensure compliance with the spirit and underlying
intentions of requirements, not just with the letter of them.

A further restriction is that financial statements should reflect the economic position of the company,
thereby reflecting the substance of transactions (i.e. commercial reality), not merely their legal
form. In most cases this will be achieved by adhering to Accounting Standards. (We will look at
substance in more detail in section 4 below).

The equivalent international term to a true and fair view is 'fair presentation.' We will look at this in
detail in Chapter 2.

2 Purpose and use of financial statements


Section overview

Financial statements are used to make economic decisions by a wide range of users.

All users require information regarding:

2.1

Financial position
Financial performance, and
Changes in financial position.

Users and their information needs


The form and content of financial statements must be influenced by the use to which they are put. Nearly
everybody using them does so when making economic decisions such as those to:

Decide when to buy, hold or sell shares.


Assess the stewardship or accountability of management.
Assess an entity's ability to provide benefits to employees.
Assess security for amounts lent to the entity.

Much of the information needed for these different decisions is in fact common to them all. Financial
statements aimed at meeting these common needs of a wide range of users are known as 'general
purpose' financial statements.
BFRS Framework identifies the following users of financial statements and their specific information
needs. (We will look at BFRS Framework in more detail in Section 4 of this chapter).
Users

Need information to

Present and potential


investors

Employees

Assess their employer's stability and profitability

Assess their employer's ability to provide remuneration,


employment opportunities and retirement and other benefits

Make investment decisions, therefore need information on:


Risk and return on investment
Ability of entity to pay dividends

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Financial accounting
Lenders

Assess whether loans will be repaid, and related interest will be


paid, when due

Suppliers and other trade


payables

Assess the likelihood of being paid when due

Customers

Assess whether entity will continue in existence important


where customers have a long-term involvement with, or are
dependent on, the entity, e.g. where there are product warranties
or where specialist parts may be needed

Governments and their


agencies

Assess allocation of resources and, therefore, activities of entities

Assist in regulating activities

Assess taxation

Provide a basis for national statistics

Assess trends and recent developments in the entity's prosperity


and its activities important where the entity makes a substantial
contribution to a local economy, e.g. by providing employment
and using local suppliers

The public

In most cases the users will need to analyse the financial statements in order to obtain the information they
need. This might include the calculation of accounting ratios. (The calculation of accounting ratios and the
analysis of those ratios is covered in the Financial Reporting syllabus.)

2.2

Objective of financial statements


The objective of financial statements is to provide information about the reporting entity's financial
position and financial performance that is useful to a wide range of users in making economic
decisions.
This objective can usually be met by focusing exclusively on the information needs of present and potential
investors. This is because much of the financial information that is relevant to investors will also be relevant
to other users.

2.3

Accountability of management
Management also has a stewardship role, in that it is accountable for the safe-keeping of the entitys
resources and for their proper, efficient and profitable use. Providers of risk capital are interested in
information that helps them to assess how effectively management has fulfilled this role, but again this
assessment is made only as the basis for economic decisions, such as those about investments and the
reappointment/ replacement of management.
Financial reporting helps management to meet its need to be accountable to shareholders, and also to other
stakeholders (e.g. employees or lenders), by providing information that is useful to the users in making
economic decisions.
However, financial statements cannot provide the complete set of information required for assessing the
stewardship of management (see section 7 Inherent Limitations of Financial Statements later in this
chapter).

2.4

Financial position, performance and changes in financial position


All economic decisions are based on an evaluation of an entitys ability to generate cash and of the timing
and certainty of its generation. Information about the entitys financial position, performance and changes in
financial position provides the foundation on which to base such decisions.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CONCEPTUAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

2.4.1

Financial position
An entity's financial position covers:

The economic resources it controls


Its financial structure (i.e. debt and share finance)
Its liquidity and solvency and
Its capacity to adapt to changes in the environment in which it operates

Investors require information on financial position because it helps in assessing:

The entity's ability to generate cash in the future

How future cash flows will be distributed among those with an interest in, or claims on, the
entity

Requirements for future finance and ability to raise that finance

The ability to meet financial commitments as they fall due

Information about financial position is primarily provided in a balance sheet.

2.4.2

Financial performance
The profit earned in a period is used as the measure of financial performance, where profit is calculated as
income less expenses. Information about performance and variability of performance is useful in:

Assessing potential changes in the entity's economic resources in the future


Predicting the entity's capacity to generate cash from its existing resource base, and
Forming judgements about the effectiveness with which additional resources might be employed.

Information on financial performance is provided by:

2.4.3

The income statement, and


The statement of changes in equity.

Changes in financial position


Changes in financial position can be analysed under the headings of investing, financing and operating
activities and are usually shown in a cash flow statement.
Cash flow information is largely free from the more judgemental allocation and measurement issues
(i.e. in which period to include things and at what amount) that arise when items are included in the balance
sheet or performance statements. For example, depreciation of non-current assets involves judgement and
estimation as to the period over which to charge depreciation. Cash flow information excludes non-cash
items such as depreciation.
Cash flow information is therefore seen as being factual in nature, and hence more reliable than other
sources of information.
Information on the generation and use of cash is useful in evaluating the entitys ability to generate cash and
its needs to use what is generated.

2.4.4

Notes and supplementary schedules


Notes and schedules attached to financial statements can provide additional information relevant to
users, for example the non-current assets note (see Chapter 2).

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Financial accounting

3 Bases of accounting
Section overview

There are four bases of accounting which you need to be familiar with:

3.1

Accrual basis
Going concern basis
Cash basis
Break-up basis

The accrual basis of accounting and going concern are referred to by BFRS Framework as 'underlying
assumptions'.

Accrual basis
Under this basis of accounting, transactions are recognised when they occur, not when the related
cash flows into or out of the entity. You will be familiar with this basis from your Accounting studies.
Examples of the importance of this basis are as follows:

Sales are recorded in the period in which the risks and rewards of ownership pass from seller
to buyer, not when the seller receives full payment. While this basis has no effect on the timing of the
recognition of cash sales, it does mean that credit sales are recorded earlier than if the cash basis of
accounting was used. When credit sales are recognised, a receivable is set up in the entity's books.

Expenses are recognised in the period when the goods or services are consumed, not when
they are paid for. An amount payable will be set up in the entity's books for credit purchases, again
leading to earlier recognition than if the cash basis was used.

The consumption of non-current assets, such as plant and machinery, is recognised over the period
during which they are used by the entity (i.e. the asset is depreciated), not in the year of
purchase as they would be under the cash basis of accounting.

Financial statements prepared on this basis provide information both about past transactions involving cash
and about future resources flowing into the entity (when customers pay up) and flowing out of it (when
suppliers are paid). They are therefore more useful for the making of economic decisions than those
produced on the cash basis.

3.2

Going concern basis


The accrual basis of accounting assumes that an entity is a going concern. Under this basis, financial
statements are prepared on the assumption that the entity will continue in operation for the
foreseeable future, in that management has neither the intention nor the need to liquidate the entity by
selling all its assets, paying off all its liabilities and distributing any surplus to the owners. Examples of the
importance of this basis are as follows:

The measurement of receivables from trade customers is made on the basis that there is no time
limit over which management will chase slow payers. If the entity were to cease operation in,
say, three months, a number of balances might have to be regarded as bad debts

The measurement of non-current assets is made on the basis that they can be utilised throughout
their planned life. Otherwise, they would have to be valued at what they could immediately be sold
for, which might not be very much, in the case of assets used in markets where there is excess
capacity.

The accrual basis and going concern are referred to by BFRS Framework as 'underlying assumptions'.

3.3

Cash basis
The cash basis of accounting is not used in the preparation of a company balance sheet and income
statement as it is not allowed by BFRS, although the cash effect of transactions is presented in the form of a

10

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CONCEPTUAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

cash flow statement. (We will look at the cash flow statement in Chapter 3.) The cash basis may be used
however, for small unincorporated entities, for example clubs and societies.
In many ways the cash basis of accounting is very simple. Only the cash impact of a transaction is
recorded. Examples of the impact of this are as follows:

Sales are recorded in the period in which the seller receives full payment. For credit sales this will
delay the recognition of the transaction.

Purchases are recorded in the period in which goods are paid for rather than the period in which the
goods are purchased. For credit purchases this will delay the recognition of the purchase.

The purchase of a capital asset is treated as a cash outflow at the point that the cash consideration is
paid. No subsequent adjustment is made for depreciation as this has no impact on the cash balance of
the business.

Worked example: Comparison of accrual basis and cash basis


Joe Co buys 100 T-shirts in January at CU3.50 each. The purchase is made for cash. During January 30
T-shirts are sold for cash at CU7.00 each.
Using accrual based accounting the results for January would be as follows:
Revenue (30 CU7)
Cost of sales
Purchases (100 CU3.50)
Closing inventory (70 CU3.50)

CU

CU
210

350
(245)
(105)
105

Profit
Using cash accounting the results for January would be as follows:
Revenue (30 CU7)
Cost of sales (100 CU3.50)
Loss

CU
210
(350)
(140)

Notice that there is an overall loss of CU140 using cash accounting even though there is a profit for the
month of CU105 using the accrual basis. The difference of CU245 is the value of the closing inventories
which is carried forward as an asset under accrual based accounting.

3.4

Break-up basis
As we saw in section 3.2 one of the key assumptions made in accrual based accounting is that the business
will continue as a going concern. However, this will not necessarily always be the case. There may be an
intention or need to sell off the assets of the business. Such a sale typically arises where the business is in
financial difficulties and needs the cash to pay its creditors. Where this is the case an alternative method
of accounting must be used (in accordance with BAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements). In these
circumstances the financial statements will be prepared on a break-up basis. The effect of this is seen
primarily in the balance sheet as follows:

Classification of assets
All assets and liabilities would be classified as current rather than non-current.

Valuation of assets
Assets would be valued on the basis of the recoverable amount on sale. This is likely to be
substantially lower than the carrying amount of assets held under historical cost accounting.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

11

Financial accounting

4 BFRS Framework
Section overview

BFRS Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements (Framework) is the
conceptual framework upon which all BASs and BFRSs are based. It determines:

4.1

How financial statements are prepared, and


The information they contain.

Conceptual Framework
The Framework consists of a Preface and an Introduction followed by a number of chapters:

The objective of financial statements


Underlying assumptions
Qualitative characteristics of financial statements
The elements of financial statements
Recognition of the elements of financial statements
Measurement of the elements of financial statements
Concepts of capital and capital maintenance

In this chapter we have already introduced some of the concepts dealt with by the Framework.
We will now look specifically at each section in turn.

4.2

Preface
The Preface to the Framework points out the fundamental reason why financial statements are produced
worldwide, i.e. to satisfy the requirements of external users, but that practice varies due to the
individual pressures in each country. These pressures may be social, political, economic or legal, but they
result in variations in practice from country to country including:

The form of the statements


The definition of their component parts (assets, liabilities, etc)
The criteria for recognition of items
Scope and disclosure of financial statements.

It is these differences which the IASB wishes to narrow by harmonising all aspects of financial statements,
including the regulations governing accounting standards and their preparation and presentation.
The Preface also emphasises the way the financial statements are used to make economic decisions. We
looked at these decisions previously in Section 2.1.

4.3

Introduction
The Introduction provides a list of the purposes of the Framework:

12

Provide those who are interested in the work of the IASB with information about its approach to
the formulation of IASs (now IFRSs).

Assist the Board of the IASB in the development of future IASs and in its review of existing IASs.

Assist the Board of the IASB in promoting harmonisation of regulations, accounting standards and
procedures relating to the presentation of financial statements by providing a basis for reducing the
number of alternative accounting treatments permitted by IASs.

Assist national standard-setting bodies in developing national standards.

Assist preparers of financial statements in applying IASs and in dealing with topics that have yet to
form the subject of an IAS.

Assist auditors in forming an opinion as to whether financial statements conform with IASs.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CONCEPTUAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Assist users of financial statements in interpreting the information contained in financial


statements prepared in conformity with IASs.

The Framework is not an IFRS and so does not overrule any individual IFRS. In the (rare) case of conflict
between an IFRS and the Framework, the IFRS will prevail. These cases will diminish over time as the
Framework will be used as a guide in the production of future IFRSs. The Framework itself will be revised
occasionally depending on the experience of the IASB in using it.
The Introduction also considers users and their information needs. We have already looked at this in
section 2.1 of this chapter.

4.4
4.4.1

Qualitative characteristics of financial statements


Overview
The Framework states that qualitative characteristics are the attributes that make the information provided
in financial statements useful to users.
The four principal qualitative characteristics are understandability, relevance, reliability and
comparability.
The key issues can be summarised as follows:
Qualitative characteristics

Understandability Relevance

Reliability

Nature Materiality

Comparability
Consistency Disclosure

Faithful
representation

Substance over
form

Prudence

Completeness

Constraints

Timeliness

Cost v benefit

Balance between
characteristics

Results in fair
presentation

4.4.2

Understandability
Users must be able to understand financial statements. They are assumed to have some business, economic
and accounting knowledge and to be able to apply themselves to study the information properly. Complex

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Financial accounting
matters should not be left out of financial statements simply due to its difficulty if it is relevant
information.

4.4.3

Relevance
Relevant information is both predictive and confirmatory. These roles are interrelated.

Definition
Relevance: Information has the quality of relevance when it influences the economic decisions of users by
helping them evaluate past, present or future events or confirming, or correcting, their past evaluations.

Information on financial position and performance is often used to predict future position and performance
and other things of interest to the user, e.g. likely dividend, wage rises. The manner of presentation will
enhance the ability to make predictions, e.g. by highlighting unusual items.
Materiality
The relevance of information is affected by its nature and its materiality.

Definition
Materiality: Information is material if its omission or misstatement could influence the economic decisions
of users taken on the basis of the financial statements.

Information may be judged relevant simply because of its nature (e.g. remuneration of management). In
other cases, both the nature and materiality of the information are important. Materiality is not a primary
qualitative characteristic itself (like reliability or relevance), because it is merely a threshold or cut-off point.

4.4.4

Reliability
Information must also be reliable to be useful. The user must be able to depend on it being a faithful
representation.

Definition
Reliability: Information has the quality of reliability when it is free from material error and bias and can be
depended upon by users to represent faithfully that which it either purports to represent or could
reasonably be expected to represent.

Even if information is relevant, if it is very unreliable it may be misleading to recognise it, e.g. a disputed
claim for damages in a legal action.
Faithful representation
Information must represent faithfully the transactions it purports to represent in order to be reliable. There
is a risk that this may not be the case, not due to bias, but due to inherent difficulties in identifying the
transactions or finding an appropriate method of measurement or presentation. Where
measurement of the financial effects of an item is so uncertain, entities should not recognise such an item.
For example, although there is usually no doubt as to the existence of internally generated goodwill, there is
considerable doubt as to its true value, i.e. it cannot be measured reliably. Therefore BAS 38 Intangible
Assets prohibits the recognition of such goodwill (see Chapter 6).

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Substance over form


Faithful representation of a transaction is only possible if it is accounted for according to its substance and
economic reality, not with its legal form.

Definition
Substance over form: The principle that transactions and other events are accounted for and presented
in accordance with their substance and economic reality and not merely their legal form.

Most transactions are reasonably straightforward and their substance, i.e. commercial effect, is the same as
their strict legal form. However, in some instances this is not the case as can be seen in the following
worked example.

Worked example: Sale and repurchase agreement


A Ltd sells goods to B Ltd for CU10,000, but undertakes to repurchase the goods from B Ltd in 12 months
time for CU11,000.
The legal form of the transaction is that A has sold goods to B as it has transferred legal title. To reflect the
legal form, A Ltd would record a sale and show the resulting profit, if any, in its income statement. In 12
months time when legal title is regained, A Ltd would record a purchase. There would be no liability to B
Ltd in A Ltds balance sheet until the goods are repurchased.
The above treatment does not provide a faithful representation because it does not reflect the economic
substance of the transaction. After all, A Ltd is under an obligation from the outset to repurchase the goods
and A Ltd bears the risk that those goods will be obsolete and unsaleable in a years time.
The substance is that B Ltd has made a secured loan to A Ltd of CU10,000 plus interest of CU1,000. To
reflect substance, A Ltd should continue to show the goods as an asset in inventories (at cost or net
realisable value, if lower) and should include a liability to B Ltd of CU10,000 in payables. A Ltd should
accrue for the interest over the duration of the loan.
When A Ltd pays CU11,000 to regain legal title, this should be treated as a repayment of the loan plus
accrued interest.

Other examples of accounting for substance:

Leases
Accounting for finance leases under BAS 17 Leases (which is covered in Chapter 8) is an example of
the application of substance as the lessee includes the asset on its balance sheet even though the legal
form of a lease is that of renting the asset, not buying it.

Group financial statements


Group financial statements are covered in detail in Chapters 10 to 16. The central principle underlying
group accounts is that a group of companies is treated as though it were a single entity, even though
each company within the group is itself a separate legal entity.

Neutrality
Information must be free from bias to be reliable. Neutrality is lost if the financial statements are
prepared so as to influence the user to make a judgement or decision in order to achieve a predetermined
outcome.

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Financial accounting
Prudence
Uncertainties exist in the preparation of financial information, e.g. the collectability of doubtful
receivables. These uncertainties are recognised through disclosure and through the application of prudence.
Prudence involves exercising a degree of caution when making judgements in conditions of uncertainty.
Prudence does not, however, allow the creation of hidden reserves or excessive provisions,
understatement of assets or income or overstatement of liabilities or expenses.
Completeness
Financial information must be complete, within the restrictions of materiality and cost, to be reliable.
Omission may cause information to be misleading.

4.4.5

Comparability
Users must be able to compare an entity's financial statements:
(a)

Through time to identify trends.

(b) With other entities statements, to evaluate their relative financial position, performance and
changes in financial position.
The consistency of treatment is therefore important across like items over time, within the entity and
across all entities.
The disclosure of accounting policies is particularly important here. Users must be able to distinguish
between different accounting policies in order to be able to make a valid comparison of similar items in the
accounts of different entities.
Comparability is not the same as uniformity. Entities should change accounting policies if those policies
become inappropriate.
Corresponding information for preceding periods should be shown to enable comparison over time.

4.4.6

Constraints on useful information


(a)

Timeliness
Information may become irrelevant if there is a delay in reporting it. There is a balance between
timeliness and the provision of reliable information. Information may be reported on a timely
basis when not all aspects of the transaction are known, thus compromising reliability.
If every detail of a transaction is known, it may be too late to publish the information because it has become
irrelevant. The overriding consideration is how best to satisfy the economic decision-making needs of the
users.

(b) Balance between benefits and cost


This is a pervasive constraint, not a qualitative characteristic. When information is provided, its
benefits must exceed the costs of obtaining and presenting it. This is a subjective area and there are
other difficulties: others, not the intended users, may gain a benefit; also the cost may be paid by
someone other than the users. It is therefore difficult to apply a cost-benefit analysis, but preparers
and users should be aware of the constraint.
(c)

Balance between qualitative characteristics


A trade-off between qualitative characteristics is often necessary, the aim being to achieve an
appropriate balance to meet the objective of financial statements. It is a matter for professional
judgement as to the relative importance of these characteristics in each individual case.
Relevance v reliability
The most relevant information may not always be the most reliable. For example, an entity may be
facing a potential liability as a result of a legal claim. The outcome of the claim may not be sufficiently
reliable to recognise a provision in the financial statements. However, information about the claim
would be relevant to the users of the financial statements as it would provide information about future

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CONCEPTUAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

liabilities. The conflict between relevance and reliability here is normally resolved through disclosure of
the facts involved.
Understandability v relevance
Relevant information may not always be the most understandable. This is particularly true where the
information involves complex issues. In this situation relevance would take priority. It would not be
appropriate to omit information simply because it was difficult to understand.
Faithful recognition v completeness
In some cases faithful recognition may override the characteristic of completeness. For example, as
discussed in section 4.4.4, internally generated goodwill is not recognised as its measurement is
uncertain.

4.4.7

True and fair view/fair presentation


The Framework does not attempt to define these concepts directly. It does state, however, that the
application of the principal 'qualitative' characteristics and of appropriate accounting standards
will usually result in financial statements which show a true and fair view, or are presented fairly. (We will
look at these terms in more detail in Chapter 2).

4.5
4.5.1

The elements of financial statements


Overview
Transactions and other events are grouped together in broad classes and in this way their financial effects
are shown in the financial statements. These broad classes are the elements of financial statements.
The Framework lays out these elements as follows.

Elements of financial
statements

Financial position in the


balance sheet

Performance in the
income statement

Assets
Liabilities
Equity

Income
Expenses

Contributions from equity participants and distributions to them are also shown in the statement of
changes in equity.

4.5.2

Definitions of elements
Element

Definition

Comment

Asset

A resource controlled by an entity as a result of


past events and from which future economic
benefits are expected to flow to the entity.

Technically, the asset is the access to


future economic benefits (e.g. cash
generation) not the underlying item of
property itself (e.g. a machine).

Liability

A present obligation of the entity arising from


past events, the settlement of which is expected
to lead to the outflow from the entity of
resources embodying economic benefits.

An obligation implies that the entity is


not free to avoid the outflow of
resources.

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Financial accounting
Element

Definition

Comment

Equity

The residual amount found by deducting all of the


entitys liabilities from all of the entitys assets.

Equity = ownership interest = net


assets. For a company, this usually
comprises shareholders funds (i.e.
capital and reserves).

Income

Increases in economic benefits in the form of


asset increases/liability decreases not resulting
from contributions from equity participants.

Income comprises revenue and gains,


including all recognised gains on nonrevenue items (e.g. revaluations of
non-current assets).

Expenses

Decreases in economic benefits in the form of


asset decreases/liability increases not resulting
from distributions to equity participants.

Expenses includes losses, including all


recognised losses on non-revenue
items (such as write-downs of noncurrent assets).

Note the way that the changes in economic benefits resulting from asset and liability increases and
decreases are used to define:

Income, and
Expenses.

This arises from the balance sheet approach adopted by BFRS Framework which treats performance
statements, such as the income statement, as a means of reconciling changes in the financial position
amounts shown in the balance sheet.
These key definitions of asset and liability will be referred to again and again in these learning materials,
because they form the foundation on which so many accounting standards are based. It is very important
that you can reproduce these definitions accurately and quickly.

4.5.3

Assets
We can look in more detail at the components of the definitions given above.
Assets must give rise to future economic benefits, either alone or in conjunction with other items.

Definition
Future economic benefit: The potential to contribute, directly or indirectly, to the flow of cash and cash
equivalents to the entity. The potential may be a productive one that is part of the operating activities of
the entity. It may also take the form of convertibility into cash or cash equivalents or a capability to reduce
cash outflows, such as when an alternative manufacturing process lowers the cost of production.

In simple terms, an item is an asset if:

It is cash or the right to cash in future, e.g. a receivable, or a right to services that may be used to
generate cash, e.g. a prepayment.

or

It can be used to generate cash or meet liabilities, e.g. a tangible or intangible non-current asset.

The existence of an asset, particularly in terms of control, is not reliant on:

Physical form (hence intangible assets such as patents and copyrights may meet the definition of an
asset and appear on the balance sheet even though they have no physical substance).
Legal ownership (hence some leased assets, even though not legally owned by the company, may be
included as assets on the balance sheet. (See Chapter 8)).

Transactions or events in the past give rise to assets. Those expected to occur in future do not in
themselves give rise to assets.

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4.5.4

Liabilities
Again we look more closely at some aspects of the definition.
An essential feature of a liability is that the entity has a present obligation.

Definition
Obligation: A duty or responsibility to act or perform in a certain way. Obligations may be legally
enforceable as a consequence of a binding contract or statutory requirement. Obligations also arise,
however, from normal business practice, custom and a desire to maintain good business relations or act in
an equitable manner.

As seen above, obligations may be:

Legally enforceable as a consequence of a binding contract or statutory requirement. This is


normally the case with amounts payable for goods and services received

The result of business practice. For example, even though a company has no legal obligation to do
so, it may have a policy of rectifying faults in its products even after the warranty period has expired.

A management decision (to acquire an asset, for example) does not in itself create an obligation,
because it can be reversed. But a management decision implemented in a way which creates expectations in
the minds of customers, suppliers or employees, such as the warranty example above, becomes an
obligation. This is sometimes described as a constructive obligation. This issue is covered more fully in
Chapter 9 in the context of the recognition of provisions.
Liabilities must arise from past transactions or events. For example, the sale of goods is the past
transaction which allows the recognition of repair warranty provisions.
Settlement of a present obligation will involve the entity giving up resources embodying economic
benefits in order to satisfy the claim of the other party. In practice, most liabilities will be met in cash but
this is not essential.

Interactive question 1: Asset or liability?


Question
(a)

[Difficulty level: Easy]


Fill in your answer

Oak Ltd has purchased a patent for CU40,000. The


patent gives the company sole use of a particular
manufacturing process which will save CU6,000 a
year for the next five years.

(b) Elm Ltd paid John Brown CU20,000 to set up a car


repair shop, on condition that priority treatment is
given to cars from the company's fleet.
(c)

Sycamore Ltd provides a warranty with every


washing machine sold.

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

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Financial accounting

4.5.5

Equity
Equity is the residual of assets less liabilities, so the amount at which it is shown is dependent on the
measurement of assets and liabilities. It has nothing to do with the market value of the entity's shares.
Equity may be sub-classified in the balance sheet providing information which is relevant to the decisionmaking needs of the users. This will indicate legal or other restrictions on the ability of the entity to
distribute or otherwise apply its equity.
In practical terms, the important distinction between liabilities and equity is that creditors have the right to
insist that the transfer of economic resources is made to them regardless of the entity's financial position,
but owners do not. All decisions about payments to owners (such as dividends or share capital buy-back)
are at the discretion of management.

4.5.6

Performance
Profit is used as a measure of performance, or as a basis for other measures (e.g. EPS). It depends
directly on the measurement of income and expenses, which in turn depend (in part) on the concepts of
capital and capital maintenance adopted.
Income and expenses can be presented in different ways in the income statement, to provide
information relevant for economic decision-making. For example, an income statement could distinguish
between income and expenses which relate to continuing operations and those which do not.
Items of income and expense can be distinguished from each other or combined with each other.
Income
Both revenue and gains are included in the definition of income. Revenue arises in the course of
ordinary activities of an entity. (We will look at revenue in more detail in Chapter 7.)

Definition
Gains: Increases in economic benefits. As such they are no different in nature from revenue.

Gains include those arising on the disposal of non-current assets. The definition of income also includes
unrealised gains, e.g. on revaluation of non-current assets.
A revaluation gives rise to an increase or decrease in equity.
Although these increases and decreases meet the definitions of income and expenses they are not
included in the income statement under certain concepts of capital maintenance, however, but are
included in equity.
(In your Accounting studies you will have seen that a gain on revaluation is recognised in a revaluation
reserve.)
Expenses
As with income, the definition of expenses includes losses as well as those expenses that arise in the
course of ordinary activities of an entity.

Definition
Losses: Decreases in economic benefits. As such they are no different in nature from other expenses.

Losses will include those arising on the disposal of non-current assets. The definition of expenses will also
include unrealised losses. You will come across examples of these in your Financial Reporting and
Advanced Stage studies.

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CONCEPTUAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

4.6
4.6.1

Recognition of elements in financial statements


Meaning of recognised
An item is recognised when it is included in the balance sheet or income statement.

Definition
Recognition: The process of incorporating in the balance sheet or income statement an item that meets
the definition of an element and satisfies the following criteria for recognition:

It is probable that any future economic benefit associated with the item will flow to or from the
entity, and

The item has a cost or value that can be measured with reliability.

Points to note:
(1) Regard must be given to materiality (see section 4.4.3 above).
(2) An item which fails to meet these criteria at one time may meet it subsequently.
(3) An item which fails to meet the criteria may merit disclosure in the notes to the financial statements.
(This is dealt with in more detail by BAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets which is
covered in Chapter 9).

4.6.2

Probability of future economic benefits


Probability here refers to the degree of uncertainty that the future economic benefits associated with an
item will flow to or from the entity. This must be judged on the basis of the characteristics of the
entity's environment and the evidence available when the financial statements are prepared.
The Framework does not give a definition of 'probable'. A working definition is 'more likely than not'.

4.6.3

Reliability of measurement
The cost or value of an item in many cases must be estimated. The use of reasonable estimates is an
essential part of the preparation of financial statements and does not undermine their reliability.
Where no reasonable estimate can be made, the item should not be recognised (although its existence
should be disclosed in the notes.)

4.6.4

Recognition of items
We can summarise the recognition criteria for assets, liabilities, income and expenses, based on the
definition of recognition given above.
Item

Recognised in

When

Asset

The balance sheet

It is probable that the future economic benefits will flow to the entity
and the asset has a cost or value that can be measured reliably.

Liability

The balance sheet

It is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic


benefits will result from the settlement of a present obligation and the
amount at which the settlement will take place can be measured
reliably.

Income

The income statement

An increase in future economic benefits related to an increase in an


asset or a decrease of a liability has arisen that can be measured
reliably.

Expenses The income statement

A decrease in future economic benefits related to a decrease in an


asset or an increase of a liability has arisen that can be measured
reliably.

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Financial accounting
Points to note:
(1) There is a direct association between expenses being recognised in the income statement and the
generation of income. This is commonly referred to as the accrual or matching concept. However, the
application of the accrual concept does not permit recognition of assets or liabilities in the
balance sheet which do not meet the appropriate definition.
(2) Expenses should be recognised immediately in the income statement when expenditure is not
expected to result in the generation of future economic benefits.
(3) An expense should also be recognised immediately when a liability is incurred without the
corresponding recognition of an asset.

4.7

Measurement in financial statements


For an item or transaction to be recognised in an entity's financial statements it needs to be measured as
a monetary amount. BFRS uses several different measurement bases but the Framework refers to
just four.
The four measurement bases referred to in BFRS Framework are:

Historical cost. Assets are recorded at the amount of cash or cash equivalents paid or the fair value
of the consideration given to acquire them at the time of their acquisition. Liabilities are recorded at
the amount of proceeds received in exchange for the obligation, or in some circumstances (for
example, income taxes), at the amounts of cash or cash equivalents expected to be paid to satisfy the
liability in the normal course of business.

Current cost. Assets are carried at the amount of cash or cash equivalents that would have to be
paid if the same or an equivalent asset was acquired currently.
Liabilities are carried at the undiscounted amount of cash or cash equivalents that would be required
to settle the obligation currently.

Realisable (settlement) value.

Realisable value. The amount of cash or cash equivalents that could currently be obtained by
selling an asset in an orderly disposal.

Settlement value. The undiscounted amounts of cash or cash equivalents expected to be paid
to satisfy the liabilities in the normal course of business.

Present value. A current estimate of the present discounted value of the future net cash flows in the
normal course of business.

Historical cost is the most commonly adopted measurement basis, but this is usually combined with other
bases, e.g. an historical cost basis may be modified by the revaluation of land and buildings.

4.8

Capital and capital maintenance


The final section of BFRS Framework is devoted to a brief discussion of the different concepts of capital and
capital maintenance, pointing out that:

4.8.1

The choice between them should be made on the basis of the needs of users of financial statements.
The IASB has no present intention of prescribing a particular model.

Financial capital and capital maintenance


Definition
Financial capital maintenance: Under a financial concept of capital, such as invested money or invested
purchasing power capital is synonymous with the net assets or equity of the entity.

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The financial concept of capital is adopted by most entities.


This concept measures capital as the equity in the balance sheet. Profit is only earned in an accounting
period if the equity at the end of the period is greater than it was at the start, having excluded
the effects of distributions to or contributions from the owners during the period.
Monetary measure of capital
Financial capital is usually measured in monetary terms, i.e. the CU sterling or the euro. This is the
concept applied in historical cost accounting. This measure can be quite stable over short periods of years,
but is debased by even quite low rates of general inflation over longer periods, such as 20 years. So
comparisons between capital now and capital 20 years ago are invalid, because the measurement instrument
is not constant.
Constant purchasing power
A variant on the monetary measure of financial capital is the constant purchasing power measure. On this
basis, the opening capital (i.e. equity) is uprated by the change in a broadly based price index,
often a retail prices index, over the year. Also, the transactions during the year are uprated by the change in
the same index. A profit is only earned if the capital at the end of the year exceeds these uprated
values. (The value of the uprating is taken to equity, but is not regarded as a profit, merely a capital
maintenance adjustment.) So this capital maintenance adjustment can be thought of as an additional
expense in the income statement. Comparisons over a 20-year period will be more valid if the capital 20
years ago is uprated for general inflation over that 20-year period.
But there is no reason why inflation measured by a retail prices index should be at all close to the inflation
experienced by an individual company.

4.8.2

Physical capital and capital maintenance


Definition
Physical capital maintenance: Under a physical concept of capital, such as operating capability, capital is
regarded as the productive capacity of the entity based on, for example, units of output per day.

This concept looks behind monetary values, to the underlying physical productive capacity of the
entity. It is based on the approach that an entity is nothing other than a means of producing saleable
outputs, so a profit is earned only after that productive capacity has been maintained by a capital
maintenance adjustment. (Again, the capital maintenance adjustment is taken to equity and is treated as an
additional expense in the income statement.) Comparisons over 20 years should be more valid than under a
monetary approach to capital.
The difficulties in this approach lie in making the capital maintenance adjustment. It is basically a current cost
approach, normal practice being to use industry-specific indices of movements in non-current assets, rather
than go to the expense of annual revaluations by professional valuers. The difficulties lie in finding indices
appropriate to the productive capacity of a particular entity.

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Financial accounting

Worked example: Capital maintenance concepts


Meercat Ltd purchased 20,000 electrical components on 1 January 20X7 for CU10 each. They were all sold
on 31 December 20X7 for CU250,000. On that date the replacement cost of an electrical component was
CU11.50. The general rate of inflation as measured by the general price index was 12% during the year.
Profit could be calculated as follows:

Revenue

Financial capital
maintenance
(monetary terms)

Financial capital
maintenance
(constant purchasing
power)

Physical capital
maintenance

CU

CU

CU

250,000

250,000

250,000

Cost of sales
20,000 10

(200,000)

20,000 11.2

(224,000)

20,000 11.5
Profit

(230,000)
50,000

26,000

20,000

5 International Accounting Standards Committee


Foundation (IASCF)
Section overview

5.1

The IASCF is the parent entity of the IASB.


The IASB is responsible for setting accounting standards.

The IASCF
IASCF was formed in March 2001 as a not-for-profit corporation and is the parent entity of the IASB.
The IASCF is an independent organisation and its trustees exercise oversight and raise necessary
funding for the IASB to carry out its role as standard setter. It also oversees the work of the
International Financial Reporting, Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) and the Standards
Advisory Council (SAC). These are organised as follows:

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CONCEPTUAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

IASCF is responsible for:


Funding
Appointment of members of IASB, SAC
and IFRIC

IASB is responsible for:


All technical matters in general
In particular, the preparation and issue of
international accounting standards

SAC is responsible for:


Input on IASB's agenda
Input on IASB's project timetable and
priorities
Advice on standard-setting projects
Supporting IASB in promotion/adoption of
IFRS throughout the world

IFRIC is responsible for:


Interpretation and application of
international accounting standards

5.2

Membership
Membership of the IASCF has been designed so that it represents an international group of preparers and
users, who become IASCF trustees. The selection process of the 19 trustees takes into account
geographical factors and professional background. IASCF trustees appoint the IASB members.

5.3

The IASB
The IASB is responsible for setting accounting standards. It is made up of 14 members (12 full-time and two
part-time members) coming from nine countries. They have a variety of backgrounds and include:

5.4

Auditors
Preparers of financial statements
Users of financial statements, and
Academics

Objectives of the IASB


The Preface to International Financial Reporting Standards states that the objectives of the IASB are as follows:

To develop in the public interest, a single set of high-quality, understandable and enforceable
global accounting standards that require high quality, transparent and comparable information in
financial statements and other financial reporting to help participants in the various capital markets of
the world and other users of the information to make economic decisions.

To promote the use and rigorous application of those standards, and

To work actively with national standard-setters to bring about convergence of national accounting
standards and IFRS to high quality solutions.

The issue of convergence is very topical. A number of exercises are being undertaken at the moment aiming
to bring national and international accounting standards into line.

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Financial accounting

6 International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)


Section overview

6.1

The influence of IFRS is growing.

They aim to ensure that like transactions and events are treated consistently.

In Bangladesh ICAB has adopted all IASs and IFRSs issued by IASB with the exception of IAS 29 as at
30/6/2009.

The purpose of accounting standards


The overall purpose of accounting standards is to identify proper accounting practices for the
preparation of financial statements.
Accounting standards create a common understanding between users and preparers on how particular
items, for example the valuation of property, are treated. Financial statements should therefore comply
with all applicable accounting standards.

6.2

Application of IFRS
Within each individual country local regulations govern, to a greater or lesser degree, the issue of
financial statements. These local regulations include accounting standards issued by the national regulatory
bodies or professional accountancy bodies in the country concerned.
Over the last 25 years however, the influence of IFRS on national accounting requirements and
practices has been growing. For example:

6.3

For accounting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2005, all EU companies whose securities are
traded on a regulated public market such as the London Stock Exchange, must prepare their
consolidated accounts in accordance with IFRS. (Note that although group financial statements
must follow IFRS the individual financial statements do not need to.)

In the UK unquoted companies are permitted (but not required) to adopt IFRS (see section 1.5).

In Bangladesh ICAB has adopted all IASs and IFRSs issued by the IASB as BASs and BFRSs, with no
changes, with the exception of IAS 29, Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies, which has
not been adopted as at 30/06/2009.

Setting of IFRS
The overall agenda of the IASB will initially be set by discussion with the SAC. The process for developing
an individual standard would involve the following steps.

Step 1
During the early stages of a project, IASB may establish an Advisory Committee to give advice on issues
arising in the project. Consultation with the Advisory Committee and the SAC occurs throughout the
project.

Step 2
IASB may develop and publish a Discussion Document for public comment.

Step 3
Following the receipt and review of comments, IASB would develop and publish an Exposure Draft for
public comment.

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CONCEPTUAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Step 4
Following the receipt and review of comments, the IASB would issue a final International Financial
Reporting Standard.
The period of exposure for public comment is normally 90 days. However, in exceptional circumstances,
proposals may be issued with a comment period of 60 days. Draft IFRIC Interpretations are exposed for a
60-day comment period.

6.4

Scope and authority of IFRS


The Preface to IFRS makes the following points:

IFRS apply to all general purpose financial statements i.e. those directed towards the common
information needs of a wide range of users.

The IASB's objective is to require like transactions and events to be accounted for in a like
way.

It recognises that the IASC (the predecessor to the IASB) permitted different treatments
(benchmark treatment and allowed alternative treatment) for like transactions and events. Where
these still exist either treatment would constitute compliance with IFRS.

Standards include paragraphs in bold and plain type. Bold type paragraphs indicate the main
principles, but both types have equal authority.

Any limitation of the applicability of a specific IFRS is made clear in that standard. IFRSs are not
intended to be applied to immaterial items, nor are they retrospective. Each individual IFRS lays
out its scope at the beginning of the standard.

7 Inherent limitations of financial statements


Section overview

7.1

There are limitations inherent in financial statements, including the fact that they are:

A conventionalised representation, involving classification, aggregation and the allocation of


items to particular accounting periods

Historical (backward-looking), and

Based almost exclusively on financial data.

Conventionalised representation
Financial statements are highly standardised in terms of their overall format and presentation although
businesses are very diverse in their nature. This may limit the usefulness of the information.
Financial statements are highly aggregated in that information on a great many transactions and balances
is combined into a few figures in the accounts, which can often make it difficult for the reader to evaluate
the components of the business.
Allocation issues include, for example, the application of the accrual concept and depreciation of noncurrent assets, where managements judgements and estimates affect the period in which expenses or
income are recognised.

7.2

Backward-looking
Financial statements are backward-looking whereas most users of financial information base their
decisions on expectations about the future. Financial statements contribute towards this by helping to

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Financial accounting
identify trends and by confirming the accuracy of previous expectations, but cannot realistically provide the
complete information set required for all economic decisions by all users.

7.3

Omission of non-financial information


By their nature, financial statements contain financial information. They do not generally include nonfinancial data such as:

Narrative description of the major operations.


Discussion of business risks and opportunities.
Narrative analysis of the entitys performance and prospects.
Management policies and how the business is governed and controlled.

Financial statements include the elements as defined in BFRS Framework. This means that items which do
not meet those definitions are not included. For example, the value of the entitys internally generated
goodwill i.e. through its reputation, loyalty and expertise of its management and employees, or its client
portfolio. While some companies do experiment with different types of disclosure for such items, these
disclosures are considered unsuitable for inclusion in the financial statements (precisely because such items
do not fall within its definition of assets).

7.4

Other sources of information


Some of the limitations of financial statements are addressed in the other information which is often
provided along with the financial statements, especially by large companies, such as operating and financial
reviews and the Chairmans statement. Note that other information provided with financial statements is
outside the scope of the Financial Accounting syllabus.
There are also many other sources of information available to at least some users of financial statements,
for example:

In owner-managed businesses, the owners have access to internal management information because
they are the management. This information is, potentially, available on a continuous real-time basis and
may include:

28

Future plans for the business


Budgets or forecasts
Management accounts, including, for example, divisional analysis

Banks will often obtain additional access to entity information under the terms of loan agreements.

Potential investors (e.g. if they are planning to take a major stake or even a controlling interest) will
often negotiate additional access to corporate information.

Publicly available information, such as entity brochures and publicity material (e.g. press releases)

Brokers reports on major companies, and

Press reports and other media coverage (e.g. television or internet).

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CONCEPTUAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

8 Not-for-profit entities
Section overview

8.1

Not-for-profit entities include NGOs, clubs, and public sector organisations.


Reporting requirements will vary depending on the nature of the entity.

Not-for-profit entities
The objective of most company directors is to manage the shareholders' investment. In a majority of cases
this will mean creating a profit. However, this is not always the case. For some entities their primary
purpose is to provide a service rather than to make a profit.

Interactive question 2: Not-for-profit entities

[Difficulty level: Easy]

List as many types of not-for-profit organisations as you can.


See Answer at the end of this chapter.

As this exercise has demonstrated not-for-profit entities include a broad range of organisations involved in
very different activities. Not-for-profit entities also vary considerably in size from the local rugby club to an
internationally renowned charity.

8.2

Reporting requirements
Many of the organisations mentioned above may be companies. In this case they will need to prepare
financial statements and have them audited in accordance with local legislation and accounting
regulation. In Bangladesh this would include compliance with the Companies Act and BFRSs.
For unincorporated entities the reporting requirements are normally less onerous, although best practice
would be to follow BFRSs.
In addition, many not-for-profit organisations will need to comply with regulations specific to their sector.
For example in Bangladesh, NGOs are required to comply with the Foreign Donations Rules (FDRs),
1978.

8.3

International public sector accounting standards


International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) are issued by the International Public Sector
Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB). The objective of IPSASB is to:

Develop high quality public sector financial reporting standards.

Facilitate convergence of international and national standards.

Enhance the quality and uniformity of financial reporting.

Currently there is no requirement for IPSAS to be adopted and in jurisdictions where national standards
already exist since it is the local regulation which will be applied. The IPSASB however, envisage an
increasing role for IPSAS in future, particularly in the following areas:

Assisting national standard-setters in the development of new standards and the revision of
existing standards.

Being applied in jurisdictions where there is no national legislation.

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Financial accounting

Summary and Self-test

Summary

Regulated by:
Local legislation
FDRs
IPSAS

Self-test
Answer the following questions
1

Which of the following is the best description of why BFRS Framework requires financial statements to
be prepared on the basis of accrual accounting?
A
B
C
D

30

As a result of the 'substance over form' requirement


So as to be prudent
Because it is the most objective basis
Because it presents both past transactions and future obligations

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CONCEPTUAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

The following relate to the going concern assumption.


(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

The entity has no need to liquidate


The entity has no intention to liquidate
The entity has no need to curtail materially its scale of operations
The entity has no intention to curtail materially its scale of operations

Which of the above are the best description of the conditions which BFRS Framework identifies as
necessary if the going concern basis is to be used for the preparation of financial statements?
A
B
C
D
3

According to BFRS Framework which of the following is one of the qualitative characteristics which
make information in financial statements useful?
A
B
C
D

(1), (2) and (3) only


(1), (2) and (4) only
(1), (3) and (4) only
(1), (2), (3) and (4)

True and fair view


Comparability
Timeliness
Historical cost

Which of the following is the closest approximation to BFRS Frameworks definition of an asset?
A

A resource controlled by the entity from which future economic benefits are expected which can
be measured reliably

A resource controlled by the entity as a result of past events from which future economic
benefits are expected which can be measured reliably

A resource controlled by the entity from which future economic benefits are expected

A resource controlled by the entity as a result of past events from which future economic
benefits are expected

Which of the following is the closest approximation to BFRS Frameworks definition of a liability?
A

A legal obligation arising from past events, the settlement of which is expected to result in an
outflow of resources embodying economic benefits

An obligation arising from past events, the settlement of which is expected to result in an outflow
of resources embodying economic benefits which can be measured reliably

An obligation arising from past events, the settlement of which is expected to result in an outflow
of resources embodying economic benefits

A legal obligation arising from past events, the settlement of which is expected to result in an
outflow of resources embodying economic benefits which can be measured reliably

Future settlement is an essential part of BFRS Frameworks definition of a liability. Which of the
following best describes the way that settlement may occur?
A

Payment of cash

Payment of cash or transfer of other assets

Payment of cash or transfer of other assets or replacement of the obligation with another
obligation

Payment of cash or transfer of other assets or replacement of the obligation with another
obligation or conversion of the obligation to equity

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Financial accounting
7

Which of the following is the closest approximation to BFRS Frameworks definition of income?
A

Increase in assets

Increase in assets or decrease in liabilities

Increase in assets or decrease in liabilities, other than those relating to transactions with equity
participants

Increase in assets, other than those relating to transactions with equity participants

Which of the following is the closest approximation to BFRS Frameworks requirement as to when an
asset or liability should be recognised?
A

It is probable that future economic benefits will flow to or from the entity and the items cost or
value can be estimated

It is probable that future economic benefits will flow to or from the entity and the items cost or
value can be measured reliably

The items cost or value can be measured reliably

The items cost or value can be estimated

Which of the following statements is true in respect of International Public Sector Accounting
Standards (IPSAS)?
A
B
C
D

10

Currently there is no requirement for IPSAS to be adopted by public sector entities


IPSAS must be adopted by public sector entities where there are no national standards
Both IPSAS and national standards must be adopted by public sector entities
None of the above statements is correct

TRADITIONAL FRUITS LTD


Traditional Fruits Ltd, a Herefordshire based fruit bottling and canning company, is looking to expand
its operations. The directors are hoping to increase the range of preserved fruit products and in doing
so will need to invest in new equipment. They are also hoping to open a new facility in the South East
near to the fruit farms of Kent and Surrey.
The finance director has been asked to prepare a rsum of the financial performance of the company
in order that possible providers of finance can assess the future potential of the company.
The finance director wants to address all issues in her rsum and has asked for your assistance.
Requirements
Prepare brief notes for the finance director, addressing each of the following and using BFRS
Framework as a source of reference.
(a)

Identify potential providers of finance for Traditional Fruits Ltd and their information
requirements in respect of financial statements.

(b) Explain the terms 'performance' and 'position' and identify which of the financial statements will
assist the user in evaluating performance and position.
(c)

32

Indicate why, for decision-making purposes, the financial statements alone are insufficient.

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CONCEPTUAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

11

DAVIES AND SAYERS LTD


Davies and Sayers Ltd (D&S Ltd) is a well-known publisher of childrens educational books. The
finance director, Carol Roberts, is known for her commercial acumen rather than her technical ability.
She is therefore seeking your advice on two particular accounting issues.
(1) Value of head of publishing
D&S Ltd have recently appointed a new head of publishing, Jane Lindsay. Jane recently worked for
a key competitor, Surridge and Hughes Ltd (S&H Ltd). Jane is extremely popular amongst the
leading authors in the market and is sure to attract the services of certain authors currently
working for S&H Ltd. Carol believes that Jane is therefore of great value to D&S Ltd and that
such value should therefore be recognised in the balance sheet in the form of an asset.
(2) Provision for alleged breach of copyright
Carol is aware that Poppy Anderson, one of D&S Ltds authors, is being accused of 'including
ideas in her texts that have previously been published'. Carol is certain a legal case will ensue and
therefore, being prudent, wishes to recognise a liability in the accounts now for any damages that
are likely to arise.
Requirements
Using BFRS Framework
(a)

Define the terms 'asset', 'liability' and 'recognised'.

(b) Prepare brief notes for Carol Roberts, discussing whether the above result in an asset or liability
and whether or not they should be recognised in the financial statements.
Note: You are not required to refer to specific BFRSs that may be relevant.
Now, go back to the Learning Objectives in the Introduction. If you are satisfied you have achieved these
objectives, please tick them off.

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Financial accounting

Technical reference
Point to note: The whole of BFRS Framework (Frame) and Preface to International Financial Reporting
Standards (Preface) is examinable. The paragraphs listed below are the key references you should be familiar
with.
1 Purpose and use of financial statements

Users core need is for information for making economic decisions

Objective is to provide information on financial position, financial performance and


changes in financial position

Frame (12)

Financial position:

Frame (16)

Resources controlled

Financial structure

Liquidity and solvency

Capacity to adapt to changes


Financial performance, measured as profit = income less expenses:

Frame (17)

Potential changes to resources in the future

Capacity to generate cash from existing resource base

Effectiveness with which additional resources might be employed


Changes in financial position:

Frame (18)

Ability to generate cash

Needs to use what is generated


Notes and schedules:

Frame (21)

Frame (Preface)

Risks and uncertainties


Resources and obligations not recognised in financial statements

2 Underlying assumptions

Accrual basis

Frame (22)

Going concern

Frame (23)

3 Qualitative characteristics of financial statements

To be useful, information needs to have the attributes of:

Understandability

Frame (25)

Relevance, to include:

Frame (26)

Materiality

Frame (29)

Reliability, to include:

Frame (31)

Faithful representation

Frame (33)

Substance over form

Frame (35)

Neutrality

Frame (36)

Prudence

Frame (37)

Realised/unrealised

34

Comparability

Application of these should result in a true and fair view/fair presentation

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Frame (39)
Frame (46)

CONCEPTUAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

4 Elements of financial statements

Asset: a resource controlled by the entity as a result of past events and from
which future economic benefits are expected to flow to the entity

Frame (49)

Liability: a present obligation of the entity arising from past events, the
settlement of which is expected to lead to the outflow from the entity of
resources embodying economic benefits

Frame (49)

Equity: the residual interest in assets less liabilities, i.e. net assets

Frame (49)

Income (comprising revenue and gains): increases in economic benefits in the


form of asset increases/liability decreases, other than contributions from equity

Frame (70, 7475)

Expenses (including losses): decreases in economic benefits in the form of asset


decreases/liability increases, other than distributions to equity

Frame (70, 7879)

5 Recognition

Assets and liabilities are recognised in financial statements if:

Frame (83)

It is probable that any future economic benefit associated with the item will
flow to or from the entity, and
Its cost or value can be measured with reliability

6 Measurement

Historical cost
Current cost
Realisable value
Present value

Frame (100)

7 Capital maintenance

Financial capital:

Monetary

Constant purchasing power


Physical capital

Frame (104)

8 IASB

Objectives

Scope and authority

Process

Preface (6)
Preface (7-17)
Preface (18)

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Financial accounting

Answers to Self-test
1

10

TRADITIONAL FRUITS LTD


(a)

Potential providers of finance

The existing shareholders of the


company and potential new
shareholders through a new issue
of share capital.

Existing and future lenders and


creditors to the company.

Information requirements

The profit before interest of Traditional Fruits


Ltd (TF Ltd), to determine risk.

The trend of profitability of TF Ltd together


with a history of dividend payments. This will
enable them to assess return and risk of their
investment.

The financial structure of TF Ltd, to determine


the level of debt finance as a measure of risk.

TF Ltd's liquidity or ability to pay out dividends


and redeem share capital.

TF Ltd's ability to generate cash and the timing


and certainty of its generation.

The liquidity of TF Ltd and its ability to repay


interest and capital instalments.

The existing level of debt and any security over


that debt.

(b) Performance and position and the financial statements which assist in evaluation
Performance
The financial performance of a company comprises the return it obtains on the resources it
controls. Performance can be measured in terms of the profits of the company and its ability to
generate cash flows.
Management will be assessed on their skill in achieving the highest level of performance, given the
resources available to them.
Information on performance can be found in

36

The income statement.


The statement of changes in equity.
The cash flow statement.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CONCEPTUAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Position
The financial position of the company is evaluated by reference to

The economic resources (assets and liabilities) it controls.


Its capital structure, i.e. its level of debt finance and shareholders funds.
Its liquidity and solvency.

The user of the financial statements can then make assessments on the level of risk, ability to
generate cash, the likely distribution of this cash and the ability of the company to adapt to
changing circumstances.
The balance sheet is the prime source of information on a companys position but the cash flow
statement will also indicate a companys cash position over a period of time.
(c)

Financial statements inherent limitations as a tool of decision-making


Financial statements are prepared by reference to a relatively rigid set of accounting standards
applicable to all companies, regardless of the sectors of the economy they operate in. As a result,
information for individual and specialised companies may not be forthcoming. Further, the
preparation of financial statements is based on estimates and judgements by the management and
therefore are not a source of totally reliable information.
Financial statements primarily use the historical cost convention. They can identify trends from
the past which may be relevant to the future, but they are not forecasts and are therefore less
helpful when making predictions.
In deciding whether or not to invest in a company, a decision-maker will also want access to nonfinancial data not contained in the financial statements such as

11

A discussion of business risks and opportunities


An evaluation of the quality of management
A narrative analysis of position and performance

DAVIES AND SAYERS LTD


(a)

Terms
Asset
An asset is

A resource controlled by the entity


As a result of past events, and
From which future economic benefits are expected to flow into the entity.

Legal ownership is not an essential part of the definition of an asset, even though such ownership
is indicative that the control criterion has been met. But the key is whether the entity controls a
resource, so having the continued use of an item will often be sufficient evidence of control.
Liability
A liability is

A present obligation of the entity

Arising from past events

The settlement of which is expected to result in an outflow from the entity of resources
embodying economic benefits.

An obligation arises from a legally-enforceable contract, but it may also result from an entitys
normal business practices.

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37

Financial accounting
Recognised
Recognition means that an item is recorded in the financial statements. An asset or liability is
recognised if

It is probable that any future economic benefit associated with the item will flow to or from
the entity, and

The cost or value can be measured with reliability.

(b) Notes for Carol Roberts


(1) Value of head of publishing
Existence of an asset
If you apply the definition of an asset from BFRS Framework to the head of publishing, Jane
Lindsay, it is possible to argue that she has the characteristics of an asset.
As a full-time employee, Jane is likely to have a contract which was signed prior to the
balance sheet date. The legal contract will prevent Jane working for any other company,
giving D&S Ltd unrestricted access to any benefits she may provide.
If Jane is able to persuade new authors to join the D&S team, she is creating a flow of future
economic benefits on the assumption that the authors new work will prove salesworthy.
However, there is uncertainty over

The enforceability of Janes contract: she may recruit new authors to D&S Ltd, but
within a short period of time might leave and join a new company; her authors are
then likely to follow her.

The revenue stream to result from the new authors: they have not as yet been
recruited and it is only possible that they will be; there are also no guarantees as to the
quality of their future work and therefore the level of revenue they are likely to
generate.

Therefore, at this stage we cannot conclude that an asset exists.


Recognition of the asset
An item is recognised when it is included in the financial statements at a monetary value.
Carol Roberts is proposing to include Jane Lindsay as an asset in the balance sheet.
However, certain criteria should be applied prior to recognition.

Is there sufficient evidence of the existence of the asset?


Can the asset be measured at a monetary amount with sufficient reliability?

(2) Provision for breach of copyright


Existence of a liability
At this stage Poppy Anderson has been accused of breach of copyright. From the
information given, there is no opinion from lawyers as to the strength of the case or
estimate of the possible value of any claim. Therefore, whilst a past transaction has allegedly
occurred, there is insufficient evidence of, and uncertainty over, whether an obligation
exists.
Recognition of the liability
To recognise the liability in the financial statements there must be sufficient evidence of the
existence of the liability and it should be probable that economic benefit will flow from the
entity. In this case, there is insufficient evidence of a liability and we are unable to reliably
measure any potential liability.
The case is at far too early a stage to estimate the possible loss. It would therefore be overprudent and inappropriate to recognise the liability in the financial statements.

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CONCEPTUAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Answers to Interactive questions

Answer to Interactive question 1


Question
(a)

Answer

Oak Ltd has purchased a patent for CU40,000.


The patent gives the company sole use of a
particular manufacturing process which will save
CU6,000 a year for the next five years.

This is an asset, albeit an intangible one. There


is a past event, control and future economic
benefit (through cost saving).

(b) Elm Ltd paid John Brown CU20,000 to set up a


car repair shop, on condition that priority
treatment is given to cars from the company's
fleet.

This cannot be classed as an asset. Elm Ltd has


no control over the car repair shop and it is
difficult to argue that there are future
economic benefits.

(c)

This is a liability. The business has an obligation


to fulfil the terms of the warranty. The liability
would be recognised when the warranty is
issued rather than when a claim is made.

Sycamore Ltd provides a warranty with every


washing machine sold.

Answer to Interactive question 2

NGOs
Friendly societies
Public sector hospitals
Public sector schools
Clubs
Associations
Local councils
Public services
Trade unions
Societies
Housing associations

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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Financial accounting

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

chapter 2

Format of financial
statements
Contents
Introduction
Examination context
Topic List
1

BAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements

Overall considerations

Structure and content: general points

Balance sheet

Income statement

Statement of changes in equity

Notes to the financial statements

Minority interest

Not-for-profit entities

Summary and Self-test


Technical reference
Answers to self-test

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41

Financial accounting

Introduction

Learning objectives

Explain the purpose and principles underlying BAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements

Prepare and present the financial statements (or extracts), of an entity according to its
accounting policies and appropriate BFRSs

Prepare simple extracts from financial statements in accordance with Companies Act and
BFRS

Calculate the amounts to be included in the equity section of the balance sheet of a not-forprofit entity

Tick off

Specific syllabus references for this chapter are: 2b, c, e.

Practical significance
The way that financial information is presented to shareholders and other users is a fundamental part of
financial accounting. Recent corporate scandals have increased public concern as to the adequacy of
transparency in financial statements. Accounting standards provide guidance on presentation, although no
system of rules can cover all eventualities.
To ensure that financial statements are prepared to an adequate level it is important that entities are
provided with a basic framework for the preparation of their financial statements. The information
produced needs to reflect fairly the results of the business but also enable the shareholders to make
comparisons year on year and with the results of other companies. Therefore, information needs to be
presented in an understandable and consistent manner. This is achieved through the broad standardisation
of the structure of financial statements. BAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements provides a basic
framework but still allows a degree of flexibility so that formats and headings can be adapted so that
information is presented in a way that aids understanding.

Stop and think


Can you think of any advantages and disadvantages of standardised formats for financial statements?

Working context
You will have come across financial statements in the context of your working life. They are a fundamental
part of accounting, audit and tax services. It is less likely these days that you will have had to prepare
financial statements yourselves as this process is largely computerised. However, in order to understand
financial information you need to know the basis on which the information has been prepared.
Some of you may have come across not-for-profit organisations including NGOs, clubs and societies. This
type of entity may have to comply with additional regulations, for example the Foreign Donations Rules
1978.

Syllabus links
You will have been introduced to the basics of company accounts in the Accounting paper. In this paper
however, you are expected to have a much more detailed understanding of the preparation of financial
statements and a thorough knowledge of the regulation in this area. This knowledge will be assumed in both
the Financial Reporting paper and at the Advanced Stage.

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FORMAT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Examination context

Exam requirements
The ability to prepare financial statements for an individual entity is a fundamental part of the Financial
Accounting syllabus and has a syllabus weighting of 55% (including the cash flow statement). It will therefore
be examined in the written test section of the paper in some form at every sitting and would also be
examined in OTs.
A typical written test question would involve the preparation of a company balance sheet or income
statement from a trial balance. You may also be asked to make adjustments based on additional information
and/or to produce notes.
Alternatively you could be asked to produce extracts to the financial statements. For example, as part of a
question on non-current assets you could be asked to produce the disclosure note which would support
the balance in the balance sheet.
Not-for-profit entities are likely to be examined less frequently as you are only expected to have an
overview of this topic. This topic could be examined in the OT section or as part of a broader question on
the balance sheet presentation of equity.
In the examination, candidates may be required to:

Discuss the way BAS 1 builds on the principles contained in BFRS Framework, including the following
matters:

Fair/faithful presentation
Accrual basis
Going concern
Materiality

Draft, in accordance with BAS 1:

A balance sheet, distinguishing between current and non-current items


An income statement
A statement of changes in equity
Notes to the financial statements

Prepare the equity section of the balance sheet of a not-for-profit entity from financial and other data

Prepare extracts from the financial statements in accordance with Companies Act and BFRS

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Financial accounting

1 BAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements


Section overview

BAS 1 applies to all general purpose financial statements.

Financial statements provide information about:

1.1

Financial position
Financial performance
Cash flows.

Objective
BAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements prescribes the basis for the presentation of financial statements, so
as to ensure comparability with:

The entity's own financial statements of previous periods, and


The financial statements of other entities.

BAS 1 must be applied to all general purpose financial statements prepared in accordance with BFRSs,
i.e. those intended to meet the needs of users who are not in a position to demand reports tailored to
their specific needs. BAS 1 is concerned with overall considerations about the minimum content of a set
of financial statements; detailed rules about recognition, measurement and disclosures of specific
transactions are then contained in other standards.
Whilst the terminology used was designed for profit-orientated businesses, it can be used, with
modifications, for not-for-profit activities.

1.2

Purpose of financial statements


The objective of general purpose financial statements is to provide information about the financial
position, financial performance and cash flows of an entity that is useful to a wide range of users in
making economic decisions. They also show the result of management stewardship of the resources of
the entity. (This is very similar to the purpose stated by the Framework covered in Chapter 1).
In order to achieve this, information is provided about the following aspects of the entity's results:

Assets
Liabilities
Equity
Income and expenses (including gains and losses)
Other changes in equity, and
Cash flows

Additional information is contained in the notes.

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1.3

Components of financial statements

Summary of
major cash
inflows and
outflows. Dealt
with in BAS 7
(see Chapter 3)

Although the financial statements may be included as part of a wider document BAS 1 requires that they
should be clearly identified and distinguished from other information presented.

2 Overall considerations
Section overview

Much of the material in this section details the specific application within financial statements of the
general principles dealt with in the BFRS Framework which was introduced in Chapter 1. These
include:

2.1

Fair presentation
Going concern
Accrual basis of accounting
Materiality

The technical summary at the end of this chapter refers you to both the relevant paragraphs of BAS 1
and of the Framework.

Fair presentation
Financial statements should present fairly the financial position, financial performance and cash flows of an
entity.

Definition
Fair presentation: Requires the faithful representation of the effects of transactions, other events and
conditions in accordance with the definitions and recognition criteria for assets, liabilities, income and
expenses set out in the Framework.
Compliance with BFRS is presumed to result in financial statements that achieve a fair presentation.

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Financial accounting
BAS 1 expands on this principle as follows:

Compliance with BFRS should be disclosed.

Financial statements can only be described as complying with BFRS if they comply with all the
requirements of BFRS.

Use of inappropriate accounting policies cannot be rectified either by disclosure or explanatory


material.

In rare circumstances management may conclude that compliance with a requirement of a BFRS would
be misleading. When the regulatory framework allows, the entity should depart from this requirement
and disclose this fact and provide details of its effect. There are very few, if any, circumstances where
compliance will be as fundamentally misleading.
Where the regulatory framework does not allow departure disclosure is required to reduce the
perceived misleading aspects of compliance. In practice this would be extremely rare.

2.2

Going concern
As we saw in Chapter 1 going concern is referred to by the Framework as an underlying assumption. It
means that an entity is normally viewed as continuing in operation for the foreseeable future. Financial
statements are prepared on the going concern basis unless management either intends to liquidate the
entity or to cease trading or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
BAS 1 makes the following points:

In assessing whether the entity is a going concern management must look at least twelve months
into the future measured from the balance sheet date (not from the date the financial statements
are approved.)

Uncertainties that may cast significant doubt on the entity's ability to continue should be disclosed.

If the going concern assumption is not followed that fact must be disclosed together with:

2.3

The basis on which financial statements have been prepared


The reasons why the entity is not considered to be a going concern

Accrual basis of accounting


Financial statements other than the cash flow statement, must be prepared on the accrual basis of
accounting. This is the Framework's other underlying assumption.

Definition
Accrual basis of accounting: Items are recognised as assets, liabilities, equity, income and expenses when
they satisfy the definitions and recognition criteria for those elements in the Framework.

Point to note: The definition refers to the definitions and recognition criteria of the Framework. The effect
is that:

Transactions are recognised when they occur (and not when the relevant cash is received or paid).
They are recorded in the financial statements of the periods to which they relate.

According to the accrual assumption, then, in computing profit, revenue earned must be matched against
the expenditure incurred in earning it. (This issue will be considered further when BAS 18 Revenue is dealt
with in Chapter 7.)

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2.4

Consistency of preparation
To maintain consistency, the presentation and classification of items in the financial statements should stay
the same from one period to the next. There are two exceptions to this:

There is a significant change in the nature and operations or a review of the financial statements
presentation which indicates a more appropriate presentation. (This change is only allowed if the
resulting information is reliable and more relevant than the previous presentation. If two presentations
are equally appropriate then the current presentation must be retained.)

A change in presentation is required by a BFRS.

Where a change of presentation and classification is made, figures for the previous period must be restated
on the new basis, unless this is impracticable (i.e. not possible 'after making every reasonable effort').

Worked example: Consistency


Compare the following two income statements prepared for a sole trader who wishes to show them to the
bank manager to justify continuation of an overdraft facility.
Year ended 31 December 20X6
CU

Sales revenue
Less production costs
selling and administration

10,000
7,000

CU
25,150
17,000
8,150
1,000
7,150

Gross profit
Less interest charges
Profit after interest
Year ended 31 December 20X7

CU
22,165
10,990
11,175
3,175
8,000

Sales revenue less selling costs


Less production costs
Gross profit
Less administration and interest
Net profit
Which accounting concept is being ignored here? Justify your choice.
How do you think the changes in the format of these financial statements affect the quality of the
accounting information presented?

Solution
The accounting assumption breached here is that of consistency. This concept holds that accounting
information should be presented in a way that facilitates comparisons from period to period.
In the income statement for 20X6 sales revenue is shown separately from selling costs. Also interest and
administration charges are treated separately.
The new format is poor in itself, as we cannot know whether any future change in 'sales revenue less selling
costs' is due to an increase in sales revenue or a decline in selling costs. A similar criticism can be levelled at
the lumping together of administration costs and interest charges. It is impossible to divide the two. (In fact
BAS 1 states that material balances should not be aggregated (see section 2.5 below).
It is not possible to 'rewrite' 20X6's accounts in terms of 20X7, because we do not know the breakdown in
20X6 between selling and administration costs.
The business's bank manager will not, therefore, be able to assess the business's performance, and might
wonder if the sole trader has 'something to hide'. Thus the value of this accounting information is severely
affected.

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Financial accounting

2.5

Materiality and aggregation


Each material class of items should be presented separately in the financial statements.
Amounts which are immaterial can be aggregated with amounts of a similar nature or function and need
not be presented separately.

Definition
Materiality: Omissions or misstatement of items are material if they could, individually or collectively,
influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial statements. Materiality depends
on the size and nature of the omission or misstatement judged in the surrounding circumstances. The size
or nature of the item, or a combination of both, could be the determining factor.

An error which is too trivial to affect anyone's understanding of the financial statements is referred to as
immaterial. However, the cumulative effects of many errors should also be taken into account. A number
of immaterial errors taken together could be material to the financial statements as a whole. In preparing
financial statements it is important to assess what is material and what is not, so that time and money are
not wasted in the pursuit of excessive detail.
Determining whether or not an item is material is a very subjective exercise. There is no absolute
measure of materiality. It is common to apply a convenient rule of thumb (for example to define material
items as those with a value greater than 5% of the net profit disclosed by the financial statements). But
some items disclosed in financial statements are regarded as particularly sensitive and even a very small
misstatement of such an item would be regarded as a material error. An example in the financial statements
of a limited liability company might be the amount of remuneration paid to directors of the company.
The assessment of an item as material or immaterial may affect its treatment in the financial
statements. For example, the income statement of a business will show the expenses incurred by the
business grouped under suitable captions (heating and lighting expenses, rent and property taxes etc).
However, in the case of very small expenses it may be appropriate to lump them together under a caption
such as 'sundry expenses', because a more detailed breakdown would be inappropriate for such immaterial
amounts.
In assessing whether or not an item is material, it is not only the amount of the item which needs to be
considered. The context is also important.

Worked example: Materiality


If a balance sheet shows non-current assets of CU2 million and inventories of CU30,000 an error of
CU20,000 in the depreciation calculations might not be regarded as material, whereas an error of
CU20,000 in the inventory valuation probably would be. In other words, the total of which the erroneous
item forms part must be considered.
If a business has a bank loan of CU50,000 and a CU55,000 balance on bank deposit account, it might well be
regarded as a material misstatement if these two amounts were displayed on the balance sheet as 'cash at
bank CU5,000'. In other words, incorrect presentation may amount to material misstatement even if there
is no monetary error.
Users are assumed to have a personal knowledge of business and economic activities and accounting and a
willingness to study the information with reasonable diligence.

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2.6

Offsetting
BAS 1 does not allow assets and liabilities to be offset against each other unless such a treatment is
required or permitted by another BFRS.
Income and expenses can be offset only when:

2.7

A BFRS requires/permits it, or

Gains, losses and related expenses arising from the same/similar transactions are not material (in
aggregate).

Comparative information
BAS 1 requires comparative information to be disclosed for the previous period for all numerical
information, unless another BFRS permits/requires otherwise. Comparatives should also be given in
narrative information where relevant to an understanding of the current period's financial statements.
Comparatives should be reclassified when the presentation or classification of items in the financial
statements is amended.

2.8

Disclosure of accounting policies


There should be a specific section for accounting policies in the notes to the financial statements and the
following should be disclosed there.

Measurement bases used in preparing the financial statements


Each specific accounting policy necessary for a proper understanding of the financial statements

To be clear and understandable it is essential that financial statements should disclose the accounting
policies used in their preparation. This is because policies may vary, not only from entity to entity, but
also from country to country. As an aid to users, all the major accounting policies used should be disclosed
in the same place. This is normally referred to as the accounting policy note.

3 Structure and content: general points


Section overview

3.1

In addition to giving substantial guidance on the form and content of published financial statements
BAS 1 also covers a number of general points:

The profit or loss must be calculated after taking account of all income and expense in the
period (unless a standard or interpretation requires otherwise)

Recommended formats are given but they are not mandatory

Readers of annual reports must be able to distinguish between the financial statements and
other information

Financial statements should be prepared at least annually

Financial statements should be produced within six months of the balance sheet date.

Profit or loss for the period


The income statement is the most significant indicator of a company's financial performance. So it is
important to ensure that it is not misleading.
BAS 1 stipulates that all items of income and expense recognised in a period shall be included in profit or
loss unless a Standard or an Interpretation requires otherwise.
Circumstances where items may be excluded from profit or loss for the current year include the correction
of errors and the effect of changes in accounting policies. These are covered in BAS 8 Accounting Policies,
Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors (which is covered in Chapter 4).
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Financial accounting

3.2

How items are disclosed


BAS 1 specifies disclosures of certain items in certain ways:

Some items must appear on the face of the balance sheet or income statement

Other items can appear in a note to the financial statements instead

Illustrative formats are given which enterprises may or may not follow, depending on their
circumstances.

Obviously, disclosures specified by other standards must also be made, and we will mention the
necessary disclosures when we cover each BAS or BFRS in turn. Disclosures in both BAS 1 and other BAS
or BFRS must be made either on the face of the statement or in the notes unless otherwise stated, i.e.
disclosures cannot be made in an accompanying commentary or report.

3.3

Identification of financial statements


As a result of the above point, it is most important that enterprises distinguish the financial
statements very clearly from any other information published with them. This is because all BASs/BFRSs
apply only to the financial statements (i.e. the main statements and related notes), so readers of the annual
report must be able to differentiate between the parts of the report which are prepared under BFRS, and
other parts which are not.
The enterprise should identify each component of the financial statements very clearly. BAS 1 also
requires disclosure of the following information in a prominent position. If necessary it should be repeated
wherever it is felt to be of use to the reader in his understanding of the information presented.

Name of the reporting enterprise (or other means of identification)


Whether the accounts cover the single entity only or a group of entities
The balance sheet date or the period covered by the financial statements (as appropriate)
The reporting currency
The level of rounding used in presenting the figures in the financial statements

Judgement must be used to determine the best method of presenting this information. In particular, the
standard suggests that the approach to this will be very different when the financial statements are
communicated electronically.
The level of rounding is important, as presenting figures in thousands or millions of units makes the
figures more understandable. The level of rounding must be disclosed, however, and it should not obscure
necessary details or make the information less relevant.

3.4

Reporting period
It is normal for entities to present financial statements annually and BAS 1 states that they should be
prepared at least as often as this. If (unusually) an entity's balance sheet date is changed, for whatever
reason, the period for which the statements are presented will be less or more than one year. In such cases
the entity should also disclose:

3.5

The reason(s) why a period other than one year is used, and

The fact that the comparative figures given are not in fact comparable (in particular for the income
statement, changes in equity, cash flows and related notes).

Timeliness
If the publication of financial statements is delayed too long after the balance sheet date, their usefulness will
be severely diminished. The standard states that entities should be able to produce their financial
statements within six months of the balance sheet date. An entity with consistently complex
operations cannot use this as a reason for its failure to report on a timely basis. In addition, local legislation
and market regulation may impose specific deadlines on certain enterprises.

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3.6

Proforma accounts
BAS 1 looks at the balance sheet and the income statement. We will not give all the detailed disclosures as
some are outside the scope of your syllabus. Instead we will look at a 'proforma' set of accounts based
on the Guidance on Implementing BAS 1 which accompanies the Standard. Note the description of this
guidance as 'not part' of BAS 1 which means that it is not mandatory. So it shows ways in which financial
statements may be presented.

4 Balance sheet
Section overview

4.1

BAS 1 provides guidance on the layout of the balance sheet.


BAS 1 specifies that certain items must be shown on the face of the balance sheet.
Other information is required on the face of the balance sheet or in the notes.
Both assets and liabilities must be separately classified as current and non-current.

Balance sheet format


BAS 1 suggests a format for the balance sheet although it does not prescribe the order or format in which
the items listed should be presented. The balance sheet layout below is consistent with the minimum
requirements of BAS 1 and will be used throughout this study manual.
PROFORMA BALANCE SHEET
XYZ Ltd Balance sheet as at [date]
CUm
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangibles
Investments
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Investments
Cash and cash equivalents
Non-current assets held for sale
Total assets

CUm

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
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Financial accounting
CUm

X
X
X
X
X
X
X

Minority interest

Equity

Non-current liabilities
Preference share capital (redeemable)
Finance lease liabilities
Borrowings
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Taxation
Provisions
Borrowings
Finance lease liabilities

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

Total equity and liabilities

4.2

CUm

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES


Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Preference share capital (irredeemable)
Share premium account
Revaluation reserve
General reserve
Retained earnings
Attributable to equity holders of XYZ Ltd

X
X

Information which must appear on the face of the balance sheet


BAS 1 specifies various items which must appear on the face of the balance sheet as a minimum disclosure.

Property, plant and equipment


Investment property
Intangible assets
Financial assets
Investments accounted for using the equity method (see Chapter 13)
Assets classified as held for sale
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Financial liabilities
Current tax liabilities
Minority interest
Issued capital and reserves

Any other line items, headings or sub-totals should be shown on the face of the balance sheet when
it is necessary for an understanding of the entity's financial position.
This decision depends on judgements based on the assessment of the following factors.

52

Nature and liquidity of assets and their materiality. Thus goodwill and assets arising from
development expenditure will be presented separately, as will monetary/non-monetary assets and
current/non-current assets.

Function within the entity. Operating and financial assets, inventories, receivables and cash and
cash equivalents are therefore shown separately.

Amounts, nature and timing of liabilities. Interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing liabilities and
provisions will be shown separately, classified as current or non-current as appropriate.

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FORMAT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The standard also requires separate presentation where different measurement bases are used for
assets and liabilities which differ in nature or function. According to BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment,
for example, it is permitted to carry certain items of property, plant and equipment at cost or at a revalued
amount. Property, plant and equipment may therefore be split to show classes held at historical cost
separately from those that have been revalued.

4.3

Information presented either on the face of the balance sheet or


by note
Certain pieces of information may be presented either on the face of the balance sheet or in the notes to
the financial statements.
These comprise:

4.4

Further sub-classification of line items on the face. Disclosures will vary from item to item, which will
in part depend on the requirements of BFRS. For example, tangible assets are classified by class as
required by BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment.

Details about each class of share capital.

Details about each reserve within equity.

The current/non-current distinction


An entity must present current and non-current assets and liabilities as separate classifications on
the face of the balance sheet. This is to separate current assets from fixed assets and amounts due within
one year from amounts due after more than one year.
An alternative liquidity presentation which lists assets by reference to how closely they approximate to cash
is permitted but only where this provides more reliable information, e.g. in the case of a financial institution
such as a bank.
For all businesses which have a clearly identifiable operating cycle, it is the current/non-current
presentation which is more meaningful, so this is the one which must be used. (See section 4.5 below).
In either case, the entity should disclose any portion of an asset or liability which is expected to be
recovered or settled after more than twelve months.

Worked example: Amount receivable


For an amount receivable which is due in instalments over 18 months, the portion due after more than
twelve months must be disclosed.

4.5

Operating cycle
Definition
Operating cycle: The time between the acquisition of assets for processing and their realisation in cash or
cash equivalents.

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Financial accounting
The typical operating cycle of a manufacturing business is shown in Figure 2.1.

WIP

Finished
goods

Figure 2.1: Operating cycle of a manufacturing business


This is an important term as it forms part of the definitions of current assets and current liabilities.

4.6

Current assets
Definition
Current asset: An asset shall be classified as current when it satisfies any of the following criteria:

It is expected to be realised in, or is intended for sale or consumption in, the entity's normal operating
cycle

It is held primarily for the purpose of being traded

It is expected to be realised within twelve months after the balance sheet date, or

It is cash or a cash equivalent (as defined in BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements), unless it is restricted from
being exchanged or used to settle a liability for at least twelve months after the balance sheet date.

All other assets should be classified as non-current assets.

Current assets therefore include inventories and trade receivables that are sold, consumed and realised as
part of the normal operating cycle. This is the case even where they are not expected to be
realised within twelve months. It is the operating cycle which is the key.
Current assets will also include marketable securities if they are expected to be realised within twelve
months of the balance sheet date. If expected to be realised later, they should be included in non-current
assets.
Point to note: There is no specific definition of non-current assets. These are merely all assets which are
not current assets.

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4.7

Current liabilities
Definition
Current liability: A liability shall be classified as current when it satisfies any of the following criteria:

It is expected to be settled in the entity's normal operating cycle

It is held primarily for the purpose of being traded

It is due to be settled within twelve months after the balance sheet date, or

The entity does not have an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve
months after the balance sheet date.

All other liabilities should be classified as non-current liabilities.

The categorisation of current liabilities is very similar to that of current assets. Thus, some current liabilities
are part of the working capital used in the normal operating cycle of the business (i.e. trade payables and
accruals for employee and other operating costs). Such items will be classed as current liabilities even
where they are due to be settled more than twelve months after the balance sheet date.
There are also current liabilities which are not settled as part of the normal operating cycle, but which are
due to be settled within twelve months of the balance sheet date. These include bank overdrafts, income
taxes, other non-trade payables and the current portion of interest-bearing liabilities. Any interest-bearing
liabilities that are used to finance working capital on a long-term basis, and that are not due for settlement
within twelve months, should be classed as non-current liabilities.

5 Income statement
Section overview

5.1

BAS 1 suggests two formats for the income statement.


BAS 1 specifies that certain items must be shown on the face of the income statement.
Other information is required on the face of the income statement or in the notes.

Income statement formats


BAS 1 suggests two possible formats for the income statement, the difference between them being the
classification of expenses:

By function, or
By nature

Point to note: The income statement classifying expenses by function is more common in practice
and will therefore be tested more frequently in the exam than the income statement classifying
expenses by nature.

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Financial accounting
XYZ Ltd Income Statement for the year ended [date]
Illustrating the classification of expenses by function
Continuing operations
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Other operating income
Distribution costs
Administrative expenses
Profit/loss from operations
Finance cost
Investment income
Share of profit/(losses) of associates
Profit/(loss) before tax
Income tax expense
Profit/(loss) for the period from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Profit/(loss) for the period from discontinued operations
Profit/(loss) for the period
Attributable to:
Equity holders of XYZ Ltd
Minority interest

CUm
X
(X)
X
X
(X)
(X)
X
(X)
X
X
X
(X)
X
(X)
X
X
X
X
X

Point to note: The sub-total 'profit/loss from operations' is not a current requirement of BAS 1. These
Learning Materials use this description as it is used in practice and is not prohibited by BAS 1.
PROFORMA INCOME STATEMENT
XYZ Ltd Income Statement for the year ended [date]
Illustrating the classification of expenses by nature
Continuing operations
Revenue
Other operating income
Changes in inventories of finished goods and work in progress
Work performed by the enterprise and capitalised
Raw materials and consumables used
Employee benefits expense
Depreciation and amortisation expense
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
Other expenses
Profit/loss from operations
Finance costs
Investment income
Share of profit/(losses) of associates
Profit/(loss) before tax
Income tax expense
Profit/(loss) for the period from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Profit/(loss) for the period from discontinued operations
Profit/(loss) for the period
Attributable to:
Equity holders of XYZ Ltd
Minority interest

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CUm
X
X
(X)
X
(X)
(X)
(X)
(X)
(X)
X
(X)
X
X
X
(X)
X
(X)
X
X
X
X

FORMAT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5.2

Information presented on the face of the income statement


The standard lists the following as the minimum to be disclosed on the face of the income statement.

Revenue

Finance costs

Share of profits and losses of associates accounted for using the equity method (we will look at
associates in Chapter 13)

Income tax expense

A single amount comprising the total of:

The post-tax profit or loss of discontinued operations

The post-tax gain or loss recognised on the measurement to fair value less costs to sell or on the
disposal of the assets constituting the discontinued operation

Profit or loss

The following items must be disclosed on the face of the income statement as allocations of profit or loss
for the period.

Profit or loss attributable to minority interest


Profit or loss attributable to equity holders of the parent

The allocated amounts must not be presented as items of income or expense. (These issues relate to group
accounts, covered later in this text.)
Point to note: Income and expense items can only be offset in certain circumstances (see section 2.6).

5.3

Analysis of expenses
An analysis of expenses must be shown either on the face of the income statement (as above, which
is encouraged by the standard) or by note, using a classification based on either the nature of the expenses
or their function. This sub-classification of expenses indicates a range of components of financial
performance; these may differ in terms of stability, potential for gain or loss and predictability.
Function of expense/cost of
sales method

Expenses are classified according to their function as part of cost of


sales, distribution or administrative activities. This method often gives
more relevant information for users, but the allocation of
expenses by function requires the use of judgement and can be
arbitrary. Consequently, perhaps, when this method is used, entities
should disclose additional information on the nature of expenses,
including staff costs, and depreciation and amortisation expense.

Nature of expense method

Expenses are not reallocated amongst various functions within the


entity, but are aggregated in the income statement according to
their nature (e.g. purchase of materials, depreciation, wages and
salaries, transport costs). This may be the easiest method for smaller
entities.

Which of the above methods is chosen by an entity will depend on historical and industry factors, and
also the nature of the organisation. The choice of method should fairly reflect the main elements of the
entity's performance. These Learning Materials will use the functional analysis in accordance with past
UK practice. (It is also more likely to be examined than the nature of expenses method.)

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Financial accounting

5.4

Other information presented either on the face of the income


statement or in the notes
These comprise:

'Exceptional items'
These are material items of income and expense which should be disclosed separately. These include:

Write downs of inventories to NRV

Write down of property, plant and equipment to recoverable amount

Disposals of property, plant and equipment

Restructuring of the activities of an entity and reversals of any provisions for the cost of
restructuring

Disposals of investments

Discontinued operations

Litigation settlements

Other reversals of provisions

Details, including per share amounts, of dividends recognised in the financial statements.
Point to note: It is now best practice that dividends paid are not shown in the income statement;
instead they are shown in the statement of changes in equity.

6 Statement of changes in equity


Section overview

6.1

The statement of changes in equity shows the total recognised income and expenses for the period.

Statement of changes in equity


The income statement is framed as a straightforward measure of financial performance, in that it shows
how the profit or loss for the period has arisen. It is then necessary to link this result with income/expenses
in the period which are not shown in the income statement to arrive at the total recognised income
and expense for the period. The statement making the link is the statement of changes in equity. This
must be presented as a separate component of the financial statements not just included in the notes.
The following should be shown on the face of the statement:

The profit or loss for the period

Each item of income and expense for the period that, as required by other standards, has been
recognised directly in equity rather than in the income statement

The total income or expense for the period (being the sum of the first two items listed above)
showing separately the total amounts attributable to equity holders of the parent and to the minority
interest, and

The effect of changes in accounting policy or correction of errors for each component of equity where
these have been recognised during the period in accordance with BAS 8 (see Chapter 4).

There is also a need to report transactions between the entity and its shareholders, so dividends
paid out and any new capital paid in. This can be included in the notes or in the statement of changes in
equity. These Learning Materials follow the second alternative and a suggested the layout is shown below.

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CUm

XYZ Ltd Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended [Date]

CUm

CUm

CUm

CUm

Attributable to the Equity Holders of XYZ Ltd

CUm

CUm

CUm

CUm

FORMAT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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7 Notes to the financial statements


Section overview

7.1

Certain items need to be disclosed by way of note.

Contents of notes
The notes to the financial statements will amplify the information given in the balance sheet, income
statement and statement of changes in equity. We have already noted above the information which BAS 1
allows to be shown by note rather than on the face of the statements. To some extent, then, the contents
of the notes will be determined by the level of detail shown on the face of the statements.

7.2

Structure
The notes to the financial statements should perform the following functions:

Provide information about the basis on which the financial statements were prepared and
which specific accounting policies were chosen and applied to significant transactions/events.

Disclose any information, not shown elsewhere in the financial statements, which is required by
BFRSs.

Show any additional information that is necessary for a fair presentation which is not shown on the
face of the financial statements.

The way the notes are presented is important. They should be set out in a systematic manner and
cross-referenced back to the related figure(s) in the balance sheet, income statement, cash flow
statement or statement of changes in equity.
Notes to the financial statements will amplify the information shown therein by giving the following:

More detailed analysis or breakdowns of figures in the statements.

Narrative information explaining figures in the statements.

Additional information where items are not included in the financial statements, e.g. contingent
liabilities and commitments.

BAS 1 suggests a certain order for the notes to the financial statements. This will assist users when
comparing the statements of different entities. (Remember, comparability is one of the qualitative
characteristics of useful information.)

Statement of compliance with BFRSs.

Summary of significant accounting policies applied.

Supporting information for items presented on the face of each financial statement in the same
order as the financial statements and each line item within them.

Other disclosures, e.g.:

Contingent liabilities, commitments and other financial disclosures


Non-financial disclosures

The order of specific items may have to be varied occasionally, but a systematic structure is still required.

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FORMAT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

7.3

Disclosure of accounting policies


The accounting policies section should describe the following.

The measurement basis (or bases) used in preparing the financial statements.

The other accounting policies used, as required for a proper understanding of the financial
statements.

The judgements, apart from those involving estimations, made by management in applying the
accounting policies.

The key assumptions made about the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty which
carry a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities
within the next financial year.

This information may be shown in the notes or sometimes as a separate component of the financial
statements.
The information on measurement bases used is obviously fundamental to an understanding of the financial
statements. Where more than one basis is used, it should be stated to which assets or liabilities each
basis has been applied.

7.4

Other disclosures
An entity must disclose in the notes:

The amount of dividends proposed or declared before the financial statements were authorised for
issue but not recognised as a distribution to equity holders during the period, and the amount per
share.

The amount of any cumulative preference dividends not recognised.

BAS 1 ends by listing some specific disclosures which will always be required if they are not shown
elsewhere in the financial statements.

The domicile and legal form of the entity, its country of incorporation and the address of the
registered office (or, if different, principal place of business).

A description of the nature of the entity's operations and its principal activities.

The name of the parent entity and the ultimate parent entity of the group.

8 Minority interest
Section overview

The following amounts must be split between the minority interest and the amount attributable to
the equity holders of the parent:

Equity
Profit or loss for the period
Total income and expense for the period.

A parent company may own less than 100% of a subsidiary, in which case the amount not owned is
described as the minority interest. The detail of how to account for such holdings is dealt with in Chapter
10 onwards, so for the moment it is only necessary to note that:

On the face of the balance sheet, equity must be split between the minority interest and the amount
attributable to the equity holders of the parent.

On the face of the income statement, the allocation must be shown of the profit or loss for the period
between the minority interest and the equity holders of the parent.

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Financial accounting

In the statement of changes in equity, the total income and expense for the period must be split
between the minority interest and the amount attributable to the equity holders of the parent.

This treatment is consistent with the BFRS Framework's definitions of the elements within financial
statements. As there is no present obligation arising out of past events to settle the amount due to the
minority interest, it cannot be classified as a liability; instead it must be part of equity, which is the residual
once liabilities have been deducted from assets.

9 Not-for-profit entities
Section overview

9.1

IPSAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements provides guidance on the presentation of financial


information for public sector bodies.

Presentation of financial statements


A complete set of financial statements produced in accordance with IPSAS 1 comprise:

9.2

Statement of financial position


Statement of financial performance
Statement of changes in net assets/equity
Cash flow statement, and
Accounting policies and notes to the financial statements.

Statement of financial position


This is essentially a balance sheet. The following example is provided by IPSAS 1.
Public Sector Entity Statement of Financial Position as of 31 December 20X2

Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Receivables
Inventories
Prepayments
Investments
Non-current assets
Receivables
Investments
Other financial assets
Infrastructure, plant and equipment
Land and buildings
Intangible assets
Other non-financial assets

20X2
CU000
X
X
X
X
X

20X1
CU000

X
X
X
X
X
X
X

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

20X1
CU000

X
X
X
X
X
X

Total assets

62

20X2
CU000

X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X

FORMAT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

20X2
CU000

Liabilities
Current liabilities
Payables
Short-term borrowings
Current portion of borrowing
Provisions
Employee benefits

X
X
X
X
X

Non-current liabilities
Payables
Borrowings
Provisions
Employee benefits

X
X
X
X

Total liabilities
Net assets
Net Assets/Equity
Capital contributed by other government entities
Reserves
Accumulated surpluses/(deficits)
Minority interest
Total net assets/equity

9.3

X
X
X

20X2
CU000

20X1
CU000

X
X
X

X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X

20X1
CU000

X
X
X

X
X
X

Statement of financial performance


This is essentially an income statement. The following example is provided by IPSAS 1.
Public sector entity Statement of Financial Performance for the year ended 31 December
20X2 (illustrating the classification of expenses by function)
20X2
20X1
CU000
CU000
Operating revenue
Taxes
X
X
Fees, fines, penalties and licences
X
X
Revenue from exchange transactions
X
X
Transfers from other government entities
X
X
Total operating revenue
X
X
Operating expenses
General public services
Defence
Public order and safety
Education
Health
Social protection
Housing and community amenities
Recreational, cultural and religion
Economic affairs
Environmental protection
Total operating expenses

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

Surplus/(deficit) from operating activities


Finance costs
Gains on sale of property, plant and equipment
Total non-operating revenue/(expenses)

X
(X)
X
(X)

X
(X)
X
(X)

Surplus/(deficit) from continuing activities


Minority interest share of surplus/(deficit)

X
(X)

X
(X)

Net surplus/(deficit) for the period

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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Summary and Self-test

Financial Statements

Summary

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

FORMAT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Self-test
Answer the following questions
1

According to BAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements, which of the following must be recognised in
the income statement?
A
B
C
D

Equity dividends paid


Revaluation gains
Depreciation
Effects of a change in accounting policy

Which of the following form the components of a full set of financial statements according to BAS 1
Presentation of Financial Statements?
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)

Balance sheet
Income statement
Statement of changes in equity
Cash flow statement
Accounting policy note
Explanatory notes

A
B
C
D

All of them
(1), (2), (3) and (4) only
(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) only
(1), (2) and (4) only

Which of the following must be presented on the face of the income statement according to BAS 1
Presentation of Financial Statements?
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

Tax expense
Revenue
Finance cost
Depreciation expense

A
B
C
D

(1), (2), (3) and (4)


(1), (2) and (3) only
(1), (3) and (4) only
(2) and (4) only

In accordance with BFRS what typically comprises the first line of the income statement and profit and
loss account?
A
B
C
D

Revenue
Turnover
Sales
Income

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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Financial accounting
5

The income statement of Bell Holdings Ltd showed a profit of CU183,000 for the year ended 30 June
20X7. During the year the following transactions occurred.
(1) Equity dividends of CU18,000.
(2) Capitalised borrowing costs of CU45,000 were written off directly to retained earnings as a
result of a change in accounting policy.
(3) Property with a carrying amount of CU60,000 was revalued to CU135,000, which gave rise to
additional depreciation of CU8,000.
The total equity balance brought forward at 1 July 20X6 from the statement of changes in equity was
CU2,123,000.
In accordance with BAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements what is the total equity balance at 30 June
20X7 in the statement of changes in equity?
A
B
C
D

66

CU2,336,000
CU2,318,000
CU2,381,000
CU2,310,000

Which of the following constitutes a complete set of financial statements in accordance with IPSAS 1
Presentation of Financial Statements?
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

Statement of financial position


Statement of financial performance
Statement of changes in net assets/equity
Cash flow statement
Accounting policies and notes to the financial statements

A
B
C
D

(1) and (3) only


(1), (2) and (4) only
(3) and (5) only
All of them

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

FORMAT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

RADICAL LTD

(Note: this question is included to provide practice of basic techniques)

After closing off the profit and loss account for the year ended 30 September 20Y2 the following draft
balance sheet was extracted from the nominal ledger of Radical Ltd.
Balance sheet at 30 September 20Y2

Ordinary share capital


Preference share capital (irredeemable)
9% Loan stock
Trade creditors
Aggregate depreciation at 1 October 20Y1
Freehold buildings
Motor vehicles
Provision for bad debts
Profit and loss account
Share premium account
Corporation tax at 31%
Disposals of fixed assets (see note (2))

Stocks on hand, at cost


Trade debtors
Cash in hand
Balance at bank 42,735
Fixed assets at cost 1 October 20Y1
Freehold buildings
Motor vehicles
Ordinary shares in Midland Bank Ltd, at cost
Prepayments
Additions to fixed assets (see note (2))

Credits
CU
250,000
100,000
150,000
64,700
2,500
117,830
13,420
198,885
52,400
26,750
8,000
984,485
Debits
CU
192,734
172,062
2,431
105,000
377,845
22,632
2,596
66,450
984,485

You also obtain the following information.


(1) The balance on corporation tax account was due for payment nine months after the year end.
(2) Additional motor vehicles were purchased during the year at a cost of CU40,450, and additions
to freehold property were CU26,000. Cars which had cost CU11,500 had been disposed of for
CU8,000 when their book value had been CU6,200.
(3) Depreciation has still to be charged for the year as follows.
Freehold buildings
Motor vehicles

CU2,500
CU84,000

Requirement
Prepare the companys balance sheet as at 30 September 20Y2.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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Financial accounting
8

HENDON LTD

(Note: this question is included to provide practice of basic techniques)

For the year ended 15 July 20Y8 the accountant of Hendon Ltd has closed each of the ledger accounts
to arrive at the following balances.
At 16 July 20Y7
Inventories
Profit and loss account
Provision for depreciation
Freehold buildings
Motor vehicles
Plant and machinery
Rental income
Sales
Trade receivables
Purchases
Trade payables
Discounts
Allowed
Received
Sundry business expenses
Wages
Salaries
Office
Directors remuneration
Dividends
Declared and paid
Received
Interest
Paid
Received
Freehold land
Freehold buildings
Motor vehicles
Plant and machinery
10% debentures
14 July 20Y9
14 July 20Z5
Share premium account
25p ordinary shares
Investments
Bank (debit)
New share issue account

CU
180,900
170,555
20,000
28,000
22,100
12,120
962,300
112,870
777,200
210,800
53,400
27,405
73,500
74,000
10,000
30,000
40,000
20,000
12,500
10,000
70,000
160,000
124,200
74,300
35,000
90,000
66,000
200,000
58,000
61,410
38,000

Following a physical count closing inventories were determined to be CU210,000.


In addition the accountant discovers the following.
(1) The debenture interest is payable in arrears on 14 July until maturity.
(2) One motor vehicle, stated in the accounts at cost of CU8,000 with accumulated depreciation of
CU2,000, was stolen during the year. The insurance company has agreed to pay CU7,000 in full
settlement. No entries have been made in the books in respect of this matter.
(3) The company depreciates assets using the reducing balance method. The relevant rates are as
follows.
Freehold buildings
Plant and machinery
Motor vehicles

2%
10%
25%

Freehold land is not depreciated.


(4) During the year the company issued 40,000 25p ordinary shares at 95 pence each. The proceeds
have been credited to the new shares issue account and still need to be properly accounted for.

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

FORMAT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Requirements
Prepare an income statement for the year ended 15 July 20Y8 and a balance sheet as at 15 July 20Y8.
Note: Ignore comparatives and taxation.
9

OSCAR LTD
The following trial balance has been extracted from the books of account of Oscar Ltd as at 31 March
20X8.
Administrative expenses
Ordinary share capital
Trade receivables
Bank overdraft
Provision for warranty costs
Distribution costs
Non-current asset investments
Investment income
Finance cost
Freehold land and buildings at cost
Plant and equipment
At cost
Accumulated depreciation (at 31 March 20X8)
Retained earnings (at 1 April 20X7)
Purchases
Inventories (at 1 April 20X7)
Trade payables
Revenue
20X7 final dividend paid
20X8 interim dividend paid

CU'000
210

CU'000
600

470

80
205

420
560
75

10
200
550

220
180

960
150

260
2,010
65
35
3,630

3,630

Additional information
(1) Inventories at 31 March 20X8 were valued at CU160,000.
(2) The following items are already included in the balances listed in this trial balance.

Depreciation charge for the year


Employee benefits

Distribution
costs
CU'000
27
150

Administrative
expenses
CU'000
5
80

(3) The income tax charge for the year is estimated at CU74,000.
(4) The warranty provision is to be increased by CU16,000, charged to administrative expenses.
(5) Staff bonuses totalling CU40,000 are to be provided for, charged equally to distribution costs and
administrative expenses.
(6) The freehold land and buildings were bought on the last day of the accounting period at a bargain
price. They are to be revalued to CU280,000.
(7) In May 20X8 a final dividend for 20X8 of 10p per share was proposed on each of the companys
600,000 ordinary shares.
Requirement
Prepare Oscar Ltds income statement and statement of changes in equity for the year to 31 March
20X8, a balance sheet at that date and notes in accordance with the requirements of BAS 1
Presentation of Financial Statements to the extent the information is available.
(12 marks)

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Financial accounting
10

MORTIMER LTD
The following trial balance was extracted from the books of Mortimer Ltd, a manufacturing company,
as at 31 August 20X9.
Accruals
Administrative expenses
Bank deposit
Bank current account
Bank loan
Bank interest
Warranty provision
Distribution expenses
Land and buildings
Cost
Depreciation
Loan interest
Mortgage
Mortgage interest
Plant and machinery
Cost
Depreciation
Prepayments
Retained earnings
General reserve
Purchases
Trade payables
Revenue
Trade receivables
Ordinary share capital
Share premium account
Inventories, as at 31 August 20X8

CU
4,000

CU
153,000
20,000
4,000

58,000
5,000
19,000
175,000
840,000
166,000

8,000

90,000
14,000
714,000
368,000

2,000

138,000
21,000
2,678,000
80,000
3,290,000
105,000
382,000
199,000
107,000
4,820,000

4,820,000

You also obtain the following information.


(1) Depreciation is to be provided on the straight-line method on buildings at 2% per annum and on
plant and machinery at 20% pa. The cost of buildings at 31 August 20X9 was CU650,000.
(2) Inventories at 31 August 20X9 comprised raw materials CU113,000, work in progress CU12,000
and finished goods CU54,000.
(3) The original mortgage of CU225,000 was taken out on 1 September 20X0 for a term of 15 years,
repayable in equal monthly instalments on the 25th day of each month.
(4) The bank loan was granted on 1 May 20X6 for a fixed term of ten years.
(5) Provision is to be made for income tax of CU68,000, based on the results of the year.
(6) A transfer of CU21,000 was made to the general reserve during the year.
Requirements
(a)

Prepare Mortimer Ltd's income statement and statement of changes in equity for the year ended
31 August 20X9 and balance sheet at that date in accordance with the requirements of BAS 1
Presentation of Financial Statements to the extent the information is available. You are not required
to produce any notes thereto.
(18 marks)

(b) Explain the concept of 'fair presentation'.

(3 marks)
(21 marks)

Now, go back to the Learning Objectives in the Introduction. If you are satisfied you have achieved these
objectives, please tick them off.

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

FORMAT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Technical reference
Point to note: The whole of BAS 1 is examinable with the exception of paragraphs 124A-124C and IG5
and IG6. The paragraphs listed below are the key references you should be familiar with.
1 BAS 1

Applies to all general purpose financial statements.

Links back to much in the BFRS Framework:


Fair/faithful presentation

Going concern

BAS 1 (23-24)
Frame (23)

Accrual basis of accounting

BAS 1 (25-26)
Frame (22)

Consistency of presentation

BAS 1 (27-28)
Frame (39-41)

Materiality and aggregation

BAS 1 (29-31)
Frame (29-30)

Offsetting

BAS 1 (32-35)

Comparative information

BAS 1 (36-41)
Frame (42)

Presentation and disclosure rules apply only to material items

Balance sheet:

BAS 1 (13) Frame


(33-35, 46)

BAS 1 (2-5)

Layout as in proforma above

Distinction between current and non-current

Linked to the operating cycle of the business, not just the next 12 months

Some items must be on the face, others can be in the notes

BAS 1 (31 and 11)

BAS 1 (51)

BAS 1 (68-76)

Income statement:

Layout as in proformas above

Some items must be on the face, others can be in the notes

No extraordinary items

No dividends paid or payable

Allocate net profit for the period between parent company equity holders
and minority interest

BAS 1 (81-87)
BAS 1 (85)

Statement of changes in equity:

Layout as in proforma above

Revaluation surpluses shown here

Dividends declared by balance sheet date

BAS 1 (82)
BAS 1 (96-99)

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Financial accounting

72

Notes

What must be included

BAS 1 (103)

The systematic manner in which it must be disclosed

BAS 1 (104)

The disclosure of the measurement bases (e.g. historical cost, fair value)
and the other accounting policies used. Note the matters which an entity
must consider when deciding what to disclose

BAS 1 (108)

The judgements made by management in applying the accounting policies

BAS 1 (113)

The key measurement assumptions made about the future which carry the
significant risk of causing a material adjustment to assets and liabilities

BAS 1 (116)

The disclosure of ordinary dividends proposed or declared after the period


end and not recognised in the accounting period. Such dividends do not fall
within the definition of a liability at the period end, so cannot be recognised
until the next accounting period

BAS 1 (125)

The disclosure of registration details about the entity, its operations and
activities and, if it is in a group of companies, its parent and ultimate parent
company

BAS 1 (126)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

FORMAT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Answers to Self-test
1

Depreciation should be charged to the income statement, the other items should be taken to the
statement of changes in equity.

Per BAS 1 paragraph 8.

All items should be shown on the face of the income statement except depreciation which may
be disclosed in a note (BAS 1 paragraph 88).

Although BAS 1 allows amendment according to the entity's transactions (BAS 1 paragraph 81
and 71(b)).

The additional depreciation of CU8,000 will have already been charged in the income statement.
Equity
CU
2,078,000
183,000
(18,000)
75,000
2,318,000

B/f (2,123,000 45,000)


Profit
Dividends
Revaluation (135,000 60,000)
6

Per IPSAS 1

RADICAL LTD
Balance sheet as at 30 September 20Y2
CU

CU

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment (W5)
Investments

336,265
22,632
358,897

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables (W1)
Prepayments
Cash and cash equivalents (W3)

192,734
158,642
2,596
45,166
399,138
758,035

Total assets
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Preference share capital
Share premium
Accumulated profits/losses (W2)

250,000
100,000
52,400
114,185
516,585

Non-current liabilities
Interest-bearing borrowings

150,000

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Tax payable

64,700
26,750

Total equity and liabilities

91,540
758,035

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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Financial accounting
WORKINGS
(1) Trade and other receivables
CU
172,062
(13,420)
158,642

Trade debtors
Less Provision
(2) Accumulated profits/losses

CU
173,885
(86,500)
1,800
89,185

Per draft
Less Depreciation charge (2,500 + 84,000)
Add Profit on sale of cars (8,000 6,200)
(3) Cash and cash equivalents

CU
2,431
42,735
45,166

In hand
At bank
(4) Property, plant and equipment

Cost or valuation
B/f
Additions
Disposals
C/f
Accumulated depreciation
B/f
Charge
Disposals
C/f

Freehold
buildings
CU
105,000
26,000

131,000

Motor
vehicles
CU
377,845
40,450
(11,500)
406,795

CU
2,500
2,500

5,000

CU
117,830
84,000
(5,300)
96,530

(5) Analysis of property, plant and equipment


Cost or valuation

Fixed assets
Freehold buildings
Motor vehicles
8

Net book value

(W4)
CU

Accumulated
depreciation
(W4)
CU

131,000
406,795
537,795

5,000
196,530
201,530

126,000
210,265
336,265

HENDON LTD
Income statement for the year ended 15 July 20Y8
Revenue
Cost of sales (W8)
Gross profit
Other operating income
Distribution costs (W8)
Administrative expenses (W8)
Profit/loss from operations
Finance cost (W2)
Investment income
Net profit/loss for the period

74

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU
962,300
(753,320)
208,980
39,525
(21,550)
(243,700)
(16,745)
(12,500)
30,000
755

CU

FORMAT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Balance sheet as at 15 July 20Y8


CU

CU

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables (W9)
Cash and cash equivalents

321,830
58,000
379,830
210,000
119,870
61,410
391,280
771,110

Total assets
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital (W4)
Share premium (W5)
Accumulated profits/losses (W6)

210,000
94,000
131,310
435,310

Non-current liabilities
Interest-bearing borrowings

90,000

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Short-term borrowings

210,800
35,000
245,800
771,110

Total equity and liabilities


WORKINGS
(1) Accumulated depreciation

Freehold (160,000 20,000) 2%)


Vehicles (((124,200 8,000) (28,000 2,000)) 25%)
Plant (74,300 22,100) 10%

CU
2,800
22,550
5,220

B/f
CU
20,000
28,000
22,100

Disposals
CU

(2,000)

C/f
22,800
48,550
27,320

(2) Finance cost


20Y9 debentures (35,000 10%)
20Z5 debentures (90,000 10%)

CU
3,500
9,000
12,500

All interest due has been paid in year.


(3) Cost of property, plant and equipment
Freehold (70,000 + 160,000))
Vehicles (124,200 8,000)

CU
230,000
116,200

(4) Ordinary share capital


Per TB
New issue (40,000 25p)

CU
200,000
10,000
210,000

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75

Financial accounting
(5) Share premium
CU
66,000
28,000
94,000

Per TB
New issue ((95p 25p) 40,000)
(6)

ACCUMULATED PROFITS/LOSSES
Dividends
C/d

CU
40,000
131,310
171,310

CU
170,555
755
171,310

B/d
Profit for the period

(7) Trade and other receivables


CU
112,870
7,000
119,870

Trade receivables
Insurance claim
(8) Analysis of expenses
Cost of sales
Opening stock
Purchases
Discounts allowed
Closing stock
Plant and machinery depreciation charge (W1)
Motor vehicles depreciation charge (W1)
Freehold buildings depreciation charge (W1)
Profit on disposal of fixed assets
Expenses

CU
180,900
777,200
(210,000)
5,220

Distribution
costs
CU

Administrative
expenses
CU
53,400

22,550
2,800
(1,000)

753,320

21,550

187,500
243,700

(9) Analysis of property, plant and equipment

Fixed assets
Freehold buildings
Motor vehicles
Plant and machinery
9

Cost or
valuation
(W3)
CU
230,000
116,200
74,300
420,500

Net book
value
CU
207,200
67,650
46,980
321,830

OSCAR LTD
Financial statements
Income statement for the year ended 31 March 20X8
Revenue
Cost of sales (960 + 150 160)
Gross profit
Distribution costs (420 + 20)
Administrative expenses (210 + 16 + 20)
Profit from operations
Finance cost
Investment income
Profit before tax
Income tax
Profit for the year

76

Accumulated
depreciation
(W1)
CU
22,800
48,550
27,320
98,670

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU'000
2,010
(950)
1,060
(440)
(246)
374
(10)
75
439
(74)
365

FORMAT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 March 20X8


Ordinary share
Revaluation
capital
reserve
CU'000
CU'000
Attributable to the equity holders of Oscar Ltd
Recognised directly in equity
Revaluation of non-current assets

80
Profit for the year

Total recognised income and expense for


the period

80
20X7 final dividend

20X8 interim dividend

80
Balance brought forward
600

Balance carried forward


600
80
Notes

Retained
earnings
CU'000

365
365
(65)
(35)
265
180
445

(1) The profit from operations is arrived at after charging


CU'000
32
270

Depreciation (27 + 5)
Employee benefits (150 + 80 + 40)
(2) A final dividend for 20X8 of CU60,000 (10p per share) is proposed.
Balance sheet as at 31 March 20X8
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment (200 + 550 + 80 220)
Investments
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables

CU'000

CU'000
610
560
1,170

160
470
630
1,800

Total assets
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings
Equity
Non-current liabilities
Provision for warranty costs (205 + 16)
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (260 + 40)
Taxation
Borrowings
Total equity and liabilities

600
80
445
1,125
221
300
74
80

454
1,800

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Financial accounting
10

MORTIMER LTD
(a)

Financial statements
Income statement for the year ended 31 August 20X9
CU
3,290,000
(2,748,800)
541,200
(175,000)
(166,000)
200,200
(22,000)
5,000
183,200
(68,000)
115,200

Revenue
Cost of sales (W1)
Gross profit
Distribution costs (W1)
Administrative expenses (W1)
Profit from operations
Finance cost (W1)
Investment income
Profit before tax
Income tax
Profit for the period
Statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 August 20X9
Attributable to the equity holders
of Mortimer Ltd
Recognised directly in equity
Transfer between reserves
Total recognised directly in
equity
Profit for the period
Total recognised income and
expense for the period
Balance brought forward (W3)
Balance carried forward

Ordinary
share
capital
CU

Share
premium
account
CU

General
reserve
CU

Retained
earnings
CU

Total
CU

21,000
21,000

(21,000)
(21,000)

21,000

115,200
94,200

115,200
115,200

382,000
382,000

199,000
199,000

21,000

159,000
253,200

740,000
855,200

Balance sheet as at 31 August 20X9


CU
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment (W2)
Current assets
Inventories (W1)
Trade and other receivables (105,000 + 2,000)
Cash and cash equivalents (20,000 + 4,000)
Total assets

78

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU
864,200

179,000
107,000
24,000
310,000
1,174,200

FORMAT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES


Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Share premium account
General reserve
Retained earnings

CU

CU
382,000
199,000
21,000
253,200

Attributable to equity holders of Mortimer Ltd


Non-current liabilities
Borrowings (90,000 15,000 + 58,000)
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (4,000 + 80,000)
Tax
Provisions
Borrowings 225,000
15
Total equity and liabilities

855,200
133,000
84,000
68,000
19,000
15,000

186,000
1,174,200

(b) Fair presentation and a true and fair view


BAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements describes the concept of fair presentation. Fair
presentation involves:

Representing faithfully the effect of transactions, other events and conditions, and
In accordance with the definitions and recognition criteria in BFRS Framework.

This is developed by stating that the application of BFRS, Interpretations and additional
disclosures will result in fair presentation.
True could be approximated to represent faithfully and fair to fair presentation. BAS 1 links
them by stating that compliance with standards will give a fair presentation.
BAS 1 requires the financial statements to present fairly the financial position and performance of
an entity rather than a true and fair view. 'Present fairly' is further described as representing
faithfully the effects of transactions and as a result there is unlikely to be a difference between the
two.
Whilst not dealing with the concepts directly, BFRS Framework uses the descriptions of fair
presentation and true and fair view interchangeably in its discussion of the application of the
principal qualitative characteristics of financial information.
WORKINGS
(1) Allocation of expenses

Per Q
Loan interest
Mortgage interest
Opening inventories
Depreciation
Plant (714,000 x 20%)
Buildings (650,000 x 2%)
Closing inventories
(113,000 + 12,000 + 54,000)

Cost of
sales
CU
2,678,000

Distribution
CU
175,000

Administration
CU
153,000

8,000
14,000

107,000
142,800
(179,000)
2,748,800

Finance
cost
CU

13,000
175,000

166,000

22,000

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79

Financial accounting
(2) Property, plant and equipment

Cost
Depreciation
At 1 September 20X8
Charge for the year (W1)
At 31 August 20X9
Carrying amount

Land and
buildings
CU
840,000

Plant and
machinery
CU
714,000

166,000
13,000
179,000
661,000

368,000
142,800
510,800
203,200

Total
CU

864,200

(3) Retained earnings b/f


Per trial balance
Add transfer to general reserve already made
Retained earnings at start of year

80

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU
138,000
21,000
159,000

chapter 3

Cash flow statements


Contents
Introduction
Examination context
Topic List
1

Cash flow information

Presentation of a cash flow statement

Operating activities

Investing activities

Financing activities

Disclosures

Preparing a cash flow statement

Summary and Self-test


Technical reference
Answers to Self-test
Answers to Interactive questions

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Financial accounting

Introduction

Learning objectives

Tick off

Prepare the cash flow statement of an individual entity in accordance with BAS 7

Specific syllabus references for this chapter are: 2a, b, c.

Practical significance
It has been argued that 'profit' does not always give a useful or meaningful picture of a company's
operations. Readers of a company's financial statements might even be misled by a reported profit
figure.
(a)

Shareholders might believe that if a company makes a profit after tax of, say, CU100,000 then this is
the amount which it could afford to pay as a dividend. Unless the company has sufficient cash
available to stay in business and also to pay a dividend, the shareholders' expectations would be wrong.

(b) Employees might believe that if a company makes profits, it can afford to pay higher wages next
year. This opinion may not be correct: the ability to pay wages depends on the availability of cash.
(c)

Survival of a business entity depends not so much on profits as on its ability to pay its debts when
they fall due. Such payments might include 'revenue' items such as material purchases, wages,
interest and taxation etc, but also capital payments for new non-current assets and the repayment of
loan capital when this falls due (for example on the redemption of debentures).

From these examples, it may be apparent that a company's performance and prospects depend not so much
on the 'profits' earned in a period, but more realistically on liquidity or cash flows.

Stop and think


Can you think of some possible disadvantages of cash flow accounting?

Working context
As we will see the preparation of the cash flow statement is very dependent on information contained in
the income statement and balance sheet. This is not just an accounting issue however, but will also have an
impact on the amount of audit work which will need to be carried out on these balances. Audit work on
the cash flow statement can be more limited than that carried out on the income statement and balance
sheet as the cash flows are derived from balance sheet and income statement balances which have already
been subjected to detailed audit procedures.

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CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

Syllabus links
This is the first time that you will have come across a cash flow statement in your studies. However, as you
will see in the rest of the chapter, most of the information needed to produce a cash flow statement is
contained in the income statement and balance sheet, both of which you will be familiar with from your
Accounting studies.
The topic also relates to the underlying assumptions of accounting which were discussed in Chapter 1, in
particular the distinction between accrual accounting and cash accounting.
In this chapter we introduce the preparation of the cash flow statement of the individual company. Chapter
16 covers the preparation of group cash flow statements. Both of these aspects are also highly relevant in
the Financial & Corporate Reporting paper and at the Advanced Stage, where the emphasis will change from
preparation to analysis and interpretation.

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83

Financial accounting

Examination context

Exam requirements
As 55% of the syllabus deals with the preparation of single company financial statements, and this includes
the cash flow statement, it is likely that this topic will be examined regularly.
In an examination you would either be asked to prepare a full cash flow statement or to prepare cash flow
statement extracts and/or to answer a number short-form questions.
In the examination, candidates may be required to:

84

Prepare and present a cash flow statement for an individual entity in accordance with BAS 7 Cash Flow
Statements

Prepare extracts from the cash flow statement of an individual entity.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

1 Cash flow information


Section overview

1.1

The cash flow statement shows movements in cash and cash equivalents.
All entities are required to produce a cash flow statement.

Objective of BAS 7
The objective of BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements is to provide historical information about changes in cash and
cash equivalents, classifying cash flows between operating, investing and financing activities. This will
provide information to users of financial statements about the entity's ability to generate cash and cash
equivalents, as well as indicating the cash needs of the entity.

Definition
Cash flows: These are inflows and outflows of cash and cash equivalents.

1.2

Scope
A cash flow statement should be presented as an integral part of an entity's financial statements. All types
of entity can provide useful information about cash flows as the need for cash is universal, whatever the
nature of their revenue-producing activities. Therefore all entities are required by the standard to
produce a cash flow statement.

1.3

Benefits of cash flow information


Cash flow statements should be used in conjunction with the rest of the financial statements. Users can
gain further appreciation of:

The change in net assets

The entity's financial position (liquidity and solvency)

The entity's ability to adapt to changing circumstances and opportunities by affecting the amount and
timing of cash flows

Cash flow statements enhance comparability as they are not affected by differing accounting policies
used for the same type of transactions or events.
Cash flow information of a historical nature can be used as an indicator of the amount, timing and certainty
of future cash flows. Past forecast cash flow information can be checked for accuracy as actual figures
emerge. The relationship between profit and net cash flow and the impact of changing prices can be
analysed over time.

1.4

Cash and cash equivalents


The cash flow statement shows movements in cash and cash equivalents.

Definitions
Cash: Comprises cash on hand and demand deposits.
Cash equivalents: Short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of
cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

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85

Financial accounting
BAS 7 expands on the definition of cash equivalents: they are not held for investment or other long-term
purposes, but rather to meet short-term cash commitments. To fulfil the above definition, an investment's
maturity date should normally be within three months from its acquisition date. It would usually
be the case then that equity investments (i.e. shares in other companies) are not cash equivalents. An
exception would be where preference shares were acquired with a very close maturity date.
Points to note:
(1) Loans and other borrowings from banks are classified as financing activities. In some countries,
however, bank overdrafts are repayable on demand and are treated as part of an entity's total cash
management system. In these circumstances an overdrawn balance will be included in cash and cash
equivalents. Such banking arrangements are characterised by a balance which fluctuates between
overdrawn and credit.
In the absence of other information you should assume, in the exam, that bank overdrafts are
repayable on demand and should therefore be classed as cash and cash equivalents.
(2) Movements between different types of cash and cash equivalent are not included in cash flows. The
investment of surplus cash in cash equivalents is part of cash management, not part of operating,
investing or financing activities.

2 Presentation of a cash flow statement


Section overview

Cash flows are classified as:

2.1

Operating activities
Investing activities, and
Financing activities.

Presentation
BAS 7 requires cash flow statements to report cash flows during the period classified by:

2.2

Operating activities: These are primarily derived from the principal revenue-producing activities of
the entity and other activities that are not investing or financing activities.

Investing activities: These are the cash flows derived from acquisition and disposal of non-current
assets and other investments not included in cash equivalents.

Financing activities: These are activities that result in changes in the size and composition of the
equity capital and borrowings of the entity.

Example of a cash flow statement


We will look at the procedure for preparing a cash flow statement later in this chapter, but first, we will
look at a proforma adapted from the example given in the standard.

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CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

Cash flow statement


Year ended 31 December 20X7
CUm
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
Interest paid
Income taxes paid

CUm

2,730
(270)
(900)

Net cash from operating activities

1,560

Cash flows from investing activities


Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Interest received
Dividends received

(900)
20
200
200

Net cash used in investing activities

(480)

Cash flows from financing activities


Proceeds from issue of share capital
Proceeds from issue of long-term borrowings
Dividends paid
Net cash used in financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

250
250
(1,290)
(790)
290
120
410

Points to note
1

The headings in italics are necessary to comply with the standard.

The information to prepare a cash flow statement can be obtained from the figures in the

Balance sheet at the start of the period


Balance sheet at the end of the period
Income statement for the period
Supporting notes

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87

Financial accounting

3 Operating activities
Section overview

Cash flows from operating activities are primarily derived from the principal revenue producing
activities of the entity.

There are two methods for calculating and analysing cash generated from operations:

3.1

The direct method


The indirect method

Cash generated from operations is adjusted for payments of interest and income tax to arrive at net
cash from operating activities.

Operating activities
This is perhaps the key part of the cash flow statement because it shows whether, and to what extent,
companies can generate cash from their operations as other cash inflows may be non-recurring. It is
these operating cash flows which must, in the end pay for all cash outflows relating to other activities, i.e.
paying loan interest, dividends and so on.
Most of the components of cash flows from operating activities will be those items which determine the
net profit or loss of the entity, i.e. they relate to the main revenue-producing activities of the entity.
The standard gives the following as examples of cash flows from operating activities.

Cash receipts from the sale of goods and the rendering of services.
Cash receipts from royalties, fees, commissions and other revenue.
Cash payments to suppliers for goods and services.
Cash payments to and on behalf of employees.

Cash flows from interest paid and income taxes paid are also dealt with here.

3.2

Cash generated from operations


BAS 7 allows two possible layouts for cash generated from operations

The indirect method


The direct method.

The direct method is preferred by BAS 7 but not required. In practical terms the indirect method is
likely to be easier and less time consuming to prepare and is more likely to be examined. In the exam you
should use the indirect method unless the question specifies otherwise.

3.3

Indirect method
Using the indirect method, cash generated from operations is calculated by performing a reconciliation
between:

Profit before tax as reported in the income statement, and


Cash generated from operations.

This reconciliation is produced as follows:

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

Reconciliation of profit/loss before tax to cash generated from operations for the year ended 31 December
20X7
CU
X
X
(X)
X
X
X/(X)
(X)/X
(X)/X
(X)/X
(X)/X
(X)/X
(X)/X
X

Profit/(loss) before tax


Finance cost
Investment income
Depreciation charge
Amortisation charge
Loss/(profit) on disposal of non-current assets
(Increase)/decrease in inventories
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables
(Increase)/decrease in prepayments
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables
Increase/(decrease) in accruals
Increase/(decrease) in provisions
Cash generated from operations
You should show this reconciliation as a note to the cash flow statement.

3.4

Explanation
It is important that you understand why certain items are added and others are subtracted. Note the
following points:

Depreciation is not a cash expense, but is deducted in arriving at the profit figure in the income
statement. It makes sense, therefore, to eliminate it by adding it back.

By the same logic a loss on disposal of a non-current asset (arising through underprovision of
depreciation) needs to be added back, and a profit deducted.

An increase in inventories means less cash the company has spent cash on buying inventory.

An increase in receivables means the company's debtors have not paid as much, and therefore there is
less cash.

If the entity pays off payables, causing the figure to decrease, again there is less cash.

Worked example: Indirect method


A business has the following balance sheet balances.
30 June 20X7
CU
3,200
2,900
800

Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables

30 June 20X6
CU
4,000
2,500
1,000

For the year ended 30 June 20X7 you also have the following information:
Profit before tax
Finance cost
Investment income

CU
6,100
200
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89

Financial accounting

Solution
Cash generated from operations would be calculated and disclosed as follows.
Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations for the year ended 30 June 20X7
CU
6,100
200
(100)
800
(400)
(200)
6,400

Profit before tax


Finance cost
Investment income
Decrease in inventories
Increase in trade and other receivables
Decrease in trade and other payables
Cash generated from operations

3.5

Direct method
Using the direct method, cash generated from operations would be analysed as follows and shown as a note
to the cash flow statement:
Gross operating cash flows for the year ended 31 December 20X7
Cash receipts from customers
Cash paid to suppliers and employees
Cash generated from operations

CU
X
(X)
(X)

Worked example: Direct method


Hail Ltd commenced trading on 1 January 20X7 following a share issue which raised CU35,000. During the
year the company entered into the following transactions:

Purchases from suppliers were CU19,500, of which CU2,550 was unpaid at the year end.
Wages and salaries amounted to CU10,500, of which CU750 was unpaid at the year end.
Sales revenue was CU29,400, including CU900 receivables at the year end.

Solution
Cash generated from operations would be calculated and disclosed as follows:
Gross operating cash flows for the year ended 31 December 20X7
Cash received from customers (29,400 900)
Cash paid to suppliers and employees
Cash generated from operations
WORKING
Cash paid to suppliers (19,500 2,550)
Cash paid to and on behalf of employees (10,500 750)
Cash paid to suppliers and employees

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU
28,500
(26,700) (W)
1,800
CU
16,950
9,750
26,700

CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

3.6

Payments of interest and tax


The adjustments in the cash flow statement to 'cash generated from operations' to arrive at 'net
cash from operating activities' consist of payments of interest and income tax.
A similar method can be used to calculate the cash flows for interest paid and income tax paid. For each
item, the information available might be:

Opening balance at the start of the period (opening balance sheet)


Income statement (the amount of the item, as reported)
Closing balance at the end of the period (closing balance sheet)

The cash flow is a balancing figure obtained from these three figures.
A T account can be used as a working.

Worked example: Interest paid


A companys financial statements show the following information:
At 1 Jan
20X2
CU
54,000

Interest payable
Interest charge

At 31 Dec
20X2
CU
63,000

For the year


20X2
CU
240,000

Interest paid is calculated as follows.


INTEREST PAID
Cash payment (balancing figure)
Balance c/d

CU
231,000
63,000
294,000

Balance b/d
Income statement

CU
54,000
240,000
294,000

Alternatively, this could be calculated as follows:


(54,000 + 240,000 63,000) = CU231,000

A similar technique can be used to calculate payments of income tax in the year. The taxation payment
refers to payments of income tax, not to payments of sales tax (VAT) or tax paid by employees.
The opening and closing balance sheets will show a liability for income tax. The income tax charge for the
year is shown on the face of the income statement. The figure for income taxes paid during the year is
derived as a balancing figure.

Interactive question 1: Income tax

[Difficulty level: Easy]

A company had a liability for income tax at 31 December 20X6 of CU940,000 and a liability for income tax
at 31 December 20X7 of CU1,125,000. The income tax charge for the year to 31 December 20X7 was
CU1,270,000. What amount of income tax was paid during the year?
INCOME TAX PAID
CU

CU

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

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91

Financial accounting

4 Investing activities
Section overview

4.1

The cash flows in this section are those related to the acquisition or disposal of any non-current
assets, and returns received in cash from investments.

Investing activities
The cash flows classified under this heading show the extent of new investment in assets which will
generate future income and cash flows. The standard gives the following examples of cash flows
arising from investing activities.

4.2

Cash payments to acquire property, plant and equipment, intangibles and other non-current assets,
including those relating to capitalised development costs and self-constructed property, plant and
equipment

Cash receipts from sales of property, plant and equipment, intangibles and other non-current assets

Cash payments to acquire equity or debt of other entities

Cash receipts from sales of equity or debt of other entities

Interest received

Dividends received

Cash receipts from sales of property, plant and equipment


A T account can be used for calculating the cash receipts from sales of property, plant and equipment (PPE).
The company's accounts will include the amount of any profit or loss on disposal. A note to the accounts on
non-current assets will show the cost and the accumulated depreciation for property, plant and equipment
disposed of during the year. The cash received from the sale is the balancing figure in the T account.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT DISPOSAL ACCOUNT
Cost/valuation of asset disposed of
Profit on disposal

CU
X
X
X

Accumulated depreciation
Loss on disposal
Cash received (balancing figure)

CU
X
X
X
X

Worked example: Cash receipts from sale of PPE


A company's balance sheet as at the beginning and the end of the year showed the following.
Property, plant and equipment

92

Cost
At 1 January 20X7
Disposals
At 31 December 20X7

CU
760,000
(240,000)
520,000

Depreciation
At 1 January 20X7
Disposals
Charge for year
At 31 December 20X7

270,000
(180,000)
(50,000)
140,000

Carrying amount
At 31 December 20X7
At 31 December 20X6

380,000
490,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

The property, plant and equipment was disposed of at a loss of CU7,000. What was the cash flow from the
disposal?

Solution
The balancing figure can be obtained by constructing a disposal of property, plant and equipment account as
a working.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT DISPOSAL ACCOUNT
CU
240,000

Cost

Accumulated depreciation
Loss on disposal
Cash received (balancing figure)

240,000

4.3

CU
180,000
7,000
53,000
240,000

Cash payments for purchase of property, plant and equipment


Purchase of property, plant and equipment during a period can be calculated by means of a T account or a
working table.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
CU
X
X
X
X

Balance b/d
Revaluation reserve
Additions (balancing figure)

CU
X

Disposals
Balance c/d

Interactive question 2: Cash payments for PPE

X
X
[Difficulty level: Intermediate]

A company's accounts show that at 31 December 20X7, it had property, plant and equipment at cost or
valuation of CU6,800,000. During the year, it disposed of assets that had a cost of CU850,000. It also
revalued a freehold property upwards by CU300,000. At 31 December 20X6, the company's property,
plant and equipment at cost or valuation had been CU5,100,000.
What were purchases of property, plant and equipment during the year?
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
CU

CU

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

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4.4

Interest and dividends received


Returns received in cash from investments will include interest and dividends received. The cash flows can
be calculated by using an interest received or dividends received T account. Both T accounts are very
similar and are prepared as follows:
INTEREST/DIVIDENDS RECEIVED
Balance b/d (receivable)
Income statement

CU
X
X
X

Cash receipt (balancing figure)


Balance c/d (receivable)

Interactive question 3: Interest received

CU
X
X
X

[Difficulty level: Easy]

A company had interest receivable of CU35,000 at the start of the year and interest receivable of
CU42,000 at the end of the year. The income statement for the year shows interest income of CU90,000.
What were the cash receipts for interest received in the year?
INTEREST RECEIVED
CU

CU

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

5 Financing activities
Section overview

5.1

Financing cash flows comprise receipts from or repayments to external providers of finance.

Financing activities
This section of the cash flow statement shows the share of cash which the entity's capital providers have
claimed during the period. This is an indicator of likely future interest and dividend payments. The
standard gives the following examples of cash flows which might arise under this heading.

94

Cash proceeds from issuing shares

Cash payments to owners to acquire or redeem the entity's shares

Cash proceeds from issuing debentures, loans, notes, bonds, mortgages and other short or long-term
borrowings

Repayments of capital of amounts borrowed under finance leases (We will look at this issue in
Chapter 16.)

Dividends paid

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

5.2

Cash received from issuing shares


The amount of cash received from new issues of shares can usually be calculated from the opening and
closing balance sheet figures for share capital and share premium.
As a general rule:
SHARE CAPITAL AND PREMIUM
CU
Balance c/d

X
X

Balance b/d
Cash receipt (balancing figure)

CU
X
X
X

This rule does not apply fully when the company makes a bonus issue of shares during the year, and some
of the new share capital is obtained by means of reducing a reserve account other than the share premium.
To calculate cash receipts from share issues in the year, the amount transferred to share capital from the
other reserve account should be subtracted.

Worked example: Cash received from share issue


Rustler Ltd's annual accounts for the year to 31 December 20X7 show the following figures.
At 31.12.X7
CU
6,750,000
12,800,000

Share capital: Ordinary shares of 50p


Share premium

At 31.12.X6
CU
5,400,000
7,300,000

There were no bonus issues of shares during the year. What amount of cash was raised from shares issued
during the year?

Solution
SHARE CAPITAL AND PREMIUM
CU
Balance c/d
(6,750,000 + 12,800,000)

19,550,000

Balance b/d
(5,400,000 + 7,300,000)
Cash receipt (balancing figure)

19,550,000

Interactive question 4: Bonus issue

CU
12,700,000
6,850,000
19,550,000

[Difficulty level: Intermediate]

Groat Ltd's accounts for the year to 31 December 20X7 show the following figures.

Share capital: Ordinary shares of 10p


Share premium

At 31.12.X7
CU
22,500,000
900,000

At 31.12.X6
CU
10,000,000
4,800,000

The company made a one for two bonus issue of shares during the year. It used the share premium account
and CU200,000 from retained earnings to do this.
What amount of cash was raised from share issues during the year?

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SHARE CAPITAL AND PREMIUM
CU

CU

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

5.3

Cash from issuing loan stock or raising a loan


The cash derived from obtaining a new loan during the year or from issuing new loan stock or
debentures should be apparent from a comparison of the opening and closing balance sheet figures for
non-current interest-bearing borrowings. An increase during the year represents new financing, and
should be taken as the amount of cash received from financing.
It is important that all loans in the balance sheet should be taken into consideration in the
calculation. There may be a loan that is within 12 months of repayment. If so, it will be included within
current liabilities in the year-end balance sheet as short-term borrowings, when it would have been a noncurrent liability in the balance sheet at the start of the year. The loan has not been repaid during the year,
merely re-classified from non-current liability to current liability.

5.4

Repayment of non-current interest-bearing borrowings


In the same way, a reduction in interest-bearing borrowings indicates that a loan has been repaid, or
that loan stock or debentures have been redeemed. It should be assumed that the loans are repaid or loan
stock is redeemed for cash.

5.5

Dividends paid
Cash flows from dividends paid should be disclosed separately.
Dividends paid by the entity can be classified in one of two ways.
(a)

As a financing cash flow, showing the cost of obtaining financial resources (as in the example cash
flow statement in section 2 above). This is the presentation adopted in these Learning Materials.

(b) As a component of cash flows from operating activities so that users can assess the entity's ability
to pay dividends out of operating cash flows.
Cash flows for dividends paid can be calculated using a T account.

Worked example: Dividends paid


A company has declared preference dividends for the year of CU7,000 (based on its 7% CU100,000
preference shares in issue). At the start of the year the balance sheet included a liability of CU3,500 for
preference dividends payable. At the end of the year no amount was owing to preference shareholders in
respect of dividends.
The preference dividend paid for the year is not simply the CU7,000 declared and reflected in retained
earnings as this amount needs to be adjusted for any opening and closing liabilities.

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CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

DIVIDENDS PAID
Cash payment (balancing figure)
Balance c/d

CU
10,500
0
10,500

Balance b/d
Retained earnings

CU
3,500
7,000
10,500

The cash paid during the year of CU10,500 is the second half year preference dividend due from last year
and the whole of this years preference dividend (all paid during the year).
Point to note: Any dividends for the year will be disclosed in the statement of changes in equity.

6 Disclosures
Section overview

6.1

BAS 7 requires certain additional disclosures to accompany the cash flow statement.

Components of cash and cash equivalents


The following disclosures are required:

6.2

The components of cash and cash equivalents.

A reconciliation showing the amounts in the cash flow statement reconciled with the equivalent items
reported in the balance sheet.

The accounting policy used in deciding the items included in cash and cash equivalents (BAS 1).

Other disclosures
All entities should disclose, together with a commentary by management, any other information likely
to be of importance, for example:

6.3

Restrictions on the use of or access to any part of cash equivalents.

The amount of undrawn borrowing facilities which are available.

Cash flows which increased operating capacity compared to cash flows which merely maintained
operating capacity.

Significant non-cash transactions


Many investing and financing activities do not have a direct impact on current cash flows although they do
affect the capital and asset structure of an entity. Significant 'non-cash transactions' should be
disclosed.
Examples include:

The acquisition of assets either by assuming directly related liabilities or by means of a finance lease
The acquisition of an entity by means of an issue of equity shares

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Financial accounting

6.4

Example: Notes to the cash flow statement


The following shows how the required disclosures would be presented.
Note: Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and balances with banks, and investments in money
market instruments. Cash and cash equivalents included in the cash flow statement comprise the following
balance sheet amounts.

Cash on hand and balances with banks


Short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents

20X7
CUm
40
370
410

20X6
CUm
25
95
120

The company has undrawn borrowing facilities of CU2,000m of which only CU700m may be used for future
expansion.
Note: Property, plant and equipment
During the period the company acquired property, plant and equipment with an aggregate cost of
CU1,250m of which CU900m was acquired by finance lease. Cash payments of CU350m were made to
purchase property, plant and equipment.

7 Preparing a cash flow statement


Section overview

7.1

This section gives you a step by step approach for preparing a cash flow statement.

Technique
Worked example: Preparing a cash flow statement
Able Ltds income statement and statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 December 20X7 and
balance sheets at 31 December 20X6 and 31 December 20X7 were as follows.
ABLE LTD
Income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X7
CU'000
Revenue
Raw materials consumed
Staff costs
Depreciation
Loss on disposal of non-current asset
Profit from operations
Finance cost
Profit before tax
Income tax
Profit for the period

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CU'000
720

70
94
118
18
(300)
420
(28)
392
(124)
268

CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

ABLE LTD
Balance sheets as at 31 December
CU'000
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Cost
Depreciation

20X7
CU'000

1,596
318

CU'000

1,560
224
1,278

Current assets
Inventory
Trade receivables
Bank

24
76
48

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES


Equity
Share capital
Share premium
Retained earnings
Non-current liabilities
Long-term loans
Current liabilities
Trade payables
Taxation
Proposed dividend
Total equity and liabilities

1,336
20
58
56

148
1,426

Total assets

20X6
CU'000

360
36
686

134
1,470

340
24
490
1,082

854

200

500

12
102
30

6
86
24
144
1,426

116
1,470

ABLE LTD
Statement of changes in equity (extract) for the year ended 31 December 20X7
Retained
earnings
CU'000
268
(72)
490
686

Profit for the period


Dividends on ordinary shares
Balance brought forward
Balance carried forward
During the year, the company paid CU90,000 for a new piece of machinery.

Prepare a cash flow statement for Able Ltd for the year ended 31 December 20X7 in accordance with the
requirements of BAS 7, using the indirect method. The reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated
from operations should be shown as a note.

Solution
Step 1
Set out the proforma cash flow statement with the headings required by BAS 7 and the reconciliation
note. You should leave plenty of space. Ideally, use three or more sheets of paper, one for the main
statement, one for the notes and one for your workings. It is obviously essential to know the formats very
well.

Step 2
Begin with the cash flows from operating activities as far as possible. You will usually have to calculate
such items as depreciation, loss on sale of non-current assets, interest paid and tax paid.
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Step 3
Calculate the cash flow figures for dividends paid, purchase or sale of non-current assets, issue of
shares and repayment of loans if these are not already given to you (as they may be).

Step 4
If you are not given the profit figure, open up a working for the income statement. Using the opening
and closing balances of retained earnings, the taxation charge and dividends paid and proposed, you will be
able to calculate profit for the year as the balancing figure to put in the cash flows from operating activities
section.

Step 5
You will now be able to complete the statement by slotting in the figures given or calculated.
ABLE LTD
Cash flow statement for the year ended 31 December 20X7
CU'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations (see note)
Interest paid
Tax paid (86 + 124 102)
Net cash from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment (W)
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of share capital (360 + 36 340 24)
Long-term loans repaid (500 200)
Dividends paid (72 30 + 24)
Net cash used in financing activities
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 1.1.X7
Cash and cash equivalents at 31.12.X7

CU'000

540
(28)
(108)
404
(90)
12
(78)
32
(300)
(66)
(334)
(8)
56
48

Note to the cash flow statement


Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations for the year ended 31 December
20X7
CU'000
392
118
18
28
(4)
(18)
6
540

Profit before tax


Depreciation charges
Loss on sale of tangible non-current assets
Interest expense
Increase in inventories
Increase in receivables
Increase in payables
Cash generated from operations
WORKING
Non-current asset disposals
COST
Balance b/d
Purchases

100

CU'000
1,560
90
1,650

Balance c/d
Disposals (balancing figure)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU'000
1,596
54
1,650

CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Balance c/d
Depreciation on disposals
(balancing figure)
NBV of disposals (54 24)
Net loss reported
Proceeds of disposals

CU'000
318
24
342

Balance b/d
Charge for year

CU'000
224
118
342
30
(18)
12

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101

Financial accounting

Summary and Self-test

Summary

Cash and Cash equivalents


-

Cash comprises cash on hand and on


demand deposits
Cash equivalents are short-term, highly
liquid investments that are readily
convertible to known amounts of cash
and which are subject to an insignificant
risk of change in value

BAS 7 requires cash flows to be classified


as follows

Self-test
Answer the following questions
1

Which one of the following options best describes the objective of BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements?
A
B
C
D

102

To aid comparison of cash flows between entities


To assist users to understand the cash management and treasury practices of an entity
To assist users to confirm the going concern of an entity
To enable entities to report cash inflows and outflows analysed under standard headings

Which one of the following statements gives the best definition of cash equivalents as set out in BAS 7
Cash Flow Statements?
A

Cash equivalents are cash, overdrafts, short-term deposits, options and other financial
instruments and equities traded in an active market

Cash equivalents are short-term highly liquid investments subject to insignificant risks of change
in value

Cash equivalents are readily disposable investments

Cash equivalents are investments which are traded in an active market

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

In a company's cash flow statement prepared in accordance with BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements, a
revaluation of non-current assets during the year will be:
A
B
C
D

Entirely excluded
Shown under cash flows from operating activities
Disclosed under investing activities
Shown as a cash inflow

Information concerning the non-current assets of Ealing Ltd is detailed in the table. During the year
non-current assets which had cost CU80,000 and which had a net book value of CU30,000 were sold
for CU20,000. Net cash from operating activities for the year was CU300,000.
Start of year
CU
180,000
(120,000)
60,000

Cost
Aggregate depreciation
Carrying amount

End of year
CU
240,000
(140,000)
100,000

There was no other cash activity. As a result of the above, cash increased over the year by
A
B
C
D
5

CU240,000
CU260,000
CU320,000
CU180,000

Waterloo Ltd acquired a freehold building for cash, financed in full by issuing for cash 166,000 CU1
ordinary shares at a premium of CU2 per share.
In its cash flow statement prepared in accordance with BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements this transaction
should be stated as:
A
B
C
D

Inflow CU498,000, outflow nil


Inflow nil, outflow nil
Inflow CU498,000, outflow CU498,000
Inflow nil, outflow CU498,000

Information from the cash flow statement and related notes of Gresham Ltd for the year ended 31
December 20X1 can be found in the table below.
Depreciation
Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of property, plant and equipment

CU
30,000
5,000
20,000
25,000

If the net book value of property, plant and equipment was CU110,000 on 31 December 20X0, what
was it on 31 December 20X1?
A
B
C
D
7

CU85,000
CU90,000
CU70,000
CU80,000

In a cash flow statement prepared under BFRS under which category of cash flow would interest paid
usually be classified?
A
B
C
D

Cash flows from operating activities


Cash flows from financing activities
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Financing

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Financial accounting
8

ROXY LTD

(Note: this question is included to provide practice of basic techniques)

The financial statements of Roxy Ltd at 30 June were as follows.


Balance sheet at 30 June 20Y8
CU

20Y8

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

CU

20Y7

20,750
16,000
9,950
-

Total assets
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Accumulated profits/losses
Non-current liabilities
Interest-bearing borrowings
Current liabilities
Bank overdrafts
Trade and other payables
Accruals
Tax liabilities

CU

11,000
8,000
700
1,800

CU
14,000

11,000
2,700
1,300
25,950
46,700

15,000
29,000

3,000
16,200
19,200

3,000
3,800
6,800

6,000

10,000

21,500
46,700

11,000
200
1,000

12,200
29,000

Income statement (extracts)


20Y8
CU
15,400
(1,000)
14,400
(2,000)
12,400

Profit from operations


Finance cost
Profit before tax
Tax
Net profit for the year

20Y7
CU
5,900
(1,400)
4,500
(1,500)
3,000

Additional Information
(1) An analysis of property, plant and equipment shows the following.
20Y8
CU
Building
Cost
Depreciation
Plant and machinery
Cost
Depreciation

20Y7
CU

22,000
(4,000)

CU
12,000
(1,000)

18,000
5,000
(2,250)

CU

2,750
20,750

11,000
5,000
(2,000)

3,000
14,000

(2) Machinery with a net book value of CU250 was sold at the beginning of 20Y8 for CU350. This
machinery had originally cost CU1,000.
(3) No dividends have been declared or paid in recent years.

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CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

(4) The accruals are in respect of interest payable.


Requirement
Under the indirect method, prepare a clash flow statement, together with a note reconciling profit
before tax to cash generated from operations for the year ended 30 June 20Y8.
9

MIDDLESEX LTD

(Note: this question is included to provide practice of basic techniques)

The balance sheet of Middlesex Ltd as at 30 June 20Y8, including comparative figures, is given below.
20Y8
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Less Depreciation

CU

12,000
29,000
20,000

Total assets
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital (CU1 shares)
Share premium
Revaluation reserves
Accumulated profits
Non-current liabilities
Interest-bearing borrowings (12%
debentures 20Z1)
Current liabilities
Provisions
Trade and other payables
Tax liabilities
Accruals

CU

333,000
(70,000)
263,000
50,000
313,000

Investment
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

20Y7
CU

27,000
7,000
19,000

Total equity and liabilities

61,000
374,000

CU
311,000
(69,000)
242,000
242,000

11,000
27,000
10,000

48,000
290,000

95,000
15,000
12,000
149,000
271,000

50,000
10,000
12,000
115,000
187,000

50,000

60,000

53,000
374,000

2,000
19,000
3,000
19,000

43,000
290,000

You are also given the following information which is already reflected correctly in the accounts.
(1) During the year a bonus issue of 1 for 10 was made on the ordinary shares in issue at 30 June
20Y7, utilising available profits.
(2) New shares were issued on 1 July 20Y7. Part of the proceeds was used to redeem CU10,000
12% debentures 20Z1 at par.
(3) During the year certain tangible non-current assets were disposed of for CU20,000. The assets
had originally cost CU40,000 and had a net book value at the disposal date of CU18,000.
(4) Trade and other payables include CU5,000 for 20Y8 relating to the fixed asset purchases.
(5) The corporation tax charge for the year is CU7,000.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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Financial accounting
Requirement
Prepare a cash flow statement for the year ended 30 June 20Y8 and the note reconciling profit before
tax with cash generated from operations.
10

Set out below are the financial statements of Emily Ltd. You are the financial controller, faced with the
task of implementing BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements.
EMILY LTD
Income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X7
CU'000
2,553
(1,814)
739
(125)
(264)
350
25
(75)
300
(140)
160

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Distribution costs
Administrative expenses
Profit from operations
Investment income
Finance cost
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the period
Balance sheets as at 31 December
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangibles
Investments
Current assets
Inventories
Receivables
Short-term investments
Cash in hand
Total assets
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity
Share capital (CU1 ordinary shares)
Share premium
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings
Non-current liabilities
Long-term loan
Current liabilities
Trade payables
Bank overdraft
Taxation
Dividends proposed
Total equity and liabilities

20X7
CU'000

20X6
CU'000

380
250

305
200
25

150
390
50
2
1,222

102
315

1
948

200
160
100
160

150
150
91
100

170

50

127
85
120
100
1,222

119
98
110
80
948

Statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 December 20X7 (extract)

Profit for the period


Dividends on ordinary shares
Balance brought forward
Balance carried forward

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Retained
earnings
CU'000
160
(100)
100
160

CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

The following information is available.


(a)

The proceeds of the sale of non-current asset investments amounted to CU30,000.

(b) Fixtures and fittings, with an original cost of CU85,000 and a net book value of CU45,000, were
sold for CU32,000 during the year.
(c)

The following information relates to property, plant and equipment.


31.12.20X7
CU'000
720
340
380

Cost
Accumulated depreciation
Net book value

31.12.20X6
CU'000
595
290
305

(d) 50,000 CU1 ordinary shares were issued during the year at a premium of 20p per share.
(e)

The short-term investments are highly liquid and are close to maturity.

Requirement
Prepare a cash flow statement for the year to 31 December 20X7 using the indirect method laid out
in BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements. The reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from
operations should be shown as a note. Your answer should also include an analysis of cash and cash
equivalent balances.
11

HATCHBACK MOTOR COMPONENTS LTD


Hatchback Motor Components Ltd has prepared the summarised accounts as set out below.
Income statements for the years ended 30 April
20X7
CU'000
74,680
(51,595)
23,085
(17,681)
5,404
(2,634)
2,770

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Distribution and administrative costs
Profit before tax
Tax
Net profit for the period

20X6
CU'000
69,937
(47,468)
22,469
(16,920)
5,549
(1,093)
4,456

Balance sheets at 30 April


ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Total assets

CU'000

20X7
CU'000

CU'000

30,946
7,100
38,046
16,487
12,347
863

20X6
CU'000
25,141

25,141

15,892
8,104
724
29,697
67,743

24,720
49,861

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20X7
CU'000

20X6
CU'000

Non-current liabilities

13,000
12,500
7,450
24,776
57,726
3,250

10,000
5,000
2,650
22,856
40,506
4,250

Current liabilities
Total equity and liabilities

6,767
67,743

5,105
49,861

20X7
CU'000
25,100
5,846
30,946

20X6
CU'000
19,780
5,361
25,141

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES


Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital (CU1 ordinary shares)
Share premium
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings

Notes relating to the accounts


(1) Analysis of property, plant and equipment
Freehold buildings
Fixtures and fittings

(2) Depreciation has not been provided on freehold buildings. During the year a professional
revaluation taking account of additions during the year has been incorporated into the books
of account. There were no disposals during the year.
(3) Additions to fixtures and fittings during the year totalled CU1,365,000 at cost. There were no
disposals.
(4) Current liabilities

Trade and other payables


Accruals
Tax liability

20X7
CU'000
2,771
1,200
2,796
6,767

20X6
CU'000
2,632
1,235
1,238
5,105

Taxation provided at 30 April 20X6 was settled at a figure lower than the amount provided.
(5) During the year the company made a rights issue of shares on the basis of three new shares for
every ten shares held at a price of CU3.50 per share. Pending the purchase of new plant part of
the proceeds of the issue has been invested in shares in other UK companies.
Requirement
Prepare a cash flow statement in accordance with BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements under the indirect
method, for the year ended 30 April 20X7.
Now go back to the Learning Objectives in the Introduction. If you are satisfied you have achieved these
objectives, please tick them off.

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CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

Technical reference
Point to note: All of BAS 7 is examinable with the exception of paragraphs 24-28, 38 and Appendix B. The
paragraphs listed below are the key references you should be familiar with. (Paragraph references relating
to the treatment of leased assets in the cash flow statement and consolidated cash flow statements are
dealt with in Chapter 16).
1 Objective of the cash flow statement

The cash flow statement should show the historical changes in cash and cash
equivalents.

Cash comprises cash on hand and demand deposits.

BAS 7(6)

Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily
convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant
risk of change in value.

BAS 7(6)

2 Presentation of a cash flow statement

Cash flows should be classified by operating, investing and financing activities.

Cash flows from operating activities are primarily derived from the principal
revenue-producing activities of the entity.

There are two methods of presentation for cash flows from operating activities

Appendix A
BAS 7(10)
BAS 7(1314)

Direct method

BAS 7(19)

Indirect method

BAS 7(20)

Cash flows from investing activities are those related to the acquisition or disposal
of any non-current assets, or trade investments together with returns received in
cash from investments (i.e. dividends and interest received).

Financing activities include:

BAS 7(16)

Cash proceeds from issuing shares

Cash proceeds from issuing debentures, loans, notes, bonds, mortgages and
other short or long-term borrowings
Cash repayments of amounts borrowed

Repayment of capital of amounts borrowed under finance leases

Dividends paid to shareholders

3 Disclosures

BAS 7(50)

Components of cash and cash equivalents.

Reconciliation of the amounts in the cash flow statement with the equivalent
balance in the balance sheet.

Information (together with a commentary) which may be relevant to the users.

The cash flow statement does not record non-cash transactions. Significant noncash transactions should be disclosed.

Appendix A

BAS 7(43)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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Financial accounting

Answers to Self-test
1

To enable entities to report cash inflows and outflows analysed under standard headings. (BAS 7).

Cash equivalents are short-term highly liquid investments subject to insignificant risks of changes
in value.

A revaluation of non-current assets during the year will be entirely excluded.


Revaluations have no cash flow implications.

The correct answer is CU180,000.


NON-CURRENT ASSETS COST
Balance b/d
Therefore purchases

CU
180,000
140,000
320,000

Disposals
Balance c/d

CU
80,000
240,000
320,000

DEPRECIATION
CU
Disposals
Balance c/d

Balance b/d
Therefore charge

50,000
140,000
190,000

CU
120,000
70,000
190,000

DISPOSALS
Cost

CU
80,000

Accumulated depreciation
Proceeds
Therefore loss

80,000
Cash from operations
Cash inflow:
Disposal proceeds
Cash outflow: purchases of non-current assets
Therefore net cash increase

CU
50,000
20,000
10,000
80,000
CU
300,000
20,000
320,000
(140,000)
180,000

Note that adjustments for depreciation and loss on disposal will already be included in net cash
from operating activities.
5

Inflow CU498,000, outflow CU498,000.


The outflow is classified under 'Purchase of property, plant and equipment'.
The inflow is classified under 'Proceeds from issuance of share capital'.

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CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

CU90,000
PROPERTY (NBV)
Balance b/d
Additions

CU
110,000
25,000

CU
30,000
15,000
90,000
135,000

Depreciation
Disposals (NBV)
Balance c/d

135,000
7

(BAS 7)
ROXY LTD
Cash flow statement for year ended 30 June 20Y8
CU
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
Interest paid (W5)
Tax paid (W4)
Net cash from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (W1)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment (W3)
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Redemption of non-current interest-bearing borrowings
Net cash used in financing activities
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents brought forward
Cash and cash equivalents carried forward

CU
4,050
(500)
(1,200)
2,350

(11,000)
350
(10,650)
(4,000)
(4,000)
(12,300)
1,300
(11,000)

Reconciliation of profit/loss before tax to cash generated from operations fro the
year ended 30 June 20Y8
Profit/loss before tax
Finance cost
Property, plant and equipment depreciation charge (W2)
Profit/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment (W3)
Change in inventories (W6)
Change in trade and other receivables (W6)
Change in trade and other payables
Cash generated from operations

CU
14,400
1,000
4,000
(100)
(5,000)
(7,250)
(3,000)
4,050

WORKINGS
(1)

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT COST OR VALUATION


B/f (5,000 + 12,000)
Additions ()

(2)

CU
17,000
11,000
28,000

Disposal
C/f (5,000 + 22000)

CU
1,000
27,000
28,000

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION


Disposal (1,000 250)
C/f (4,000 + 2,250

CU
750
6,250
7,000

B/f (1,000 + 2000


Depreciation charge for the year ()

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU
3,000
4,000
7,000

111

Financial accounting

(3)

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT DISPOSAL ACCOUNT


Cos
Profit on sale

(4)

CU
750
350
1,100

Accumulated depreciation
Proceeds

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT COST OR VALUATION


Cash paid ()
C/f

(5)

CU
1,000
100
1,100

CU
1,200
1,800
3,000

CU
1,000
2,000
3,000

B/f
Income statement

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT COST OR VALUATION


Cash paid ()
C/f

CU
500
700
1,200

CU
200
1,000
1,200

B/f
Income statement

(6) Changes in current items


Inventories (16,000 11,000)
Receivables (9,950 2700)
Payables (11,000 8,000)
9

CU
(5,000)
(7,250)
(3,000)

MIDDLESEX LTD
Cash flow statement for the year ended 30 June 20Y8
CU
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
Interest paid
Tax paid (W2)
Net cash from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (W3)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment (W3)
Purchase of investments

71,000
(6,000)
(3,000)
62,000
(57,000)
20,000
(50,000)

Net cash used in investing activities


Cash flows from financing activities
Issues of ordinary shares (W4)
Redemption of non-current interest-bearing borrowings
Net cash used in financing activities
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents brought forward
Cash and cash equivalents carried forward

112

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU

(87,000)
45,000
(10,000)
35,000
10,000
10,000
20,000

CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

Reconciliation's of profit/loss before tax to net cash generated from operations for the
year ended 30 June 20Y8
Profit/loss before tax (W7)
Finance cost (W6)
Property, plant and equipment depreciation charge (W1)
Profit/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Change in inventories (W5)
Change in trade and other receivables (W5)
Change in trade and other payables (W5)
Change in provision
Cash generated from operations
WORKINGS
(1)

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION


CU
22,000
70,000
92,000

Disposal (40,000 18,000)


C/f

(2)

B/f
Charge for year ()

CU
69,000
23,000
92,000

TAX PAID
CU
3,000
7,000
10,000

Cash ()
C/f

(3)

CU
46,000
6,000
23,000
(2,000)
(1,000)
(3,000)
(2,000)
(2000)
71,000

B/f
Charge for year

CU
3,000
7,000
10,000

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT COST OR VALUATION


CU
311,000
57,000
5,000
373,000

B/f
Additions ()
C/f

(4)

Disposal
C/f

CU
40,000
333,000
373,000

SHARE CAPITAL AND PREMIUM


CU

C/f (95,000 + 15,000)

110,000
373,000

B/f (50,000 + 10,000)


Accumulated profit/losses
(bonus issue) (50,000 10)
Cash ()

CU
60,000
5,000
45,000
110,000

(5) Changes in current items


Inventories (12,000 11,000)
Receivables (29,000 27,000)
Payables (27,000 5,000 19,000)

CU
(1,000)
(2,000)
3,000

(6) Finance cost


CU50,000 x 12% = CU6,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

113

Financial accounting
(7)

ACCUMULATED PROFIT/LOSS
Bonus issue
Corporation tax
C/f

10

CU
5,000
7,000
149,000
161,000

B/f
Net profit for the period ()

CU
115,000
46,000
161,000

EMILY LTD
Cash flow statement for the year ended 31 December 20X7
CU'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
Interest paid
Tax paid (110 + 140 120)
Net cash from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (W2)
Purchase of intangible non-current assets
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sale of non-current asset investments
Interest received
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of share capital
Long-term loan
Dividends paid (100 + 80 100)
Net cash from financing activities
Increase in cash and cash equivalents (Note)
Cash and cash equivalents at 1.1.X7 (Note)
Cash and cash equivalents at 31.12.X7 (Note)

CU'000

333
(75)
(130)
128
(201)
(50)
32
30
25
(164)
60
120
(80)
100
64
(97)
(33)

Notes to the cash flow statement


Reconciliation of profit before tax to net cash generated from operations for the year ended 31
December 20X7
CU'000
Profit before tax
300
Depreciation charge (W1)
90
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment (45 32)
13
Profit on sale of non-current asset investments
(5)
Investment income
(25)
Finance cost
75
Increase in inventories
(48)
Increase in receivables
(75)
Increase in payables
8
Cash generated from operations
333
Analysis of the balances of cash and cash equivalents as shown in the balance sheet

Cash in hand
Short term investments
Bank overdraft

114

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

20X7
CU'000
2
50
(85)
(33)

20X6
CU'000
1

(98)
(97)

Change
in year
CU'000
1
50
13
64

CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

WORKINGS
(1) Depreciation charge
ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
CU000
Depreciation on assets sold
(85 45)
Balance c/d

40
340
380

CU000
290

Balance b/d
Charge for year
(balancing figure)

90
380

(2) Purchase of property, plant and equipment


PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (COST)
CU'000
595
9
201
805

1.1.X7 Balance b/d


Revaluation (100 91)
Purchases (balancing figure)
11

CU'000
85

Disposals
31.12.X7 Balance c/d

720
805

HATCHBACK MOTOR COMPONENTS LTD


Cash flow statement for the year ended 30 April 20X7
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
Tax paid (W4)
Net cash from operating activities
Cash ows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (W3)
Purchase of investments
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash ows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares (W2)
Redemption of non-current interest-bearing borrowings
Dividends paid (W5)
Net cash from financing activities
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents brought forward
Cash and cash equivalents carried forward

CU

CU
1,550,000
(1,076,000)
474,000

(1,885,000)
(7,100,000)
(8,985,000)
10,500,000
(1,000,000)
(850,000)
8,650,000
139,000
724,000
863,000

Note to the cash flow statement


Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations for the year ended 30 April 20X7
CU
Profit before tax
5,404,000
Property, plant and equipment depreciation charge (W1)
880,000
Increase in inventories (W6)
(595,000)
Increase in trade and other receivables (W6)
(4,243,000)
Increase in trade and other payables (W6)
139,000
Decrease in accruals
(35,000)
Cash generated from operations
1,550,000
WORKINGS
(1)

FIXTURES AND FITTINGS (AT NBV)


Balance b/d
Additions

CU
5,361,000
1,365,000
6,726,000

Balance c/d
Depreciation charge ()

CU
5,846,000
880,000
6,726,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

115

Financial accounting
(2)

SHARE CAPITAL AND PREMIUM


CU
Balance c/d
(13,000,000 + 12,500,000)

(3)

CU

25,500,000
25,500,000

Balance b/d
(10,000,000 + 5,000,000)
Cash received ()

15,000,000
10,500,000
25,500,000

FREEHOLD BUILDINGS
Balance b/d
Revaluation surplus
(7,450 2,650)
Additions ()

CU
19,780,000

Balance c/d

4,800,000
520,000
25,100,000

CU
25,100,000

25,100,000

Total additions = 520,000 + 1,365,000 = CU 1,885,000


(4)

TAX PAID
Cash paid ()
Balance c/d

(5)

CU
1,076,000
2,796,000
3,872,000

Balance b/d
Income statement

CU
1,238,000
2,634,000
3,872,000

RETAINED EARNINGS
Dividends paid ()
Balance c/d

CU
850,000
24,776,000
25,626,000

Balance b/d
Net profit for the period

CU
22,856,000
2,770,000
25,626,000

(6) Changes in current items


Inventories (16,487 15,892)
Receivables (12,347 8,104)
Payables (2,771 2,632)
Accruals (1,235 1,200)

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU
(595,000)
(4,243,000)
139,000
(35,000)

CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

Answers to Interactive questions

Answer to Interactive question 1


INCOME TAX PAID
Cash payment (balancing figure)
Balance c/d

CU
1,085,000
1,125,000
2,210,000

Balance b/d
Income statement

CU
940,000
1,270,000
2,210,000

Alternatively this could be calculated as follows:


(CU940,000 + CU1,270,000 CU1,125,000) = CU1,085,000

Answer to Interactive question 2


PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Balance b/d
Revaluation reserve
Additions (balance)

CU
5,100,000
300,000
2,250,000
7,650,000

Disposals
Balance c/d

CU
850,000
6,800,000
7,650,000

The company started the year with PPE at cost or valuation of CU5,100,000 and revalued an asset upward
by CU300,000. It bought a further CU2,250,000 of PPE, giving a total of CU7,650,000 at cost or valuation.
However, there was disposals of PPE with a cost of CU850,000, bringing the year-end figure down to
CU6,800,000.

Answer to Interactive question 3


INTEREST RECEIVED
Balance b/d
Income statement

CU
35,000
90,000
125,000

Cash received (balancing figure)


Balance c/d

CU
83,000
42,000
125,000

Answer to Interactive question 4


SHARE CAPITAL AND PREMIUM
CU
Balance b/d

23,400,000
23,400,000

Balance b/d
Accumulated profits/losses
Cash received (balance)

CU
14,800,000
200,000
8,400,000
23,400,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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Financial accounting

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chapter 4

Reporting financial
performance
Contents
Introduction
Examination context
Topic List
1

BAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and


Errors

Accounting policies

Changes in accounting policies

Changes in accounting estimates

Prior period errors

Impracticability

BFRS 5 and discontinued operations

BAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation

Summary and Self-test


Technical reference
Answers to Self-test
Answers to Interactive question

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119

Financial accounting

Introduction

Learning objectives

Understand the purpose and principles underlying BAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in
Accounting Estimates and Errors

Understand how accounting policies are selected and applied

Apply accounting requirements for:

Changes in accounting policies

Changes in accounting estimates

Prior period errors

Disclose the results of a discontinued operation in accordance with BFRS 5 Non-current Assets
Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations

Classify financial instruments in accordance with BAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation as:

Financial assets

Financial liabilities

Equity instruments

Tick off

Prepare simple extracts from financial statements in accordance with Companies Act and
BFRS

Specific syllabus references for this chapter are: 2d.

Practical significance
Shareholders are interested in the future performance of the business in which they have invested. The
difficulty they have is in obtaining reliable information. It could be argued that a profit forecast would be the
most relevant information to a shareholder in this situation due to its predictive nature but this will often
be unreliable.
The compromise is to present historic information in a way that enables the user to identify the recurring
trend in the profits of the entity's continuing activities. This is achieved by BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for
Sale and Discontinued Operations as it requires the results of activities which will not be continued into the
future to be shown separately.
It is also important that financial information is presented in such a way that it is not misleading. This could
happen through an inadvertent lack of consistency or it could arise as a result of deliberate manipulation.
BAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors addresses this issue by restricting the
circumstances in which accounting policies can be changed, for example, it is not possible to change the
policy to achieve a particular accounting outcome.
BAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation also addresses the issue of consistency in the guidance it provides
on the classification of financial instruments. Under BAS 32 financial instruments are classified according to
their substance, with the related finance costs to match, either as debt or equity.

Stop and think


Separate disclosure of discontinued operations enables the user to assess the impact of this on current and
future results. Can you think of any other ways that historical information can be used predictively?

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REPORTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Working context
You are likely to come across accounting policies in your work, particularly in the context of the audit
engagement. For example, in the audit of non-current assets you would be expected to consider whether
the accounting policy:

Is appropriate for the type of asset


Has been applied consistently
Has been applied correctly
Has been adequately disclosed

Many of you may also have been involved in the audit of inventories. Again here, the accounting policy
adopted by the company is a key consideration.

Syllabus links
In the Accounting paper you will have looked briefly at BAS 8 in the context of preparing company
accounts. In this paper those basic principles are developed. A detailed understanding of this standard will
be assumed in the Financial & Corporate Reporting paper.
Both BFRS 5 and BAS 32 are introduced at this level. The more complex aspects of these standards will be
covered in Financial & Corporate Reporting.

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121

Financial accounting

Examination context

Exam requirements
The topics covered in this chapter are unlikely to be the main focus of an individual written test question
but they could be examined in combination with a number of other matters or as part of a mixed topic
question. For example, changes in accounting estimates could be examined as part of a question on noncurrent assets. Prior period adjustments or an analysis of discontinued operations could be included in a
question where you are asked to draft financial statements. These topics could also feature in the shortform question section of the paper.
In the examination, candidates may be required to:

Prepare financial statements or extracts including adjustments for:

122

Changes in accounting policies


Changes in accounting estimates
Prior period adjustments

Identify the circumstances in which an operation would meet the BFRS 5 definition of a discontinued
operation.

Prepare financial statements or extracts including simple financial instruments.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

REPORTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

1 BAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting


Estimates and Errors
Section overview

BAS 8 is intended to enhance:

1.1

Relevance
Reliability
Comparability.

Introduction
The objective of BAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors is to prescribe the
criteria for selecting and changing accounting policies, together with the accounting treatment and
disclosure of changes in accounting policies, changes in accounting estimates and correction of error. This
enhances relevance, reliability and comparability. BAS 8 achieves this objective by ensuring that:

Information is available about the accounting policies adopted by different entities.

Different entities adopt a common approach to the distinction between a change in accounting policy
and a change in an accounting estimate.

The scope for accounting policy changes is constrained.

Changes in accounting policies, changes in accounting estimates and corrections of errors are dealt
with in a comparable manner by different entities.

2 Accounting policies
Section overview

2.1

Management is responsible for selecting accounting policies which are relevant, reliable and
consistent.

Selecting accounting policies


Definition
Accounting policies: The specific principles, bases, conventions, rules and practices applied by an entity in
preparing and presenting financial statements.

Accounting policies are normally developed by reference to the applicable BFRS or Interpretation
together with any relevant Implementation Guidance issued by the IASB. The exception to this is where the
effect of applying the accounting policy set out in the BFRS is immaterial.
Where there is no applicable BFRS or Interpretation management should use its judgement in developing an
accounting policy ensuring that the resulting information is relevant and reliable. In practical terms
management should refer to:

The requirements and guidance in BFRS/Interpretations dealing with similar and related issues.

The basic principles set down in the Framework, for example, the recognition criteria and measurement
concepts for assets, liabilities and expenses.

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123

Financial accounting
Management may also consider the most recent pronouncements of other standard setting bodies that use
a similar conceptual framework to develop standards, other accounting literature and accepted industry
practices if these do not conflict with the sources above.

2.2

Consistency of accounting policies


Once selected, accounting policies should be applied consistently for similar transactions, other events
and conditions. The exception to this is where a BFRS requires or allows categorisation of items where
different policies may be applied to each category.

3 Changes in accounting policies


Section overview

3.1

A change in accounting policy must be applied retrospectively.

Introduction
The same accounting policies are usually adopted from period to period, to enhance comparability thereby
allowing users to analyse trends over time in profit, cash flows and financial position. Changes in
accounting policy will therefore be rare and should only be made if the change

Is required by a BAS or a BFRS (or an Interpretation of a BAS or BFRS)

Will result in a more appropriate presentation of events or transactions in the financial


statements of the entity (a voluntary change).

The standard highlights two types of event which do not constitute changes in accounting policy.

Adopting an accounting policy for a new type of transaction or event not dealt with previously by
the entity.

Adopting a new accounting policy for a transaction or event which has not occurred in the past or
which was not material.

In the case of tangible non-current assets, if a policy of revaluation is adopted for the first time then this is
treated, not as a change of accounting policy under BAS 8, but as a revaluation under BAS 16 Property, Plant
and Equipment (see Chapter 5). The following paragraphs do not therefore apply to a change in policy to
adopt revaluations.

3.2

Changes in accounting policy


A change in accounting policy must be applied retrospectively.

Definition
Retrospective application: Applying a new accounting policy to transactions, other events and
conditions as if that policy had always been applied.

In other words, at the earliest date such transactions or events occurred, the policy is applied from that
date.
Any resulting adjustment should be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained
earnings. Comparative information should be restated unless it is impracticable to do so (see section 6
below).

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REPORTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

This means that all comparative information must be restated as if the new policy had always been in
force, with amounts relating to earlier periods reflected in an adjustment to opening reserves of the
earliest period presented.
The steps needed to make the retrospective adjustment are:

Step 1
Restate the opening balances for the current year, by applying the new policy to the opening balance sheet
(i.e. the previous period's closing balance sheet).

Step 2
Calculate the difference between the figure for capital and reserves in the revised opening balance sheet and
the figure as originally published. This difference is the amount of the adjustment made in the statement of
changes in equity to the reserves brought forward at the start of the current period.

Step 3
Apply the new policy in the current period and to the closing balance sheet.

Step 4
Restate the comparatives for the prior period by applying steps (1) to (3) to the prior period values.

Step 5
Prepare the note explaining the reason for the change and giving other details (see section 3.4 below).
Although BAS 8 requires retrospective adjustment for changes in accounting policy it recognises that there
may be circumstances where it is impracticable to determine the effect in a specific period or on a
cumulative basis. Where this is the case the policy should be applied retrospectively to the earliest period
for which it is practicable to do so.
In the rare circumstance where it is impracticable to restate retrospectively any financial results the
new policy should be applied prospectively. (Impracticality is dealt with in more detail in section 6 below.)

Definition
Prospective application of a change in accounting policy: applying the new accounting policy to
transactions, other events and conditions occurring after the date as at which the policy is changed.

3.3

Adoption of a new BFRS


Where a new BFRS is adopted, BAS 8 requires any transitional provisions in the new BFRS itself to be
followed. If none are given in the BFRS which is being adopted, then the entity should follow the general
principles of BAS 8.

3.4

Disclosure
Certain disclosures are required when a change in accounting policy has a material effect on the current
period or any prior period presented, or when it may have a material effect in subsequent periods.

Nature of the change

Reasons for the change (why more reliable and relevant)

Amount of the adjustment for the current period and for each prior period presented for each line
item

Amount of the adjustment relating to periods prior to those included in the comparative information

The fact that comparative information has been restated or that it is impracticable to do so

An entity should also disclose information relevant to assessing the impact of new BFRS on the financial
statements where these have not yet come into force.
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Financial accounting

3.5

Borrowing costs
In recent years the IASB has revised a number of accounting standards removing the majority of accounting
policy choices. The only remaining choice is in respect of finance costs on borrowing. Under BAS 23
Borrowing Costs, borrowing costs may be capitalised as part of a qualifying asset in specific circumstances (as
opposed to being expensed in the period in which they are incurred).
BAS 23 per se is not examinable in the Financial Accounting paper but you should be aware of this issue
in the context of accounting policy choices. The following worked example demonstrates the treatment of
the change in accounting policy for borrowing costs.

Worked example: Change in accounting policy


Multi Ltd commenced trading three years ago, on 1 January 20X5. Its draft balance sheet at 31 December
20X7 and its final balance sheets for the two previous years are as follows:

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Other
Current assets
Capital
Reserves
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities

20X7
CUm

20X6
CUm

20X5
CUm

231
169
400
800
1,200

230
120
350
800
1,150

180
120
300
800
1,100

100
450
550
200
450
1,200

100
400
500
200
450
1,150

100
350
450
200
450
1,100

20X7
CUm
230
80
10
320
(89)
231

20X6
CUm
180
90
10
280
(50)
230

20X5
CUm
0
180
20
200
(20)
180

Additional information is available as follows:


1

The profit for each of the three years was CU50m.

The movements on property, plant and equipment were as follows:

Brought forward
Direct cost of additions
Interest capitalised
Depreciation
Carried forward
3

Property, plant and equipment is depreciated at the rate of 10% of cost per annum.
The directors now believe that more relevant information would be provided if interest was not
capitalised, so the decision has been made to change the accounting policy and to recognise all interest
as an expense in the year in which it is incurred.

Prepare the revised balance sheets at 31 December 20X7 and 20X6, together with extracts from the
statement of changes in equity for each of the two years then ended.

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Solution
BALANCE SHEET
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment (W3)
Other
Current assets
Capital
Reserves (per SCE extract below)
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Statement of changes in equity
(extracts)
Reserves brought forward as reported
Adjustment to write off capitalised interest brought forward (W1)
As restated
Profit for the year (W2)
Reserves carried forward

20X7
CUm

20X6
CUm

200
169
369
800
1,169

205
120
325
800
1,125

100
419
519
200
450
1,169

100
375
475
200
450
1,125

20X7
CUm
400
(25)
375
44
419

20X6
CUm
350
(18)
332
43
375

20X6
CUm
10

20X5
CUm
20
(2)

WORKINGS
(1) Adjustment re capitalised interest

Amount capitalised in the year


Depreciation charge (10% 20)
Depreciation charge (10% (20 + 10))
Depreciation charge (10% (20 + 10 + 10))
Reserves adjustment/asset write-down
Cumulative

20X7
CUm
10

(3)
(4)
6

18

31

25

18

(2) Adjustment to reported profits

Profit for year before adjustment


Profit adjustment (W1)
Profit for year restated

20X7
CUm
50
(6)
44

20X6
CUm
50
(7)
43

20X7
CUm
231

20X6
CUm
230
(25)

(3) PPE restated

As originally stated
Write-down (7 + 18)
Write-down (6 + 7 + 18)
Restated

(31)
200

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Financial accounting
Point to note
The five steps referred to in section 3.2 above have been applied in this example as follows:

Step 1
The opening balance for PPE is revised by recalculating the 20X6 closing balance sheet balance (W3).

Step 2
The difference between the figure for capital and reserves in the revised opening balance sheet and the
figure as originally published is calculated in W1. Note that the cumulative adjustment at the end of 20X6
appears as the adjustment to reserves brought forward at the beginning of 20X7 in the statement of
changes in equity.

Step 3
The new policy is applied in the current period and the closing balance sheet. In W2 20X7 profits are
reduced by CU6m. In W3 PPE is reduced by the cumulative additional depreciation (CU31m).

Step 4
Comparatives are restated.
The closing PPE balance for 20X6 is restated (see W3).
Reserves brought forward are restated for 20X6 in the statement of changes in equity by CU18m.
Profit for 20X6 is restated by CU7m (see W2).

Step 5
Disclosures as described in section 3.4 would be provided.

4 Changes in accounting estimates


Section overview

4.1

A change in accounting estimates should be applied prospectively.

Accounting estimates
Definition
Change in accounting estimate: An adjustment of the carrying amount of an asset or a liability or the
amount of the periodic consumption of an asset, that results from the assessment of the present status of,
and expected future benefits and obligations associated with, assets and liabilities. Changes in accounting
estimates result from new information or new developments and, accordingly, are not corrections of
errors.

Estimates arise in relation to business activities because of the uncertainties inherent within them.
Judgements are made based on the latest available, reliable information. The use of such estimates is a
necessary part of the preparation of financial statements and does not undermine their reliability. Here are
some examples of accounting estimates.

128

A necessary bad debt allowance


Useful lives of depreciable assets
Adjustment for obsolescence of inventory

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REPORTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

4.2

Accounting treatment
The rule here is that the effect of a change in an accounting estimate should be included in the
determination of net profit or loss in:

The period of the change, if the change affects that period only, or
The period of the change and future periods, if the change affects both

Changes may occur in the circumstances which were in force at the time the estimate was calculated, or
perhaps additional information or subsequent developments have come to light.
An example of a change in accounting estimate which affects only the current period is the bad debt
estimate. However, a revision in the life over which an asset is depreciated would affect both the current
and future periods, via the amount of the depreciation expense.
The effect of a change in an accounting estimate should be included in the same income statement
classification as was used previously for the estimate. This rule helps to ensure consistency between the
financial statements of different periods.
The effect of a change in an accounting estimate is to be recognised prospectively.

Definition
Prospective application of recognising the effect of a change in accounting estimate:
Recognising the effect of the change in the accounting estimate in the current and future periods affected by
the change.

4.3

Disclosure
Where a change in an accounting estimate has a material effect in the current period (or which is
expected to have a material effect in subsequent periods) the following should be disclosed.

Nature of the change in accounting estimate


Amount of change (if impracticable to estimate, this fact should be disclosed)

Worked example: Change in accounting estimate


Taking the example of a machine tool with an original cost of CU100,000, an originally estimated useful life
of 10 years and an originally estimated residual value of CUnil, the annual straight line depreciation charge
will be CU10,000 per annum and the carrying amount after three years will be CU70,000. If in the fourth
year it is decided that as a result of changes in market conditions the remaining useful life is only three years
(so a total of six years), then the depreciation charge in that year (and in the next two years) will be the
carrying amount brought forward the revised remaining useful life, so CU70,000 3 = CU23,333. There
is no question of going back to restate the depreciation charge for the past three years.
The effect of the change (in this case an increase in the annual depreciation charge from CU10,000 to
CU23,333) in the current year and the next two years must be disclosed.

4.4

Changes in policy versus changes in estimate


It can be difficult sometimes to distinguish between changes in accounting policies and changes in accounting
estimates.
When there is doubt as to which type of change it is, BAS 8 requires it to be treated as a change in
accounting estimate based upon new information.

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129

Financial accounting

5 Prior period errors


Section overview

5.1

Prior period errors should be corrected by retrospective restatement.

Introduction
Errors may be discovered during a current period which relate to a prior period.
If immaterial, these errors can be corrected through net profit or loss for the current period.
Where they are material prior period errors, however, this is not appropriate.

Definition
Prior period errors: Are omissions from, and misstatements in, the entity's financial statements for one
or more prior periods arising from a failure to use, or misuse of, reliable information that:

Was available when financial statements for those periods were authorised for issue.

Could reasonably be expected to have been obtained and taken into account in the preparation and
presentation of those financial statements.

Such errors include the effects of mathematical mistakes, mistakes in applying accounting policies, oversights
or misinterpretations of facts, and fraud.

5.2

Accounting treatment
Prior period errors should be corrected retrospectively.

Definition
Retrospective restatement: Correcting the recognition, measurement and disclosure of amounts of
elements of financial statements as if a prior period error had never occurred.

This involves:

Either restating the comparative amounts for the prior period(s) in which the error occurred,

Or, if the error occurred before the earliest prior period presented, restating the opening balances of
assets, liabilities and equity for the earliest prior period presented

so that the financial statements are presented as if the error had never occurred.
Only where it is impracticable to determine the cumulative effect of an error on prior periods can an
entity correct a prior period error prospectively. (See section 6.)

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REPORTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

5.3

Disclosures
Various disclosures are required:

Nature of the prior period error.

For each prior period, to the extent practicable, the amount of the correction for each financial
statement line item affected.

The amount of the correction at the beginning of the earliest prior period presented.

If retrospective restatement is impracticable for a particular prior period, the circumstances


that led to the existence of that condition and a description of how and from when the error has been
corrected.

Subsequent periods need not repeat these disclosures.

6 Impracticability
Section overview

6.1

There may be practical limitations on retrospective application of changes in accounting policy and
prior period errors.

Issue
As we have already mentioned, in some cases it may be impracticable to make retrospective
adjustments for changes in accounting policies or prior period errors.

Definition
Impracticable: Applying a requirement is impracticable when the entity cannot apply it after making every
reasonable effort to do so. It is impracticable to apply a change in an accounting policy retrospectively or to
make a retrospective restatement to correct an error if one of the following apply.

The effects of the retrospective application or retrospective restatement are not determinable.

The retrospective application or retrospective restatement requires assumptions about what


management's intent would have been in that period.

The retrospective application or retrospective restatement requires significant estimates of amounts


and it is impossible to distinguish objectively information about those estimates that:

Provides evidence of circumstances that existed on the date(s) at which the transaction, other
event or condition occurred; and

Would have been available when the financial statements for that prior period were authorised
for issue, from other information.

Where it is impracticable to determine the period-specific or cumulative effects of:

Retrospective application of a changed accounting policy


Prior period errors ranking for retrospective restatement

then no retrospective adjustments are made. 'Impracticable' is defined in the same way as in BAS 1.
It is important not to use hindsight but to identify information for earlier periods which not only reflects the
circumstances at the earlier date but also would have been available at that earlier date. If such information
is not identifiable, then it is impracticable to make retrospective application or restatement.

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Financial accounting

7 BFRS 5 and discontinued operations


Section overview

7.1

The results of discontinued operations should be presented separately on the face of the income
statement.

The problem
The ability to predict the future performance of an entity is hampered when the financial statements include
activities which as a result of sale or closure will not continue into the future. While figures inclusive of
those activities are a fair measure of past performance, they do not form a good basis for predicting the
future cash flows, earnings-generating capacity and financial position. Separating out data about discontinued
activities benefits users of financial statements, but leads to difficulties in defining such operations and in
deciding when a discontinuance comes about. This problem is addressed by BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held
for Sale and Discontinued Operations.

7.2

The objectives of BFRS 5 regarding discontinued operations


Part of BFRS 5 is designed to deal with the problem by requiring entities to disclose in the income and cash
flow statements the results of discontinued operations separately from those of continuing operations and
to make certain balance sheet disclosures. This chapter only deals with BFRS 5's definition of discontinued
operations and its disclosure requirements; the other aspects are concerned with measurement and
recognition of profits and losses on non-current assets held for sale and these are covered in Chapter 5.
There are two parts of the Chapter 5 coverage which are relevant to the disclosure rules dealt with in this
chapter:

7.3

The key criterion for the classification of a non-current asset as held for sale is that it is highly
probable that it will be finally sold within 12 months of classification.

A non-current asset held for sale is measured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less
costs to sell. The effect is that if fair value less costs to sell is lower than the carrying amount of the
asset, then the loss is recognised at the time the decision is made to dispose of the asset, not when
the disposal actually takes place.

Discontinued operations
Definitions
Discontinued operation: A component of an entity that has either been disposed of, or is classified as
held for sale, and

Represents a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations,

Is part of a single co-ordinated plan to dispose of a separate major line of business or geographical
area of operations, or

Is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale.

Component of an entity : Operations and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished, operationally and
for financial reporting purposes, from the rest of the entity.

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REPORTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

As already noted, the separation of information about discontinued activities benefits users of financial
statements by providing them with information about continuing operations which they can use as the basis
for predicting the future cash flows, earnings-generating capacity and financial position. Management is
therefore faced with the temptation to classify continuing, but underperforming, operations as discontinued,
so that their performance does not act as a drag on the figures used as a basis for future predictions. This is
why the definition of a discontinued operation is so important, but applying that definition requires difficult
judgements.
Consider the following:

7.4

The abrupt cessation of several products within an ongoing line of business: presumably a line of
business must be defined by reference to the requirement in the definition for a component to be
'distinguished operationally and for financial reporting purposes'. But how many products have to be
stopped before the line of business itself is stopped?

Selling a subsidiary whose activities are similar to those of other group companies: how should 'similar'
be defined?

When does a discontinuance come about?


BFRS 5 does not set out specific criteria for when a discontinuance comes about, despite its importance in
terms of defining the accounting period in which disclosures must first be made. Instead, it relies on the
definition of a discontinued operation, but this comes in two parts; it is a component of the entity which:

Has been disposed of. In this case, the disclosures will first be made in the accounting period in
which the disposal takes place, or

Is held for sale. In this case the disclosures will first be made in the accounting period in which the
decision to dispose of it is made, provided that it is highly probable that it will be sold within 12
months of classification.

If a business decides to discontinue operations and the non-current assets supporting these operations are
to be abandoned (so scrapped or just closed down) rather than sold, the carrying amount of the assets will
not be recovered principally through sale. So these assets cannot be classified as held for sale. As a result,
these operations should not be disclosed as discontinued until the underlying assets actually cease to be
used.
Points to note
Operations supported by assets which become idle because they are temporarily taken out of use may not
be described as discontinued. This includes, for example, assets that are mothballed and may be brought
back into use if market conditions improve.

7.5

Presenting discontinued operations: income statement and cash


flow statement
An entity should disclose a single amount on the face of the income statement comprising the total
of:

The post-tax profit or loss of discontinued operations, and


Any post-tax gain or loss on related assets

An entity should also disclose an analysis of this single amount into

The revenue, expenses and pre-tax profit or loss of discontinued operations


The related income tax expense
Post-tax gain or loss on related assets

This analysis may be presented either:

On the face of the income statement, or


In the notes

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133

Financial accounting
If it is presented on the face of the income statement it should be presented in a section identified as
relating to discontinued operations, i.e. separately from continuing operations. (This analysis is not required
where the discontinued operation is a newly acquired subsidiary that has been classified as held for sale.)
The disclosure of discontinued operations adopted in these Learning Materials is in line with Example 11 in
the (non-mandatory) Guidance on Implementing BFRS 5. The main part of the income statement is
described as 'continuing operations', with the single amount in respect of 'discontinued operations' being
brought in just above 'profit/(loss) for the period'.
XYZ LTD Income statement for the year ended [date]
CUm
Continuing operations
Revenue
Cost of sales

Share of profits/(losses) of associates


Profit/(loss) before tax
Income tax expense
Profit/(loss) for the period from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Profit/(loss) for the period from discontinued operations
Profit/(loss) for the period

X
(X)

X
X
(X)
X
(X)
X

The additional information is then included in a note to the income statement.


In the cash flow statement an entity should disclose the net cash flows attributable to the:

Operating
Investing, and
Financing

activities of discontinued operations.


These disclosures may be presented either on the face of the cash flow statement or in the notes.
Points to note

7.6

The results and cash ows for any prior periods shown as comparative figures must be restated to be
consistent with the continuing/discontinued classification in the current period. As an example,
operations discontinued in the year ended 31 December 20X7 will have been presented as continuing
in the 20X6 financial statements but will be re-presented as discontinued in the 20X6 comparative
figures included in the 20X7 financial statements.

Some narrative descriptions are also required. Although this part of the BFRS does not specifically
mention discontinued operations, it includes them through its requirement for these narratives in
respect of non-current assets disposed of or classified as held for sale; many discontinued operations
will include such non-current assets.

If in the current period there are adjustments to be made to operations discontinued in prior periods,
their effect must be shown separately from the figures for operations discontinued in the current
period. Examples are given of the sort of adjustments which may have to be made.

If a part of the business is discontinued but it does not meet the criteria for a discontinued operation
(i.e. it cannot be clearly distinguished), then its results must be included in those from continuing
operations.

Presenting discontinued operations: balance sheet


If the operation has finally been discontinued and all its assets have been disposed of, there will be
nothing relating to the discontinued operation still in the balance sheet. So there will be no
balance sheet disclosures.

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REPORTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

If non-current assets held for sale have not been finally disposed of, they must be shown in the balance
sheet separately from all other assets. In these circumstances there will be a separate line item
immediately below the sub-total for current assets for the non-current assets held for sale. If an
operation is being discontinued, then any non-current assets related to it will now be held with a view to
disposal and it will be inappropriate for them to be shown as non-current assets.
The previous classification is retained for non-current assets being abandoned because, by definition, they
are not held for sale.
Point to note: any non-current assets now held for sale are not reclassified as held for sale in the balance
sheets for any prior periods shown as comparative figures.

7.7

Link with other BASs


As has already been noted, the part of BFRS 5 dealt with in this chapter is concerned purely with disclosure,
not about recognition or measurement. But a decision to discontinue an operation would normally require
management to immediately consider the recognition and measurement requirements of:

BAS 36 Impairment of Assets (dealt with in Chapter 5) which may require an immediate reduction in
the carrying amount of non-current assets.

BAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets (dealt with in Chapter 9) which may require
the recognition of provisions for reorganisation and restructuring costs.

It is also the case that, even if a component being disposed of or abandoned has to be treated as a
continuing operation (because it does not meet all of the conditions for being classified as a discontinued
operation), management should still consider whether the requirements of BAS 36 and BAS 37, together
with that of BAS 1 (dealt with in Chapter 3) to make separate disclosure of 'exceptional' items, should be
applied to that continuing operation.

Worked example: Business closure


On 20 October 20X7 the directors of a parent company made a public announcement of plans to close a
steel works. The closure means that the group will no longer carry out this type of operation, which until
recently has represented about 10% of its total revenue. The works will be gradually shut down over a
period of several months, with complete closure expected in July 20X8. At 31 December output had been
significantly reduced and some redundancies had already taken place. The cash flows, revenues and
expenses relating to the steel works can be clearly distinguished from those of the subsidiarys other
operations.
How should the closure be treated in the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20X7?

Solution
Because the steel works is being closed, rather than sold, it cannot be classified as held for sale. In addition,
the steel works is not a discontinued operation. Although at 31 December 20X7 the group was firmly
committed to the closure, this has not yet taken place and therefore the steel works must be included in
continuing operations. Information about the planned closure should be disclosed in the notes to the
financial statements.

Interactive question 1: Grey Ltd

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

The income statement for Grey Ltd for the year ended 31 December 20X7 is as follows:
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Distribution costs
Administrative expenses

CU
300,000
(100,000)
200,000
(40,000)
(90,000)

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135

Financial accounting
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the period

70,000
(21,000)
49,000

On 30 September 20X7 the company classified a manufacturing division as held for sale. It satisfies the
definition of a discontinued operation in accordance with BFRS 5.
The results of the division are as follows:
CU
32,000
(15,000)
(12,000)
(10,000)

Revenue
Cost of sales
Distribution costs
Administrative expenses
These balances have been included in the income statement of Grey Ltd above.
Requirement
Show how the discontinued operation would be treated in the income statement.
Fill in the proforma below.

CU
Continuing operations
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Distribution costs
Administrative expenses
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the period from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Loss for the period from discontinued operations
Profit for the period
WORKING
Continuing
operations
CU

Discontinued
operations
CU

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Distribution costs
Administrative expenses
Profit /(loss) from operations
Income tax
Net profit/(loss) for period
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

8 BAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation


Section overview

136

Financial instruments should be classified as financial assets, financial liabilities or equity.


Classification should be based on the substance of the contractual arrangement.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Total
CU

REPORTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

8.1

The issue
If you read the financial press you will probably be aware of the rapid international expansion in the use of
financial instruments. These vary from straightforward, traditional instruments, e.g. bonds, through to
various forms of so-called derivative instruments. As these instruments have been developed over time
difficulties have arisen regarding their presentation and measurement.

8.2

Elements of financial statements


BFRS Framework defines the elements of financial statements which relate to the measurement of financial
position as:

Assets, which are resources controlled by the entity as a result of past events and from which future
economic benefits are expected to flow to the entity.

Liabilities, which are present obligations of the entity arising from past events, the settlement of
which is expected to lead to the outflow from the entity of resources embodying economic benefits.

Equity, which is the residual of assets less liabilities.

The key to applying these definitions is being able to distinguish one from the other in practical terms. In
some cases, this will be straightforward, so for example, it is easy to see that a bank loan would be a
liability. However, in more complex cases (which will be covered in Financial Reporting) making this
distinction may be more difficult.

8.3

BAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation


BAS 32 Presentation is designed to address the kind of problem mentioned above.

Definition
Financial instrument: Any contract that gives rise to both a financial asset of one entity and a financial
liability or equity instrument of another entity.

Financial instruments should be classified as either:

Financial assets
Financial liabilities, or
Equity

Definition
Financial asset: Any asset that is:

Cash

An equity instrument of another entity

A contractual right to receive cash or another financial asset from another entity; or to exchange
financial instruments with another entity under conditions that are potentially favourable to the entity,
or

A contract that will or may be settled in the entity's own equity instruments and is:

A non-derivative for which the entity is or may be obliged to receive a variable number of the
entity's own equity instruments, or

A derivative that will or may be settled other than by the exchange of a fixed amount of cash or
another financial asset for a fixed number of the entity's own equity instruments.

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137

Financial accounting
Financial liability: Any liability that is:

A contractual obligation:

To deliver cash or another financial asset to another entity, or

To exchange financial instruments with another entity under conditions that are potentially
unfavourable, or

A contract that will or may be settled in the entity's own equity instruments and is:

A non-derivative for which the entity is or may be obliged to deliver a variable number of the
entity's own equity instruments, or

A derivative that will or may be settled other than by the exchange of a fixed amount of cash or
another financial asset for a fixed number of the entity's own equity instruments.

Equity instrument: Any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after
deducting all of its liabilities.

We should clarify some points arising from these definitions. Firstly, one or two terms above should be
themselves defined.

A 'contract' need not be in writing, but it must comprise an agreement that has 'clear economic
consequences' and which the parties to it cannot avoid, usually because the agreement is enforceable
in law.

An 'entity' here could be an individual, partnership, incorporated body or government agency.

The definitions of financial assets and financial liabilities may seem rather circular, referring as they do
to the terms financial asset and financial instrument. The point is that there may be a chain of contractual
rights and obligations, but it will lead ultimately to the receipt or payment of cash or the acquisition or issue
of an equity instrument.
Examples of financial assets include:

Trade receivables
Options
Shares (when held as an investment)

Examples of financial liabilities include:

Trade payables
Debenture loans payable
Redeemable preference (non-equity) shares
Forward contracts standing at a loss

As we have already noted, financial instruments include both of the following.

Primary instruments: e.g. receivables, payables and equity securities.

Derivative instruments: e.g. financial options, futures and forwards, interest rate swaps and
currency swaps.

BAS 32 makes it clear that the following items are not financial instruments.

138

Physical assets, e.g. inventories, property, plant and equipment, leased assets and intangible assets
(patents, trademarks etc).

Prepaid expenses, deferred revenue and most warranty obligations.

Liabilities or assets that are not contractual in nature.

Contractual rights/obligations that do not involve transfer of a financial asset, e.g. commodity
futures contracts.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

REPORTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Worked example: Definitions


List the reasons why physical assets and prepaid expenses do not qualify as financial instruments.

Solution
Refer to the definitions of financial assets and liabilities given above.
(a)

Physical assets: control of these creates an opportunity to generate an inflow of cash or other
assets, but it does not give rise to a present right to receive cash or other financial assets.

(b) Prepaid expenses, etc: the future economic benefit is the receipt of goods/services rather than the
right to receive cash or other financial assets.

8.4

Liabilities and equity


Financial instruments should be presented according to their substance, not merely their legal form.
This classification is made at the time the instrument is first issued and is not revised subsequently.
The classification of a financial instrument as a liability or as equity depends on the following:

The substance of the contractual arrangement on initial recognition


The definitions of a financial liability and an equity instrument

How should a financial liability be distinguished from an equity instrument? The critical feature of a liability is
an obligation to transfer economic benefit. Therefore, the financial instrument is a financial liability if there
is:

A contractual obligation on the issuer to deliver cash/another financial asset, or


A contractual right for the holder to receive cash/another financial asset.

Where this feature is not met, then the financial instrument is an equity instrument.

Worked example: Classification of financial instruments


Alpha Ltd issues 100,000 CU1 ordinary shares.
These would be classified as an equity instrument:

8.5

The shareholders own an equity instrument because although they own a residual interest in the
company, they have no contractual right to demand any of it to be delivered to them, e.g. by way of
dividend.

The company has issued an equity instrument because it has no contractual obligation to distribute
that residual interest.

Preference shares
Preference shares provide the holder with the right to receive:

An annual dividend (usually a predetermined and unchanging amount).

A fixed amount on the ultimate liquidation of the company or at an earlier date if the shares are
redeemable.

BAS 32 treats most preference shares as liabilities. This is because they are, in substance, loans.
Fixed annual dividend
Fixed amount on redemption/liquidation

=
=

'interest'
'repayment of loan'

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Financial accounting
In practical terms preference shares are only treated as part of equity when:

They will never be redeemed, or

The redemption is solely at the option of the issuer and the terms are such that it is very unlikely at
the time of issue that the issuer will ever decide on redemption.

For the purposes of your exam, if you are told that preference shares are irredeemable you should treat
them as equity.

8.6

Interest and dividends


The costs of servicing the financing of a company must be treated consistently with the way that the
underlying instrument has been treated:

8.7

Dividends on ordinary shares and irredeemable preference shares will be shown as an appropriation
of profit (in the statement of changes in equity)

The cost of servicing loans will be shown as interest payable (in the income statement)

Dividends on redeemable preference shares will be shown alongside interest payable as part of the
finance cost (in the income statement).

Offsetting a financial asset and a financial liability


It may be the case that one entity both owes money to and is due money from another entity. A frequently
occurring example of this is where a company has several accounts with a single bank, some of which are in
credit and some overdrawn. The presentation issue is whether these amounts should be shown separately
or whether they should be netted off against each other and a single figure for the resulting net asset (or
liability) shown.
BAS 32 looks to see whether there is a legally enforceable right to make the set off. But it then goes
further, by taking account of the entitys intentions. If there is a legal right to make a set off and the entity
intends to settle the amounts on a net basis, then the set off must be made.
On this basis an entity with credit and overdrawn bank balances would not set them off against each other
(even if it had the legal right to do so) because in the normal course of business it is keeping these accounts
separate, so it cannot claim that it 'intends' to settle on a net basis.

8.8

8.9

Other points

Instead of cancelling any of its own shares it may have bought back, an entity may hold them for
reissue. In this case they are described as treasury shares and are deducted from equity, not shown
amongst the entitys assets.

Transaction costs associated with the issue of equity are to be deducted from equity, but only where
these costs are incremental. So the fixed cost of in-house legal and/or finance teams cannot be treated
in this way, but should be recognised in profit or loss as incurred.

Measurement of financial instruments


Measurement of financial instruments is dealt with by BAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and
Measurement.
In simple terms, financial instruments are initially measured at the fair value of the consideration given or
received (i.e. cost) plus (in most cases) transaction costs that are directly attributable to the
acquisition of the financial instrument.
The detail of this accounting standard is outside the scope of the Financial Accounting syllabus.

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REPORTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Summary and Self-test

Summary

BAS 8

BFRS 5

BAS 32

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Self-test
Answer the following questions
1

During the year to 30 September 20X6, the following events occurred in relation to Pipe Ltd.
(1) A claim for tax relief, submitted in 20X3, was rejected by the General Commissioners of HMRC.
No appeal will be made. The resulting liability of CU15,000 was not provided at 30 September
20X5, since the company had expected the claim to succeed.
(2) The company had decided to capitalise borrowing costs in the cost of its non-current assets for
the first time in 20X6. The net effect at 30 September 20X5 would have been CU5,000.
(3) A cut-off error in respect of inventories at 30 September 20X5 was discovered which would
have reduced the carrying amount of inventories by CU24,000. This error is material but not
fundamental.
(4) Non-current assets which had been written down to their estimated realisable value of
CU17,000 at 30 September 20X5 were sold for CU7,000.
How much should be accounted for retrospectively as an adjustment to retained earnings brought
forward at 1 October 20X5?
A
B
C
D

CU10,000 (decrease)
CU19,000 (decrease)
CU29,000 (decrease)
CU34,000 (decrease)

When considering BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations, which of the
following statements is true?
(1) A discontinued operation must have been disposed of by the balance sheet date.
(2) A discontinued operation must be a separate major line of business or geographical area of
operation.
(3) A discontinued operation must be clearly distinguished operationally and for financial reporting
purposes.
A
B
C
D

(1), (2) and (3)


(1) and (2) only
(2) and (3) only
(1) and (3) only

During the financial year Alphabet Ltd carried out a reorganisation as follows.
Division X, a Dhaka division whose operations are being terminated and transferred to another Dhaka
division producing the same product.
Division Y, the sole operator in Asia whose business is being sold externally to the group.
Activity W, (part of Division Z) whose operations have been closed down. W's results have not been
reported separately.
Which of the following could be a discontinued operation according to BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held
for Sale and Discontinued Operations?
A
B
C
D

142

Division X only
Division Y only
Division X and Division Y only
Division X, Division Y and Activity W

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

REPORTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

When an entity decides to classify an operation as discontinued in accordance with BFRS 5 Non-current
Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations, what factors must be considered?
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

Whether there is a need for any restructuring provisions.


Whether there is a need for an impairment review of assets being disposed of.
The effect of termination on employees such as redundancy and pension costs.
The effect of disposal on tangible non-current assets.

A
B
C
D

All factors must be considered


Only factors (1) and (2) must be considered
Only factors (2) and (4) must be considered
Only factors (1), (2) and (4) must be considered

During the year to 30 April 20X9 Grant Ltd carried out a major reorganisation of its activities as
follows.
Maynard was closed down on 1 January 20X9. Maynard was the only manufacturing division of the
company, and as a result of the closure Grant's only activity will be the retail of artists equipment.
On 30 March 20X9 it was decided to sell Lytton, the only division that operated in Europe. The
company were confident of a sale within the year. The sale actually took place on 15 July 20X9.
The activities carried on by Hobhouse were terminated during the period. Hobhouse was one of a
number of smaller divisions which operated from the same location as the main headquarters of
Grant. All these divisions use the same central accounting system and operating costs are allocated
between them for the purpose of the management accounts.
The accounts for the year ended 30 April 20X9 were approved on 7 July 20X9.
Which of these divisions should be classified as discontinued operations in accordance with BFRS 5
Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations in the financial statements of Grant Ltd for
the year ended 30 April 20X9?
A
B
C
D

Under the definitions in BAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation, which of the following is not a
financial instrument?
A
B
C
D

Inventories
Trade receivables
Redeemable preference shares
Forward contracts

A company has CU500,000 4% redeemable preference shares in issue. According to BAS 32 Financial
Instruments: Presentation, where will the dividend charge for the year be shown in the income
statement?
A
B
C
D

Maynard only
Maynard and Lytton only
Maynard, Lytton and Hobhouse
None of them

Dividends received
Interest received
Dividends paid
Interest paid

According to BAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation, what is the correct treatment for dividends on
redeemable preference shares and dividends on ordinary shares in financial statements?
A

All dividends are recognised in the income statement as an expense

All paid dividends are recognised in the income statement as an expense and no proposed
dividends are recognised

Preference dividends and equity dividends paid are recognised in the statement of changes in
equity

Preference dividends are recognised in the income statement and equity dividends paid are
recognised in the statement of changes in equity

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009g

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9

Oxford Ltd has CU6m of 6% redeemable preference shares in issue. They are redeemable on 31
December 20X5. In accordance with BAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation where are these
disclosed on the balance sheet in the year ended 31 December 20X3?
A
B
C
D

10

Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Equity
Non-current assets

WESTERN ENTERPRISES LTD


Western Enterprises Ltd wholesales and distributes toys and models and provides distribution services
to other organisations. The following balances have been extracted from its books of account of at 31
December 20X3.
Ordinary shares
5% redeemable preference shares
Share premium account
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings at 1 January 20X3
Revenue
Purchases
Inventories at 1 January 20X3
Staff costs distribution
Staff costs administration
Depreciation charge for the year
Freehold land and buildings
Distribution equipment
Other plant and equipment
General expenses
Interest receivable
Interest payable
Taxation charge for the year
Paid dividends
Ordinary shares final regarding 20X2
Ordinary shares interim regarding 20X3
5% redeemable preference shares for 20X3
Patent rights

CU'000
800
200
350
400
2,000
11,899
8,935
974
270
352

Freehold land and buildings


Distribution equipment cost
Other plant and equipment cost
Accumulated depreciation at 31 December 20X3
Freehold land and buildings
Distribution equipment
Other plant and equipment
Trade receivables
Trade payables
Cash and cash equivalents
Tax liability

30
116
160
432
41
35
336
60
30
10
200
1,500
800
1,400
30
320
250
1,600
850
300
400

Additional information
(1) Included in revenue are invoices totalling CU120,000 in relation to distribution services
rendered under a contract to a customer who is very unhappy with the quality of the services
provided. The overall outcome of the contract is uncertain and management believes that of the
CU90,000 costs incurred to date under the contract, probably only CU65,000 will be reimbursed
by this customer.
(2) The patent was acquired during the year. Amortisation of CU20,000 should be charged to
administrative expenses.

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REPORTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

(3) Inventories at 31 December 20X3 were valued at CU1,304,000.


(4) Costs not specifically attributable to one of the income statement expense headings should be
split 50:50 between distribution costs and administrative expenses.
(5) The freehold land and buildings were revalued on 1 January 20X3 and the surplus of CU400,000
over its previous carrying amount of CU1,100,000 (cost CU1,200,000 and accumulated
depreciation CU100,000) has been recognised in the revaluation reserve. The depreciation
charge for the year increased by CU8,000 as a result of the revaluation.
(6) General expenses include a material bad debt write off of CU100,000.
(7) A final ordinary share dividend for 20X3 of CU50,000 was proposed in May 20X4, payable on 28
June 20X4.
(8) CU450,000 cash was received during the year as a result of a rights issue of ordinary shares. The
nominal value of the shares issued was CU100,000.
(9) On 1 June 20X3 the company made the decision to sell its loss-making soft toy division as a
result of severe competition from the Far East. The company is confident that the closure will be
completed by 30 April 20X4. The divisions operations represent in 20X3 10% of revenue (after
all adjustments), 15% of cost of sales, 10% of distribution costs and 20% of administrative
expenses. No balance sheet disclosures are necessary.
Requirement
Prepare Western Enterprises Ltds income statement and statement of changes in equity for the year
to 31 December 20X3, a balance sheet at that date and movements schedules and notes in accordance
with the requirements of BFRS, to the extent the information is available.
(20 marks)
11

WOODSEATS LTD
There are issues about the presentation of financial instruments in the balance sheet of an entity in
relation to their classification as liabilities and equity and to the related interest, dividends, losses and
gains.
The objective of BAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation is to address this problem by establishing
principles for presenting financial instruments as liabilities or equity and for offsetting financial assets
and financial liabilities.
On 1 January 20X3 Woodseats Ltd had only ordinary shares in issue. During the year ended 31
December 20X3 Woodseats Ltd entered into the following financing transactions.
(1) On 1 January 20X3 Woodseats Ltd issued 20 million 8% CU1 preference shares at par. The
preference shares are redeemable at par on 30 June 20X8. The appropriate dividend in respect of
these shares was paid on 31 December 20X3.
(2) On 30 June 20X3 Woodseats Ltd issued 10 million 12% CU1 irredeemable preference shares at
par. The appropriate dividend in respect of these shares was paid on 31 December 20X3.
On 31 December 20X3 Woodseats Ltd decided to change its accounting policy in respect of the
capitalisation of interest. Previously, Woodseats Ltd had capitalised interest within property, plant and
equipment and amortised those costs. It has now decided to write off such costs to cost of sales as
incurred. The net book value of such interest included in the draft balance sheet was as follows.
At 1 January 20X3
Costs incurred
Amortisation charge
At 31 December 20X3

CUm
4.5
2.0
(0.5)
6.0

The draft profit for 20X3, before adjusting for capitalised interest, was CU15 million. Retained
earnings at 1 January 20X3 were CU75 million.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009g

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Requirements
(a)

Describe the concept of 'substance over form' and its application to the presentation of financial
liabilities under BAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation.
(4 marks)

(b) Prepare extracts from the financial statements of Woodseats Ltd for the year ended 31
December 20X3 to the extent the information is available, showing how the above would be
reflected in those financial statements.
Notes to the accounts are not required. Ignore taxation.

(8 marks)
(12 marks)

Now, go back to the Learning Objectives in the Introduction. If you are satisfied you have achieved these
objectives, please tick them off.

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REPORTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Technical reference
Point to note: The following sets out the examinability of the standards covered in this chapter.
BAS 8

All examinable

BFRS 5

References to disposal groups and implementation guidance (except


11 and 12) are not examinable

BAS 32

Only paragraphs 2, 4, 8-11, 13-18, 35-46, Appendix paragraphs AG1AG12 and AG25-AG26 are examinable.

The paragraphs listed below are the key references you should be familiar with.
1 Accounting policies

Definition

BAS 8 (5)

Developed by reference to the relevant Standard/Interpretation where this is


applicable

BAS 8 (7)

Otherwise judgement applied

BAS 8 (10)

Selection and application should be consistent

BAS 8 (13)

2 Change in accounting policies

Only allowed if:

BAS 8 (14)

Required by a Standard/Interpretation, or
Results in relevant and more reliable information
BAS 8 (19-22)

Changes should be applied:

In accordance with transitional provisions, or

Retrospectively if there are no transitional provisions or the change is


voluntary

Retrospective application is applying a new accounting policy as if that policy had


always been applied

If impracticable to determine the period specific effects:

BAS 8 (5)

BAS 8 (23-27)

Apply the new accounting policy from the earliest period for which
retrospective application is practicable
Disclose this fact

3 Changes in accounting estimates

Definition

Changes relating to assets, liabilities or equity are adjusted in the period of change

BAS 8 (37)

All other changes should be applied prospectively:

BAS 8 (36)

In the period of change


In the period of change and future periods if both are affected

Disclosure:

BAS 8 (5)

BAS 8 (39)

Nature of change
Amount

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Financial accounting
4 Prior period errors

Definition

Correct retrospectively in the first set of financial statements authorised for issue
after their discovery

BAS 8 (42)

Disclose

BAS 8 (49)

Nature of the prior period error

Amount of the correction for each prior period presented

Amount of the correction at the beginning of the earliest period presented


If impracticable to determine the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of
the error:

BAS 8 (5)

BAS 8 (49)

Correct the error from the earliest period/date practicable


Disclose this fact

5 Discontinued operations

Definition

BFRS 5 (31-32)

Disclosures on the face of the income statement:

BFRS 5 (33(a))

A single amount comprising the total of:

The post-tax profit or loss of discontinued operations, and

The post-tax gain or loss recognised on related assets


Disclosures on the face or in the notes:

BFRS 5 (33(b) (c))

An analysis of the single amount on the face

Comparative figures must be restated

BFRS 5 (34)

Narrative disclosures are also required

BFRS 5 (41)

If part of the business is discontinued but it does not meet the criteria then its
results must be included in those from continuing operations

BFRS 5 (37)

6 Financial instruments

Definition

BAS 32 (11)

Financial instruments should be classified as:

BAS 32 (11)

Financial assets
Financial liabilities
Equity

Classification should take account of the substance of the instrument

BAS 32 (15)

The critical feature of a liability is an obligation to transfer economic benefit

BAS 32 (17)

Where there is no contractual obligation to deliver cash or another asset the


instrument is an equity instrument

BAS 32 (16(a))

A preference share that:

BAS 32 (16(a))

Provides for mandatory redemption by the issuer, or


Gives the holder the right to require the issuer to redeem the instrument

is a financial liability

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REPORTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

A preference share that:

Is irredeemable, or

Is redeemable but redemption is solely at the option of the issuer and is


unlikely to take place

is an equity instrument

Interest and dividends

These must be treated consistently with the way that the underlying
instrument has been treated

Offsetting a financial asset and a financial liability

BAS 32 (42)

set off must be made where there is a legal right to set off and the entity
intends to settle on a net basis
Other issues

Incremental transaction costs are deducted from equity

BAS 32 (37)

7 Measurement of financial instruments

Financial instruments are initially measured at fair value

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009g

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Financial accounting

Answers to Self-test
1

Under BFRS items (1) and (4) arise from normal estimation errors and are recognised in the
current accounting period. Item (2) results from a change of accounting policy and increases
retained earnings brought forward by CU5,000. Item (3) results from an error which reduces
retained earnings brought forward by CU24,000. There is a net reduction of CU19,000.

In order to be classified as discontinued, a component must either have been disposed of or be


held for sale (provided that it is highly probable that it will be sold within 12 months of
classification (BFRS 5 paragraph 8)).

Division X is not a discontinued operation as a separate line of business is not being terminated
production is shifting from one division to another.
Division Y could be a discontinued operation as a geographical area of operations is being sold.
Activity W is not discontinued, as it cannot be separately distinguished for financial reporting
purposes.

The effect of the discontinuance can be far reaching and may trigger reviews required by other
standards.

Maynard amounts to the withdrawal from a particular line of business. Lytton amounts to the
withdrawal from a geographical area of operation. The date of sale is irrelevant.

Per BAS 32 paragraph 11

The cost of servicing the financing company are treated consistently with the way the underlying
instrument has been treated. Per BAS 32 paragraph 36.

Equity dividends paid are recognised in the statement of changes in equity. Equity dividends
proposed after the year-end are not a liability at the balance sheet date so are not recognised.
Dividends on redeemable preference shares are recognised in the income statement as a finance
cost.

Redeemable preference shares are treated as a financial liability, not as part of equity. They are
redeemable more than 12 months after the balance sheet date.

10

WESTERN ENTERPRISES LTD


Income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X3
CU'000
Continuing operations
Revenue (W3)
Cost of sales (W3)
Gross profit
Distribution costs (W3)
Administrative expenses (W3)
Profit from operations
Finance cost (35 + 10)
Investment income
Profit before tax
Income tax
Profit for the period from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Loss for the period from discontinued operations (W3)
Profit for the period

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10,660
(7,314)
3,346
(627)
(546)
2,173
(45)
41
2,169
(336)
1,833
(314)
1,519

REPORTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 December 20X3

Recognised directly in equity


Revaluation of
non-current assets
Transfer regarding
depreciation on revaluation
Total recognised directly in equity
Profit for the period
Total recognised income and
expenditure for the period
Issue of shares
20X2 final dividend
20X3 interim dividend
Balance brought forward
Balance carried forward

Ordinary
share
capital
CU'000

Share
premium
CU000

Revaluation
reserve
CU000

Retained
earnings
CU000

Total
CU000

400

400

(8)
392

8
8
1,519

400
1,519

100

100
700
800

350

350

350

392

392

392

1,527

(60)
(30)
1,437
2,000
3,437

1,919
450
(60)
(30)
2,279
2,700
4,979

Notes
(1) The profit from operations is arrived at after charging
CU'000
Depreciation (30 + 116 + 160)
306
Amortisation of intangibles
20
Employee benefits (270 + 352)
622
Exceptional bad debt
100
(2) A final ordinary share dividend for 20X3 of CU50,000 is proposed for payment on 28 June 20X4.
(3) On 1 June 20X3 the company classified its soft toy division as held for sale. The division had been
loss-making for some time due to severe competition from the Far East. It is expected that the
closure will be complete by 30 April 20X4.
Amounts in CU000 attributable to this division in 20X3 were: revenue CU1,184, expenses
CU1,498 and pre-tax loss CU314.
Balance sheet as at 31 December 20X3
CU'000
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment (see note)
Intangibles (see note)
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables (1,600 55 (W1))
Cash and cash equivalents
Total assets

CU'000
3,100
180
3,280

1,304
1,545
300
3,149
6,429

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009g

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Financial accounting
CU000
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Share premium
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings
Equity
Non-current liabilities
Preference share capital
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Taxation

CU000
800
350
392
3,437
4,979
200

850
400
1,250
6,429

Total equity and liabilities


PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Freehold land
and buildings
CU'000

Distribution
equipment
CU'000

Other plant
and
equipment
CU'000

Total
CU'000

1,200
300
1,500

800

800

1,400

1,400

3,400
300
3,700

204

116
320

90

160
250

480
596

1,150
1,310

Cost or valuation
At 1 January 20X3
Revaluation
At 31 December 20X3
Depreciation
At 1 January 20X3
Revaluation adjustment
Charge for the year
At 31 December 20X3
Carrying amount
At 31 December 20X3
At 1 January 20X3

100
(100)
30
30
1,470
1,100

394
(100)
306
600
3,100
3,006
CU'000

INTANGIBLES
Cost at 31 December 20X3
Amortisation
Carrying amount at 31 December 20X3
This patent was acquired during the year

200
(20)
180

WORKINGS
(1) Revenue and trade receivables
CU'000
Per list of balances
Adjustment regarding contract under dispute
Included in revenue
Costs recoverable
Adjustments to revenue and trade receivables

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120
(65)

CU'000
11,899

(55)
11,844

REPORTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

(2) Analysis of expenses

Opening inventories
Purchases
Staff costs
Depreciation
Land and buildings
Distribution equipment
Other PPE
General expenses
Amortisation of patent
Closing inventories

Cost of
sales
CU'000
974
8,935

(1,304)
8,605

Distribution
costs
CU'000

Administrative
expenses
CU'000

270

352

15
116
80
216

15

697

80
216
20
683

(3) Continuing/discontinued analysis

Revenue (W1 90:10)


Cost of sales (W2 85:15)
Gross profit
Distribution costs (W2 90:10)
Administrative expenses (W2 80:20)
Profit/(loss) from operations
Finance cost (35 + 10)
Investment income
Profit/(loss) before tax
Income tax
Net profit/(loss) for the period
11

Continuing
operations
CU'000
10,660
(7,314)
3,346
(627)
(546)
2,173
(45)
41
2,169
(336)
1,833

Discontinued
operations
CU'000
1,184
(1,291)
(107)
(70)
(137)
(314)

(314)

(314)

Total
CU'000
11,844
(8,605)
3,239
(697)
(683)
1,859
(45)
41
1,855
(336)
1,519

WOODSEATS LTD
(a)

Substance over form and the presentation of financial liabilities under BAS 32
Financial Instruments: Presentation
Under BFRS Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements, if information is
to faithfully represent transactions, it is necessary for transactions to be presented in accordance
with their substance and economic reality.
The substance is not always consistent with the legal form of a transaction. This is often the case
when an arrangement involves a number of linked transactions or components.
BAS 32 uses the substance of a financial liability rather than its legal form to determine the
balance sheet classification. Some financial instruments take the legal form of equity but are
liabilities in substance as they include contractual obligations to transfer economic benefits to the
holder. This approach is consistent with the definition of a liability in BFRS Framework and such
financial liabilities are classified in liabilities and not equity.
More complex financial instruments may combine features of both equity instruments and
financial liabilities. BAS 32 looks at the substance of the components of the instrument and
classifies them separately.

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Financial accounting
(b) Financial statement extracts
Balance sheet as at 31 December 20X3
CUm
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves
Preference share capital (irredeemable)

10

Non-current liabilities
Preference share capital (redeemable)

20

Income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X3


CUm
(2.0)
(1.6)

Cost of sales
Finance cost (20m 8%)
Statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 December 20X3

Attributable to the equity holders


of Woodseats Ltd
Profit for the period (15 + 0.5 2)
Total recognised income and expense for
the period
Issue of share capital
Final dividends on irredeemable
preference shares (10 12% 6/12)
Balance brought forward as reported
Adjustment to write off capitalised
interest brought forward
As restated
Balance carried forward

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Preference
share
capital
(irredeemable)
CUm

Retained earnings
CUm
CUm
13.5
13.5

10.0

10.0

(0.6)
75.0

12.9

(4.5)
10.0

70.5
83.4

REPORTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Answers to Interactive question

Answer to Interactive question 1


CU
Continuing operations
Revenue (300 32)
Cost of sales (100 15)
Gross profit
Distribution costs (40 12)
Administrative expenses (90 10)
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the period from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Loss for the period from discontinued operations (32 15 12 10)
Profit for the period

268,000
(85,000)
183,000
(28,000)
(80,000)
75,000
(21,000)
54,000
(5,000)
49,000

WORKING

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Distribution costs
Administrative expenses
Profit /(loss) before tax
Income tax
Net profit/(loss) for period

Continuing
operations
CU
268,000
(85,000)
183,000
(28,000)
(80,000)
75,000
(21,000)
54,000

Discontinued
operations
CU
32,000
(15,000)
17,000
(12,000)
(10,000)
(5,000)

(5,000)

Total
CU
300,000
(100,000)
200,000
(40,000)
(90,000)
70,000
(21,000)
49,000

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chapter 5

Property, plant and


equipment
Contents
Introduction
Examination context
Topic List
1
Property, plant and equipment
2
Recognition of PPE
3
Measurement at recognition
4
Measurement of PPE after initial recognition
5
Accounting for revaluations
6
Depreciation
7
Impairment of assets
8
Derecognition of PPE
9
Disclosures
Summary and Self-test
Technical reference
Answers to Self-test
Answers to Interactive questions

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Introduction

Learning objectives

Relate the treatment of property, plant and equipment to the principles in BFRS Framework

Identify the accounting standards which apply to the treatment of property, plant and
equipment

Apply the accounting requirements for property, plant and equipment, including the effects of
the following:

Property, plant and equipment measured under the cost model

Property, plant and equipment measured under the revaluation model

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Impairment

Derecognition

Disclosure

Tick off

Specific syllabus references for this chapter are: 1b, 2b, c.

Practical significance
Businesses operating in certain industries, for example manufacturing, typically have the use of substantial
items of property, plant and equipment in their balance sheets. These are tangible assets (i.e. assets which
have physical substance) such as freehold and leasehold land and buildings, plant and machinery and office
equipment. They are used in the production or supply of goods and services or for administrative purposes.
The management of these resources underpins the continued viability of a business and therefore
represents a key feature of business prosperity.
Depending on the nature of the business, property, plant and equipment can have a significant impact on the
financial statements. Many of the associated decisions will involve the use of judgement. This is true, for
example, of the distinction between revenue and capital expenditure. One of the principal manipulations
alleged during the WorldCom scandal was the inappropriate capitalisation of expenses. Overstating of the
value of non-current assets, either intentionally or unintentionally, can lead to the inflation of current
earnings, which in turn can affect key performance indicators. It is important therefore that users of
financial statements understand how the business uses its property, plant and equipment and how such
assets are treated in the financial statements.

Stop and think


Can you think of any other aspects of the accounting treatment of property, plant and equipment where
judgement would be applied?

Working context
If you are involved in audit it is highly likely that you have come across the audit of property, plant and
equipment. The technical detail of auditing this area is covered in the Assurance paper. Typically the auditor
will need to consider the following issues:

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Does the balance sheet include all the assets owned by the business (completeness)?
Do all of the assets belong to the business (ownership)?
Do all of the assets exist (existence)?
Have the assets been valued correctly (depreciation, impairment, revaluation)?

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Have adequate disclosures been made?

Syllabus links
In the Accounting paper you will have covered the basic double entry for the purchase of property, plant
and equipment. You will have also covered basic depreciation, impairment and disposals.
The main difference in the Financial Accounting paper is that these treatments are placed in the context of
the accounting standards that relate to this topic. These include:

BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment


BAS 36 Impairment of Assets
BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.

The Financial Accounting syllabus also covers in detail the alternative basis of accounting for property, plant
and equipment referred to as the revaluation model. In the Accounting paper you will have covered the
cost model, and will have been introduced to basic revaluations. BAS 36 and BFRS 5 will be covered in
more detail in Financial & Corporate Reporting at the Advanced Stage.

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Examination context

Examination commentary
Property, plant and equipment is likely to be a popular exam topic in the new syllabus in both the shortform question and written test sections of the paper. In the written test section this topic could be
examined as part of a trial balance question where adjustments are required before the preparation of the
balance sheet. It could also be examined in a question covering a number of accounting issues with the
requirement to produce extracts from the financial statements. Alternatively it could be examined in its
own right, allowing for a more detailed focus on the relevant accounting standards or a discussion of the
related principles from BFRS Framework.
In the examination, candidates may be required to:

Explain how BFRS Framework applies to the recognition of property, plant and equipment.

Prepare and present financial statements or extracts therefrom in accordance with:

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BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment


BAS 36 Impairment of Assets
BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations

Prepare simple extracts from the financial statements in accordance with Companies Act and BFRS.

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

1 Property, plant and equipment


Section overview

1.1

BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment provides guidance on the accounting treatment of non-current
tangible assets.

What are property, plant and equipment?


Definition
Property, plant and equipment: Tangible items that are both:

Held for use in the production or supply of goods or services, for rental to others or for
administrative purposes.

Expected to be used during more than one period.

In practice this definition causes few problems. Property, plant and equipment (PPE) includes freehold and
leasehold land and buildings and plant and machinery, and forms the major part of assets of certain
types of business, such as manufacturing and transport businesses.

1.2

Non-current v current
The main issue arising is whether the assets are used on a continuing basis in the companys activities.
For example, cars held for resale by a motor dealer are inventories (a current asset) whereas cars held for
use by employees on company business are PPE.

1.3

BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment


You will be familiar with some of the basic accounting issues affecting PPE from your Accounting syllabus. In
the Financial Accounting syllabus you need to be able to deal with these in the context of BAS 16.
The objective of BAS 16 is to prescribe in relation to PPE the accounting treatment for:

The recognition of assets


The determination of their carrying amounts
The depreciation charges and impairment losses relating to them.

This provides the users of financial statements with information about an entity's investment in its PPE and
changes in such investments.
BAS 16 should be followed when accounting for PPE unless another BAS or BFRS requires a different
treatment, e.g. BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.

1.4

Underlying principles
The key elements in financial statements, identified in BFRS Framework, which are relevant to PPE are:
Assets

Resources controlled by the entity as a result of past events and from which
future economic benefits are expected to flow into the entity.

Gains, which are a


part of income

Increases in economic benefits through enhancements of assets or decreases


in liabilities other than contributions from equity.

Losses, which are


included in expenses

Decreases in economic benefits through depletions of assets or additional


liabilities other than distributions to equity participants.

Gains and losses relate to the subsequent depreciation, revaluation, impairment and disposal of PPE.
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2 Recognition of PPE
Section overview

Items of PPE should be recognised where it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the
entity and their cost can be measured reliably.

Subsequent costs:

2.1

Repairs and maintenance expenditure should not be capitalised.


Replacement parts should be capitalised.

Items of PPE may be separated into components, each with a separate useful life.

Recognition
In this context, recognition simply means incorporation of the item in the entity's financial statements, in
this case as a non-current asset. The recognition of PPE depends on two criteria both of which must be
satisfied.

It is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the
entity.

The item's cost can be measured reliably.

Points to note:
1

2.2

The asset is not defined in terms of the tangible piece of PPE (e.g. a building or a piece of production
machinery) but in terms of the economic benefits flowing from it:

So items acquired for safety or environmental reasons can be classed as PPE because they enable
greater economic benefits to flow from other assets.

Legal ownership of an item of PPE is not necessary, as long as the economic benefits
flowing from it are enjoyed. An item held under a finance lease (see Chapter 8) is treated as an
asset belonging to the user of the item.

There is no definition of what constitutes an 'item of PPE'. It will be for each entity to develop
its own definitions. It will be straightforward to decide that an individual motor vehicle should
constitute an item. But when it comes to a blast furnace, should that be a single item or several items?

There is no mention of the 'acquisition' of an item of PPE. The whole of the definition revolves round
the 'cost' of such an item. This means that the definition must be applied at any time over the
life of the item of PPE when expenditure on it is incurred; it is not only applied on the initial
acquisition or construction of the item.

Subsequent costs
In terms of costs incurred subsequently to add to, replace part of, or service the item, the practical
application is that:

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Repairs and maintenance expenditure should be recognised in profit or loss as incurred,


because it is not probable that there will be future economic benefits flowing from it, over and above
the benefits flowing from the cost originally recognised when the item was first acquired.

Replacement parts should be capitalised, provided the original cost of the items they
replace is derecognised (i.e. treated as disposed of) at the time of the replacement.
BAS 16 explains this in terms of the relining of a blast furnace at times when the remainder of the
furnace does not need replacing and the replacement of the interior of an aircraft several times over
the life of the airframe itself.

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

2.3

Separate components
This leads to the practice of treating the different parts of a bigger asset as separate components, with
separate lives. These are then depreciated separately (see section 6 below), so that they are carried at
their residual value over their useful lives, not the useful life of the overall asset.
This component approach is also applied where regular major inspections of an asset are a condition
of continuing to use it. The cost of each inspection is treated as a separate item of PPE, provided on
original acquisition part of the purchase price was allocated as the cost of inspection and recognised in profit
or loss over the period to the next inspection. If no separate inspection cost was incurred on original
acquisition, this allocation may be made by reference to the estimated cost of the first inspection that is
actually made.

3 Measurement at recognition
Section overview

PPE should be measured at cost at recognition.

Elements of cost include:

Cost is measured as:

3.1

Purchase price
Directly attributable costs
Estimate of dismantling and site restoration costs
Cash or
Fair value if PPE items are exchanged

Measurement at recognition
An item of PPE qualifying for recognition is initially measured at its cost.

Definitions
Cost: This is the amount of cash or cash equivalents paid or the fair value of the other consideration
given to acquire an asset at the time of its acquisition or construction.
Fair value: This is the amount for which an asset could be exchanged between knowledgeable, willing
parties in an arm's length transaction.

3.2

Elements of cost of PPE


The cost of a PPE item comprises:

Purchase price, including all non-recoverable duties and taxes but net of discounts.

Costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for
it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by the management.

The initial estimate of dismantling and site restoration costs.

Directly attributable costs include:

Employee benefits arising directly from construction or acquisition of the item.

Site preparation, delivery, installation and assembly costs, costs of testing, and
professional fees (e.g. legal costs and architects' fees).
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Financial accounting
But note that certain costs associated with the item cannot be included in its cost:

Some costs are excluded because they are not directly attributable to the item. Examples
include:

The costs of opening a new facility


The cost of introducing new products
The cost of conducting business in a new location or with a new class of customer
Administration and general overhead costs

Capitalisation ceases when the item is capable of operating in the manner intended. Costs
incurred after this date have to be excluded. Examples include:

Costs incurred when the item is not yet in use or is operated at less than full capacity
Operating losses while demand for the output builds up (e.g. a new hotel)
Reorganisation costs

Points to note
1

Costs of testing would include flight testing a new aircraft and testing for the satisfactory output of a
new plant. In this latter case, any proceeds from selling product generated during testing are deducted
from the cost of the plant.

Where activities are undertaken that are incidental to the development of the PPE item, any revenue
and expenses are recognised in profit or loss, not taken into account in arriving at the cost of the item.

Where as a result of the acquisition of an item of PPE an obligation arises to dismantle it at the end of
its useful life and/or to restore its site then that obligation must be recorded as a liability at the same
time as the asset is recognised (e.g. the decommissioning costs of nuclear power stations). We will
look at this issue again in Chapter 9.

In the case of self-constructed assets:

Internal profits and abnormal costs (e.g. those relating to design errors, wasted resources
or industrial disputes) are excluded from cost.

Interest costs incurred during the course of construction may be included under BAS 23
Borrowing Costs, but inclusion is not mandatory (BAS 23 is not examinable in Financial
Accounting).

Interactive question 1: Measuring cost

[Difficulty level: Intermediate]

A business incurs the following costs in relation to the construction of a new facility and the introduction to
the market of its output:
CU'000
Site preparation
400
Net income while site used as a car park, prior to construction commencing
(50)
Materials used, inclusive of CU0.3m recoverable VAT
2,000
Labour costs, inclusive of CU0.5m incurred when a labour dispute meant that no construction
work was carried out
4,000
Testing of facility's processes
300
Sale of by-products produced as part of testing process
(60)
Consultancy fees re installation and assembly
500
Professional fees
450
Opening of facility
100
Overheads incurred:

Construction
800

General
600
Relocation of staff to new facility
350
The following estimates have been made:

164

The cost of having to dismantle the facility at the end of its useful life

750

The costs of each statutory safety inspection the first due in 3 years

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

While the overall life of the facility is 20 years, 40% of the costs other than those of safety inspections
relate to items that will need replacing in 8 years.

Requirement
Identify the total cost of the facility in accordance with BAS 16 and allocate it over the facility's components.
Fill in the proforma below.

Solution
Cost of facility
Site preparation
Net income while site used as a car park
Materials used
Labour costs
Testing of facility's processes
Sale of by-products
Consultancy fees re installation and assembly
Professional fees
Opening of facility
Overheads incurred:

Construction

General
Relocation of staff to new facility
Cost of dismantling facility

CU'000

Allocated to components:

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

3.3

Measurement of cost
Cost is measured as the cash price at the time of recognition, with discounting if payment is
deferred beyond normal credit terms.
Where there is an exchange of items of PPE such that there is no cash price, cost should be measured
at fair value.
The exception to this is where:

The exchange transaction lacks commercial substance, for example where, the risk, timing and
amount of the cash flows of the asset received differs from the risk, timing and amount of the cash
flows of the asset transferred.
or

The fair value of neither asset exchanged can be measured reliably

In this case the asset is measured at the carrying amount of the asset given up.

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4 Measurement of PPE after initial recognition


Section overview

After initial recognition an item of PPE may be carried under:

4.1

The cost model, or


The revaluation model

The two models


BAS 16 sets out two models, without expressing a preference for either:

The cost model. An item of PPE is carried at cost (i.e. initial cost plus subsequent expenditure) less
accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.

The revaluation model. An item of PPE is carried at the revalued amount, being fair value less
accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.

The choice of model is an accounting policy choice, which must be applied across an entire class of
PPE.

4.2

Fair value
Fair value is normally taken to be market value:
Land and buildings

Fair value is determined from market-based evidence by


appraisal by professionally qualified valuers

Plant and equipment

Fair value is usually their market value determined by


appraisal

Specialised items of property, plant


and equipment (which are rarely sold)

Fair value is determined by using a depreciated replacement


cost (as there is no market-based evidence of fair value)

Worked example: Depreciated replacement cost


An asset that originally cost CU30,000 and is halfway through its useful life will have a carrying amount of
50% of cost = CU15,000; if it would cost CU40,000 to buy a replacement asset with the same operating
characteristics, then the depreciated replacement cost would be 50% of the replacement cost = CU20,000.

4.3

Frequency of valuations
Revaluations should be made with sufficient regularity to ensure that the carrying amount does not
differ materially from that which would be determined using fair value at the balance sheet
date.
So, the frequency of the valuation depends on the volatility of the fair values of individual items of
PPE. The more volatile the fair value, the more frequently revaluations should be carried out.
The maximum interval mentioned is five years, but longer could be justified if movements were very
small and slow.
The requirement for periodic revaluations is designed to prevent companies from revaluing assets
selectively.

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

4.4

Classes of assets
Definition
Class of property, plant and equipment: A grouping of assets of a similar nature and use in an entitys
operations.

Where an item of PPE is revalued, all other assets in the same class should also be revalued.
Again, this is designed to stop companies being selective about which items to revalue and to avoid financial
statements including a mixture of costs and values for like items.
BAS 16 provides examples of separate classes including the following:

Land
Land and buildings
Machinery
Motor vehicles
Furniture and fixtures
Office equipment

5 Accounting for revaluations


Section overview

5.1

Revaluation gains are taken directly to equity as part of the revaluation surplus.

Revaluation losses are recognised as an expense in profit or loss (i.e. in the income statement) unless
they relate to an earlier revaluation surplus.

After revaluation, depreciation is based on the revalued amount.

An annual reserves transfer is allowed amounting to the excess of actual depreciation over the
historical cost depreciation.

Increases in value
The basic rule is that increases in value on a revaluation are credited directly to equity. The effect of
this is that they:

Do not appear in the income statement.


Do appear in the statement of changes in equity.

The exception is that where such an increase reverses an earlier revaluation decrease on the same asset
that was recognised in profit or loss (see section 5.3 below), then the surplus should be recognised in profit
or loss, but only to the extent of the previous decrease. In practice, the surplus is treated so that the
overall effect is the same as if the original downward revaluation recognised in profit or loss had not
occurred.

5.2

Accounting for increases in value


The commonly adopted method of accounting for upward revaluations to fair value is to write the
original cost to fair value and write back the accumulated depreciation to revaluation reserve.

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Worked example: Revaluation increase


An entity acquires an item of PPE for CU50,000, which is depreciated over 20 years. Three years later the
asset is revalued to CU60,000. The useful life has not changed.
The revaluation will be accounted for as follows:
CU
10,000
7,500

DR Asset value (balance sheet)


DR Accumulated depreciation
(50,000/20 3)
CR Revaluation reserve

Interactive question 2: Revaluation

CU

17,500

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

On 1 January 20X2, an asset has a carrying amount of CU100 and a remaining useful life of 10 years, with a
nil residual value. The asset is revalued on that date to CU50 and the loss is recognised in profit or loss.
The asset is depreciated straight-line over the next five years, giving a carrying amount of CU25 at 31
December 20X6. Then, on 1 January 20X7 when the remaining useful life is the unexpired 5 years, the asset
is revalued to CU60.
Requirement
State how much of the revaluation gain on 1 January 20X7 is recognised directly in equity and how much is
recognised in profit or loss.
Fill in the proforma below.

Solution
The revaluation gain on 1 January 20X7 is CU........................................
If the previous downward revaluation had not taken place the carrying amount on 31 December 20X6
would have been CU........................................
The 'excess' revaluation gain recognised directly in equity is CU........................................
The amount recognised in profit or loss is CU........................................
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

5.3

Decreases in value
The basic rule is that decreases in value on a revaluation are recognised as an expense and charged to
the income statement.
The exception is where such a decrease reverses an earlier revaluation increase on the same asset
that was recognised directly in equity and is held in the revaluation reserve, then the deficit should be
recognised directly in equity, but only to the extent of the previous increase.

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Worked example: Revaluation decrease


An item of land originally cost CU15,000. Two years ago it was revalued to CU20,000. Now the value has
fallen to CU13,000.
The double entry would be:
CU
5,000
2,000

DR Revaluation reserve
DR Income statement
CR Asset value (balance sheet)

5.4

CU
7,000

Depreciation of revalued assets


Where an asset has been revalued, the depreciation charge is based on the revalued amount, less
residual value, from the date of revaluation. The assets residual value should also be re-estimated
on revaluation.

Definition
Residual value: The estimated amount that an entity would currently obtain from disposal of the asset,
after deducting the estimated costs of disposal if the asset were already of the age and in the condition
expected at the end of its useful life.

The whole of the depreciation charge is recognised in profit or loss. None is recognised directly in the
revaluation reserve. However, BAS 16 permits, and it is best practice to make, a transfer between
reserves.
The overall effect is that the income statement shows the economic benefit consumed, measured by
reference to the revalued figure for the asset, but distributable profits (i.e. those out of which dividends may
be declared) are not affected by extra depreciation on revalued assets.
The transfer is recorded as follows:
Amount of transfer = actual depreciation charged less equivalent charge based on original historical cost of
asset
Entry to record transfer:
DR Revaluation reserve
CR Retained earnings

This transfer is shown in the statement of changes in equity.

Worked example: Reserve transfer


An item of PPE was purchased for CU800,000 on 1 January 20X6. It is estimated to have a useful life of 20
years and is depreciated on a straight-line basis. On 1 January 20X8 the asset is revalued to CU850,000.
The useful life is unchanged. (Ignore residual value.)
CU
Actual depreciation for 20X8 based on revalued amount 850,000
18
Depreciation for 20X8 based on historical cost 800,000
20
Difference

47,222
(40,000)
7,222

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Financial accounting
In the income statement for 20X8 a depreciation expense of CU47,222 will be charged. A reserve transfer
may be performed as follows:
DR Revaluation reserve
CR Retained earnings

CU
7,222

CU
7,222

The closing balance on the revaluation reserve will therefore be as follows:


Balance arising on revaluation (850 720)
Transfer of retained earnings

5.5

CU
130,000
(7,222)
122,778

Disposal of revalued assets


This is dealt with in section 8.4 below.

6 Depreciation
Section overview

Depreciation is a means of spreading the cost of a non-current asset over its useful life.

Each significant part of an item of PPE must be depreciated separately.

Land should be accounted for separately from buildings.

Residual values and useful lives must be reviewed annually. Any change must be treated as a change in
accounting estimate.

There are a number of different methods of depreciation:

6.1

Straight-line
Diminishing balance (= reducing balance)
Sum of the units

Objective of depreciation
Depreciation is an application of the accrual concept. Its objective is to charge to operating profit the
cost of using PPE in each period, so that at the end of its useful life the whole of the cost has been written
off. The cost of using an asset is the amount of economic benefits consumed.
Depreciation does not relate to the value of an asset as it is a cost-allocation concept, not a measure of
value changes. An increase in the current value of an asset does not itself justify not depreciating that asset.
The means of recognising an increase in value of an asset is to revalue the asset, which is a separate issue
from depreciation.

Definitions
Depreciation: This is the systematic allocation of the depreciable amount of an asset over its useful life.
Depreciable amount: The cost of an asset, or other amount substituted for cost, less its residual value.
Useful life: This is:

170

The period over which an asset is expected to be available for use by an entity, or
The number of production or similar units expected to be obtained from the asset by an entity.

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

6.2

Calculation and recognition


Each significant part of an item of PPE must be depreciated separately, although they may be grouped
together for depreciation charge purposes if they have the same useful lives and depreciation methods. So
an aircraft's engines will be depreciated separately from its airframe when they have different useful lives.
This is a natural consequence of the initial process of analysing the cost of an asset over its component
parts (see section 2 above).
Land and buildings are separable assets and accounted for separately, even when acquired
together. Land usually has an infinite life, whereas buildings do not. So buildings are always depreciable
assets, but land is not; the exception is that if the initial cost of land includes a provision for
dismantlement and restoration (see section 3.2 above), then that part of its cost is depreciated over the
period expected to benefit.
The depreciation charge is recognised in profit or loss, unless it can be included in the cost of an
asset. The valuation of inventories under BAS 2 Inventories includes depreciation charges on manufacturing
PPE.

Interactive question 3: Calculating depreciation

[Difficulty level: Intermediate]

Requirement
Using the costs from Interactive question 1 and assuming there are no residual values, calculate the annual
depreciation charges for the facility.
Fill in the proforma below.
CU000

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

6.3

Depreciable amount and depreciation period


The residual value and useful life of an asset must be reviewed at least each year end; any change is a
change in accounting estimate and must be accounted for prospectively under BAS 8 Accounting Policies,
Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors. The accounting policy remains one of taking account of residual
values and useful lives; all that changes are the judgements as to what the values for these are.

Interactive question 4: Depreciation period

[Difficulty level: Intermediate]

An asset has a cost of CU1,000, useful life of 10 years and residual value of CU200. At the end of year 2 of
its life, the remaining useful life was revised to 4 years, the residual value being unchanged.
Requirement
Calculate the depreciation charge for each of years 1 to 3 on the straight-line basis.

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Fill in the proforma below.

Solution
Cost
Accumulated depreciation
Carrying amount
Charge for the year (W)

Year 1
(CU)

Year 2
(CU)

Year 3
(CU)

WORKING

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

Points to note:

6.4

Depreciation continues to be recognised even if fair value (i.e. the open market price) is greater than
the carrying amount. This is for two reasons: the entity has no intention of selling the asset (so market
price is not relevant) and depreciation is, as has been noted, a cost-allocation concept, not a means of
revaluing an asset;

Depreciation ceases if residual value exceeds the carrying amount. The reason is that there is no
longer a depreciable amount.

Commencement of depreciation
Depreciation should commence when the asset is in the location and condition necessary for it to
be capable of operating in the manner intended. This is the case even if the asset is actually put into
use at a later date. Depreciation continues even if the asset lies idle, for example as a result of a fall in
market demand for its output. Depreciation only ceases when the asset is derecognised; the
treatment of assets held for sale is dealt with in section 8 below.

6.5

Factors affecting useful life


There are many factors affecting the useful life of an asset.
These include:

Expected usage of the asset measured by reference to the asset's expected capacity or physical
output.

Expected physical wear and tear.

Technical or commercial obsolescence arising from changes or improvements in production, or


from a change in market demand.

Legal or similar limits on the use of the asset, such as expiry dates of related leases.

These factors should be considered by management on the initial assessment of the asset's useful life and on
each subsequent annual review.

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6.6

Depreciation method
BAS 16 requires that a systematic basis should be used to allocate the depreciable amount over the
asset's useful life; the method should reflect the pattern in which the future economic benefits are
consumed. A number of methods are identified, which you should be familiar with from your Accounting
studies:

Straight-line, whereby there is a constant charge each year, on the assumption that equal amounts of
economic benefit are consumed in each year of the asset's life.

Diminishing (or reducing) balance, whereby the depreciation rate is applied to the opening
carrying amount. This method, which charges more depreciation in the early years of an asset's life
than in later years, could be appropriate in circumstances where over its life the asset becomes less
capable of producing a high-quality product.

Sum of the units, whereby the charge is calculated by reference to the output each year as a
proportion of the total expected output over the asset's useful life.

Where the pattern of consumption of an asset's economic benefits is uncertain, a straight-line method
of depreciation is usually adopted. In practice, this method is by far the most widely used.

6.7

Change in method
Depreciation methods must be reviewed at least at each financial year end. A change in the pattern of
consumption of economic benefits may demand a change to the method. Any changes are changes in an
accounting estimate and are accounted for prospectively. The carrying amount of the asset is
depreciated under the new method over the remaining useful life, beginning in the period in which the
change is made in accordance with BAS 8.

Worked example: Change in depreciation method


Bord Ltd has a 31 December year end. On 1 January 20X3 it bought a machine for CU100,000 and
depreciated it at 15% per annum on the reducing balance basis. The residual value is nil.
On 31 December 20X6, the machine will be included in Bord Ltd's accounts at the following amount:
CU
100,000
(47,800)
52,200

Cost
Accumulated depreciation
Carrying amount

During 20X7, the company decided to change the basis of depreciation to straight-line over a total life of 10
years, i.e. six years remaining from 1 January 20X7.
New annual charge from 20X7 =

6.8

52, 200
6

= CU8,700 per annum.

Impairment
BAS 16 requires the provisions of BAS 36 Impairment of Assets to be applied.
The provisions of BAS 36 are dealt with in the next section. Any compensation received from third parties
for impaired PPE is recognised in profit or loss (where the impairment loss is charged), not set against the
cost of the PPE item.

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7 Impairment of assets
Section overview

An asset is impaired if its recoverable amount is less than its carrying amount.

The recoverable amount is the higher of:

7.1

The asset's fair value less costs to sell, and


Its value in use.

Internal and external sources provide indications of possible impairment.

For assets held at historical cost an impairment loss should be charged in profit or loss (i.e. as an
expense in the income statement).

For assets held at a revalued amount the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.

Objective and scope of BAS 36 Impairment of Assets


Whenever an asset's recoverable amount falls to an amount less than its carrying amount, it
is said to be impaired. Its carrying amount in the balance sheet is therefore reduced to this recoverable
amount and, in most cases, an expense is recognised in the income statement. BAS 36 puts in place a
detailed method for carrying out impairment reviews and related accounting treatments and disclosures.
BAS 36 applies to all assets apart from those specifically excluded from the standard. It most commonly
applies to assets such as property, plant and equipment accounted for in accordance with BAS 16 and
intangible assets accounted for in accordance with BAS 38 Intangible Assets (we will look at intangible
assets in Chapter 6). The standard also apples to some financial assets, namely subsidiaries, associates and
joint ventures. Impairments of all other financial assets are accounted for in accordance with BAS 39
Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, the detail of which is outside your syllabus.

7.2

Basic principle
The basic principle underlying BAS 36 is relatively straightforward. If an asset's value in the financial
statements is higher than its realistic value, measured as its 'recoverable amount', the asset is judged to have
been impaired.
The value of the asset should be reduced by the amount of the impairment loss. This loss should be
written off against profit immediately.
The main accounting issues to consider are therefore as follows:
1
2
3

7.3

How is it possible to identify when an impairment loss may have occurred?


How should the recoverable amount of the asset be measured?
How should an impairment loss be reported in the financial statements?

Indications of impairment
An entity should assess at each balance sheet date whether there are any indications of impairment to any
assets. The concept of materiality applies, and only material impairment needs to be identified.
If there are indications of possible impairment, the entity is required to make a formal estimate of the
recoverable amount of the assets concerned.
In assessing such indications of a possible impairment, BAS 36 requires an entity to consider, as a minimum,
the following:

174

External sources of information:

A fall in the asset's market value that is more significant than would normally be expected from
passage of time over normal use.

A significant change in the technological, market, legal or economic environment of the business
in which the assets are employed.

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An increase in market interest rates or market rates of return on investments likely to affect the
discount rate used in calculating value in use.

The carrying amount of the entity's net assets being more than its market capitalisation.

Internal sources of information:

Evidence of obsolescence or physical damage.

Adverse changes in the use to which the asset is put.

Indications that the economic performance of an asset is, or will be, worse than expected.

Even if there are no indications of impairment, the following assets must always be tested for impairment
annually:

An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life


Goodwill acquired in a business combination

(Intangible assets are covered in Chapter 6).

7.4

Measuring the recoverable amount of the asset


Definition
Recoverable amount of an asset: is the higher of:

7.4.1

Its fair value less costs to sell, and


Its value in use

Fair value less costs to sell


Definition
Fair value less costs to sell: the amount obtainable from the sale of an asset in an arm's length
transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties, less costs of disposal.

In other words an asset's fair value less costs to sell is the amount net of selling costs that could be
obtained from the sale of the asset. Selling costs include sales transaction costs, such as legal expenses.
A binding sales agreement is the best evidence of an assets fair value less costs to sell. Where there is
no binding sales agreement the following bases will be used:

If there is an active market in the asset, the net selling price should be based on the market price
less costs to sell, or on the price of recent transactions in similar assets.

If there is no active market in the asset it might be possible to estimate a net selling price using
best estimates of what 'knowledgeable, willing parties' might pay in an arm's length transaction and
deducting costs of disposal.

Selling costs cannot include any restructuring or reorganisation expenses, or any costs that have
already been recognised in the financial statements as liabilities.

7.4.2

Value in use
An asset's fair value less costs to sell is compared with its value in use in order to determine the
recoverable amount (see section 7.4 above).

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Definition
Value in use: the present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from an asset.

The detailed guidance provided as to how to arrive at this value is not in the Financial Accounting syllabus,
but the following general points should be noted:

Calculations should be based on reasonable and supportable assumptions.

Projections should be based on the most recent budgets etc approved by management over a
maximum of five years, unless a longer period can be justified.

Inflows and outflows should be estimated separately, based upon the asset's current condition
(so ignoring the benefits of restructurings not committed to and future performance enhancements).

Financing and tax costs should be excluded.

Account should be taken of net cash flows expected to arise on the asset's ultimate disposal.

Note the practical point that if one of the two elements in the recoverable amount has been
estimated as in excess of the assets carrying amount, then the asset is not impaired and there
is no need to estimate the value of the other element. So if fair value less cost to sell exceeds
carrying amount, as it well might in the case of freehold and leasehold properties, then there is no need to
estimate value in use. This is useful in relation to assets for which there is an active market, because fair
values can be estimated quickly and cheaply.

7.5

Accounting treatment of impairments


If the recoverable amount of an asset is less than the carrying amount, the difference is the impairment loss.
It should be described as such in the financial statements but the accounting treatment is similar to
increases and decreases arising on a revaluation (see section 5 above) whereby:

An impairment loss for assets at a historical cost is treated as a decrease on revaluation and is
recognised as an expense in the income statement.

If the impairment loss relates to an asset that has previously been revalued, then it is treated as
a revaluation decrease and not as an impairment loss. So in line with section 5.3 above it can first
be set against any balance relating to the same asset standing on the revaluation reserve, with any
excess being recognised in profit or loss.

Depreciation charges in future accounting periods will be set to write off the revised carrying
amount, less residual value, over its remaining useful life.

In certain circumstances impairment losses incurred in one accounting period may be reversed in a later
period, but the relevant rules are outside the Financial Accounting syllabus.

Worked example: Impairment


The following details relate to a freehold property:
Carrying amount (at date of revaluation)
Revalued to
Amount recognised in the revaluation reserve
Current carrying amount
Fair value
Value in use
The recoverable amount of the asset is CU800,000 (i.e. the higher of fair value and value in use).
An impairment loss of CU700,000 has occurred (1,500,000 800,000)

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CU
1,000,000
1,600,000
600,000
1,500,000
600,000
800,000

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The impairment will be accounted for as follows:


CU
600,000
100,000

DR Revaluation reserve
DR Income statement
CR Property (carrying amount)

7.6

CU
700,000

Disclosure
For all impairments, disclosure must be made for each class of assets of:

The amount of any impairment loss recognised in profit or loss and the line item where it has been
included.

The equivalent information about any impairment loss recognised directly in equity.

Note that compliance with the values part of this requirement will come through the BAS 16 reconciliation
of opening and closing balance sheet asset values (see section 9 below).
If an impairment loss for an individual asset is material to the financial statements as a whole, there
must be additional disclosure of:

The events that led to the recognition of the loss.

The amount.

The nature of the asset.

Whether the recoverable amount is fair value less costs to sell or value in use.

The basis used to determine fair value less costs to sell (where the recoverable amount is fair value
less costs to sell).

The discount rate used in the current estimate and any previous estimate of value in use (where the
recoverable amount is value in use).

If impairment losses are material only in aggregate, then a reduced amount of additional information
should be given. The following details must be disclosed:

The main classes of assets affected by impairment losses.


The main events and circumstances that led to the recognition of these impairment losses.

8 Derecognition of PPE
Section overview

When the decision is made to sell a non-current asset it should be classified as 'held for sale'.

An asset held for sale is valued at the lower of:

8.1

Its carrying amount.


Its fair value less costs to sell.

No depreciation is charged on a held for sale asset.

General rule
An item of PPE shall be removed from the balance sheet (i.e. derecognised) when it is disposed of or
when no future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal (i.e. it is abandoned).
The gain or loss on the disposal of an item of PPE is included in the income statement of the period
in which the derecognition occurs. The gain or loss is calculated as the difference between the net sale

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Financial accounting
proceeds and the carrying amount, whether measured under the cost model or the revaluation model.
Gains may not be included in revenue in the income statement.
The process of selling an item of PPE involves the following stages:

Making the decision to sell the item.


Putting the item on the market, agreeing the selling price and negotiating the contract for sale.
Completing the sale.

The issue is at what stage through this process should any gain or loss on the sale be recognised. These
matters are dealt with in BFRS 5 and there are different required treatments depending on whether the
item of PPE is measured under the cost model or the revaluation model.

8.2

Disposal of PPE measured under the cost model


Following the principle that any loss should be recognised immediately but any gain should only be
recognised when it is realised, BFRS 5's requirements in respect of PPE measured under the cost model are
that:

When the carrying amount of a non-current asset will be recovered principally through sale
(rather than through continuing use), the asset must be classified as held for sale. In most cases, this
classification will be made at the time of the decision to sell.

A non-current asset held for sale is measured at the lower of:

Its carrying amount


Its fair value less costs to sell (i.e. its net selling price)

The effect is that any loss (i.e. where the former value exceeds the latter) is recognised at the time of
classification as held for sale. But any gain (i.e. where the latter value exceeds the former) is not;
instead it is recognised according to the general rule in section 8.1 above.

A non-current asset held for sale is presented separately from all other assets in the balance
sheet. BFRS 5 does not specify where this 'separate presentation' should be made, but these learning
materials follow the IASB's (non-mandatory) guidance on implementing BFRS 5 by presenting it
immediately below the sub-total for current assets.

No depreciation is charged on a held for sale asset. The new valuation basis of fair value less costs
to sell approximates to residual value, so there is now no depreciable amount.

The loss is an impairment loss, dealt with in the same way as other impairment losses under BAS
36.

On ultimate disposal, any difference between carrying amount and disposal proceeds is treated as a loss or
gain under BAS 16, not as a further impairment loss or reversal of the original impairment loss.

Interactive question 5: Asset held for sale I

[Difficulty level: Intermediate]

An item of PPE was acquired on 1 January 20X5 at a cost of CU100,000. A residual value of CU10,000 and
a useful life of 10 years was assumed for the purpose of depreciation charges.
On 1 January 20X8 the asset was classified as held for sale. Its fair value was estimated at CU40,000 and the
costs to sell at CU2,000.
The asset was sold on 30 June 20X8 for CU38,000.
Requirements
(a) Show the journal entry to record the classification as held for sale.
(b) Show the entry in the income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8.
(c) Describe how the answer to (b) would change if the sales proceeds on 30 June 20X8 were CU32,000.
Fill in the proforma below.

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Solution
(a)

Journal entry to record the classification as held for sale


CU'000

1 January 20X8
DR PPE accumulated depreciation
DR Non-current assets held for sale
DR Income statement ()
CR PPE cost

CU'000

(b) Income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8


CU
Impairment loss on reclassification of non-current assets as held for sale
(c)

Income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8


In the income statement:

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

Interactive question 6: Asset held for sale II

[Difficulty level: Intermediate]

These facts are as detailed in Interactive question 5, except that on classification as held for sale, the fair
value was estimated at CU80,000 and the costs to sell at CU3,000.
The asset was sold on 30 June 20X8 for CU77,000.
Requirements
(a) Show the journal entry to record the classification as held for sale.
(b) Show the entry in the income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8.
Fill in the proforma below.

Solution
(a)

Journal entry to record the classification as held for sale


CU'000

CU'000

1 January 20X8
DR PPE accumulated depreciation
DR Non-current assets held for sale
CR PPE cost
(b) Income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8
CU'000
Gain on disposal of non-current assets held for sale
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

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8.3

Classification as held for sale


For the classification as held for sale to be made detailed criteria must be met:

The asset must be available for immediate sale in its present condition.
Its sale must be highly probable (i.e. significantly more likely than probable).

For the sale to be highly probable:

Management must be committed to a plan to sell the asset.

There must be an active programme to locate a buyer.

The asset must be marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair
value.

The sale should be expected to take place within one year from the date of classification.

It is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.

Other points to note:

8.4

An asset can still be classified as held for sale, even if the sale has not actually taken place
within one year. However, the delay must have been caused by events or circumstances beyond the
entity's control and there must be sufficient evidence that the entity is still committed to sell the asset.

If a balance sheet date intervenes between the classification as held for sale and the final disposal, fair
value less costs to sell may have fallen below or risen above the figure used on original classification.
Any fall is accounted for as a further impairment loss, while any rise goes to reduce the amount
of the original impairment loss, but cannot write the asset's carrying amount above its original
level.

The rules for disposal groups (where an operation comprising assets and liabilities is being sold) fall
outside the Financial Accounting syllabus.

Disposal of PPE measured under the revaluation model


For an item of PPE measured after recognition under the revaluation model and subsequently classified as
held for sale, there is a different accounting treatment of the difference between carrying amount and fair
value less costs to sell at the time of classification:

180

Consistently with the accounting policy chosen, the asset must be revalued at fair value under BAS
16 immediately before the classification.

'Revaluation' means that either a gain or loss will be recognised (whereas, as explained in section
8.2, for assets measured under the cost method, only a loss is recognised at the time of classification).
If the previous carrying amount is greater than fair value, there will be a loss; if it is less than fair value,
there will be a gain.

Such a gain or loss is dealt with under BAS 16 (see section 5 above), so a gain is recognised in
revaluation reserve (except to the extent it reverses a loss previously charged to the income
statement) and a loss in the income statement (except to the extent it reverses a gain held in
revaluation reserve).

Once revalued in this way, the measurement is then adjusted to the normal basis for held for sale
assets, so fair value less costs to sell. The effect is that the costs to sell are immediately
recognised in profit or loss as an impairment loss.

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Interactive question 7: Disposal of revalued PPE

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

Land, which is not depreciated, was acquired on 1 January 20X2 at a cost of CU200,000 and revalued to
CU250,000 on 1 January 20X5. On 1 January 20X8 the asset was classified as held for sale. Its fair value was
estimated at CU235,000 and the costs to sell at CU5,000.
Requirements
(a) Show the journal entry to record the revaluation on 1 January 20X5.
(b) Show the journal entry to record the classification as held for sale on 1 January 20X8.
Fill in the proforma below.

Solution
(a)

Journal entry to record the revaluation


CU'000

CU'000

CU'000

CU'000

1 January 20X5
DR PPE at valuation
CR Revaluation reserve
(b) Journal entry to record the classification as held for sale
1 January 20X8
DR Non-current assets held for sale fair value less costs to sell
DR Income statement costs to sell
DR Revaluation reserve
CR PPE at valuation
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

8.5

Disposal and gains held in revaluation reserve


If there is still a credit balance on the revaluation reserve relating to an asset that has been disposed of, this
balance should be transferred to retained earnings as a reserve transfer (the same treatment and
presentation as for the reserve transfer in respect of extra depreciation). The accounting entry is:
DR Revaluation reserve

CUX

CR Retained earnings

CUX

Note that some argue that as the income statement is the document in which the profits of an entity are
shown, it should, over time, include all the gains realised by an entity. They argue that the transfer of any
credit balance on the revaluation reserve should therefore be to the income statement, not retained
earnings, so the accounting entry should be:
DR Revaluation reserve
CR Income statement

CUX
CUX

This technique of taking gains previously recognised in the statement of changes in equity back through the
income statement is known as 'recycling' and is not permitted by BAS 16.

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Interactive question 8: Summary

[Difficulty level: Intermediate]

On 1 January 20X1, Tiger Ltd buys for CU120,000 an item of property, plant and equipment which has an
estimated useful life of 20 years with no residual value. Tiger Ltd depreciates its non-current assets on a
straight-line basis. Tiger Ltd's year-end is 31 December.
On 31 December 20X3, the asset will be carried in the balance sheet as follows:

CU
120,000
(18,000)
102,000

Property, plant and equipment at cost


Accumulated depreciation (3 (120,000 20))
On 1 January 20X4, the asset is revalued to CU136,000. The total useful life remains unchanged.

On 1 January 20X8 the asset is classified as held for sale, its fair value being CU140,000 and its costs to sell
CU3,000. On 1 May 20X8 the asset is sold for CU137,000.
Requirements
(a)

Show the journal to record the revaluation.

(b) Calculate the revised depreciation charge and show how it would be accounted for, including any
permitted reserve transfers.
(c)

Show the journal to record the classification as held for sale.

(d) Explain how these events will be recorded in the financial statements for the year ended 31 December
20X8.
Fill in the proforma below.

Solution
(a)

Journal to record the revaluation


1 January 20X4
DR PPE cost/valuation
DR PPE accumulated depreciation
CR Revaluation reserve

CU

CU

CU

CU

(b) Revised depreciation charge


Annual charge from 20X4 onwards
DR Income statement depreciation expense
CR PPE accumulated depreciation
Annual reserve transfer
DR Revaluation reserve
CR Retained earnings

Being the difference between the actual depreciation charge and the charge based on historical cost
(........................................).
Shown in the statement of changes in equity as follows:

Brought forward
Profit for the year
Transfer of realised profits
Carried forward

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Revaluation
reserve
CU
X

Retained
earnings
CU
X
X

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

(c)

Journal to record classification as held for sale


At 1 January 20X8, balances relating to the asset will be as follows:
CU
Property, plant and equipment at valuation
Accumulated depreciation
Carrying amount
Revaluation reserve
CU'000

CU'000

1 January 20X8
DR PPE accumulated depreciation
DR Non-current assets held for sale fair value less costs to sell
DR Income statement costs to sell
CR PPE cost/valuation
CR Revaluation reserve ()
(d) Financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20X8
In the income statement:

Remaining balance on revaluation reserve is transferred to accumulated profits reserve as a reserve


transfer in the statement of changes in equity:
Revaluation
Retained
reserve
earnings
CU
CU
Brought forward
X
X
Retained profit for the year

X
Transfer of realised profits
Carried forward
X
X
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

8.6

Abandonment of non-current assets


All these requirements within BFRS 5 which we have looked at so far apply to non-current assets classified
as held for sale because their carrying amounts will be recovered principally through a sale transaction.
They do not apply to non-current assets which are to be abandoned, for example by being
scrapped. Because there will be no sales proceeds, any recovery of the carrying amounts of such assets will
principally be through continued use.
Such assets continue to be measured and presented under BAS 16, with the effect that:

The assets remain classified within their existing non-current asset category.

Depreciation charges continue to be recognised.

Any profit or loss on abandonment is recognised at the time of abandonment rather than at
the (usually earlier) time of the decision to abandon them.

BAS 16, not BFRS 5, also applies to the measurement and presentation of an asset taken out of use but not
scheduled for disposal; this might be the case if demand for its outputs has temporarily fallen away.

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9 Disclosures
Section overview

9.1

BAS 16 requires a number of detailed disclosures.

BAS 16 requirements
As might be expected for items that form such a large part of many entities' balance sheets and where
management has to make so many important judgements (e.g. re residual values and useful lives), the
financial statements disclosure provisions are wide-ranging. All of the following may be shown for each class
of PPE by way of note:

The measurement basis used (either cost model or revaluation model).

The depreciation methods.

The useful lives or depreciation rates.

Gross carrying amounts and accumulated depreciation at the start and end of the period.

A reconciliation of the net carrying amounts at the start and end of the period by reference to:

Additions
Disposals
Acquisitions through business combinations
The effects of revaluations
Impairment losses
Exchange differences (these fall outside the Financial Accounting syllabus)
Other changes, e.g. assets classified as held for sale

Details of assets pledged as security for loans and of contractual commitments to acquire PPE.

Changes in accounting estimates in accordance with BAS 8.

For assets which have been revalued:

The effective date(s).

Whether an independent valuer was involved.

The methods and significant assumptions underlying the fair value estimates.

The extent to which fair values were determined by reference to prices in active markets or
recent arm's length transactions.

The carrying amount under the cost model.

The total revaluation surplus, together with any movements in the period.

There are further, voluntary disclosures. These include:

184

The carrying amount of temporarily idle PPE

The gross carrying amount of any fully depreciated PPE that is still in use

The carrying amount of PPE retired from active use and not classified as held for sale in accordance
with BFRS 5

When the cost model is used, the fair value of PPE when this is materially different from the carrying
amount

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Interactive question 9: Disclosure

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

RSBH Ltds balance sheet at its year end 31 December 20X6 includes the following property, plant and
equipment amounts:
Cost
Accumulated
Depreciation
CU'000
CU'000
Freehold property
1,000
300
Plant and machinery
700
330
Fixtures and fittings
300
180

On 1 January 20X7 RSBH Ltd revalued its existing freehold property to its market value of CU1.2m
and bought additional freehold property at a cost of CU100,000. As a result of no depreciation being
charged on the land element, the effective rate of depreciation is 2% per annum on cost/valuation,
assuming no residual value.

On 1 April 20X7 RSBH Ltd classified as held for sale plant and machinery with an original cost of
CU360,000 and a carrying amount at 31 December 20X6 of CU100,000. It also bought plant and
machinery at a cost of CU400,000. Depreciation is to be charged at the rate of 10% per annum on
cost, assuming no residual value.

On 1 July 20X7 RSBH Ltd scrapped fixtures and fittings with an original cost of CU40,000 and
accumulated depreciation at 31 December 20X6 of CU25,000 and bought new fixtures at a cost of
CU80,000. Depreciation is to be charged at 15% per annum on cost, assuming no residual value.

Requirement
Prepare the reconciliation of the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment at 1 January 20X7 with
that at 31 December 20X7.
Fill out the proforma below.

Solution
RSBH Ltd: Reconciliation of opening and closing property, plant and equipment

Cost/valuation
I January 20X7
Revaluation
Additions
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
At 31 December 20X7

Freehold
Property
CU'000

Plant and
Machinery
CU'000

Fixtures
and Fittings
CU'000

Total
CU'000

Depreciation
I January 20X7
Revaluation
Charge for the year (W)
Classified as held for sale (W)
Disposals (W)
At 31 December 20X7
Carrying amount
31 December 20X7
1 January 20X7

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

185

Financial accounting
WORKINGS
Plant and
Machinery
CU'000
Depreciation charge for the year
Items reclassified/disposed of during year
Items owned throughout year
Items acquired during year
Accumulated depreciation on items reclassified/disposed of
Brought forward
Charge for year

See Answer at the end of the chapter

186

Summary and Self-test

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Fixtures
and Fittings
CU'000

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Summary

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

187

Financial accounting

Self-test
Answer the following questions.
1

Per BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment, which of the following should be capitalised as part of the
cost of an asset?
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

Stamp duty
Employee costs related to site selection activities
Cost of site preparation and clearance
Installation costs

A
B
C
D

(1), (2) and (4) only


(1) and (4) only
(1), (3) and (4) only
(2) and (3) only

Max Ltd has incurred the following expenditure in 20X0 in respect of its non-current assets.
Servicing of plant and equipment
Repainting of warehouse
Modification of an item of plant in order to increase its capacity
Upgrading of machine parts to improve quality of product

CU
25,000
40,000
12,000
7,500

In 20X0 what will be the charge for repairs and maintenance in the income statement in accordance
with BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment?
A
B
C
D

CU19,500
CU25,000
CU65,000
CU59,500

Questions 3 and 4
Using the following information, answer questions 3 and 4.
Lakeland purchased freehold land and buildings on 1 July 20W3 for CU380,000 including CU80,000 for the
land. The buildings had been depreciated at the rate of 4% per annum on cost for each of the ten years to
30 June 20X3. On 1 July 20X3 the property was professionally revalued at CU800,000 including CU200,000
for the land, an amount which was reflected in the books. At 1 July 20X3 it was estimated that the building
had a remaining useful life of twenty years and a residual value of CU100,000.
3

In accordance with BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment what should the surplus on revaluation be on
1 July 20X3?
A
B
C
D

In accordance with BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment what is the carrying amount of the freehold
land and buildings on 30 June 20X4?
A
B
C
D

188

CU420,000
CU540,000
CU572,000
CU620,000

CU760,000
CU765,000
CU770,000
CU775,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Baboon Ltd adopts the revaluation model for its property, plant and equipment. It has collected the
following information.
Existing
Open
use
market
value
value
CU
CU
Office building
250,000
300,000
Warehouse (1)
175,000
200,000
Warehouse (2) (which is classified as held for sale)
150,000
210,000
None of the above assets are considered to be impaired and costs to sell are immaterial.
In accordance with BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment, at what total amount should the three
properties be carried in Baboon Ltds balance sheet?
A
B
C
D

CU575,000
CU710,000
CU660,000
CU635,000

Paris Ltd has a freehold property carried at a revalued amount of CU175,000. Due to a slump in
property prices its recoverable amount is now estimated to be only CU150,000. Its historical cost
carrying amount is CU160,000.
How should the above fall in value be reflected in the financial statements in accordance with BAS 16
Property, Plant and Equipment?
Income
statement
A
B
C
D

DR CU25,000

DR CU10,000
DR CU15,000

Statement
of changes
in equity

DR CU25,000
DR CU15,000
DR CU10,000

On 1 June 20X6 Dempster Ltd bought a new factory. The building has an estimated useful life of 50
years, but the roof will require replacing after 25 years. The cost of replacement is currently
CU100,000. The total price of the factory was CU1,000,000.
In accordance with BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment what should the depreciation charge be for
the year ended 31 May 20X7?
A
B
C
D

CU20,000
CU22,000
CU24,000
CU40,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

189

Financial accounting
8

The following figures relate to an asset with a five-year life purchased on 1 January 20X1.
Cost
Residual value at acquisition
Residual value at the end of 20X1 (taking into account current price changes)

CU
100,000
10,000
15,000

What amount will be recognised in the income statement as depreciation in the year to 31 December
20X1 in accordance with BFRS?
A
B
C
D
9

CU15,000
CU17,000
CU18,000
CU20,000

Thames Ltd depreciates plant and equipment at 20% per annum on a diminishing balance basis. All
assets were purchased on 1 April 20X3. The carrying amount on 31 March 20X6 is CU20,000.
In accordance with BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment what is the accumulated depreciation to the
nearest thousand pounds as at that date?
A
B
C
D

10

CU15,000
CU19,000
CU30,000
CU39,000

On 1 January 20X1 Lydd Ltd purchased production machinery costing CU100,000, having an estimated
useful life of twenty years and a residual value of CU2,000. On 1 January 20X7 the remaining useful life
of the machinery is revised and estimated to be twenty-five years, with an unchanged residual value.
In accordance with BAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors what should the
depreciation charge on the machinery be in the year ended 31 December 20X7?
A
B
C
D

11

CU3,226
CU3,161
CU2,824
CU2,744

Upton Ltd makes up its financial statements to 31 December each year. On 1 January 20X0 it bought a
machine with a useful life of ten years for CU200,000 and started to depreciate it at 15% per annum
on the diminishing balance basis. On 31 December 20X3 the accumulated depreciation was CU95,600
and the carrying amount CU104,400. During 20X4 the company changed the basis of depreciation to
straight line.
In accordance with BAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors what is the
correct accounting treatment to be adopted in the financial statements of Upton Ltd for the year
ended 31 December 20X4?
A
B
C
D

190

Depreciation charge CU10,440 Prior period adjustment Nil


Depreciation charge CU17,400 Prior period adjustment Nil
Depreciation charge CU20,000 Prior period adjustment CU15,600
Depreciation charge CU20,000 Exceptional item CU15,600

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

12

During the year ended 31 March 20X3, Quark Ltd revalued its buildings by CU200,000 giving rise to
an increase in the annual depreciation charge of CU5,000.
In accordance with BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment which of the following statements about the
disclosure of these items is true?

13

The statement of changes in equity will show an increase in the revaluation reserve of
CU200,000 and a reserves transfer of CU5,000

The revaluation reserve in the statement of changes in equity will only disclose CU200,000 in
respect of the revaluation

The income statement will only disclose an amount of CU200,000 in respect of the revaluation

The income statement will disclose an amount of CU200,000 in respect of the revaluation and an
additional depreciation expense of CU5,000

Propane Ltd are undertaking an impairment review of assets following BAS 36 Impairment of Assets.
Investigations have uncovered the following:
Asset R has a carrying amount of CU60,000, a value in use of CU65,000 and a fair value less costs to
sell of CU30,000.
Asset Q has a carrying amount of CU100,000, a value in use of CU92,000 and a fair value less costs to
sell of CU95,000.
In accordance with BAS 36 Impairment of Assets what amount should be recognised as an impairment
loss in relation to these two assets?

A
B
C
D
14

R
CU
30,000
25,000
5,000

Q
CU
3,000
8,000

5,000

Gandalf Ltd has a year end of 31 December. On 30 October 20X4 it classified an item of plant as held
for sale. At that date the plant had a carrying amount of CU13,200 and had been accounted for
according to the cost model. Its fair value was estimated at CU11,100 and the costs to sell at CU500.
On 15 December 20X4 the plant was sold for CU10,500.
In accordance with BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations what amounts
should be recognised as impairment loss and loss on disposal in the income statement for the year to
31 December 20X4?
Impairment loss
Loss on disposal
CU
CU
A
Nil
2,700
B
2,100
600
C
2,600
100
D
2,700
Nil

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191

Financial accounting
15

Merlin Ltd has a year end of 30 June. On 1 October 20X3 it classified one of its leasehold properties
as held for sale. At that date the property had a carrying amount of CU98,500 and had been
accounted for according to the cost model. Its fair value was estimated at CU120,100 and the costs to
sell at CU2,500.
On 15 June 20X4 the property was sold for CU115,500.
In accordance with BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations what amounts
should be recognised as gain on reclassification and gain on disposal in the income statement for the
year to 30 June 20X4?
Gain on
Gain on
reclassification
disposal
CU
CU
A
Nil
17,000
B
9,100
7,900
C
11,600
5,400
D
17,000
Nil

16

Dumbledore Ltd has a year end of 30 June. On 1 June 20X5 it classified one of its freehold properties
as held for sale. At that date the property had a carrying amount of CU567,000 and had been
accounted for according to the revaluation model. Its fair value was estimated at CU725,000 and the
costs to sell at CU3,000.
In accordance with BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations what amounts
should be recognised in the financial statements for the year to 30 June 20X5?
Income statement
Gain on
Impairment
reclassification
loss
CU'000
CU'000
Nil
3
Nil
Nil
155
3
158
Nil

A
B
C
D

Revaluation reserve
Revaluation
gain
CU'000
158
155
Nil
Nil

Questions 17 and 18
Using the following information, answer questions 17 and 18.
Arnold Ltd bought an asset on 1 October 20X1 for CU200,000. It was being depreciated over 20 years on
the straight-line basis. On 1 October 20X3, the asset was revalued to CU270,000. Subsequently, on 30
September 20X7 the asset was classified as held for sale. Its fair value was estimated at CU190,000 with
costs to sell of CU5,000.
17

In accordance with BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment what should the balance on the revaluation
reserve be at the year end of 30 September 20X4?
A
B
C
D

18

In accordance with BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations what should the
loss recognised in the income statement for the year ended 30 September 20X7 be on classification as
held for sale?
A
B
C
D

192

CU70,000
CU85,000
CU86,500
CU90,000

CUNil
CU5,000
CU20,000
CU25,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

19

The following information was disclosed in the financial statements of Maine Ltd for the year ended 31
December 20X2.
Plant and equipment
20X2
20X1
CU
CU
Cost
735,000
576,000
Accumulated depreciation
(265,000)
(315,000)
Carrying amount
470,000
261,000
During 20X2
Expenditure on plant and equipment
Impairment loss on reclassification of old plant as held for sale
Loss on the disposal of old plant
Depreciation charge on plant and equipment

CU
512,000
50,000
57,000
143,000

In accordance with BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations what were the
sales proceeds received on the disposal of the old plant?
A
B
C
D
20

CU53,000
CU153,000
CU246,000
CU267,000

The following information relates to the classification as held for sale of two machines by Halwell Ltd.

Cost
Fair value less costs to sell
Anticipated gain/(loss) on sale (based on fair value)

Machine 1
CU
120,000
90,000
30,000

Machine 2
CU
100,000
40,000
(20,000)

In accordance with BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations what was the
total accumulated depreciation on both machines classified as held for sale?
A
B
C
D
21

CU80,000
CU100,000
CU120,000
CU140,000

On 1 January 20X2 Dulson Ltd purchased a freehold office block for CU2.5 million. At the date of
acquisition the useful life was estimated to be 50 years and the residual value CU250,000. The
company policy is to depreciate freehold property on the straight-line basis. On 31 December 20X7
the residual value of the offices was estimated at CU450,000 due to an increase in commercial
property prices. The estimated useful life of the property remained unchanged.
What amount will be recognised in the income statement as depreciation in respect of the freehold
property in the year to 31 December 20X7 in accordance with BFRS?
A
B
C
D

22

CU45,000
CU40,556
CU50,000
CU36,500

Lakes Ltd owns an item of plant that has previously been revalued. There is currently a balance of
CU50,000 in the revaluation reserve relating to this asset. At the end of December 20X7 the company
performed an impairment review, which indicated that the item of plant was impaired as a result of the
consumption of economic benefits. The impairment is estimated to be CU35,000.
How will the impairment be recognised in the financial statements of Lakes Ltd for the year ended 31
December 20X7 in accordance with BFRS?
A
B

Charged as an expense in the income statement


Set off against the balance on the revaluation reserve

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193

Financial accounting
23

PORSCHE LTD
Porsche Ltd has the following non-current assets at 1 January 20X7.
Cost
Freehold factory
Plant and equipment
Motor vehicles
Office equipment and fixtures

CU'000
1,440
1,968
449
888
4,745

Accumulated
depreciation
CU'000
144
257
194
583
1,178

Carrying
amount
CU'000
1,296
1,711
255
305
3,567

You are given the following information for the year ended 31 December 20X7.
(1) The factory was acquired on 1 January 20X2 and is being depreciated over 50 years.
(2) Depreciation is provided on cost on a straight-line basis. The rates used are 20% for fixtures and
fittings, 25% for cars and 10% for equipment.
(3) On 1 January 20X7 the factory was revalued to an open market value of CU2.2 million and an
extension costing CU500,000 became available for use.
(4) The directors decided to change the method of depreciating motor vehicles to 30% reducing
balance to give a more relevant presentation of the results and of the financial position.
(5) Two cars costing CU17,500 each were bought on 1 January 20X7. Plant and fittings for the
factory extension cost CU75,000 and CU22,000 respectively.
(6) When reviewing the expected lives of its non-current assets, the directors felt that it was
necessary to reduce the remaining life of a two year old grinding machine to four years when it is
expected to be sold for CU8,000 as scrap. The machine originally cost CU298,000 and at 1
January 20X7 had related accumulated depreciation of CU58,000.
Requirements
(a)

Prepare the disclosure notes for property, plant and equipment for the year ended 31 December
20X7 required by the BFRSs.
(16 marks)

(b) Briefly explain the qualitative characteristics of financial information contained in BFRS Framework
illustrating your answer with references to the provisions of BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment.(8 marks)
(24 marks)
24

PLOVER LTD
Plover Ltd is a car manufacturing group and during the year ended 30 September 20X9 the following
transactions relating to property, plant and equipment took place.
1

New factory premises were finally completed and were ready for occupation on 1 March 20X9.
Production was not transferred to the factory until 31 August 20X9 due to a dispute with the
labour force arising from proposed redundancies.
Capitalised costs relating to the factory were CU1.1 million (including land of CU600,000) at 1
October 20X8 and the following costs have been incurred since then.
CU'000
Further construction costs
125
Additional legal fees
25
Management and supervision costs (allocation)
75

On 1 March 20X9, plant and machinery for a new highly computerised production and assembly
line became available for use in the factory. The external costs relating to this were CU800,000
and in addition the company also incurred the following.

194

Labour costs of CU80,000 in installing the line (these were 20% higher than budgeted
because of the impact of industrial disputes).

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Management and supervision costs (allocation) of CU15,000.

Start-up costs of CU30,000 incurred in testing the new process. CU20,000 of these were
necessary to ensure the line operated correctly. The remaining CU10,000 was incurred
when the directors held an 'open day' for their bankers to demonstrate the efficiency of the
new system.

The company still owns and uses part of the old factory but on 30 September 20X9 it was
classified as held for sale. It is expected to be sold by 31 December 20X9 for CU200,000 (after
spending CU25,000 to generally improve the property). The carrying amount of the factory at 1
October 20X8 is CU310,000 (cost CU500,000).
Depreciation rates are:
Freehold land and buildings
Plant and machinery

2% per annum
20% per annum

Requirements
(a)

Prepare balance sheet extracts in relation to the above as at 30 September 20X9 and draft the
balance sheet note showing the movements on property, plant and equipment for the year
(working to the nearest CU000).
(10 marks)

(b) Calculate the impairment loss arising on classifying the old facility as held for sale.

(2 marks)
(12 marks)

Now, go back to the Learning Objectives in the Introduction. If you are satisfied you have achieved these
objectives, please tick them off.

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195

Financial accounting

Technical reference
Point to note: The following sets out the examinability of the standards covered in this chapter.
BAS 16

All examinable

BAS 36

Paragraphs 1-64 (excluding paragraph 54), 126-128, and 130-131 are


examinable. The Appendices are not examinable.

BFRS 5

References to disposal groups and implementation guidance (except


paragraphs 11 and 12) are not examinable.

The paragraphs listed below are the key references you should be familiar with.
1 Property, plant and equipment recognition

Recognise items of PPE, provided future economic benefits and reliable


measurement of cost.

Initial costs to acquire or construct.

Subsequent costs to add to, replace part of, or service.

Separate into components, with different lives, e.g. inspections.

BAS 16 (7)
BAS 16 (10)

BAS 16 (13)

2 Measurement at recognition

At cost.

BAS 16 (15)

Purchase price.

BAS 16 (16)

Costs directly attributable to bringing asset into location and condition


necessary for it to be capable of working as intended, including testing.

Costs to dismantle/restore.

Some costs excluded because not directly attributable or after item is


capable of working as intended, e.g. abnormal costs, general overheads, initial
losses, internal profits.

Can include interest, but not compulsory.

BAS 16 (16-17)
BAS 16 (16)
BAS 16 (19-22)

BAS 16 (22)

3 Measurement after recognition

Choice of model: cost or revaluation to fair value.

Frequency: to ensure carrying amount not materially different from updated


fair value.

BAS 16 (31)

BAS 16 (34)

Maximum interval 5 years?

All assets in a single class must be treated in the same way.

BAS 16 (29-31)

BAS 16 (36)

4 Accounting for revaluations

Gain direct to equity as part of revaluation reserve, so in statement of


changes in equity, not income statement.

If reverse previous decrease, take to income statement to extent of that


decrease.
Loss direct to income statement.

BAS 16 (39)

196

If reverse previous increase, take to revaluation reserve to extent of


that increase.
Depreciation charge based on revalued amount.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

BAS 16 (40)

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Annual reserve transfer re excess of actual depreciation over historical cost


depreciation.

BAS 16 (41)

5 Depreciation

Each significant part of PPE item depreciated separately.

BAS 16 (43)

Charge to profit or loss, unless included in inventory, construction contract


or other PPE.

BAS 16 (48)

Depreciate depreciable amount (i.e. cost less residual value (RV)) over
estimated useful life (UL).

BAS 16 (6)

BAS 16 (6)

RV is current estimate of disposal proceeds, net of disposal costs, if


item already of the age and in the condition expected at the end of UL.
UL is period over which asset expected to be available for use,
commencing with when asset is available for use.

BAS 16 (6 and 55)

Method should allocate depreciable amount systematically over useful life, so


as to reflect consumption of future economic benefits.

Annual reviews of RVs, ULs and depreciation methods.

BAS 16 (51 and 61)

BAS 16 (51 and 61)

Any changes accounted for prospectively.

BAS 16 (60-61)

6 Derecognition

Derecognise non-current asset when classified as held for sale or when no


future economic benefits expected.

BAS 16 (67)

Separate procedures where held for sale see below

Proceeds less carrying amount (current NBV) taken to income statement.

Revalued assets:

Recycling of gains on disposal not permitted.

Reserve transfer re previously recognised gains now realised.

BAS 16 (68)

BAS 16 (41)

BAS 16 (73,74 and 77)

7 Disclosures

Measurement bases.

Depreciation methods.

Useful lives or depreciation rates.

Gross, accumulated depreciation and net amounts at start and end of period.

Additions, disposals, acquisitions through business combinations,


revaluations, impairments, depreciation, classification as held for sale.

Assets pledged as security for loans and contractual commitments to acquire


PPE.

For revalued assets, the dates, whether independent valuer used,


assumptions, reference to active markets/recent transactions, carrying
amount under historical cost convention, revaluation surplus.

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197

Financial accounting
8 Impairment

At each reporting date assess whether indication of impairment:

If so, estimate recoverable amount (RA).

RA is higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use (present
value of future cash flows in use and on disposal).

BAS 36 (9)

BAS 36 (6)

Review both external and internal information for evidence of impairment.

BAS 36 (12)

Calculation of value in use to be on reasonable and supportable bases.

BAS 36 (33)

Impairment loss where carrying amount exceeds RA.

BAS 36 (59)

Treat impairment loss as a revaluation loss:

Treat as revaluation gain if impairment loss subsequently reversed.

Depreciate revised carrying amount over remaining useful life.

Disclosures:

All impairments:

BAS 36 (60-61)

BAS 36 (63)

BAS 36 (126)

The amount of any impairment loss recognition/reversal in the


income statement (and the line item where included) and in
statement of changes in equity.
If relevant, the reportable segment(s) to which
recognition/reversal relates.

For a material impairment on an individual asset:

The events which led to the recognition/reversal.

The amount.

The nature of the asset and, if relevant, the reportable segment to


which it belongs.

Whether the recoverable amount is the fair value less costs to sell
or its value in use, with information about how it was calculated.

BAS 36 (130)

9 Non-current assets held for sale

Non-current asset classified as held for sale when carrying amount recovered
principally through sale.

BFRS 5 (6)

BFRS 5 (7)

Must be available for immediate sale and sale (within 12 months of


classification) must be highly probable.

BFRS 5 (12)

Any loss accounted for under BAS 36 (any gain is recognised on actual
disposal).

BFRS 5 (20)

Not depreciated.

BFRS 5 (25)

BFRS 5 (15)

Presented separately from all other assets, immediately below the sub-total
for current assets.

BFRS 5 (38)

Different rules if asset previously revalued:

BFRS 5 (18)

198

If meet criteria after balance sheet date, a non-adjusting event under


BAS 10.
Measured at lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell.

Revalue before classification, with gain/loss accounted for under BAS 16.

Costs to sell = impairment loss.

Measurement and presentation of non-current assets to be abandoned per


BAS 16, not BFRS 5.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

BFRS 5 (13)

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Answers to Self-test
1

Per BAS 16 paragraph 16.

CU
25,000
40,000
65,000

Servicing
Repainting

Plant modification and upgrading creates future economic benefits from the asset and should be
capitalised (BAS 16 paragraph 7).
3

Land
CU'000
80

Cost on 1 July 20W3


Ten years' depreciation
(300 4% 10)

80
120
200

Revaluation surplus
Depreciation (600 100) / 20

200

Buildings
CU'000
300

Total
CU'000
380

(120)
180
420
600
(25)
575

(120)
260
540
800
(25)
775

Per BAS 16, under the revaluation model assets should be carried at fair value, which is usually
open market value (BAS 16, paragraph 32).
CU
300,000
200,000
210,000
710,000

Office building
Warehouse 1
Warehouse 2*

* Since classified as held for sale, this would be presented separately from all other assets.
6

If an asset has previously been revalued, recognise the revaluation loss down to depreciated
historic cost (175,000 160,000 = CU15,000) in the statement of changes in equity, the balance
(160,000 150,000 = CU10,000) in the income statement (BAS 16 paragraph 40).

Each significant part of an item of PPE must be depreciated separately (BAS 16 paragraph 43).
CU900,000/50 years = CU18,000
CU100,000/25 years = CU4,000
Total depreciation CU18,000 + CU4,000 = CU22,000

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Financial accounting
8

Residual value is the year-end estimate of the disposal value of the asset (BAS 16.51 and BAS
8.36(b)).
(CU100,000 CU15,000)/5 years = CU17,000

31 March 20X6 Carrying amount = CU20,000


31 March 20X5 20,000/0.8

= CU25,000

31 March 20X4 25,000/0.8

= CU31,250

31 March 20X3 31,250/0.8

= CU39,062

Accumulated depreciation

= (39,062 20,000)
= 19,062, i.e. approximately CU19,000

10

Depreciable amount at 31 December 20X6 = (100,000 2,000) 14/20 = 68,600


Depreciation charge in 20X7 = 68,600 1/25 = CU2,744

11

At 1 January 20X4 the carrying amount was CU104,400 and remaining useful life was six years.
Depreciation charge for 20X4 should be CU104,400/6 = CU17,400

12

The revaluation gain is taken to the revaluation reserve. The additional depreciation is
transferred from retained earnings to the revaluation reserve.

13

An asset is impaired when the recoverable amount is lower than the carrying amount of the
asset. To determine whether an asset is impaired, compare the recoverable amount to the
carrying amount. The recoverable amount is the greater of the value in use and the fair value less
costs to sell.
Asset R is not impaired as recoverable amount is greater than carrying amount. Asset Q is
impaired as recoverable amount of CU95,000 is lower than the carrying amount of CU100,000.

14

An impairment loss should be recognised when the asset is classified as held for sale. This will be
the difference between the carrying amount (CU13,200) and its fair value less costs to sell
(CU11,100 CU500 = CU10,600). An impairment loss of CU2,600 (13,200 10,600) is
therefore recognised at this point.
When the asset is actually sold any further loss or gain is treated as a loss or gain on disposal.
Here there is a further loss of CU100 (10,600 10,500).

15

Although an impairment loss is recognised when a non-current asset measured under BAS 16's
cost model is classified as held for sale, any gain is only recognised when the asset is actually
derecognised (i.e. sold). Hence the only gain recognised is that on sale of CU17,000 (115,500
98,500).

16

Where an asset has been held under the revaluation model and is subsequently classified as held
for sale the asset must be revalued to fair value immediately before the reclassification. Any gain
will be taken to the revaluation reserve and any loss to the income statement (except to the
extent that it reverses a gain held in the revaluation reserve). So here, a revaluation gain is
recognised of CU158,000 (725,000 567,000).
Once revalued in this way, the measurement is then adjusted to the normal basis for held for sale
assets, so fair value less costs to sell. The effect is that the costs to sell (here CU3,000) are
recognised in the income statement as an impairment loss.

200

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

17

Revaluation
reserve
CU
90,000

Gain on revaluation (W)


Reserve transfer
New depreciation old depreciation to 30/9/X4
Balance at 30/9/X4

270,000 200,000

20
18

(5,000)
85,000

WORKING
CU
200,000
(20,000)
180,000
90,000
270,000

Cost
Less Depreciation (200,000 2/20)
NBV at revaluation
Gain on revaluation
Valuation
18

B
At 30/9/X7
Revalued amount
Depreciation (270,000 4/18)
Carrying amount at disposal
Revalue to fair value
Loss to revaluation reserve

270,000
(60,000)
210,000
(190,000)
20,000

Revaluation reserve at 30/9/X4


Reserve transfer
New depreciation old depreciation (5,000 3)
Revaluation reserve at 30/9/X7
Impairment loss
Balance c/f (transfer to retained earnings on disposal)

85,000
(15,000)
70,000
(20,000)
50,000

Because there was a sufficient balance on the revaluation reserve in respect of this asset to which
the loss could be charged, the only impairment loss taken to the income statement are the costs
to sell of CU5,000.
19

B/f
Additions

20

PLANT ACCOUNT (CARRYING AMOUNT)


CU
261,000
Depreciation
512,000
Loss on disposal
Impairment loss
Disposal proceeds ()
C/f
773,000

B
Fair value less costs to sell
Carrying amount ()
Anticipated gain/(loss) on sale
Cost
Carrying amount
Accumulated depreciation

CU
143,000
57,000
50,000
53,000
470,000
773,000
Machine 1
CU
90,000
(60,000)
30,000
120,000
(60,000)
60,000

Machine 2
CU
40,000
(60,000)
(20,000)
100,000
(60,000)
40,000

Total accumulated depreciation CU60,000 + CU40,000 = CU100,000

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Financial accounting
21

Under BFRS
Depreciation 20X7

2,500,000 225,000 450,000


45
22

23

PORSCHE LTD
(a)

CU40,556

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20X7 (extracts)
1

Accounting policies
Property, plant and equipment
Freehold land and buildings are stated at a valuation. Other tangible non-current assets are
stated at cost, together with any incidental expenses of acquisition.
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the net cost or valuation of tangible noncurrent assets over their expected useful lives. Depreciation charges commence when an
asset becomes available for use. The rates and bases used are as follows.

Asset

% pa

Basis

Freehold land and buildings

2%

Straight-line

Plant and equipment

10%

Straight-line

Office equipment and fixtures

20%

Straight-line

Motor vehicles

30%

Reducing-balance

Profit from operations is stated after charging

CU
562,000

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment


3

Property, plant and equipment


Freehold
land and
buildings
Cost or valuation
At 1 January 20X7
Additions
Revaluations (W1)
At 31 December 20X7
Depreciation
At 1 January 20X7
Revaluation
adjustment (W1)
Charge for year
At 31 December 20X7
Carrying amount
At 31 December 20X7
At 1 January 20X7

202

CU000
1,440
500
760
2,700
144
((144)
60 (W2)
60
2,640
1,296

Plant and
equipment

Motor
vehicles

CU000
1,968
75

2,043

CU000
449
35

484

257

194

233
(W5)
490
1,553
1,711

87 (W3)
281
203
255

Office
equipment
and
fixtures
CU000
888
22

910
583

182 (W4)
765
145
305

Total

CU000
4,745
632
760
6,137
1,178
(144)
562
1,596
4,541
3,567

(i)

Freehold land and buildings were valued for the purposes of the 20X7 accounts at
open market value, with subsequent additions at cost. Their historical cost is
CU1,940,000 (W6) and the related accumulated depreciation is CU183,000 (W6).

(ii)

The companys depreciation policy on motor vehicles has been changed from a rate of
25% per annum on cost to a rate of 30% per annum on reducing balance in order to

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

give a more relevant presentation of the results and of the financial position. The effect
of this change has been to reduce the depreciation charge for the year by CU34,000
(CU121,000 CU87,000).
(b) Qualitative characteristics and BAS 16
Understandability
Information must be readily understandable to users so that they can perceive its significance.
This is dependent on how information is presented and how it is categorised.
For example, BAS 16 requires disclosures to be given by each class of property, plant and
equipment so it will be clear what type of assets have been purchased during the year and what
types of assets have been sold. If this information were merged over one class it would be less
understandable.
Relevance
Information is relevant if it influences the economic decisions of users.
The choice of the revaluation model as a measurement model in BAS 16 provides relevant
information by showing up-to-date values. This will help give an indication as to what the entity's
underlying assets are worth.
Reliability
Information is reliable if it is free from error or bias, complete and portrays events in a way that
reflects their reality.
Although the revaluation model gives relevant information this information is generally seen to be
less reliable than the cost model the other measurement model allowed by BAS 16. The cost
model is based on historic costs, which are not the most relevant costs on which to base future
decisions. However, historic cost is reliable being based on fact.
Comparability
Users must be able to compare information with that of previous periods or with that of another
entity. Comparability is achieved via consistency and disclosure.
BAS 16 allows comparability between the cost and the revaluation model (for example, to
facilitate comparisons between two companies who have adopted different models) by requiring
equivalent cost information to be disclosed under the revaluation model. It also requires
disclosures (in accordance with BAS 8) of the effect of a change in an accounting estimate such as
useful lives or depreciation rates. This facilitates comparison between different periods.
WORKINGS
(1) Freehold land and buildings revaluation
DR Freehold land and buildings ()
DR Accumulated depreciation (1,440 5 50)
Cr Revaluation reserve (2,200 1,296)

CU'000
760
144

CU'000
904

(2) Freehold land and buildings depreciation charge


Valuation/cost at 1 January 20X7
Remaining useful life

Annual depreciation charge =

2,700, 000
45 years

CU2,700,000
45 years
CU60,000

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Financial accounting
(3)

Motor vehicles depreciation charge

CU'000
255
35
290
87

Carrying amount at 1 January 20X7


Additions
Depreciation reducing balance method @ 30%
(4) Fixtures and fittings depreciation charge

CU'000
910
182

Cost at 31 December 20X7


Depreciation straight-line method @ 20%
(5) Plant and equipment depreciation charge

CU'000
1,968
(298)
75
1,745
175

Cost at 1 January 20X7


Less Grinding machine
Add Purchases for factory extension
Depreciation straight-line method @ 10%
Grinding machine cost less residual value (298 8)
Accumulated depreciation at 1 January 20X7
Carrying amount

290
(58)
232

The carrying amount must be written off over the machine's remaining useful life of four years.
CU
Depreciation charge

232, 000
4 years

58,000

Total depreciation charge for plant


Grinding machine
Other plant

CU000
58
175
233

(6) Historical cost depreciation on freehold land and buildings

CU'000
1,440
500
1,940
144
39
183

Cost at 1 January 20X7


Addition extension
Cost at 31 December 20X7
Accumulated depreciation at 1 January 20X7
Depreciation charge at 2%
Accumulated depreciation at 31 December 20X7
24

PLOVER Ltd
(a)

Financial statement extracts


Balance sheet as at 30 September 20X9

CU'000

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Current assets
Non-current assets held for sale

204

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU'000
2,026
X

X
175

X
X

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Notes to the financial statements


Property, plant and equipment

Cost
At 1 October 20X8
Additions (W1 & W2)
Transfers
Classified as held for sale
At 30 September 20X9
Depreciation
At 1 October 20X8 (W4)
Charge for the year (W3)
Classified as held for sale (W4)
At 30 September 20X9
Carrying amount
At 30 September 20X9
At 1 October 20X8

Factory
premises

Plant
and
equipment

CU'000

CU'000

Assets in
the course
of
construction
CU'000

500

1,250
(500)
1,250

887

887

190
18
(200)
8

103

103

784

1,100

1,242
310

(b) Impairment loss


Carrying amount brought forward
Depreciation to 30 September (W3)
Recoverable amount (200 25)
Charge to income statement

1,100
150
(1,250)

Total

CU'000
1,600
1,037

(500)
2,137
190
121
(200)
111
2,026
1,410
CU'000
310
(10)
300
(175)
125

WORKINGS
(1) Additions to new factory
Construction costs
Legal fees
(2) Additions to plant and equipment
External costs
Labour (80,000 100/120)
Start-up costs
(3) Depreciation
New factory ((1,250 600) 2% 7/12)
Old factory (500 2%)
Plant and equipment (887 20% 7/12)
(4) Old factory accumulated depreciation
Brought forward at 1 October 20X8 (500 310)
Charge for year (W3)

CU'000
125
25
150
CU'000
800
67
20
887
CU'000
8
10
18
103
CU'000
190
10
200

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

205

Financial accounting

Answers to Interactive questions

Answer to Interactive question 1


Cost of facility
Site preparation
Net income while site used as a car park
Materials used
Labour costs
Testing of facility's processes
Sale of by-products
Consultancy fees re installation and assembly
Professional fees
Opening of facility
Overheads incurred:

Construction

General
Relocation of staff to new facility
Cost of dismantling facility
Allocated to components:
Safety inspection
To be replaced in 8 years
Remainder

Incidental, so taken to profit or loss


(2,000 300)
(4,000 500)

CU'000
400

1,700
3,500
300
(60)
500
450

800

750
8,340

(40% (8,340 150))

150
3,276
4,914
8,340

Answer to Interactive question 2


The revaluation gain on 1 January 20X7 is CU35 (60 25).
If the previous downward revaluation had not taken place the carrying amount on 31 December 20X6
would have been CU50 (CU100 less five years' depreciation at CU10 each year).
The 'excess' revaluation gain recognised directly in equity is CU10 (60 50).
The amount recognised in profit or loss is CU25 (50 25).

Answer to Interactive question 3


CU'000
Annual charge re:
Over 3 years
Over 8 years
Over 20 years

206

(150 3)
(3,276 8)
(4,914 20)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

50
410
245
705

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Answers to Interactive question 4


Year 1
CU
1,000
(80)
920

Cost
Accumulated depreciation
Carrying amount
Charge for the year (W)

80

Year 2
CU
1,000
(160)
840
80

Year 3
CU
1,000
(320)
680
160

WORKING

1, 000 - 200

1, 000 - 200

840 - 200

10

10

Answer to Interactive question 5


(a)

Journal entry to record the classification as held for sale


1 January 20X8
DR PPE accumulated depreciation (30% (100 10))
DR Non-current assets held for sale (40 2)
DR Income statement ()
CR PPE cost

CU'000
27
38
35

100

(b) Income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8

CU'000
35

Impairment loss on reclassification of non-current assets as held for sale


(c)

CU'000

Income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8


With sales proceeds of CU32,000

The impairment loss would remain the same


Loss on disposal of CU6,000 would be included.

Answer to Interactive question 6


(a)

Journal entry to record the classification as held for sale


1 January 20X8
DR PPE accumulated depreciation (30% (100 10))
DR Non-current assets held for sale ()
CR PPE cost

CU'000

CU'000

27
73
100

As fair value less costs to sell is greater than carrying amount, there is no impairment loss at the time
of classification.
(b) Income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8
Gain on disposal of non-current assets held for sale (77 73)

CU'000
4

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207

Financial accounting

Answer to Interactive question 7


(a)

Journal entry to record the revaluation


1 January 20X5
DR PPE at valuation
CR Revaluation reserve

(b) Journal entry to record the classification as held for sale


1 January 20X8
DR Non-current assets held for sale fair value less costs to sell (235 5)
DR Income statement costs to sell
DR Revaluation reserve (250 235)
CR PPE at valuation

CU'000

CU'000

50
50
CU'000

CU'000

230
5
15
250

Answer to Interactive question 8


(a)

Journal to record the revaluation


1 January 20X4
DR PPE cost/valuation (136,000 - 120,000)
DR PPE accumulated depreciation
CR Revaluation reserve (136,000 - 102,000)

CU

CU

16,000
18,000
34,000

(b) Revised depreciation charge


Annual charge from 20X4 onwards
DR Income statement depreciation expense (136,000 17)
CR PPE accumulated depreciation
Annual reserve transfer
DR Revaluation reserve
CR Retained earnings

CU
8,000

CU
8,000

2,000

2,000

Being the difference between the actual depreciation charge and the charge based on historical cost
(CU6,000).
Shown in the statement of changes in equity as follows:

Brought forward
Profit for the year
Transfer of realised profits
Carried forward
(c)

Revaluation
reserve
CU
X

(2,000)
X

Journal to record classification as held for sale


At 1 January 20X8, balances relating to the asset will be as follows:

CU
136,000
(32,000)
104,000
26,000

Property, plant and equipment at valuation


Accumulated depreciation (4 8,000)
Carrying amount
Revaluation reserve (34,000 (4 2,000))
CU'000
1 January 20X8
DR PPE accumulated depreciation
DR Non-current assets held for sale fair value less costs to sell
DR Income statement costs to sell
CR PPE cost/valuation
CR Revaluation reserve ()

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU'000

32
137
3
172

208

Retained
earnings
CU
X
X
2,000
X

136
36
172

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

(d) Financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20X8


In the income statement:

A charge of CU3,000 will be made for the costs to sell, classified as an impairment loss.
No profit or loss on disposal will be shown, as the asset is sold for its fair value less costs to sell.

Remaining balance on revaluation reserve is transferred to retained earnings as a reserve transfer in


the statement of changes in equity:
Revaluation
Retained
reserve
earnings
CU
CU
Brought forward
X
X
Retained profit for the year

X
Transfer of realised profits (26 + 36)
(62,000)
62,000
Carried forward
X
X

Answer to Interactive question 9


RSBH Ltd: Reconciliation of opening and closing property, plant and equipment

Cost/valuation
I January 20X7
Revaluation
Additions
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
At 31 December 20X7
Depreciation
I January 20X7
Revaluation
Charge for the year (W)
Classified as held for sale (W)
Disposals (W)
At 31 December 20X7
Carrying amount
31 December 20X7
1 January 20X7

Freehold
Property
CU'000

Plant and
Machinery
CU'000

1,000
200
100

1,300

700

400
(360)

740

300

80

(40)
340

2,000
200
580
(360)
(40)
2,380

330

73
(269)

134

180

48

(28)
200

810
(300)
147
(269)
(28)
360

606
370

140
120

300
(300)
26

26
1,274
700

WORKINGS

Depreciation charge for the year


Items reclassified/disposed of during year
(360 10% 1/4) and (40 15% 1/2)
Items owned throughout year
((700 360) 10%) and ((300 40) 15%)
Items acquired during year (400 10% 3/4) and (80 15% 1/2)
Accumulated depreciation on items reclassified/disposed of
Brought forward
Charge for year (360 10% 3/12)

Fixtures
and Fittings
CU'000

Plant and
Machinery
CU'000

Total
CU'000

2,020
1,190
Fixtures
and Fittings
CU'000

34
30
73

39
6
48

260
9
269

25
3
28

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Financial accounting

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

chapter 6

Intangible assets
Contents
Introduction
Examination context
Topic List
1
What are intangible assets?
2
BAS 38: objective and scope
3
The definition of intangible assets
4
Initial recognition and measurement
5
Internally generated assets
6
Measurement of intangible assets after recognition
7
Disposals
8
Disclosure
9
Goodwill
Summary and Self-test
Technical reference
Answers to Self-test
Answer to Interactive question

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

211

Financial accounting

Introduction

Learning objectives

Relate the treatment of intangible assets to the principles in BFRS Framework

Identify the accounting standards which apply to the treatment of intangible assets

Apply the accounting requirements for intangible assets, including the effects of the following:

Separately acquired intangible assets

Intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination

Internally generated intangible assets including research and development expenditure

Internally generated and purchased goodwill

Tick off

Specific syllabus references for this chapter are: 1b, 2b, c.

Practical significance
In recent years the recognition and measurement of intangible assets has been one of the most
controversial areas of financial reporting. As the nature of business has changed intangible assets have
become a significant part of the value of an entity. The most important assets for many businesses are now
brands, market positions, knowledge capital and people, but these are rarely recognised in financial
statements. Brand names such as Coca-Cola and Microsoft are, in many cases, an entitys most valuable
asset, but they are extremely difficult to value when they have been generated internally and over a period
of time. Internally generated intangible assets that cannot be measured reliably are not recognised in the
balance sheet because of the difficulties that surround their valuation. Bill Gates is said to estimate that 97%
of the value of Microsoft is not recognised in the balance sheet as a result.
In contrast to the treatment of internally generated intangibles, acquired intangibles are normally recognised
in the balance sheet. For example, an entity that has acquired a brand, as opposed to internally generated an
equally valuable brand, will recognise it, since a fair value can be attributed to it. As the acquirer has paid a
price to acquire this brand, that price provides a reliable measure. This type of inconsistency has led to
criticism that accounting practice in this area is unhelpful to users of financial statements and is out of date.

Stop and think


Can you think of any other types of intangible assets that might add value to a business apart from those
listed above?

Working context
At this stage of your training it is less likely that you will have had practical experience of the issues affecting
intangible assets. You may have come across some of the more common examples including development
expenditure, patents and goodwill. However, the issues affecting recognition and valuation of these assets
are often complex and would normally be dealt with by more senior members of the audit team.

Syllabus links
In the Accounting paper you will have had an introduction to accounting for intangible assets. In this paper
you are required to develop a sound understanding of the accounting guidance in this area, provided by
BAS 38 Intangible Assets. The Financial Reporting syllabus will then develop some of the issues raised and in
particular the impact that intangible assets can have on the way that financial information is interpreted.

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INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Examination context

Examination commentary
Intangible assets could be examined in the written test section of the paper in the context of a question
where there are a number of accounting issues to be considered in order to draft the relevant extracts to
the accounts. Such a question could feature the treatment of research and development expenditure,
goodwill or other intangibles.
Intangibles could feature in an accounts question where financial statements are produced from a trial
balance or could be examined within the context of group accounts (covered in Chapters 10-16 of this
manual). Group accounts are most likely to focus on goodwill but the group accounts question in the
sample paper also examined development expenditure in the context of group accounts.
Questions could also focus on the way in which the accounting treatment of intangibles applies the
principles of BFRS Framework.
Alternatively, this topic could be examined via short-form questions.
In the examination, candidates may be required to:

Explain how BFRS Framework applies to the recognition of intangible assets

Prepare and present financial statements or extracts therefrom in accordance with:

BAS 38 Intangible Assets


BAS 36 Impairment of Assets

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Financial accounting

1 What are intangible assets?


Section overview

The key issues affecting intangible assets are:

1.1

Recognition is the definition of an asset met?


Measurement can cost or value be measured reliably?

Intangibles
Definition
Intangible asset: An identifiable non-monetary asset without physical substance.

One of the principal distinctions between PPE and intangible assets is that whilst the former have physical
substance, the latter do not.
The following are examples of categories of expenditure that might be capitalised as an intangible asset:

Brand names
Publishing titles
Computer software
Patents
Copyrights
Motion picture films
Customer lists
Fishing licences
Import quotas
Franchises
Customer or supplier relationships
Customer loyalty
Market share
Marketing rights

The key issue affecting the treatment of this type of expenditure is whether it should be recognised as an
asset and if so, how it should be valued. BAS 38 Intangible Assets provides guidance in this area.

1.2

Underlying principles
The underlying principles of BFRS Framework are reflected in BAS 38.
The key element in financial statements, identified in BFRS Framework, which is relevant to intangible assets
is:

Asset: a resource controlled by the entity as a result of past events and from which future economic
benefits are expected to flow to the entity.

Also relevant are the definitions of:

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Gains, which are a part of income: increases in economic benefits through enhancements of assets or
decreases in liabilities other than contributions from equity

Losses, which are included in expenses: decreases in economic benefits through depletions of assets or
additional liabilities other than distributions to equity

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and the recognition criteria set out in the Framework whereby an element is only recognised if:

It is probable that any future economic benefit associated with the item will flow to or from the entity
The item has a cost or value that can be measured with reliability.

2 BAS 38: objective and scope


Section overview

2.1

BAS 38 applies to all intangibles, the key exception being goodwill arising on a business combination.

Objective
The objective of BAS 38 is to prescribe the treatment of intangible assets not covered by other BFRS, in
terms of:

2.2

Recognition if, and only if, certain criteria are met


Measurement provisions
Disclosures

Scope
BAS 38 applies to all intangible assets with certain exceptions. Examples of assets specifically excluded
from BAS 38 include:

Goodwill arising on a business combination, which is accounted for under BFRS 3 Business
Combinations.

Financial assets as defined in BAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.

Mineral rights, related exploration and development expenditure incurred.

3 The definition of intangible assets


Section overview

An intangible asset must be:

3.1

'Identifiable'
Under the control of the entity.

Identifiability
As we saw in the definition in section 1.1 above an intangible asset must be 'identifiable'. BAS 38 includes
this identifiability requirement to distinguish intangible assets from goodwill, which arises on the acquisition
of a subsidiary. (We will look at the issue of goodwill in more detail in section 9 of this chapter.)
An intangible asset is identifiable if it meets at least one of the two following criteria:

It is separable
It arises from contractual or other legal rights

An asset is separable if it can be sold, transferred, exchanged, licensed or rented to another party on its
own rather than as part of the business.
It is likely that all of the examples of intangibles listed in section 1.1 are separable, in that the owner can sell
them to others (even though some of them may fail other parts of the recognition test).

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Most of these examples also meet the second condition, that of arising from contractual or other legal
rights. Clearly, patents, copyrights, motion picture films, fishing licences and import quotas arise from such
rights. But this second condition is designed to cover items that are not separable, but are nevertheless
valuable. The argument is that:

If in a group of assets most are tangible

If economic benefits cannot be obtained from the tangible assets without the transfer of a legal right
and

If the legal right is of no benefit without the tangible assets to which they relate

then that legal right is non-separable but is still identifiable.

Worked example: Identifiability


A company has a group of assets comprising unique PPE to produce a unique product and the right to be
sole manufacturer and distributor of that product in a particular territory; the unique PPE is worthless
without the distribution rights and vice versa, so the distribution rights are non-separable but still
identifiable.

3.2

Control
An intangible asset must also satisfy the basic definition of an asset.
One of the characteristics of an asset (according to the definition in BFRS Framework) is that it is under the
control of the entity. The entity must therefore be able to enjoy the future economic benefits from the
asset, and prevent the access of others to those benefits. A legally enforceable right is evidence of such
control, but not always a necessary condition. The following should be noted:

Control over technical knowledge or know-how only exists if it is protected by a legal right.

The skill of employees, arising out of the benefits of training costs, are most unlikely to be recognisable
as an intangible asset, because an entity does not control the future actions of its staff.

Similarly, an entity normally has insufficient control over market share and customer loyalty for those
to meet the definition of an intangible asset. However, the exception to this would be where the
entity has the ability to exchange a customer relationship, for example, where a customer list can be
traded, or separate rights provided for its use by a third party. This provides reliable evidence that the
entity has control over the future economic benefits flowing from that relationship, and therefore
meets the definition of an intangible asset.

4 Initial recognition and measurement


Section overview

An intangible asset should be recognised if:

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It is probable that future economic benefits from the asset will flow to the entity.
The cost of the asset can be measured reliably.

At recognition the intangible should be recognised at cost.

Separately acquired intangibles and intangibles acquired as part of a business combination are normally
considered to meet the recognition criteria of BAS 38.

The key exception is goodwill recorded in the acquiree's balance sheet at the date of acquisition.

An intangible asset acquired as part of a business combination is recognised at fair value.

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4.1

Recognition: basic principle


An item can only be recognised as an intangible asset if economic benefits are expected to flow in the
future from ownership of the asset. Economic benefits may result in increased revenue, but may also result
in the reduction of costs (cost savings).
An intangible asset should be recognised if, and only if, both the following occur:

It is probable that the future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the
entity.

The cost can be measured reliably.

Management has to exercise judgement in assessing the degree of certainty attached to the flow of
economic benefits to the entity, giving greater weight to external evidence.
An intangible asset should be initially recognised at its cost.

4.2

Subsequent expenditure
Subsequent expenditure is rarely recognised in the carrying amount of an asset. This is because in most
cases the expenditure is incurred to maintain the expected future economic benefits embodied in an
existing asset. In addition it is often difficult to attribute subsequent expenditure directly to a particular
intangible asset rather than to the business as a whole.

4.3

Separately acquired intangible assets


In most cases, separately acquired intangibles satisfy the BAS 38 recognition criteria.
Brands, mastheads, publishing titles, licences, computer software, copyrights, patents and airport landing
slots are all examples of assets that can be acquired externally and should be capitalised.
As we saw in section 4.1 above an intangible asset is initially recorded at cost.
Cost for these purposes comprises:

Purchase price (including duties and non-refundable taxes).


Any directly attributable costs of preparing the asset for its intended use.

Directly attributable costs include:

Costs of employees working directly to bring the asset to its working condition.
Legal and professional fees.
Costs of testing.

The following expenditure is excluded from the cost of the intangible asset:

Costs of introducing a new product or service including costs of advertising and promotional activities.

Costs of conducting business in a new location or with a new class of customer (including staff
training).

Administration and other general overhead costs.

(These expenses are also excluded from the cost of PPE.)


Capitalisation of costs should cease when the asset is ready for use, irrespective of whether it is put into
use immediately or not.

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Worked example: Cost of separately acquired intangibles


Data Ltd acquires new technology that will revolutionise its current manufacturing process. Costs incurred
are as follows:
CU
Original cost of new technology
1,200,000
Discount provided
120,000
Staff training incurred in operating the new process
60,000
Testing of the new manufacturing process
12,000
Losses incurred whilst other parts of the plant stood idle
24,000
The cost that should be capitalised as part of the intangible asset is:
Cost
Less discount
Plus testing of process
Total

4.4

CU
1,200,000
(120,000)
12,000
1,092,000

Intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination


When an entity purchases another business entity the proceeds paid will normally exceed the value of the
individual assets and liabilities bought. This excess is normally referred to as goodwill.
BFRS 3 Business Combinations includes a list of items acquired in a business combination that should be
recognised as intangible assets separately from goodwill, under five headings:

Marketing-related intangible assets, such as trademarks.


Customer-related intangible assets, such as customer lists.
Artistic-related intangible assets, such as motion picture films.
Contract-based intangible assets, such as franchise agreements.
Technology-based intangible assets, such as computer software.

The effect of recognising these intangible assets is to reduce to a minimum the amount ascribed to the
goodwill arising on a business combination. (We will look at goodwill arising on a business combination in
more detail in section 9.)
Intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination are normally considered to meet the
recognition criteria of BAS 38. The key exception to this is any goodwill recorded in the
acquiree's balance sheet at the acquisition date.
The cost of an intangible asset acquired as part of a business combination should be assessed at its fair
value at the date it was acquired.

Definition
Fair value: The amount for which an asset could be exchanged between knowledgeable, willing parties in
an arms length transaction.

Fair value may be observable from an active market or recent similar transactions. Other methods may also
be used. If fair value cannot be ascertained reliably, then the asset has failed to meet the recognition criteria.
In this situation no separate intangible asset would be recognised, resulting in an increase in the value of
goodwill arising on the business combination.

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4.5

Recognition of an expense
Expenditure on intangibles must be recognised as an expense unless:

It is part of the cost of an asset which meets the recognition criteria; or

The item is acquired on a business combination and cannot be recognised as an asset. (This will form
part of the goodwill arising at the acquisition date.)

Examples of expenditure which should be treated as an expense include:

Start up costs
Training costs
Advertising and promotional costs
Business relocation and reorganisation costs

5 Internally generated assets


Section overview

5.1

Internally generated goodwill should not be recognised.

Expenditure incurred in the research phase should be expensed as incurred.

Expenditure incurred in the development phase must be recognised as an intangible asset provided
certain criteria are met.

BAS 38 prohibits the recognition of internally generated brands.

If recognised, internally generated assets should be recognised at cost.

Recognition of internally generated assets


Internally generated goodwill should not be recognised as an asset.
The key difficulties in deciding whether other internally generated intangible assets are to be
recognised are:

Fixing the time when an identifiable asset comes into existence.

Measuring its costs reliably, as it is difficult to distinguish the costs of generating it from those of
maintaining or enhancing the day-to-day operations of the business.

So additional requirements and guidance apply.


The evolution of such assets is split into the research phase and the development phase. Note that
these phases relate to all intangibles, not just what would normally be regarded as 'research and
development expenditure'.
Also note that when there is doubt regarding into which phase expenditure falls, it must be allocated to the
research phase. This is an example of the application of the prudence concept.

5.2

Research phase
All expenditure that arises in the research phase should be recognised as an expense when it
is incurred. No costs will be recognised as an intangible asset. The rationale for this treatment is that at
this stage there is insufficient certainty that the expenditure will generate future economic benefits.
Examples of research costs include:

Activities aimed at obtaining new knowledge.

The search for, evaluation and final selection of applications of research findings or other knowledge.

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5.3

The search for alternatives for materials, devices, products, processes, systems or services.

The formulation, design, evaluation and final selection of possible alternatives for new or improved
materials, devices, products, processes, systems or services.

Development phase
Development costs may qualify for recognition as intangible assets provided that the following strict
criteria can be demonstrated by the entity:

The technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset so that it will be available for use or sale.

Its intention to complete the intangible asset and use or sell it.

Its ability to use or sell the intangible asset.

How the intangible asset will generate probable future economic benefits. Among other things, the
entity should demonstrate the existence of a market for the output of the intangible asset or the
intangible asset itself or, if it is to be used internally, the usefulness of the intangible asset.

The availability of adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and
to use or sell the intangible asset.

Its ability to measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its
development.

If the above conditions are met development expenditure must be capitalised. In contrast with research
costs, development costs are incurred at a later stage in a project, and the probability of success should be
more apparent. Examples of development costs include the following.

5.4

The design, construction and testing of pre-production or pre-use prototypes and models.

The design of tools, jigs, moulds and dies involving new technology.

The design, construction and operation of a pilot plant that is not of a scale economically feasible for
commercial production.

The design, construction and testing of a chosen alternative for new or improved materials, devices,
products, processes, systems or services.

Other internally generated intangible assets


The standard prohibits the recognition of internally generated brands, mastheads, publishing titles
and customer lists and similar items as intangible assets. The reason for this is that these costs cannot be
identified separately from the cost of developing the business as a whole. They can be seen as being
component parts of internally generated goodwill, the recognition of which is also prohibited (see section 5.1).

5.5

Cost of an internally generated intangible asset


If an internally generated intangible asset is recognised it should be measured at cost. The costs allocated to
an internally generated intangible asset should be only costs that can be directly attributed or allocated
on a reasonable and consistent basis to creating, producing or preparing the asset for its intended use. Such
costs include:

Materials and services consumed


Employment costs of those directly engaged in generating the asset
Legal and patent or licence registration fees

The principles underlying the costs that may or may not be included are similar to those for other noncurrent assets and inventory.
The cost of an internally generated intangible asset is the sum of the expenditure incurred from the
date when the intangible asset first meets the recognition criteria. If, as often happens, considerable
costs have already been recognised as expenses before management could demonstrate that the criteria
have been met, this earlier expenditure should not be retrospectively recognised at a later date as
part of the cost of an intangible asset.

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Worked example: Treatment of expenditure


Douglas Ltd is developing a new production process. During 20X7, expenditure incurred was CU100,000,
of which CU90,000 was incurred before 1 December 20X7 and CU10,000 between 1 December 20X7 and
31 December 20X7. Douglas Ltd can demonstrate that, at 1 December 20X7, the production process met
the criteria for recognition as an intangible asset. The recoverable amount of the know-how embodied in
the process is estimated to be CU50,000.
How should the expenditure be treated?

Solution
At the end of 20X7, the production process is recognised as an intangible asset at a cost of CU10,000. This
is the expenditure incurred since the date when the recognition criteria were met, that is, 1 December
20X7. The CU90,000 expenditure incurred before 1 December 20X7 is expensed, because the recognition
criteria were not met. It will never form part of the cost of the production process recognised in the
balance sheet.

6 Measurement of intangible assets after recognition


Section overview

After initial recognition an entity can choose between two models:

6.1

The cost model


The revaluation model

In practice few intangible assets are revalued.

An intangible asset with a finite useful life should be amortised over this period.

An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life should not be amortised.

Cost model
The standard allows two methods of valuation for intangible assets after they have been first recognised.
Applying the cost model, an intangible asset should be carried at its cost, less any accumulated
amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses.

6.2

Revaluation model
The revaluation model allows an intangible asset to be carried at a revalued amount, which is its fair
value at the date of revaluation, less any subsequent accumulated amortisation and any subsequent
accumulated impairment losses.
Points to note
1

The fair value must be able to be measured reliably with reference to an active market in that type
of asset. (See definition of an active market below.)

The entire class of intangible assets of that type must be revalued at the same time (to prevent
selective revaluations).

If an intangible asset in a class of revalued intangible assets cannot be revalued because there is no
active market for this asset, the asset should be carried at its cost less any accumulated
amortisation and impairment losses.

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4

Revaluations should be made with such regularity that the carrying amount does not differ from that
which would be determined using fair value at the balance sheet date.

Where an intangible asset is revalued, subsequent amortisation is based on the revalued amount.

Definition
Active market: A market in which all the following conditions exist:

The items traded are homogeneous


Willing buyers and sellers can normally be found at any time
Prices are available to the public

In practice there will not usually be an active market in an intangible asset; therefore the revaluation
model will usually not be available. For example, although copyrights, publishing rights and film rights
can be sold, each has a unique sale value. In such cases, revaluation to fair value would be inappropriate. A
fair value might be obtainable, however, for assets such as fishing rights or quotas or taxi cab licences,
where one is identical to the next.

6.3

Revaluation: accounting treatment


The treatment of revaluation gains and losses for intangibles follow the same rules as for PPE (see Chapter
5). This can be summarised as follows:

Revaluation

Upwards

Downwards

Asset previously
revalued downward

Asset not previously


revalued downwards

Asset previously
revalued upwards

Asset not previously


revalued upwards

Increase up to value of
previous downward
revaluation:
recognise in income
statement
Excess: recognise in
revaluation reserve

Recognise increase in
revaluation reserve

Decrease to value of
previous upwards
revaluation:
recognise in
revaluation reserve
Excess: recognise in
income statement

Recognise decrease in
income statement

Worked example: Revaluation


An intangible asset is carried by a company under the revaluation model. The asset was revalued by CU800
in 20X6, and there is a revaluation surplus of CU800 in the balance sheet. At the end of 20X7, the asset is
valued again, and a downward revaluation of CU1,000 is required.
State the accounting treatment for the downward revaluation.

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Solution
In this example, the downward valuation of CU1,000 can first be set against the revaluation surplus of
CU800. The revaluation surplus will be reduced to zero and a charge of CU200 made as an expense in the
income statement in 20X7.

6.4

Useful life
Under both measurement models an entity should assess the useful life of an intangible asset, which may be
finite or indefinite. An intangible asset has an indefinite useful life when there is no foreseeable limit to
the period over which the asset is expected to generate net cash inflows for the entity.
Many factors are considered in determining the useful life of an intangible asset, including:

Expected usage
Typical product life cycle
Technical, technological, commercial or other types of obsolescence
The stability of the industry
Expected actions by competitors
The level of maintenance expenditure required
Legal or similar limits on the use of the asset, such as the expiry dates of related leases.

Computer software and many other intangible assets normally have short lives because they are susceptible
to technological obsolescence. However, uncertainty does not justify choosing a life that is unrealistically
short.
The useful life of an intangible asset that arises from contractual or other legal rights should not
exceed the period of the rights, but may be shorter depending on the period over which the entity expects
to use the asset.

6.5

Amortisation period and amortisation method


An intangible asset with a finite useful life should be amortised over its expected useful life.

Amortisation should start when the asset is available for use.

Amortisation should cease at the earlier of the date that the asset is classified as held for sale in
accordance with BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations and the date that
the asset is derecognised.

The amortisation method used should reflect the pattern in which the asset's future economic
benefits are consumed. If such a pattern cannot be predicted reliably, the straight-line method
should be used.

The amortisation charge for each period should normally be recognised in profit or loss.

The residual value of an intangible asset with a finite useful life is assumed to be zero unless a third
party is committed to buying the intangible asset at the end of its useful life or unless there is an active
market for that type of asset (so that its expected residual value can be measured) and it is probable that
there will be a market for the asset at the end of its useful life.
The amortisation period and the amortisation method used for an intangible asset with a finite useful life
should be reviewed at each financial year end.

6.6

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives


An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life should not be amortised. Instead the asset is reviewed
annually to assess whether there has been a fall in its value in accordance with BAS 36 Impairment of Assets.

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7 Disposals
Section overview

7.1

On disposal of an intangible asset the gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss.

Accounting treatment
An intangible asset should be eliminated from the balance sheet when it is disposed of or when there is no
further expected economic benefit from its future use. On disposal the gain or loss arising from the
difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset should be
taken to the income statement as a gain or loss on disposal.

8 Disclosure
Section overview

BAS 38 requires detailed disclosures:

8.1

For each class of intangible asset


For intangibles recorded at revalued amounts.

Disclosure requirements
The standard has fairly extensive disclosure requirements for intangible assets. The financial statements
should disclose the accounting policies for intangible assets that have been adopted.
For each class of intangible assets, disclosure is required of the following distinguishing between
internally-generated intangibles and other intangibles.

The method of amortisation used.

The useful life of the assets or the amortisation rates used.

The gross carrying amount, any accumulated amortisation (aggregated with accumulated impairment
losses) as at the beginning and the end of the period.

The line item(s) of the income statement in which any amortisation of intangible assets is included.

A reconciliation of the carrying amount as at the beginning and at the end of the period (additions,
retirements/disposals, revaluations, impairment losses, amortisation charge for the period).

The financial statements should also disclose the following.

In the case of intangible assets that are assessed as having an indefinite useful life, the carrying amounts
and the reasons supporting the assessment of an indefinite useful life.

The carrying amount, nature and remaining amortisation period of any individual intangible asset that is
material to the financial statements of the entity as a whole.

The existence (if any) and amounts of intangible assets whose title is restricted and of intangible
assets that have been pledged as security for liabilities.

The amount of any contractual commitments for the future acquisition of intangible assets.

Where intangible assets are accounted for under the revaluation model, disclosure is required of the
following by class of intangible assets.

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The effective date of the revaluation.

The carrying amount of revalued intangible assets.

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The carrying amount that would have been shown if the cost model had been used, and the
amount of amortisation that would have been charged.

Also:

The amount of any revaluation surplus on intangible assets, as at the beginning and end of the
period, and movements in the surplus during the year (and any restrictions on the distribution of the
balance to shareholders).

The methods and significant assumptions applied in estimating the assets' fair values.

The amount of research and development expenditure that has been charged as an expense in the
period.

Interactive question 1: Intangible assets

[Difficulty level: Intermediate]

In preparing its accounts for the year ended 30 June 20X7 NS Ltd has to deal with a number of matters.
1

An advertising campaign has just been completed at a cost of CU1.5m. The directors authorised this
campaign on the basis of the evidence from NS Ltd's advertising agency that it would create CU4m of
additional profits over the next two years.

A staff training programme has been carried out at a cost of CU250,000, the training consultants
having demonstrated to the directors that the additional profits to the business over the next 12
months will be CU400,000.

A new product has been developed during the year. The expenditure totals CU1.2m, of which
CU750,000 was incurred prior to 31 December 20X6, the date on which it became clear the product
was technically feasible. The new product will be launched in the next three months and its
recoverable amount is estimated at CU600,000.

Requirement
Calculate the amounts which will appear as assets in NS Ltd's balance sheet at 30 June 20X7.
Fill in the proforma below.

Solution
The treatment in NS Ltds consolidated balance sheet at 30 June 20X7 will be as follows:
1

Advertising campaign:
..........................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................

Staff training programme:


..........................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................

New product:
..........................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................
See Answer at the end of the chapter.

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9 Goodwill
Section overview

9.1

Internally generated goodwill is not recognised.


Purchased goodwill is recognised in the balance sheet of the acquirer at cost.
Purchased goodwill is not amortised but is tested for impairment at least annually.

What is goodwill?
Goodwill is created by good relationships between a business and its customers, for example:

By building up a reputation (by word of mouth perhaps) for high quality products or high standards
of service.

By responding promptly and helpfully to queries and complaints from customers.

Through the personality of the staff and their attitudes to customers.

The value of goodwill to a business might be extremely significant. However, goodwill is not usually
valued in the accounts of a business at all, and we should not normally expect to find an amount for
goodwill in its balance sheet.
On reflection, we might agree with this omission of goodwill from the accounts of a business.
(a)

The goodwill is inherent in the business but it has not been paid for, and it does not have an
'objective' value. We can guess at what such goodwill is worth, but such guesswork would be a matter
of individual opinion, and not based on hard facts.

(b) Goodwill changes from day to day. One act of bad customer relations might damage goodwill and
one act of good relations might improve it. Staff with a favourable personality might retire or leave to
find another job, to be replaced by staff who need time to find their feet in the job, etc. Since goodwill
is continually changing in value, it cannot realistically be recorded in the accounts of the business.
The result of this as we saw in section 5.1 is that internally generated goodwill should not be
recognised as an asset.

9.2

Purchased goodwill
There is one exception to the general rule that goodwill has no objective valuation. This is when a
business is sold. People wishing to set up in business have a choice of how to do it they can either buy
their own long-term assets and inventory and set up their business from scratch, or they can buy up an
existing business from a proprietor willing to sell it. When a buyer purchases an existing business, he will
have to purchase not only its long-term assets and inventory (and perhaps take over its accounts payable
and receivable too) but also the goodwill of the business.
Purchased goodwill is shown in the acquirer's balance sheet because it has been paid for. It has no tangible
substance, and so it is an intangible non-current asset.

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Worked example: Goodwill


Andrew is a sole trader. At 31 December 20X7 he has total net assets in his balance sheet amounting to
CU150,000. On 1 January 20X8 Brian purchases Andrews business for CU175,000.
The summarised balance sheet of Brian at 1 January 20X8 would be as follows:
Total net assets
Intangible asset goodwill
(175 150)

CU
150,000
25,000
175,000

Capital introduced

175,000

Goodwill is calculated as the difference between the purchase consideration of CU175,000 and the value of
the net assets acquired of CU150,000. The goodwill is recognised in the balance sheet of Brian as it is
purchased goodwill. It would not have been recognised in the financial statements of Andrew.

9.3

BFRS 3 Business Combinations


BFRS 3 covers the accounting treatment of goodwill acquired in a business combination.
This includes goodwill arising on the purchase of both incorporated and unincorporated entities.

Definition
Goodwill: Represents a payment made by the acquirer in anticipation of future economic benefits arising
from assets that are not capable of being individually identified and separately recognised.

Points to note
1

Goodwill acquired in a business combination is recognised as an asset and is initially measured at


cost. Cost is the excess of the cost of the combination over the acquirer's interest in the net fair
value of the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities.

After initial recognition goodwill acquired in a business combination is measured at cost less any
accumulated impairment losses. It is not amortised. Instead it is tested for impairment at least
annually, in accordance with BAS 36 Impairment of Assets.

A discount (i.e. 'negative' goodwill) arises when the acquirer's interest in the net fair value of the
acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities exceeds the cost of the business
combination.

A discount can arise as the result of errors in measuring the fair value of either the cost of the
combination or the acquiree's identifiable net assets. It can also arise as the result of a bargain
purchase.

Where there is an apparent discount, an entity should first reassess the amounts at which it has
measured both the cost of the combination and the acquiree's identifiable net assets. This exercise
should identify any errors.

Any discount remaining should be recognised immediately in profit or loss (that is, in the income
statement).

We will look in more detail at the accounting treatment of goodwill in the context of group accounts in
Chapters 10 15.

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Summary and Self-test

Summary

BAS 38
Intangible
Assets

Not goodwill on
business
combination
(BFRS 3)

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Self-test
Answer the following questions.
1

The following statements relate to intangible assets.


1

An intangible asset should be amortised on a systematic basis over the assets useful life.

Internally generated goodwill may be carried on the balance sheet if the value can be determined
with reasonable certainty.

Internally generated brands can never be recognised as intangible assets.

Which of the above statements are consistent with BAS 38 Intangible Assets?
A
B
C
D
2

1 and 2 only
1 and 3 only
2 only
3 only

During 20X7 War Ltd incurred the following expenditure on research and development activities,
none of which related to the cost of tangible non-current assets.
1

CU20,000 on investigating methods of separating raw materials into chemicals A, B and C.

After the technical viability of converting chemical B into a new medicine for sensitive teeth had
been proved, CU150,000 on the conversion process.

Commercial production and sales of the medicine commenced on 1 April 20X7 and are expected to
produce steady profitable income during a 10-year period before being replaced. Adequate resources
exist to achieve this. No commercial uses have been discovered for chemicals A and C.
What is the maximum amount of development expenditure that may be carried forward at 31
December 20X8 in accordance with BAS 38 Intangible Assets?
A
B
C
D
3

Which of the following should be included in a companys balance sheet as an intangible non-current
asset under BAS 38 Intangible Assets?
A
B
C
D

CU123,750
CU129,250
CU138,750
CU144,917

Payment on account for patents


Expenditure on completed research
Brands developed by the company
Internally-generated goodwill

Henna Ltd was incorporated on 1 January 20X6. At 31 December 20X6 the following items had
arisen.
1
2
3
4
5

Purchase of laboratory equipment for research purposes


Goodwill purchased for valuable consideration
Goodwill created by the company
Patents purchased for valuable consideration
Costs incurred by the company in developing brands

CU80,000
CU100,000
CU80,000
CU70,000
CU60,000

Prior to amortisation, what amount should be carried as assets in the balance sheet of Henna Ltd at 31
December 20X6 in accordance with BAS 38 Intangible Assets?
A
B
C
D

CU310,000
CU250,000
CU230,000
CU170,000

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5

In accordance with BAS 38 Intangible Assets which of the following conditions would preclude any part
of the development expenditure to which it relates being capitalised?
A
B
C
D

In accordance with BAS 38 Intangible Assets which of the following types of expenditure must be
recognised as an expense in the year in which incurred?
A
B
C
D

The development is incomplete


The benefits flowing from the completed development are expected to be greater than its cost
Funds are unlikely to be available to complete the development
The development is expected to give rise to more than one product

Tangible assets acquired in order to provide facilities for research and development activities
Legal costs in connection with the registration of a patent
Costs of searching for possible alternative products
Salaries of personnel solely engaged in finalising a new product

Which of the following statements relating to internally generated intangibles are true in accordance
with BAS 38 Intangible Assets?
1
2
3
4

Expenditure on training staff to operate the asset should not be capitalised


Salaries of personnel directly engaged in generating the asset should be capitalised
Internally generated customer lists should not be capitalised
Costs of evaluating alternatives for new materials should be capitalised

A
B
C
D

3 and 4 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 4 only
1, 2 and 3 only

MINBAD LTD
Minbad Ltd is a company operating in media and communications. It owns a number of newspapers
and monthly magazine titles, which were acquired when the company acquired the assets of
Newsmedia. The consideration totalled CU130 million, of which CU100 million was attributed to
identifiable net assets (CU60 million specifically for the newspaper and magazine titles). The acquisition
occurred on 1 January 20X7. The newspaper and magazine titles are assessed as having indefinite lives.
Goodwill arising on the acquisition is estimated to have a useful life of 20 years. However, an
impairment review at 31 December 20X7 showed that goodwill had fallen in value by CU1 million
during 20X7.
The newspapers and magazines have all shown increasing circulation since the acquisition. Accordingly,
in considering the financial statements to 31 December 20X7 the directors wish to revalue the titles
to CU133 million, which represents the sum of amounts it is estimated could be realised if each title
and its associated rights were sold separately in the market at 31 December 20X7. The directors
estimate that this approximates closely to current cost.
On 1 January 20X7 the company decided to expand its printing capacity by investing in new high tech
machinery costing CU20 million. This machinery had been developed by a French company and
Minbad Ltd had to pay CU20 million to acquire the patent allowing it sole use of the technology for
ten years. In addition Minbad Ltd has also developed a range of greeting cards to be sold alongside, and
advertised in, the monthly magazines. These cards will all be sold under a newly developed brand name
which Minbad Ltd has spent CU6 million developing.
Requirements
(a)

Assuming that BAS 38 Intangible Assets and BFRS 3 Business Combinations are complied with,
prepare the table of movements and accounting policy notes for intangible assets for inclusion in
the financial statements of Minbad Ltd for the year ended 31 December 20X7.
(6 marks)

(b) Comment on your treatment of Minbad Ltd's intangible assets in (a) above in the light of BFRS
Framework.
(5 marks)
(11 marks)

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INTANGIBLE ASSETS

PHARMORIA LTD
Pharmoria Ltd operates in the pharmaceutical business. The following information relates to the
company's activities in research and development for the year ended 31 October 20X7.
1

Commercial production started on 1 June 20X3 for Formula A. By 31 October 20X6 CU43,000
had been capitalised in respect of development expenditure on this product. During the year a
further CU10,000 was spent on development of this product.
Pharmoria Ltd has taken out a patent in respect of Formula A which will last for ten years. Legal
and administrative expenses in relation to this were CU2,000.
In the current year, sales of Formula A amounted to CU50,000. Sales over the next three years
are expected to be CU150,000, CU200,000 and CU100,000 respectively.

The development of Formula B is at an earlier stage. Although the company believes it has a
reasonable expectation of future benefits from this project it has not as yet been able to
demonstrate this with sufficient certainty. Expenditure on this project in the current year was
CU20,000.

Requirements
(a)

Calculate the total amount to be written off to the income statement in respect of the above in
the year ended 31 October 20X7.
(3 marks)

(b) Draft the table showing the movement on intangible assets which would appear in the notes to
the financial statements of Pharmoria Ltd for the year ended 31 October 20X7.
(6 marks)
(9 marks)
Now, go back to the Learning Objectives in the Introduction. If you are satisfied you have achieved these
objectives, please tick them off.

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Technical reference
Point to note: The following sets out the examinability of the standards covered in this chapter.
BAS 38

All examinable except paragraphs 42-47 and the illustrative examples.

BFRS 3

All examinable except the following: paragraphs 10-13, 20-23, 58-60 and 65.
Appendix B1-B3, B5, B7-B15 and the illustrative examples are also excluded.

The paragraphs listed below are the key references you should be familiar with.
1 Scope and definition

Scope of BAS 38: excludes what other BFRSs cover, e.g. goodwill on acquisition
(BFRS 3).

BAS 38 (3)

Intangible asset: an identifiable, non-monetary asset without physical substance.

BAS 38 (8)

Identifiability the key:

BAS 38 (3)

Separable could be sold separately from entity which owns

BAS 38 (8)

Arises from contractual or other legal rights.

Control is an essential part of the definition of an asset. Many items excluded


because not controlled by a business:

Staff (always)

Customers (very often).

BAS 38 (12)
BAS 38 (13)

2 Recognition and initial measurement

Reliable measurement the recognition criteria disallow:

BAS 38 (21)

Internally generated goodwill

BAS 38 (48)

Similar items such as internally generated brands, mastheads and


customer lists
Advertising.

BAS 38 (63)

Initial measurement at cost.

BAS 38 (24)

Separate acquisition:

BAS 38 (25)

232

BAS 38 (69)

Always future economic benefits are probable

Usually cost reliably measurable

BAS 38 (26)

Cost includes licences, etc.

BAS 38 (27)

Part of business combination

BAS 38 (33)

Always future economic benefits are probable

Almost always cost reliably measurable

BAS 38 (35)

Cost = fair value

BAS 38 (33)

Includes acquiree's unrecognised intangibles, such as in-process research


and development.

BAS 38 (34)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Internally generated: at cost, but:

Research expenditure (seeking new knowledge) written off as incurred


(including subsequent expenditure on business combination research)

Development expenditure (application of research findings) capitalised if


it meets stringent conditions as to future economic benefit

Development expenditure includes materials, staff costs and licences but


not general overheads

Only development expenditure incurred after recognition criteria met is


to be capitalised. No subsequent capitalisation of earlier expenditure
already recognised in profit or loss.
Subsequent expenditure almost always written off, because most expenditure
relates to maintenance, not enhancement, and is non-separable from that on
business as a whole.

BAS 38 (65 and 42)


BAS 38 (57 and 42)

BAS 38 (65 and 71)

BAS 38 (20)

3 Measurement after recognition

Cost or revaluation models

BAS 38 (72)

BAS 38 (75)

Revaluation only if active market (homogeneous products, always trading,


prices available to public)

Useful life:

Indefinite no amortisation, but annual impairment and useful life reviews

Finite annual amortisation, with impairment review if indication of


impairment. Residual value almost always nil

BAS 38 (107-109)
BAS 38 (97)

4 Disclosure

Disclosures specific to intangibles (otherwise follow BAS 16):

Whether useful lives are indefinite or finite (in which case amortisation
rates must be disclosed)

BAS 38 (118(a))

For intangibles with indefinite useful lives, their carrying amount and the
reasons supporting the indefinite life assessment
Individual assets material to financial statements as a whole

BAS 38 (122(a))

Amount of research and development expenditure recognised as an


expense in the period.

BAS 38 (122(b))
BAS 38 (126)

5 Goodwill

Purchased goodwill: non-current asset at cost

BFRS 3 (51)

No amortisation but subject to annual impairment reviews

BFRS 3 (54)

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Answers to Self-test
1

D
1 False If the assets life is assessed as finite, this would be the case. However, if it is assessed
as indefinite, there are no amortisation charges but annual impairment reviews.
2 False Such goodwill may never be recognised.
3 True Since these costs cannot be identified separately from the cost of developing the
business as a whole (paragraphs 63-64).

A
1 Relates to research so must be written off as an expense.
2 Relates to development so should be capitalised once the recognition criteria (BAS 38
paragraph 57) are met.
Capitalised as at 1 April 20X7
Amortised up 31 December 20X8 (21/120 150,000)
C/f as at 31 December 20X8

CU
150,000
(26,250)
123,750

A
Under BAS 38 B, C and D must be expensed.

B
1 Will be carried forward as property, plant and equipment under BAS 16.
2 and 4
Will be carried forward as intangible assets under BAS 38.
3 and 5
Cannot be carried forward per BAS 38 (paragraphs 48 and 63).

C
BAS 38 paragraph 57.

C
A

Capitalised under BAS 16.

B and D
Capitalised as part of the cost of an internally-generated intangible (BAS 38 paragraphs 66-67).
7

D
1, 2 and 3 are true per BAS 38 paragraphs 66-67 and 63.
4 Constitutes part of a research phase, so the costs cannot be capitalised (BAS 38 paragraph 54).

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INTANGIBLE ASSETS

MINBAD LTD
(a)

Notes to the financial statements at 31 December 20X7 (extracts)


Intangible assets

Cost
At 1 January 20X7
Additions
At 31 December 20X7
Amortisation/impairment
At 1 January 20X7
Charge for year (20 10)
At 31 December 20X7
Carrying amount
At 1 January 20X7
At 31 December 20X7

Goodwill

Patents

Publishing
titles
CUm

Total

CUm

CUm

30
30

20
20

60
60

110
110

1
1

2
2

3
3

29

18

60

107

CUm

Note. Of the additions during the year totalling CU110 million the goodwill and publishing titles
resulted from a business combination. The patents were separately acquired.
Accounting policy note
Purchased intangibles are recognised at the fair value of consideration paid and separately from
goodwill.
Patents are amortised on a straight-line basis over the life of the legal agreement.
Publishing titles are considered to have an indefinite life and are not amortised but are subject to
annual impairment reviews.
Goodwill is not amortised but is subject to annual impairment reviews.
Note. This analysis shown under the heading 'Note' is required by BAS 38 paragraph 118 (e) (i)
(b) BFRS Framework
Under BFRS Framework an asset is a resource controlled by the entity as a result of past events
from which future economic benefits are expected.
Here, Minbad Ltd has control over all the intangibles as it has either legally purchased them (the
goodwill, newspaper titles and patents) or developed them internally (the brand).
However, an additional requirement of the Framework is that items can only be recognised if

There is a probable inflow of economic benefits, and


The cost/value can be measured reliably.

Acquired intangibles meet this requirement, but, as BAS 38 clearly identifies, it is not possible to
separate out reliably the cost of internally generated brands from the costs to develop the
business as a whole.
Other sections of the Framework highlight the importance of providing relevant information to
users of financial statements. It could be argued that users would find the value of internal
intangibles of great relevance when assessing/evaluating a business. It would appear that with
regard to intangibles, reliability has superseded relevance.
With regard to the proposed revaluation, although under BAS 38 either the cost or revaluation
model can be used, intangibles can only be revalued where there is an 'active market' for them.
This must be a market where all items traded are homogeneous, which clearly cannot be true for
assets such as magazine titles. Again this is consistent with the qualitative characteristic of
reliability.

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9

PHARMORIA LTD
(a)

Total amount to be written off to the income statement in the year ended 31
October 20X7
CU
20,000
5,300
200
25,500

Formula B (not yet qualifying as development phase)


Amortisation of development costs (Formula A) (W)
Amortisation of patent (2,000 10)
(b) Notes to the financial statements as at 31 October 20X7 (extracts)
Intangible assets

Cost
At 1 November 20X6
Additions
At 31 October 20X7
Amortisation
At 1 November 20X6
Charge for year
At 31 October 20X7
Carrying amount
At 1 November 20X6
At 31 October 20X7

Development
costs
CU

Patents

Total

CU

CU

43,000
10,000
53,000

2,000
2,000

43,000
12,000
55,000

5,300
5,300

200
200

5,500
5,500

43,000
47,700

1,800

43,000
49,500

WORKING
Amortisation of development costs for Formula A
Sales in year total sales CU53,000 5 months
50,000/(50,000 + 150,000 + 200,000 + 100,000) CU53,000 = CU5,300

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INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Answer to Interactive question

Answer to Interactive question 1


The treatment in NS Ltds consolidated balance sheet at 30 June 20X7 will be as follows:
1

Advertising campaign: no asset will be recognised, because it is not possible to identify future
economic benefits that are attributable only to this campaign. The whole expenditure is recognised in
profit or loss.

Staff training programme: no asset will be recognised, because staff are not under the control of NS
Ltd and when staff leave, the benefits of the training, whatever they may be, also leave. The whole
expenditure is recognised in profit or loss.

New product: the development expenditure appearing in the balance sheet will be measured at
CU450,000.
The expenditure prior to the date on which the product becomes technically feasible is recognised in
profit or loss. The remaining CU450,000 is less than the recoverable amount, so no impairment issues
arise.

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chapter 7

Revenue and inventories


Contents
Introduction
Examination context
Topic List
1

Introduction

BAS 18 Revenue

BAS 2 Inventories

Summary and Self-test


Technical reference
Answers to Self-test
Answers to Interactive questions

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Introduction

Learning objectives

Relate the treatment of revenue to the principles in BFRS Framework

Understand and apply the main provisions of BAS 18 Revenue, which sets out the
requirements in relation to the recognition and measurement of revenue, in particular

Tick off

Sale of goods
Rendering of services
Investment income

Understand and apply the main provisions of BAS 2 Inventories, which sets out requirements
in relation to the measurement of inventories

Specific syllabus references for this chapter are: 1b, 2b, c.

Practical significance
Revenue
The principal reason why profit-making businesses operate is to generate revenue. Revenue often
represents one of the largest figures in the financial statements, and growth in revenue is often used as a
key performance indicator by investors. In more traditional businesses the point at which revenue should
be recognised is usually straightforward. However, in recent years as business transactions have become
more complex this area of accounting has become more controversial with some companies adopting
aggressive, and in some cases questionable, accounting policies for revenue recognition.
The result of these policies can be seen in many of the high profile accounting scandals that we have seen in
recent years. For example, the early success of many of the dot.com companies in the 1990s was the result
of the manipulation of revenue leading to inflated profits.
Capital markets need to have confidence in financial statements. This means that there must be a consistent
approach to revenue recognition but also an approach which is able to deal with the wide range of
transactions which currently exist.
BAS 18 Revenue aims to provide this guidance.
Inventories
The significance of inventories to a business will largely depend on the nature of the business. For a
manufacturing entity, for example, inventories are likely to be one of the most significant balances on the
balance sheet, typically representing 10%-20% of total assets. By contrast a company in the services sector
would typically hold small amounts of inventories.
Where inventory does represent a significant asset one of the key business issues is risk. This includes the
risk of poor inventory management leading to excessive amounts of capital being tied up, which in turn
affects the cash flow of the business. Entities operating in a dynamic environment, such as the technology
industry, can also face the problem of obsolescence.
These business risks can cause issues for the valuation of inventories for accounting purposes. The valuation
of inventories will involve management judgement. For example, decisions will need to be made about
which costs to allocate to individual items of inventory and estimates may need to be made regarding
estimated selling prices in order to establish net realisable value. These decisions will have an impact not
only on the balance sheet value of the asset but will also have a direct impact on reported profits.
BAS 2 Inventories provides guidance in this area.

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REVENUE AND INVENTORIES

Stop and think


What is the relationship between revenue recognition and inventories?

Working context
Accounting for revenue and inventories is a complex area as there are many judgemental decisions which
need to be made. As a result of this it is likely that more senior members of staff will be involved. If you
work in audit you may have been involved in some aspects of this work, for example attending inventory
counts.

Syllabus links
Revenue
You will have come across the accounting treatment of revenue in your earlier studies without necessarily
being aware of this. In your Accounting studies you will have been introduced to the basic double entry for
both a cash and a credit sale. With a credit sale the revenue is recognised in advance of the cash being
received.
The Financial Accounting syllabus builds on this basic knowledge by putting the topic into the context of
BAS 18 Revenue. This sets out the basic principles of revenue recognition and introduces more complex
transactions.
Inventories
In the Accounting paper you will have covered the basic principles of inventory valuation, i.e. inventory is
valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. You will also have dealt with the accounting entry for
inventories as a year-end adjustment to a trial balance being:
DR
CR

Inventories (Balance sheet asset)


Cost of sales (Income statement)

The Financial Accounting syllabus looks in more detail at the guidance provided by BAS 2 Inventories,
particularly the calculation of cost and net realisable value.
The related topic of construction contracts will be covered in the Financial & Corporate Reporting syllabus.

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Examination context

Examination commentary
Revenue is most likely to feature in a mixed question or in a company accounts question where an income
statement is produced from a trial balance. It may also be tested in the short-form question section of the
paper.
Inventories could be examined in both the short-form questions and the written test section of the paper.
In the written test section it is possible that it could be examined in its own right although it is more likely
to feature in a mixed question or a published accounts question.
In the examination, candidates may be required to:

Prepare and present financial statements or extracts therefrom in accordance with:

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BAS 18 Revenue
BAS 2 Inventories

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REVENUE AND INVENTORIES

1 Introduction
Section overview

Both revenue recognition and accounting for inventories are affected by the application of the accrual
basis of accounting.

The key issue affecting revenue is the timing of recognition.

The key issue affecting inventories is the identification of which costs should be:

1.1

Carried forward in the balance sheet


Expensed as part of cost of sales.

Background issues
Financial statements are prepared on the underlying assumption of the accrual basis of accounting,
whereby effects of transactions are recognised when they occur and not when the cash associated with
them is received or paid.
But this raises questions about when a transaction 'occurs':

Is it when the buyer takes possession of the goods, in circumstances where the contract for sale
contains clauses that seek to ensure that ownership does not pass to the customer until the seller has
been paid in full?

It is when services are provided, in circumstances where the seller undertakes to come back to do
additional work without charge if needed, e.g. remedial work carried out by a building contractor?

When does the profit arise on the contract for the provision of services to a customer over time,
such as under a maintenance contract of two years' duration? Only at the start, only in the middle,
only at the end, or over the period of two years?

In addition there are issues about which costs to include in the balance sheet carrying amount for
inventories.

Should the amount include only those variable costs that are incurred in the manufacture? After all,
fixed costs are incurred regardless of volume of activity and perhaps should be recognised in profit or
loss as incurred.

Or should the amounts include fixed costs? And if so, which? Should general administration costs be
included?

Finally there is the issue of how to identify the cost of goods which must be removed from the carrying
amount of inventories when they are sold:

Should it be the cost of the goods manufactured longest ago?


Should it be the cost of those manufactured most recently?
Or should some sort of average cost be used?

The timing of the recognition of revenue is critical to the timing of profits, while the amount of yearend inventories has a CU for CU effect on the profits earned in the period. So the way these are
calculated is vital to any real understanding of the financial performance in the period.

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2 BAS 18 Revenue
Section overview

Revenue is income arising in the normal course of an entitys activities.

Revenue should be recognised when it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the
entity and when these benefits can be measured reliably.

BAS 18 Revenue provides guidance on the recognition of revenue arising in the following transactions:

2.1

Sale of goods
Rendering of services
The use by others of entity assets yielding interest, royalties and dividends.

Although detailed rules apply to the above, generally revenue is recognised when the entity has
transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership and when that revenue can be
measured reliably.

Objective and scope


BAS 18 prescribes the accounting treatment of revenue recognition in common types of transaction. It
states that in general terms revenue should be recognised:

When it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity and
These benefits can be measured reliably.

BAS 18 applies to:

Sale of goods (manufactured items and items purchased for resale).

The rendering of services (which typically involves the performance by the entity of a contractually
agreed task over an agreed period of time).

The use by others of entity assets yielding interest, royalties and dividends.

The standard specifically excludes various types of revenue arising from leases, insurance contracts, changes
in value of financial instruments or other current assets, natural increases in agricultural assets and mineral
ore extraction.

2.2

Revenue
Income is defined in BFRS Framework as 'increases in economic benefits in the form of inflows or
enhancements of assets or decreases of liabilities that result in increases in equity.' Revenue is simply
income arising in the ordinary course of an entity's activities and it may be called different names
such as:

Sales
Turnover
Interest
Dividends
Royalties

Revenue is defined by BAS 18 as follows:

Definition
Revenue: The gross inflow of economic benefits during the period arising in the course of the ordinary
activities of an entity when those flows result in increases in equity, other than increases relating to
contributions from equity participants.

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REVENUE AND INVENTORIES

Points to note

2.3

The reference to 'gross' inflow requires revenue to be shown gross of the costs associated with
earning it (an example of the general prohibition against netting off in financial statements).

The reference to 'increases in equity' precludes the inclusion in revenue of amounts collected on
behalf of others, e.g. sales tax (VAT in Bangladesh) and amounts collected by agents on behalf of
a principal.

Measurement
When a transaction takes place, the amount of revenue is usually decided by the agreement of the buyer
and the seller. The revenue, however, should be measured at the fair value of the consideration received
or receivable.

Definition
Fair value: The amount for which an asset could be exchanged, or liability settled, between knowledgeable,
willing parties in an arm's length transaction.

Fair value will take into account any trade discounts and volume rebates allowed by the seller.
In straightforward situations the requirement to measure revenue at fair value provides few problems. So
sales on credit terms of 30 days will be measured at the amount receivable in 30 days, net of all sales
allowances such as quantity discounts.
Problems can arise where much longer credit intervals are allowed.

Worked example: Deferred payment


Comfy Couches Ltd sells an item of furniture to a customer on 1 September 20X7 for CU2,500 with a oneyear interest-free credit period. The fair value of the consideration receivable is CU2,294. (In other words,
if the company tried to sell this debt, this is the amount it would expect to receive now.)
In this case the transaction would be split into two components:

Interest revenue of CU206 (2,500 2,294), which would be recognised over the period of credit
Sales revenue of CU2,294, which would be recognised on 1 September 20X7.

When goods or services are 'swapped' for those of similar nature and value, then no revenue is created
(and no additional cost recorded), because all that is really taking place is the substitution of one good or
service by something very similar. Such transactions are quite common in the sale of commodities.
When the goods/services are dissimilar, then there are transactions which generate revenue and cost,
measured by reference to the fair value of what is received.

2.4

Sale of goods
Revenue should only be recognised when all of the following conditions are satisfied.

The entity has transferred the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods to the
buyer.

The seller no longer has management involvement or effective control over the goods.

The amount of revenue can be measured reliably.

It is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity.

The costs incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.


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Points to note
1

In most cases the transfer of risks and rewards of ownership coincides with the transfer of
legal title, or the passing of possession to the buyer. This is the case for most retail sales.

If the entity retains significant risks of ownership, the transaction is not a sale and revenue is not
recognised.
Examples of this type of situation include the following:

When the seller retains some obligation for unsatisfactory performance which is outside a
normal warranty cover.

If the receipt of the revenue from a particular sale depends on the buyer receiving revenue from
his own sale of the goods.

When the goods are shipped subject to installation and the installation is a significant part of the
contract which has not yet been completed by the seller (revenue should not be recognised until
the installation has been completed).

It is possible for the seller to retain only an insignificant risk of ownership and for the sale and revenue
to be recognised. Common examples include the following situations:

Where the seller retains title only to ensure collection of what is owed on the goods.
Where an item may be returned and a refund provided.

The probability of the entity receiving the revenue arising from the transaction must be assessed.
For example, in most cases revenue in relation to credit sales is recognised before actual payment is
received. However, where collectability is called into doubt and recovery has ceased to be probable,
the amount should be recognised as an expense and not an adjustment to revenue previously
recognised.

Matching should take place, i.e. revenue and expenses relating to the same transaction should be
recognised at the same time. In some cases expenses may need to be estimated at the date of sale,
e.g. warranty costs. Where they cannot be estimated reliably, then revenue cannot be recognised; any
consideration that has already been received is treated as a liability.

Worked example: Sale of goods


Morgan Motors Ltd sells a car for CU15,000 with one year's free credit. There is a three-year
manufacturers warranty on the vehicle.
Revenue will be recognised at the time of sale, but:

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The CU15,000 receivable will be split between interest earned and the cash sale price.

The cash sale price will be recognised in the period the sale is made.

The interest income will be recognised over the period of free credit.

The production and selling costs of the car will be set against the cash sale price. At the same time a
charge to the income statement will be made to set up a warranty provision for the expected costs of
carrying out the expected amount of warranty work over the three-year warranty period.

Costs incurred on the warranty work over the three years will be charged to the provision, with any
over-provision being written back (and any under-provision being charged) to the income statement.

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2.5

Rendering of services
When the outcome of a transaction involving the rendering of services can be estimated reliably, the
associated revenue should be recognised by reference to the stage of completion of the transaction at
the balance sheet date. The outcome of a transaction can be estimated reliably when all of the following
conditions are satisfied.

The amount of revenue can be measured reliably

It is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity

The stage of completion of the transaction at the balance sheet date can be measured reliably

The costs incurred for the transaction and the costs to complete the transaction can be measured
reliably

The recognition criteria above are similar to those for the sale of goods. One of the key differences is the
need to be able to determine the stage of completion of the transaction. This is of particular relevance
when the completion of a contract for services straddles more than one accounting period. The
following methods of assessing the stage of completion are referred to in BAS 18:
Surveys of work performed
Services performed to date as a percentage of total services to be performed
The proportion that costs incurred to date bear to the estimated total costs of the transaction.

Progress payments and advances received from customers often do not reflect the services performed. As a
result it is normally inappropriate to recognise revenue based on payments received.
If the overall outcome of a services transaction cannot be estimated reliably, then revenue is only
recognised to the extent of those costs incurred that are recoverable from the client.

Interactive question 1: Rendering of services

[Difficulty level: Easy]

A CU210,000 fixed-price contract is entered into for the provision of services. At the end of 20X7, the first
accounting period, the contract is thought to be 33% complete and costs of CU45,000 have been incurred
in performing that 33% of the work.
Requirements
Calculate the revenue to be recognised in 20X7 on the alternative assumptions that:
(a)

The costs to complete are reliably estimated at CU90,000; and

(b) The costs to complete cannot be reliably estimated and it is thought that CU40,000 of the costs
incurred are recoverable from the customer.
Fill in the proforma below.
(a)

Cost to complete are CU90,000

(b) Cost to complete cannot be estimated reliably

See Answer at the end of the chapter.

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2.6

Investment income
When others use the enterprise's assets yielding interest, royalties and dividends, the revenue should be
recognised when:
(a)

It is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the enterprise
and

(b) The amount of the revenue can be measured reliably.


The revenue is recognised on the following bases.

2.7

Interest is recognised on a time proportion basis that takes into account the effective yield on the
asset.

Royalties are recognised on an accrual basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant
agreement.

Dividends are recognised when the shareholder's right to receive payment is established. This is
usually when the dividends are declared.

Disclosure
The following items should be disclosed.

The accounting policies adopted for the recognition of revenue, including the methods used to
determine the stage of completion of transactions involving the rendering of services

The amount of each significant category of revenue recognised during the period including
revenue arising from:

The sale of goods


The rendering of services
Interest
Royalties
Dividends

The amount of revenue arising from exchanges of goods or services included in each significant
category of revenue

Any contingent gains or losses, such as those relating to warranty costs, claims or penalties should be
treated according to BAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets (covered in Chapter 9).

2.8

Practical application
BAS 18 includes an appendix which demonstrates the application of its concepts to particular types of
transactions. These include the following:
Consignment sales

Under such arrangements, the buyer of the goods undertakes to sell them on,
but on behalf of the original seller. So the buyer is effectively acting as an agent
on behalf of the original seller. The original seller only recognises his sale
when his buyer sells them on to a third party.
This treatment also applies to sale and return transactions.

Lay away sales

Under these arrangements, the goods are only delivered once the final
instalment has been received, so it is only then that the risks and rewards of
ownership move from seller to buyer and revenue can be recognised.
For example, with the recent launches of Harry Potter books, it has been
common for customers to put down some money to reserve a copy. This will
be recognised as revenue when the balance is paid up and the book is
delivered to the customer.

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Sale and repurchase


agreement

This is an agreement whereby the seller concurrently agrees to repurchase the


same goods at a later date, or where there are call or put options in place.
The terms of the agreement need to be considered to determine whether
there is a sale in substance. Where legal title has been transferred but the
risks and rewards of ownership have been retained by the seller revenue is not
recognised and the transaction is treated as a financing arrangement. (We
looked at the principle of substance over form in Chapter 1.)

Subscriptions to
publications

Where a series of publications is subscribed to and each publication is of a


similar value, e.g. a monthly magazine, revenue is recognised on a straightline basis over the period in which the publications are despatched.
Where the value of each publication varies revenue is recognised on the basis
of the sales value of the item despatched in relation to the estimated sales
value of all items covered by the subscription.

Servicing fees
included in the price
of the product

When an item's sales price includes 'free' servicing, revenue in relation to that
servicing should be deferred and recognised over the servicing period.
The amount deferred should be sufficient to cover both the cost of servicing
and a reasonable profit.

Tuition fees

Revenue should be recognised over a period of time (the period of


instruction), in line with the way the services are provided over that
period of time.

Advertising
commissions

Media commissions, e.g. payment for a series of adverts, should be recognised


when the related advertisement or commercial appears before the
public.

Note that the whole of this Appendix falls within the scope of the Financial Accounting syllabus, with the
exception of paragraphs 9, 10, 13 and 14.

Interactive question 2: Sale and repurchase

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

Builder Ltd specialises in building high quality executive flats in city centres. On 1 March 20X6 it sells a plot
of building land to Finance Ltd, an unconnected company, for CU1.5m. Builder Ltd retains rights of access
and supervision over the plot, the right to build on this land until 28 February 20X8 and the right to buy the
plot back again on that date for CU1.9m. On 1 March 20X6 the plot is valued at CU2.5m.
Requirement
Explain how this sale transaction would be dealt with in Builder Ltd's financial statements for the year ended
28 February 20X7.

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

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Interactive question 3: Servicing fees

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

On the last day of its current accounting period, Computer Ltd completes the handover of a new system to
a client and raises an invoice for CU800,000. This price includes after-sales support for the next two years,
which is estimated to cost CU35,000 each year. Computer Ltd normally earns a gross profit margin of
17.5% on such support activity.
Requirement
Calculate the revenue to be included in Computer Ltds current year income statement in respect of this sale.
Fill in the proforma below.
After-sales support
Remainder
Total selling price
So the revenue in the current year is

CU

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

3 BAS 2 Inventories
Section overview

Inventories should be measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value (NRV).

Cost comprises the costs of:

The comparison of cost and NRV should be performed on an item-by-item basis although similar
items may be grouped together.

Where the cost of individual items cannot be determined a cost formula may be used. These are:

3.1

Purchase
Conversion
Bringing the inventories to their present location and condition.

First-in, first-out (FIFO)


Weighted average cost.

When an item is sold it is recognised as an expense in the income statement together with the
related revenue.

Objective and scope


The objective of BAS 2 Inventories is to prescribe the accounting treatment for inventories. In particular it
provides guidance on the determination of cost and its subsequent recognition as an expense, including
any write-down to net realisable value.
BAS 2 applies to all inventories except the following:

Work in progress under construction contracts


Financial instruments (e.g. shares, bonds)
Biological assets

The treatment of the above are all outside the scope of the Financial Accounting syllabus.
Certain inventories are exempt from the standard's measurement rules, i.e. those held by:

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Producers of agricultural, forest and mineral products


Commodity-broker traders.

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REVENUE AND INVENTORIES

3.2

Inventories
Definition
Inventories. Assets:

Held for sale in the ordinary course of business

In the process of production for such sale; or

In the form of materials or supplies to be consumed in the production process or in the rendering of
services.

Inventories can include:

3.3

Goods purchased and held for resale


Finished goods
Work in progress being produced
Raw materials awaiting use

Measurement of inventories
Inventories should be measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value (NRV).

Definitions
Cost: Comprises all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the
inventories to their present location and condition.
Net realisable value: The estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated
costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

A write-down of inventories would normally take place on an item-by-item basis, but similar or related
items may be grouped together. This grouping is acceptable for, say, items in the same product line, but
it is not acceptable to write-down inventories based on a whole classification (e.g. finished goods) or a
whole business.

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Worked example: Measurement of inventories


The following information relates to the inventories of a business with a year end of 31 December 20X5:

Manufacturing cost in 20X5


Revenue on sale in January 20X6
Selling costs incurred in January 20X6
Net realisable value
Profit/(loss)
Inventory value at 31 December 20X5, the
lower of cost and net realisable value

Product A
CUm
80

Product B
CUm
60

110
(8)
102

50
(4)
46

22

(14)

80

46

Taking the lower of the two values ensures that:

Any profit earned is not recognised in advance of the item being sold

Any loss otherwise incurred in the future is recognised in the current accounting period through this
write-down to below cost.

Points to note
The comparison of cost and NRV is performed for each product separately.

3.4

Cost of inventories
As we have seen from the definition of cost in section 3.3:
The cost of inventories will consist of:

Cost of purchase
Costs of conversion
Other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition

Costs of purchase
BAS 2 lists the following as comprising the costs of purchase of inventories.

Purchase price plus

Import duties and other taxes plus

Transport, handling and any other costs directly attributable to the acquisition of finished goods,
services and materials less

Trade discounts, rebates and other similar amounts.

Costs of conversion
Costs of conversion of inventories consist of two main parts.

Costs directly related to the units of production, e.g. direct materials, direct labour

Fixed and variable production overheads that are incurred in converting materials into finished
goods, allocated on the basis of normal production capacity.

You may have come across the terms 'fixed production overheads' or 'variable production overheads'
elsewhere in your studies.

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Definitions
Fixed production overheads: Those indirect costs of production that remain relatively constant
regardless of the volume of production, such as depreciation and maintenance of factory buildings and
equipment, and the cost of factory management and administration.
Variable production overheads: Those indirect costs of production that vary directly, or nearly directly,
with the volume of production, such as indirect materials and labour.

BAS 2 emphasises that fixed production overheads must be allocated to items of inventory on the basis of
the normal capacity of the production facilities. This is an important point.

Normal capacity is the expected achievable production based on the average over several
periods/seasons, under normal circumstances.

The above figure should take account of the capacity lost through planned maintenance.

If it approximates to the normal capacity then the actual level of production can be used.

The allocation of variable production overheads to each unit is based on the actual use of production
facilities.

As a result:

Low production or idle plant will not result in a higher fixed overhead allocation to each unit.

Unallocated overheads must be recognised as an expense in the period in which they were
incurred.

When production is abnormally high, the fixed production overhead allocated to each unit will be
reduced, so avoiding inventories being stated at more than cost.

Worked example: Fixed production overheads


A business plans for fixed production overheads of CU50,000 and annual production of 100,000 items in its
financial year. So the planned overhead recovery rate is 50p per item.
A fire at the factory results in production being only 75,000 units, with no saving in fixed production
overheads.
Inventory should still be valued on the basis of 50p per item, leading to a recovery of CU37,500 of
overheads. The CU12,500 balance of overhead cost must be recognised as an expense in the year.

Other costs
Any other costs should only be recognised if they are incurred in bringing the inventories to their present
location and condition.
BAS 2 lists types of cost that would not be included in cost of inventories. Instead, they should be
recognised as an expense in the period in which they are incurred.
These include:

Abnormal amounts of wasted materials, labour or other production costs

Storage costs (except costs that are necessary in the production process before a further
production stage)

Administrative overheads not incurred to bring inventories to their present location and condition

Selling costs.

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Interactive question 4: Cost of inventories

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

A manufacturing business incurs the following expenditure.


Include in cost
of inventories

Recognised as an
expense as incurred

Supplier's gross price for raw materials


Quantity discounts allowed by supplier
Purchase taxes and duties charged by supplier
and recoverable from taxing authorities
Costs of transporting materials to the
business' premises
Labour costs directly incurred in the
processing of raw materials
Variable costs, such as power, incurred in the
processing of raw materials
Fixed production costs/overheads, such as
rent for the processing factory and
depreciation charges on the plant used in the
processing
Costs of holding finished goods in inventory
Costs of transporting goods to customer on
sale
Purchase taxes charged to customer on sale
Commission payable to salesmen on sale of
the goods
Allowance for bad and doubtful debts in
relation to trade receivables
Costs of accounts department
Head office costs relating to the overall
management of the business
Requirement
Identify in the table above the expenditures to be included in the cost of inventories and those to be
recognised as an expense as incurred.
Fill in the proforma above.
Commentary on Interactive question 4

In terms of the normal operating cycle of a business, all costs up to the time goods are taken into
inventory will be costs incurred in bringing items to their present location and condition. But all
costs of holding goods in inventory, selling the goods and collecting outstanding receivables are not
incurred for this reason; nor are the general costs of accounting for and managing the business.

Fixed production costs/overheads are to be included in inventory values, but only at the rates based
upon normal levels of output. These rates should not be increased as a result of production being
below expected levels, as a result of plant failures, for example.

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

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Techniques for the measurement of cost


Two techniques are mentioned by the standard, both of which produce results that approximate to cost,
and so both of which may be used for convenience.
(a)

Standard costs: these are set up to take account of normal levels of raw materials used, labour time
etc. They are reviewed and revised on a regular basis.

(b) Retail method: this is often used in the retail industry where there is a large turnover of inventory
items, which nevertheless have similar profit margins. The only practical method of inventory valuation
may be to take the total selling price of inventories and deduct an overall average profit margin, thus
reducing the value to an approximation of cost. The percentage will take account of reduced price
lines. Sometimes different percentages are applied on a departmental basis.

Worked example: Retail method


A retailer identifies inventories at the end of an accounting period as follows:

Department A: inventories with a selling price of CU30,000. This department makes a 25% gross
profit on its sales

Department B: inventories with a selling price of CU21,000. This department sets its selling prices at
cost plus 50%.

Requirement
Calculate the value of inventories in each department.

Solution
Department A: Selling price of inventories CU30,000 less gross profit 25% = CU22,500
Department B: If selling price is cost plus 50%, then selling price must be 150% of cost
and the gross profit margin must be 50/150 = 33.3%
Selling price of inventories CU21,000 less gross profit 33.3% = CU14,000

3.5

Cost formulae
It is possible to attribute specific costs to items that are not interchangeable and to items produced for
specific projects or customers and it is these costs which are used in arriving at inventory valuations.
But many inventories include items that are interchangeable with each other, in which case it is
not possible to identify a specific cost for a specific item. In these cases, cost formulae should be
used, which make assumptions about which of the items produced have been sold and which are still held in
inventory, and therefore about the cost of inventory.
Only two cost formulae are allowed under BAS 2:
First-in, first-out (FIFO)

Weighted average cost

This assumes a physical flow of items whereby


those produced earliest are the first to be
sold. The items produced most recently are the
ones in inventory, to be measured at the most
recent production cost.

This formula calculates an average cost of


production (either at the end of each period or
after each new batch has been produced,
depending on the circumstances of the company)
and measures inventories at that average cost.

Points to note
1

The last-in, first-out (LIFO) formula (which makes an assumption about the physical flows of items that
is the opposite of FIFO) is not permitted by BAS 2. The reasoning, not included in the BAS, is that
LIFO is not a reliable representation of the actual flow of items into and out of inventory.

The same cost formula must be used for all inventories having a similar nature. This limitation on
management choice is aimed to ensure that like items are accounted for in like ways.

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Financial accounting

Worked example: Cost formulae


A business produces and sells the following quantities of a product:
Date
1 July
4 July
6 July
15 July
18 July
23 July
31 July

Opening inventory
Production
Sale
Production
Sale
Production
Closing inventory

Tonnes
10
8
-9
6
-11
4
8

CU Total
200
176

CU per tonne
20
22

144

24

104

26

The FIFO cost formula will result in closing inventory being made up of the most recent production, i.e. the
4 tonnes produced on 23 July (costing CU104) and 4 of the 6 tonnes produced in 15 July (at CU24 = CU96
cost). So closing inventory will be valued at CU200.
Using the weighted average cost formula and calculating the average cost at the end of the period, the total
cost of CU624 (CU200 + CU176 + CU144 + CU104) is divided by the total number of units of 28 (opening
inventory of 10 plus production of 8 + 6 + 4), giving a weighted average cost of CU22.29 per tonne. Applied
to closing inventory of 8 tonnes, this gives a valuation of CU178.

As average production costs are rising, the weighted average cost formula, which smoothes changes out,
results in a slightly lower inventory value (and therefore lower period profit) than the FIFO formula which
does not include any smoothing.

3.6

Net realisable value


As a general rule assets should not be carried at amounts greater than those to be realised from
their sale or use. This applies to inventory where NRV falls below cost. There are a number of
reasons why this may be the case, including the following:

An increase in costs or a fall in selling price


A physical deterioration in the condition of inventory
Obsolescence of products
A strategic decision to manufacture and sell products at a loss
Errors in production or purchasing

Where NRV falls below cost the inventory is written down to its recoverable amount and the fall in
value is charged to profit or loss, i.e. to the income statement. The write-down may be of such
size, incidence or nature that it must be disclosed separately.
Points to note

3.7

In the case of incomplete items, NRV must take account of costs to complete.

In the absence of a contractually agreed selling price, the best estimate must be made of the likely
selling price and then appropriate deductions made from it.

Materials to be incorporated into a finished product should only be written down if that finished
product will be sold at below its cost.

Net realisable value must be reassessed at the end of each period and compared again with cost.
This may result in the reversal of all or part of the original write-down.

Recognition as an expense
Once an item has been sold, it cannot remain in inventories as it no longer meets BFRS Framework
definition of an asset. Its carrying amount is recognised as an expense in the accounting period in which
the item is sold and the related revenue recognised.

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3.8

Disclosure
The financial statements should disclose the following:

Accounting policies adopted in measuring inventories, including the cost formula used

Total carrying amount of inventories and the carrying amount in classifications appropriate to
the entity (e.g. merchandise, production supplies, materials, work in progress, finished goods)

Carrying amount of inventories carried at fair value less costs to sell

The amount of inventories recognised as an expense in the period

The amount of any write-down of inventories recognised as an expense in the period

The amount of any reversal of any write-down that is recognised as a reduction in the amount of
inventories recognised as an expense in the period

Circumstances or events that led to the reversal of a write-down of inventories

Carrying amount of inventories pledged as security for liabilities

The financial statements must also disclose one of two things:

The cost of inventories recognised as an expense during the period.

The operating costs, applicable to revenues, recognised as an expense during the period, classified
by their nature.

The choice reflects differences in the way the income statement can be presented (see Chapter 2).

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Summary and Self-test

Summary

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Self-test
Answer the following questions.
1

Caplin sells two types of product to Webber, the sleigh and the sled. Webber sells the sleigh as an
agent of Caplin receiving commission of 15% on selling price. Caplin sells the sled as principal at a
gross margin of 30%.
The following information relates to the year ended 30 September 20X8.
Sleigh
CU
200,000
60,000

Revenue
Gross profit

Sled
CU
75,000
22,500

According to BAS 18 Revenue what revenue should Webber recognise in total for sleighs and sleds for
the year ended 30 September 20X8?
A
B
C
D
2

CU52,500
CU82,500
CU105,000
CU275,000

On 1 January 20X0, Alexander Ltd supplied goods to David Ltd for an agreed sum of CU600,000. This
amount becomes payable on 31 December 20X2. David Ltd could have bought the goods for cash of
CU450,000 on 1 January 20X0. The imputed rate of interest to discount the receivable to the cash
sales price is 10%.
In accordance with BAS 18 Revenue what should Alexander Ltd record in the income statement
relating to this transaction for the year ended 31 December 20X0?
Revenue
Interest income
CU
CU
A
450,000
45,000
B
600,000

C
600,000
60,000
D
450,000

Oxford Ltd publishes a monthly magazine, which is sold for CU4.00 per issue with costs of CU2.00
per issue to produce. Oxford Ltd received CU48,000 in annual subscriptions and had produced four
issues by the year end of 31 January 20X8.
In accordance with BAS 18 Revenue what revenue in relation to the magazines should be recognised by
Oxford Ltd for the year ended 31 January 20X8?
A
B
C
D

CU8,000
CU16,000
CU24,000
CU48,000

Southwell Ltd, a manufacturing company, sold a property with a carrying amount of CU4.5m for
CU5m to Financier Ltd on 1 January 20X4. Southwell Ltd retains the right to occupy the property and
has an option to repurchase the property in two years' time for CU6 million. Property prices are
expected to rise and the current market value is CU8 million. The annual rate for 20% over two years
is 9.5%.
In accordance with BAS 18 Revenue what should be recognised in the financial statements relating to
this transaction for the year ended 31 December 20X4?
A
B
C
D

Revenue CU5 million, profit on sale of asset CU0.5 million


Non-current liability CU5 million, interest expense CU0.475 million
Non-current liability of CU6 million
Non-current liability CU5.475 million, interest CU0.475 million

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5

Space Ltd sells a specialised piece of equipment to Planet Ltd on 1 September 20X7 for CU1.5m. Due
to the specialised nature of the equipment, Space Ltd has agreed to provide a support service for the
next two years. The cost to Space Ltd of providing this service will be CU120,000. Space Ltd usually
earns a gross margin of 20% on such contracts.
What revenue should be included in the income statement of Space Ltd for the year ended
31 December 20X7 according to BAS 18 Revenue?
A
B
C
D

CU1,500,000
CU1,525,000
CU1,620,000
CU1,650,000

DIY Ltd is a hardware store about to stock a new type of drill. Customer demand is high and DIY Ltd
has started taking advance orders for the drill. The selling price of the drill will be CU50.00 and so far
100 customers have paid an initial advance deposit of CU5.00 per drill. DIY Ltd expects to make a 10%
margin on the drill.
At the year end, the drill is not yet in stock. What revenue should DIY Ltd recognise in the income
statement for this transaction according to BAS 18 Revenue?
A
B
C
D

CUnil
CU50
CU500
CU5,000

Major Ltd has entered into a contract for the provision of services over a two-year period. The total
contract price is CU150,000. In the first year costs of CU60,000 have been incurred and 50% of the
work has been completed. The contract has not progressed as expected and Major Ltd is not sure of
the ultimate outcome, but believes that the costs incurred to date will be recovered from the
customer. Major Ltd initially expected to earn a profit of CU20,000 on the contract.
According to BAS 18 Revenue what revenue should be recognised in the first year of the contract?
A
B
C
D

CU40,000
CU60,000
CU65,000
CU75,000

White Goods Ltd sells an electrical appliance for CU2,400 on 1 October 20X7 making a mark up on
cost of 20%. The customer is given a one-year interest-free credit period. The fair value of the
consideration receivable in one year's time is CU2,202.
In accordance with BAS 18 Revenue, what amount should the company recognise as revenue from the
sale of the appliance in the income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X7?
A
B
C
D

CUnil
CU2,000
CU2,202
CU2,400

Taunton Ltd manufactures spare parts for a range of agricultural equipment. These are sent from its
Chittagong factory to its various distribution centres in Bangladesh and East Asia.
According to BAS 2 Inventories, which of the following expenses should be included as part of the cost
of finished goods inventories?

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Rectification costs of a lorry-load of parts that were badly damaged in an accident en route to
one of the distribution centres

Expenses paid to the firm's lorry-drivers for transporting parts from the distribution centres to
customers

Shipping costs for drivers and lorries to East Asia distribution centre

Subsistence and accommodation expenses relating to the return journey from East Asia

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REVENUE AND INVENTORIES

10

Quick Ltd absorbs its production overheads on the basis of units produced. Cost data relating to units
of production for the year to 31 December 20X3 are as follows.
Material (for 10,000 units actually produced)
Sub-contract labour
Fixed production overheads

CU10,000
CU20,000
CU50,000

There are 1,000 units in inventories at the year end. Production was half the normal activity level.
In accordance with BAS 2 Inventories the figure for inventories in the balance sheet on 31 December
20X3 should be:
A
B
C
D
11

CU4,000
CU4,500
CU5,500
CU8,000

There are a number of methods for determining purchase price or production cost of inventories.
In addition to FIFO, BAS 2 Inventories allows
A
B
C
D

12

13

Both LIFO and weighted average cost


Only LIFO
Only weighted average cost
Neither LIFO nor weighted average cost

For a retail trading company using a FIFO basis for the valuation of inventories, which of the following
statements is correct according to BAS 2 Inventories?
A

If the volume of inventories is unchanged in the year, and purchase prices are rising, there will be
a net debit in the income statement in relation to changes in inventories during the year

If the volume of inventories increases during the year, and purchase prices are rising, there will
be a net debit in the income statement in relation to changes in inventories during the year

If the volume of inventories decreases during the year, and purchase prices are falling, there will
be a net credit in the income statement in relation to changes in inventories during the year

If the volume of inventories is unchanged during the year, and purchase prices are rising, there
will be a net credit in the income statement in relation to changes in inventories during the year

In 20X5 when purchase prices are rising but physical inventory levels are remaining constant, Garth
Ltd changes its accounting policy for identifying inventories from weighted average cost to FIFO. Will
the 20X5 gross trading loss and net current liabilities at the end of the period be higher or lower
under the new policy than if the previous policy had been retained?
Gross trading loss
Lower
Lower
Higher
Higher

A
B
C
D
14

Net current liabilities


Lower
Higher
Lower
Higher

The normal selling price of an item included in year end inventories is CU21 per unit. The item
originally cost CU15 per unit, but could only be sold at the normal selling price after modifications
were made after the year end at a cost of CU5 per unit. The scrap value of the item is CU11 per unit.
Under BAS 2 Inventories the item should be included in the financial statements at
A
B
C
D

CU16 per unit


CU15 per unit
CU11 per unit
CU10 per unit

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Financial accounting
15

Hunt Ltd has prepared the following schedule of its inventories.


Purchase
price of
raw
materials
CU
80
20
100

Item X
Item Z

Attributable
production
overheads
incurred
CU
10
5
15

Attributable
distribution
overheads to
be incurred
CU
12
10
22

Expected
selling
price
CU
85
40
125

According to BAS 2 Inventories what is the aggregate amount at which inventories should be stated in
the balance sheet of Hunt Ltd?
A
B
C
D
16

CU98
CU103
CU120
CU125

Greenmore Ltd is making a product for a customer. The cost to date is CU35,000. Owing to a change
in government regulations an additional CU12,000 will need to be spent before the product can be
sold. The customer agrees to pay half of this. The initially agreed selling price was CU40,000.
At what amount should inventories be carried in the financial statements of Greenmore Ltd according
to BAS 2 Inventories?
A
B
C
D

17

CU40,000
CU35,000
CU34,000
CU28,000

On 31 December 20X8 Miskin Ltd had closing inventories of widgets that cost CU400,000. These
were sold in February 20X9 for CU500,000. The following costs were incurred on disposal.
Marketing costs
Selling costs
Distribution costs

CU50,000
CU50,000
CU50,000

On 31 December 20X8 Miskin Ltd also had closing work in progress of grommets with a standard
cost of CU900,000. Relating to this work in progress were favourable variances of CU20,000 and
adverse variances of CU10,000, neither relating to efficiency.
In accordance with BAS 2 Inventories what is the total amount of inventories in the closing balance
sheet?
A
B
C
D
18

CU1,240,000
CU1,260,000
CU1,290,000
CU1,310,000

PARSON LTD
Parson Ltd has entered into the following transactions during the year ended 31 December 20X3.
(1) On 1 October 20X3 Parson Ltd received CU400,000 in advance subscriptions. The subscriptions
are for 20 monthly issues of a magazine published by Parson Ltd. Three issues of the magazine
had been despatched by the year end. Each magazine is of the same value and costs
approximately the same to produce.
(2) A batch of unseasoned timber, which had cost CU250,000, was sold to Banko Ltd for CU100,000
on 1 January 20X3. Parson Ltd has an option to repurchase the timber in 10 years' time. The
repurchase price will be CU100,000 plus interest charged at 8% per annum from 1 January 20X3
to the date of repurchase. The market value of the timber is expected to increase as it seasons.

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REVENUE AND INVENTORIES

(3) Parson Ltd made a major sale on 1 January 20X3 for a fee of CU450,000, which related to a
completed sale and after-sales support for three years. The cost of providing the after-sales
support is estimated at CU50,000 per annum, and the mark-up on similar after-sales only
contracts is 20% on cost.
(4) The food division of Parson Ltd operates its retail outlets on a franchise basis. On 1 January 20X3
a new outlet was opened, the franchisee paying a fee of CU500,000 to cover the initial services.
The franchise is for five years, and the franchisee will pay an additional annual fee of CU60,000
commencing on 1 January 20X3 to cover marketing, managerial and other support services
provided by Parson Ltd during the franchise period. Parson Ltd has estimated that the cost of
providing these services is CU80,000 per annum, and has achieved a gross margin of 20% on
providing similar services on other contracts.
Requirements
(a)

Prepare extracts from Parson Ltd's financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20X3,
clearly showing how each of the above would be reflected. Notes to the financial statements are
not required.
(12 marks)

(b) With reference to transaction (2) above explain the concept of 'substance over form'. (5 marks)
(17 marks)
19

LATENTILE LTD
Latentile Ltd is a newly-formed company, which uses a chemical process to manufacture a
revolutionary new roof covering, which it sells at a mark up of 25% on cost. Its inventories consist of
raw material, work in progress and finished goods, and at the end of its first year of trading it is having
problems valuing inventories.
You ascertain the following information.
(1) Raw material
(i)

The process needs at least 100,000 kgs of clay to continue working, but a physical inventory
count reveals that the machinery contains 108,000 kgs.

(ii)

The original cost of the initial 100,000 kgs to set up the process was 30p per kg and you find
an invoice to show that the last consignment of 20,000 kgs cost 31p per kg. All other
consignments in the year (a total of 200,000 kgs) cost 32p per kg.

(2) Work in progress


(i)

The work in progress is currently all 60% complete and you discover that there are 50,000
units currently going through the process.

(ii)

The total number of complete units for the period was, as anticipated, 800,000.

(iii) The costs for the process for the period were as follows.
Raw materials
Direct labour
Factory overheads
Administrative expenses attributable to production
Distribution costs

CU'000
200
242
191
114
90

(3) Finished goods


(i)

There were 70,000 units in inventories.

(ii)

Of (i) above, it was intended to sell 20,000 units at 75p per unit, a discount of one third on
normal selling price, in a future promotional campaign (a further 10p per unit distribution
cost is to be incurred).

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Financial accounting
Requirements
(a)

Explain how BAS 2 Inventories applies the accrual and the going concern bases of accounting.
(6 marks)

(b) For each of the above categories of inventory, suggest a method of valuation and show the value
as it would appear in the balance sheet.
(6 marks)
(c)

If the information regarding costs for the period were not available, suggest an alternative
method of valuing finished goods.
(2 marks)
(14 marks)

Now go back to the Learning Objectives in the Introduction. If you are satisfied you have achieved these
objectives, please tick them off.

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REVENUE AND INVENTORIES

Technical reference
Point to note: The following sets out the examinability of the standards covered in this chapter.
BAS 18

All paragraphs examinable except examples 9, 10, 13 & 14 in the Appendix.

BAS 2

All paragraphs examinable.

The paragraphs listed below are the key references you should be familiar with.
1 BAS 18 Revenue

Revenue recognised when:

BAS 18 Objective

Probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity; and

These benefits can be measured reliably.

Apply principle of substance over form.

Revenue defined as gross inflows that result in increase in equity.

BAS 18 (7)

BAS 18 (8)

Sales taxes (e.g. VAT) and amounts collected by agent on behalf of principal
are excluded.

Measured as fair value of consideration discounted where appropriate.

Recognition of sale of goods: when buyer has obtained significant risks/rewards


of ownership.

BAS 18 (14)

Recognition of rendering of services: can take account of stage of completion, if


over a long period:

BAS 18 (20)

Include pro-rata costs and consider costs to complete;

If overall outcome cannot be estimated reliably, revenue limited to costs


recoverable from customer.

Practical considerations, including 'free' servicing, where revenue deferred to


cover both cost and reasonable profit.

BAS 18 (9-11)

BAS 18 (26)
BAS 18 Appendix A
(all but 9, 10, 13
and 14)

2 BAS 2 Inventories

Measurement and disclosure, but not recognition.

BAS 2 (1)

Inventories are to be measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

BAS 2 (9)

Cost = expenditure incurred in bringing the items to their present location and
condition, so the cost of purchase and the cost of conversion.

BAS 2 (10)

BAS 2 (13)

Fixed costs included by reference to normal levels of activity.

Cost formulae: FIFO or weighted average.

BAS 2 (25)

Use same formula for all inventories with similar nature.

Net realisable value takes costs to complete into account, as well as selling costs.

Disclosures include accounting policies, carrying amounts and amounts


recognised as an expense.

BAS 2 (6)
BAS 2 (36 and 38)

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Financial accounting

Answers to Self-test
1

C
Revenue recognised as agent (CU200,000 15%)
Revenue recognised as principal
Total revenue

CU
30,000
75,000
105,000

At the time of supply, revenue is recognised for the cash sale price of CU450,000. Interest will
then be accrued until payment is made. For the year ended 31 December 20X0 the interest
charge is
CU450,000 10% = CU45,000.

Revenue for the magazines should be recognised over the period in which the magazines are
despatched, provided the items are of similar value in each time period. Thus revenue recognised
in the year ended 31 January 20X8 is CU48,000 4/12 = CU16,000.

The substance of this transaction is that of a secured loan as Southwell Ltd retain the risks and
rewards of ownership and given that property prices are rising, it is highly likely that the
repurchase option will be exercised.
Initial loan:
Interest:
Total loan liability is CU5.475m

DR Cash CU5m
CR Loan CU5m
DR Interest (Income statement) (5m x 9.5%)
CR Loan

CU0.475m
CU0.475m

The sale of equipment of CU1.5m is recognised immediately.


The provision of the support service is recognised over the period of service: 2 years.
CU120,000/0.80 = CU150,000 total value of service contract.
Recognised in current period: CU150,000/2 years 4/12 = CU25,000
Total revenue: CU1.5m + CU0.025m = CU1.525m

266

Revenue is recognised when the drills are delivered to customers on payment of the final
instalment. Until then no revenue should be recognised.

If the outcome cannot be estimated reliably then recognise revenue to the extent that expenses
incurred are recoverable.

The fair value of the income receivable is recognised as income on 1 October 20X7. The
difference between this and the sale proceeds (2,400 2,202 = 198) is treated as interest and will
be recognised over the 12 month interest-free credit period.

Cost comprises all costs of purchase, conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the
inventories to their present location and condition (BAS 2 paragraph 10). Only C meets this
definition of costs. Abnormal costs such as A are effectively excluded by BAS 2 paragraph 16(a).

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

REVENUE AND INVENTORIES

10

CU

CU10,000 =
10,000
CU20,000 =
10,000
CU50,000 =
(10,000 50%)

Material
Labour
Overheads*

1.0
2.0
2.5
CU5.5
1,000

CU5,500

* based on normal production capacity (BAS 2 paragraph 13)


11

BAS 2 (paragraph 25) only allows FIFO and weighted average cost.

12

13

Because prices are rising and physical inventory levels are constant, FIFO will produce a higher
inventory figure than weighted average cost. Thus the trading loss and net current liabilities will
both be lower than if the previous policy had been retained.

14

Inventories should be measured at the lower of cost and NRV.


Cost = CU15
NRV = (21 5)
= CU16

15

Inventories should be measured at the lower of cost and NRV.


Cost
CU
90
25

Item X
Item Z
16

NRV
CU
73
30

Lower
CU
73
25
98

Cost = CU 35,000
NRV = 40,000 12,000 costs to complete + 6,000 customer contribution
= CU 34,000

17

A
NRV of widgets (500 50 50 50)
Actual cost of grommets (900 20 + 10)
Total inventories

18

CU'000
350
890
1,240

PARSON LTD
(a)

Financial statement extracts


Balance sheet as at 31 December 20X3
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings (100,000 + 8,000)
Deferred income (W2)
Current liabilities
Deferred income (W2)
Income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X3
Revenue (W1)
Finance cost (8% 100,000)

CU

108,000
280,000
340,000
CU
790,000
8,000

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Financial accounting
(b) Transaction (2) and substance over form
In a straightforward transaction its commercial effect is the same as its legal form. However, in
more complex transactions the true substance of the transaction may be different from its legal
form, with one party having the risks and rewards of ownership but another party having legal
title to the asset.
In such circumstances recording the legal form of the transaction would not be sufficient to
provide a fair presentation in the financial statements. The financial statements must be presented
fairly in order to meet the qualitative characteristic of reliability.
This transaction appears unusual as the initial sale is below fair value, which raises questions
about its substance. Parson Ltd has a call option significantly below the current fair value which is
expected to increase over time. The terms of the transaction are that it is almost certain that the
timber will be reacquired, hence this is essentially a sale and repurchase agreement.
Parson Ltd has retained the risks and rewards of ownership, even though legal title has passed.
The transaction is effectively a financing agreement secured on the timber, and does not give rise
to revenue. The proceeds of CU100,000 are therefore recognised as borrowings in non-current
liabilities. In the year to 31 December 20X3 Parson Ltd should recognise a finance cost of
CU8,000 (8% of CU100,000) which will increase the borrowings.
WORKINGS
(1) Revenue

CU
60,000

Transaction (1) (3/20 400,000)


Transaction (3)
Sale (450,000 (50,000 120% 3))
After-sales support Year 1 (50,000 120%)
Transaction (4)
Initial fee (500,000 (40,000 (W2) 5))
Continuing fee Year 1 (80,000 100/80)
(2) Deferred income
Transaction (1) (400,000 12/20, 5/20)
Transaction (3) (50,000 120% for Years 2 and 3)
Transaction (4) (100,000 60,000 for Years 2 to 5)
19

270,000
60,000
300,000
100,000
790,000
Current
CU
240,000
60,000
40,000
340,000

Non-current
CU
100,000
60,000
120,000
280,000

LATENTILE LTD
(a)

BAS 2
Accrual basis of accounting
The cost of unsold or unconsumed inventories is incurred in the expectation of future economic
benefits. When such benefits will not arise until a subsequent accounting period, the related costs
should be carried forward and matched with the revenue when it arises. The recognition of yearend inventories achieves this carry forward.
Going concern basis of accounting
The very act of recognising closing inventories as assets implies that the business intends to
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.
If the business did not intend to continue trading, its inventories would have to be written off as
an item of expenditure during the period, unless there was clear evidence that they could be sold
as part of the breaking up of the business. In this case, the selling price should be determined and
inventories measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value in the usual way.

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REVENUE AND INVENTORIES

(b) Suggested methods of valuing inventories


Given the limited information the following methods would be appropriate in the circumstances.
Raw material
BAS 2 allows either a first in, first out (FIFO) formula or a weighted average cost (WAC)
formula.
Given the fact that clay is presumably continually added to the machinery, WAC would seem the
most appropriate basis.
CU
100,000 kgs @ 30p
30,000
200,000 kgs @ 32p
64,000
20,000 kgs @ 31p
6,200
320,000
100,200
= 31.3p per kg
Closing raw materials would therefore be measured at CU33,804 (108,000 31.3p).
Work in progress
This could be measured using a weighted average cost, given that total cost and total output are
known.
Total output (800,000 + (60% 50,000)
Total costs (excluding distribution costs)
Thus average cost per unit CU747,000 = 90p
830,000
Carrying amount of WIP (50,000 60% 90p)

830,000 units
CU747,000

CU27,000

Finished goods
Again, a weighted cost could be used of 90p per unit. This would be applicable to 50,000 units,
with the remaining 20,000 units being measured at net realisable value of 65p (75p 10p).
CU
45,000
13,000
58,000

50,000 at 90p
20,000 at 65p
Thus inventories would appear as follows.
Raw material
Work in progress
Finished goods
(c)

CU
33,804
27,000
58,000
118,804

Alternative valuation method for finished goods


If details regarding total costs were not known, adjusted selling price could be used since the cost
structure is known.
Normal selling price (75p discounted price 3/2)
Less Gross profit (112.5 25/125)
Cost re 50,000

p
112.5
(22.5)
90.0

Thus finished goods inventories would be measured as before.


BAS 2 allows the above practice, used by the retail industry, on the basis that the result can be a
very close approximation to cost.

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Financial accounting

Answers to Interactive questions

Answer to Interactive question 1


(a)

Costs to complete are CU90,000


As each of the total revenue, the costs incurred and the costs to complete can be estimated reliably,
revenue can be recognised by the percentage of completion method, so 33.3% of CU210,000 =
CU70,000.
Note. The project is profitable overall (total revenue CU210,000, total costs CU135,000), so no
provision for a contract loss need be made.

(b) Costs to complete cannot be estimated reliably


As the outcome of the overall contract cannot be estimated reliably, revenue is recognised to the
extent of the costs incurred which are recoverable, i.e. CU40,000. The current period therefore
recognises the contract loss to date of CU5,000.

Answer to Interactive question 2

In substance, this is a secured loan; no revenue should be recognised in the income statement.

Through the rights of access and supervision, together with the right to build on the land, Builder Ltd
has retained the risks and rewards of ownership over the building plot, so should show it as an asset in
its balance sheet.

The fact that the consideration for the sale on 1 March 20X6 is so far below the valuation is further
evidence that the transaction is in substance a two-year loan, with the CU400,000 difference between
the selling and repurchase prices being interest on the loan.

The right to repurchase in the future for much less than the current valuation (making the exercise of
the repurchase right almost a certainty) is further evidence that this is not a real sale.

So Builder Ltd will show the building plot in its 28 February 20X7 balance sheet as a current asset (as
it will be realised in the normal course of its operating cycle) at its original acquisition cost (not given
in the Interactive Question).

In the same balance sheet it will show the CU1.5m received on 1 March 20X6 as a current liability (as
it will be settled in the normal course of its operating cycle the fact that it is repayable more than 12
months of the balance sheet date is not relevant), together with any unpaid part of the CU400,000
interest which is attributable to the first year of the loan.

The appropriate part of the total interest will be charged to the income statement for the year ended
28 February 20X7.

Answer to Interactive question 3


After-sales support (2 (35,000/82.5%))
Remainder
Total selling price

CU
84,848
715,152
800,000

So the revenue in the current year is

715,152

This allocation is in line with BAS 18 Appendix paragraph 11.

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REVENUE AND INVENTORIES

Answer to Interactive question 4


Include in cost of
inventories
Supplier's gross price for raw materials

Yes

Quantity discounts allowed by supplier

Yes

Purchase taxes and duties charged by supplier and


recoverable from taxing authorities

n/a, because
recoverable

Costs of transporting materials to the business' premises

Yes

Labour costs directly incurred in the processing of raw


materials

Yes

Variable costs, such as power, incurred in the processing


of raw materials

Yes

Fixed production costs/overheads, such as rent for the


processing factory and depreciation charges on the plant
used in the processing

Yes, but see


commentary in text

Recognised as an
expense as
incurred

n/a, because
recoverable

Costs of holding finished goods in inventory

Yes

Costs of transporting goods to customer on sale

Yes

Purchase taxes charged to customer on sale

Yes

Commission payable to salesmen on sale of the goods

Yes

Allowance for bad and doubtful debts in relation to trade


receivables

Yes

Costs of accounts department

Yes

Head office costs relating to the overall management of


the business

Yes

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chapter 8

Leases
Contents
Introduction
Examination context
Topic List
1

Obtaining non-current assets

Types of lease

Accounting for finance leases

Allocating and calculating finance charges

Disclosure

Finance leases: other issues

Operating leases

Summary and Self-test


Technical reference
Answers to Self-test
Answers to Interactive questions

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Financial accounting

Introduction

Learning objectives

Understand the purpose and principles underlying BAS 17 Leases

Classify leases as finance or operating and explain the classification

Apply accounting requirements for:

Finance leases, including initial recognition, allocation of finance charges and


presentation and disclosure

Operating leases, including disclosures

Tick off

Prepare simple extracts from the financial statements in accordance with Companies Act and
BFRS.

Specific syllabus references for this chapter are: 2c.

Practical significance
Many companies spend large amounts of money on buildings, fittings and equipment, in order to carry on
their business.
However, it is possible to obtain the use of such assets in a number of different ways. The asset might be
purchased outright for cash or by obtaining long or short-term finance. Alternatively, the asset might simply
be rented. The commercial nature and accounting treatment of these transactions differ.
In a leasing arrangement, a company acquires the use of an asset but also obtains financial support in the
form of finance from the company which owns the asset. Historically, the accounting treatment of leases
has been controversial.
In the past some lease agreements were introduced by financing organisations that were made to look like
rental agreements but where in fact the substance of the transaction was that a non-current asset was
purchased on credit. These companies effectively 'owned' an asset and 'owed' a debt for its purchase, but
showed neither the asset nor the liability on the balance sheet because they were not required to do so.
Leasing transactions are extremely common so this is an important practical subject. Lease accounting is
now regulated by BAS 17, which was introduced because of abuses in the use of lease accounting by
companies described above. The debate on the accounting for leases, however, is ongoing and fundamental
changes are expected in the future.

Stop and think


Why do you think a company's management might wish to use leasing arrangements to give the appearance
of renting rather than owning an asset?

Working context
You may well come across leasing (and hire purchase) in the context of audit engagements. The technical
detail of auditing leases is covered in the Audit and Assurance paper. However, typical procedures might
involve verifying the agreements, reviewing the substance of the transactions and ensuring that these are
correctly stated in the financial statements.

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LEASES

Syllabus links
In the Accounting paper, you covered the purchase of non-current assets and the relevant balance sheet
entries. You will have also dealt with renting such assets and the relevant entries to the income statement.
As you will see, many of these accounting entries will be relevant as you go on to consider finance leases
and operating leases in this paper.
In Financial Accounting you are only expected to be familiar with the accounting treatment of leases from
the lessee's point of view (i.e. the user of the asset).
Lessor accounting and sale and leaseback arrangements are covered in the Financial & Corporate Reporting
syllabus.
Lease accounting also raises the issue of substance over form which you will encounter in various contexts
in this paper and in Financial & Corporate Reporting at the Advanced Stage.

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Financial accounting

Examination context

Exam requirements
Leasing could be examined as part of a mixed question, requiring you to calculate the value of finance leases
in the balance sheet and the appropriate finance costs in the income statement. However, it could also be
examined in its own right, perhaps including a discussion of the principle of substance over form. (The
sample paper included this style of question on leasing.)
This topic may also be examined by short-form question.
In the examination, candidates may be required to:

276

Explain and apply the principle of substance over form.


Prepare and present financial statements or extracts therefrom in accordance with BAS 17 Leases.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

LEASES

1 Obtaining non-current assets


Section overview

1.1

Certain types of contracts where a company leases an asset from another company are very similar in
substance to the outright purchase of that asset.

If these leases are accounted for in accordance with their strict legal form, a companys assets and
liabilities are likely to be understated.

Failing to record the true substance of the transaction is an example of 'off-balance sheet' financing.

BAS 17 Leases states that the substance of the transaction takes precedence over the legal form even
if the legal title never passes from lessor to lessee.

Using assets
There are many different ways of gaining use of an asset: for example, you can buy a car or hire it. In both
cases, you are able to drive the car, but your rights over the car differ in each case.
As far as this chapter is concerned in effect you have two choices.
Buy the asset

Simply, you pay to own the asset, in order to access the benefits it can give you.

You are legally the owner of the asset (i.e. you have legal title.)

You can do what you like with it, and you get all the risks and rewards of
owning the asset.

In the financial statements, the asset will be treated as a non-current asset. For
relevant accounting issues, see Chapter 5.
Of course, the company might pay for the asset a couple of months later, on
standard credit terms. This is then a simple credit purchase.
Hire or lease the
asset

If you hire or lease an asset, you are paying someone else for the use of that asset.
It is the owners property, but you are getting the benefits from using it. (In a hire
purchase agreement, ownership only transfers to you once you have paid for it,
and this is typically over a long period.)
The accounting treatment depends on the circumstances:
(a)

Say a company hires a car for one of its staff for a couple of days; the car is
not an asset of the company, it is just being hired for a couple of days, and
the owner retains the benefit of owning the car (e.g. to hire it out to other
people) over the rest of the asset's useful life.

(b) However, a company might lease the car for a guaranteed period of three
years or so, and has sole use of it, be responsible for maintaining it and so on.
The company may also be obliged to enter a long-term agreement to pay the
supplier. The company might end up owning the car at the end of the period.
The example in (b) above shows that, for practical purposes, the company has acquired the use of a noncurrent asset, and all the risks and rewards of owning it. The car is being used as if it is a non-current asset,
even though, legally speaking, it belongs to a third party. In many ways this is similar to purchasing the asset
outright.

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1.2

Leasing agreements
As we have said, one way by which businesses can obtain the use of an asset is by a leasing agreement.

Definition
Lease: An agreement whereby the lessor conveys to the lessee in return for a payment or series of
payments the right to use an asset for an agreed period of time.

In a leasing transaction, there is a contract between the lessor and the lessee for the hire of an asset.

The lessor is owner and supplier of the asset.


The lessee is the user of the asset.

The lessor retains legal ownership but transfers to the lessee the right to use the asset for an agreed period
of time in return for specified payments.

1.3

Substance over form


It is a principle of accounting that the commercial substance of a transaction should be reflected in
financial statements rather than the legal form. This is a consequence of BFRS Framework requirement to
represent transactions faithfully.
There are many types of leasing arrangements. By entering into certain sorts of lease, a company is, in
effect, gaining the use of a non-current asset whilst incurring a long-term liability. Where the commercial
substance of the transaction is the purchase of a non-current asset, this should be reflected in the
accounting treatment despite the legal form of the rental agreement.
BAS 17 gives guidance as to the accounting treatment depending on the terms of the leasing transaction,
which are discussed in section 2.

2 Types of lease
Section overview

278

BAS 17 recognises two types of lease:

Finance leases, in which the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred from the lessor to
the lessee, and

Operating leases: all other leases.

Inception is when the provisions are agreed: commencement is when the lessee can use the leased
asset (and when the values agreed at inception are recognised in the financial statements).

For leases of land and buildings, land is normally treated as an operating lease, buildings as a finance
lease.

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2.1

Classification of a lease
As mentioned above, there are two types of leases.

Definition
Finance lease: A lease that transfers substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of an
asset. Title may or may not eventually be transferred.
Operating lease: A lease other than a finance lease.

From these definitions you can see that the classification of a lease is based on the extent to which the risks
and rewards of ownership lie with the legal owner, the lessor, or are transferred to the user, the lessee.
If a lease transfers substantially all the risks and rewards normally associated with the ownership of
an asset it should be classified as a finance lease. All other leases should be classified as operating
leases.
BAS 17 provides the following examples of the key risks and rewards incidental to ownership of an asset.
Risk

Possibility of losses arising from:

Rewards

Potential gains arising from:

2.2

Idle capacity
Technological obsolescence
Falls in value due to changing economic conditions

Profitable use of the asset over its economic life


Future sale of the asset where it has increased in value

Identifying finance leases


BAS 17 also provides examples of situations that individually or in combination would normally lead to a
lease being classified as a finance lease.
These include the following circumstances where:

The terms of the lease are such that ownership of the asset transfers to the lessee by the end
of the lease term e.g. a hire purchase agreement

The lessee has the option to purchase the asset at such a price that it is reasonably certain
from the outset that the option will be exercised

The lease term is for the major part of the economic life of the asset even if legal title is never
transferred (see section 2.5 below).

At the inception of the lease the present value of the minimum lease payments amounts
to at least substantially all of the fair value of the leased asset (see sections 2.3 and 2.4 below)

The leased assets are of such a specialised nature that only the lessee can use them without major
modifications

Other indicators listed by BAS 17 that could also lead to the lease being classified as a finance lease
are:

Whether cancellation losses are borne by the lessee

Whether fluctuations in fair value at the end of the lease accrue to the lessee

Whether the lessee has the option to extend the lease for a secondary period at a
'peppercorn rent'. (i.e. below market rent)

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2.3

Present value of the minimum lease payments


A persuasive factor in classifying a lease as a finance lease is if at the inception of the lease the present
value of the minimum lease payments amounts to at least substantially all of the fair value of
the leased asset.

Definition
Minimum lease payments: Payments over the lease term that the lessee is or can be required to make,
excluding contingent rent, costs for services and taxes to be paid by and reimbursed to the lessor, together
with any amounts guaranteed by the lessee or by a party related to the lessee.

The minimum lease payments are what the lessee (or a party related to the lessee) has to make
over the life of the lease. However, as these payments are some time in the future, a discount factor is
applied to reach a 'present value' of these amounts, in other words a cash equivalent.
This is then compared to the asset's fair value.

Definition
Fair value: The amount for which an asset could be exchanged, or a liability settled, between
knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm's length transaction.

Worked example: Fair value


Alpha Ltd agrees to pay Beta Ltd a sum of CU1,000 each year for four years, a total of CU4,000. Assuming
prevailing interest rates at the time of the agreement were 5%, the present value would be CU3,546. If the
present value at the date of the agreement is more than or 'substantially all' of the fair value then this would
indicate a finance lease. Effectively, Alpha Ltd is buying an asset from Beta Ltd, who is providing loan finance.

Point to note
In the examination you will not be expected to calculate the present value of the minimum lease payments.
Where relevant the information in the question will include the discounted figure.

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Interactive question 1: What type of lease?

[Difficulty level: Easy]

Classify the following situations as finance or operating leases. You will have to do some thinking here.
Question
(a)

Fill in your answer

A company leases machine tools. Legal title is


transferred after three years.

(b) A company leases a photocopier. The present


value of minimum lease payments is CU2,000
but the fair value of the asset is CU10,000.
(c)

A company leases a car for a sales


representative for a five-year period, after
which the car will have come to the end of its
useful economic life.

(d) A company acquires some equipment made


bespoke to its specifications. To sell the
equipment to a third party would require
substantial modification.
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

2.4

When does a lease actually begin?


A lease should be classified as operating or finance at inception.
There is a difference between commencement and inception.
Inception. This is when the terms of the lease, including the financial settlement, are agreed (which may be
the contract signing date or, if earlier, the date when the main terms were agreed).
For example, a company might agree to lease equipment, with agreed payments every year. However, it
may be some time before the company uses the equipment especially if it is new.
At inception: the lease is classified as a finance or operating lease
the values, in the case of a finance lease, are determined.
Commencement. This is the date when the lessee can use the leased asset. For example, a company
leasing a building may move in several months after the lease contract was agreed. The commencement
date is also the date when the values determined at inception are recognised in the financial statements.
In many cases, the dates are not far apart. Remember, however, that the value of the leased asset and
consequent liability shown in the financial statements are normally those at the inception of the lease.

2.5

The lease term


Once classified, the classification should remain throughout the lease term.
In a leasing transaction, the lease term is the length of the agreement between lessor and lessee.

Definition
Lease term: The non-cancellable period for which the lessee has contracted to lease the asset together
with any further terms for which the lessee has the option to continue to lease the asset, with or without
further payment, when at the inception of the lease it is reasonably certain that the lessee will exercise the
option.

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With a finance lease the lease term might be divided into two periods.
Primary period

During the primary period the lease will either be non-cancellable or will be
cancellable only under certain conditions, for example on the payment of a heavy
settlement figure.
The rentals payable during the primary period will be sufficient to repay to
the lessor the cost of the equipment plus interest thereon.

Secondary period

The secondary period is usually cancellable at any time at the lessee's option.
The rentals during the secondary period will be of a nominal amount.
(sometimes referred to as a 'peppercorn rent')
If the lessee wishes to terminate the lease during the secondary period, the
equipment will be sold and substantially all of the sale proceeds will be paid to
the lessee as a rebate of rentals.

2.6

Land and buildings


Leases of land and buildings are classified as operating or finance leases in the same way as the leases of
other assets. However due to the differing characteristics of land and buildings BAS 17 requires that the
land and buildings elements of a single lease are considered separately for classification
purposes.
Land

A characteristic of land is that it normally has an indefinite economic life. As a result, a


lease of land is normally treated as an operating lease (unless ownership of the land
passes to the lessee during the lease term) as the lessee does not receive substantially all of
the risks and rewards of ownership.
Where land has a limited life e.g. where it is used as a landfill site it may be classified as a
finance lease (depending on the assessment of any other relevant factors).

Buildings

As buildings normally have a finite economic life a lease of a building may be treated as
a finance lease depending on the full terms of the lease (see sections 2.1 and 2.2 above).

Problem

Solution

How do you work out how much of the minimum


lease payments to allocate to buildings and how
much to land?

Work out the relative fair values of the leasehold


interests at the inception of the lease, and split the
payment according to these proportions.

What happens if you cannot allocate the minimum


lease payments between land and buildings?

Treat everything as a finance lease (unless clear


that both elements are operating leases.)

What happens if the land is immaterial?

Treat everything as buildings.

(See Worked example: Lease of land and buildings in section 8.)

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3 Accounting for finance leases


Section overview

3.1

In the balance sheet, assets held under finance leases are treated as non-current assets and payables
or finance lease liabilities.

The asset is depreciated and otherwise treated as any other non-current asset.

Lease payments reduce the liability and cover any accrued interest.

The lessee has to allocate the finance charge between accounting periods.

The finance charge is charged to the income statement.

Setting up balance sheet accounts


BAS 17 requires that, when an asset changes hands under a finance lease, the accounting treatment
should reflect the substance of the transaction. In the lessee's books therefore:
DEBIT
CREDIT

Asset account
Payables: Finance lease liabilities

The amount to be recorded in this way is the lower of


the fair value and the present value of the minimum
lease payments at the inception of the lease

The initial deposit, if any, counts as one of the lease payments and hence is included in the cost of the asset.
Points to note

3.2

The entries are made at the commencement of the lease term, with the values determined at
inception (see section 2.4 above).

The present value of the minimum lease payments is derived by discounting them at the interest rate
implicit in the lease. If it is not practicable to determine the interest rate implied in the lease, then
the lessee's incremental borrowing rate can be used.

Initial direct costs can be treated as part of the cost of the asset provided they are directly
attributable to activities performed by the lessee to obtain the finance lease.

Although interest is payable under the lease, this is accrued over time. The justification is that the
capital could, in theory, be paid off at any time, with cancellation charges. These charges could be
avoided, so they are not a 'true' long term liability. Interest is therefore recognised as it accrues.

Depreciating the asset


DEBIT
CREDIT

Depreciation expense
Accumulated depreciation

The asset should be depreciated over the shorter of the


lease term or the asset's useful life

Points to note
1

Depreciation policies adopted should be consistent with other non-current assets.

As with other non-current assets, impairment reviews must be conducted in accordance with BAS 36
Impairment of Assets.

If there is reasonable certainty that the lessee will eventually own the asset, then it should be
depreciated over its estimated useful life.

The lease term comprises the period for which the lessee has contracted to lease the asset and any
further terms for which there is reasonable certainty at the inception of the lease that the lessee will
exercise the option. (See section 2.5)

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3.3

Making the payment


Every period, the payments are accounted for as follows.
DEBIT
Payables: Finance lease liabilities
CREDIT Cash

3.4

Each lease payment is comprised partly of a repayment of


capital and partly of an interest charge for the period.
(See section 3.4 below)

Finance charge
The finance charge is dealt with as follows.
DEBIT

Income statement: Finance cost

CREDIT Payables: Finance lease liabilities

With the amount of the interest accrued over the period

4 Allocating and calculating finance charges


Section overview

The two main methods of calculating the finance charge and allocating it to accounting periods are:

4.1

The actuarial method


The sum of digits method.

How much interest is payable in total?


This is relatively easy to calculate.
Total lease payments
Less initial cost of asset (as calculated in section 3.1)
Total finance charge (= interest)

CU
X
(X)
(X)

The finance charge is allocated to the income statement over the period for which the finance is provided,
from the commencement of the lease term until the last payment is made. (If payments are made in
advance, the last payment might be made before the end of the lease term.)

4.2

Allocating the interest charge to accounting periods


BAS 17 requires the total finance charge to be allocated to each period during the lease term so as to
produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the outstanding lease obligation.
As the lessee pays off the capital sum, the total capital owed falls from period to period. You would
therefore also expect a reduction in the total interest payable, too, on the outstanding balance.
For example, if you owe CU10,000 and pay 15%, the interest will be CU1,500. After you have paid off, say,
CU8,000 of the capital, interest would be CU300 (on CU2,000). The monthly payments remain the same,
but the mix of interest and capital changes over the life of the loan.
There are three possible methods of allocating the interest.
Actuarial
method

Interest is charged at a constant percentage on the outstanding liability, thus matching


interest to the 'loan' balance.
This method is specified by BAS 17, as it is the most accurate. However, to apply it,
the rate of interest implicit in the lease is required.

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'Sum of digits'
method

This method is a 'reasonable' approximation to the actuarial method where the


implicit rate of interest is not known.
The sum of digits method splits the total interest (without reference to a rate of
interest) in such a way that the greater proportion falls in the earlier years. The
procedure is as follows.
(a)

Assign a digit to each instalment. The digit 1 should be assigned to the final
instalment, 2 to the penultimate instalment and so on.

(b)

Add the digits. A quick method of adding the digits is to use the formula
n(n 1)
where n is the number of periods of borrowing. If there are twelve
2
instalments paid in arrears, then the sum of the digits will be 78. For this reason,
the sum of the digits method is sometimes called the rule of 78.

(c)

Calculate the interest charge included in each instalment. Do this by multiplying


the total interest accruing over the lease term by the fraction:
Digit applicable to the instalment
Sum of the digits

Straight line
method

A constant amount of interest is charged each period, hence interest does not match
the amount outstanding of the loan. Therefore this method is not normally allowed,
except where the amounts involved are immaterial.

Worked example: Rentals in arrears


A Ltd has a year end of 31 December.
A finance lease commences on 1 January 20X1. Lease payments comprise three payments of CU10,000
annually, commencing on 31 December 20X1. The asset would have cost CU24,869 to buy outright.
The implicit interest rate is 10%.
You are required to calculate the interest charge and the year-end liability for each year of the lease under:
(a) Straight line method
(b) Actuarial method
(c) Sum of digits method.

Solution
Total finance charges to be allocated:

CU
30,000
(24,869)
5,131

Total lease payments


Less initial cost of asset
Total finance charge (interest)
(a)

Straight line method


Allocation of interest to periods:
20X1-20X3 =

5,131
= 1,710
3
CR
Balance b/f

20X1
20X2
20X3

1 Jan
CU
24,869
16,579
8,289

LEASE LIABILITY
CR
DR
Interest
Payment
accrued
31 Dec
31 Dec
CU
CU
1,710
(10,000)
1,710
(10,000)
1,711
(10,000)
5,131
30,000

CR
Capital
balance
c/f 31 Dec
CU
16,579
8,289

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(b) Actuarial method
CR
Balance
b/f
1 Jan
CU
24,869
17,356
9,092

20X1
20X2
20X3
(c)

LEASE LIABILITY
CR
DR
Interest
Payment
accrued
31 Dec
@10%
31 Dec
CU
CU
2,487
(10,000)
1,736
(10,000)
908
(10,000)
5,131
30,000

CR
Balance
c/f
31 Dec
CU
17,356
9,092

Sum of digits method


Each period of borrowing is allocated a digit as follows:
Period of borrowing
Digit
1st (20X1)
3
2nd (20X2)
2
3rd (20X3)
1
6
Or using the formula

3 4
=
2

Point to note
In this example, as the instalments are paid in arrears the number of periods of borrowing (n in the
formula) are equal to the number of instalments.
The CU5,131 interest charges can then be apportioned
1st period of borrowing
2nd period of borrowing
3rd period of borrowing

20X1
20X2
20X3

CU
2,566
1,710
855
5,131

CU5,131 3/6
CU5,131 2/6
CU5,131 1/6
LEASE LIABILITY
CR
CR
Balance b/f
Interest
1 Jan
accrued
31 Dec
CU
CU
24,869
2,566
17,435
1,710
9,145
855
5,131

DR
Payment
31 Dec
CU
(10,000)
(10,000)
(10,000)
30,000

CR
Capital
balance c/f
31 Dec
CU
17,435
9,145
-

Point to note
The year-end liability for 20X1 is CU17,435. This balance is all capital. Any interest which has
accrued during the year has been settled by the first instalment because the instalment was paid on
the last day of the year.

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4.3

Instalments in advance
As we have seen in the examples above, interest accrues over time and is included in the payment at the
end of each period of borrowing. However, where instalments are paid in advance:

The first instalment repays capital only as no time has yet elapsed for interest to accrue.

At the end of each accounting period the year-end liability will include capital and interest that has
accrued to date but which has not been paid.

Worked example: Rentals in advance


A Ltd has a year end of 31 December.
A finance lease commences 1 January 20X1. Lease payments comprise four payments of CU10,000 annually,
commencing on 1 January 20X1. The asset would have cost CU34,869 to buy outright.
The interest rate implicit in the lease is 10%.
Requirements
Calculate the lease interest charge for each year of the lease under
(a)
(b)

Actuarial method
Sum of digits method.

Using the actuarial method also calculate the year end liability for each year of the lease.

Solution
CU
40,000
34,869
5,131

Total payments (4 10,000)


Less cost of asset
Total interest
Point to note

The last payment is made on 1.1.X4. This is three years after the start of the lease. Therefore the loan is
in existence for three years and interest is charged over this period, i.e. in the income statement for 20X1,
20X2 and 20X3.
(a)

Actuarial method

20X1
20X2
20X3
20X4

CR
Balance
b/f
1 Jan

DR
Payment
1 Jan

CU
34,869
27,356
19,092
10,000

CU
(10,000)
(10,000)
(10,000)
(10,000)
40,000

LEASE LIABILITY
CR
Capital
balance
remaining
1 Jan
CU
24,869
17,356
9,092

CR
Interest
accrued
@10%
31 Dec
CU
2,487
1,736
908

5,131

CR
Balance
c/f
31 Dec
CU
27,356
19,092
10,000

Points to note
1

As the first instalment is paid on 1 January 20X1 it is purely a repayment of capital as no time
has passed for interest to accrue.

The year-end liability is made up of the capital outstanding plus any interest accrued to
date.

The payment of CU10,000 on 1 January 20X2 will pay the interest accrued in 20X1
(CU2,487) with the balance repaying capital.

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(b) Sum of digits
Total interest = CU5,131
Each period of borrowing is allocated a digit as follows:
Period of borrowing
1st (20X1 settled by instalment 2)
2nd (20X2 settled by instalment 3)
3rd (20X3 settled by instalment 4)

Or using the formula,

Digit
3
2
1
6

3 4
=
2

Point to note
In this case as the instalments are paid in advance the periods of borrowing (n in the formula) are the
number of instalments minus one.
The CU5,131 interest charges can then be apportioned.
1st period of borrowing
2nd period of borrowing
3rd period of borrowing

CU5,131 3/6
CU5,131 2/6
CU5,131 1/6

CU
2,566
1,710
855
5,131

The year-end liability would then be calculated using the same method as has been used for the
actuarial method above. So for example at the end of 20X1 the liability would be CU27,435 calculated
as follows:
LEASE LIABILITY

20X1

CR
Balance b/f
1 Jan
CU
34,869

DR
Payment 1 Jan
CU
(10,000)

CR
Capital balance
remaining 1 Jan
CU
24,869

CR
Interest accrued
at 31 Dec
CU
2,566

CR
Balance c/f
31 Dec
CU
27,435

5 Disclosure
Section overview

The key balance sheet disclosures are:

5.1

The split and analysis of the finance lease liability.


The carrying amount of non-current assets held under finance leases.

Balance sheet liability


The balance sheet liability needs to be split between:

The current liability


The non-current liability

Point to note
The non-current liability will comprise only capital outstanding. No interest will be included as any interest
due at the end of the next year will not yet have accrued.

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The steps to split the liability are therefore:

Step 1
Identify the capital balance remaining in one year's time. (This can be found in the lease calculation table.)

Step 2
Deduct the capital balance remaining in one year's time from the total liability at the balance sheet date.
This will give the amount due within one year as a balancing figure.

Interactive question 2: Rentals in arrears

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

Using the facts from the Worked example: Rentals in arrears, part (b), show the split of the lease liability at
the end of 20X1.
Fill in the gaps in the extract below.
The lease liability extract from the Worked example: Rentals in arrears, part (b) is as follows:
CR
Balance
b/f
1 Jan
CU
24,869
17,356

20X1 (current period)


20X2 (future periods)

Lease liability
CR
DR
Interest
Payment
accrued
31 Dec
@10%
31 Dec
CU
CU
2,487
(10,000)
1,736
(10,000)

CR
Capital
balance
c/f
31 Dec
CU
17,356
9,092

Solution
Total lease liability at 31 December 20X1 = CU

Capital > 1 year

< 1 year ()

= CU

= CU

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

Interactive question 3: Rentals in advance

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

Requirement
Using the facts from the Worked example: Rentals in advance, part (a), show the split of the lease liability at
the end of 20X1.
Fill in the gaps in the extract below.
The lease liability extract from the Worked example: Rentals in advance, part (a) is as follows:

20X1 (current period)


20X2 (future periods)

CR
Balance
b/f
1 Jan

DR
Payment
1 Jan

CU
34,869
27,356

CU
(10,000)
(10,000)

Lease liability
CR
Capital
balance
remaining
1 Jan
CU
24,869
17,356

CR
Interest
accrued
@10%
31 Dec
CU
2,487
1,736

CR
Balance
c/f
31 Dec
CU
27,356
19,092

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Solution
Total lease liability at 31 December 20X1 = CU

Capital > 1 year

< 1 year ()

= CU

= CU

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

5.2

Other disclosures
Point to note
The leased assets and lease liabilities may not be netted off against each other.
Non-current assets

Disclosure must be made of the carrying amount of assets held under finance leases as follows:
'Of the total carrying amount of CUX, CUY relates to assets held under finance leases.'

All other BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment disclosures are required, together with BAS 36
impairment tests (both dealt with in Chapter 5).

Liabilities

Finance lease liabilities must be split between their current and non-current components (as we
saw in section 5.1).

BAS 17 also requires disclosure of future lease payments, split between amounts due:

Within one year


Within two to five years
After more than five years

This disclosure must be given both:

On a gross basis, i.e. showing gross future lease payments for each of the three categories, then
deducting as a single figure the future periods finance charges to arrive at the net figure included in
liabilities.

On a net basis, i.e. excluding from each of the three categories the finance charges allocated to future
periods (and hence not yet accrued).

Interactive question 4: Disclosure

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

The facts are as detailed in Interactive question 3.


Requirement
Show the disclosure of the analysis of finance lease liabilities at the end of 20X1 required by BAS 17.

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Complete the proforma below.


(a)

Gross basis
CU
Finance lease liabilities include:
Gross lease payments due within:
One year
Two to five years
Less finance charges allocated to future periods

(b) Net basis


CU
Finance lease liabilities include:
Amounts due within:
One year
Two to five years

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

Other disclosures

In the case of most entities, the BAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements requirement to disclose
significant accounting policies would result in the disclosure of the policy in respect of finance leases.

BAS 17 requires a general description of material leasing arrangements to be included.

6 Finance leases: other issues


Section overview

Other issues include:

6.1

Secondary periods and peppercorn rentals


Non-annual payments
Initial deposit.

Secondary periods and peppercorn rentals


A finance lease may contain an option for the lessee to extend the lease for a secondary period at a nominal
(peppercorn) rental. This rental will be immaterial and can be ignored in the calculations.
However, the optional extension period counts as part of the lease term if the lessee is reasonably
certain at the outset to exercise the option to extend the lease. This therefore impacts on the
depreciation calculations, because the secondary period is counted when identifying the asset's useful
life. (See section 3.2)

6.2

Non-annual payments
Many leases in practice have monthly, quarterly or six-monthly payments. The lease calculations must be
performed for each credit period (interval between payments).

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6.3

Initial deposit
A lease may include an initial deposit payment prior to the commencement of the regular lease payments.
This initial payment counts as part of the minimum lease payments and therefore as part of the cost of
the asset.
In the lease calculations, deduct the initial deposit from the initial liability.
The recording at the commencement of the lease term will therefore be in two steps:

Step 1
Record liability and non-current asset
CU
DR Non-current assets cost
CR Payables: Finance lease liabilities

CU

X
X

Step 2
Reduce initial liability by amount of deposit paid
CU
DR Payables: Finance lease liabilities
CR Cash

Interactive question 5: Summary

CU

X
X
[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

A company leases an asset on 1 January 20X1. The terms of the lease are to pay a non-refundable deposit
of CU575 followed by seven annual instalments of CU2,000 payable in arrears. The fair value of the asset
(equivalent to the present value of minimum lease payments) on 1 January 20X1 is CU10,000.
Requirements
Calculate the interest charge in the income statement and the finance lease liability in the balance sheet for
the year ended 31 December 20X1 using the:
(a) Actuarial method, where the interest rate implicit in the lease is 11%.
(b) Sum of digits method.
Fill in the proforma below.
(a)

Actuarial method
CU
Income Statement (extract)
Finance costs (Working)
Balance Sheet (extract)
Non-current liabilities
Finance lease liability (Working)
Current liabilities
Finance lease liability (Working)

WORKINGS

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LEASES

(b) Sum of digits method


CU
Income Statement (extract)
Finance costs (W)
Balance Sheet (extract)
Non-current liabilities
Finance lease liability (W)
Current liabilities
Finance lease liability (W)

WORKINGS

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

7 Operating leases
Section overview

7.1

Operating lease rentals are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease
term.

Accounting for operating leases


As we saw in section 2 an operating lease is a lease other than a finance lease.
Operating leases do not really pose an accounting problem as the substance and the legal situation are
the same, i.e. the lessee does not own the leased asset either legally or in substance. The lessee is simply
renting the asset and the rental expense is charged to the income statement.

7.2

Balance sheet display and income statement charge


BAS 17 requires the lease payments under an operating lease to be charged on a straight-line basis over
the lease term, even if the payments are not made on such a basis, unless another systematic and
rational basis is more representative of the time pattern of the users benefit. Hence, if lease payments are
not made evenly, an accrual or prepayment will be recorded in the balance sheet.

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Worked example: Operating leases


Under an operating lease agreement, Williamson Ltd pays a non-returnable deposit of CU100,000 and then
three years rental of CU100,000 per annum on the first day of each year.
You are required to calculate the charge to the income statement for each year, and any balance in the
balance sheet at the end of the first year.

Solution
Income statement charge

100,000 300,000
3 years

= CU133,333
Balance sheet at end of year 1:
Paid in year
Charged in income statement
Prepayment

CU
200,000
(133,333)
66,667

Point to note
A premium paid for the lease of land and buildings would be treated in the same way as this non-returnable
deposit.

7.3

Disclosures
BAS 17 and other BASs require disclosure of:

The accounting policy for operating leases.

Operating lease payments charged as an expense for the period.

In respect only of non-cancellable operating leases, a commitments note showing the total
lease payments that the lessee is committed to paying in the coming years, analysed by amounts
due:
Within one year
Within two to five years
After more than five years

Note that this disclosure is both the same as and different from that for finance leases in section 5.2
above:
The disclosures are the same in terms of the time periods over which the payments must be
analysed.
They are different in that for finance leases the analysis is of amounts appearing in the balance
sheet within liabilities, whereas for operating leases the analysis is just of commitments. Note
also that for operating leases there can be no separate disclosure of any equivalent of the
finance charges for finance leases.

294

A general description of significant leasing arrangements.

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LEASES

Interactive question 6: Operating leases

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

Stone Ltd has the following outstanding non-cancellable operating lease commitments at its balance sheet
date:

Rental on buildings of CU100,000 per annum for 15 years


Rental on plant of CU30,000 per annum for three years
Rental on cars of CU40,000 for 11 months.

Requirement
Complete the operating lease commitment note to be included in Stone Ltds accounts.
Fill in the proforma below.
The minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are:
CU
Within one year
Within two to five years
After five years
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

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Summary and Self-test

Summary

BAS 17 Leases standardises the accounting treatment and disclosure of


assets held under lease. It follows the substance over form principle.
BAS 17 recognises two types of lease.

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LEASES

Self-test
Answer the following questions.
1

Henry acquired a lorry on a finance lease. The details were as follows.


Date of acquisition
Cash price
Deposit
Quarterly lease payments

1 January 20X8
CU20,000
CU5,000
12 @ CU1,800

The charge for interest is to be spread over the three year period on the sum of digits basis. The
payments are made on the last day of each quarter.
In accordance with BAS 17 Leases how much interest would be allocated to the fifth quarterly
payment?
A
B
C
D
2

CU700
CU677
CU550
CU423

Sam acquired a motor car on a finance lease. The details were as follows.
Date of acquisition
Cash price
Deposit
Monthly lease payments

1 July 20X6
CU5,000
CU1,000
24 @ CU200

The charge for interest, which is not material, is to be spread evenly over the 24 month period. The
payments are made on the last day of each month.
What is the total liability outstanding as on 1 January 20X7 in accordance with BAS 17 Leases?
A
B
C
D
3

CU4,000
CU3,600
CU3,000
CU2,800

On 1 January 20X7 Melon Ltd bought a machine on a finance lease. The terms of the contract were as
follows.
CU
Cash price
18,000
Deposit
(6,000)
12,000
Interest (9% for two years)
2,160
Balance two annual payments commencing 31 December 20X7
14,160
The rate of interest implicit in the contract is approximately 12%.
Applying the provisions of BAS 17 Leases the finance charge in the income statement for the year
ended 31 December 20X7 is
A
B
C
D

CU1,080
CU1,440
CU1,620
CU2,160

BAS 17 Leases requires a lessee to capitalise a finance lease at the amount of the
A
B
C
D

Fair value
Present value of the minimum lease payments
Higher of fair value or present value of minimum lease payments
Lower of fair value or present value of minimum lease payments

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5

Alpha Ltd enters into a lease with Omega Ltd for an aircraft, which had a fair value of CU240,000 at
the inception of the lease. The terms of the lease require Alpha Ltd to make ten annual lease payments
of CU36,000 in arrears. Alpha Ltd is totally responsible for the maintenance of the aircraft, which has a
useful life of approximately eleven years.
The present value of the ten annual lease payments of CU36,000 discounted at the interest rate
implicit in the lease is CU220,000.
Applying the provisions of BAS 17 Leases to this lease, the property, plant and equipment of Alpha Ltd
will increase by
A
B
C
D

CUnil
CU220,000
CU240,000
CU360,000

Cambridge Ltd leases an asset on a five-year lease. The fair value of the asset is CU500,000, while the
present value of the minimum lease payments derived by discounting at the rate of interest implicit in
the lease is CU480,000. The asset has a five-year life, with Cambridge Ltd responsible for maintenance
and insurance. The asset will be scrapped at the end of five years.
Cambridge Ltd uses the sum of digits method of depreciation.
In accordance with BAS 17 Leases what is the carrying amount of the asset in the accounts of
Cambridge Ltd at the end of the second year?
A
B
C
D

CUnil
CU192,000
CU200,000
CU288,000

On 1 January 20X3 Tile Ltd took out a finance lease to purchase production equipment with a cash
price of CU750,000. The terms of the lease required five lease payments of CU200,000 to be paid
annually in advance. These lease payments have been charged to the income statement as
administrative expenses. The equipment is expected to have a five-year life with no residual value. The
error in the treatment of the finance lease was discovered when preparing the financial statements for
the year ended 31 December 20X5.
Tile Ltd allocates interest on finance leases using the sum of digits method. All depreciation is on a
straight-line basis.
Applying the provisions of BAS 17 Leases to this lease what amount will be shown as an adjustment to
retained earnings brought forward?
A
B
C
D

CU70,000 debit
CU75,000 debit
CU105,000 debit
CU225,000 debit

Pont Ltd enters into a four-year operating lease on 1 January 20X6. Although the annual lease
payments were originally agreed at CU50,000 a year, Pont Ltd managed to negotiate a lease 'holiday'
and will pay nothing in 20X6.
In accordance with BAS 17 Leases what should appear in the financial statements of Pont Ltd as at 31
December 20X7 in respect of the following?
Rental
Accrual
charge to
in the
the income
balance
statement
sheet
A
CUnil
CUnil
B
CU50,000
CUnil
C
CU37,500
CU37,500
D
CU37,500
CU25,000

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LEASES

SNOW LTD
On 1 January 20X1 Snow Ltd entered into the following finance lease agreements.
(1) Snow machine
To lease a snow machine for five years from Slush Ltd. The snow machine cost Slush Ltd
CU150,000 and is estimated to have a useful life of five years.
Snow Ltd has agreed to make five annual payments of CU35,000, payable in advance,
commencing on 1 January 20X1.
The interest rate implicit in the lease is 8.36%.
(2) Snowplough
To lease a snowplough for three years from Ice Ltd. The machine had cost Ice Ltd CU35,000.
A deposit of CU2,000 was payable on 1 January 20X1 followed by six half yearly payments of
CU6,500, payable in arrears, commencing on 30 June 20X1. Finance charges are to be allocated
on a sum of digits basis.
Requirements
(a)

Calculate the amounts to be included in the financial statements of Snow Ltd for the year ended
31 December 20X1 and draft the reconciliation note for property, plant and equipment, and the
analysis of finance lease liabilities note required by BAS 17 Leases.
(15 marks)

(b) Snow Ltd is also considering leasing new office buildings, built from low cost modular units, under
a twenty year lease, paying CU21,000 annually on 1 January. The buildings have a useful life of
twenty five years and Snow Ltd would be responsible for their upkeep and insurance. The fair
values of the leasehold interest at the start of the lease are CU300,000 for the land and
CU100,000 for the office units.
Explain and illustrate how the above would be treated in accordance with BFRS. Any interest
should be allocated using a sum of digits basis.
(6 marks)
(21 marks)
10

FEENEY LTD
Feeney Ltd is considering replacing a piece of machinery that is coming towards the end of its life. Its
value is negligible. The finance director has asked you for your advice as to the financial accounting and
disclosure implications of each of the options. The new machine has a purchase price of CU80,000 and
an estimated life of five years and will be acquired on the first day of next year. The options are given
below.
(1) Lease the machine for a two year period for a lease payment of CU2,000 per month in arrears. A
non-refundable deposit of CU6,000 has to be paid on order. The lessor remains liable for
maintenance.
(2) Lease the machine for a five year period for a lease payment of CU9,900 half yearly in advance.
Requirements
Prepare a memorandum to the finance director, which:
(a)

Explains the concept of 'substance over form' as set out in BFRS Framework and applied in BAS 17
Leases.
(3 marks)

(b) Sets out the extent to which BAS 17 Leases provides information that is relevant, reliable,
comparable and understandable.
(4 marks)
(c)

Briefly explains how each of the options should be accounted for and shows the figures to be
included in the income statement and balance sheet for the first year. Allocate interest on an
actuarial basis using an interest rate of 5% per half year.
(11 marks)
(18 marks)

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11

RICHARDS LTD (Sample Paper)


You are the financial controller for Richards Ltd a company listed on the London Stock Exchange.
The Chairman has asked you to explain a number of matters relating to the substance of transactions
and the reporting of lease transactions in financial statements. He has approached you as you have
recently attended a number of training courses on BFRS and are in the process of preparing the draft
financial statements for the year ended 31 May 20X6 in accordance with BFRS.
Richards Ltd recently entered into a lease contract for a new piece of machinery. The new machine
could have been purchased for a cash price of CU150,000. The terms of the lease are:

the lease is for four years

an initial deposit of CU30,000 was payable on 1 June 2005 followed by eight half-yearly payments
thereafter of CU20,000 payable on the 1 December and 1 June each year, commencing on 1
December 20X5.

The estimated useful life of the equipment is four years. Richards Ltd uses the sum of the digits
method to allocate finance charges on finance leases.
Richards Ltds factory premise is held on a 25 year lease. The period of the lease is expected to be
similar to the life of the factory building and at the end of the 25 years the land reverts back to the
lessor.
Requirements
(a)

Prepare notes for a meeting with the Chairman, which:


(i)

Explain the concept of 'substance over form', and

(ii)

Discuss the application of 'substance over form' and asset recognition to:

The accounting by a lessee for a finance lease; and


The accounting by a lessee for an operating lease.

(7 marks)

(b) Prepare financial statement extracts and supporting disclosure notes that show how the
machinery lease transaction should be presented in the financial statements of Richards Ltd for
the year ended 31 May 20X6.
(8 marks)
(15 marks)
Now go back to the Learning Objectives in the Introduction. If you are satisfied you have achieved these
objectives, please tick them off.

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LEASES

Technical reference
Point to note: The following aspects of BAS 17 are not examinable: lessor accounting, sale and leaseback
transactions, paragraphs 36-66 and the implementation guidance. The paragraphs listed below are the key
references you should be familiar with.
1 Lease classification

If substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the
lessee, then a lease is a finance lease. Factors:

Ownership passing at end of term

Bargain purchase option

Lease term the major part of asset's life

Very substantial charges for early cancellation

Peppercorn rent in secondary period

PV of minimum lease payments substantially all of assets fair value.

BAS 17(4)
BAS 17(10-11)

BAS 17(10(d))

Otherwise, an operating lease.

Classify at inception.

BAS 17(13)

Land and buildings elements within a single lease are classified separately.

BAS 17(15)

Can be a lease even if lessor obliged to provide substantial services.

BAS 17(4)

BAS 17(3)

2 Finance lease

Non-current asset and liability for the asset's fair value (or PV of minimum lease
payments, if lower):

BAS 17(20)

Measured at inception of lease

BAS 17(4)

Recognised at commencement of lease term.

BAS 17(4)

Depreciate asset over its useful life, or the lease term if shorter and no
reasonable certainty that lessee will obtain ownership at end of lease.

BAS 17(27)

Consider whether BAS 36 impairment procedures needed.

BAS 17(30)

Debit lease payments to liability, without separating into capital and interest.

Charge lease interest to income statement and credit lease liability.

Charge interest so as to produce constant periodic rate of charge on reducing


liability approximations allowed.

Disclosures:

BAS 17(25)

Show carrying value of each class of leased assets

BAS 17(31)

In the balance sheet split the liability between current and non-current

BAS 17(23)

In a note, show analysis of total liability over amounts payable in 1, 2 to 5 and


over 5 years, both gross and net of finance charges allocated to future
periods

BAS 17(31(d))

General description of material leasing arrangements

BAS 17(31(e))

Other BAS 16 disclosures re leased PPE assets.

BAS 17(32)

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Financial accounting
3 Operating lease

302

Charge lease payments to income statement on straight-line basis, unless some


other systematic basis is more representative of users benefit.

Disclosures:

BAS 17(33)

Lease payments charged as expense in the period

In a 'commitment' note, show analysis of amounts payable in 1, 2 to 5 and


over 5 years, even though not recognised in balance sheet

BAS 17 (35(a))

General description of significant leasing arrangements

BAS 17(25(d))

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

BAS 17(35(c))

LEASES

Answers to Self-test
1

Sum of the digits for payments in arrears =

12 (12 1)
2

= 78
Total lease payments (12 CU1,800)
Deposit
Less capital (cash price)

CU
21,600
5,000
(20,000)
6,600

Fifth payment Interest = 8/78 CU6,600


= CU677
2

C
Total lease payments (24 CU200)
Deposit
Less capital (cash price)
Total interest

CU
4,800
1,000
(5,000)
800

Interest per payment = 800/24 = CU33.3


Cash price
Deposit
Interest 6 CU33.3
Payments 6 CU200
Liability at 1 January 20X7

CU
5,000
1,000
4,000
200
(1,200)
3,000

Interest charge for 20X7 = 12% 12,000


= CU1,440

BAS 17 paragraph 20.

The information suggests that a transference of risks and rewards has taken place. Therefore the
lease is a finance lease and should be capitalised at present value of minimum lease payments (as
this is lower than fair value), i.e. CU220,000.

The terms of the agreement indicate that this is a finance lease.


Initially recorded at present value of minimum lease payments
54
Years 1 and 2 depreciation
15 *
5 (5 1)
* SOTD =
= 15
2

CU
480,000
(288,000)
192,000

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7

B
CU000
1,000
(750)
250

Lease payments (5 200)


Cash price
Finance charge
Sum of the digits over four periods = 10
Cumulative adjustment to profit at 1 January 20X5
CU'000

Lease payments charged to date (2 200)


Depreciation to date (2 750/5)
Finance charges to date
20X3 (250 4/10)
20X4 (250 3/10)

(300)
(100)
(75)
(475)
(75)

D
Year
20X6
20X7
20X8
20X9

CU'000
400

Cash
CU

50,000
50,000
50,000
150,000

Expense
CU
37,500
37,500
37,500
37,500
150,000

Accrual
CU
37,500
25,000
12,500

SNOW LTD
(a)

(i)

Amounts to be included in the financial statements of Snow Ltd for the year
ended 31 December 20X1
Income statement
Depreciation of leased assets
Finance lease interest (1,714 + 1,429 + 9,614)(W1 & W2)
Balance sheet
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Current liabilities
Finance lease liabilities (W3)
Non-current liabilities
Finance lease liabilities (W3)

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CU
41,667
12,757

143,333
46,000
101,757

LEASES

(ii)

Notes
Property, plant and equipment
Cost
At 1 January 20X1
Additions (35,000 + 150,000)
At 31 December 20X1
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 January 20X1
35,000 150,000
Charge for year

5
3
At 31 December 20X1
Carrying amount
At 31 December 20X1
At 1 January 20X1

Plant and
machinery
CU

185,000
185,000

41,667
41,667
143,333

Analysis of finance lease liabilities


Gross basis
Finance lease liabilities include
Gross lease payments due within:
One year (CU35,000 + CU13,000)
Two to five years (3 CU35,000) + CU13,000
Less finance charges allocated to future periods ()
Net basis
Finance leases liabilities include
Amounts due within:
One year (W3)
Two to five years (W3)

CU

48,000
118,000
166,000
(18,243)
147,757
46,000
101,757
147,757

(b) Lease of land and buildings BFRS


BAS 17 requires that the two elements of the lease (land and buildings) are classified separately.
Because land has an infinite life that part of the lease will be classified as an operating lease. The
buildings look to be a finance lease since Snow Ltd is responsible for upkeep and insurance and
leases for twenty out of a twenty-five year useful life.
No split is given for the lease payments of CU21,000 pa but BAS 17 provides that in this case the
lease payments should be allocated according to fair values of the leasehold interests at the start
of the lease. Therefore the CU21,000 will be split one quarter to the buildings (CU5,250) and
three quarters to the land (CU15,750).
Under BAS 17, at the end of Year 1 the financial statements will reflect the following in respect of
this lease.
Income statement
Depreciation (100,000 20)
Operating lease rental
Interest charge (W4)

CU
5,000
15,750
500

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Financial accounting
Balance sheet
CU

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment (100,000 5,000)
Non-current liabilities
Finance lease liabilities (W4)
Current liabilities
Finance lease liabilities (W4)

95,000
90,000
5,250

WORKINGS
(1) Snow machine
Period ended

B/f
CU
150,000
124,614

31 December 20X1
31 December 20X2

Payment

Capital

CU
(35,000)
(35,000)

CU
115,000
89,614

Interest
@ 8.36%
CU
9,614
7,492

C/f
CU
124,614
97,106

Total liability
CU124,614

Capital > 1 yr
CU89,614

< 1 yr
CU35,000 ()

(2) Snowplough
(a)

Calculation of finance charge


CU
2,000
39,000
(35,000)
6,000

Deposit
Lease payments (6 6,500)
Fair value of asset
Finance charge

(b) Interest allocation


SOD =
=

n (n 1)
2
6 7
2

= 21
Period ended
30 June 20X1
31 December 20X1
30 June 20X2
31 December 20X2

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6/21 x 6,000 =
5/21 x 6,000 =
4/21 x 6,000 =
3/21 x 6,000 =

CU
1,714
1,429
1,143
857

LEASES

(c)

Liability table
Period ended

B/f

Interest
(W2b)
CU
1,714
1,429
1,143
857

CU
33,000
28,214
23,143
17,786

30 June 20X1
31 December 20X1
30 June 20X2
31 December 20X2

Payment

Capital

CU
(6,500)
(6,500)
(6,500)
(6,500)

CU
28,214
23,143
17,786
12,143

Snowplough
(W2)
CU
11,000
12,143
23,143

Total
CU
46,000
101,757
147,757

Interest
CU
19/190 5,000 = 500
18/190 5,000 = 474

C/f
CU
95,250
90,474

Total liability
CU23,143

Capital > 1 yr
CU12,143

< 1 yr
CU11,000 ()

(3) Finance lease liabilities


Snow machine
(W1)
CU
35,000
89,614
124,614

< 1 year
> 1 year

(4) Lease of buildings


Year

B/f
CU
100,000
95,250

1
2

Payment
CU
(5,250)
(5,250)

Capital
CU
94,750
90,000

Total liability
CU95,250

Capital > 1 yr
CU90,000

< 1 yr
CU5,250()

Total interest = (20 5,250) 100,000 = CU5,000


SOD

n (n 1)
2

19 20
2

= 190

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10

FEENEY LTD
MEMORANDUM
To
From
Date
Subject

a)

Finance Director, Feeney Ltd


Financial Accountant
30 March 20X4
Accounting and disclosure implications of replacement of machinery

'Substance over form'


Leasing is an example of the application of the concept of 'substance over form' a concept that
BFRS Framework requires should be applied to all accounting areas. To account for substance, a
company must record transactions so as to reflect their economic reality rather than merely
their legal form.
BAS 17 does this by requiring an analysis of who carries the risks and rewards of ownership; if
the company's obligation as lessee to make payments under the lease has a similar commercial
effect to borrowing the money and buying the asset outright, both BAS 17 and BFRS Framework
require the accounts to reflect the asset and 'the related loan'.

(b) Information provided


The key words 'relevant', 'reliable', 'comparable' and 'understandable' are concerned with the
quality of financial information as discussed in BFRS Framework. They can be applied to BAS 17 as
follows.

Relevant. Information is relevant if it can influence the economic decisions of users. By


showing the true substance of finance leases, companies are forced to bring debt onto the
balance sheet and this could influence other potential lenders. Also, the commitments note
for operating leases and the liabilities note for finance leases have predictive value by
warning lenders of existing contractual obligations and how long they are likely to last.

Reliable. To be reliable, information must faithfully represent a transaction, i.e. all the
rights and liabilities arising from a transaction must be identified and assessed. BAS 17
clearly does this via its overriding requirement to account for substance.

Comparable. Comparability implies consistency between different companies and from


year to year. BAS 17 gives detailed guidance on how to identify a finance lease. However,
there will always be a certain element of subjectivity in assessing 'risks and rewards'.
A key benefit of BAS 17 is that the financial statements of a company acquiring the use of an
asset through a finance lease will be comparable, in terms of tangible assets, borrowings,
gearing, return on capital employed, etc, with those of a company taking out a loan to
acquire legal title to an asset.
In addition, disclosure of the detailed accounting policy (including how interest is allocated)
will assist in comparability.

308

Understandable. Although some users might assume that the assets in the balance sheet
are owned by the company, the accounting policy note should explain the inclusion of
leased assets. Also, preparers of accounts are entitled to assume that users have a
reasonable level of knowledge.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

LEASES

(c)

Accounting for each option


Option (1)

Because the lease is only for two years and the asset has a life of five years, Feeney Ltd is
not obtaining substantially all the rewards of ownership.

Because the lessor is liable for maintenance, Feeney Ltd is not bearing substantially all the
risks of ownership.

This lease is therefore an operating lease and thus the asset is not capitalised nor the liability
recognised in the balance sheet.

Income statement
CU
27,000

Operating lease rental (W1)


Balance sheet

CU
3,000

Trade and other receivables (W2)

Option (2)

As the machine will be leased for the whole of its life, it is an asset acquired under a finance
lease.

BAS 17 requires the non-current asset to be capitalised (and depreciated over the shorter
of the lease term and its useful life), a liability to be created, and certain detailed disclosures
to be made.

Income statement
CU
16,000
6,690

Depreciation (W3)
Interest charge ((3,505 + 3,185) W4)
Balance sheet
Total property, plant and equipment held under finance leases
Cost
Depreciation (W3)
Carrying amount

CU
80,000
(16,000)
64,000

Non-current liabilities
Finance lease liabilities (W4)

49,940

Current liabilities
Finance lease liabilities (W4)

16,950

WORKINGS
(1) Rental

Total payable 6,000 (24 2,000)

= CU27,000 per annum


Life of lease
2 years
(2) Operating lease prepayment
DR Income statement
DR Trade and other receivables
CR Cash (6,000 + (12 2,000))

CU
27,000
3,000

CU
30,000

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Financial accounting
(3) Depreciation

CU80,000
= CU16,000
5 years

(4) Lease creditor


Year

Period

B/f

1
2
1
2

CU
80,000
73,605
66,890
59,840

1
2

Payment

Capital

CU
(9,900)
(9,900)
(9,900)
(9,900)

CU
70,100
63,705
56,990
49,940

Interest
@ 5%
CU
3,505
3,185
2,850
2,497

C/f
CU
73,605
66,890
59,840
52,437

Total liability
CU66,890

Capital > 1 yr
CU49,940

11

< 1 yr
CU16,950 ()

RICHARDS LTD
(a)

(i)

In a straightforward transaction its commercial effect is the same as its legal form. However,
in more complex transactions the true substance of the transaction may be different from
its legal form, with one party having the risks and rewards of ownership but another party
having legal title to the asset.
In such circumstances recording the legal form of the transaction would not be sufficient to
provide a fair presentation in the financial statements. The financial statements must be
presented fairly in order to meet the qualitative characteristic of reliability.
Where a transaction gives rise to an asset that asset should be recognised even if legally the
entity does not own it. For example, where an entity has the sole use of an asset for the
majority of its economic life the asset should be recognised in the entitys financial
statements even if legally it is owned by a third party.

(ii)

Finance lease
Under a finance lease, the lessor retains the legal title to the asset. However, the lessee has
use of the asset during substantially the whole of the assets useful life. During this period
the lessee is controlling the asset and has the benefit of the economic benefits being
generated from the assets use.
In addition, the present value of the minimum lease payments amount to at least the fair
value of the leased asset, thereby suggesting that the lessee is actually paying the current
market price for the asset under a financing arrangement. The cost of the asset is therefore
known. The legal title of the asset may or may not pass to the lessee at the end of the lease
term.
In essence the lessee has all the risks and rewards of ownership and therefore should
recognise the leased asset on its balance sheet along with a liability even though it may not
have legal title to the asset.
Operating lease
Under an operating lease, the lessee will have use of the asset for only part of its useful life
and does not therefore have access to the economic benefits generated by the asset over its
useful life.

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LEASES

Under an operating lease the lease payments will be substantially less than the fair value of
the asset and at the end of the lease term the asset may be used by the owner or leased to
another third party.
The lessee does not have the substantial risks and rewards of ownership and therefore the
lessee does not recognise the asset or liability in its financial statements. The lessee will
instead recognise the lease rentals on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease in its
income statement.
(b) Property, plant and equipment
CU
150,000
(37,500)
112,500

Cost
Accumulated depreciation (150,000 / 4 years)
Net book value
Current liabilities
Finance lease liability (W3)

33,333

Non-current liabilities
Finance lease liability (W3)

83,334

Gross basis
Finance leases liabilities include:
Gross lease payments due within:
One year
Two to five years

CU

Less finance charges allocated to future periods ()

40,000
100,000
140,000
(23,333)
116,667 (W3)

Net basis
Finance leases liabilities include:
Amounts due within:
One year (W3)
Two to five years (balancing figure)

CU
33,333
83,334
116,667 (W3)

WORKING
(1) Finance charge
CU
30,000
160,000
190,000
150,000
40,000

Deposit
8 bi-annual payments (20,000 x 8)
Fair value
Finance cost
Sum of digits is 8 + 7 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 36

n(n 1)
2

(2) Allocation of interest


Period
1
2
3
4

8/36 40,000
7/36 40,000
6/36 40,000
5/36 40,000

=
=
=
=

Interest
CU
8,889
7,778
6,667
5,556

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Financial accounting

(3) Liability table


Period commencing
1 June 20X5
1 Dec 20X5
1 June 20X6
1 Dec 20X6

B/f
CU
150,000
128,889
116,667
103,334

Payment
CU
(30,000)
(20,000)
(20,000)
(20,000)

Capital
CU
120,000
108,889
96,667
83,334

Total lease liability at 31 May 20X6 = CU116,667

Capital > 1 yr
= CU83,334

312

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

< 1 yr ()
= CU33,333

Interest (W2)
CU
8,889
7,778
6,667
5,556

C/f
CU
128,889
116,667
103,334
88,890

LEASES

Answers to Interactive questions

Answer to Interactive question 1


(a)

A company leases machine tools. Legal title is


transferred after three years.

Finance lease, because title is transferred and the


company enjoys the risks and rewards of
ownership before-hand.

(b)

A company leases a photocopier. The PV of


minimum lease payments is CU2,000 but the
fair value of the asset is CU10,000.

Operating lease, as the fair value of the asset is a


lot more than the minimum lease payments.

(c)

A company leases a car for a sales


representative for a five-year period, after
which the car will have come to the end of
its useful economic life.

Finance lease

(d)

A company acquires some equipment made


bespoke to its specifications. To sell the
equipment to a third party would require
substantial modification.

Finance lease

Answer to Interactive question 2


CR
Balance
b/f
1 Jan
CU
24,869
17,356

20X1 (current period)


20X2 (future periods)

Lease liability
CR
DR
Interest
Payment
accrued
31 Dec
@10%
31 Dec
CU
CU
2,487
(10,000)
1,736
(10,000)

CR
Capital
balance
c/f
31 Dec
CU
17,356
9,092

Total lease liability at 31 December 20X1 = CU17,356

Capital > 1 year

< 1 year ()

= CU9,092

= CU8,264

Answer to Interactive question 3

20X1 (current period)


20X2 (future periods)

CR
Balance
b/f
1 Jan

DR
Payment
1 Jan

CU
34,869
27,356

CU
(10,000)
(10,000)

Lease liability
CR
Capital
balance
remaining
1 Jan
CU
24,869
17,356

CR
Interest
accrued
@10%
31 Dec
CU
2,487
1,736

CR
Balance
c/f
31 Dec
CU
27,356
19,092

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Financial accounting
Total lease liability at 31 December 20X1 = CU27,356

Capital > 1 year

< 1 year ()

= CU17,356

= CU10,000

Answer to Interactive question 4


(a)

Gross basis
CU

Finance lease liabilities include:


Gross lease payments due within:
One year
Two to five years

10,000
20,000
30,000
2,644
27,356

Less finance charges allocated to future periods


(b) Net basis

CU

Finance lease liabilities include:


Amounts due within:
One year
Two to five years

10,000
17,356
27,356

Answer to Interactive question 5


(a)

Actuarial method
Income statement (extract)
CU
1,037

Finance costs (Working)


Balance sheet (extract)

CU
Non-current liabilities
Finance lease liability (Working)

7,393

Current liabilities
Finance lease liability (Working)

1,069

WORKING

20X1
20X2

314

CR
Bal b/f 1 Jan
CU
(10,000 575) = 9,425
8,462

CR
Interest accrued at 11%
CU
1,037
931

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

DR
Payment 31 Dec
CU
(2,000)
(2,000)

CR
Bal c/f 31 Dec
CU
8,462
7,393

LEASES

Total lease liability at 31 December 20X1 = CU8,462

Capital > 1 year

< 1 year

= CU7,393

= CU1,069 (balancing
figure)

(b) Sum of digits method


Income statement (extract)
CU
1,144

Finance costs (W3)


Balance sheet (extract)

CU

Non-current liabilities
Finance lease liability (W3)

7,549

Current liabilities
Finance lease liability (W3)

1,020

WORKINGS
(1) Finance charge
CU
14,575
(10,000)
4,575

Total payments (7 2,000) + 575


PVMLP

(2) Digit

n(n 1)
2

n = number of interest bearing instalments

7x8
= 28
2
(3) Finance lease liability

20X1
20X2

CR
Bal b/f 1 Jan
CU
(10,000 - 575) = 9,425
8,569

CR
Interest
CU
(7/28 x 4,575) = 1,144
(6/28 x 4,575) = 980

DR
Payment 31 Dec
CU
(2,000)
(2,000)

CR
Bal c/f 31 Dec
CU
8,569
7,549

Total lease liability at 31 December 20X1 = CU8,569

Capital > 1 year

< 1 year

= CU7,549

= CU1,020 (balancing
figure)

Answer to Interactive question 6


The minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are:
Within one year (CU100,000 + CU30,000 + CU40,000)
Within two to five years ((CU100,000 x 4) + CU30,000 x 2)
After more than five years (CU100,000 x 10)

CU
170,000
460,000
1,000,000
1,630,000

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chapter 9

Provisions, contingencies
and events after the balance
sheet date
Contents
Introduction
Examination context
Topic List
1

Provisions and contingencies

Provisions: definition and recognition

Measurement and subsequent treatment

Specific applications

Disclosures relating to provisions

Contingent liabilities

Contingent assets

BAS 10 Events After the Balance Sheet Date

Summary and Self-test


Technical reference
Answers to Self-test
Answers to Interactive questions

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Financial accounting

Introduction

Learning objectives

Explain the definitions and recognition criteria of BAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and
Contingent Assets within the context of BFRS Framework

Apply the accounting and disclosure requirements of BAS 37 including:

Recognition, measurement and disclosure of provisions; and

Disclosure of contingent liabilities and contingent assets

Tick off

Apply the accounting and disclosure requirements of BAS 10 Events After the Balance Sheet
Date including the distinction between:

Events after the balance sheet date that require adjustment; and

Those that require disclosure only

Specific syllabus references for this chapter are: 1d, 2b,c.

Practical significance
In the past the manipulation of provisions has been seen as a means of managing earnings. This practice
could be undertaken for a number of different reasons including the smoothing of earnings, meeting lenders
expectations and enhancing business valuations.
For example, in periods where performance has exceeded expectations an entity might be tempted to make
a rainy day provision. The provision set up in prosperous times would be released to increase profits in
periods when results were not quite up to expectations.
So called Big bath provisions were common in the 1980s and 1990s. This involved making excessive
provisions for future costs, particularly those involving a fundamental restructuring. When the costs were
actually incurred the costs were charged against the provisions. Any excess provision could then be
credited back to earnings uplifting future results. This practice often accompanied a change in senior
management allowing the past management to be blamed for the need to restructure and the new
management to be given credit for the apparently improved performance.
BAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets provides guidance in this area and has restricted
the use of provisions for creative accounting purposes. Guidance is provided on the type of provisions that
can be made and the general principles surrounding recognition.
Information which is relevant to the assessment of a businesss performance may occur after the balance
sheet date. In most cases events which occur after this cut-off point would not be reflected in the financial
statements. However, there are circumstances where the financial statements are adjusted to reflect events
which took place after the balance sheet date. BAS 10 Events After the Balance Sheet Date provides guidance
on this area.

Stop and think


Can you think of any other ways in which accounting information can be manipulated?

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PROVISIONS, CONTINGENCIES AND EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE

Working context
Although we have said that the advent of BAS 37 has restricted the use of creative accounting in this area
the recognition of provisions and contingencies still involves a significant amount of judgement, in particular
over what might happen in the future. It is likely that the audit of these will be carried out by more senior
members of the audit team.
Review of subsequent events is also a key audit procedure as information obtained after the balance sheet
date often provides valuable evidence regarding the circumstances at the year end. For example,
information regarding the insolvency of a debtor which only came to light after the year end provides
evidence regarding the recoverability of the receivables balance at the year end.

Syllabus links
This topic is examinable at level A in the Financial Accounting syllabus so you will be expected to have a
thorough knowledge and sound understanding of the subject matter. This level of knowledge will also be
relevant to the Financial & Corporate Reporting paper at Advanced Stage.

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Examination context

Exam requirements
Provisions, contingencies and events after the balance sheet date may be examined in the written test
section of the paper or via short-form questions. Both types of questions are likely to be scenario based.
Provisions and contingencies may also be examined in the context of BFRS Framework definitions and
principles.
In the examination, candidates may be required to:

320

Explain BFRS Framework definitions and recognition principles and explain how they relate to BAS 37

Prepare extracts from the financial statements and notes to the financial statements in respect of
provisions and contingencies

Prepare financial statements or extracts taking into account the effect of events after the balance sheet
date

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

PROVISIONS, CONTINGENCIES AND EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE

1 Provisions and contingencies


Section overview

1.1

BAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets provides guidance on when provisions and
contingencies should be recognised and if so, at what amount.

Issues
As we have seen in many of the previous chapters, amounts in the financial statements often result from the
exercise of judgement, for example the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment. Accounting for
provisions and contingencies, however, is particularly problematic due to the increased level of
uncertainty. The key issues include:

Whether a provision or contingency should be recognised


If it is recognised at what amount it should be recorded

The situation is further complicated by the fact that these decisions may be affected by events occurring
after the balance sheet date.

1.2

BAS 37 Provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets


Objective
BAS 37 aims to ensure that:

Appropriate recognition criteria and measurement bases are applied to provisions,


contingent assets and contingent liabilities; and

Sufficient information is disclosed in the notes to the financial statements to enable users to
understand their nature, timing and amount.

Scope
Although BAS 37 has wide scope, there are two limited exceptions:
Executory contracts,
except where the
contract is onerous

Executory contracts are contracts under which neither party has


performed any of its obligations or both parties have partially performed
their obligations to an equal extent. For example, an unfulfilled order for
the purchase of goods, where at the balance sheet date, the goods have
neither been delivered nor paid for.
Onerous contracts are dealt with in more detail in section 4.2 of this
chapter.

Where the accounting


treatment is covered
by another accounting
standard

For example, BFRS 3 Business Combinations deals with the recognition of an


acquirees contingent liabilities at the time of a business combination (see
Chapter 15).

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2 Provisions: definition and recognition


Section overview

A provision is recognised when all of the following conditions are met:

2.1

A present obligation exists as a result of a past event


An outflow of resources is probable
The amount can be estimated reliably

Definition
The key aim of BAS 37 is to ensure that provisions are only recognised when there are valid grounds for
doing so.

Definitions
A provision: is a liability of uncertain timing or amount.
A liability: is a present obligation of the entity arising from past events, the settlement of which is
expected to result in an outflow from the entity of resources embodying economic benefits.

Points to note

2.2

BAS 37 views provisions as a sub-class of liabilities.

Provisions can be distinguished from other liabilities such as trade payables and accruals, because of
the degree of uncertainty as to their timing or amount.

The definition of a liability used in BAS 37 is the same as the definition contained in BFRS
Framework (see Chapter 1).

Recognition
BAS 37 states that a provision should be recognised when:

An entity has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event

It is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle
the obligation; and

A reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

Points to note

2.3

If one or more of these criteria is not met, a provision is not recognised (although as we will see
later in this chapter a contingent liability may exist).

The recognition criteria of BAS 37 are very similar to the criteria for the recognition of a
liability contained in BFRS Framework (see Chapter 1). These also refer to the probable outflow
of economic benefit and the need for reliable measurement.

A present obligation as a result of a past event


To establish whether an entity has a present obligation which arose from a past event, identification of an
'obligating event' is required.
An obligating event occurs where the entity has no realistic alternative to settling the obligation created by
the event. BAS 37 recognises that this can occur:

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PROVISIONS, CONTINGENCIES AND EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE

Where the settlement can be enforced by law; or

In the case of a constructive obligation, where the event creates valid expectations in other
parties that the entity will discharge the obligation (see section 2.4 below).

Points to note
1

The event must be past, i.e. it must have occurred at the balance sheet date. No provision is made for
costs that may be incurred in the future but where no obligation yet exists.

Only obligations arising from past events existing independently of an entitys future actions
(i.e. the future conduct of its business) are recognised as provisions. If management can avoid incurring
expenditure by changing the entitys future operations, no provision arises.

An obligation always involves another party to whom the obligation is owed. However, the
exact identity of that other party need not be known, e.g. the obligation may be to the public at large.

A board or management decision does not give rise to an obligation unless it has been
communicated before the balance sheet date to those affected by it so as to raise a valid
expectation that the entity will discharge its responsibilities. In the absence of such communication,
the board could change its mind and hence would be under no obligation.

Sometimes, the existence of an obligation will be uncertain, e.g. where there is a legal dispute. In these
cases, BAS 37 applies prudence by deeming a past event to give rise to a present obligation if it is
more likely than not that an obligation exists at the balance sheet date. However, if it is possible
rather than probable that an obligation exists, a contingent liability will exist, not a provision (see
section 6 below).

Worked example: Present obligation as a result of a past event


Company A carries out quarrying activities. A condition of the planning consent is that environmental
damage caused by quarrying must be remedied on completion of the quarrying. In this case, an obligation
exists independently of the company's future conduct in relation to damage already caused at the balance
sheet date, because the company cannot avoid having to pay for remedial action. By contrast, no obligation
exists in relation to expected further damage from continued quarrying because the company could decide
not to quarry in the future.
Company B operates aircraft that need periodic overhauls if they are to continue in operation. No
obligation exists in relation to future overhauls because the company could decide to sell or scrap the
aircraft rather than overhaul them.

2.4

Legal and constructive obligations


You should be familiar with the concept of a legal obligation.

Definition
Legal obligation: is an obligation that derives from:

A contract (through explicit or implicit terms)


Legislation; or
Other operation of law.

An example of a legal obligation would be a warranty provided at the time of sale to undertake necessary
repairs for a specified period of time.
A constructive obligation may be a less familiar term.

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Definition
Constructive obligation: is an obligation that derives from an entitys actions where:

By an established pattern of past practice, published policies or a sufficiently specific current statement,
the entity has indicated to other parties that it will accept certain responsibilities; and

As a result, the entity has created a valid expectation on the part of those other parties that it will
discharge those responsibilities.

Constructive obligations are more difficult to identify with certainty than legal obligations. In practice they
are recognised where the situation has much the same commercial effect as a legal obligation.
In other words, in practice, the entity cannot avoid settling the obligation.
For example there is likely to be a constructive obligation where failure to do something would result in
unacceptable damage to an entitys reputation or future business.

Worked example: Constructive obligation


A retail store operates a policy of giving refunds to customers that goes beyond the companys legal
obligations. The policy is long established and widely known. It is likely that this policy creates a
constructive obligation, as a significant breach of the policy would damage the companys reputation
considerably.

2.5

Probable outflow of resources


A provision is recognised only where the obligation will lead to a probable outflow of resources. Probable
is defined for these purposes as more likely than not to occur. In practical terms this means that there is
a greater than 50% chance that an entity will have to transfer resource to another party.
Point to note
Where there are a number of similar obligations (e.g. product warranties) the probability should be based
on considering the class of obligation as a whole.

Worked example: Probable outflow


If a company has entered into a warranty obligation then the probability of outflow of economic benefits
may well be extremely small in respect of one specific item. However, when considering the class of
obligation as a whole, the probability of some outflow of economic benefits is likely to be much higher. If
there is a greater than 50% probability of some transfer of economic benefits then a provision should
be made for the expected amount.

2.6

Reliable estimate
A provision should be recognised only if a reliable estimate of the obligation can be made.
Points to note

324

Where an entity can determine a range of possible outcomes, a sufficiently reliable estimate can be
made, even if the exact amount cannot be quantified.

In the extremely rare case where no reliable estimate can be made, a liability exists that cannot be
recognised. That liability is disclosed as a contingent liability. BAS 37 provides no example of such an
extremely rare case. In effect, 'extremely rare' means, 'almost never'.

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PROVISIONS, CONTINGENCIES AND EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE

3 Measurement and subsequent treatment


Section overview

3.1

A provision should be measured at the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the
obligation.

Where there is a large population an expected value will be calculated.

The amount of the provision should be discounted where the time value of money is material.

Reimbursement should be recognised as a separate asset when it is virtually certain that it will be
received.

Basic rule
The amount provided should be the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present
obligation at the balance sheet date. This is the amount that an entity would rationally pay to settle the
obligation at the balance sheet date or to transfer it to a third party at that time. In making a best estimate
account should be taken of:

3.2

Information provided by events after the balance sheet date

Management judgement/experience of similar transactions

Guidance from independent experts

The risks and uncertainties surrounding the situation. Care is needed both to avoid understating
provisions and to avoid excessively prudent provisioning.

Single obligation
Uncertainties surrounding the amount to be recognised as a provision are dealt with by various means
according to the circumstances.

Worked example: Single obligation


If the expenditure for a single obligation is estimated at CU10,000 and there is a 55% chance of the
expenditure being incurred, then CU10,000 is provided for. The process of estimating the amount involves
two separate steps:

Step 1

Is it probable that there will be an outow of economic resources (arising from a present obligation)?
Yes, there is in this case, as there is a 55% probability.

Step 2

What reliable estimate can be made? CU10,000 in this case.

Points to note
1

An expected value calculation (see next section) is not relevant for a single obligation.

In measuring a single obligation, the single most likely outcome may be the best estimate, but if other
possible outcomes are mostly higher (or mostly lower), the best estimate will be higher (or lower)
than the individual most likely outcome.

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Financial accounting

3.3

Expected values
Where there is a large population of items, the obligation is estimated by weighting all possible
outcomes by their associated probabilities, to arrive at the expected value.

Interactive question 1: Expected values

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

X Ltd sells goods which carry a one-year repair warranty. If minor repairs were to be required for all goods
sold in 20X7, the cost would be CU100,000. If major repairs were to be needed for all goods sold in 20X7,
the cost would be CU500,000.
X Ltd estimates that 80% of goods sold in 20X7 will have no defects, 15% will have minor defects and 5%
will have major defects.
Requirement
Calculate the provision for repairs required at 31 December 20X7.
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

3.4

Discounting
Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the amount of the provision should be
discounted. In other words it should be recorded at the present value of the expenditure required to
settle the obligation. This is likely to be an issue when there is a significant period of time between the
balance sheet date and settlement of the obligation.
The discount rate used should be the pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the
time value of money and the risks specific to the liability.
Point to note
In the exam any present value figures would be given in a question. Discounting calculations will not be
required until the Financial Reporting paper.

3.5

Future events
Future events such as changes in technologies, efficiency improvements and changes in legislation may have
a significant impact on the measurement of provisions. These should be taken into account where there
is sufficient objective evidence that they will occur.

3.6

Expected disposal of assets


Gains from the expected disposal of assets should not be taken into account in measuring a
provision even if the expected disposal is closely linked to the event giving rise to the provision. Instead,
such gains are accounted for under the relevant BFRS, i.e. BAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment and BFRS 5
Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations for PPE.

3.7

Reimbursements
In some cases, an insurance company or a supplier under a warranty may reimburse all or part of a
companys expenditure to settle a provision. If so the reimbursement should be recognised only
when it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received if the entity settles the
obligation. BAS 37 requires that the reimbursement should be:

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Treated as an asset in the balance sheet separate from the provision; and
Recognised in the balance sheet at an amount not exceeding the amount of the provision.

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Points to note
1

Where an asset is recognised, it is presented separately from the liability, because in the unlikely event
that the asset is not recovered, the company would still remain liable for its obligation.

In the income statement, the expense relating to a provision may be presented net of the amount
recognised for a reimbursement.

Note the different approaches to the recognition of assets and liabilities throughout this standard. An
asset can be recognised only if an inflow of resources is virtually certain (and therefore not
contingent), whereas a liability is recognised if an outflow of resources is more likely than not to
occur.

If the likelihood of receiving reimbursement is not virtually certain then the amount should be disclosed as a
contingent asset, assuming that receipt is probable (see section 6 below).

3.8

Changes in provisions
Provisions are inherently uncertain and BAS 37 requires that they should be reviewed at each balance
sheet date and adjusted to reflect the current best estimate. If a transfer of economic benefit is no longer
probable, the provision should be reversed.

3.9

Use of provisions
BAS 37 specifies that a provision should be used only for expenditures for which the provision was
originally recognised.
If a provision is no longer required for its originally intended purpose, it should be reversed and not used to
conceal the impact of other unrelated expenditure. The reversal is a change of accounting estimate and
is recognised in profit or loss in the year of reversal. The entry to record the reversal is:

3.10

DR

Provisions

CR

Income statement for the year

Recognising an asset when recognising a provision


In some cases, an obligation may arise from a past event before an entity has obtained economic benefits
from the event concerned, but the entity reasonably expects to obtain such future benefits.
In this case the amount of the provision is also recognised as an asset, to be written off over the
period of the assets useful life. An example of this is the way that under BAS 16 a provision for the initial
estimates of dismantling and removing an item of PPE and restoring the site on which it is located is
included in the cost of the item.

Interactive question 2: Provision for environmental damage


[Difficulty level: Exam standard]
A company establishes a new quarry and has a legal obligation to restore environmental damage once
quarrying is completed. Before rock can be extracted for sale, the overlying material (the overburden) must
be removed, causing environmental damage. The overburden itself has no commercial value. The estimated
cost of remedying the damage caused by removal of the overburden is CU50,000 (ignore discounting).
Requirement
Show and explain the accounting entry to record the provision for environmental damage rectification
arising out of removal of the overburden.

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Fill in the proforma below.
The entry to record the provision for environmental damage on removal of the overburden will be:
DR
CR
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

4 Specific applications
Section overview

4.1

Future operating losses should not be provided for.

A provision should be made for the unavoidable costs of meeting an onerous contract.

Provisions for a restructuring should only be made where there is an obligation at the balance sheet
date.

Future operating losses


Provisions should not be recognised for future operating losses as they do not meet the definition
of a liability (as they arise from future, not past events) or the general recognition criteria set out in BAS 37.
Point to note
This treatment is consistent with that required under BFRS 3 for expected future losses of an acquired
business (see Chapter 15). BFRS 3 specifies that such losses should not be taken into account when
calculating any goodwill acquired in a business combination but must be dealt with as post-acquisition items
in the group accounts.

4.2

Onerous contracts
Definitions
An onerous contract is a contract in which the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations
under the contract exceed the economic benefit expected to be received under it.
The unavoidable costs under a contract are the lower of the cost of fulfilling the contract and any
compensation or penalties arising from failure to fulfil it. In other words, it is the lowest net cost of
exiting from the contract.

If an entity has a contract that is onerous, the present obligation under the contract should be recognised
and measured as a provision. An example might be vacant leasehold property.

Worked example: Onerous contract


A company rents a building under an operating lease, but vacates the building shortly before its year end,
due to business relocation. The lease on the vacated building has three years to run and cannot be
cancelled. The building cannot be sub-let.

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In this case, the conditions for making a provision are met as:

4.3

A present obligation exists as a result of a past event (the signing of the lease)

An outflow of resources embodying economic benefit in settlement is probable (rentals for the
remainder of the lease term); and

The amount can be measured reliably (the future rentals, discounted if material).

Restructuring
Definition
A restructuring is a programme that is planned and controlled by management, and materially changes
either:

The scope of a business undertaken by an entity; or


The manner in which that business is conducted.

Examples of events that may fall under the definition of restructuring include:

Sale or termination of a line of business

Closure of business locations or the relocation of business activities

Changes in management structure

Fundamental reorganisations that have a material effect on the nature and focus of the entitys
operations.

Point to note
The BAS 37 requirements apply to the recognition and measurement of provisions on discontinuance, as
well as other restructurings. In the case of a discontinuance, BFRS 5 (dealt with in Chapter 4) provides
additional disclosure requirements.

4.3.1

Criteria for making a provision


The key accounting issue is whether, and if so, when, to recognise a provision for a planned restructuring.
BAS 37 treats a restructuring as creating a constructive obligation (and therefore as requiring
recognition as a provision) only when an entity:

Has a detailed formal plan identifying at least:

The business concerned


The principal locations
The employees affected
The expenditure required
The timing; and

Has raised a valid expectation in those affected that it will carry out the restructuring by starting
implementation or announcing its main features.

A management or board decision taken before the year end in itself does not give rise to a
constructive obligation at the balance sheet date unless the entity has:

Already begun implementation; or


Made a public announcement of the main features sufficient to establish a constructive obligation.

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Point to note
A similar decision taken after, not before, the year end will normally require disclosure as a non-adjusting
event after the balance sheet date, under BAS 10 (see section 8 below).

4.3.2

Measurement
A provision should include only the direct expenditures arising from the restructuring, which are both:

Necessarily entailed by the restructuring; and


Not associated with ongoing activities.

This therefore excludes indirect costs, for example retraining or relocating staff in a continuing operation.
Provisions for future losses of the restructured operation are also not permitted, unless they relate to
onerous contracts.

4.3.3

Sale of an operation
Where an operation is to be sold, no obligation arises for the sale until the entity is committed to the sale,
i.e. there is a binding sale agreement.
A decision to sell does not itself create an obligation. Without a binding agreement, there is no past event
independent of the entitys future actions, as management may change its mind or be unable to find a
purchaser.

4.4

Other examples
Appendix C of BAS 37 includes a number of examples of the way in which the recognition criteria would be
applied to specific situations. Several of these have already been referred to in this chapter. You should read
through the Appendix and attempt Interactive question 4 below to confirm your understanding.

Interactive question 3: Provisions

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

In which of the following circumstances might a provision be recognised?


(a)

On 13 December 20X9 the board of an entity decided to close down a division. The accounting date
of the company is 31 December. Before 31 December 20X9 the decision was not communicated to
any of those affected and no other steps were taken to implement the decision.

(b) As (a) above except that the board agreed a detailed closure plan on 20 December 20X9 and details
were given to customers and employees.
(c)

A company is obliged to incur clean up costs for environmental damage (that has already been caused).

(d) A company intends to carry out future expenditure to operate in a particular way in the future.
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

5 Disclosures relating to provisions


Section overview

BAS 37 requires a number of numerical and narrative disclosures.

BAS 37 disclosures are examinable in full. The main requirements in relation to provisions are set out
below. Note also that BAS 37 Appendix D includes disclosure examples.

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Key BAS 37 numerical disclosures for each class of provision are:

Carrying amounts at the beginning and end of the period

Movements during the period, including:

Amounts provided
Amounts used (i.e. incurred and charged against the provision)
Unused amounts reversed
Increases due to unwinding of a discount
Effect of changes in the discount rate

Key BAS 37 narrative disclosures for each class of provision are:

A brief description of the obligation and expected timing of any outflows of resources
embodying economic resources

An indication of the uncertainties involved

The amount of any expected reimbursement, including the amount of any asset that has been
recognised

Point to note
In extremely rare cases, disclosure may seriously prejudice the companys position in a dispute with
other parties on the subject matter of the provision. In such cases, the information need not be
disclosed, but the general nature of the dispute, together with the reason why the information has not
been disclosed, should be stated.

6 Contingent liabilities
Section overview

6.1

Contingent liabilities should not be recognised but may require disclosure.

Definitions
Definition
A contingent liability is either:

A possible obligation that arises from past events and whose existence will be confirmed only by the
occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the control
of the entity, or

A present obligation that arises from past events but is not recognised because:

It is not probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to
settle the obligation; or

The amount of the obligation cannot be measured with sufficient reliability.

Points to note
1

Note the distinction between a provision and a contingent liability. A contingent liability arises when
some, but not all, of the criteria for recognising a provision are met. The criteria for recognising a
provision were covered in section 2.2 above.

If an obligation is probable it is not a contingent liability instead a provision is needed.

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6.2

Treatment of contingent liabilities


Contingent liabilities should not be recognised in the financial statements, but may require
disclosure (see section 6.3 below).
Because contingent liabilities are inherently uncertain, they should be assessed continually to identify
whether the criteria for recognising a provision have been met. If this occurs, a provision should be
recognised in the period in which the criteria are met. This would represent a change of accounting
estimate regarding the likely outcome of an uncertain situation.

6.3

Disclosure of contingent liabilities


Unless the possibility of any outflow in settlement is remote, the following disclosures should be made for
each class of contingent liability at the balance sheet date:

A brief description of its nature; and

Where practicable:

An estimate of the financial effect (measured in the same way as a provision)


An indication of the uncertainties; and
The possibility of any reimbursement.

No specific guidance is provided in BAS 37 on the meaning of remote. In line with prudence, 'remote'
should be interpreted as meaning extremely unlikely. This means that the probability of an event
occurring should be so small that it can be ignored.

Worked example: Contingent liability


A company has provided a guarantee to a third party which, if it were to be called on to honour it, would
undermine the going concern basis. In such a situation, even a 5% or 10% chance that the guarantee will be
enforced should not be considered remote as this could potentially destroy the entire company.

6.4

Exemption
If the disclosure requirements of BAS 37 are not met because it is not practicable to do so, this fact should
be stated. The same seriously prejudicial disclosure exemption applies for contingent liabilities as for
provisions (see section 5 above).

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6.5

Relationship between provisions and contingent liabilities


This can be summarised in the following flow chart which has been reproduced from Appendix B of BAS 37.

7
Contingent assets
Section overview

7.1

A contingent asset should not be recognised but should be disclosed where an inflow of benefits is
probable.

Definition
Definition
A contingent asset is a possible asset that arises from past events and whose existence will be confirmed
only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the
control of the entity.

An example of a contingent asset is the possible gain arising from a pending legal action or other claim.

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7.2

Treatment of contingent assets


A contingent asset must not be recognised. Only when the realisation of the related economic benefits
is virtually certain should recognition take place because, at that point, the asset is no longer contingent.
This is an application of the prudence concept.
Contingent assets should be assessed continually to identify whether the uncertainty has been removed.
If events confirm the existence of an asset, it should be recognised provided that it can be measured
reliably.

7.3

Disclosure of contingent assets


Where an inflow of economic benefits is probable, i.e. more likely than not, the contingent asset must be
disclosed.
The following information is required:

A brief description of the nature of the contingent asset


An estimate of the financial effect

As for contingent liabilities, these disclosures may be avoided on the grounds that it is impractical to
provide the information or would be seriously prejudicial to the entity.

Interactive question 4: BAS 37 definitions

[Difficulty level: Easy]

Identify which, if any, of the following circumstances falls within BAS 37's definitions of a provision, a
contingent liability or a contingent asset, explaining your answer:
Circumstance

Position under BAS 37

A contract of employment

A legal claim being pursued by an entity and which


it is confident of winning

A legal claim being pursued against an entity but


which the entity is confident of winning

A legal claim against an entity where the entity has


accepted liability but the amount to be paid has not
yet been agreed
Legislation enacted but coming into effect next
year which will require substantial retraining of
staff
The reinstatement of land once quarrying has
ceased, where there is no legal obligation. The
entitys published policy in relation to
environmental protection is that it will reinstate
any environmental damage caused by its activities
The reinstatement of land once quarrying has
ceased, where there is no legal obligation, the
entity has no published policy in relation to
environmental protection and this is the first
quarrying venture it has entered into

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Circumstance

Position under BAS 37

Restructurings where the detailed plan has been


developed, announced and agreed with employees
representatives
Restructurings where the detailed plan has been
developed and announced

Restructurings where the detailed plan has been


developed and agreed by the board, but no
announcement has been made
Future reinstatement work under guarantees to be
provided to customers in relation to future sales

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

Interactive question 5: Application of BAS 37

[Difficulty level: Easy]

For each of the following circumstances identify when, if ever, an asset or liability should be recognised
under BAS 37. In each case, is any disclosure required by BAS 37 prior to any asset/liability recognition?
Circumstance

Application of BAS 37

A legal claim in relation to a past event is pursued


against an entity over several years. The entity
makes the following judgements about outflows of
resources in settlement:

Year 1: there will be no outflow

Year 2: an outflow is remote

Year 3: an outflow is possible

Year 4: an outflow is probable

Year 5: an outflow is virtually certain

A legal claim in relation to a past event is pursued


by an entity over several years. The entity makes
the following judgements about inflows of
resources in settlement:

Year 1: there will be no inflow

Year 2: an inflow is remote

Year 3: an inflow is possible

Year 4: an inflow is probable

Year 5: an inflow is virtually certain

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

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8 BAS 10 Events After the Balance Sheet Date


Section overview

Events after the balance sheet date may be:

8.1

Adjusting events
Non-adjusting events.

The effect of adjusting events should be reflected in the year end financial statements.

Where the effect of non-adjusting events is material they should be disclosed.

Purpose of BAS 10
Financial statements are prepared to the balance sheet date. The preparation of financial statements,
however, will normally continue for a period after this date. During this time lag, events may occur which
provide additional information that is relevant to the preparation of the financial statements. The
objective of BAS 10 Events After the Balance Sheet Date is to prescribe when financial statements should be
adjusted for these events and any disclosures that may be required.

8.2

Events after the balance sheet date


Definition
Events after the balance sheet date are those events, favourable and unfavourable, that occur between
the balance sheet date and the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Points to note
1

The date the financial statements are authorised for issue is the key cut off point. Any event which
takes place after this date is outside the scope of BAS 10.

The process involved in authorising the financial statements may vary:

Where an entity is required to submit its financial statements to its shareholders for approval
after the financial statements have been issued, the financial statements are authorised for issue
on the date of issue (not the date when the shareholders approve the financial statements)

Where the management is required to issue the financial statements to a supervisory board
(made up solely of non-executives) for approval, the financial statements are authorised for issue
when the management authorises them for issue to the supervisory board

The date of authorisation may be after a preliminary announcement has been made of profits or
other information.

The date on which the financial statements are authorised for issue must be disclosed, so that users
know the date up to which events and transactions have been taken into account.

There are two different classes of events after the balance sheet date:

Adjusting events; and


Non-adjusting events.

We will look at these in detail below.

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8.3

Adjusting events
Definition
Adjusting events: Those that provide evidence of conditions that existed at the balance sheet date.

As the name suggests adjusting events lead to the adjustment of the financial statements. They require
either:

Adjustments to amounts already recognised in the financial statements; or


Recognition of items which did not previously meet the recognition criteria.

Examples include:

The settlement of a court case outstanding at the balance sheet date. (This is an example of an
event which might require either adjustment to an amount already recognised in the financial
statements as a liability or the recognition of something which prior to that would have been only a
contingent liability)

Bankruptcy of a customer, requiring adjustment to the amount receivable

Proceeds or other evidence concerning the net realisable value of inventories

Subsequent determination of the purchase price or of the proceeds of sale of assets purchased
or sold before the year end

Worked example: Adjusting event


A pressing machine with a budgeted carrying amount at 31 December 20X6 of CU20,000 is classified as
held for sale in December 20X6. Its fair value less costs to sell is then estimated as CU18,000 and it is sold
for CU16,500 on 28 February 20X7. The 20X6 financial statements are authorised for issue by the board
on 15 March 20X7.
The machine should be measured at CU16,500 in the 20X6 financial statements.

Point to note
As the financial statements will have been adjusted for an adjusting event there is no specific
requirement to disclose the event.
However, where the adjusting event affects an item which was not previously recognised but was disclosed,
the disclosure will need to be updated. For example, the contingent liability for damages under a court case
may need to be updated for new information.

8.4

Non-adjusting events
Definition
Non-adjusting events. Those that are indicative of conditions that arose after the balance sheet date.

Examples include:

A fall in the market value of investments


Plans to discontinue operations announced after the year end
Major purchases of assets

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Losses on non-current assets or inventories as a result of a catastrophe such as fire or flood;


Restructurings not provided for as they were announced after the year end.

Adjustments to amounts in the financial statements are not made to reflect non-adjusting events.
However, where the effect of the non-adjusting event is material, such that non-disclosure could influence
users economic decisions the following information should be provided in the notes to the financial
statements for each event:

8.5

The nature of the event; and


An estimate of the financial effect.

Dividends
Dividends on equity shares proposed or declared after the balance sheet date should be treated as follows:

They cannot be shown as a liability as there is no obligation at the balance sheet date.
The amount of dividends payable must be disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.

Interactive question 6: Dividends

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

The recent financial calendar of RSB Ltd, a company with a 31 December year end, has included the
following:
Authorised by
directors for issue

Approved in annual
general meeting

28 February 20X6
28 February 20X7

3 May 20X6
4 May 20X7

Proposed by directors

Declared by directors

Approved in annual
general meeting

28 February 20X6
31 August 20X6
28 February 20X7

No
Yes
No

Yes
No
Yes

Financial statements for 20X5


Financial statements for 20X6
Dividends on ordinary shares
20X5 final
20X6 interim
20X6 final
Requirement

Identify how these dividends will be dealt with in RSB Ltds financial statements for 20X5, 20X6 and 20X7.
Complete the proforma below.
Financial statements for:

20X5

20X6

20X5 final dividend

20X6 interim dividend

20X6 final dividend

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

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8.6

Going concern
If management determines after the balance sheet date that it intends to liquidate the entity or to
cease trading, or that it has no realistic alternative but to do so, then the financial statements
must not be prepared on the going concern basis.
Points to note
1

Management intentions are taken into account.

A change from the going concern basis is so all-pervasive in its effects on financial statements that a
fundamental change to the basis of accounting is required, not just adjustments to the figures prepared
on the going concern basis. No guidance is given in any BFRS as to the basis of accounting which
should be used in these circumstances, but it is likely that the break-up basis will be adopted (see
Chapter 1). All assets will need to be measured at their net realisable values; amounts receivable from
customers will need to take account of the period available for their collection the shorter the
period, the lower the value.

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Summary and Self-test

Summary

If not outside
scope of BAS 10

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Self-test
Answer the following questions.
1

The directors of Robin Ltd (year end 31 December 20X6) were informed on 27 February 20X7 that a
serious fire at one of the companys factories had stopped production there for at least six months to
come. On 3 March 20X7 the directors of Robin Ltd were informed that a major customer had gone
into liquidation. The liquidator was pessimistic about the prospect of recovering anything for
unsecured creditors. The financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20X6 were authorised
for issue on 20 March 20X7.
In accordance with BAS 10 Events After the Balance Sheet Date how should the two events be treated in
the financial statements?
A
B
C
D

Fire
Accrued in accounts
Disclosed in notes
Accrued in accounts
Disclosed in notes

Liquidation
Disclosed in notes
Disclosed in notes
Accrued in accounts
Accrued in accounts

The following events took place between the balance sheet date and the date on which the financial
statements were authorised for issue.
Which event should be classified as an adjusting event in accordance with BAS 10 Events After the
Balance Sheet Date?
A
B
C
D

The disclosure of a fraud that shows the financial statements were incorrect.
The acquisition of a subsidiary
A rights issue
A dramatic fall in the value of an overseas investment due to movements in the exchange rate

Brick Ltd, Cement Ltd and Mortar Ltd are independent companies, each with a year end of 31
December. Each company is owed a substantial amount by Ladder Ltd. The debts arose on the
following dates.
Brick Ltd
Cement Ltd
Mortar Ltd

20 December 20X1
20 January 20X2
25 January 20X2

On 31 January 20X2 Ladder Ltd went into liquidation, and on 2 February 20X2, as a result of the
amount which Ladder Ltd owed to it, Mortar Ltd went into liquidation.
Ladder Ltds default will be regarded as an event requiring adjustment under BAS 10 Events After the
Balance Sheet Date by
A
B
C
D

Brick Ltd
Brick Ltd and Cement Ltd
Brick Ltd and Mortar Ltd
Brick Ltd, Cement Ltd and Mortar Ltd

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4

The directors of Laurel Ltd are reviewing the draft balance sheet at 31 December 20X2. The following
events after the balance sheet date have been identified.
(i)

On 1 February 20X3 a fraud perpetrated by the accounts receivable controller was discovered.
Receivables recorded in November 20X2 were overstated by CU30,000.

(ii)

Property, plant and equipment with a carrying amount of CU25,000 was destroyed by a fire on
15 January 20X3. No insurance recovery is expected.

(iii) A claim brought by a customer which was under negotiation at the balance sheet date was
settled in court on 12 January 20X3. A payment of CU20,000 in full settlement was made on 24
January 20X3.
Which of these events would be regarded as an adjusting event according to BAS 10 Events After the
Balance Sheet Date?
A
B
C
D
5

(i) and (ii) only


(ii) and (iii) only
(i) and (iii) only
All three events

Which of the following would be a non-adjusting event after the balance sheet date when preparing
financial statements at 31 December 20X9 according to BAS 10 Events After the Balance Sheet Date?
(i)

A firework destroys part of the warehouse inventory in the early hours of 1 January 20Y0.

(ii)

An insurance claim is agreed on 3 January 20Y0 for a fire in December 20X9 which destroyed
part of the inventory in another warehouse.

(iii) A customer goes into receivership as a result of a catastrophic fire in January 20Y0.
(iv) Some inventory damaged by the fire in (i) above is sold in January 20Y0 at 10% of its cost price.
A
B
C
D
6

(i), (ii) and (iv)


(i), (iii) and (iv)
(ii), (iii) and (iv)
(i), (ii) and (iii)

The following describe potential provisions.


(i)

A provision to cover refunds. The company is in the retail sector and has a reputation for a 'no
questions asked' policy on refunds.

(ii)

A provision to cover an onerous contract on an operating lease. The lease was on a building
which the company has subsequently vacated. The lease cannot be terminated and cannot be relet.

Following BAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets, in which of the above situations
would a company be required to recognise a provision in their accounts for the year ended 30
September 20X7?
A
B
C
D

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Neither situation
Both situations
Situation (i) only
Situation (ii) only

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Porter Ltd is finalising its financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X3.
A former employee of Porter Ltd has initiated legal action for damages against the company after being
summarily dismissed in October 20X3. Porter Ltds legal advisers feel that the employee will probably
win the case and have given the company a reasonably accurate estimate of the damages which would
be awarded. Porter Ltd has not decided whether to contest the case.
In accordance with BAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets this item should be
classified in the financial statements of Porter Ltd for the year ended 30 September 20X3 as
A
B
C
D

A non-adjusting event after the balance sheet date


An adjusting event after the balance sheet date
A contingent liability disclosed by way of note
A provision

A company has a year end of 31 March 20X6. On 10 April 20X6 a decision is taken to sell a subsidiary
company, creating a profit in the books of the parent company.
Which of the statements below reflects the correct treatment of this item in the accounts of the
company for the year ended 31 March 20X6?

The sale is an 'exceptional' item not expected to recur, and accordingly the profit should be
disclosed in the income statement after the figure for profit/(loss) for the period

The sale of a subsidiary is a normal business decision taken by the main board of directors, and
accordingly the profit arising should be included in the income statement but not separately
disclosed

The sale is an event after the balance sheet date, and accordingly, in view of the potential impact
on next years results, details of the event and the profit arising should be disclosed as a note to
the financial statements

The sale is a contingency in view of the fact that it was uncertain at the balance sheet date, and
accordingly details of the contingency and the profit arising should be disclosed as a note to the
financial statements

Mulroon Ltd, a publishing company, is being sued for CU1 million in a libel action in respect of a book
published in January 20X4. On 31 October 20X4, the balance sheet date, the directors believed that
the claim had a 10% chance of success. On 30 November 20X4, the date the accounts were
authorised for issue, the directors believed that the claim had a 30% chance of success.
In accordance with BAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets in the financial
statements to 31 October 20X4 the amount which should be accrued is
A
B
C
D

CUnil
CU100,000
CU300,000
CU1,000,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

343

Financial accounting
10

Construction Ltd was awarded a contract to build a tunnel under the Thames river by a government
department. Construction Ltd delegated some aspects of the contract to other companies. One of the
sub-contractors, Underwater Ltd, was negligent in the performance of its contract with Construction
Ltd, which caused delay in the completion of the tunnel.
As a result of the delay, the government department is claiming damages of CU10 million against
Construction Ltd. In turn, Construction Ltd has commenced proceedings against Underwater Ltd. The
lawyers have advised Construction Ltd that both actions are likely to be successful.
In accordance with BAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets how should
Construction Ltd account for the legal claims?

A
B
C
D
11

Claim against
Construction Ltd
Provide
Provide
Disclose
Do nothing

Claim against
Underwater Ltd
Accrue
Disclose
Do nothing
Do nothing

Where some or all of the expenditure required to settle a provision is expected to be reimbursed by
another party and it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received if the entity settles the
provision, which of the following statements is true in accordance with BAS 37 Provisions, Contingent
Liabilities and Contingent Assets?
(i)

The reimbursement may be offset against the provision in the balance sheet and the charge in the
income statement.

(ii)

The reimbursement is recognised as a separate asset in the balance sheet and may be offset
against the charge in the income statement.

(iii) The amount recognised for the expected reimbursement may not exceed the liability.
(iv) The amount recognised for the expected reimbursement may exceed the liability.
A
B
C
D
12

(i) and (iii) only


(i) and (iv) only
(ii) and (iii) only
(ii) and (iv) only

As a result of new banking regulations, Intrepid Ltd will need to retrain a large proportion of its
financial services division in order to ensure continued compliance with banking regulations. At the
balance sheet date no retraining of staff has taken place. However, the head of the financial services
division has announced that he is committed to a completion of the retraining programme by the end
of the following year.
Carefree Ltd is also subject to the same banking regulations. By the year end Carefree Ltd has
contracted a training organisation to undertake the retraining programme with a start date of 15
January, two weeks after the year end. Staff have been notified of their training session dates.
In accordance with BAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets how should each
company account for the cost of retraining their staff?
A
B
C
D

344

Intrepid Ltd
Provide
Disclose
Do nothing
Do nothing

Carefree Ltd
Provide
Provide
Provide
Do nothing

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

PROVISIONS, CONTINGENCIES AND EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE

13

Woodhall Ltd supplies customers with major pieces of equipment. During 20X2 it supplied one item
of equipment to Spa Ltd. The item failed and Spa Ltd has initiated a legal claim for damages against
Woodhall Ltd. At 31 December 20X2 the matter remains unresolved. Woodhall Ltds legal advisors
have advised that there is a 40% chance that the claim can be defended at no cost. Otherwise,
damages are estimated at CU1 million.
What provision should be recorded in the balance sheet at 31 December 20X2 in accordance with
BAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets?
A
B
C
D

14

CUnil
CU400,000
CU600,000
CU1,000,000

On 1 January 20X2 Delta Ltd began working a new mine. Legislation requires the owner to restore
any environmental damage at the end of the 3-year licence. The cost of restoration includes:
(i)

The replacement of the landscape, which had to be removed before mining could commence.
The restoration cost is estimated at CU6 million.

(ii)

Damage that is progressively created as mining progresses. The total cost of this damage is
estimated at CU3 million. Environmental experts believe that the damage is created
proportionately with time.

What provision for environmental remediation should be created at 31 December 20X2 in


accordance with BAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets?
A
B
C
D
15

CU3 million
CU5 million
CU6 million
CU7 million

VACS LTD
Vacs Ltd is a manufacturing company which prepares financial statements to 30 September each year.
Before the draft financial statements for the year ended 30 September 20X3 can be finalised and
approved by the directors, the following points need to be addressed. Draft net assets at 30
September 20X3 were CU2 million.
(i)

Vacs Ltd has renewed the unlimited guarantee given in respect of the bank overdraft of a
company in which it holds a significant investment. That company's overdraft amounted to
CU300,000 at 30 September 20X3 and it has net assets of CU1 million.

(ii)

A former director, who was dismissed from the companys service on 1 September 20X3 for
acting outside his authority, has given notice of his intention to claim substantial damages for loss
of office. On 1 November 20X3 a claim was received for CU150,000. The companys legal
advisers have been negotiating with the former director and believe that the claim will probably
be settled at CU100,000.

(iii) On 15 November 20X3 the company sold its former head office building, Whitley Wood, for
CU2.7 million. At the year end the building was unoccupied and Vacs Ltd had not intended to sell
the property for at least another year. The building's carrying amount (based on cost less
accumulated depreciation) was CU3.1 million at the year end.
(iv) An overseas division of Vacs Ltd was nationalised in December 20X3. The overseas authorities
have refused to pay any compensation. The net assets of the division have been valued at
CU200,000 at the year end.

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345

Financial accounting
Requirements
(a)

Explain the definition of a liability from BFRS Framework in the context of accounting for
provisions and contingencies.
(6 marks)

(b) Prepare extracts from the balance sheet of Vacs Ltd as at 30 September 20X3, including any
relevant notes to the financial statements.
(10 marks)
(16 marks)
16

PROVISO LTD
Proviso Ltd is organised into several divisions. The following events relate to the year ended 31
December 20X2.
(i)

The computer division supplied a computer to a customer during the year that exploded, causing
a fire. Proviso Ltd is being sued for damages. Lawyers have advised that there is a 30% chance of
successfully defending the claim. Otherwise the damages are expected to cost CU10 million
(present value CU9.5 million). The lawyers have investigated the cause of the problem with a
team of accident consultants. They have concluded that parts supplied to the computer division
by Moor Ltd contributed to the fire. Lawyers have estimated that Moor Ltds contributory
negligence amounted to 40% of the total damages. Negotiations have started with Moor Ltd and
the lawyers believe that a claim is likely to succeed.

(ii)

On 15 December 20X2, the directors of Proviso Ltd minuted their decision to close the
operations of the loss making space technology division. The decision and an outline of a plan
were immediately announced to employees and a press release was issued. The closure, which
began on 4 January 20X3, has an estimated date for completion, including the sale of the noncurrent assets of the division, of 30 June 20X3. The costs associated with the closure include the
following.
Employee redundancy costs
Lease termination costs
Relocating continuing staff to other divisions
Impairment losses

CU'000
12,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
21,000

(iii) Proviso Ltds retail division provides two-year warranties to its customers. Experience has shown
that, on average, 10% of sales from this division result in a warranty claim. Revenue from this
division in 20X2 was CU8 million. At 1 January 20X2 Proviso Ltd had a warranty provision in
place of CU1 million. During the year claims of CU600,000 were settled by the company.
Requirement
Prepare the provisions and contingencies notes for the financial statements of Proviso Ltd for the year
ended 31 December 20X2.
(10 marks)

346

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

PROVISIONS, CONTINGENCIES AND EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE

17

ARCHY LTD (Sample Paper)


An extract from Archy Ltds nominal ledger at 30 April 20X6 is as follows:
Administrative expenses
Distribution costs
Other operating costs
Purchases
Corporation tax charge for period
Finance costs
Sundry operating income
Revenue
Ordinary share capital - CU1 nominal value
Trade and other receivables
Inventories at 1 May 20X5
Bank account
Freehold land and buildings
Cost
Accumulated depreciation at 30 April 20X5
Plant and equipment
Cost
Accumulated depreciation at 30 April 20X5
Intangible asset carrying amount at 30 April 20X6
Retained earnings at 1 May 20X5
Bank loan (repayable on 1 June 20Y0)
Trade and other payables

CU
950,000
509,000
22,000
2,875,000
227,000
9,000
5,700
5,350,000
1,000,000
55,700
1,670,000
15,000
900,000
36,000
102,800
36,400
68,000
813,300
100,000
62,100

The following additional information is available:


(1) One of Archy Ltd's customers was declared bankrupt following the year end. The customer
owed Archy Ltd CU12,500 at the year end.
(2) A piece of plant costing CU56,000 on 1 May 20X3 had been sold on 30 April 20X6 for
CU36,600. It first met the BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations
criteria as a held for sale asset on the date of disposal. The proceeds were received on 10 May
20X6 and no adjustments have been made in respect of the disposal. The plant was being
depreciated straight-line over eight years.
Depreciation is charged on the remaining plant and machinery at 20% on cost and is presented as
part of cost of sales.
(3) Inventories at 31 May 20X6 were valued at CU1,820,000 before any adjustment for damaged
items.
At the year end inventory count it was discovered that one line of goods in the warehouse had
been damaged. The count showed that 1,250 items had been damaged. The inventory was
recorded at its cost of CU150 per item. However, following the damage the items have a scrap
value of CU40 each.
(4) The intangible asset is a brand which was acquired in 20X4 for CU68,000. The useful life of the
brand is considered to be indefinite and therefore Archy Ltd carries out an annual impairment
test each year to ensure that the brands carrying amount is recoverable. An expert has
estimated the brands fair value less costs to sell is CU60,000 and the financial controller has
estimated that the brands value in use is CU62,000.
(5) The land and buildings were originally acquired on 1 May 20X2 for CU900,000 of which
CU300,000 was allocated to the land element and this is the first valuation following the
acquisition. Depreciation is charged straight-line on the property element based on a 50-year life
and is presented as part of administrative expenses.
A valuation of the land and buildings took place at the beginning of the period and has not yet
been recognised in the nominal ledger. They were valued at CU1,400,000 of which CU460,000
relates to the land element. The remaining useful life remains unchanged.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

347

Financial accounting
Archy Ltd makes a transfer between the revaluation reserve and retained earnings each period as
a result of the revaluation in accordance with best practice.
(6) A dividend of 15p per share was declared on 25 April 20X6 and paid shortly after the year end.
Requirement
Prepare an income statement for Archy Ltd for the year ended 30 April 20X6 and a balance sheet as
at that date.
(22 marks)
Point to note
You are not required to prepare notes to the financial statements.
Now, go back to the Learning Objectives in the Introduction. If you are satisfied you have achieved
these objectives, please tick them off.

348

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

PROVISIONS, CONTINGENCIES AND EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE

Technical reference
Point to note
All of BAS 10 and BAS 37 are examinable. The paragraphs listed below are the key references you should
be familiar with.
1 Provisions recognition

Provisions are liabilities of uncertain timing or amount.

BAS 37 (10)

A provision is recognised only when all of the following are met at balance sheet
date:

BAS 37 (14)

A present obligation exists (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event

An outflow of resources embodying economic benefits in settlement is


probable

Amount can be estimated reliably

There is a useful decision tree in Appendix B

BAS 37 (App B)

2 Provisions measurement and use

Measure at best estimate of expenditure required to settle obligation at BS date.

BAS 37 (36)

Discount where material.

BAS 37 (45)

Do not take into account gains from expected disposal of assets.

BAS 37 (51)

Treat reimbursements as separate assets, recognised only where virtually certain,


and only up to amount of provision.

BAS 37 (53)

BAS 37 (54)

Expense in income statement may be shown net of reimbursement

Review provisions at each BS date and adjust to current best estimate.

BAS 37 (59)

Use a provision only for the expenditures for which it was created.

BAS 37 (61)

3 Provisions specific applications

Do not provide for future operating losses.

BAS 37 (63)

Provide for unavoidable costs of meeting onerous contracts.

BAS 37 (66)

Provide for restructuring only where legal or constructive obligation exists at BS


date, and provision covers only costs:

Necessarily entailed by restructuring; and

Not associated with ongoing activities.

No obligation arises on sale of an operation until there is a binding sale agreement.

A useful set of examples is given in Appendix C.

BAS 37 (72 &


80)

BAS 37 (78)
BAS 37 (App C)

4 Contingent liabilities

A contingent liability is either:

BAS 37 (10)

A possible obligation arising from past events whose existence will be


confirmed only by uncertain future events not wholly within the entitys
control; or
A present obligation arising from past events not recognised because an
outflow of resources embodying economic benefit is not probable or amount
cannot be measured reliably.
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349

Financial accounting

Do not recognise contingent liabilities but disclose unless possibility of outflow is


remote.

BAS 37 (27 &


86)

5 Contingent assets

A contingent asset is a possible asset arising from past events whose existence will
be confirmed only by uncertain future events not wholly within the entitys
control.

Do not recognise contingent assets but disclose where inflow is probable (i.e.
more likely than not).

BAS 37 (10)

BAS 37 (31 &


89)

6 Events after the balance sheet date

350

Events after BS date are events occurring between BS date and date of
authorisation of FS. Two categories are:

Adjusting events, which provide evidence of conditions existing at BS date

Non-adjusting events, which are indicative of conditions arising after BS date

BAS 10 (3)

FS are adjusted for:

Adjusting events

Non-adjusting events that indicate that going concern assumption is not


appropriate

BAS 10 (8)
BAS 10 (14)

Disclose, without adjustment, material non-adjusting events which could affect


users economic decisions taken on the basis of the FS.

BAS 10 (21)

Disclose proposed equity dividends not declared by BS date do not meet


definition of liabilities.

BAS 1 (125)

Disclose date on which FS authorised for issue.

BAS 10 (17)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

PROVISIONS, CONTINGENCIES AND EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE

Answers to Self-test
1

The fire is non-adjusting, whereas the liquidation is adjusting.

Only 'A' affects the conditions existing at the balance sheet date.

Brick Ltd

The debt arose before the year end, so this would be an adjusting event.

Cement Ltd

The debt arose after the year end, so that this would be a non-adjusting event.

Mortar Ltd

As for Cement Ltd a non-adjusting event, but of such significance that Mortar
Ltd is no longer a going concern. Thus adjustments will be made to the
accounts.

BAS 10 paragraphs 9 and 22.

(i)

The destruction of the warehouse is caused by an event which took place after the balance
sheet date therefore it is non-adjusting.

(ii)

The claim was outstanding at the balance sheet date, because the fire took place in
December 20X9. The agreement on 3 January 20Y0 provides information about the
outcome of the claim, therefore it is an adjusting event.

(iii) The cause of the customer going into receivership is due to an event which took place after
the balance sheet date i.e. the fire in January 20Y0. This is therefore a non-adjusting event.
(iv) The fall in value of the inventory is again due to the fire which occurred after the balance
sheet date. At the balance sheet date the inventory was undamaged. Therefore the event is
non-adjusting.
6

(i)

A constructive obligation exists as the company has built up a valid expectation in


customers.

(ii)

The signing of the lease is a past event and when the lease becomes onerous, a provision
should be made.

The legal action does not relate to conditions existing at the year end as the cause arose
subsequently.

BAS 10 paragraph 22(a).

Loss is not probable, therefore no accrual required.

10

The claim against Construction Ltd represents a probable loss and should be provided for. The
claim against Underwater Ltd represents a contingent asset which is probable and should be
disclosed.

11

BAS 37 paragraph 53.

12

At the year end neither company has an obligation to pay for training as no training has been
carried out.

13

If there is a 40% chance that the claim can be defended, there is a 60% (i.e. probable) chance that
the company will have to pay damages of CU1 million.

14

BAS 37 paragraph 19.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

351

Financial accounting
15

VACS LTD
(a)

Definition of a liability and accounting for provisions and contingencies


BFRS Framework defines a liability as:

A present obligation of the entity

Arising from past events

The settlement of which is expected to result in an outflow of resources which can be


measured reliably.

This definition can be illustrated by looking at item (ii) in the question.


The claim is a present obligation because settlement of the claim can be enforced by law.
Ultimately, a court will decide whether or not an outflow of resources will result.
The claim has arisen from past events because the action which gave rise to the claim (i.e. the
dismissal) took place before the year end (even though the company was not aware of this claim
until after the year end). Hence this claim potentially needs recognising as a provision (a liability
of uncertain timing and amount) in the financial statements as at 30 September 20X3.
If the event had not taken place until after the year end then it would not arise from past events
and so no liability would be recognised (though disclosure as a non-adjusting post balance sheet
event may be necessary).
For the claim to be recognised it must be expected to result in an outflow of resources which
can be measured reliably. BAS 37 effectively defines 'expected' as 'more likely than not'. Here, the
claim is recognised at an amount of CU100,000 because the legal advisors believe the claim will
'probably be settled at CU100,000'.
If the legal advisers believed that it was unlikely that the case would succeed (i.e. settlement is
not probable) then the matter would not be recognised as a liability in the financial statements.
However, disclosure as a contingent liability (contingent on the outcome of the future court
case) would be necessary if the possibility of settlement was other than remote. A contingent
liability therefore arises when some, but not all, of the criteria for recognising a provision are
met.
(b) Financial statement extracts
Balance sheet as at 30 September 20X3 (extract)
CU
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment

3,100,000

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES


Non-current liabilities
Provisions (Note 1)

100,000

Notes to the financial statements as at 30 September 20X3 (extracts)


(1) Provisions

At 1 October 20X2
Income statement charge
At 30 September 20X3

Compensation claim
CU

100,000
100,000

This provision is in respect of a claim made by a director who was dismissed on 1


September 20X3 for acting outside his authority. It represents the amount at which the
companys legal advisers believe the claim will be settled.

352

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

PROVISIONS, CONTINGENCIES AND EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE

(2) Contingent liabilities


The company has guaranteed the overdraft in respect of a company in which it holds a
significant investment. It is not considered likely that this guarantee will be called upon. That
companys overdraft was CU300,000 at 30 September 20X3.
(3) Events after the balance sheet date
Following an offer made to the company after the year end, on 15 November 20X3 the
company sold its former head office building for CU2.7 million, realising a loss of
CU400,000. This loss will be reflected in the companys financial statements to 30
September 20X4.
In December 20X3 an overseas division was nationalised without compensation. A loss of
CU200,000, in respect of the divisions net assets at 30 September 20X3, will be reflected in
the companys financial statements to 30 September 20X4.
Point to note
In part (a) it is not essential to use item (ii) in the question to illustrate. Any other appropriate
example could have been used.
16

PROVISO LTD
Notes to the financial statements as at 31 December 20X2 (extracts)
(i)

Provisions

At 1 January 20X2
Utilised in the year
Income statement charge (bal fig)
At 31 December 20X2 (Ws 1 and 2)

Warranty
provision

Compensation
claim

CU'000
1,000
(600)
400
800

CU'000

9,500
9,500

Provision for
closure of
division
CU'000

18,000
18,000

Total
CU'000
1,000
(600)
27,900
28,300

The warranty provision is in respect of two-year warranties provided to customers. The


provision is based on the level of past claims.
The compensation claim provision is in respect of a claim made by a customer for damages as a
result of a faulty computer supplied by the company. It represents the present value of the
amount at which the companys legal advisers believe the claim is likely to be settled.
On 15 December 20X2, Proviso Ltd announced that it would be closing its loss making space
technology division. Details of the closure have been fully communicated to those affected. The
cost of the closure, which began on 4 January 20X3, is estimated at CU18 million and completion
is expected by 30 June 20X3.
(ii)

Contingent assets
A counter-claim in respect of the compensation claim provided for above has been made against
the supplier of parts for the affected computer. Lawyers have advised that this claim is likely to
succeed and should amount to around 40% of the total damages (CU3.8 million).

WORKINGS
(1) Provision for closure of division
Employee redundancy costs
Lease termination costs
Impairment losses

CU'000
12,000
4,000
2,000
18,000

(2) Warranty provision


CU8 million x 10% = CU800,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

353

Financial accounting
17

ARCHY LTD
(a)

Archy Ltd Balance Sheet as at 30 April 20X6


CU
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant & equipment
((1,400,000 20,000) + (46,800 31,760)) (W4)
Intangible asset (W6)

CU

1,395,040
62,000
1,457,040

Current assets
Inventories (1,820,000 137,500 (W1))
Trade receivables (55,700 12,500)
Other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

1,682,500
43,200
36,600
15,000
1,777,300
3,234,340

Total assets
EQUITY & LIABILITIES
Capital & Reserves
Ordinary share capital
Revaluation reserve (536,000 8,000 (W2))
Retained earnings (W7)
Equity
Non-current liabilities
Bank loan
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Dividend payable (15p x 1,000,000)

1,000,000
528,000
1,394,240
2,922,240
100,000
62,100
150,000
212,100
3,234,340

Total equity and liabilities


Archy Ltd Income Statement for year ended 30 April 20X6
Revenue
Cost of sales (W5)
Gross profit
Administrative expenses (950,000 + 20,000)
Distribution costs
Other operating costs (22,000 - 5,700 + 12,500 - 1,600 (W3) + 6,000 (W6))
Finance costs
Profit before tax
Taxation
Net profit for the period

CU
5,350,000
(2,878,860)
2,471,140
(970,000)
(509,000)
(33,200)
958,940
(9,000)
949,940
(227,000)
722,940

WORKINGS
(1) Inventory
1,250 x (CU150 - CU40) = CU137,500 write down
(2) Revaluation reserve
Freehold land & buildings
Accumulated depreciation
Net book value
Valuation at 1 May 20X5
Revaluation reserve

354

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU
900,000
(36,000)
864,000
1,400,000
536,000

(12,000 x 3 years)

PROVISIONS, CONTINGENCIES AND EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE

Depreciation on cost 600,000 / 50 years = 12,000 pa


Depreciation on revalued amount (1,400,000 460,000) 940,000 / 47 years = 20,000 pa
Transfer between reserves for additional depreciation 20,000 12,000 = 8,000 pa
(3) Disposal of piece of machinery
Machinery cost

CU56,000

Accumulated depreciation

CU56,000 / 8 years = CU7,000 pa


CU7,000 x 3 years = CU21,000

Net book value at disposal

CU56,000 - CU21,000 = CU35,000


CU
36,600
(35,000)
1,600

Proceeds
Less: NBV
Profit on disposal
(4) Property, plant and equipment
Freehold land and buildings
Valuation
Less depreciation (W2)
Net book value

CU
1,400,000
(20,000)
1,380,000

Plant and equipment


Cost
Less disposal
At 30 April 20X6

CU
102,800
(56,000)
46,800

Accumulated depreciation
Less disposal
Depreciation in year
At 30 April 20X6

36,400
(21,000)
16,360
31,760

Depreciation charge in the year for plant and equipment:


CU
9,360
7,000
16,360

20% x CU46,800
Plant disposed of
Charge in year
(5) Cost of sales
Purchases
Add: opening inventory
Less: closing inventory
Add: write down (W1)
Add: plant & machinery depreciation

CU
2,875,000
1,670,000
(1,820,000)
137,500
2,862,500
16,360
2,878,860

(6) Intangible asset - impairment


Recoverable amount is higher of:
Value in use
Fair value less costs to sell

CU
62,000
60,000

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355

Financial accounting
Recoverable amount is therefore CU62,000 which is greater than carrying amount and
hence an impairment has occurred.
CU68,000 - CU62,000 = CU6,000 impairment loss
(7) Retained earnings
Trial balance
Transfer from revaluation reserve
Dividend declared
Add: Profit for period

356

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU
813,300
8,000
(150,000)
671,300
722,940
1,394,240

PROVISIONS, CONTINGENCIES AND EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE

Answers to Interactive questions

Answer to Interactive question 1


The expected cost of repairs will be:
(80% 0) + (15% 100) + (5% 500) = CU40,000

Answer to Interactive question 2


The entry to record the provision for environmental damage on removal of the overburden will be:
DR Non-current asset Cost of establishing quarry
CR Provision for environmental costs

CU50,000
CU50,000

When the overburden is removed, the company has yet to realise the economic benefits from extraction of
the rock. However, the removal of the overburden is a past event giving rise to an obligation. Therefore a
provision for restoration costs is recognised at this point. The debit entry is added to the non-current asset
for the cost of establishing the quarry rather than being expensed immediately. The cost passes to the
income statement as the asset for the establishment of the quarry is depreciated over its life.

Answer to Interactive question 3


(a)

No provision would be recognised as the decision had not been communicated by the year end.

(b) A provision would be made in the 20X9 financial statements.


(c)

A provision for such costs would be made as the damage has already been caused.

(d) No present obligation exists and under BAS 37 no provision would be appropriate. This is because the
entity could avoid the future expenditure by its future actions, maybe by changing its method of
operation.

Answer to Interactive question 4


Circumstance

Position under BAS 37

A contract of employment

Obligations still have to be performed by both


parties, so it is an executory contract. As there is
no indication that it is an onerous contract, it falls
outside the scope of BAS 37

A legal claim being pursued by an entity and which


it is confident of winning

There is a possible asset and as the claim is being


pursued, it must arise from past events. So a
contingent asset

A legal claim being pursued against an entity but


which the entity is confident of winning

There is a possible obligation and as the claim is


being pursued, it must arise from past events. So a
contingent liability

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Financial accounting
Circumstance

Position under BAS 37

A legal claim against an entity where the entity has


accepted liability but the amount to be paid has not
yet been agreed

Liability has been admitted so the obligation exists


and arises from past events. A provision

Legislation enacted but coming into effect next


year which will require substantial retraining of
staff

The obligation arises from future events (the


legislation comes into force in the future) and both
provisions and contingent liabilities require the
obligation to arise from past events. Outside the
scope of BAS 37

The reinstatement of land once quarrying has


ceased, where there is no legal obligation. The
entitys published policy in relation to
environmental protection is that it will reinstate
any environmental damage caused by its activities

There is a constructive obligation. A provision

The reinstatement of land once quarrying has


ceased, where there is no legal obligation. The
entity has no published policy in relation to
environmental protection and this is the first
quarrying venture it has entered into

There is no obligation. Outside the scope of


BAS 37

Restructurings where the detailed plan has been


developed, announced and agreed with employees
representatives

There is a constructive obligation. A provision

Restructurings where the detailed plan has been


developed and announced

There is a constructive obligation. A provision

Restructurings where the detailed plan has been


developed and agreed by the board, but no
announcement has been made

There is no obligation as the board could reverse


its decision and not announce it. Outside the scope
of BAS 37

Future reinstatement work under guarantees to be


provided to customers in relation to future sales

The obligation arises from future sales. Outside the


scope of BAS 37

Answer to Interactive question 5

358

Circumstance

Application of BAS 37

A legal claim in relation to a past event is pursued


against an entity over several years. The entity
makes the following judgements about outflows of
resources in settlement:

This claim may result in the existence of a liability

Year 1: there will be no outflow

Year 1: neither recognition nor disclosure

Year 2: an outflow is remote

Year 2: neither recognition nor disclosure

Year 3: an outflow is possible

Year 3: contingent liability disclosed

Year 4: an outflow is probable

Year 4: provision recognised

Year 5: an outflow is virtually certain

Year 5: provision retained

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

PROVISIONS, CONTINGENCIES AND EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE

A legal claim in relation to a past event is pursued


by an entity over several years. The entity makes
the following judgements about inflows of
resources in settlement:

This claim may result in the existence of an asset

Year 1: there will be no inflow

Year 1: neither recognition nor disclosure

Year 2: an inflow is remote

Year 2: neither recognition nor disclosure

Year 3: an inflow is possible

Year 3: neither recognition nor disclosure

Year 4: an inflow is probable

Year 4: contingent asset disclosed

Year 5: an inflow is virtually certain

Year 5: asset recognised

Answer to Interactive question 6


Financial statements for:

20X5

20X6

20X7

20X5 final dividend

In the notes

Charged to statement
of changes in equity

N/a

20X6 interim dividend

N/a

Charged to statement
of changes in equity

N/a

20X6 final dividend

N/a

In the notes

Charged to
statement of changes
in equity

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chapter 10

Group accounts: basic


principles
Contents
Introduction
Examination context
Topic List
1

Context for group accounts

The single entity concept

Control and ownership

Summary and Self-test


Technical reference
Answers to Self-test
Answers to Interactive questions

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Introduction

Learning objectives

Identify the financial effects of group accounting in the context of BFRS Framework

Explain and demonstrate the concepts and principles surrounding the consolidation of
financial statements including:

The single entity concept

Substance over form

The distinction between control and ownership

Identify and describe the circumstances in which an entity is required to prepare and present
consolidated financial statements

Identify the laws, regulations and accounting standards applicable to the consolidated financial
statements of an entity

Identify whether an entity should be treated as a subsidiary of a parent entity

Illustrate the application of the concepts and principles of consolidation through the preparation
of simple consolidated balance sheets and consolidated income statements

Tick off

Specific syllabus references for this chapter are: 1d,e,g, 2a,b,c

Practical significance
In very simple terms a group is a collection of entities, where one, the parent, controls the activities of the
others, its subsidiaries. In these circumstances the group is required to produce consolidated financial
statements. These present the position and results of the individual companies as if they were one entity.
Due to the nature of the business structure of a group, group accounts tend to be produced by larger
organisations, many of which are listed companies. This increases the sensitivity of group accounts and the
scrutiny to which they are subjected. The process by which financial statements are consolidated is a
relatively mechanical procedure which in itself is not particularly contentious. However, there are many
decisions which need to be made prior to the consolidation being executed. These have historically
involved the application of judgement and in some cases have allowed for deliberate manipulation of the
financial information. Examples of the issues include:

Whether an investment meets the definition of a subsidiary and should be accounted for as such

Whether there are circumstances when it might be appropriate to exclude a subsidiary from the
consolidation process

The value at which the net assets and results of the subsidiary should be incorporated into the group
accounts

Two accounting standards aim to deal with these issues:

BFRS 3 Business Combinations


BAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements

Stop and think


From the shareholders point of view what do you think the benefits are of consolidated financial
statements?

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10

Working context
If you work in a small or medium-sized firm you may have been involved in the preparation of consolidated
financial statements. This is normally a largely mechanical procedure involving the combination of the
individual financial statements of the members of the group. A consolidation package may be prepared
which presents the information contained in the individual financial statements in such a way that
combination is straightforward. This process is often computerised.
If you work in a large audit firm the a significant number of audit assignments are likely to involve the audit
of a group of companies. In simple terms the audit of a group involves two key steps:

The financial statements of each individual entity within the group will be audited. The financial
statements of the parent entity are audited by the principal auditors. Those of the subsidiaries will be
audited by other auditors.

The consolidated financial statements (which are an amalgamation of the individual sets of financial
statements) will be audited by the principal auditor. The principal auditor is responsible for the overall
audit opinion on the consolidated financial statements.

You may have been involved in either of these steps.

Syllabus links
Group accounts is a key part of the Financial Accounting syllabus with a syllabus weighting of 35%. The
Financial Accounting syllabus covers:

Consolidated balance sheet (Chapter 11)


Consolidated statements of financial performance (Chapter 12)
Associates (Chapter 13)
Disposals (Chapter 14)
Consolidated cash flow statement (Chapter 16).

More complex issues are covered in the Financial Reporting paper and at the Advanced Stage including joint
ventures and overseas subsidiaries, and the analysis and interpretation of group financial statements.
This chapter introduces some of the key principles of group accounting. The concept of substance over
form is an important principle which we have already introduced as follows:

Chapter 1 in the context of BFRS Framework


Chapter 7 in relation to sale and repurchase agreements
Chapter 8 in relation to finance leases

This chapter also introduces some of the basic techniques of the preparation of consolidated accounts. It is
important that you have a sound understanding of these as they are developed in subsequent chapters.

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Examination context

Exam requirements
Because of the 35% weighting, group accounts will be examined in both the short-form question and
written test sections of the paper. There will be at least one full question on group accounts in the written
test section and group accounting could also form part of a mixed topic question and/or be tested via
short-form questions. Whilst the majority of the marks are likely to be for the preparation of consolidated
financial statements you could be asked to explain the principles of consolidation and the way in which they
apply to the consolidation process. You may also be asked to explain these issues in the context of BFRS
Framework.
In the examination, candidates may be required to:

Explain and demonstrate the concepts and principles surrounding the consolidation of financial
statements including:

364

The single entity concept


Substance over form
The distinction between control and ownership

Prepare the consolidated balance sheet or income statement (or extracts) including the results of the
parent entity and one or more subsidiaries.

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GROUP ACCOUNTS: BASIC PRINCIPLES

10

1 Context for group accounts


Section overview

1.1

A group includes a parent and one or more subsidiaries.


A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the parent.
Forming a group is a means of organising a business.
Group accounts consolidate the results of the individual companies.

What is a group?
In simple terms a group is created where one company, the parent (P) buys shares in another company,
the subsidiary (S), such that the parent company controls the subsidiary. A group may include one or
many subsidiaries.
Shareholders

P Ltd

S1 Ltd

S2 Ltd

S3 Ltd

The shareholders (owners) of P Ltd may be individuals and/or institutions such as pension funds.

1.2

What is a subsidiary?
Definition
A subsidiary is an entity, including an unincorporated entity such as a partnership, that is controlled by
another entity (known as the parent).

Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain
benefits from its activities.
Control is presumed where the parent acquires more than 50% of the other entitys voting rights,
unless it can be demonstrated otherwise.
In certain circumstances control may be achieved by other means. We will look at these circumstances in
Chapter 15. For now we will assume that if a parent holds more than 50% of the ordinary shares in
another entity this constitutes control. (Voting rights are normally attached to ordinary shares.)

1.3

Why form a group?


A business may operate in several different markets with different characteristics. These different
markets will present different issues for management to address in terms of operations and finance and so
on.
It would be possible for different activities to be carried out within a single limited company, where
separate divisions could be established for each activity. The owners would then receive one set of
accounts for that company, reflecting all its activities.

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Financial accounting
Alternatively, each activity could be carried out within a separate company (the subsidiaries), each of
which is controlled by the parent.
There are a number of reasons why the business might be structured in this way:

1.4

Accountability of each group of managers can be made more precise, as they can be
identified more easily with the activities of the subsidiary which employs them

Financing may be made easier, as lenders can see audited financial statements for the individual
company for which they are providing finance

The assets of one subsidiary can be pledged as security for its borrowings, leaving the assets of
other subsidiaries unpledged

Disposal of a business may be made easier

Why prepare group accounts?


This is best illustrated by the following worked example.

Worked example: Why prepare group accounts?


P Ltd (the parent) does not trade on its own account. Its only major asset is the ownership of all the shares
in S Ltd (the subsidiary) and its only income is dividends from S Ltd.
Income statements for the last 12 months (ignoring tax):

Revenue
Cost of sales

P Ltd
CUm

S Ltd
CUm
100
(85)

Gross profit
Other costs

(1)

15
(40)

Loss from operations


Dividends receivable

(1)
11

(25)

Profits/(loss) for the period

10

(25)

P Ltd
CUm
10
(6)

S Ltd
CUm
(25)
(11)

Statement of changes in equity (extract) for the last 12 months:

Net profit/(loss)
Dividends declared
Retained profit/(loss) for the period
Brought forward

4
1

(36)
45

Carried forward

Without provisions requiring the preparation of group accounts (which put together, i.e. 'consolidate', the
activities of the parent and subsidiaries), the owners would only legally be entitled to receive the financial
statements of the parent company as an individual company.
In this case, they could well think that things were going well, because the dividend income for the period
covers the expenses of P Ltd and provides for a CU6m dividend. They would not be aware that:

The CU11m dividend income all came from profits earned by S Ltd in previous years
The trading activity controlled by P Ltd's management is currently loss-making

As will be demonstrated later in this chapter, the effect of consolidation is to produce a fair picture of P Ltd
and S Ltd taken together, which is that on revenue of CU100m (S Ltd only), there is a loss for the year of
CU26m (S Ltd's net loss of CU25m plus P Ltd's other costs of CU1m).

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1.5

10

Accounting principles
The key issue underlying group accounts is therefore the need to reect the economic substance (see
Chapter 1) of the relationship between companies where one (a parent) has control over another (a
subsidiary), which together comprise a group.
Producing consolidated accounts that present the group as though it were a single economic entity
reects this economic substance.
As we will see in section 3, the consolidated accounts also reect another key principle (dealt with in BFRS
Framework see Chapter 1), that of the distinction between:

The resources controlled and the results they produce; and


The ownership of those resources and results.

Point to note
The terms group accounts, 'consolidated accounts, group financial statements and consolidated nancial
statements can be thought of as meaning the same thing and are used interchangeably in the accounting
world.

1.6

Composition of group accounts


Group accounts comprise:

Consolidated balance sheet (CBS)


Consolidated income statement (CIS)
Consolidated statement of changes in equity (CSCE)
Consolidated cash flow statement
Notes to the accounts and comparative figures

Points to note

1.7

The consolidated balance sheet is presented in addition to the parents own individual balance sheet.

The consolidated income statement is usually presented instead of the parents own individual
income statement.

The parents own balance sheet shows its investment in subsidiaries in non-current asset
investments (usually at cost).

The parents own individual income statement shows the dividend income received and receivable
from subsidiaries.

Summary of investments
A parent may hold other investments apart from subsidiaries. These can be summarised as follows:
Investment

Criterion

Treatment in group
accounts

Subsidiary

Control (>50%)

Consolidation

Associate (See Chapter 13)

Significant influence (20%+)

Equity method

Investment

Asset held for accretion of wealth

Usually at cost

This chapter and Chapters 11-14 and 16 deal with the underlying principles and techniques involved in the
preparation of group accounts.
Chapter 15 deals with the relevant accounting standards which provide the regulatory backing for the
principles illustrated. These include:

BFRS 3 Business Combinations


BAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements
BAS 28 Investments in Associates

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Financial accounting

2 The single entity concept


Section overview

2.1

Group accounts are prepared on the basis that the parent and subsidiaries are a single entity.

This reflects the economic substance of the group arrangement.

The investment in a subsidiarys shares shown in the parents own balance sheet is replaced in the
consolidated balance sheet by the net assets of the subsidiary.

The dividend income from the subsidiary recorded in the parents own income statement is replaced
in the consolidated income statement by the subsidiary's revenues and costs.

The effect of consolidation


Group accounts consolidate the results and net assets of group members to present the group to the
parents shareholders as a single economic entity. This reects the economic substance and contrasts
with the legal form, where each company is a separate legal person.

Parent
Controls
(>50%)

GROUP Single Entity

Subsidiary
The effect of consolidation can be illustrated by comparing buying an unincorporated business from its
existing proprietor with buying a controlling interest in a company from its existing shareholders.

2.2

Buying an unincorporated business


When a company invests in an unincorporated business, it pays cash to the proprietor and in exchange
acquires legal title to all the assets and all the liabilities (i.e. the net assets) of the business.

Worked example: Buying an unincorporated business


Draft balance sheets of Panther Ltd and Seal, a sole trader, at 31 December 20X1 are as follows:

Cash
Sundry other assets
Share capital/Capital
Retained earnings
Equity
Liabilities

Panther Ltd
CU
4,000
13,000
17,000

Seal
CU

6,000
6,000

2,000
12,000
14,000
3,000
17,000

4,000

4,000
2,000
6,000

Panther Ltd then buys the net assets and business of Seal on 31 December 20X1 for CU4,000 in cash.
In 20X2 Panther Ltd itself made sales of CU6,000 with costs of CU4,500. Panther Ltd also carried on Seal's
trade, which made sales of CU3,000 with costs of CU1,000. There are no other changes in net assets in
20X2.
You are required to prepare the income statement of Panther Ltd for the year ended 31 December 20X2,
reflecting the above information.

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GROUP ACCOUNTS: BASIC PRINCIPLES

10

Solution
Panther Ltd
Income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X2
CU
9,000
(5,500)
3,500

Revenue (6,000 + 3,000)


Costs (4,500 + 1,000)
Profit
Balance sheets as at 31 December

Sundry other assets (20X1: 13,000 + 6,000)


(20X2: P (13,000 + 6,000 4,500) +
S (6,000 + 3,000 1,000))
Share capital (P only)
Retained earnings (20X1: P only)
(20X2: P (12,000 + 6,000 4,500) +
S post-acq (3,000 1,000))
Equity
Liabilities
Total equity and liabilities

20X1
CU
19,000

20X2
CU
22,500

2,000
12,000

2,000
15,500

14,000
5,000
19,000

17,500
5,000
22,500

Points to note

2.3

Seal's net assets at the date of acquisition are incorporated into Panther Ltd's books and Panther Ltd's
cash is reduced by the cost of the acquisition.

All Seal's trading in 20X2 (and the increase in net assets attributable to it) is recorded in Panther Ltd's
books.

Buying a company
When a company (A Ltd) invests in another company (B Ltd) the legal position is very different. Companies
have their own legal identity separate from that of their owners. The investing company therefore pays cash
to B Ltds shareholders to buy their shares. It does not acquire legal title to the net assets of B Ltd; this
remains with B Ltd.

Worked example: Buying a company


Draft balance sheets of Panther Ltd and Seal Ltd at 31 December 20X1 are as follows:

Cash
Sundry other assets
Share capital
Retained earnings
Equity
Liabilities

Panther Ltd
CU
4,000
13,000
17,000
2,000
12,000
14,000
3,000
17,000

Seal Ltd
CU

6,000
6,000
1,000
3,000
4,000
2,000
6,000

Panther Ltd then buys all the shares of Seal Ltd on 31 December 20X1 for CU4,000 in cash. In 20X2
Panther Ltd itself made sales of CU6,000 with costs of CU4,500. Seal Ltd continued to trade and made sales
of CU3,000 with costs of CU1,000. There are no other changes to net assets in 20X2.

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Financial accounting
You are required to:
(a)

Prepare the balance sheets as at 31 December 20X1 and 20X2 for Panther Ltd, Seal Ltd and the
Panther Ltd group, reflecting the above information.

(b) Prepare the income statements for the year ended 31 December 20X2 for Panther Ltd, Seal Ltd and
the Panther Ltd group, reflecting the above information.

Solution
(a)

Balance sheets as at

Investment in Seal Ltd


Sundry other assets
Share capital
Retained earnings
Equity
Liabilities
Total equity and liabilities

31 December 20X1
Panther
Seal
ConsoliLtd
Ltd
dated
CU
CU
CU
4,000

13,000
6,000
19,000
17,000
6,000
19,000

31 December 20X2
Panther
Seal
ConsoliLtd
Ltd
dated
CU
CU
CU
4,000

14,500 8,000
22,500
18,500 8,000
22,500

2,000
12,000
14,000
3,000
17,000

2,000
13,500
15,500
3,000
18,500

1,000
3,000
4,000
2,000
6,000

2,000
12,000
14,000
5,000
19,000

1,000
5,000
6,000
2,000
8,000

2,000
15,500
17,500
5,000
22,500

(b) Income statements for the year ended 31 December 20X2

Revenue
Costs
Profit

Panther Ltd
CU
6,000
(4,500)
1,500

Seal Ltd
CU
3,000
(1,000)
2,000

Consolidated
CU
9,000
(5,500)
3,500

Points to note

370

The investment in the shares of Seal Ltd in Panther Ltd's books has been replaced by the
underlying net assets of Seal Ltd. The net assets of Seal Ltd at the date of acquisition (represented
by its share capital and reserves at that date) are cancelled out against the investment in Panther
Ltd's books. (Note that the situation where the net assets of a subsidiary at acquisition do not equal
the cost of investment is covered in Chapter 11.)

As the net assets of Seal Ltd increase post-acquisition (an increase attributable to Panther Ltd's
control of Seal Ltd) this increase has been reflected in net assets and retained earnings.

The profits of Seal Ltd are combined with those of Panther Ltd in the consolidated accounts from
the date of acquisition, as post-acquisition profits of the subsidiary are earned under the parent's
control. This is also reflected in the consolidated balance sheet, where group retained earnings
include Seal Ltd's post-acquisition retained earnings.

Consolidated balance sheets and income statements have been produced.

These are the same as those produced when Seal Ltd was unincorporated. This is because Panther Ltd
and Seal Ltd have been treated, not as two separate legal entities, but as a single entity.

The two companies can be viewed as a single entity because Panther Ltd (the parent) controls Seal
Ltd, its subsidiary. Together the companies form a group.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: BASIC PRINCIPLES

2.4

10

Summary
So far we have looked at the following key points:

Group = parent (P) + subsidiary(ies) (S)


Subsidiary(ies) = undertaking(s) under Ps control
The objective of group accounts is to present a true and fair view of the group to P's shareholders
Mechanics of consolidation:

The investment in S shown in Ps own balance sheet is replaced in the consolidated balance sheet
(CBS) by the line-by-line addition of Ss net assets to Ps to show the groups resources

Dividend income in Ps own income statement is replaced in the consolidated income statement
(CIS) by the line-by-line addition of Ss revenue and costs to Ps to show the groups performance

The investment in S in Ps balance sheet is cancelled out against Ss share capital and reserves at
acquisition

3 Control and ownership


Section overview

3.1

Group accounts reflect both control and ownership.

Ownership of more than 50% of the ordinary shares in a subsidiary normally gives control to the
parent.

The net assets and results not owned by the parent are reflected in the minority interest.

Control
Usually a holding of over 50% of the ordinary shares in S will give P control of S.
As we saw in Section 1, control means the ability to direct nancial and operating policies of S with
a view to gaining economic benets from its activities. This is an extension of the basic concept of control,
introduced in Chapter 1 in the context of the denition of assets.
In an individual company, the assets are under the direct control of the company. In a group, the
subsidiarys assets are under indirect control through the parents control of the subsidiary.

3.2

Ownership
Equity, as defined in Chapter 1, is the residual amount found by deducting all of the entitys liabilities
from all of the entitys assets. It is also described as the ownership interest.
In an individual companys accounts, there is only one ownership interest, i.e. that of the shareholders in
that individual company, represented by the capital and reserves (which equals net assets).
In a group, it is possible for the parent to have control of a subsidiary without owning 100% of it.
That part of Ss net assets and results included in the consolidation which is not owned by P is owned by
the minority interest (MI).

Worked example: Ownership


P Ltd owns 75% of the ordinary shares of S Ltd.
In this case, P Ltd controls 100% of S Ltd as it owns more than 50% of the ordinary shares.
However, P Ltd only owns 75%. The MI owns the remaining 25%.

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In group accounts, the ownership interest of both Ps shareholders and the MI needs to be reected, and
the part of the group net assets in which Ps shareholders do not have the ownership interest needs to be
distinguished from that in which they do.
As both Ps shareholders and the MI own equity (in (P + S) and S, respectively), the sum of their respective
ownership interests is described as equity in the consolidated balance sheet.

3.3

Reflecting control and ownership in group accounts


When preparing the consolidated accounts, Ps control of S and the ownership interest of P and MI in S
need to be reected.
Group accounts reect both control and ownership.
CBS

Consolidated balance sheet (CBS)


Assets
(P + S (100%) intra-group items)

CU
X

Control

Ownership
Capital and reserves
Share capital (P only)

Reserves
(P + (P% S post-acquisition))
Attributable to equity holders of P

X
X

Minority interest
(MI% S's net assets)
Equity
Liabilities

Shows resources
under group's control
as a single entity; and

Shows ownership split


between

X
X
X
X

Parent co's
share

Minority
interest share

(Ownership: P% = P's share; MI% = MI share)


Consolidated income statement (CIS)
Revenue
(P + S (100%) intra-group items)

Profit after tax (PAT) (Control)


Ownership
Attributable to:
Equity holders of P ()
Minority interest (MI% S's PAT)

CIS
CU
X

X
X
X

Shows revenue and


expenses under
group's control as a
single entity and

Shows PAT split


between

(Ownership: P% = P's share; MI% = MI share)


Parent co's
share

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Minority
interest share

GROUP ACCOUNTS: BASIC PRINCIPLES

3.4

10

Reserves
The CBS includes P's reserves plus Ps share of Ss post acquisition reserves, as these reserves are
generated under Ps control. Ss reserves at acquisition (pre-acquisition reserves), along with its share
capital, are cancelled against Ps cost of investment in S.
The same basic calculation is used for each reserve separately (e.g. revaluation reserve, retained earnings).
The following interactive question brings together the points we have made so far.

Interactive question 1: Control and ownership

[Difficulty level: Easy]

The balance sheets of two companies at 31 December 20X7 are as follows:


Austin Ltd
CU

Reed Ltd
CU

Current assets
Total assets

80,000
12,000
92,000
58,000
150,000

8,000

8,000
13,000
21,000

Capital and reserves


Called up share capital
Retained earnings
Equity
Liabilities
Total equity and liabilities

100,000
30,000
130,000
20,000
150,000

10,000
5,000
15,000
6,000
21,000

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments: Shares in Reed Ltd

Austin Ltd acquired 80% of Reed Ltd on 31 December 20X7.


Requirement
Prepare the consolidated balance sheet of Austin Ltd as at 31 December 20X7.
Fill in the proforma below.
Austin Ltd: Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 20X7
CU
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Current assets
Total assets
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital (Austin Ltd only)
Retained earnings
Attributable to equity holders of Austin Ltd
Minority interest
Equity
Liabilities
Total equity and liabilities
Points to note
1

Austin Ltd controls the assets and liabilities of Reed Ltd. The CBS reflects this.

The equity section of the CBS reflects ownership (80% by Austin Ltd and 20% by the minority
interest).

Austin Ltd's investment is cancelled against the net assets (i.e. assets less liabilities) of Reed Ltd at
acquisition (12,000 (80% (10,000 + 5,000))).

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4

The remaining net assets are owned by the minority interest.

Retained earnings are Austin Ltd's only, because Reed Ltd has, as yet, earned nothing under Austin
Ltd's control. All of Reed Ltd's retained earnings are pre-acquisition.

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

Interactive question 2: Control and ownership

[Difficulty level: Easy]

Continuing from the facts in Interactive question 1, in the year ended 31 December 20X8 the two
companies traded as follows.

Revenue
Costs
Profit

Austin Ltd
CU
20,000
(15,000)
5,000

Reed Ltd
CU
5,000
(3,000)
2,000

The balance sheets as at 31 December 20X8 are as follows.


Austin Ltd
CU
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments: Shares in Reed Ltd

Reed Ltd
CU

Current assets
Total assets

82,000
12,000
94,000
81,000
175,000

9,000

9,000
20,000
29,000

Capital and reserves


Called up share capital
Retained earnings
Equity
Liabilities
Total equity and liabilities

100,000
35,000
135,000
40,000
175,000

10,000
7,000
17,000
12,000
29,000

Requirement
Prepare the consolidated income statement of Austin Ltd for the year ended 31 December 20X8 and the
consolidated balance sheet at that date.
Fill in the proforma below.
Austin Ltd
Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8
CU
Revenue
Costs
Profit
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Austin Ltd
Minority interest

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GROUP ACCOUNTS: BASIC PRINCIPLES

10

Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 20X8


CU
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Current assets
Total assets
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
Retained earnings
Attributable to equity holders of Austin Ltd
Minority interest
Equity
Liabilities
Total equity and liabilities
Points to note
Consolidated income statement
1

Down to 'Profit after tax' this reflects control.

To reflect ownership, this profit is then allocated between the minority interest (in Reed Ltd) and
the equity holders of Austin Ltd (Austin Ltd's profit plus that part of Reed Ltd's profit (80%) owned by
Austin Ltd).

Consolidated balance sheet


1

The assets and liabilities in the balance sheet represent control.

The equity part of the CBS represents ownership. This time the retained earnings are Austin Ltd's
plus that part of Reed Ltd's (80%) that has arisen since acquisition, i.e. post-acquisition earnings.
The minority interest owns their share of Reed Ltd's equity at the balance sheet date.

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

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Summary and Self-test

Summary

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10

Self-test
1

Vaynor Ltd acquired 100,000 ordinary shares in Weeton Ltd and 40,000 ordinary shares in Yarlet Ltd
some years ago.
Extracts from the balance sheets of the three companies as on 30 September 20X7 were as follows.
Vaynor Ltd
CU'000
500

Weeton Ltd
CU'000
100

Yarlet Ltd
CU'000
50

Ordinary shares of CU1


each
Retained earnings
90
40
70
At acquisition Weeton Ltd had retained losses of CU10,000 and Yarlet Ltd had retained earnings of
CU30,000.
The consolidated retained earnings of Vaynor Ltd on 30 September 20X7 were
A
B
C
D
2

CU162,000
CU170,000
CU172,000
CU180,000

Constable Ltd owns 10% of Turner Ltd which it treats as a trade investment. Constable Ltd also owns
60% of Whistler Ltd. Constable Ltd has held both of these shareholdings for more than one year.
Revenue of each company for the year ended 30 June 20X2 was as follows.
CUm
Constable Ltd
400
Turner Ltd
200
Whistler Ltd
100
What gure should be shown as revenue in the consolidated income statement of Constable Ltd?
A
B
C
D

CU460m
CU500m
CU520m
CU700m

ANDRESS LTD
The income statement and balance sheet for the year 20X0 for Andress Ltd and Bacall Ltd are given
below.
Income statements for the year ended 31 December 20X0

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Expenses and tax
Profit

Andress Ltd
CU
10,000
(6,000)
4,000
(3,000)
1,000

Bacall Ltd
CU
7,000
(2,000)
5,000
(2,000)
3,000

Andress Ltd
CU

Bacall Ltd
CU

Balance sheets as at 31 December 20X0

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments (3,200 shares in Bacall Ltd at cost)
Current assets
Total assets

25,300
3,200
28,500
22,500
51,000

9,000

9,000
7,000
16,000

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EQUITY AND LIABILITIES


Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Share premium account
Retained earnings
Equity
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Total equity and liabilities

Andress Ltd
CU

Bacall Ltd
CU

10,000
4,000
2,000
16,000
10,000
25,000
51,000

4,000

7,000
11,000
2,000
3,000
16,000

Andress Ltd has owned 80% of Bacall Ltd since incorporation.


Requirement
Prepare, for Andress Ltd, the consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X0
and the consolidated balance sheet at that date.
4

CRAWFORD LTD PART 1


The balance sheets and income statements for Crawford Ltd and Dietrich Ltd are given below.
Balance sheets as at 30 June 20X0
Crawford Ltd
CU
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments (2,000 CU1 shares in Dietrich Ltd at
cost)

Dietrich Ltd
CU

27,000
2,000

12,500

Current assets
Total assets

29,000
25,000
54,000

12,500
12,000
24,500

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES


Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Share premium account
Retained earnings
Equity
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Total equity and liabilities

20,000
6,000
9,000
35,000
12,000
7,000
54,000

3,000

14,000
17,000

7,500
24,500

Crawford Ltd acquired its shares in Dietrich five years ago when Dietrich's earnings were nil. At the
start of the current year retained earnings were CU2,000 and CU4,000 respectively.
Income statement for the year ended 30 June 20X0

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Distribution costs
Administrative expenses
Profit from operations
Finance cost
Profit before tax
Tax
Profit for the period

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Crawford Ltd
CU
24,000
(9,000)
15,000
(2,300)
(1,500)
11,200
(1,200)
10,000
(3,000)
7,000

Dietrich Ltd
CU
30,000
(11,000)
19,000
(1,300)
(2,700)
15,000

15,000
(5,000)
10,000

GROUP ACCOUNTS: BASIC PRINCIPLES

10

Requirement
(a)

Briefly explain the objectives of producing group accounts.

(3 marks)

(b) Briefly explain the following words/phrases.


(i) Single entity
(ii) Control
(iii) Equity
(c)

(6 marks)

Prepare, for Crawford Ltd, the consolidated income statement and the statement of changes in
equity (in so far as it relates to retained earnings and the minority interest) for the year ended 30
June 20X0 and the consolidated balance sheet at that date.
(12 marks)
(21 marks)

Now go back to the Learning Objectives in the Introduction. If you are satisfied you have achieved these
objectives, please tick them off.

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Technical reference
For a comprehensive Technical reference section, covering all aspects of group accounts (except group cash
flow statements) see Chapter 15.

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10

Answers to Self-test
1

C
Vaynor Ltd
Weeton Ltd ((40 + 10) 100%)
Yarlet Ltd ((70 30) 80%)

B
CUm
400
100
500

Constable Ltd
Whistler Ltd
3

CU'000
90
50
32
172

ANDRESS LTD
Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X0
Revenue (10,000 + 7,000)
Cost of sales (6,000 + 2,000)
Gross profit
Expenses and tax (3,000 + 2,000)
Profit
Attributable to
Equity holders of Andress Ltd ()
Minority interest (20% 3,000)

CU
17,000
(8,000)
9,000
(5,000)
4,000
3,400
600
4,000

Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 20X0


CU
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment (25,300 + 9,000)
Current assets (22,500 + 7,000)
Total assets

34,300
29,500
63,800

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES


Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Share premium account
Retained earnings (2,000 + (80% 7,000))
Attributable to equity holders of Andress Ltd
Minority interest (20% 11,000)
Equity
Non-current liabilities (10,000 + 2,000)
Current liabilities (25,000 + 3,000)
Total equity and liabilities

10,000
4,000
7,600
21,600
2,200
23,800
12,000
28,000
63,800

Point to note
No goodwill arises on the acquisition of Bacall Ltd as the shares were acquired at nominal value (80%
x 4,000 = CU3,200) on incorporation.

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4

CRAWFORD LTD
(a)

The objectives of producing group accounts


Group accounts aim to reflect substance, i.e. if one company controls another, they effectively
operate as a single economic entity.
Therefore, the parent, or controlling company, should provide information about the economic
activities of the group by preparing consolidated accounts. These will show the economic
resources controlled by the group, the obligations of the group and the results achieved with
those resources.
The overall aim is to present the results and state of affairs of the group as if they were those of
a single entity.

(b) Terms
(i)

Single entity
The single entity concept focuses on the existence of the group as an economic unit (as
discussed above). This contrasts with legal form where each group company is actually a
separate legal person.

(ii)

Control
Control is the ability to direct the financial and operating activities of another company. In
an individual company the assets are under the direct control of that company. However,
where a company becomes a subsidiary, the assets are under indirect control of the parent
via its control of the subsidiary.
Control can be achieved in a number of ways, the most obvious being a holding of over 50%
of the ordinary, i.e. vote-carrying, shares.

(iii) Equity
Equity is defined in BFRS Framework (Elements) as the residual amount found by deducting
all of the entity's liabilities from its assets. In an individual company those net assets are
owned by one ownership interest the company's shareholders. However, in consolidated
accounts the consolidated net assets will include 100% of the subsidiary even though some
of those net assets are not owned by the group. Therefore, the equity interest is split
between

(c)

The parent company's shareholders


The minority shareholders in the subsidiary

Consolidated balance sheet as at 30 June 20X0


CU

382

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and machinery (27,000 + 12,500)
Current assets (25,000 + 12,000)
Total assets

39,500
37,000
76,500

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES


Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Share premium account
Retained earnings (9,000 + (2/3 14,000))
Attributable to equity holders of Crawford Ltd
Minority interest (1/3 17,000)
Equity
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities (7,000 + 7,500)
Total equity and liabilities

20,000
6,000
18,333
44,333
5,667
50,000
12,000
14,500
76,500

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GROUP ACCOUNTS: BASIC PRINCIPLES

10

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 June 20X0


CU
54,000
(20,000)
34,000
(3,600)
(4,200)
26,200
(1,200)
25,000
(8,000)
17,000

Revenue (24,000 + 30,000)


Cost of sales (9,000 + 11,000)
Gross profit
Distribution costs (2,300 + 1,300)
Administrative expenses (1,500 + 2,700)
Profit from operations
Finance cost
Profit before tax
Income tax (3,000 + 5,000)
Profit after tax
Attributable to
Equity holders of Crawford Ltd ()
Minority interest (1/3 10,000)

13,667
3,333
17,000

Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 30 June 20X0
(extract)

Net profit for the period


Balance b/f (2,000 + (2/3 4,000)) (1/3 4,000)
Balance carried forward

Attributable
to the equity
holders of
Crawford Ltd
CU
13,667
4,667
18,334

Minority
interest
CU
3,333
1,333
4,666

Total
CU
17,000
6,000
23,000

Point to note
No goodwill arises on the acquisition of Dietrich Ltd as the shares were acquired at net asset
value, i.e. their nominal value when retained earnings were CUnil.

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Answers to Interactive questions

Answer to Interactive question 1


Austin Ltd: Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 20X7
CU
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment (80,000 + 8,000)
Current assets (58,000 + 13,000)
Total assets

88,000
71,000
159,000

Capital and reserves


Called up share capital (Austin Ltd only)
Retained earnings (Austin Ltd only)
Attributable to equity holders of Austin Ltd
Minority interest (20% Reed Ltd's 15,000)
Equity
Liabilities (20,000 + 6,000)
Total equity and liabilities

100,000
30,000
130,000
3,000
133,000
26,000
159,000

(Retained earnings are Austin Ltd's only, because Reed Ltd has, as yet, earned nothing under Austin Ltd's
control.)

Answer to Interactive question 2


Austin Ltd
Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8
Revenue (20,000 + 5,000)
Costs (15,000 + 3,000)
Profit
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Austin Ltd ()
Minority interest (20% 2,000)

CU
25,000
(18,000)
7,000
6,600
400
7,000

Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 20X8


CU
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment (82,000 + 9,000)
Current assets (81,000 + 20,000)
Total assets
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital (Austin Ltd only)
Retained earnings
(35,000 + (80% (7,000 5,000))
(i.e. Austin Ltd + its share of Reed Ltd post-acquisition)
Attributable to equity holders of Austin Ltd
Minority interest (20% Reed Ltd's 17,000)
Equity
Liabilities (40,000 + 12,000)
Total equity and liabilities

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91,000
101,000
192,000
100,000
36,600
136,600
3,400
140,000
52,000
192,000

chapter 11

Group accounts:
consolidated balance sheet
Contents
Introduction
Examination context
Topic List
1

Context

Goodwill

Consolidated balance sheet workings

Mid-year acquisitions

Intra-group balances

Unrealised intra-group profit

Fair value adjustments

Other consolidation adjustments

Summary and Self-test


Technical reference
Answers to Self-test
Answers to Interactive questions

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Introduction

Learning objectives

Identify the financial effects of group accounting in the context of BFRS Framework

Explain and demonstrate the concepts and principles surrounding the consolidation of
financial statements including:

Tick off

The single entity concept


Substance over form
The distinction between control and ownership

Calculate the amounts to be included in an entitys consolidated balance sheet in respect of


its new and continuing interests in subsidiaries in accordance with the international financial
reporting framework

Prepare and present a consolidated balance sheet (or extracts therefrom) including
adjustments for intra-group transactions and balances, goodwill, minority interests and fair
values

Specific syllabus references for this chapter are: 1d,g, 3d,e.

Practical significance
The consolidated balance sheet provides the owners of the group with important information over and
above that which is available in the parents own balance sheet. The cost of the investment made in the
subsidiary is replaced with the net assets controlled by the parent company. This application of substance
over form provides a more realistic representation of what their investment is really worth as the balance
sheets of the parent and subsidiary are produced as if they were a single entity. The single entity concept
has more detailed implications for the preparation of the balance sheet which we will look at in this
chapter.

Stop and think


Why is information about the assets and liabilities of the subsidiary of more use to the shareholders than
the cost of their investment?

Working context
The preparation of the consolidated balance sheet involves the combination of the individual balance sheets
of the group members. As we said in Chapter 10, this process is often computerised. However, detailed
work will be needed on the consolidation adjustments. This might include for example, establishing fair
values at the date of acquisition so that goodwill can be correctly calculated and the identification and
elimination of intra-group balances. In this chapter, we will look at consolidation adjustments from the
perspective of the consolidated balance sheet. Chapter 12 considers the same consolidation adjustments
from the perspective of the consolidated income statement.

Syllabus links
This chapter looks in detail at the preparation of the consolidated balance sheet and is fundamental to the
Financial Accounting syllabus. It builds on the principles introduced in Chapter 10 and applies them to more
complex situations. A detailed knowledge and understanding of this topic will also be assumed in Financial &
Corporate Reporting at the Advanced Stage.

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GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

11

Examination context

Exam requirements
Each Financial Accounting paper is likely to feature either a written test question on the consolidated
balance sheet or the consolidated income statement (or, more rarely, the consolidated cash flow
statement). In a consolidated balance sheet question the majority of marks are likely to be awarded for the
preparation of the balance sheet or extracts therefrom including a number of consolidation adjustments.
Typically, the group structure will include more than one subsidiary or a subsidiary and an associate
(associates are covered in Chapter 13). However, you may also be required to explain the consolidation
process in relation to the principles of substance over form and/or the single entity concept.
Short-form questions on this area, including goodwill calculations, fair value adjustments and the elimination
of intra-group transactions and balances are also likely to appear regularly in the exam.
In the examination, candidates may be required to:

Prepare a consolidated balance sheet (or extracts therefrom) including the results of the parent entity
and one or more subsidiaries including adjustments for the following:

Acquisition of a subsidiary, including mid-year acquisitions


Goodwill
Intra-group items
Unrealised profits
Fair values
Other consolidation adjustments

Explain the process of consolidating the balance sheet in the context of the single entity concept,
substance over form and the distinction between control and ownership.

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1 Context
Section overview

1.1

This chapter considers the preparation of the consolidated balance sheet in more detail.

Consolidated balance sheet


This chapter builds on the basic principles of group accounts (dealt with in Chapter 10) by applying
them in more detail to the preparation of the consolidated balance sheet. In particular it covers the
following issues:

Goodwill
Intra-group balances
Unrealised intra-group profit
Standardised workings
Fair value adjustments

All of the above relate to the application of the single entity concept and reflect the distinction between
control and ownership.

2 Goodwill
Section overview

2.1

Goodwill on acquisition is recognised in the consolidated balance sheet as an intangible non-current


asset.

An annual impairment review is performed.

Any discount on acquisition is recognised in profit or loss in the period in which the acquisition is
made.

Calculation
In the previous chapter we said that the investment in the parents balance sheet is cancelled against the
net assets of the subsidiary at acquisition.

Worked example: Cancellation


Using the facts from Interactive question 1 in Chapter 10, we had the following information:
Cost of 80% investment in Reed Ltd
(in Austin Ltds balance sheet)
Net assets of Reed Ltd at acquisition

CU
12,000
15,000

If you compare the cost of the investment (CU12,000) with the net assets acquired (80% CU15,000 =
CU12,000) you can see that this cancels exactly. Austin Ltd has paid an amount which is equal to its share
of the assets and liabilities of Reed Ltd at acquisition.

In practice this is not likely to be the case. The parent company will often pay more for the subsidiary than
the net assets would suggest, in recognition that the subsidiary has attributes that are not reflected in its
balance sheet. The extra amount paid by the parent is goodwill. (We looked at some of the factors which
create goodwill in Chapter 6.)

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GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

Interactive question 1: Goodwill

11

[Difficulty level: Easy]

P Ltd pays CU10,000 to buy 75% of the share capital of S Ltd. The balance sheet of S Ltd shows the
following.
CU
16,000

Assets
Share capital
Retained earnings
Equity
Liabilities

1,000
11,000
12,000
4,000
16,000

Requirement
Calculate the goodwill arising on P Ltd's acquisition of S Ltd.
Fill in the proforma below.
CU
Consideration
Less: Share of net assets acquired
Goodwill
Point to note
For the purposes of calculating goodwill net assets at acquisition are normally calculated as equity plus
retained earnings (and other reserves, if any) at the acquisition date.
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

2.2

Accounting treatment
Goodwill arising on consolidation is recognised in the consolidated balance sheet as an intangible
non-current asset.
Goodwill is not amortised through the income statement in annual instalments. Instead an annual
impairment review will be performed to ascertain whether part of its value has been lost as a result of
factors external or internal to the business. (Impairment losses under BAS 36 Impairment of Assets were
covered in Chapter 5.)
If goodwill has suffered an impairment the loss will be recognised in the consolidated income
statement. Retained earnings in the consolidated balance sheet will also be reduced.
Point to note
Retained earnings will be reduced by the impairment recognised to date, not just the fall in value which
relates to the current year.
This is because goodwill is a consolidation adjustment, i.e. it only affects the group accounts. The single
entity accounts which are used as the basis of the consolidated balance sheet will not reflect any previous
impairments in goodwill.

2.3

Acquisition at a discount
In certain circumstances the parent entity may pay less to acquire a subsidiary than represented by its share
of the subsidiarys net assets.
These circumstances might include the following:

The subsidiary has a poor reputation


It suffers from inherent weaknesses not reflected in its assets and liabilities
The parent company has negotiated a good deal

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Financial accounting
This negative balance or discount on acquisition is recognised in profit or loss in the period in which
the acquisition is made.

3 Consolidated balance sheet workings


Section overview

3.1

A number of standard workings should be used when answering consolidation questions.

Question technique
As questions increase in complexity a formal pattern of workings is needed. Review the standard workings
below, then attempt Interactive question 2 which puts these into practice.
(1) Establish group structure
P Ltd
80%

S Ltd
(2) Set out net assets of S Ltd

Share capital
Retained earnings

At BS date
CU
X
X
X

At acquisition
CU
X
X
X

Post acquisition
CU
X
X

(3) Calculate goodwill


Cost
Less: Share of net assets at acquisition (see W2)
Impairment to date
Balance c/f

CU
X
(X)
X
(X)
X

(4) Calculate minority interest (MI)


Share of net assets at BS date (W2)

CU
X

(5) Calculate retained earnings


P Ltd (100%)
S Ltd (share of post-acquisition retained earnings (see W2))
Goodwill impairment to date (see W3)

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CU
X
X
(X)
X

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

11

Interactive question 2: Consolidated balance sheet workings [Difficulty level: Easy]


The following are the summarised balance sheets of a group of companies as at 31 December 20X1.
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments
Shares in Viv Ltd (75%)
Shares in Neil Ltd (2/3)
Current assets
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
(CU1 ordinary)
Retained earnings
Equity
Liabilities

Rik Ltd
CU
100,000

Viv Ltd
CU
40,000

Neil Ltd
CU
10,000

25,000
10,000
45,000
180,000

40,000
80,000

25,000
35,000

50,000

20,000

10,000

100,000
150,000
30,000
180,000

40,000
60,000
20,000
80,000

15,000
25,000
10,000
35,000

Rik Ltd acquired its shares in Viv Ltd and Neil Ltd during the year, when their retained earnings were
CU4,000 and CU1,000 respectively.
At the end of 20X1 the goodwill impairment review revealed a loss of CU3,000 in relation to the
acquisition of Viv Ltd.
Requirement
Prepare the consolidated balance sheet of Rik Ltd at 31 December 20X1.
Fill in the proforma below.
Rik Ltd: Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 20X1
CU
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangibles (W3)
Current assets
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
Retained earnings (W5)
Attributable to equity holders of Rik Ltd
Minority interest (W4)
Equity
Liabilities
WORKINGS
(1) Group structure
Rik Ltd
75%

2/3

Viv Ltd

Neil Ltd

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(2) Net assets
Balance sheet date
CU

Acquisition
CU

Post-acquisition
CU

Balance sheet date


CU

Acquisition
CU

Post-acquisition
CU

Viv Ltd
Share capital
Retained earnings

Neil Ltd
Share capital
Retained earnings
(3) Goodwill
Viv Ltd
CU

Neil Ltd
CU

Total
CU

Cost of investment
Less: Share of net assets
acquired
Viv Ltd
Neil Ltd
Goodwill
Impairment to date
Balance c/f
(4) Minority interest
Viv Ltd Share of net assets at BS date
Neil Ltd Share of net assets at BS date

CU

(5) Retained earnings


Rik Ltd
Viv Ltd Share of post-acquisition retained earnings
Neil Ltd Share of post-acquisition retained earnings
Goodwill impairment to date (W3)

CU

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

4 Mid-year acquisitions
Section overview

4.1

If a subsidiary is acquired mid-year, net assets at acquisition will need to be calculated.


Unless told otherwise assume profits of the subsidiary accrue evenly over time.

Calculation
A parent entity might not acquire a subsidiary at the start or end of a year. If the subsidiary is acquired midyear, it is necessary to calculate reserves, including retained earnings, at the date of acquisition.

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This is necessary in order to:

Calculate net assets at acquisition (which is required as part of the goodwill calculation)
Calculate consolidated reserves, e.g. retained earnings

Points to note
1

It is usually assumed that a subsidiarys profits accrue evenly over time.

However, unless otherwise stated, it should be assumed that any dividends paid by the subsidiary are
out of post acquisition profits.

Interactive question 3: Mid-year acquisition

[Difficulty level: Easy]

P Ltd acquired 80% of S Ltd on 31 May 20X2 for CU20,000. S Ltd's retained earnings had stood at
CU15,000 on 1 January 20X2.
S Ltd's net assets at 31 December 20X2 were as follows.
CU
1,000
15,600
16,600

Share capital
Retained earnings
Equity
Requirements
(a)

Produce the standard working for S Ltd's net assets (W2).

(b) Produce the standard working for goodwill on consolidation (W3).


(c)

Calculate S Ltd's retained earnings which will be included in the consolidated retained earnings.

(d) Calculate S Ltd's (i) pre-acquisition and (ii) post acquisition earnings assuming that S Ltd has paid a
dividend of CU2,000 on 30 June 20X2.
Fill in the proforma below.

Solution
(a)

Net assets (W2)


Balance sheet date
CU

Share capital
Retained earnings

Acquisition
CU

Post acquisition
CU

(b) Goodwill (W3)


CU
Cost of investment
Less: Share of net assets acquired
(c)

Profit from S Ltd included in consolidated retained earnings


CU
Share of post-acquisition
retained earnings of S Ltd

(d) (i)

Pre-acquisition earnings
CU
Retained earnings per balance sheet
Add back: Dividend paid
Total earnings before dividend
Pre-acquisition earnings

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(ii)

Post-acquisition earnings
CU

Total earnings before dividend =


7/12 =
Less: Dividend paid
See Answer at the end of the chapter.

5 Intra-group balances
Section overview

5.1

Group accounts reflect transactions with third parties only.


The effect of transactions between group members are cancelled on consolidation.
This is an application of the single entity concept.

The single entity concept


The objective of group accounts is to present the group as a single entity. Hence the effects of
transactions between group members need to be eliminated, as the group has not transacted with
any third party.
P
Eliminate effect
of transactions
between group
members
Single entity concept
S
Reflecting the group as a single entity means that items which are assets in one group company and liabilities
in another need to be cancelled out, otherwise group assets and liabilities will be overstated.
Intra-group balances result from, for example,

5.2

One group company's loans, debentures or redeemable preference shares held by another group
company

Intra-group trading

Dividends from a subsidiary to a parent

Loans, debentures and redeemable preference shares


Cancel the credit balance in one company against the debit balance in the other before adding assets
and liabilities line-by-line.

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5.3

11

Intra-group trading
Outstanding amounts in respect of intra-group trading are usually recorded in the balance sheet in current
accounts (= receivable or payable account for a fellow group company).

Step 1
Check that current accounts agree before cancelling. They may not agree if goods or cash are in-transit at
year end.

Step 2
Make balances agree by adjusting for in-transit items in the receiving companys books.

Step 3
Cancel intra-group balances.

Worked example: Intra-group trading


Extracts from the balance sheets of Impala Ltd and its subsidiary Springbok Ltd at 31 March 20X4 are as
follows.
Impala Ltd
CU
25,000

Receivable from Springbok Ltd


Payable to Impala Ltd

Springbok Ltd
CU

(20,000)

Springbok Ltd sent a cheque for CU5,000 to Impala Ltd on 28 March 20X4, which Impala Ltd did not
receive until 2 April 20X4.

Solution
Steps 1 and 2
Assume that Impala Ltd had received the cash from Springbok Ltd.

Receivable from Springbok Ltd (25-5)


Cash and cash equivalents
Payable to Impala Ltd

Impala Ltd
CU
20,000
5,000

Springbok Ltd
CU

(20,000)

Step 3
Cancel inter-company balances on consolidation, leaving in the consolidated balance sheet
Cash and cash equivalents

5.4

CU
5,000

Dividends
As with intra-group balances such as loans, these must be cancelled out. The parents dividend receivable
from the subsidiary needs to be cancelled against the subsidiary's declared dividend payable, leaving in the
consolidated balance sheet that part of the subsidiarys dividend payable to the minority. This will be in
addition to the parent's own dividend payable.

Step 1
Check that all companies have recorded all declared dividends (you may be given draft balance sheets
before such closing adjustments). Read the question carefully to establish this.

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Financial accounting

Step 2
If declared dividends payable have not been recorded
DR
CR

Retained earnings (via retained earnings working for P, net assets working for S)
Payables declared dividends

CU
X

CU
X

with declared dividend payable

Step 3
If S has declared a dividend which has not yet been paid, P must record its share. If this has not been done,
record Ps dividend receivable from S.
DR
CR

CU
X

Receivables dividends receivable


P's retained earnings (via retained earnings working)

CU
X

with share of dividend receivable from S

Step 4
Cancel the dividends receivable and dividends payable intra-group balances.
This will leave that part of Ss dividend payable to the minority in addition to Ps own dividend payable.

Interactive question 4: Dividends

[Difficulty level: Intermediate]

Impala Ltd acquired 75% of Springbok Ltd when the retained earnings of Springbok Ltd stood at CU20,000.
Balance sheets as at 31 March 20X4 are as follows.

Assets (including receivables)


Share capital
Retained earnings
Equity
Liabilities (including payables)

Impala
Ltd
CU
130,000

Springbok
Ltd
CU
90,000

40,000
60,000
100,000
30,000
130,000

25,000
45,000
70,000
20,000
90,000

At 31 March 20X4 the two companies have declared dividends, which have not been accounted for, as
follows.
CU
10,000
5,000

Impala Ltd
Springbok Ltd
Requirement

Show the adjustments necessary to record the above information and how it will be presented in the
consolidated balance sheet and consolidation workings at 31 March 20X4.
Fill in the proforma below.
(a)

396

Recording of dividends in individual companies' books


Impala Ltd's dividend
Impala Ltd's books
DR
CR

CU

CU

Springbok Ltd's dividend


Springbok Ltd's books
DR
CR

CU

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(b) In consolidation workings


(1) Group structure
Impala Ltd
75%

Springbok Ltd
(2) Net assets of Springbok Ltd
Balance sheet date
CU

CU

Acquisition
CU

Postacquisition
CU

Share capital
Retained earnings
Per question
Dividends
(4) Minority interest
CU
(5) Retained earnings
CU
Impala Ltd per question
Dividends proposed
Dividends from Springbok Ltd
Share of Springbok Ltd post-acquisition
(c)

In consolidated balance sheet


CU
Payables: Declared dividends payable
Parent company
Minority interest

Point to note
There is no standard working 3 as goodwill is not required in this instance.
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

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6 Unrealised intra-group profit


Section overview

6.1

The consolidated balance sheet must show assets at their cost to the group.

Any profit arising on intra-group transactions must be eliminated from the group accounts until it is
realised by a sale outside the group.

Introduction
One of the implications of the application of the single entity concept is that group accounts should only
reflect profits generated from transactions which have been undertaken with third parties, i.e. entities
outside the group.
Where intra-group activities give rise to profits these are unrealised as far as the group as a whole is
concerned. These profits can result from:

Intra-group trading
Intra-group transfers of non-current assets

Unrealised profits must be eliminated from the balance sheet on consolidation to prevent the
overstatement of group profits.

6.2

Inventories
As we have seen in section 5.3 any receivable/payable balances outstanding between group companies,
resulting from trading transactions, are cancelled on consolidation. If these transactions have been
undertaken at cost no further problem arises.
However, each company in a group is a separate trading entity and may sell goods to another group
member at a profit. If these goods remain in inventories at the year end this profit is unrealised from
the groups point of view.
In the consolidated balance sheet, applying the single entity concept, inventories must be valued at the
lower of cost and net realisable value to the group. Where goods transferred at a profit are still held at
the year end the unrealised profit must be eliminated on consolidation. This is achieved by creating a
provision for unrealised profit (PURP).
The way in which this adjustment is made depends on whether the company making the sale is the parent
or the subsidiary.

6.2.1

Parent sells goods to subsidiary


The issues are best illustrated by an example.

Worked example: Intra-group profit (PS)


Ant Ltd, a parent company, sells goods which cost CU1,600 to Bee Ltd for CU2,000. Ant Ltd owns 75% of
the shares in Bee Ltd. Bee Ltd still hold the goods in inventories at the year end.
In the single entity accounts of Ant Ltd the profit of CU400 will be recognised. In the single entity accounts
of Bee Ltd the inventory will be valued at CU2,000.
If we simply add together the figures for retained reserves and inventory as recorded in the individual
balance sheets of Ant Ltd and Bee Ltd the resulting figures for consolidated reserves and consolidated
inventory will each be overstated by CU400. A consolidation adjustment is therefore necessary as follows:

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DR Seller's (Ant Ltd's) retained earnings


(i.e. adjust in retained earnings working)
CR Inventories in consolidated balance sheet

CU
400

11

CU
400

Point to note
In this example, as the parent was the seller the unrealised profit is all 'owned' by the shareholders of
Ant Ltd. None is attributable to the minority interest.

6.2.2

Subsidiary sells goods to parent


Where the subsidiary is the selling company the profit on the transfer will have been recorded in the
subsidiarys books.

Worked example: Intra-group profit (SP)


Using the worked example above, if we now assume that Bee Ltd sold the goods to Ant Ltd the adjustment
would be as follows:
DR Seller's (Bee Ltd's) retained earnings
(i.e. adjust in net assets working)
CR Inventories in consolidated balance sheet

CU
400

CU
400

Points to note
1

The net assets of the subsidiary at the balance sheet date will be reduced by the amount of the
unrealised profit. Any subsequent calculations based on this net assets figure will therefore be
affected as follows:

The group share of the post-acquisition retained earnings of the subsidiary will be reduced, i.e.
the group will bear its share of the adjustment.

The minority interest will be based on these revised net assets i.e. the minority interest
will bear its share of the adjustment.

Inventories in the consolidated balance sheet are reduced by the full amount of the unrealised profit
irrespective of whether the parent or the subsidiary is the selling company.

Interactive question 5: Unrealised profits

[Difficulty level: Intermediate]

P Ltd owns 80% of S Ltd, which it acquired when the retained earnings of S Ltd were CU20,000. No
goodwill was acquired. Balance sheets at the end of the current accounting period are as follows.

Assets
Share capital
Retained earnings
Equity
Liabilities

P Ltd
CU
170,000

S Ltd
CU
115,000

30,000
100,000
130,000
40,000
170,000

10,000
65,000
75,000
40,000
115,000

During the current accounting period S Ltd sold goods to P Ltd for CU18,000, which gave S Ltd a profit of
CU6,000. At the balance sheet date half of these goods were included in P Ltd's inventories.

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Requirement
Show how the adjustment to eliminate unrealised profits will appear in the consolidation workings for P
Ltd.
Fill in the pro forma below.
CU

CU

Acquisition

Postacquisition
CU

DR
CR
WORKINGS
(1) Group structure
P Ltd
80%

S Ltd
(2) S Ltd net assets
Balance sheet date
CU

CU

CU

Share capital
Retained earnings
Per question
Less: PURP

(4) Minority interest


CU
Share of net assets
(5) Retained earnings
P Ltd
Share of S Ltd

CU

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

6.3

Non-current asset transfers


As well as trading with each other, group companies may wish to transfer non-current assets (NCA).
If the asset is transferred at a profit two issues arise:

The selling company will have recorded a profit or loss on sale

The purchasing company will have recorded the asset at the amount paid to acquire it, and will
use that amount as the basis for calculating depreciation.

On consolidation, the single entity concept applies. The consolidated balance sheet must show assets at
their cost to the group, and any depreciation charged must be based on that cost. In other words,
the group accounts should reflect the non-current asset as if the transfer had not been made.

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The adjustment in the consolidated balance sheet is calculated as follows:


CU
X
(X)
X

NBV of NCA at year end


Less: NBV of NCA at year end if transfer had not been made
Unrealised profit
The adjustment is then made as:
DR Selling company retained earnings
CR NCA NBV in consolidated balance sheet

CU
X

CU
X

This treatment is consistent with that of inventories.

6.3.1

Parent sells non-current asset to subsidiary


As with inventories the impact of the adjustment will depend on whether the parent company or the
subsidiary makes the sale.

Interactive question 6: Non-current asset transfers

[Difficulty level: Easy]

P Ltd owns 80% of S Ltd. P Ltd transferred to S Ltd a non-current asset at a value of CU15,000 on 1
January 20X7. The original cost to P Ltd was CU20,000 and the accumulated depreciation at the date of
transfer was CU8,000. Both companies depreciated such assets at 20% per year on cost to the company.
Requirement
Calculate the consolidated balance sheet adjustment at 31 December 20X7.
Fill in the proforma below.

Solution
Following the transfer the asset will be included at
CU

Cost
Less: Depreciation
Had the transfer not been made, the asset would stand in the books at

CU

Cost
Less: Accumulated depreciation at date of transfer
Provision for current year
Overall adjustment in CBS
CU
DR
CR

CU

Seller's (P Ltd's) retained earnings


(i.e. adjust in retained earnings working)
Non-current assets

Point to note
In this question, as the parent is the selling company, none of the adjustment is attributed to the
minority interest.
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

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6.3.2

Subsidiary sells non-current asset to parent


Again a consolidation adjustment is made to reflect the situation that would have existed if the transfer had
not been made.
The amount of the adjustment is calculated as before (see section 6.3 above).
The adjustment is then made as follows:
DR Seller's (S Ltd) retained earnings
(i.e. adjust in net assets working)
CR NCA NBV in consolidated balance sheet

CU
X

CU
X

Points to note
1

As the subsidiary is the seller the adjustment to retained earnings will be made in the net
assets working.

Any subsequent calculations based on this net assets figure will therefore be affected as follows:

The group share of the post-acquisition retained earnings of the subsidiary will be reduced i.e..
as for sale of inventories

The minority interest will be based on these revised net assets, i.e. as for sale of inventories.

7 Fair value adjustments


Section overview

7.1

In calculating the goodwill acquired, the net assets of the subsidiary should be measured at their fair
value.

A consolidation adjustment will be required for the difference between the book value and fair value
of the net assets.

Calculation of goodwill
In section 2 of this chapter we said that goodwill is calculated by comparing the cost of the investment in
the subsidiary with the net assets acquired. Strictly speaking the net assets brought into this calculation
should be at fair value, which may be different to book value.
This raises two issues:

How do we measure the fair value of the subsidiarys net assets?


How are fair values reflected in the consolidation?

How we measure the fair value of a subsidiarys net assets will be dealt with in detail in Chapter 15. This
section looks at the way that the fair values are incorporated into the consolidated balance sheet.

7.2

Reflecting fair values


The identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of a subsidiary are brought into the
consolidated financial statements at their fair value. Normally these fair values are not reflected in the
single entity financial statements. Therefore the difference between fair values and book values is
treated as a consolidation adjustment made only for the purposes of the consolidated financial
statements.
The increase (or decrease) in value is treated as a revaluation at acquisition and also applies in subsequent
years if the asset is still held.

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Revaluation upwards

Create a revaluation reserve in the net assets working at acquisition


and at the balance sheet date.

Revaluation downwards

Create a provision against retained earnings in the net assets


working at acquisition and at the balance sheet date.

11

Points to note
1

Post-acquisition depreciation may need to be adjusted so that it is based on the revalued


amount.

Goodwill in the subsidiarys individual balance sheet is not part of the identifiable assets and
liabilities acquired. If the subsidiarys own balance sheet at acquisition includes goodwill, this must not
be consolidated. In the net asset working retained earnings at acquisition and at the balance sheet
date should be reduced by the amount of the goodwill.

Interactive question 7: Fair value adjustments

[Difficulty level: Easy]

P Ltd acquires 60% of S Ltd on 31 December 20X4 for CU80,000. The balance sheet of S Ltd at this date is
as follows.
Freehold land (fair value CU30,000)
Goodwill arising on the acquisition of a sole trader
Sundry assets (book value = fair value)
Share capital
Retained earnings
Equity
Liabilities

CU
20,000
5,000
130,000
155,000
20,000
85,000
105,000
50,000
155,000

Requirement
Calculate the goodwill arising on the acquisition of S Ltd.
Fill in the proforma below.
(1) Group structure
P Ltd
60%

S Ltd
(2) Net assets of S Ltd
BS date = Acquisition date
CU
CU
Share capital
Revaluation
Retained earnings
Per question
Less: Goodwill

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(3) Goodwill
Cost of investment
Less: Share of FV of net assets acquired

CU

Point to note
In the asset section of the balance sheet the freehold land will be consolidated at CU30,000. The goodwill in
the subsidiary's balance sheet of CU5,000 will not be recognised as an intangible asset in the consolidated
balance sheet.
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

8 Other consolidation adjustments


Section overview

8.1

If a subsidiary has reserves other than retained earnings, the group share of post-acquisition reserves
should be consolidated.

The balances of the subsidiary should be adjusted to reflect the accounting policies of the parent
company prior to consolidation.

Other reserves in a subsidiary


As we have already mentioned, a subsidiary may have other reserves apart from retained earnings in its
balance sheet, e.g. a revaluation reserve. If this is the case, such reserves should be treated in exactly the
same way as retained earnings.

Other reserves at acquisition form part of the net assets at acquisition, i.e. they should be
recorded in the net assets working at acquisition.

The group share of any post acquisition movement in other reserves should be recognised in
the consolidated balance sheet.

Points to note

8.2

A separate working should be used for each reserve; do not mix retained earnings with other
reserves as the other reserves may include amounts which are not distributable by way of dividend.

If a subsidiary is loss-making or has any other negative reserves the group will consolidate its
share of the post-acquisition losses/negative reserves.

Accounting policy alignments


On consolidation uniform accounting policies must be applied for all amounts. This is another
consequence of the single entity concept.
If the parent company and subsidiary have different accounting policies the balances in the subsidiarys
financial statements must be adjusted to reflect the accounting policies of the parent company.
Point to note
These adjustments are made in the net assets working.

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Interactive question 8: Accounting policy alignments

11

[Difficulty level: Easy]

William Ltd has been 85% owned by Mary Ltd for some years. On 1 January 20X4 William Ltd acquired an
item of plant for CU40,000. William Ltd depreciates this item of plant at 15% on a reducing balance basis,
while Mary Ltd's policy for this class of plant is 10% per annum on a straight-line basis.
Requirement
Set out the adjustment required in the preparation of the consolidated balance sheet at 31 December
20X5.
Fill in the pro forma below.
Following the transfer the asset will be included at:
CU
Carrying amount of plant in CBS
Carrying amount in William Ltd's BS
Increase in carrying amount
CU
DR
CR
CR

CU

Non-current assets
Consolidated retained earnings
Minority interest

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

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Financial accounting

Summary and Self-test

Summary

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Self-test
1

The summarised balance sheets of Peep Ltd and Pitti Ltd at 31 December 20X6 are as follows.

Net assets
Share capital (CU1 shares)
Retained earnings

Peep Ltd
CU
300,000

Pitti Ltd
CU
160,000

100,000
200,000
300,000

100,000
60,000
160,000

On 31 December 20X6 Yum Ltd purchased for cash 90% of Peep Ltds shares for CU360,000 and 75%
of Pitti Ltds shares for CU100,000. The carrying amounts of the assets in both companies are
considered to be fair values.
In the consolidated balance sheet at 31 December 20X6, goodwill and discount on acquisition will be
shown as
Goodwill
A
B
C
D
2

CUnil
CU60,000
CU90,000
CU90,000

Discount on acquisition
CUnil
CU60,000
Nil
CU20,000

The summarised balance sheets of Black Ltd and Red Ltd at 31 December 20X6 were as follows.
Black Ltd
Red Ltd
CU'000
CU'000
Total assets
60,000
29,000
Share capital
Retained earnings
Equity
Current liabilities
Total equity and liabilities

20,000
24,000
44,000
16,000
60,000

10,000
4,000
14,000
15,000
29,000

On 1 January 20X7 Black Ltd bought all the share capital of Red Ltd for CU17,000,000 in cash. The
carrying amount of Red Ltds assets are considered to be fair values.
The amount of retained earnings to be included in the consolidated balance sheet as at 1 January 20X7 are
A
B
C
D
3

CU21,000,000
CU24,000,000
CU25,000,000
CU28,000,000

Milton Ltd owns all the share capital of Keynes Ltd. The following information is extracted from the
individual company balance sheets as on 31 December 20X1.
Milton Ltd
Keynes Ltd
CU
CU
Current assets
500,000
200,000
Current liabilities
220,000
90,000
Included in Milton Ltds purchase ledger is a balance in respect of Keynes Ltd of CU20,000. The
balance on Milton Ltds account in the sales ledger of Keynes Ltd is CU22,000. The difference between
those gures is accounted for by cash in transit.
If there are no other intra-group balances, what is the amount of current assets less current liabilities
in the consolidated balance sheet of Milton Ltd and its subsidiary?
A
B
C
D

CU368,000
CU370,000
CU388,000
CU390,000

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4

Laker Ltd owns 80% of the ordinary shares of Hammond Ltd. The following amounts have been
extracted from their draft nancial statements at 31 December 20X0.

Current liabilities
Trade payables
Amount owed to subsidiary
Income tax
Amounts owed to trade investments
Other payables

Laker Ltd
CU

Hammond Ltd
CU

5,200
500
100
150
50
6,000

7,100

150
200
70
7,520

Hammond Ltd shows an amount receivable from Laker Ltd of CU620 and the difference is due to cash
in transit.
What is the total carrying amount of current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet of Laker Ltd?
A
B
C
D
5

CU11,900
CU12,400
CU13,020
CU13,170

Austen Ltd has owned 100% of Kipling Ltd and 60% of Dickens Ltd for many years. At 31 December
20X5 the trade receivables and trade payables shown in the individual company balance sheets were as
follows.

Trade receivables
Trade payables

Austen Ltd
CU'000
50
30

Trade payables are made up as follows.


Amounts owing to
Austen
Kipling
Dickens
Other suppliers

2
3
25
30

Kipling Ltd
CU'000
30
15

Dickens Ltd
CU'000
40
20

15
15

16
20

The intra-group accounts agreed after taking into account the following.
(1) An invoice for CU3,000 posted by Kipling Ltd on 31 December 20X5 was not received by
Austen Ltd until 2 January 20X6
(2) A cheque for CU2,000 posted by Austen Ltd on 30 December 20X5 was not received by
Dickens Ltd until 4 January 20X6.
What amount should be shown as trade receivables in the consolidated balance sheet of Austen Ltd?
A
B
C
D

408

CU56,000
CU106,000
CU109,000
CU111,000

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The following is the draft balance sheet information of Ho Ltd and Su Ltd, as on 30 September 20X2.

Ordinary CU1 shares


Retained earnings
Trade payables
Other payables
Total assets

Ho Ltd
CU'000
2,600
750
350

3,700

Su Ltd
CU'000
1,000
700
900
100
2,700

3,700

2,700

Ho Ltd acquired 60% of the share capital of Su Ltd several years ago when Su Ltds retained earnings
were CU300,000. Su Ltd has not yet accounted for the estimated audit fee for the year ended 30
September 20X2 of CU40,000.
The consolidated retained earnings on 30 September 20X2 are
A CU950,000
B CU966,000
C CU990,000
D CU1,450,000
7

Tottenham Ltd owns 95% of Chelsea Ltd and 97.5% of Leyton Ltd.
Dividends for the year ended 31 December 20X8 are as follows.
Interim paid
CU
10,000

Tottenham Ltd
Chelsea Ltd
Leyton Ltd

Final proposed
CU
40,000 (declared 15 December 20X8)
10,000 (declared 15 December 20X8)
18,000 (declared 14 February 20X9)

What is the total amount shown for dividends payable appearing in the consolidated balance sheet as
at 31 December 20X8?
A
B
C
D
8

CU40,500
CU41,150
CU68,000
CU50,950

Bass Ltd acquired its 70% holding in Miller Ltd many years ago. At 31 December 20X7 Miller Ltd had
inventory with a carrying amount of CU15,000 purchased from Bass Ltd at cost plus 25%.
The effect on consolidated retained earnings and minority interests as stated in the consolidated
balance sheet is
A
B
C
D

No effect on minority interest


No effect on minority interest
Reduce minority interest by CU250
Reduce minority interest by CU750

Reduce group retained earnings by CU1,000


Reduce group retained earnings by CU3,000
Reduce group retained earnings by CU750
Reduce group retained earnings by CU2,250

Oxford Ltd owns 100% of the issued share capital of Cambridge Ltd, and sells goods to its subsidiary
at a prot margin of 20%. At the year end their balance sheets showed inventories of
Oxford Ltd
Cambridge Ltd

CU290,000
CU160,000

The inventory of Cambridge Ltd included CU40,000 of goods supplied by Oxford Ltd and there was
inventory in transit from Oxford to Cambridge amounting to a further CU20,000. At what amount
should inventory be carried in the consolidated balance sheet?
A
B
C
D

CU438,000
CU442,000
CU458,000
CU462,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

409

Financial accounting
10

Rugby Ltd has a 75% subsidiary, Stafford Ltd, and is preparing its consolidated balance sheet as on 31
December 20X6. The carrying amount of property, plant and equipment in the two companies at that
date is as follows.
Rugby Ltd
Stafford Ltd

CU260,000
CU80,000

On 1 January 20X6 Stafford Ltd had transferred some equipment to Rugby Ltd for CU40,000. At the
date of transfer the equipment, which had cost CU42,000, had a carrying amount of CU30,000 and a
remaining useful life of ve years. The group accounting policy is to depreciate equipment on a
straight-line basis down to a nil residual value. It is also group policy not to revalue equipment.
What is the figure that will be disclosed as the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment in
the consolidated balance sheet of Rugby Ltd as on 31 December 20X6?
A
B
C
D
11

CU340,000
CU332,000
CU330,000
CU312,000

Makepeace Ltd owns 70% of Dempsey Ltd. Draft balance sheets of the two companies at 31
December 20X7 show the following.

Property, plant and equipment at cost


Accumulated depreciation
Carrying amount

Makepeace Ltd
CU
101,000
(25,000)
76,000

Dempsey Ltd
CU
75,000
(30,000)
45,000

On 1 January 20X7 Makepeace Ltd sold to Dempsey Ltd a machine which had originally cost
CU24,000 and was 75% depreciated. The prot on sale was CU4,000.
Both companies depreciate at 25% per annum on cost.
What is the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment for inclusion in the consolidated
balance sheet at 31 December 20X7?
A
B
C
D
12

CU117,000
CU123,500
CU111,000
CU113,500

Lynton Ltd acquired 75% of the 200,000 CU1 ordinary shares and 50% of the 100,000 CU1
redeemable preference shares of Pinner Ltd when its retained earnings were CU24,000. The retained
earnings of Lynton Ltd and Pinner Ltd are now CU500,000 and CU60,000 respectively.
What are the gures for minority interest and consolidated retained earnings in the consolidated
balance sheet?
A
B
C
D

13

Minority interest
CU65,000
CU65,000
CU115,000
CU115,000

Consolidated retained earnings


CU527,000
CU545,000
CU527,000
CU545,000

Wolf Ltd acquired 80,000 CU1 ordinary shares in Fox Ltd on 1 April 20X5 at a cost of CU77,000. Fox
Ltds retained earnings at that date were CU50,000 and its issued ordinary share capital was
CU100,000.
What is the amount of the discount on acquisition arising on the acquisition?
A
B
C
D

410

CU35,000
CU43,000
CU63,000
CU73,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

14

11

Sansom Ltd has two subsidiaries, Mabbutt Ltd and Waddle Ltd. It purchased 10,000 CU1 shares in
Mabbutt Ltd on 1 January 20X1 for CU35,000 when the retained earnings of Mabbutt Ltd stood at
CU21,000. It purchased 15,000 CU1 shares in Waddle Ltd for CU20,000 on 31 December 20X1 when
the retained earnings of Waddle Ltd stood at CU16,000.
The issued share capital of the two subsidiaries is as follows.
Mabbutt Ltd
Waddle Ltd

CU15,000
CU20,000

By the end of 20X4 goodwill impairment losses totalled CU4,400.


What is the carrying amount of goodwill in the consolidated balance sheet at 31 December 20X4?
A
B
C
D
15

CU11,000
CU10,800
CU6,600
CUnil

Tring Ltd acquired 60% of the share capital of Hessle Ltd on 31 March 20X6. The share capital and
retained earnings of Hessle Ltd as on 31 December 20X6 were as follows.
CU
400,000
120,000
60,000
580,000

Ordinary 25p shares


Retained earnings at 1 January 20X6
Net profit for 20X6
The prots of Hessle Ltd have accrued evenly throughout 20X6.
The discount arising on acquisition was CU3,000.

What is the cost of the investment in Hessle Ltd in the balance sheet of Tring Ltd as on 31 December
20X6?
A
B
C
D
16

CU318,000
CU324,000
CU336,000
CU342,000

Hill Ltd owns 60% of the ordinary share capital of Down Ltd and all of its 10% borrowings. The
following transactions have been recorded by Down Ltd as at 31 December 20X3.
Half years interest due
Interim dividend paid

CU15,000
CU50,000

Hill Ltd has not yet accounted for the interest receivable from Down Ltd.
In preparing the consolidated balance sheet for Hill Ltd and its subsidiary at 31 December 20X3, which
of the following adjustments is required in respect of intra-group dividends and debenture interest?
Debit
Current liabilities
CU45,000

Credit
Current assets CU15,000
Retained earnings CU30,000

Current liabilities
CU45,000

Current assets CU30,000


Retained earnings CU15,000

Current liabilities
CU15,000

Retained earnings CU15,000

Current liabilities
CU30,000

Current assets CU30,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

411

Financial accounting
17

Heron Ltd owns 80% of Sparrow Ltd and 75% of Swift Ltd. Sparrow Ltd has made a non-current loan
of CU500,000 to Swift Ltd.
In the nancial statements of Heron Ltd group, the loan will appear

18

As a non-current asset in the balance sheet of the parent company and nowhere in the
consolidated balance sheet

As a non-current asset in the balance sheet of the parent company and as a non-current asset in
the consolidated balance sheet

Nowhere in the balance sheet of the parent company but as a non-current asset in the
consolidated balance sheet

Nowhere in the balance sheet of the parent company and nowhere in the consolidated balance
sheet

Nasty Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ugly Ltd. Inventory in their individual balance sheets at the
year end is shown as follows.
Ugly Ltd
Nasty Ltd

CU40,000
CU20,000

Sales by Ugly Ltd to Nasty Ltd during the year were invoiced at CU15,000, which included a prot to
Ugly Ltd of 25% on cost. Two thirds of these goods were in inventory at the year end.
At what amount should inventory appear in the consolidated balance sheet?
A
B
C
D
19

CU50,000
CU57,000
CU57,500
CU58,000

On 31 December 20X3 Easby Ltd purchased 80% of the share capital of Haddon Ltd for CU226,000
when the retained earnings of the latter stood at CU60,000.
The fair value of Haddon Ltds property was CU70,000 more than the carrying amount, but this
revaluation had not been incorporated in Haddon Ltds books.
The goodwill arising on consolidation was CU42,000.
What is the carrying amount for minority interest in the consolidated balance sheet of Easby Ltd as at
31 December 20X3?
A
B
C
D

20

CU36,800
CU46,000
CU63,500
CU67,000

Fallin Ltd acquired 100% of the share capital of Gaydon Ltd for CU150,000 on 1 May 20X6. Equity at
30 April was as follows.

Ordinary share capital


Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings

Fallin Ltd
20X7
CU'000
100

340
440

Gaydon Ltd
20X7
20X6
CU'000
CU'000
50
50
25
15
135
25
210
90

An impairment review at 30 April 20X7 revealed that goodwill arising on the acquisition of Gaydon
Ltd had become impaired by CU6,000 in the year.
What were the consolidated capital and reserves of the Fallin Ltd group on 30 April 20X7?
A
B
C
D

412

CU500,000
CU548,000
CU554,000
CU560,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

21

11

Wilsons Ltd purchased 70% of Watneys Ltd for CU20,000 on 30 June 20X2. The balance sheets of
Watneys Ltd are as follows.
30 September
20X2
20X1
CU
CU
1,000
1,000
2,000
2,000
21,000
12,000
24,000
15,000

Ordinary share capital


Share premium
Retained earnings
You ascertain that there have been no issues of shares since the above purchase.
What is the goodwill acquired in the business combination?
A
B
C
D

CU4,775
CU3,200
CU9,500
CU4,600

Data for questions 22 to 26


With reference to the information below, answer questions 22 to 26 with respect to the consolidated
nancial statements of VW Ltd.
Summarised balance sheets as at 30 September 20X7
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment
Investments
100,000 shares in Polo Ltd
40,000 shares in Golf Ltd
Current assets
Inventories
Trade receivables
Cash
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital reserves
Ordinary shares of CU1 each
Retained earnings
Equity
Current liabilities

VW Ltd
CU'000
200

Polo Ltd
CU'000
40

Golf Ltd
CU'000
30

150
70

150
250
50
870

90
40
20
190

80
20
10
140

500
90
590
280
870

100
40
140
50
190

50
70
120
20
140

Notes
(1) VW Ltd acquired its shares in Polo Ltd on 1 October 20X5 when Polo Ltds retained earnings were
CU30,000.
(2) VW Ltd acquired its shares in Golf Ltd on 30 September 20X6. Golf Ltds net prot for the year
ended 30 September 20X7 was CU30,000.
(3) Included in Polo Ltds inventory at 30 September 20X7 was CU15,000 of goods purchased from VW
Ltd during the year. VW Ltd invoiced Polo Ltd at cost plus 50%.
(4) During the year ended 30 September 20X7 Polo Ltd sold goods costing CU50,000 to Golf Ltd for
CU70,000. Golf Ltd still had half of these goods in inventory at 30 September 20X7.
(5) The following intra-group balances are reected in the above balance sheet of VW Ltd at 30
September 20X7.
CU20,000 receivable from Polo Ltd
CU10,000 payable to Golf Ltd

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

413

Financial accounting
22

Minority interest will be carried at


A
B
C
D

23

Inventories will be carried at


A
B
C
D

24

CU22,000
CU20,000
CU18,000
CUnil

The consolidated retained earnings will be presented at


A
B
C
D

27

CU295,000
CU290,000
CU285,000
CU280,000

What is the amount of goodwill to be included under intangible assets?


A
B
C
D

26

CU320,000
CU305,000
CU302,500
CU295,000

Trade receivables will be carried at


A
B
C
D

25

CU52,000
CU24,000
CU18,000
CU10,000

CU114,000
CU113,000
CU111,000
CU109,000

CRAWFORD LTD PART II


Following on from the facts in Chapter 10 Self-test question 4 (Crawford Ltd part 1), assume that
Crawford Ltd paid CU2,500 (not CU2,000) for the 2,000 shares in Dietrich Ltd and that Crawford
Ltds property, plant and equipment were CU26,500 (not CU27,000), all other information remaining
the same. An impairment review at 30 June 20X0 revealed that goodwill in respect of Dietrich Ltd had
fallen in value over the year by CU40. By 1 July 20W9 goodwill had already been written down by
CU210.
Requirement
Prepare the consolidated balance sheet of Crawford Ltd as at 30 June 20X0.

28

(7 marks)

DUBLIN LTD
The following are the summarised balance sheets of a group of companies as at 31 December 20X9.
Dublin
Ltd
CU
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments: 40,000 CU1 shares in Shannon
30,000 CU1 shares in Belfast
Current assets
Total assets

414

90,000
50,000
45,000
185,000
215,000
400,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Shannon
Ltd
CU

60,000

60,000
50,000
110,000

Belfast
Ltd
CU

50,000

50,000
30,000
80,000

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES


Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings
Equity
Current liabilities
Total equity and liabilities

190,000

60,000
250,000
150,000
400,000

50,000
10,000
30,000
90,000
20,000
110,000

11

40,000

16,000
56,000
24,000
80,000

Dublin Ltd purchased its shares in Shannon Ltd ve years ago when there were retained earnings of
CU20,000 and a balance on its revaluation reserve of CU10,000.
Belfast Ltd had retained earnings of CU16,000 when Dublin Ltd acquired its shares on 1 January 20X9.
At the end of 20X9 the goodwill impairment review revealed a loss of CU300 in relation to the
goodwill acquired in the business combination with Belfast Ltd.
Requirement
Prepare the consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 20X9 of Dublin Ltd and its subsidiaries.
(12 marks)
29

EDINBURGH LTD
The following are the draft balance sheets of Edinburgh Ltd and its subsidiary Glasgow Ltd as at 31
December 20X5.
Edinburgh Ltd
Glasgow Ltd
CU
CU
CU
CU
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
147,000
82,000
Investments
80,000

227,000
82,000
Current assets
Inventories
73,200
35,200
Trade and other receivables
82,100
46,900
Glasgow Ltd current account
14,700

Cash and cash equivalents


8,000
25,150
178,000
107,250
Total assets
405,000
189,250
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital (CU1 shares)
Share premium account
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings
Equity
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Edinburgh Ltd current account
Total equity and liabilities

250,000

32,000
282,000

50,000
6,250
15,000
40,000
111,250
20,000

123,000

50,000
8,000
123,000
405,000

58,000
189,250

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

415

Financial accounting
Points to note
1

Edinburgh Ltd acquired 40,000 shares in Glasgow Ltd on 1 January 20X5 for a cost of CU63,000 when
the balance on Glasgow Ltds reserves were as follows.
CU
6,250

10,000

Share premium account


Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings

Edinburgh Ltd also acquired CU12,000 of Glasgow Ltds non-current borrowings at par on the same
date.
2

The current account difference is due to cash in transit.

At the end of 20X5 the goodwill impairment review revealed a loss of CU1,250 in relation to the
goodwill acquired in the business combination with Glasgow Ltd.
Requirement
Prepare the consolidated balance sheet of Edinburgh Ltd at 31 December 20X5.

30

(15 marks)

CLOSE LTD
The summarised balance sheets of Close Ltd and Steele Ltd as at 31 December 20X9 were as follows.
Close Ltd
CU
CU
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Investments
Cash and cash equivalents
Current account Close Ltd

80,000
84,000
164,000
18,000
62,700

10,000

Total assets
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital (CU1 shares)
Share premium account
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings
Equity
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Current account Steel Ltd

Steele Ltd
CU

58,200

58,200
12,000
21,100
2,500
3,000
3,200

90,700
254,700

41,800
100,000

120,000
18,000
23,000
56,000
217,000

60,000

16,000
13,000
89,000

35,000
2,700

Total equity and liabilities

CU

11,000

37,700
254,700

11,000
100,000

The following information is relevant.


(1) On 1 January 20X7 Close Ltd acquired 48,000 shares in Steele Ltd for CU84,000 cash when the
retained earnings of Steele Ltd were CU8,000 and the balance on the revaluation reserve was
CU16,000.
(2) The inventories of Close Ltd include CU4,000 of goods from Steele Ltd invoiced to Close Ltd at
cost plus 25%.
(3) A cheque for CU500 from Close Ltd to Steele Ltd, sent before 31 December 20X9, was not
received by the latter company until January 20Y0.

416

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

11

(4) An impairment review at 31 December 20X9 revealed that goodwill in respect of Steele Ltd had
fallen in value over the year by CU500. By 1 January 20X9 this goodwill had already suffered
impairments totalling CU1,700.
Requirements
(a)

Prepare the consolidated balance sheet of Close Ltd and its subsidiary Steele Ltd as at 31
December 20X9.
(12 marks)

(b) Explain the adjustments necessary in respect of intra-group sales when preparing the
consolidated balance sheet of the Close Ltd group.
(6 marks)
(18 marks)
Now, go back to the Learning Objectives in the Introduction. If you are satisfied you have achieved these
objectives, please tick them off.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

417

Financial accounting

Technical reference
For a comprehensive Technical reference section, covering all aspects of group accounts (except group cash
flow statements) see Chapter 15.

418

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

11

Answers to Self-test
1

C
Yum Ltd
90%
Peep Ltd

75%
Pitti Ltd
CU
360,000
(270,000)
90,000

Shares in Peep Ltd


Net assets acquired (90% 300,000)
Goodwill
Shares in Pitti Ltd
Net assets acquired (75% 160,000)
Discount on acquisition

100,000
120,000
(20,000)*

* Credited to the consolidated income statement in the period in which the acquisition is made
(i.e. on 31 December 20X6).
2

B
CU'000
24,000

Black Ltd only


No post-acquisition prots have yet arisen in Red Ltd.
3

D
Milton
CU'000
500
(220)
280

Current assets
Current liabilities
4

Keynes
CU'000
200
(90)
110

Adjustment
CU'000
22 + 2
+20

C
CU
6,000
7,520
(500)
13,020

Laker
Hammond
Less: Intra-group indebtedness
5

Consolidated
CU'000
680
(290)
390

B
CU'000

Austen Ltd
Kipling Ltd
Dickens Ltd
Less: Cash in transit

CU'000
50
30

40
(2)

Less: Intra-group receivables


Owed to Kipling Ltd (2 + 3 + 4)
Owed to Dickens

38
118
9
3
(12)
106

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

419

Financial accounting
6

B
CU
750
216
966

Ho Ltd
Su Ltd Ho Ltds share of post-acquisition retained earnings (60% ((700 40) 300))
7

A
CU
40,000
500
40,500

Tottenham Ltd
Chelsea Ltd (10,000 5%)

Dividends declared after the year end will be recognised in the following years financial
statements. Only the MIs percentage of dividends payable will appear in consolidated current
liabilities.
8

B
CU
15,000
(3,000)
12,000

Carrying amount
Prot element (25/125)
Cost

Bass Ltd (the parent company) is the seller of the inventory. Therefore the adjustment does not
affect the minority interest.
9

C
CU'000
290
160
20
(12)
458

Oxford Ltd
Cambridge Ltd
In transit to Cambridge Ltd
Less: PURP ((40 + 20) 20%)
10

Cost
Accumulated depreciation
NBV

Is
CU
40,000
(8,000)
32,000

Should be
CU
42,000
(18,000)
24,000

Adjustment required Dr Stafford Ltd retained earnings CU8,000, Cr Property, plant and
equipment NBV CU8,000.
Property, plant and equipment in consolidated balance sheet
= 260,000 + 80,000 8,000
= CU332,000 (B)
11

D
CU
6,000
4,000
10,000

Carrying amount at 1 January 20X7 (1/4 24,000)


Add: Prot on disposal
Sale price

Cost
Accumulated depreciation
Carrying amount

420

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Is
CU
10,000
(2,500)
7,500

Should be
CU
24,000
(24,000)

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

11

CU
Consolidated property, plant and equipment
Makepeace Ltd
Dempsey Ltd
Less: Intra-group prot
12

76,000
45,000
(7,500)
113,500

A
CU

Minority interest
Ordinary shares (25% (200,000 + 60,000))

65,000

Consolidated retained earnings


Lynton Ltd
Pinner Ltd (75% (60,000 24,000))

500,000
27,000
527,000

Point to note
Redeemable preference shares are classied as liabilities.
13

B
CU
77,000
(120,000)
(43,000)

Cost
Net assets acquired (80% 150,000)
Discount on acquisition
14

C
CU
Mabbutt Ltd
Cost of investment
Less: Share of net assets acquired
Share capital
Retained earnings

35,000
15,000
21,000
36,000 2/3

Goodwill
Impairment to date
Balance c/f
Waddle Ltd
Cost of investment
Less: Share of net assets acquired
Share capital
Retained earnings

CU

CU
20,000
16,000
36,000 75%

(24,000)
11,000
(4,400)
6,600
CU
20,000

(27,000)
(7,000) *

* Recognised in the consolidated income statement in the year in which the acquisition was
made.
15

A
Share of net assets acquired (60% (400 + 120 + (3/12 60)))
Less: Discount arising on acquisition
Cost of investment

CU'000
321
(3)
318

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

421

Financial accounting
16

C
(1)

DR Current assets in H with interest receivable


CR Retained earnings of H

CU'000
15

CU'000
15

To account for the interest receivable by Hill Ltd


(2)

DR Current liabilities in D
CR Current assets in H

CU'000
15

CU'000
15

To cancel intra-group balances for interest there will be no o/s balances for the dividends as
they have been paid
Summary
DR Current liabilities
CR Retained earnings of H
17

CU'000
15

CU'000
15

D
The loan is not in Herons accounts. On consolidation Sparrows asset will cancel with Swifts
liability.

18

D
CU
40,000
(2,000)
20,000
58,000

Ugly Ltd
Less: PURP (2/3 15,000 25/125 )
Net assets acquired
19

B
CU
226,000
(42,000)
184,000
100/80
230,000
46,000

Cost of investment
Less: Goodwill
Nasty Ltd
Fair value of net assets
Minority interest (20% 230,000)
20

C
Consolidated capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Revaluation reserve (25 15)
Retained earnings
Fallin Ltd
Gaydon Ltd (135 25)
Goodwill impairment to date

CU'000

CU'000
100
10

340
110
(6)
444
554

422

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

21

11

A
Cost of investment
Less: Share of net assets acquired
Share capital
Share premium
Retained earnings
1 October 20X1
Nine months ( 9/12 9,000)

CU

CU
20,000

1,000
2,000
12,000
6,750
21,750 70%
(15,225)
4,775

Goodwill
Questions 22 to 26
VW Ltd
100%
Polo Ltd
22

80%
Golf Ltd

B
Minority interest = 20% (50,000 + 70,000) = CU24,000

23

B
CU'000
150
90
80
320

VW Ltd
Polo Ltd
Golf Ltd
Less: PURP
Note (3) (15,000 50/150 in VW Ltd's retained earnings)
Note (4) (1/2 70,000 - 50,000 in Polo Ltd's retained earnings)
24

(5)
(10)
305

D
VW Ltd
Less: Intra-group receivable
Polo Ltd
Golf Ltd
Less: Intra-group receivable

CU'000
250
(20)
40
20
(10)
280

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

423

Financial accounting
25

B
CU
Shares in Polo Ltd
Net assets acquired
Share capital
Retained earnings

100,000
30,000

Goodwill
Shares in Golf Ltd
Net assets acquired
Share capital
Retained earnings (70 30)
Group share ( 80%)
Discount on acquisition
Credited to CIS in period of acquisition
26

(130,000)
20,000
70,000

50,000
40,000
90,000
(72,000)
(2,000)

C
VW Ltd
Less: PURP
Polo Ltd ((40,000 10,000 PURP) 30,000)
Golf Ltd (80% 30,000)
Discount on acquisition of Golf Ltd

27

CU
150,000

CU
90,000
(5,000)
85,000

24,000
2,000
111,000

CRAWFORD LTD PART II


Consolidated balance sheet as at 30 June 20X0
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment (26,500 + 12,500)
Intangibles (W1)

CU

Current assets (25,000 + 12,000)


Total assets

39,000
250
39,250
37,000
76,250

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES


Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Share premium account
Retained earnings (W3)
Attributable to equity holders of Crawford Ltd
Minority interest (W2)
Equity
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities (7,000 + 7,500)
Total equity and liabilities

20,000
6,000
18,083
44,083
5,667
49,750
12,000
14,500
76,250

WORKINGS
(1) Goodwill
Cost of shares
Net assets acquired (2/3 3,000)
Impairment to date (210 + 40)
Balance c/f

424

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CU
2,500
(2,000)
500
(250)
250

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

11

(2) Minority interest


CU
5,667

1/3 17,000
(3)

Retained earnings
CU
9,000
9,333
(250)
18,083

Crawford Ltd
Dietrich Ltd (2/3 14,000)
Less: Goodwill impairment to date (W1)
28

DUBLIN LTD
Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 20X9
CU
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment (90,000 + 60,000 + 50,000)
Intangibles (W3)
Current assets (215,000 + 50,000 + 30,000)
Total assets

200,000
2,700
202,700
295,000
497,700

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES


Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Retained earnings (W5)
Attributable to equity holders of Dublin Ltd
Minority interest (W4)
Equity
Current liabilities (150,000 + 20,000 + 24,000)
Total equity and liabilities

190,000
81,700
271,700
32,000
303,700
194,000
497,700

WORKINGS
(1) Group structure
Dublin Ltd
80%
Shannon Ltd

75%
Belfast Ltd

(2) Net assets

Shannon Ltd
Share capital
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings
Belfast Ltd
Share capital
Retained earnings

Balance
sheet date
CU
50,000
10,000
30,000
90,000

Acquisition
date
CU
50,000
10,000
20,000
80,000

40,000
16,000
56,000

40,000
16,000
56,000

Postacquisition
CU

10,000

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Financial accounting
(3) Goodwill

Cost of shares
Net assets acquired
Shannon Ltd (80% 80,000) (W2)
Belfast Ltd (75% 56,000) (W2)
(Discount on acquisition)/goodwill
Credited/(impairment) to date
Balance c/f

Shannon Ltd
CU
50,000

Belfast Ltd
CU
45,000

(64,000)
(14,000)
14,000

(42,000)
3,000
(300)
2,700

(4) Minority interest


CU
18,000
14,000
32,000

Shannon Ltd (20% 90,000 (W2))


Belfast Ltd (25% 56,000 (W2))
(5) Retained earnings

CU
60,000
8,000

(300)
14,000
81,700

Dublin Ltd
Shannon Ltd (80% 10,000 (W2))
Belfast Ltd (75% nil (W2))
Less: Goodwill impairment to date (W3)
Add: Discount on acquisition (W3)
29

EDINBURGH LTD
Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 20X5
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment (147,000 + 82,000)
Intangibles (W3)
Investments (80,000 63,000 12,000)
Current assets
Inventories (73,200 + 35,200)
Trade and other receivables (82,100 + 46,900)
Cash and cash equivalents (8,000 + 25,150 + 6,700)
Total assets
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Revaluation reserve (W6)
Retained earnings (W5)
Attributable to equity holders of Edinburgh Ltd
Minority interest (W4)
Equity
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings (20,000 12,000)
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (123,000 + 50,000)
Total equity and liabilities

426

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU

CU
229,000
8,750
5,000
242,750

108,400
129,000
39,850

277,250
520,000

250,000
12,000
54,750
316,750
22,250
339,000
8,000
173,000
520,000

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

11

WORKINGS
(1) Group structure
Edinburgh Ltd
80%
Glasgow Ltd
(2) Net assets of Glasgow Ltd
Balance
sheet date
CU
50,000
6,250
15,000
40,000
111,250

Share capital
Share premium
Revaluation reserve
Revaluation earnings

Acquisition
date
CU
50,000
6,250

10,000
66,250

Postacquisition
CU

15,000
30,000

(3) Goodwill
CU
63,000
(53,000)
10,000
(1,250)
8,750

Cost of shares
Net assets acquired (80% 66,250) (W2)
Impairment to date
Balance c/f
(4) Minority interest

CU
22,250

20% 111,250 (W2)


(5) Retained earnings

CU
32,000
24,000
(1,250)
54,750

Edinburgh Ltd
Glasgow Ltd (80% 30,000 (W2))
Less: Goodwill impairment to date (W3)
(6) Revaluation reserve

CU
12,000

Glasgow Ltd (80% 15,000 (W2))


30

CLOSE LTD
(a)

Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 20X9


ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment (80,000 + 58,200))
Intangibles (W3)
Current assets
Inventories (18,000 + 12,000 800))
Trade and other receivables (62,700 + 21,100)
Investments
Cash and cash equivalents (10,000 + 3,000 + 500)
Total assets

CU

CU
138,200
14,600
152,800

29,200
83,800
2,500
13,500
129,000
281,800

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Financial accounting
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Share premium account
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings (W5)
Attributable to equity holders of Close Ltd
Minority interest (W4)
Equity
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (35,000 + 11,000))
Total equity and liabilities

120,000
18,000
23,000
57,160
218,160
17,640
235,800
46,000
281,800

(b) Adjustments
When group companies have been trading with each other two separate adjustments may be
required in the consolidated balance sheet.
(i)

Elimination of unrealised prots


If one company holds inventories at the year end which have been acquired from another
group company, this will include a prot element that is unrealised from a group
perspective.
Here Steele Ltd has sold goods to Close Ltd at cost plus 25%. The mark-up of 25% will only
become realised when the goods are sold to a third party. Therefore if any intra-group
inventory is still held at the year end, it must be eliminated from the consolidated accounts.
This will require an adjustment of CU800 (4,000 25/125) which is always made against the
selling companys retained earnings, i.e.

Steele Ltds retained earnings (W2)


Consolidated inventory

DR
CU
800

CR
CU
800

As well as eliminating the unrealised prot, this reduces inventory back to its original cost
to the group.
(ii)

Contra out intra-group balances


As group companies are effectively treated as one entity, any intra-group balances must be
eliminated on consolidation. Here, intra-group current accounts have arisen as a result of
the intra-group trading and these must be contrad out. Before this can be done the current
accounts must be brought into agreement by adjusting the accounts of the 'receiving'
company (here Steele Ltd) for the cheque in-transit, i.e.

Cash
Current account

DR
CU
500

CR
CU
500

This will reduce the current account receivable to CU2,700, which means that it now
agrees with the payable balance shown in the accounts of Close Ltd. The balance can then
be contrad out, i.e.

Current account in Close Ltd


Current account in Steele Ltd

428

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

DR
CU
2,700

CR
CU
2,700

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

11

WORKINGS
(1) Group structure
Close Ltd

80%

Steele Ltd
(2) Net assets of Steele Ltd

Share capital
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings
Per question
Less: PURP (4,000 25/125)

Balance sheet
date
CU
CU
60,000
16,000

Acquisition
date
CU
60,000
16,000

Postacquisition
CU

13,000
(800)
12,200
88,200

8,000
84,000

4,200

(3) Goodwill
Cost of shares
Less: Net assets acquired (80% 84,000 (W2))
Impairment to date (500 + 1,700)
Balance c/f

CU
84,000
(67,200)
16,800
(2,200)
14,600

(4) Minority interest


Share of net assets (20% 88,200 (W2))

CU
17,640

(5) Retained earnings


Close Ltd
Steele Ltd (80% 4,200 (W2))
Less Goodwill impairment to date (W3)

CU
56,000
3,360
(2,200)
57,160

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Financial accounting

Answers to Interactive questions

Answer to Interactive question 1


P Ltd has paid CU10,000 to buy 75% of S Ltd's net assets of (16,000 4,000) = CU12,000
CU
10,000
(9,000)
1,000

Consideration
Less: Share of net assets acquired (75% 12,000)
Goodwill

Answer to Interactive question 2


Rik Ltd: Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 20X1
CU
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment (100,000 + 40,000 + 10,000)
Intangibles (W3)

150,000
6,667
156,667
110,000
266,667

Current assets (45,000 + 40,000 + 25,000)


Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
Retained earnings (W5)
Attributable to equity holders of Rik Ltd
Minority interest (W4)
Equity
Liabilities (30,000 + 20,000 + 10,000)

50,000
133,334
183,334
23,333
206,667
60,000
266,667

WORKINGS
(1)

Group structure
Rik Ltd

75%

Viv Ltd

2/3

Neil Ltd

(2) Net assets

Viv Ltd
Share capital
Retained earnings
Neil Ltd
Share capital
Retained earnings

430

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Balance
sheet date
CU

Acquisition
CU

Postacquisition
CU

20,000
40,000
60,000

20,000
4,000
24,000

36,000

10,000
15,000
25,000

10,000
1,000
11,000

14,000

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

11

(3) Goodwill

Cost of investment
Less: Share of net assets acquired
Viv Ltd (75% 24,000 (W2))
Neil Ltd (2/3 11,000 (W2))
Goodwill
Impairment to date
Balance c/f

Viv Ltd
CU
25,000

Neil Ltd
CU
10,000

Total
CU

(18,000)
7,000
(3,000)
4,000

(7,333)
2,667

2,667

9,667
(3,000)
6,667

(4) Minority interest


CU
15,000
8,333
23,333

Viv Ltd Share of net assets at BS date (25% 60,000 (W2))


Neil Ltd Share of net assets at BS date (1/3 25,000 (W2))
(5) Retained earnings

CU
100,000
27,000
9,334
(3,000)
133,334

Rik Ltd
Viv Ltd Share of post-acquisition retained earnings (75% 36,000 (W2))
Neil Ltd Share of post-acquisition retained earnings (2/3 14,000 (W2))
Goodwill impairment to date (W3)

Answer to Interactive question 3


(a)

Net assets (W2)

Share capital
Retained earnings (15,000 + (5/12 (15,600 15,000)))

Balance
sheet date
CU
1,000
15,600
16,600

Acquisition
CU
1,000
15,250
16,250

Postacquisition
CU

350

(b) Goodwill (W3)


Cost of investment
Less: Share of net assets acquired (80% 16,250 (W2))
(c)

CU
20,000
(13,000)
7,000

Profit from S Ltd included in consolidated retained earnings


Share of post-acquisition retained earnings of S Ltd (80% 350 (W2))

(d) (i)

Pre-acquisition earnings
Retained earnings per balance sheet
Add back: Dividend paid
Total earnings before dividend
Pre-acquisition earnings (5/12 17,600)

(ii)

CU
280
CU
15,600
2,000
17,600
7,333

Post-acquisition earnings
Total earnings before dividend =
7/12 =
Less: Dividend paid

17,600
10,267
(2,000)
8,267

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Financial accounting

Answer to Interactive question 4


(a)

Recording of dividends in individual companies' books


Impala Ltd's dividend
Impala Ltd's books
DR Retained earnings
CR Payables

CU

CU

10,000 1
10,000

Springbok Ltd's dividend


Springbok Ltd's books
DR Retained earnings
CR Payables
(Due to minority interest CU1,250)

5,000 2

Impala Ltd's books


DR Receivables (75% 5,000)
CR Retained earnings

3,750

5,000

3,7501

Notes
1

Include in retained earnings working (W5).

Include in net assets working (W2).

(b) In consolidation workings


(1) Group structure
Impala Ltd
75%

Springbok Ltd
(2) Net assets of Springbok Ltd
Balance sheet date
CU
Share capital
Retained earnings
Per question
Dividends

Acquisition

CU
25,000

CU
25,000

40,000
65,000

20,000
45,000

Postacquisition
CU

45,000
(5,000)
20,000

(4) Minority interest


25% 65,000 (W2)

CU
16,250

(5) Retained earnings


Impala Ltd per question
Dividends declared
Dividends from Springbok Ltd
Share of Springbok Ltd post-acquisition (75% 20,000) (W2)

432

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU
60,000
(10,000)
3,750
15,000
68,750

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(c)

11

In consolidated balance sheet


CU

Payables: Declared dividends payable


Parent company
Minority interest

10,000
1,250

Answer to Interactive question 5


CU
3,000

DR Seller's (S Ltd's) retained earnings (adjust in net assets working)


CR Inventories in CBS (1/2 6,000)

CU
3,000

WORKINGS
(1) Group structure
P Ltd
80%

S Ltd
(2) S Ltd net assets
Balance sheet date
CU

Share capital
Retained earnings
Per question
Less: PURP

Acquistion

CU
10,000

CU
10,000

62,000
72,000

20,000
30,000

Postacquisition
CU

65,000
(3,000)

(4) Minority interest


Share of net assets (20% 72,000)
(5) Retained earnings
P Ltd
Share of S Ltd (80% 42,000)

42,000
CU
14,400
CU
100,000
33,600
133,600

Answer to Interactive question 6


Following the transfer the asset will be included at
CU
15,000
(3,000)
12,000

Cost
Less: Depreciation 20%
Had the transfer not been made, the asset would stand in the books at
Cost
Less: Accumulated depreciation at date of 'transfer'
Provision for current year (CU20,000 20%)

CU
20,000
(8,000)
(4,000)
8,000

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Financial accounting
Overall adjustment in CBS
DR Seller's (P Ltd's) retained earnings
CR Non-current assets

CU
4,000

CU
4,000

Answer to Interactive question 7


(1) Group structure
P Ltd
60%
S Ltd
(2) Net assets of S Ltd

Share capital
Revaluation (30,000 20,000)
Retained earnings
Per question
Less: Goodwill

BS date = Acquisition date


CU
CU
20,000
10,000
85,000
(5,000)

80,000
110,000

(3) Goodwill
CU
80,000
(66,000)
14,000

Cost of investment
Less: Share of FV of net assets acquired (60% 110,000 (W2))

Answer to Interactive question 8


Following the transfer the asset will be included at
CU
32,000
28,900
3,100

Carrying amount of plant in CBS (40,000 80%)


Carrying amount in William Ltd's BS (40,000 85% 85%)
Increase in carrying amount

DR
CR
CR

434

Non-current assets
Consolidated retained earnings (85%)
Minority interest (15%)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU
3,100

CU
2,635
465

chapter 12

Group accounts:
consolidated statements of
financial performance
Contents
Introduction
Examination context
Topic List
1

Consolidated income statement

Intra-group transactions and unrealised profit

Consolidated income statement workings

Mid-year acquisitions

Dividends

Other adjustments

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Summary and Self-test


Technical reference
Answers to Self-test
Answers to Interactive questions

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435

Financial accounting

Introduction

Learning objectives

Identify the financial effects of group accounting in the context of BFRS Framework

Explain and demonstrate the concepts and principles surrounding the consolidation of
financial statements including:

The single entity concept

Substance over form

The distinction between control and ownership

Calculate the amounts to be included in an entitys consolidated statements of financial


performance in respect of its new and continuing interests in subsidiaries in accordance with
the international financial reporting framework

Prepare and present a consolidated income statement (or extracts therefrom) including
adjustments for intra-group transactions and balances, goodwill, minority interests and fair
values

Prepare and present a consolidated statement of changes in equity (or extracts therefrom) in
accordance with Bangladesh financial reporting framework

Tick off

Specific syllabus references for this chapter are: 1d,g, 3d,e.

Practical significance
The consolidated income statement provides the owners of the group with important information over and
above that which is available in the parents own income statement. The investment income receivable from
the subsidiary is replaced with the profits controlled by the parent company. This application of substance
over form provides a more realistic representation of the performance of the group as the combined
income statements of the parent and subsidiary are produced as if they were a single entity. The single
entity concept has more detailed implications for the preparation of the consolidated income statement
which we will look at in this chapter.
The consolidated statement of changes in equity provides a bridge between the consolidated balance sheet
and consolidated income statement. It achieves this by reconciling the groups opening equity (capital,
reserves and minority interest) to the closing position.

Stop and think


Why is information about the profits of the subsidiary of more use to the shareholders than information
about the investment income received?

Working context
In very simple terms, the preparation of the consolidated income statement and consolidated statement of
changes in equity involves the combination of the individual statements of the group members. As we said in
Chapter 10, this process is often computerised. However, detailed work will be needed on the
consolidation adjustments, particularly in respect of the consolidated income statement. This might include
the identification and elimination of intra-group transactions and the elimination of unrealised profit. We
will look at a number of consolidation adjustments in this chapter.

436

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GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

12

Syllabus links
This chapter looks in detail at the preparation of the consolidated income statement and is fundamental to
the Financial Accounting syllabus. It builds on the principles introduced in Chapter 10 and applies them to
more complex situations. A detailed knowledge and understanding of this topic and of the consolidated
statement of changes in equity will also be assumed in Financial & Corporate Reporting at the Advanced
Stage.

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437

Financial accounting

Examination context

Exam requirements
Preparation of a consolidated income statement could be examined in either the short-form questions or
written test section of the paper. In either case the focus of the questions will normally be on consolidation
adjustments including intra-group trading, unrealised profits and irredeemable preference shares. In written
test questions a mid-year acquisition is likely to be incorporated, so any dates given should be read
carefully.
The consolidated statement of changes in equity could be examined in conjunction with the consolidated
income statement. Alternatively, it could appear as part of a mixed question or as a short-form question.
In the examination, candidates may be required to:

Prepare a consolidated income statement (or extracts therefrom) including the results of the parent
entity and one or more subsidiaries including adjustments for the following:

438

Acquisition of a subsidiary, including a mid-year acquisition


Intra-group transactions
Unrealised profits
Interest and management charges

Explain the process of consolidating the income statement in the context of the single entity concept,
substance over form and the distinction between control and ownership.

Prepare a consolidated statement of changes in equity (or extracts therefrom) including the effects of
new and continuing interests in subsidiaries.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

12

1 Consolidated income statement


Section overview

1.1

The preparation of the consolidated income statement is consistent with the consolidated balance
sheet.

Basic principles
In Chapter 10 we introduced the basic principles and mechanics involved in the consolidation of the income
statement as follows:
Consolidated income statement
CU
X

Revenue
(P + S (100%) intra-group items)
Profit after tax (PAT) (CONTROL)

(OWNERSHIP)
Attributable to:
Equity holders of P ()
Minority interest (MI% S's PAT)

X
X
X

The consolidated income statement is prepared on a basis consistent with the consolidated balance sheet.
Therefore:
The consolidated income statement shows income
generated from the net assets under the parent
companys control

In the consolidated income statement dividend


income from the subsidiary is replaced with the
subsidiarys income and expenses on a line-by-line
basis as far as profit after tax (PAT)

The single entity concept is applied

The effects of transactions between group


members are eliminated on consolidation

The ownership of profits is shared between the


owners of the parent and any minority interest

Profit after tax is split between the profit


attributable to the parents shareholders (balancing
figure) and the profit attributable to the minority
interest (calculated as the MIs share of Ss PAT)

In sections 2-6 of this chapter we will consider a number of consolidation adjustments. We have already
seen many of the issues raised in the context of the consolidated balance sheet. In this chapter we will look
at how the adjustment is made from the point of view of the consolidated income statement.

2 Intra-group transactions and unrealised profit


Section overview

The value of intra-group sales is deducted as a consolidation adjustment from consolidated revenue
and cost of sales.

A provision for unrealised profit is set against the selling companys profit.

Profits or losses on non-current asset transfers should be eliminated against the selling companys
profit.

A depreciation adjustment may be required so that depreciation is based on the cost of the asset to
the group.

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Financial accounting

2.1

Intra-group trading
When one company in a group sells goods to another group member an identical amount is added to the
sales revenue of the first company and to the cost of sales of the second. Yet as far as the entitys dealings
with third parties are concerned no sale has taken place.
The consolidated figures for sales revenue and cost of sales should represent sales to, and purchases
from third parties. An adjustment is therefore necessary to reduce the sales revenue and cost of sales
figures by the value of intra-group sales made during the year.
This adjustment is made as follows:

Step 1
Add across P and S revenue and P and S cost of sales.

Step 2
Deduct value of intra-group sales from revenue and cost of sales.
Point to note
This adjustment has no effect on profit and hence will have no effect on the minority interest share
of profit.

2.2

Unrealised profits on trading


If any items sold by one group company to another are included in inventories (i.e. have not been sold on
outside the group by the year end), their value must be adjusted to the lower of cost and NRV to the
group (as for CBS), again applying the single entity concept.
Steps to set up the provision for unrealised profit (PURP) are the same as for the consolidated balance
sheet (covered in Chapter 11):

Step 1
Calculate the amount of inventories remaining at the year end.

Step 2
Calculate the intra-group profit included in it.

Step 3
Make a provision against the inventories to reduce them to cost to the group (or NRV if lower).
Points to note
1

In practical terms the provision is set up by increasing cost of sales by the amount of the
unrealised profit. (If closing inventory is reduced, cost of sales is increased).

This provision must always be set against the selling companys profit. As a result, where the seller is a
subsidiary that is not wholly owned, it reduces the profit for the year for MI calculations.

Where P has sold on some of the goods purchased from S to a third party, any profit earned by S (as
well as that earned by P) on those goods will have been realised as far as the group is concerned, so
no adjustment is necessary.

Interactive question 1: Unrealised profits

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

Whales Ltd owns 75% of Porpoise Ltd. The gross profit for each company for the year ended 31 March
20X7 is calculated as follows:

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit

440

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Whales Ltd
CU
120,000
(80,000)
40,000

Porpoise Ltd
CU
70,000
(50,000)
20,000

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

12

During the year Porpoise Ltd made sales to Whales Ltd amounting to CU30,000. CU15,000 of these sales
were in inventories at the year end. Profit made on the year end inventories items amounted to CU2,000.
Requirement
Calculate group revenue, cost of sales and gross profit.
Fill in the proforma below.
Whales Ltd
CU

Porpoise Ltd
CU

Adj
CU

Consol
CU

Revenue
C of S per Q
PURP
GP
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

2.3

Non-current asset transfers


The consolidated income statement should include depreciation of non-current assets based on cost to
the group, and should exclude any prot or loss on non-current asset transfers between group members.
This is consistent with the treatment in the consolidated balance sheet.
The adjustment is made as follows:

Eliminate the prot or loss on transfer and adjust depreciation in full (control)

The prot or loss is eliminated against the seller. This automatically affects the minority interest
where S was the seller who recorded the original prot or loss (ownership)

Depreciation is adjusted against the seller even though it is the purchaser who recorded it. This is
because the depreciation adjustment reects the realisation of the prot over time, i.e. over the
assets life (ownership)

Worked example: Non-current asset transfers


(Based on Interactive question 6 in Chapter 11)
P Ltd owns 80% of S Ltd. P Ltd transferred to S Ltd a non-current asset (NCA) at a value of CU15,000 on 1
January 20X7. The original cost to P Ltd was CU20,000 and the accumulated depreciation at the date of
transfer was CU8,000. Both companies depreciate such assets at 20% per year on cost to the company.
At 31 December 20X7 the adjustment in the consolidated balance sheet (CBS) was calculated by
comparing
CU
12,000

Carrying amount of NCA with transfer (15,000 80%)


Carrying amount of NCA without transfer
((20,000 8,000) (20,000 20%))

(8,000)
4,000

Adjustment made in CBS was:


DR Selling company retained earnings
CR Non-current assets at carrying amount in CBS

CU
4,000

CU
4,000

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Financial accounting
In the consolidated income statement (IS) for the year:
(a)

Eliminate the prot (or loss) on transfer at 1 January 20X7 since it is unrealised
DR Selling company IS for year (heading where profit credited) (15,000
12,000)
CR NCA carrying amount in CBS

CU
3,000

CU
3,000

Point to note
For the non-current asset note to the consolidated balance sheet, the credit to non-current asset
carrying amounts will be split into a debit of CU5,000 to the non-current asset cost account and a
credit of CU8,000 to the non-current asset accumulated depreciation account.
(b) Increase/(decrease) the depreciation charge, so that it is calculated on the asset's cost to the
group. In this case, increase the charge by
CU
4,000
(3,000)
1,000

Depreciation without transfer (20,000 20%)


Depreciation with transfer (15,000 20%)

DR Selling company IS for year (heading where depreciation charged)


CR NCA carrying amount in CBS

CU
1,000

CU
1,000

Point to note
The non-current asset note to the consolidated balance sheet will include this credit in accumulated
depreciation. The overall effect is an adjustment of CU4,000 in both the consolidated income
statement and consolidated balance sheet.

Interactive question 2: Non-current asset transfers


[Difficulty level: Exam standard]
P Ltd owns 80% of S Ltd. P Ltd transferred a non-current asset to S Ltd on 1 January 20X7 at a value of
CU15,000. The asset originally cost P Ltd CU12,000 and depreciation to the date of transfer was CU4,800.
The profit on transfer has been credited to depreciation expense. Both companies depreciate their assets at
20% per annum on cost. Total depreciation for 20X7 was CU35,000 for P Ltd and CU25,000 for S Ltd.
Requirement
Show the adjustments required for the above transaction in the consolidated income statement.
Fill in the proforma below.

Solution
P Ltd
CU
Depreciation per Q
NCA PURP
Depreciation adjustment
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

442

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

S Ltd
CU

Adj
CU

Consol
CU

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

12

3 Consolidated income statement workings


Section overview

3.1

The key working for the preparation of the consolidated income statement is the consolidation
schedule.

Pro forma workings


As questions increase in complexity a formal pattern of workings is needed.
(1) Establish group structure

P
80%

S
(2) Prepare consolidation schedule

Revenue
C of S
Per Q
PURP (seller's books)
Exps
Per Q
GW impairment (if any)
Tax
Per Q

P
CU
X
(X)
(X)
(X)
(X)
(X)

Profit

S
CU
X
(X)
or (X)
(X)

Adj
CU
(X)
X

(X)

Consol
CU
X

}
}

(X)
(X)
(X)

May need workings for (e.g.)


PURPs
GW impairment
(3) Calculate minority interest (MI)
S PAT MI%

MI%

Interactive question 3: Income statement workings

CU
X

[Difficulty level: Easy]

Pathfinder Ltd owns 75% of Sultan Ltd. Income statements for the two companies for the year ending 30
September 20X7 are as follows.

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Expenses
Investment income from Sultan Ltd
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after tax

Pathfinder
Ltd
CU
100,000
(60,000)
40,000
(20,000)
1,500
21,500
(6,000)
15,500

Sultan
Ltd
CU
50,000
(30,000)
20,000
(10,000)

10,000
(3,000)
7,000

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Financial accounting
During the year one group company sold goods to the other for CU20,000 at a gross profit margin of 40%.
Half of the goods remained in inventories at the year end.
Requirements
(a)

Prepare extracts from the consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 September 20X7
showing revenue, cost of sales, gross profit and minority interest, assuming that the intra-group sales
have been made by Pathfinder Ltd to Sultan Ltd.

(b) Prepare the consolidated income statement of Pathfinder Ltd for the year ended 30 September 20X7,
assuming that the intra-group sales have been made by Sultan Ltd to Pathfinder Ltd.
Fill in the proforma below.
295

Solution
(a)

Consolidated income statement (extracts) for the year ended 30 September 20X7
CU
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Minority interest (W3)

WORKINGS
(a)

(1) Group structure

P
75%

S
(2) Consolidation schedule
Pathfinder
Ltd
CU

Sultan Ltd

Adj

Consol

CU

CU

CU

Revenue
C of S per Q
PURP (W4)
Expenses
Income tax
Profit
(3) Minority interest
CU
Sultan Ltd
(4) PURP
Selling price
Cost
Gross profit

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU

CU

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

12

(b) Consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 September 20X7
CU

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Expenses
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after tax
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Pathfinder Ltd ()
Minority interest (W3)
WORKINGS
(b) (1) Group structure
As part (a)
(2) Consolidation schedule
Pathfinder
Ltd
CU

Revenue
C of S per Q
PURP (W4)

Sultan Ltd

Adj

Consol

CU

CU

CU

Income tax
Profit
(3) Minority interest
CU
Sultan Ltd
(4) PURP
As part (a)
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

4 Mid-year acquisitions
Section overview

4.1

The results of the subsidiary are consolidated from the date of acquisition.

The income statement amounts of the subsidiary are time apportioned.

Method of apportionment
When we looked at the balance sheet we saw that consolidated retained earnings included only the postacquisition profits of the subsidiary. This principle also applies to the consolidated income statement. If
the subsidiary is acquired during the accounting period, the entire income statement of the
subsidiary is split between pre-acquisition and post-acquisition proportions. Only the post-acquisition
figures are included in the consolidated income statement.

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Financial accounting
Points to note
1

Assume revenue and expenses accrue evenly over the year unless the contrary is indicated therefore
time-apportion results of the subsidiary from the date of acquisition.

Time-apportion totals for revenue, cost of sales, expenses and tax first, then deduct post-acquisition
intra-group items.

Recognise as an expense any goodwill impairment losses arising on the acquisition (calculation of
goodwill was dealt with in Chapter 11).

Interactive question 4: Mid-year acquisitions

[Difficulty level: Easy]

P Ltd acquired 75% of S Ltd on 1 April 20X7. Extracts from the companies income statements for the year
ended 31 December 20X7 are as follows.
P Ltd
CU
100,000
(70,000)
30,000

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit

S Ltd
CU
75,000
(60,000)
15,000

Since acquisition P Ltd has made sales to S Ltd of CU15,000. None of these goods remain in inventories at
the year end.
Requirement
Calculate revenue, cost of sales and gross profit for the group for the year ending 31 December 20X7.

Solution
P Ltd Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X7

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit

P Ltd
CU

S Ltd
CU

Adj
CU

Consol
CU

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

5 Dividends
Section overview

5.1

Intra-group dividends should be cancelled on consolidation.

The uncancelled amount should be disclosed in the consolidated statement of changes in equity.

Treatment
Dealing with intra-group dividends is made a bit more complicated by the fact that:

446

Dividends received and receivable are shown as income in the income statement; but
Dividends paid and payable are shown in the statement of changes in equity.

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GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

12

Nevertheless the single entity concept must be applied to dividends paid/payable by the subsidiary, by:

Cancelling Ps dividend income from S in Ps income statement against Ss dividends in Ss statement of


changes in equity

Leaving the uncancelled amount of Ss dividends to be shown as the dividends to the minority interest
in the consolidated statement of changes in equity (see section 8 below).

If P has not yet accounted for its dividends from S, then Ps income will need to be recorded before this
cancellation takes place.

6 Other adjustments
Section overview

6.1

The effect of all other intra-group transactions is cancelled on consolidation.

Redeemable preference shares


Redeemable preference shares are treated as a financial liability (under BAS 32 Financial Instruments:
Presentation) rather than as part of equity. Consequently, distributions to shareholders are classed as
finance costs rather than as dividends.
On consolidation finance income received/receivable in the parents books is cancelled against the
amount paid/payable in the subsidiarys books, leaving only the portion paid/payable to third parties as a
finance cost.

6.2

Interest and management charges


Interest or management charges paid/payable in the income statement of the subsidiary (expense)
should be cancelled against the interest or management charges received/receivable in the
income statement of the parent company (income).

7 Consolidated statement of changes in equity


Section overview

7.1

The consolidated statement of changes in equity (CSCE) shows the change in group equity reconciling
the position at the start of the year with the position at the end of the year.

There are separate analysis columns for each type of share capital and reserves in respect of the
parent's equity holders.

Changes in the minority interest in share capital and reserves are presented in a single column.

Structure of CSCE
The CSCE is the link between the consolidated income statement and the figures for equity shown in the
consolidated balance sheet, in that it shows the movement between the retained earnings brought forward
at the start of the year and those carried forward at the end of the year. As can be seen in the proforma
layout included in section 6 of Chapter 2, the CSCE also shows movements on other reserves and on share
capital. Listed below are the main points.

Equity holders of the parent: there are separate analysis columns for each type of share
capital and reserves, together with a total column.

There will nearly always be entries for net profit/(loss) for the period and dividends paid/payable.

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Financial accounting

There will sometimes be entries for issues of share capital and revaluations of non-current assets
(dealt with in Chapter 5).

Where there are such revaluations or have been in the past, there will usually be a transfer
between reserves for the additional depreciation charge on the increase in value. As this is
merely a transfer between reserves, they contra out against each other and no value appears in
the total column.

Minority interest in subsidiaries: there is only a single column, which is the equivalent of the
total column for the equity holders of the parent.

There will nearly always be entries for the MIs share of Ss net profit/(loss) for the period and
dividends paid/payable.

There will sometimes be entries for Ss revaluations of non-current assets (dealt with in Chapter 5).

In practice there will sometimes be entries for issues of share capital by S, but these fall outside
the Financial Accounting syllabus.

There will never be a value for transfers between reserves in S, because they contra out against
each other.

If a non wholly-owned subsidiary is acquired during the year there will be an entry for MI added
on the acquisition of a subsidiary (see section 7.4).

Worked example: CSCE


The following are extracts from the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 20X8 of William Ltd
and Rufus Ltd.

Profit from operations


Dividends from Rufus Ltd
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after tax
Dividends declared
Share capital of CU1

William
Ltd
CU
196,000
24,000
220,000
(70,000)
150,000

Rufus Ltd
CU
95,000

95,000
(30,000)
65,000

20,000

30,000

200,000

50,000

William Ltd purchased 40,000 shares in Rufus Ltd some years ago.
Prepare the consolidated income statement and the consolidated statement of changes in equity for William
Ltd for the year ended 30 June 20X8, as far as the information permits.

Solution
Consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 June 20X8
Profit from operations (196 + 95)
Income tax expense (70 + 30)
Profit after tax
Attributable to:
Equity holders of William Ltd (
Minority interest (20% 65)

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU
291,000
(100,000)
191,000
178,000
13,000
191,000

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

12

Point to note
The amount attributable to the equity holders of William Ltd can be separately calculated, omitting the
intra-group dividend (as William Ltds shareholders are given their share of Rufus Ltds profits, they cannot
also be given their share of a dividend paid out of those profits):
100% of (150,000 24,000) + 80% of CU65,000 = CU178,000.
Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 30 June 20X8
Attributable to equity holders
of William Ltd
Share
Retained
capital
earnings
Total
CU
CU
CU

178,000
178,000

(20,000)
(20,000)

158,000
158,000
200,000

200,000
200,000
158,000
358,000

Net profit for the year


Dividends declared (W)
Brought forward (W)
Carried forward

Minority
interest
CU
13,000
(6,000)
7,000
10,000
17,000

Total
CU
191,000
(26,000)
165,000
210,000
375,000

WORKING
MI share of Rufus Ltds:

7.2

dividend

20% 30,000 = CU6,000

share capital

20% 50,000 = CU10,000

Transfers to reserves
Some companies transfer amounts from retained earnings to named reserves. Such transfers are made
in the analysis columns in the CSCE and are therefore shown net of MI.
In the analysis columns in the CSCE:
Group
transfers between
reserves

P's transfers
between
reserves

P% of S's
transfers between
reserves

This matches with the treatment of reserves attributable to the equity holders of P in the consolidated
balance sheet, i.e. they include Ps reserves and Ps share of Ss post-acquisition reserves. 6

7.3

Retained earnings brought forward


To calculate each of the group reserves brought forward, simply do a working, as you would for the
consolidated balance sheet, but at the start of the year. Therefore each group opening reserve will be:

Group
reserve
b/f

Ps
reserve
b/f

P% of Ss
postacquisition
reserve b/f

Goodwill impairment
(to start of year) and
any other adjustments
to opening position

Point to note
The MI amount brought forward will be the MI share of S's equity (i.e. MIs share of Ss capital and
reserves) brought forward.

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Financial accounting

Interactive question 5: Retained earnings brought forward


[Difficulty level: Exam standard]
Continuing the facts from worked example: CSCE, the following further information is now available in
relation to the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 20X8 of William Ltd and Rufus Ltd.
William
Ltd
CU
270,000

Retained earnings brought forward

Rufus Ltd
CU
120,000

When William Ltd purchased its 40,000 shares in Rufus Ltd, Rufus Ltd's retained earnings stood at
CU70,000.
Three years ago a goodwill impairment loss of CU10,000 was recognised in William Ltd's consolidated
financial statements.
Requirement
Adjust the previously drafted consolidated statement of changes in equity for William Ltd for the year
ended 30 June 20X8 to take account of the additional information.
Fill in the pro forma below.

Solution
Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 30 June 20X8
Attributable to equity holders
of William Ltd
Share
Retained
capital
earnings
Total
CU
CU
CU

Minority
interest
CU

Total
CU

Net profit for the year


Dividends declared
Brought forward (W)
Carried forward
WORKING
CU
Group reserves b/f
William Ltd
Rufus Ltd
Goodwill impairment to date
CU
MI b/f
Share capital
Retained earnings
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

7.4

12

Acquisition during the year


Section 4 explained that the results for the new subsidiary are only brought into the consolidated income
statement from the date of acquisition. Any minority interest in the results of the newly-acquired
subsidiary will similarly be calculated from that date and the amount included as profit for the year in
the minority interest column in the CSCE in the normal way.
But in the year end consolidated balance sheet, the minority interest in the new subsidiary will be calculated
as their share of the year end equity in the new subsidiary. This will include not only the profit for the
post-acquisition period but also their share of the newly-acquired subsidiarys:

Share capital; plus


Retained earnings brought forward at the start of the current year; plus
Current year profits to the date of acquisition.

Their share of the total of these amounts will have to be brought into the CSCE, as a single line described
as Added on acquisition of subsidiary.

Interactive question 6: Acquisition during the year


[Difficulty level: Exam standard]
Joseph Ltd acquired an 80% interest in Mary Ltd on 1 October 20X8. The following figures relate to the
year ended 31 March 20X9.

Income statement
Revenue
Costs
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after tax
Statements of changes in equity
Profit for the year
Brought forward
Carried forward

Joseph Ltd
CU'000

Mary Ltd
CU'000

800
(400)
400
(140)
260

550
(350)
200
(50)
150

Retained earnings
CU'000
CU'000
260
150
400
300
660
450

Additional information
Share capital

CU'000
500

CU'000
100

Requirement
Prepare the consolidated income statement and the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the
Joseph Ltd group for the year ended 31 March 20X9.
Fill in the pro forma below.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

451

Financial accounting

Solution
Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 March 20X9
CU'000

Revenue
Costs
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after tax
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Joseph Ltd
Minority interest (W1)
Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 March 20X9

Net profit for the year


Added on acquisition of
subsidiary (W2)

Attributable to equity holders


of Joseph Ltd
Share
Retained
capital
earnings
Total
CU
CU
CU

Minority
interest
CU

Total
CU

Brought forward
Carried forward
WORKINGS
(1) Minority interest in profit for the year
CU'000
(2) Minority interest added on acquisition
CU'000
Share capital
Retained earnings b/f
Profit for first half of current year
20% of
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

452

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU'000

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

12

Summary and Self-test


Summary

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

453

Financial accounting

Self-test
1

Barley Ltd has owned 100% of the issued share capital of Oats Ltd for many years. Barley Ltd sells
goods to Oats Ltd at cost plus 20%. The following information is available for the year.
Revenue
CU
460,000
120,000

Barley Ltd
Oats Ltd

During the year Barley Ltd sold goods to Oats Ltd for CU60,000, of which CU18,000 were still held in
inventory by Oats Ltd at the year end.
At what amount should total revenue appear in the consolidated income statement?
A
B
C
D
2

CU520,000
CU530,000
CU538,000
CU562,000

Ufton Ltd is the sole subsidiary of Walcot Ltd. The cost of sales gures for 20X1 for Walcot Ltd and
Ufton Ltd were CU11 million and CU10 million respectively. During 20X1 Walcot Ltd sold goods
which had cost CU2 million to Ufton Ltd for CU3 million. Ufton Ltd has not yet sold any of these
goods.
What is the consolidated cost of sales gure for 20X1?
A
B
C
D

CU16 million
CU18 million
CU19 million
CU20 million

Using the following information answer questions 3 and 4


Patience Ltd has a wholly owned subsidiary, Bunthorne Ltd. During 20X1 Bunthorne Ltd sold goods to
Patience Ltd for CU40,000 which was cost plus 25%. At 31 December 20X1 CU20,000 of these goods
remained unsold.
3

In the consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X1 the revenue will be
reduced by
A
B
C
D

CU20,000
CU30,000
CU32,000
CU40,000

In the consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X1 the prot will be
reduced by
A
B
C
D

CU4,000
CU6,000
CU8,000
CU10,000

Using the following trading accounts and related notes answer questions 5 and 6 for the year
ended 30 April 20X6
For the year ended 30 April 20X6 Hop Ltd and its 90% subsidiary Skip Ltd had the following trading
accounts.

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit

454

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Hop Ltd
CU
100,000
(70,000)
30,000

Skip Ltd
CU
46,000
(34,500)
11,500

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

12

Notes
(1) In each company all sales were made at the same percentage mark-up.
(2) Goods purchased by Skip Ltd at a cost of CU9,000 were sold to Hop Ltd. This transaction is reected
in the above trading accounts.
(3) Hop Ltd had sold two-thirds of these purchases at the year end.
(4) There had been no trading between Skip Ltd and Hop Ltd in previous years.
5

The consolidated revenue for the year was


A
B
C
D

The consolidated gross prot for the year was


A
B
C
D

CU146,000
CU143,000
CU137,000
CU134,000
CU40,500
CU40,350
CU39,450
CU38,500

Fosters Ltd in 20X7 invoiced CU120,000 of goods to its 75% subsidiary, Stella Ltd, at cost plus 30%.
Stella Ltd had 25% of these in inventory at the year end. At the start of the year Stella Ltd had
CU15,000 worth of inventory invoiced from Fosters Ltd on the same pricing basis, all of which was
sold in 20X7.
The consolidation adjustment to group gross prot in respect of inventory is debit
A
B
C
D

CU3,461
CU4,500
CU6,923
CU9,000

Shaw Ltd owns 75% of the ordinary share capital and 40% of the CU125,000 of 8% debt of Wilde Ltd.
The following details are extracted from the books of Wilde Ltd.
Income tax expense
Prot after tax

CU24,000
CU70,000

Shaw Ltd has prot before tax of CU80,000 in its own accounts and has no paid or proposed
dividends.
Neither company has yet accounted for interest payable or receivable.
What is the total consolidated prot before tax for the year?
A
B
C
D

CU148,000
CU150,000
CU164,000
CU168,000

Using the following information answer questions 9 to 11


The statement of changes in equity of Suton Ltd shows the following in respect of retained earnings
Prot for the period
Interim dividend paid
Balance brought forward
Balance carried forward

CU'000
10
(7)
3
21
24

80% of the share capital of Suton Ltd was acquired by Teigh Ltd when Suton Ltds retained earnings
amounted to CU5,000.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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Financial accounting
9

How much of Suton Ltds retained earnings will be included in closing consolidated retained earnings?
A
B
C
D

10

CU20,800
CU19,200
CU19,000
CU15,200

How much of Suton Ltds prot for the period is included in the consolidated prot for the nancial
year attributable to the equity holders of Teigh Ltd?
A CU10,000
B CU8,000
C CU5,600
D CU2,400

11

If the minority shareholders interest in Suton Ltd amounted to CU5,200 at the start of the year, how
much will it be at the end of the year?
A
B
C
D

12

CU7,200
CU6,600
CU5,800
CU4,600

On 1 May 20X2 Small Ltd acquired its sole subsidiary, Tiny Ltd, when the net assets of the latter were
CU250,000.
In the consolidated nancial statements of Small Ltd for the year ended 30 April 20X3 the minoritys
share of prot for the year was CU10,000 and the minority interest in the consolidated balance sheet
was CU56,000. During the year the minority interest received a dividend of CU4,000.
What is the minority interest in Tiny Ltd to the nearest whole percentage point?
A
B
C
D

13

25%
24%
20%
18%

Cherry Ltd own 75% of Plum Ltd. For the year ended 31 December 20X1 Plum Ltd reported a net
prot of CU118,000. During 20X1 Plum Ltd sold goods to Cherry Ltd for CU36,000 at cost plus 50%.
At the year end these goods are still held by Cherry Ltd.
In the consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X1 the minority interest is
A
B
C
D

456

CU25,000
CU26,500
CU27,250
CU29,500

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GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

14

12

The following gures related to Sanderstead Ltd and its subsidiary Croydon Ltd for the year ended 31
December 20X9.
Sanderstead
Ltd
CU
600,000
(400,000)
200,000

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit

Croydon
Ltd
CU
300,000
(200,000)
100,000

During the year Sanderstead Ltd sold goods to Croydon Ltd for CU20,000, making a prot of
CU5,000. These goods were all sold by Croydon Ltd before the year end.
What are the amounts for total revenue and gross prot in the consolidated income statement of
Sanderstead Ltd for the year ended 31 December 20X9?
A
B
C
D
15

Revenue

Gross profit

CU900,000
CU900,000
CU880,000
CU880,000

CU300,000
CU295,000
CU300,000
CU295,000

Chicken Ltd owns 80% of Egg Ltd. Egg Ltd sells goods to Chicken Ltd at cost plus 50%. The total
invoiced sales to Chicken Ltd by Egg Ltd in the year ended 31 December 20X1 were CU900,000 and,
of these sales, goods which had been invoiced at CU60,000 were held in inventory by Chicken Ltd at
31 December 20X1.
What is the reduction in aggregate group gross prot?
A
B
C
D

16

CU16,000
CU20,000
CU24,000
CU30,000

Marlowe Ltd owns 60% of the ordinary share capital and 25% of the CU200,000 5% loan stock of
Southey Ltd. Neither company has yet accounted for interest payable or receivable.
The following details are extracted from the books of Southey Ltd.
Profit
Dividend (declared prior to the year-end)

CU100,000
CU40,000

What amount should be shown as the minority interest in the consolidated income statement of
Marlowe Ltd?
A
B
C
D
17

CU20,000
CU36,000
CU37,600
CU54,000

Several years ago Horace Ltd acquired 75% of the ordinary share capital of Sylvia Ltd. The income
statement of Sylvia Ltd for the year ended 28 February 20X7 showed prot after tax of CU4,000.
During the year Horace Ltd sold goods to Sylvia at a mark up on cost of 50%. 75% of these goods had
been sold to third parties by the year end.
What is the minority interest in the consolidated income statement of Horace Ltd for the year ended
28 February 20X7?
A
B
C
D

CU625
CU750
CU938
CU1,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

457

Financial accounting
18

Set out below are the summarised income statements of Dennis Ltd and its 80% subsidiary Terry Ltd.

Profit from operations


Dividend from Terry Ltd
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after tax

Dennis Ltd
CU
89,000
16,000
105,000
(42,000)
63,000

Terry Ltd
CU
45,000

45,000
(15,000)
30,000

What is the prot for the nancial year attributable to the equity holders of Dennis Ltd to be
disclosed in the consolidated income statement?
A
B
C
D
19

CU63,000
CU71,000
CU77,000
CU87,000

HUMPHREY LTD
The following are the draft income statements for the year ended 30 September 20X5 of Humphrey
Ltd and its subsidiary Stanley Ltd.

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Distribution costs
Administrative costs
Profit from operations
Investment income
Finance cost
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after tax

Humphrey
Ltd
CU'000
1,100
(600)
500
(60)
(65)
375
20
(25)
370
(160)
210

Stanley
Ltd
CU'000
400
(240)
160
(50)
(55)
55
5
(6)
54
(24)
30

The following information is relevant


(1) Humphrey Ltd acquired 80% of Stanley Ltd many years ago, when the retained earnings of that
company were CU5,000. Both companies have only ordinary shares in issue.
(2) Total intra-group sales in the year amounted to CU100,000, Humphrey Ltd selling to Stanley Ltd.
(3) At the year end the balance sheet of Stanley Ltd included inventory purchased from Humphrey
Ltd. Humphrey Ltd had recognised a prot of CU2,000 on this inventory.
(4) The retained earnings of Humphrey Ltd and Stanley Ltd as at 30 September 20X4 were
CU90,000 and CU40,000 respectively. Stanley Ltds share capital is comprised of CU50,000 CU1
ordinary shares.
(5) Humphrey Ltd paid an interim dividend of CU100,000 in the year. Stanley Ltd paid an equivalent
dividend of CU20,000.
Requirement
Prepare a consolidated income statement and extracts from the consolidated statement of changes in
equity for the year ended 30 September 20X5.
(10 marks)

458

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

20

12

HIGH LTD
High Ltd acquired its 80% interest in the ordinary shares and 25% interest in the redeemable
preference shares of Tension Ltd for CU9,000 and CU1,000 respectively on 1 April 20X3 when
Tension Ltds retained earnings were CU4,000. There were no other reserves at that date. The
preference shares carry no votes.
The following are the draft income statements of High Ltd and Tension Ltd for the year ended 31
March 20X9.
CU

High Ltd

Revenue
Dividends from Tension Ltd
Ordinary
Preference
Bank deposit interest
Less

CU
274,500

CU

Tension Ltd
CU
181,250

4,800
150
250
279,700

Cost of sales
Distribution costs
Administrative costs
Preference dividend paid

Income tax expense


Profit after tax

126,480
67,315
25,555

(219,350)
60,350
(29,000)
31,350

100
181,350
86,520
42,885
17,295
600

(147,300)
34,050
(15,100)
18,950

The following information is also available.


(1) The inventory of High Ltd at 31 March 20X9 includes goods purchased from Tension Ltd at a
prot to that company of CU700. Total intra-group sales for the year amounted to CU37,500.
(2) On 1 April 20X8 High Ltd sold plant costing CU7,000 to Tension Ltd for CU10,000. The profit
on sale has been taken to cost of sales. Depreciation has been provided by Tension Ltd at 10%
per annum on the cost of CU10,000.
(3) Included in Tension Ltds administrative costs is an amount for CU3,500 in respect of
management charges invoiced and included in revenue by High Ltd.
(4) Tension Ltds issued share capital comprises 10,000 50p ordinary shares and 4,000 CU1 15%
redeemable preference shares.
(5) Four years ago a goodwill impairment loss was recognised in High Ltds consolidated nancial
statements leaving goodwill in the consolidated balance sheet at CU1,200. A further CU180
impairment loss needs to be recognised in the current year.
(6) Retained earnings at 1 April 20X8 were CU576,000 for High Ltd and CU72,600 for Tension Ltd.
Requirements
(a)

Prepare the consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 March 20X9 and calculate the
retained earnings brought forward attributable to the equity holders of High Ltd and to the
minority interest.
(10 marks)

(b) For each adjustment you have made in the consolidation schedule explain why you have made it
(include in your answer the journal adjustment and the impact on consolidated prot).
(10 marks)
(20 marks)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

459

Financial accounting
21

ETHOS LTD
The following draft income statements and statements of changes in equity were prepared for the year
ended 31 March 20X9.
Income statements

Ethos Ltd
CU
303,600
(143,800)
159,800
(71,200)
88,600
2,800
91,400
(46,200)
45,200

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Operating costs
Profit from operations
Investment income
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after tax

Pathos Ltd
CU
217,700
(102,200)
115,500
(51,300)
64,200
1,200
65,400
(32,600)
32,800

Statements of changes in equity (extracts)

Net profit for the year


Transfer between reserves
Interim dividends on ordinary shares
Balance brought forward
Balance carried forward

Ethos Ltd
General
Retained
reserve
earnings
CU
CU

45,200
15,000
(15,000)

(30,000)
15,000
200

79,300
15,000
79,500

Pathos Ltd
General
Retained
reserve
earnings
CU
CU

32,800
5,000
(5,000)

5,000
27,800

38,650
5,000
66,450

On 30 November 20X8 Ethos Ltd acquired 75% of the issued ordinary capital of Pathos Ltd for
CU130,000. Pathos Ltd has in issue 100,000 CU1 ordinary shares. Ethos Ltd has 500,000 CU1
ordinary shares in issue.
Prots of both companies accrue evenly over the year.
Requirements
(a)

Prepare the consolidated income statement and consolidated statement of changes in equity for
the year ended 31 March 20X9.
(10 marks)

(b) Explain why only four months of Pathos Ltds income statement is included in the consolidated
income statement.
(3 marks)
(13 marks)
22

HIGG LTD
The following summarised income statements have been prepared for the year ended 30 June 20X5 by
Higg Ltd and its subsidiary undertaking Topp Ltd.
Higg Ltd
Topp Ltd
CU
CU
CU
Revenue
647,200
296,800
Cost of sales
(427,700)
(194,100)
Gross profit
219,500
102,700
Operating costs
(106,300)
(42,300)
Profits from operations
113,200
60,400
Investment income
Dividends from Topp Ltd
7,000

Dividends from quoted investments


3,000
2,000
Interest from Topp Ltd
1,600

11,600
Finance cost

(8,000)
Profit before tax
124,800
54,400
Income tax expense
(58,300)
(27,300)
Profit after tax
66,500
27,100

460

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

12

The following information is relevant.


(1) Higg Ltd acquired 70% of the CU100,000 issued ordinary shares of Topp Ltd for CU95,000 on 1 July
20X1 when retained earnings of Topp Ltd were CU13,200. On the same date Higg Ltd acquired 20%
of the 8% loan stock of Topp Ltd. The total loan stock issued at par is CU100,000.
(2) The revenue of Higg Ltd includes sales to Topp Ltd of CU36,000, all invoiced at cost plus 25%. On 30
June 20X5 the inventory of Topp Ltd included CU9,000 in respect of such goods.
(3) Three years ago a goodwill impairment loss of CU5,910 was recognised in Higg Ltds consolidated
nancial statements. A further loss of CU1,970 needs to be reected in the current year consolidated
nancial statements.
(4) Higg Ltd paid an interim ordinary dividend of CU20,000 and total dividends to irredeemable
preference shareholders of CU8,000. Topp Ltd paid an interim ordinary dividend of CU10,000.
(5) The retained earnings of Higg Ltd and Topp Ltd as at 1 July 20X4 were CU72,400 and CU29,600
respectively. The share capital of Higg Ltd comprises 500,000 CU1 ordinary shares and 100,000 CU1
irredeemable preference shares.
Requirement
Prepare the consolidated income statement and consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year
ended 30 June 20X5.
(10 marks)
Now, go back to the Learning Objectives in the Introduction. If you are satisfied you have achieved these
objectives, please tick them off.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

461

Financial accounting

Technical reference
For a comprehensive Technical reference section, covering all aspects of group accounts (except group cash
flow statements) see Chapter 15.

462

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

12

Answers to Self-test
1

Revenue = 460,000 + 120,000 60,000


= CU520,000

C
Walcot
Ltd
CUm
(11)

Cost of sales
PURP

Ufton
Ltd
CUm
(10)

Reduce revenue by intra-group sales of CU40,000.

Reduce consolidated profit by provision for unrealised profit.

D
CU'000
100
46

Less: Intra-group sales (9

46
)
34.5

(12)
134

A
CU'000
30.0
11.5

Hop Ltd
Skip Ltd
Less: PURP ((12 9

CUm

25
= CU4,000
125

Hop Ltd
Skip Ltd

Consol

(19)

CUm
3

(1)

20,000

Adj

1
)
3

(1.0)
40.5

A
CU

30
Closing PURP (120,000 25% 130 )

6,923

30
Opening PURP (15,000 130 )
Increase required
8

(3,462)
3,461

Interest receivable (40% 10,000)


Interest payable
PBT

Shaw Ltd
CU
4,000
80,000

Wilde Ltd
CU
(10,000)
94,000

Adj
CU
(4,000)
4,000

Cons
CU

(6,000)
174,000
168,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

463

Financial accounting
9

Share of Suton's post-acquisition retained earnings

= 24,000 5,000
= 19,000 80%
= CU15,200

10

Profit after tax

= 10,000 80%
= CU8,000

11

12

C
B/f
Share of IS (10 20%)
Less Share of dividends (7 20%)
C/f

CU'000
5.2
2.0
(1.4)
5.8

C/f
Dividend
Profit
At acquisition

CU
56,000
4,000
(10,000)
50,000

Minority interest at acquisition =

50,000
250,000

= 20%
13

B
CU
29,500
(3,000)
26,500

Share of consolidated profit (25% 118,000)


Less Share of PURP (25% 36,000 50/150)
14

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
15

Sanderstead
Ltd
CU
600,000
(400,000)

Adj

Consol

CU
(20,000)
20,000

CU
880,000
(580,000)
300,000

%
150
(100)
50

CU
60,000
(40,000)
20,000

B
SP
Cost
Gross profit

16

Croydon
Ltd
CU
300,000
(200,000)

B
Profit prior to finance cost
Finance cost (200,000 5%)
40%

464

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU
100,000
(10,000)
90,000
36,000

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

17

12

D
CU
1,000

Share of profit after tax (25% 4,000)


Point to note

As the inventory was sold by Horace Ltd, the PURP adjustment would be to Horace Ltd's profits
and would have no impact on the MI.
18

B
CU
89,000
(42,000)
47,000
24,000
71,000

Profit from operations Dennis Ltd


Less income tax expense
Group share of Terry Ltd (80% 30,000)
19

HUMPHREY LTD
Consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 September 20X5
CU'000
1,400
(742)
658
(110)
(120)
428
(31)
9
406
(184)
222

Revenue (W2)
Cost of sales (W2)
Gross profit
Distribution costs (W2)
Administration expenses (W2)
Profit from operations
Finance cost (W2)
Investment income (W2)
Profit before tax
Income tax expense (W2)
Profit after tax
Attributable to
Equity holders of Humphrey Ltd (
Minority interest (W3)

216
6
222

Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 30 September 20X5
(extracts)

Net profit for the period


Interim dividend on ordinary shares (W5)
Balance brought forward (W4 and W6)
Balance carried forward

Retained earnings
attributable to
equity holders of
Humphrey Ltd
CU'000
216
(100)
116
118
234

Minority
interest
CU'000
6
(4)
2
18
20

Total
CU'000
222
(104)
118
136
254

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

465

Financial accounting
WORKINGS
(1) Group structure
Humphrey Ltd
80%
Stanley Ltd
(2) Consolidation schedule

Revenue
C of S
Per Q
PURP
Distribution
Administrative
Finance cost
Inv income (20 16)
Income tax
PAT

Humphrey
Ltd
CU'000
1,100
(600)
(2)
(60)
(65)
(25)
4
(160)

Stanley
Ltd
CU'000
400
(240)

(50)
(55)
(6)
5
(24)
30

Adj

Consol

CU'000
(100)

CU'000
1,400

100

(742)
(110)
(120)
(31)
9
(184)

(3) Minority interest


20% 30,000 (W2) or as per PAT in question

CU'000
6

(4) Retained earnings b/f


Group
Humphrey Ltd
Stanley Ltd (80% (40 5))

CU'000
90
28
118

(5) Intra-group dividend


Check consistency between companies.
Received by Humphrey Ltd (80% 20)
Received by M1 (20% 20)
Paid by Stanley Ltd

CU'000
16
4
20

(6) Minority interest b/f


Share capital
Retained earnings
20%

466

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU'000
50
40
90
18

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

20

12

HIGH LTD
(a)

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 March 20X9


CU
414,750
(178,900)
235,850
(110,200)
(39,530)
86,120
(450)
350
86,020
(44,100)
41,920

Revenue (W2)
Cost of sales (W2)
Gross profit
Distribution costs (W2)
Administration expenses (W2)
Profit from operations
Finance cost (W2)
Investment income (W2)
Profit before tax
Income tax expense (W2)
Profit after tax
Attributable to
Equity holders of High Ltd (
Minority interest (W3)

38,270
3,650
41,920

Retained earnings brought forward


Attributable to equity holders of High Ltd (W5)
Minority interest (W5)

CU
630,280
14,520

(b) Adjustments in consolidation schedule


(i)

Intra-group sales of inventory


As the consolidated accounts treat High Ltd and Tension Ltd as one entity, the total intragroup trading needs to be eliminated on consolidation. The total of CU37,500 will be in
both Tension Ltds revenue and High Ltds cost of sales. The adjustment required is
DR
CU
37,500

Revenue
Cost of sales

CR
CU
37,500

This has no impact on net consolidated prot.


For the same reason, it is also necessary to eliminate the unrealised prot on the inventory
held by High Ltd at the year end. This adjustment will also reduce inventory to original cost
to the group.
The adjustment is

Cost of sales of Tension Ltd


Inventory in the consolidated balance sheet

DR
CU
700

CR
CU
700

This will reduce consolidated prot.


(ii)

Intra-group sale of plant


For the same reasons as given for inventory above, it is necessary to eliminate the
unrealised prot and reduce the plant to its original cost.
The adjustment is

Cost of sales of High Ltd


Cost of plant in the consolidated balance sheet

DR
CU
3,000

CR
CU
3,000

This will have a one-off impact on consolidated prot this year.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

467

Financial accounting
In current and future years (until the plant has been fully depreciated by Tension Ltd) it will
also be necessary to adjust the depreciation charge by 10% of the PURP, to reect the
gradual realisation of the above prot through the annual depreciation charge. This will
require the following.

Accumulated depreciation in the consolidated balance sheet


Cost of sales of High Ltd

DR
CU
300

CR
CU
300

Therefore the net impact is to reduce current year consolidated profit by CU2,700.
(iii) Management charges
As with intra-group trading, this charge must be contrad out on consolidation to reect the
single entity concept.
The adjustment required is

Revenue of High Ltd


Administrative costs of Tension Ltd

DR
CU
3,500

CR
CU
3,500

This has no impact on consolidated prot.


(iv) Impairment of goodwill
Goodwill only exists in the consolidated accounts and therefore the individual income
statements include no impairment of goodwill. The impairment charge for the year is dealt
with as follows.

Administration costs
Goodwill in the consolidated balance sheet

DR
CU
180

CR
CU
180

This will reduce consolidated prot.


(v)

Redeemable preference shares


These are in substance liabilities and the net 'dividend' payable outside the group should be
included as part of the consolidated nance cost.
Effectively the 'dividends' paid by Tension Ltd are contrad against the dividends received by
High Ltd and the adjustment required is

Dividends received
Dividends paid (25% CU600)
This leaves CU450 payable to third parties.
WORKINGS
(1) Group structure
High Ltd
80% ords (25% prefs)
Tension Ltd

468

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

DR
CU
150

CR
CU
150

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

12

(2) Consolidation schedule


High Ltd
CU
274,500

Revenue
C of S
Per Q
Inventory PURP
NCA PURP
Depreciation (10% 3,000)
Distrib
Admin
Per Q
Impairment of GW
Preference dividends received
Preference dividends paid
Inv income interest
Income tax
PAT

(126,480)
(3,000)
300
(67,315)
(25,555)
(180)
150
250
(29,000)

Tension
Ltd
CU
181,250
(86,520)
(700)

Adj
CU
(37,500)
(3,500)

(600)
100
(15,100)
18,250

CU
414,750

37,500
(178,900)
(110,200)

(42,885)
(17,295)

Consol

3,500
(150)
150

(39,530)
(450)
350
(44,100)

(3) Minority interest


20% CU18,250 = CU3,650
(4) Goodwill
Cost
Less Share of net assets at acquisition
Ordinary shares (80% 5,000)
Retained earnings (80% 4,000)
On acquisition
NBV at last impairment
Impairment loss previously recognised

CU
9,000
(4,000)
(3,200)
1,800
(1,200)
600

(5) Retained earnings b/f


High Ltd
Tension Ltd ((72,600 4,000) 80%)
Less: Impairment loss to date (W4)
Minority interest (72,600 20%)

CU
576,000
54,880
(600)
630,280
14,520

Point to note
Alternative calculation for PAT of Tension Ltd (W2)
PAT per question
Less Inventory PURP

CU
18,950
(700)
18,250

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

469

Financial accounting
21

ETHOS LTD
(a)

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 March 20X9


CU
376,167
(177,867)
198,300
(88,300)
110,000
3,200
113,200
(57,067)
56,133

Revenue (W2)
Cost of sales (W2)
Gross profit
Operating costs (W2)
Profit from operations
Investment income (W2)
Profit before tax
Income tax expense (W2)
Profit after tax
Attributable to
Equity holders of Ethos Ltd (
Minority interest (W3)

53,400
2,733
56,133

Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 March 20X9
Attributable to equity holders of Ethos Ltd
Ordinary
share
General
Retained
capital
reserve
earnings
Total
CU
CU
CU
CU
Net profit for
the period
Transfer between
reserves (W4)
Added on
acquisition of
subsidiary (W5)
Interim dividend
on ordinary
shares
Balance brought
forward
Balance carried
forward

Minority
interest
CU

Total
CU

53,400

53,400

2,733

56,133

16,250

(16,250)

40,129

40,129

16,250

(30,000)
7,150

(30,000)
23,400

42,862

(30,000)
66,262

500,000

79,300

579,300

579,300

500,000

16,250

86,450

602,700

42,862

645,562

(b) Time apportionment


The results of a subsidiary are included in the consolidated accounts only from the date control is
achieved.
Ethos Ltd acquired 75% of the issued ordinary capital of Pathos Ltd on 30 November 20X8. This is the
date on which control passed and hence the date from which the results of Pathos Ltd should be
reected in the consolidated income statement.
Therefore only prots earned by Pathos Ltd in the four months since that date are post-acquisition
prots.
The remaining previous eight months prot from 1 April 20X8 to 30 November 20X8 are all preacquisition prots and will be included in the calculation of goodwill on consolidation.

470

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

12

WORKINGS
(1) Group structure
Ethos Ltd
75% (acq 30 November 20X8 4/12 in)
Pathos Ltd
(2) Consolidation schedule
Ethos Ltd
CU
303,600
(143,800)
(71,200)
2,800
(46,200)

Revenue
C of S
Op costs
Inv income
Income tax
PAT

Pathos Ltd
CU
72,567
(34,067)
((17,100)
400
(10,867)
10,933

Adj
CU

Consol
CU
376,167
(177,867)
(88,300)
3,200
(57,067)

(3) Minority interest in prot for the year


CU
2,733

25% x 10,933 (W2)


(4) Transfer to general reserve
Ethos Ltd
Pathos Ltd (75% 5,000 4/12)

CU
15,000
1,250
16,250

(5) Minority interest added on acquisition


Share capital
Retained earnings
At 1 April 20X8
In current year (32,800 x 8/12)
25%

CU
100,000
38,650
21,867
160,517
40,129

Point to note
Alternative calculation for PAT of Pathos Ltd (W2)
PAT per question 32,800 4/12

CU
10,933

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

471

Financial accounting
22

HIGG LTD
Consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 June 20X5
CU
908,000
(587,600)
320,400
(150,570)
169,830
(6,400)
5,000
168,430
(85,600)
82,830

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Operating costs
Profit from operations
Finance cost
Investment income
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after tax
Attributable to
Equity holders of Higg Ltd (
Minority interest (W3)

74,700
8,130
82,830

Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 30 June 20X5

Net prot for the


period
Interim dividend
on ordinary
shares (W5)
Total dividends on
preference shares
(irredeemable)
Balance brought
forward (W4, W6)
Balance carried
forward

Attributable to equity holders of Higg Ltd


Ordinary
Preference
share
share capital
Retained
capital
(irredeemable)
earnings
Total
CU
CU
CU
CU

74,700

(20,000)

(20,000)

(3,000)

(23,000)

(8,000)
46,700

(8,000)
46,700

5,130

(8,000)
51,830

500,000

100,000

77,970

677,970

38,880

716,850

500,000

100,000

124,670

724,670

44,010

768,680

(1) Group structure


Higg Ltd
70%
Topp Ltd

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

8,130

Total
CU

WORKINGS

74,700

Minority
interest
CU

82,830

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

12

(2) Consolidation schedule

Revenue
C of S
Per Q
PURP (25/125 9,000)
Op costs
Per Q
Impairment of GW
Inv income
Dividends from quoted investments
Interest received
Finance cost
Income tax
PAT

Higg Ltd
CU
647,200

Topp Ltd
CU
296,800

Adj
CU
(36,000)

(427,700)
(1,800)

(194,100)

36,000

(106,300)
(1,970)

(42,300)

3,000
1,600
(58,300)

Consol
CU
908,000
(587,600)
(150,570)

2,000
(8,000)
(27,300)
27,100

(1,600)
1,600

5,000

(6,400)
(85,600)

(3) Minority interest


CU
8,130

30% 27,100
(4) Retained earnings b/f

CU
Group
Higg Ltd
Topp Ltd (70% (29,600 13,200))
Less: Goodwill impaired to 1 July 20X4

72,400
11,480
(5,910)
77,970

(5) Intra-group dividends and interest


Paid by Topp Ltd
Dividends
Interest
Received by Higg Ltd
Dividends (70% 10,000)
Interest (20% 8,000)
Dividends received by MI (30% 10,000)

CU
10,000
8,000
7,000
1,600
3,000

(6) Minority interest b/f


Share capital
Retained earnings
30%

CU
100,000
29,600
129,600
38,880

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Answer to Interactive questions

Answer to Interactive question 1


Whales
Ltd
CU
120,000
(80,000)

Revenue
C of S per Q
PURP
GP

40,000

Porpoise
Ltd
CU
70,000
(50,000)
(2,000)
18,000

Adj
CU
(30,000)
30,000

Consol
CU
160,000
(102,000)
58,000

Points to note
1

The intra-group sale is eliminated in the adjustments column. It has no effect on the overall profit.

The unrealised profit is eliminated by increasing the cost of sales of the selling company. Where the
selling company is the subsidiary this will reduce the profit figure on which the calculation of minority
interest is subsequently based.

Answer to Interactive question 2


Depreciation per Q
NCA PURP (15,000 (12,000 4,800))
Depreciation adjustment ((15,000 12,000) 20%)

P Ltd
CU
(35,000)
(7,800)
600

S Ltd
CU
(25,000)

Adj
CU

Consol
CU
(67,200)

Answer to Interactive question 3


(a)

Consolidated income statement (extracts) for the year ended 30 September 20X7
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Minority interest (W3)
WORKINGS
(1)

Group structure
P
75%
S

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU
130,000
(74,000)
56,000
(1,750)

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

12

(2) Consolidation schedule

Revenue
C of S
per Q
PURP (W4)
Expenses
Income tax
Profit

Pathfinder
Ltd
CU
100,000
(60,000)
(4,000)

Sultan
Ltd
CU
50,000
(30,000)

Adj
CU
(20,000)
20,000

Consol
CU
130,000
(74,000)

(10,000)
(3,000)
7,000

(3) Minority interest


Sultan Ltd

25%

7,000

%
100
(60)
40

CU
20,000
(12,000)
8,000

(W2)

CU
1,750

(4) PURP
Selling price
Cost
Gross profit
(b)

CU
1/2 =

4,000

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 September 20X7


CU
130,000
(74,000)
56,000
(30,000)
26,000
(9,000)
17,000

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Expenses
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after tax
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Pathfinder Ltd ()
Minority interest (W3)

16,250
750
17,000

WORKINGS
(1) Group structure
As part (a)
(2) Consolidation schedule

Revenue
C of S per Q
PURP (W4)
Expenses
Income tax
Profit

Pathfinder
Ltd
CU
100,000
(60,000)
(20,000)
(6,000)

Sultan
Ltd
CU
50,000
(30,000)
(4,000)
(10,000)
(3,000)
3,000

Adj
CU
(20,000)
20,000

Consol
CU
130,000
(74,000)
(30,000)
(9,000)

(3) Minority interest


Sultan Ltd

25%

3,000

(W2)

CU
750

(4) PURP
As part (a)

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Financial accounting

Answer to Interactive question 4


P Ltd Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X7
9

Revenue
C of S
Gross profit

P Ltd
CU
100,000
(70,000)
30,000

/12
S Ltd
CU
56,250
(45,000)
11,250

Adj
CU
(15,000)
15,000

Consol
CU
141,250
(100,000)
41,250

Answer to Interactive question 5


Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 30 June 20X8

Net profit for the year


Dividends declared
Brought forward (W)
Carried forward

Attributable to equity holders


of William Ltd
Share
Retained
capital
earnings
Total
CU
CU
CU

178,000
178,000

(20,000)
(20,000)

158,000
158,000
200,000
300,000
500,000
200,000
458,000
658,000

Minority
interest
CU
13,000
(6,000)
7,000
34,000
41,000

Total
CU
191,000
(26,000)
165,000
534,000
699,000

WORKING
Group reserves b/f
William Ltd
Rufus Ltd (80% (120,000 70,000))
Goodwill impairment to date

CU
270,000
40,000
(10,000)
300,000
CU

MI b/f
Share capital (20% 50,000)
Retained earnings (20% 120,000)

10,000
24,000
34,000

Answer to Interactive question 6


Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 March 20X9
Revenue (Joseph + half Mary)
Costs (Joseph + half Mary)
Profit before tax
Income tax (Joseph + half Mary)
Profit after tax
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Joseph Ltd ()
Minority interest (W1)

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU000
1,075
(575)
500
(165)
335
320
15
335

GROUP ACCOUNTS: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

12

Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 March 20X9

Net profit for the year


Added on acquisition of subsidiary (W2)
Brought forward
Carried forward

Attributable to equity holders


of Joseph Ltd
Share
Retained
capital
earnings
Total
CU'000
CU'000
CU'000

320
320

500
400
900
500
720
1,220

Minority
interest
CU'000
15
95

110

Total
CU'000
335
95
900
1,330

WORKINGS
(1) Minority interest in profit for the year
CU000
15

20% of (150,000 50%)


(2) Minority interest added on acquisition
Share capital
Retained earnings b/f
Profit for first half of current year (150,000 50%)
20% of

CU000
100
300
75
475

CU000

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Financial accounting

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chapter 13

Group accounts: associates

Contents
Introduction
Examination context
Topic List
1

Investment in an associate

Equity method: consolidated balance sheet

Equity method: consolidated income statement

Associate's losses

Transactions between a group and its associate

Summary and Self-test


Technical reference
Answers to Self-test
Answers to Interactive questions

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Financial accounting

Introduction

Learning objectives

Explain the relationship between a group and its associate

Explain the principles behind the treatment of the associate

Reflect an associate in group accounts by means of equity accounting

Deal with transactions between a group and its associate

Tick off

Specific syllabus references for this chapter are: 1g, 3c,d,e.

Practical significance
In Chapters 10-12 we have seen that companies may acquire other entities as a means of achieving growth
and meeting corporate objectives. We have been looking at situations where an investor obtains control of an
investee through the ownership of a majority of the ordinary share capital. However, there are other ways in
which an investment may be made. A minority stake could be obtained such that the investor can influence,
rather than control, the key decisions made by the entity. This is normally achieved through the acquisition of
20% or more of the voting rights (normally attached to ordinary shares). This type of investment is referred
to as an associate.
But why would an entity wish to obtain a minority stake only? In many cases the acquisition of a minority
stake is part of a wider plan. The investor is able to be involved in the strategy of the target company,
through representation on the board whilst at the same time limiting its financial commitment. It is able to
evaluate whether the target company would fit in with its existing activities and, if appropriate, to make initial
plans for a merger. The target company may also benefit from this process as the investing entity can often
provide expertise such as management and logistics services. This approach is common in high technology
and developing industries. Typically these involve small, newly-established entities which require capital
funding.
If the readers of financial information are to understand the level of influence an entity can exercise it is
essential that the method of reporting reflects this adequately. BAS 28 Investments in Associates aims to ensure
that this is the case.

Stop and think?


How do you think a simple trade investment differs from an investment in an associate?

Working context
If you have worked on a client which involves a group of companies the investments made by the parent
company may have included an associate. As we saw in Chapter 10 the subsidiaries in a group are normally
consolidated by preparing a consolidation package. Typically the same type of procedure is used in respect of
the associate. The key issues which would need to be addressed specifically include the correct identification
of the investment as an associate and the appropriate accounting treatment in the financial statements.

Syllabus links
More complex aspects of group financial statements will be examined in the Financial Reporting paper and at
the Advanced stage. It is therefore important that you have a sound understanding of the accounting
treatment of associates to carry forward to these other papers.

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GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

Examination context

Examination commentary
Associates could be examined in both the short-form question and written test sections of the paper. In the
written test section it is likely that the associate will be examined in the context of the preparation of a
consolidated balance sheet or income statement, within a group structure which includes at least one
subsidiary. A written element of such a question could focus on an explanation of equity accounting by
reference to the underlying principles or a comparison of the treatment of associates under BFRS.
In the examination candidates could be required to:

Incorporate the results of an associate in the consolidated financial statements using the equity method

Explain the equity method and the principles behind it

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Financial accounting

1 Investment in an associate
Section overview

1.1

An associate is an entity over which the parent exercises significant influence.

Significant influence is presumed where the parent holds 20% or more of the voting rights.

An associate is not part of the group.

An investment in an associate should be accounted for in the consolidated financial statements using
the equity method of accounting.

Introduction
In the previous chapters we have seen that where a parent entity controls another entity (normally by
holding over 50% of the ordinary share capital) it is said to have a subsidiary. The results of the parent and
subsidiary are consolidated in group accounts as if they were a single entity.
However, investments can take a number of different forms. An investing entity may obtain sufficient shares
such that the investment is of significant importance to it, without achieving control. This type of
investment is referred to as an associate and is dealt with by BAS 28 Investments in Associates.
In this chapter we will look at how to account for an associate. (The detailed provisions of BAS 28 are dealt
with in Chapter 15.)

1.2

Associate
Definition
Associate: An entity, including an unincorporated entity such as a partnership, over which the investor has
significant influence and that is neither a subsidiary nor an interest in a joint venture.

When deciding whether an investment should be treated as an associate the critical feature is whether the
investing entity has significant influence over the investee.

Definition
Significant influence: The power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the
investee but is not control or joint control over those policies.

Significant influence can be determined by the holding of voting rights (usually attached to shares) in the
entity. BAS 28 states that:

482

If an investor holds 20% or more of the voting power of the investee (directly or indirectly) it is
presumed that the investor has significant influence; therefore associate status will be presumed
unless it can be demonstrated otherwise.

If an investor holds less than 20% of the voting power of the investee (directly or indirectly) it is
presumed that the investor does not have significant influence; therefore there is no associate
status unless demonstrated otherwise.

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GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

BAS 28 also states that significant influence can be shown by one or more of the following:

Representation on the board of directors


Participation in policy making decisions
Material transactions between the investor and investee
Interchange of managerial personnel
Provision of essential technical information

Point to note
For examination purposes you should assume that a holding of 20% or more of the ordinary share
capital constitutes significant influence.

1.3

Relationship with the group


An associate is not part of the group as a group comprises the parent and its subsidiaries only. In terms of
the Financial Accounting syllabus, the group investment in the associate is always held by the parent company,
not a subsidiary. So:

P
Group 80%
S

1.4

40%
A

Treatment in investing company's own accounts


The balance sheet of the investing company shows the investment in the associate in non-current asset
investments, usually at cost.
The investing company's income statement shows dividend income received and receivable from the
associate as 'income from associates'.
The question is whether this provides the shareholders of the parent company with sufficient information. It
could be argued that to reflect fairly the nature of the investor's interest where it is in a position to
exercise significant influence the group's interest in the net assets and results of the associate
should be reflected.
This is achieved by the use of the equity method of accounting.

1.5

Treatment in consolidated financial statements: accounting


principles
An investment in an associate should be accounted for in the consolidated financial statements using the
equity method of accounting. This method reflects the substance of the relationship between the entities
rather than their legal form. The group's share of the associate's profits, assets and liabilities are
included in the consolidated financial statements rather than the cost of the investment and dividend income
received.
(Exceptions to the general requirement to apply the equity method of accounting are described in Chapter 15.)
Point to note
The equity method is only used in the group accounts i.e. the parent company holds investments in
subsidiaries as well as associates. If the investor does not issue consolidated financial statements the
investment will be shown in the investor's individual financial statements as described in section 1.4 above.

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Financial accounting

2 Equity method: consolidated balance sheet


Section overview

2.1

The investment in the associate is shown as a single line entry in the consolidated balance sheet.

If the carrying amount of the investment has suffered an impairment it should be written down to its
recoverable amount.

Basic principle
An associate is accounted for as follows:

The interest in the associate is presented as a single line under non-current assets described as
'Investments in Associates'.

It is initially recognised at cost and is subsequently adjusted in each period for changes in the parent's
share of the net assets.

In group reserves the parent's share of the associate's post-acquisition reserves are included (as
for a subsidiary).

Point to note
The assets and liabilities of the associate are not included on a line-by-line basis.

2.2

Calculation of balance sheet carrying amount


The investment in the associate is calculated as follows:
Original cost (in P's books)
Share of post acquisition change in net assets
Less: Impairment losses to date

CU
X
X
X
(X)
X

Point to note
If the parent company has made any long term loans to the associate which are not expected to be repaid
in the foreseeable future these should be included as part of the investment in the associate.

2.3

Impairment losses
At the date of acquisition the investment in the associate is recognised at cost (see section 2.1). This
represents the parent's share of the fair value of the net assets acquired plus goodwill arising on
acquisition. This goodwill is not separately calculated or disclosed (as with a subsidiary) but instead is
included as part of the carrying amount of the investment. This presentation aims to avoid giving the
misleading impression that the investor has acquired a goodwill asset through control over its share of the
associates individual assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities. It has only gained significant influence over
the affairs of the associate so no goodwill is calculated at the date the investment is made.
As a result impairment tests are performed in relation to the investment as a whole. If the investment
has suffered an impairment it is written down to its recoverable amount (see section 2.2).
Point to note
If there is a discount on the purchase of the investment (i.e. the cost is less than the fair value of the net
assets acquired) it must be recognised in profit or loss for the period in which the investment is made.
In practice this is unlikely to occur.

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GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

2.4

Application of the equity method in the consolidated balance sheet


Remember that the equity method is only used in group accounts. This means that the parent has subsidiaries
as well as an associate. In an examination question the practical implication of this is that you will need to
produce the consolidation workings for the subsidiaries (See Chapter 11). These workings are adapted for
the inclusion of the associate as follows:
Working1: Group structure

Include the associate in the group structure


diagram

Working 2: Net assets

Produce a net assets working for the associate


(as for a subsidiary)
This should include any fair value or accounting
policy adjustments to the associate's net assets
The post acquisition change in net assets will
form part of the 'Investments in Associates'
balance

Working 5: Consolidated retained earnings


(reserves)

Include the parent's share of the associate's


post acquisition retained earnings

The calculation of the carrying amount of the investment in the associate will usually be Working
6.

Interactive question 1: Equity method (CBS)

[Difficulty level: Easy]

P Ltd owns 80% of S Ltd and 40% of A Ltd. Balance sheets of the three companies at 31 December 20X8 are
as follows.

Investment: shares in S
Investment: shares in A
Sundry assets
Share capital CU1 ordinary shares
Retained earnings
Equity
Liabilities

P
CU
800
600
6,600
8,000

S
CU

A
CU

1,000
4,000
5,000
3,000
8,000

400
3,400
3,800
2,000
5,800

800
3,600
4,400
1,000
5,400

5,800
5,800

5,400
5,400

P acquired its shares in S when S's retained earnings were CU520, and P acquired its shares in A when A's
retained earnings were CU400.
In 20X7 an impairment loss of CU20 was recognised in relation to the investment in A.
Requirement
Prepare the consolidated balance sheet at 31 December 20X8.
Fill in the proforma below.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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Financial accounting

Solution
P Ltd: Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 20X8
CU

Intangibles (W3)
Investments in associates (W6)
Sundry assets
Share capital
Retained earnings (W5)
Attributable to equity holders of P Ltd
Minority interest (W4)
Equity
Liabilities
WORKINGS
(1) Group structure

(2) Net assets


Balance
sheet date
CU

Acquisition
CU

Post
acquisition
CU

S Ltd
Share capital
Retained earnings
A Ltd
Share capital
Retained earnings
(3) Goodwill
S Ltd
Cost of investment
Net assets acquired
Balance c/f

CU

(4) Minority interest


CU
S Ltd
(5) Retained earnings
CU
P Ltd
S Ltd
A Ltd
Impairment to date

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GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

(6) Investments in associates


Original cost
Share of post-acquisition change in net assets (W2)

CU

Impairment losses to date


See Answer at the end of this chapter.

3 Equity method: consolidated income statement


Section overview

3.1

Share of profit of associates is recognised as a single line entry in the consolidated income statement.

Basic principle
The associate is accounted for as follows:

The group's share of the associate's profit after tax is recognised in the consolidated income
statement as a single line entry.

This is disclosed immediately before the group profit before tax as 'Share of profit of
associates'.

If the associate is acquired mid-year its results should be time-apportioned.

Points to note
(1) It may seem odd to include an after tax balance in arriving at the profit before tax, but this is in line with
the Guidance on Implementing BAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements.
(2) The revenues and expenses of the associate are not consolidated on a line-by-line basis.

3.2

Impairment review
Where an impairment review in the current period has revealed an impairment loss to be charged to the
income statement, the loss is deducted from the parent's share of the profit after tax of the
associate (or added to the parent's share of a post-tax loss.)

3.3

Application of the equity method in the consolidated income


statement
An additional working will be required to calculate the parent's share of the associate's profit after tax.
Point to note
The consolidation schedule (Working 2) will only include the parent and any subsidiaries as the associate is
not consolidated.

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Financial accounting

Interactive question 2: Equity method (CIS)

[Difficulty level: Easy]

P Ltd has owned 80% of S Ltd and 40% of A Ltd for several years. Income statements for the year ended 31
December 20X8 are as follows.
P Ltd
CU
14,000
(9,000)
5,000
(2,000)
3,000
1,000
4,000
(1,000)
3,000

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Administrative expenses
Profit from operations
Investment income
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after tax

S Ltd
CU
12,000
(4,000)
8,000
(6,000)
2,000

2,000
(1,200)
800

A Ltd
CU
10,000
(3,000)
7,000
(3,000)
4,000
400
4,400
(2,000)
2,400

An impairment loss of CU120 is to be recognised in 20X8 in relation to the investment in A Ltd.


Requirement
Prepare the consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8.
Fill in the proforma below.

Solution
P Ltd: Consolidated income statement for the year ending 31 December 20X8
CU

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Administrative expenses
Profit from operations
Investment income
Share of profit of associates (W4)
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after tax
Attributable to:
Equity holders of P Ltd ()
Minority interest (W3)
WORKINGS
(1) Group structure

P
Group 80%

40%

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GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

(2) Consolidation schedule


P Ltd
CU

S Ltd
CU

Adj
CU

Consol
CU

Revenue
Cost of sales
Admin expense
Inv. income
Tax
(3) Minority interest
CU
S Ltd
(4) Share of profit of associates
CU
A Ltd
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

4 Associate's losses
Section overview

4.1

Losses recognised in respect of the associate are limited to the carrying amount of the associate.

Accounting treatment
Where an associate makes a loss the following treatment should be adopted:
Consolidated balance sheet

The group's share of the loss should be


recognised as a reduction in the carrying
amount of the associate.
The group share of the post-tax loss should
be recognised.

Consolidated income statement


Point to note

Once the carrying amount of the investment in the associate has been reduced to zero, no further losses
are recognised by the group. The parent is only required to make a provision for any additional losses
incurred by the associate to the extent that the parent has a legal or constructive obligation to make good
these amounts.

Worked example: Associate's losses


At 31 December 20X6, the carrying amount of P Ltd's 40% interest in A Ltd is CU600,000.
In the year ended 31 December 20X7 A Ltd makes a post-tax loss of CU2,000,000.
The associate will be recognised in the consolidated financial statements at 31 December 20X7 as follows:

40% x CU2,000,000 = CU800,000

Consolidated
income
statement
CU
(600,000)

Consolidated
balance
sheet
CU
Nil

The loss recognised is limited to the carrying amount of the investment i.e. CU600,000.

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Financial accounting

5 Transactions between a group and its associate


Section overview

5.1

Transactions between the group and its associates are not cancelled on consolidation.

An adjustment is required for any unrealised profit.

Basic principle
As we said in section 1 the associate is not part of the group. This means that whilst the single entity concept
applies to the parent and subsidiaries it does not apply to any associates. One of the consequences of this is
that transactions between a group member and an associate are not cancelled on consolidation.

5.2

Trading transactions
Trading transactions are not cancelled on consolidation.
Consolidated income statement

Consolidated balance sheet

No adjustment is made to revenue or cost of


sales for transactions between the group and the
associate.
Receivables and payables balances due
from/to the associate in the individual balance
sheet of the parent or its subsidiaries are carried
across into the consolidated balance sheet.

Point to note
In the consolidated balance sheet balances relating to loans and trading balances between the group and the
associate should be shown separately.

5.3

Dividends
Balances in respect of dividends from the associate are not cancelled on consolidation. However it
would still be necessary to ensure that all dividends payable/receivable have been fully accounted
for in the books of the individual companies (as for a subsidiary.)
Consolidated income statement

Consolidated balance sheet

Dividend income from the associate is not


recorded in the consolidated income
statement. This is because under the equity
method the group's share of the associate's profit
before dividends has been recognised. If the
dividend income was also recognised the same
profits would be recognised twice.
A receivable will be recognised in the
consolidated balance sheet for dividends
declared by the associate due to the group.

Interactive question 3: Dividends

[Difficulty level: Easy]

P Ltd (which also has a subsidiary) has a 40% associate A Ltd. A Ltd has declared a dividend of CU100.
Requirement
Show the entries to record this dividend in the books of A Ltd and P Ltd and set out its impact on the
consolidated balance sheet and workings.
Fill in the proforma below.

490

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

Solution
1

Account for the dividend in the books of the individual companies


A's books
DR
CR

CU

CU

P's books
DR
CR

CU

CU

Impact on CBS and workings


(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

See Answer at the end of the chapter.

5.4

Unrealised profits
Whilst transactions between the group and the associate are not cancelled on consolidation any unrealised
profit on these transactions should be eliminated.
In this respect the principle applied is similar to that applied to a subsidiary (see Chapters 11 and 12).

Worked example: Unrealised profits


A sale is made by A Ltd to P Ltd. P Ltd has a 25% holding in A Ltd. All of the goods remain in inventory at the
year-end.
75% of the profit made from the sale relates to interests held by other investors therefore only 25% of the
profit (that part which belongs to the group) should be eliminated.

The adjustment is made in the books of the seller. The way that the adjustment is made depends on
whether the selling company is the parent or the associate.
Points to note

5.4.1

Unrealised profit will only arise if the goods transferred are still held by the parent or associate. If
the goods have been sold to a third party there is no unrealised profit.

Unrealised profit adjustments apply to the transfer of non-current assets as well as the transfer of
goods.

Parent sells goods to the associate


Consolidated balance sheet:

Reduce P's retained earnings by its share of the unrealised profit.


Reduce the carrying amount of the investment in A by P's share of the unrealised profit.

Point to note
The carrying amount of the associate is adjusted rather than inventory as the inventory of the associate is
not consolidated.

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Financial accounting
Consolidated income statement:

Reduce P's revenue by its share of the sale on which profit is unrealised
Reduce P's cost of sales by its share of the cost of goods transferred on which profit is unrealised.

Point to note
The net effect of these two adjustments reduces group profit by its share of the unrealised profit.

Interactive question 4: Unrealised profits (P A) [Difficulty level: Exam standard]


P Ltd owns 35% of A Ltd. During the current financial year P Ltd sold goods to A Ltd for CU300,000 on
which its gross margin was 40%. A Ltd held CU50,000 of these goods in its inventories at the year end.
Requirement
Show the journal entries necessary to adjust for the PURP in P Ltd's consolidated balance sheet and set out
the adjustments necessary to P Ltd's consolidated income statement.
Fill in the proforma below.

Solution
Consolidated balance sheet journal
CU

DR
CR

CU

Consolidated income statement

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

5.4.2

Associate sells goods to the parent


Consolidated balance sheet

Reduce P's share of A's retained earnings by its share of the unrealised profit.
Reduce P's inventory on consolidation by its share of the unrealised profit.

Point to note
The effect on retained earnings is normally dealt with by adjusting the associate's net assets at the
balance sheet date in the net assets working (working 2) by 100% of the unrealised profit. The
group share of post-acquisition retained earnings will then be based on this revised figure.
Consolidated income statement

Reduce P's share of A's profits after tax by its share of the unrealised profit.

Point to note
This is normally achieved by reducing the associates profit after tax by 100% of the unrealised
profit. The group share is then taken of the revised balance.

492

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

Interactive question 5: Unrealised profits (A P) [Difficulty level: Exam standard]


Assume the same facts as in Interactive Question 4 except that A Ltd is the seller and P Ltd holds the
CU50,000 goods in inventory.
Requirements
(a)

Show the journal entries to adjust for the PURP in P Ltd's consolidated balance sheet.

(b) If A Ltd has profit after tax of CU75,000 calculate the share of profit of associates figure which would
appear in the consolidated income statement.
Fill in the proforma below.

Solution
(a)

Consolidated balance sheet journal


CU

CU

DR
CR
(b)

Share of profit of associates for consolidated income statement


CU

Associates PAT
Less: Unrealised profit
group share
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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Financial accounting

Summary and Self-test

Summary

494

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

Self-test
Answer the following questions.
1

Durie Ltd has many subsidiary companies. On 1 January 20X6 Durie Ltd bought 30% of the share capital
of Edberg Ltd for CU6,660. The retained earnings of Edberg Ltd at that date were CU13,000 and the
fair value of its assets less liabilities was CU20,000. The excess of fair value over carrying amount related
to a plot of land which was still owned at 31 December 20X9. The fair value was not reflected in the
books of Edberg Ltd.
The summarised draft balance sheet of Edberg Ltd on 31 December 20X9 includes the following.
CU
5,000
17,000
22,000

Share capital CU1 ordinary shares


Retained earnings
Total equity
By the end of 20X9 the investment in Edberg Ltd had been impaired by CU264.
At what amount should the investment in Edberg Ltd be shown using the equity method on 31
December 20X9?
A
B
C
D
2

CU6,996
CU7,596
CU7,656
CU8,256

Extracts from the income statements of Pik Ltd and its subsidiaries and Wik Ltd, its associate, for the
year ended 31 March 20X6 are as follows.

Gross profit
Administrative expenses
Distribution costs
Dividends from Wik Ltd
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after tax

Pik Ltd
(inc
subsidiaries)
CU'000
2,900
(750)
(140)
20
2,030
(810)
1,220

Wik
Ltd
CU'000
1,600
(170)
(190)

1,240
(440)
800

Pik Ltd acquired 25% of the ordinary shares in Wik Ltd on 1 April 20X3 when the retained earnings of
Wik Ltd were CU80,000.
At what amount should the profit before tax be shown in the consolidated income statement of Pik Ltd
for the year ended 31 March 20X6?
A
B
C
D
3

CU2,010,000
CU2,210,000
CU2,340,000
CU3,270,000

Albert Ltd owns many subsidiaries and 25% of Victoria Ltd. In the year ended 31 December 20X5
Albert Ltd sold goods to Victoria for CU400,000, earning a gross profit of 20%. Victoria Ltd held
CU120,000 of them in its inventories at the year end.
By what amount should Albert Ltd's revenue be reduced when preparing its consolidated income
statement?
A
B
C
D

CU400,000
CU120,000
CU100,000
CU30,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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Financial accounting
4

Austen Ltd has owned 100% of Kipling Ltd and 30% of Dickens Ltd, an associate, for many years. At 31
December 20X5 the trade receivables and trade payables shown in the individual company balance
sheets were as follows.

Trade receivables
Trade payables
Trade payables included amounts owing to
Austen Ltd
Kipling Ltd
Dickens Ltd
Other suppliers

Austen
Ltd
CU'000
50
30

Kipling
Ltd
CU'000
30
15

Dickens
Ltd
CU'000
40
20

2
7
21
30

15
15

16
20

The inter-company accounts agreed after taking into account the following.
(1) An invoice for CU3,000 posted by Kipling Ltd on 31 December 20X5 was not received by Austen
Ltd until 2 January 20X6.
(2) A cheque for CU6,000 posted by Austen Ltd on 30 December 20X5 was not received by Dickens
Ltd until 4 January 20X6.
What amount should be shown as trade receivables in the consolidated balance sheet of Austen Ltd?
A
B
C
D
5

CU75,000
CU79,000
CU87,000
CU115,000

At 31 December 20X8, Beed Ltd, Transformer Ltd and Berlin Ltd each have share capital of CU10,000,
retained earnings of CU20,000 and net assets at fair value of CU30,000.
Beed Ltd subscribed at par value for 60% of Transformer Ltd on its incorporation seven years ago and
has acquired 40% of Berlin Ltd for CU32,000 on 31 December 20X8.
What amounts will be identical in the consolidated balance sheet at 31 December 20X8?
A
B
C
D

Minority interest and investments in associates, but not consolidated retained earnings
Minority interest and consolidated retained earnings, but not investments in associates
Consolidated retained earnings and investments in associates, but not minority interest
Minority interest, consolidated retained earnings and investments in associates

H Ltd and its subsidiaries (S1 and S2) and associate (A) have the following inter-company balances at the
year end.

H with A
S2 with A
S1 with A

H
CU'000
50 CR

S1
CU'000

S2
CU'000
75 DR

80 CR

A
CU'000
50 DR
80 DR

All the differences related to cash in transit and where this is the case adjustments are to be made in the
books of the receiving company.
After making the necessary adjustments to reflect the above, the consolidated financial statements of H
Ltd will include
A
B
C
D

496

No balances due to or from associates


An amount due from associates of CU75,000
An amount due to associates of CU55,000
An amount due to associates of CU130,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

Hot Ltd owns 80% of the issued share capital of Warm Ltd and 40% of the issued share capital of Cold
Ltd. In the individual accounts the income tax expenses for the year are as follows.
Hot Ltd
Warm Ltd
Cold Ltd

CU40,000
CU36,000
CU20,000

At what amount should the income tax expense appear in the consolidated income statement?
A
B
C
D
8

CU68,800
CU76,000
CU84,000
CU96,000

House Ltd owns 80% of the issued share capital of Window Ltd and 25% of the issued share capital of
Door Ltd. The revenues for the year are as follows.
House Ltd
Window Ltd
Door Ltd

CU750,000
CU500,000
CU80,000

What amount for revenue should appear in the consolidated income statement for the year?
A
B
C
D
9

CU1,150,000
CU1,250,000
CU1,270,000
CU1,330,000

Helen Ltd acquired 35% of Troy Ltd on 1 January 20X6 for CU90,000. At that date Troy Ltd had share
capital of CU70,000 and retained earnings of CU96,000. It also owned a plot of land which had a fair
value of CU60,000 compared to a carrying amount of CU42,000; this fair value has not been
incorporated into the books of Troy Ltd and this land is still held at the current year end 31 December
20X9. Since acquisition, Troy Ltd has made total profits after tax of CU118,000 including CU110,000
made in the current year. The investment in Troy Ltd has become impaired by CU2,560 during the
current year.
What is the net amount to be included in the consolidated income statement in respect of Troy Ltd?
A
B
C
D

10

CU35,310
CU35,940
CU38,500
CU41,300

Grape Ltd holds 80% of the ordinary shares of Pear Ltd and 40% of those of Plum Ltd. The three
companies' profits after tax for the current year, before accounting for dividends receivable, and their
total dividends payable for the year are as follows.

Grape Ltd
Pear Ltd
Plum Ltd

Profit after
tax
CU
100,000
100,000
100,000

Dividends
payable
CU
50,000
50,000
50,000

In Grape Ltd's consolidated income statement, what amount will be disclosed as the profit/(loss) for the
period?
A
B
C
D
11

CU220,000
CU240,000
CU280,000
CU300,000

On 1 January 20X0 Adam Ltd purchased 30% of Eve Ltd for CU55,000. At this date the retained
earnings of Eve Ltd stood at CU60,000 and the fair value of net assets, which was subsequently reflected

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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Financial accounting
in the books, was CU170,000. The excess of fair value over carrying amount related to a plot of land
which was still owned at 31 December 20X4.
The balance sheet of Eve Ltd on 31 December 20X4 showed the following.
Share capital
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings
Total equity

CU
100,000
10,000
200,000
310,000

At what amount should Adam Ltd's investment in Eve Ltd be stated in its consolidated balance sheet at
31 December 20X4?
A
B
C
D
12

CU93,000
CU96,000
CU97,000
CU100,000

On 31 December 20X3 Salisbury Ltd owned 30% of Balfour Ltd, 90% of Gladstone Ltd and 80% of Peel
Ltd.
During the year Gladstone Ltd sold goods to Peel Ltd for CU4,000,000 making a profit of CU1,000,000.
25% of these goods remained in Peel Ltd's inventory as at the year end.
Total equity of each company at 31 December 20X3 was as follows.
Balfour Ltd
Gladstone Ltd
Peel Ltd

CUm
1
12
24

What amount should be shown as minority interest in the consolidated balance sheet of Salisbury Ltd at
31 December 20X3?
A
B
C
D
13

CU5.960m
CU5.975m
CU6.660m
CU6.675m

At 30 June 20X6, the carrying amount of Penguin Ltd's 30% investment in Antelope Ltd was CU750,000.
In the year ended 30 June 20X7 Antelope made a post-tax loss of CU3,000,000.
What amount will be recognised in the consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 June 20X7
as share of associates losses?
A
B
C
D

498

Nil
(CU900,000)
(CU750,000)
(CU3,000,000)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

14

HALEY LTD
The draft balance sheets of three companies as at 31 December 20X9 are set out below.

Property, plant and equipment


Investments at cost
18,000 shares in Socrates Ltd
18,000 shares in Aristotle Ltd
Current assets
Ordinary shares of CU1 each
Retained earnings
Equity
Current liabilities

Haley
Ltd
CU
300,000

Socrates
Ltd
CU
100,000

Aristotle
Ltd
CU
160,000

75,000
30,000
345,000
750,000

160,000
260,000

80,000
240,000

250,000
400,000
650,000
100,000
750,000

30,000
180,000
210,000
50,000
260,000

60,000
100,000
160,000
80,000
240,000

The retained earnings of Socrates Ltd and Aristotle Ltd when the investments were acquired eight years
ago were CU70,000 and CU30,000 respectively.
Impairment reviews to date have resulted in the need for the following amounts to be written off Haley
Ltd's investments.
CU
12,000
2,400

Socrates Ltd
Aristotle Ltd
Requirement
Prepare the consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 20X9.
15

(10 marks)

CORFU LTD
Corfu Ltd holds 80% of the ordinary share capital of Zante Ltd (acquired on 1 February 20X9) and 30%
of the ordinary share capital of Paxos Ltd (acquired on 1 July 20X8).
The draft income statements for the year ended 30 June 20X9, are set out below.

Revenue
Cost of sales and expenses
Trading profit
Dividends receivable from Zante Ltd
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after tax

Corfu
Ltd
CU'000
12,614
(11,318)
1,296
171
1,467
(621)
846

Zante
Ltd
CU'000
6,160
(5,524)
636

636
(275)
361

Paxos
Ltd
CU'000
8,640
(7,614)
1,026

1,026
(432)
594

Included in the inventory of Paxos Ltd at 30 June 20X9 was CU150,000 for goods purchased from Corfu
Ltd in May 20X9, which the latter company had invoiced at cost plus 25%. These were the only goods
Corfu Ltd sold to Paxos Ltd but it did make sales of CU50,000 to Zante Ltd during the year. None of
these goods remained in Zante Ltd's inventory at the year end.
Requirement
Prepare a consolidated income statement for Corfu Ltd for the year ended 30 June 20X9.
(10 marks)

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Financial accounting
16

KING LTD
King Ltd acquired shares in two other companies as follows.

Company
Prawn Ltd
Madras Ltd

Acquisition date
1 October 20X7
31 December 20X5

Shares
acquired
%
80
25

Goodwill
on
acquisition
CU
90,000

Retained
earnings at
acquisition
CU
260,000
340,000

The results and changes in equity of the three companies for the year ended 30 September 20X9 are as
follows.

Revenue
Cost of sales and expenses
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after tax

Net profit for the period


Final dividends declared
Balance brought forward
Balance carried forward

King
Ltd
CU'000
800
(550)
250
(80)
170
King
Ltd
CU'000
170
(70)
100
600
700

Prawn
Ltd
CU'000
430
(255)
175
(45)
130

Madras
Ltd
CU'000
600
(440)
160
(60)
100

Retained earnings
Prawn
Madras
Ltd
Ltd
CU'000
CU'000
130
100
(50)
(40)
80
60
320
540
400
600

You are also given the following information.


(1) King Ltd has yet to account for dividends receivable.
(2) During the year King Ltd made sales of CU80,000 to Prawn Ltd at a gross profit of 25%. At the
year end Prawn Ltd still held CU36,000 of these goods in inventory. Madras Ltd made sales of
CU150,000 to Prawn Ltd; all of those goods had been sold to third parties by the year end.
(4) Impairment reviews at the following dates revealed the following amounts to be written off in
respect of King Ltd's investment in Prawn Ltd and Madras Ltd.

Review at
30 September 20X8
30 September 20X9

Prawn Ltd
CU'000
9
9

Madras Ltd
CU'000
17
6

Requirements
Prepare the consolidated income statement and the retained earnings column in the consolidated
statement of changes in equity of the King Ltd group for the year ended 30 September 20X9. Work to
the nearest CU000.
(15 marks)

500

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GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

17

WATER LTD
The draft balance sheets of three companies as at 30 September 20X5 are as follows.

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments
160,000 shares in Hydrogen Ltd
80,000 shares in Oxygen Ltd
Current assets
Inventories
Trade receivables
Cash
Total assets
Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Retained earnings
Equity
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade payables
Total equity and liabilities

Water
Ltd
CU

Hydrogen
Ltd
CU

Oxygen
Ltd
CU

697,210

648,010

349,400

562,000
184,000
1,443,210

648,010

349,400

495,165
415,717
101,274
2,455,366

388,619
320,540
95,010
1,452,179

286,925
251,065
80,331
967,721

600,000
1,015,000
1,615,000
400,000

200,000
820,000
1,020,000
150,000

200,000
463,000
663,000
100,000

440,366
2,455,366

282,179
1,452,179

204,721
967,721

You are given the following additional information.


(1) Water Ltd purchased the shares in Hydrogen Ltd on 1 October 20X0 when the retained earnings
of Hydrogen Ltd were CU500,000.
(2) The shares in Oxygen Ltd were acquired on 1 October 20X2 when the retained earnings were
CU242,000.
(3) Included in the inventory figure for Water Ltd is inventory valued at CU20,000 which had been
purchased from Hydrogen Ltd at cost plus 25%.
(4) Included in the trade payables figure of Water Ltd is CU18,000 payable to Oxygen Ltd, the amount
receivable being recorded in the trade receivables figure of Oxygen Ltd.
(5) Impairment reviews to date have revealed a total of CU1,000 to be written off goodwill in respect
of Hydrogen Ltd and CU2,000 off in respect of Water Ltd's investment in Oxygen Ltd.
Requirements
(a)

Prepare the consolidated balance sheet for Water Ltd as at 30 September 20X5.

(15 marks)

(b) Identify the required accounting treatment for different levels of investment in undertakings for
consolidated accounts purposes, explaining why these are appropriate.
(5 marks)
(c)

Set out a brief explanation in note form of how subsidiaries and associates are accounted for in the
consolidated balance sheet.
(5 marks)
(25 marks)

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Financial accounting
18

NOTLEY LTD
The board of directors of Notley Ltd have asked you, as financial controller, to prepare some
information in relation to the companys draft financial statements for the year ended 30 June 20X6.
Details are as follows.
(1) Notley Ltd acquired 30% of the ordinary share capital of Blackmore Ltd on 1 February 20X6 for
CU285,000. Blackmore Ltd had retained earnings of CU328,000 at the date of acquisition and
CU415,750 at 30 June 20X6. Blackmore Ltd had share capital of CU500,000 at the date of
acquisition and this has remained unchanged. The recoverable amount of the investment in the
associate has been assessed at 30 June 20X6 as CU300,000.
(2) Notley Ltd has recognised a number of provisions in its financial statements. Details are as follows:

Notley Ltd had a problem with faulty goods being delivered to a number of its customers
during the period. The fault was identified after the first customer complaint. Goods
potentially affected were only those produced in March 20X6. Sales during this period
totalled CU75,000 and the company estimated that approximately 70% of these would have
been affected by the fault. Notley Ltd is likely to have to pay compensation of around CU3
per CU1 of revenue affected. It is hoped that all claims will be settled in the next three years.

Warranty agreements are sold with a number of Notley Ltds products. At the beginning of
the year the provision was CU125,000. Of this amount CU60,000 was utilised during the
period. A weighted average method is used to calculate the required warranty provision
based on past claims history and future expectations. There is a 55% chance that goods will
not develop a defect, a 35% chance that goods will develop minor defects costing a total of
CU300,000 and a 10% chance that a major fault will arise estimated at costing a total of
CU450,000. Warranties are provided to customers for periods of between two and five
years.

The board publicly announced during the period that as part of the companys reorganisation
programme, it would close one of its loss making divisions. The details of the closure have
been fully communicated to employees. The directors started to run down the operations of
the division during the period but full closure is likely to take another 12 to 18 months.
Future costs associated with the closure are estimated at:
CU
2,500,000
800,000
250,000
175,000

Employee redundancies
Lease termination costs
Staff relocation costs
Retraining costs

(3) Notley Ltd had 100,000 CU1 ordinary shares in issue at the beginning of the year. The shares had
been issued at their nominal value. Additional financing was raised in October through a further
share issue. 20,000 CU1 ordinary shares were issued at CU1.50 each.
The groups other reserves, before adjusting for the issues in (1) and (2) above and dividends,
shown in its draft balance sheet at the beginning and end of the year were:

Retained earnings
Revaluation reserve
The following dividends were declared by Notley Ltd
3 August 20X5
8 August 20X6

502

25p per share


32p per share.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

At 1 July
20X5
CU
780,000
275,000

At 30 June
20X6
CU
3,484,000
450,000

GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

Requirements
(a)

Calculate the amounts that will be shown for the investment in Blackmore Ltd in the income
statement for the year ended 30 June 20X6 and in the balance sheet as at that date.
(3 marks)

(b) Prepare the provisions note for the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 20X6, including
narrative commentary. Note: Ignore discounting.
(9 marks)
(c)

Prepare the consolidated statement of changes in equity for Notley Ltd for the year ended 30 June
20X6.
(6 marks)
(18 marks)

Now, go back to the Learning Objectives in the Introduction. If you are satisfied you have achieved these
objectives, please tick them off.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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Financial accounting

Technical reference
For a comprehensive Technical reference section, covering all aspects of group accounts (except group cash
flow statements) see Chapter 15.

504

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

Answers to Self-test
1

B
CU
6,660

Cost of investment in Edberg Ltd


Share of post acquisition change in net assets
(calculated as 30% change in retained earnings (17,000 13,000))

1,200
7,860
(264)
7,596

Impairment losses to date


Tutorial note: if
(a)

The amount of the fair value adjustment is the same at the balance sheet date and the date
the investment is made; and

(b) It has not been reflected in the associate's books then it can be omitted from the calculation
of the post-acquisition change in the associate's net assets.
2

B
CU'000
Pik Ltd (incl subsidiaries)
Gross profit
Less Administrative expenses
Distribution costs
Share of profit of associates (25% 800)

2,900
(750)
(140)
200
2,210

Albert Ltd's share of the revenue it recognised in respect of the goods held in inventories must be
eliminated, so 25% CU120,000 = CU30,000.

Austen Ltd
Kipling Ltd
Less Intra group (2 + 3)

CU'000

CU'000
50

30
(5)

25
75

Do not cancel balances with Dickens Ltd as Dickens Ltd is an associate.


5

C
Minority interest (40% 30,000)
Investments in associates
Consolidated retained earnings
Beed Ltd
Transformer Ltd (60% 20,000)
Berlin Ltd (no post-acquisition profits)

CU'000
12,000
32,000
20,000
12,000

32,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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Financial accounting
6

All balances with associates are retained on consolidation.


CU
50 CR
80 CR
130 CR

H
S1
The CU75,000 DR in S2 disappears once adjustment has been made for cash in transit.
7

B
Hot Ltd
Warm Ltd

B
House Ltd
Window Ltd

38,500
(2,560)
35,940

B
Grape Ltd
Pear Ltd
Plum Ltd (40% 100,000)

11

CU
750,000
500,000
1,250,000

B
Share of PAT (110,000 35%)
Less Impairment

10

CU
40,000
36,000
76,000

CU
100,000
100,000
40,000
240,000

C
Cost of investment in Eve Ltd
Share of post acquisition change in net assets (30% (310,000 - 170,000))

CU
55,000
42,000
97,000

As the excess of fair value over carrying amount at the date the investment was made was
subsequently reflected in Eve Ltd's books, no fair value adjustment needs to be made at 31
December 20X4.
12

B
Minority interest
Peel (20% 24)
Gladstone (10% (12 0.25))

13

CUm

C
Under BFRS the amount of the loss is restricted to the carrying amount of the investment.

506

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

4.800
1.175
5.975

GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

14

HALEY LTD
Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 20X9
CU
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment (30,000 + 100,000)
Intangibles (W3)
Investments in associates (W6)
Current assets (345,000 + 160,000)
Total assets

400,000
3,000
48,600
451,600
505,000
956,600

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES


Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Retained earnings (W5)
Attributable to equity holders of Haley Ltd
Minority interest (W4)
Equity
Current liabilities (100,000 + 50,000)
Total equity and liabilities

250,000
472,600
722,600
84,000
806,600
150,000
956,600

WORKINGS
(1) Group structure
(2) Net assets
Socrates Ltd
Haley Ltd
60%
Share
capital
Retained earnings

Aristotle
Ltd Ltd
Socrates

Share capital
Retained earnings

30%

Aristotle Ltd

Balance
sheet date
CU
30,000
180,000
210,000

Acquisition
CU
30,000
70,000
100,000

Balance
sheet date
CU
60,000
100,000
160,000

Acquisition
CU
60,000
30,000
90,000

Post
acquisition
CU

110,000

Post
acquisition
CU

70,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

507

Financial accounting
(3) Goodwill

Cost of investment
Share of net assets acquired (60% 100,000 (W2))
Impairment to date
Balance c/f

Socrates
Ltd
CU
75,000
(60,000)
15,000
(12,000)
3,000

(4) Minority interest


Socrates Ltd (40% 210)

CU'000
84

(5) Retained earnings


Haley Ltd
Socrates Ltd (60% 110,000 (W2))
Aristotle Ltd (30% 70,000 (W2))
Less Impairment to date (12,000 + 2,400)

CU
400,000
66,000
21,000
(14,400)
472,600

(6) Investment in associates


Cost of investment in Aristotle Ltd
Share of post acquisition change in net assets (30% 70,000 (W2))
Impairment to date
15

CU
30,000
21,000
51,000
(2,400)
48,600

CORFU LTD
Consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 June 20X9
Revenue (W2)
Cost of sales and expenses (W2)
Share of profit of associates (W4)
Profit before tax
Income tax expense (W2)
Profit after tax
Attributable to
Equity holders of Corfu Ltd ()
Minority interest (W3)

508

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU'000
15,086
(13,534)
1,552
178
1,730
(736)
994
964
30
994

GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

WORKINGS
(1) Group structure

Corfu Ltd

80%

30%

Zante Ltd

Paxos Ltd

(2) Consolidation schedule


Corfu Ltd
CU'000
Revenue
12,614
Re Paxos (30% 150,000)
C of S
Per Q
(11,318)
Re Paxos (30% (150,000 100/125))
Income tax
(621)

Zante Ltd
5/12
CU'000
2,567
(2,302)

Adj
CU'000
(50)
(45)
50
36

(115)
150

Consol
CU'000
15,086
(13,534)
(736)

(3) Minority interest


Zante Ltd (20% 150,000 (W2))

CU'000
30

(4) Share of profit of associates


CU'000
178

Paxos Ltd (30% 594)


16

KING LTD
(a)

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 September 20X9


Revenue (W2)
Cost of sales and expenses (W2)
Share of profit of associates (W5)
Profit before tax
Income tax expense (W2)
Profit after tax
Attributable to
Equity holders of King Ltd ()
Minority interest (W3)

CU'000
1,150
(743)
407
19
426
(125)
301
275
26
301

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

509

Financial accounting
Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 30 September 20X9
(extract)
Retained
earnings
CU'000
275
(70)
205
672
877

Net profit for the period


Final dividends on ordinary shares
Balance brought forward (W4)
Balance carried forward

WORKINGS
(1) Group structure

King Ltd

80%

25%

Prawn Ltd

Madras Ltd

(2) Consolidation schedule

Revenue
C of S and expenses
Per Q
PURP (36 25%)
Impairment of goodwill re Prawn Ltd
Income tax
PAT

King
Ltd
CU'000
800
(550)
(9)
(9)
(80)

Prawn
Ltd
CU'000
430
(255)
(45)
130

Adj
CU'000
(80)

Consol
CU'000
1,150

80
(743)
(125)

(3) Minority interest


Prawn Ltd (130,000 20%)
(4) Retained earnings brought forward
King Ltd
Prawn Ltd (80% (320 260))
Madras Ltd (25% (540 340))
Less Impairment to date (9 + 17)

CU'000
26
CU000
600
48
50
(26)
672

(5) Share of profit of associates


Madras Ltd ((25% 100) 6)

CU000
19

Tutorial note
The trading between Madras Ltd and Prawn Ltd is not cancelled as Madras Ltd is not part of the 'single
entity'.

510

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

17

WATER LTD
(a)

Consolidated balance sheet as at 30 September 20X5


CU
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment (697,210 + 648,010)
Intangibles (W3)
Investments in associates (W7)
Current assets
Inventories (495,165 + 388,619 4,000 (W6))
Trade and other receivables (415,717 + 320,540)
Cash and cash equivalents (101,274 + 95,010)

CU
1,345,220
1,000
270,400
1,616,620

879,784
736,257
196,284

Total assets
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Retained earnings (W5)
Attributable to equity holders of Water Ltd
Minority interest (W4)
Equity
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings (400,000 + 150,000)
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (440,366 + 282,179)
Total equity and liabilities

1,812,325
3,428,945

600,000
1,353,200
1,953,200
203,200
2,156,400
550,000
722,545
3,428,945

(b) Required accounting treatment for different levels of investment


(i)

Control
The investment will be treated as a subsidiary and consolidated in accordance with BAS 27
Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements.
The ability to direct the decision making of the undertaking means that full consolidation is
appropriate. The assets/liabilities and income/expenses under group control are shown as
one.
The minority share is shown in order to indicate the proportion not owned by the group.

(ii)

Significant influence
Many investments involve the influencing of decisions rather than outright control.
Such investments are treated as associates and equity accounted on consolidation in
accordance with BAS 28 Investments in Associates.
This level of involvement is reflected by showing the underlying value of the investment in the
balance sheet and the share of profit in the income statement.

(iii) Simple investment


Here the investor has no significant involvement in the investee undertaking.
Consequently only amounts paid/payable or received/receivable are reflected in the group
accounts.
The cost of such investments is shown in the balance sheet, whilst dividend income is
reflected in the income statement.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

511

Financial accounting
(c)

Explanation of accounting methods used


(i)

Subsidiary Impact on balance sheet

100% of the net assets of a subsidiary will be included on a line-by-line basis.

Intra-group balances will be contra'd out.

Unrealised profits on intra-group sales of inventory and property, plant and equipment
will be removed.

Goodwill is recognised if the cost of the acquisition exceeds the share of the fair value of
the net assets acquired.

Consolidated retained earnings will include

(ii)

Parent company's percentage of subsidiary's post-acquisition profits


Cumulative goodwill impairments to date.

The minority interest will show the value of the net assets included in the consolidated
balance sheet but owned by 'outside' interests.

Associate Impact on balance sheet

The cost of the investment is increased by the share of the post acquisition increase in
the associate's net assets and decreased by any impairment losses.

Consolidated retained earnings will include

The parent company's percentage of the associate's post-acquisition profits


Cumulative investment impairments to date.

WORKINGS
(1) Group structure

Water Ltd

80%

40%

Hydrogen Ltd

512

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Oxygen Ltd

GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

(2) Net assets


Hydrogen Ltd

Share capital
Retained earnings
Per question
Less: PURP (W6)

Balance sheet
date
CU
CU
200,000

Acquisition
CU
200,000

Postacquisition
CU

820,000
(4,000)
816,000
1,016,000

500,000
700,000

Balance
sheet date
CU
200,000
463,000
663,000

Acquisition
CU
200,000
242,000
442,000

316,000

Oxygen Ltd

Share capital
Retained earnings

Post
acquisition
CU

221,000

(3) Goodwill
Hydrogen Ltd
CU
562,000
(560,000)
2,000
(1,000)
1,000

Cost of shares
Share of net assets acquired (80% 700,000 (W2))
Impairment to date
Balance c/f
(4) Minority interest

CU
203,200

Share of net assets (20% 1,016,000 (W2))


(5) Retained earnings

CU
1,015,000
252,800
88,400
(3,000)
1,353,200

Water Ltd
Hydrogen Ltd (80% 316,000 (W2))
Oxygen Ltd (40% 221,000 (W2))
Less Impairment to date (1,000 + 2,000)
(6) PURP
%
125
(100)
25

SP
Cost
GP

CU
20,000
(16,000)
4,000

(7) Investments in associates


Cost of investment in Oxygen Ltd
Share of post acquisition change in net assets (40% 221,000 (W2))
Impairment to date

CU
184,000
88,400
272,400
(2,000)
270,400

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

513

Financial accounting
18

NOTLEY LTD
(a)

Investment in Blackmore Ltd


Income statement for the year ended 30 June 20X6 Share of profit of associates
Group share of profit 1 Feb X6-30 June X6 ((CU415,750 - CU328,000) x 30%)
Less: Impairment (W1)

CU
26,325
(11,325)
15,000

Balance sheet as at 30 June 20X6 Investment in associates


CU
285,000
26,325
311,325
(11,325)
300,000

Original cost
Share of post acquisition change in net assets (87,750 (W2) x 30%)
Less: Impairment losses to date (W1)
Recoverable amount
Tutorial note

The recoverable amount of the associate is assessed at CU300,000 and therefore an impairment of
CU11,325 should be recognised against the associate investment in the balance sheet and
recognised as an expense in the income statement.
(b) Provisions for liabilities and charges

At 1 July 20X5
Utilised in the year
Income statement charge ()
At 30 June 20X6 (W3)

Warranty
provision
CU
125,000
(60,000)
85,000
150,000

Provision for
closure
of division
CU
3,300,000
3,300,000

Other
provisions
CU
157,500
157,500

Total
CU
125,000
(60,000)
3,542,500
3,607,500

The warranty provision is in respect of warranties provided to customers, for periods between
two and five years. The provision is based on a weighted average calculation taking into account
past claims history and future expectations.
Notley Ltd announced during the period that it would be closing a loss making division. Details of
the closure have been fully communicated to those affected. The provision should be utilised in the
next twelve to eighteen months.
Other provisions consist of compensation claims made by customers. This amount is an estimate
based on claims made to date. The provision should be utilised in the next three years.
(c)

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Balance at 30 June 20X5


Gain on revaluation
(450 275)
Net loss for the period (W4)
Total recognised income and
expense for the period
Dividends
Share issue
Balance at 30 June 20X6

514

Share
capital
CU
100,000
-

Share
premium
CU
-

Revaluation
reserve
CU
275,000
175,000

Retained
earnings
CU
780,000
-

Total
CU
1,155,000
175,000

100,000

450,000

(823,500)
(43,500)

(823,500)
506,500

20,000
120,000

10,000
10,000

450,000

(25,000)
(68,500)

(25,000)
30,000
511,500

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

WORKINGS
(1) Impairment
Cost plus share of post-acquisition change in net assets (CU285,000 + CU26,325)
Recoverable amount (per Q)
Impairment

CU
311,325
(300,000)
11,325

(2) Net assets


Balance
sheet date
CU
500,000
415,750
915,750

Share capital
Retained earnings

Acquisition
CU
500,000
328,000
828,000

Post
acquisition
CU

87,750
87,750

(3) Warranty provision


(55% x nil) + (35% x CU300,000) + (10% x CU450,000) = CU150,000
Division closure:
Employee redundancies
Lease termination costs
Total provision
Other provision

CU
2,500,000
800,000
3,300,000
CU75,000 x 70% x CU3 = CU157,500

(4) Net profit for period


Per question (3,484,000 780,000)
Adjustment (1) associate
Adjustment (2) provisions
Loss for period

CU
2,704,000
15,000
(3,542,500)
(823,500)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

515

Financial accounting

Answers to Interactive questions

Answer to Interactive question 1


P Ltd: Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 20X8
CU
Intangibles (W3)
Investments in associates (W6)
Sundry assets (6,600 + 5,800)

64
1,860
12,400
14,324

Share capital
Retained earnings (W5)
Attributable to equity holders of P Ltd
Minority interest (W4)
Equity
Liabilities (3,000 + 2,000)

1,000
7,564
8,564
760
9,324
5,000
14,324

WORKINGS
(1) Group structure

P
Group 80%

40%

(2) Net assets

S Ltd
Share capital
Retained earnings
A Ltd
Share capital
Retained earnings

Balance
sheet
date
CU

Acquisition
CU

400
3,400
3,800

400
520
920

800
3,600
4,400

800
400
1,200

Postacquisition
CU

2,880

3,200

(3) Goodwill
S Ltd
Cost of investment
Net assets acquired (80% 920 (W2))
Balance c/f

CU
800
(736)
64

(4) Minority interest


S Ltd (20% 3,800)

516

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU
760

GROUP ACCOUNTS: ASSOCIATES 13

(5) Retained earnings


CU
4,000
2,304
1,280
(20)
7,564

P Ltd
S Ltd (80% 2,880 (W2))
A Ltd (40% 3,200 (W2))
Impairment to date
(6) Investments in associates

CU
600
1,280
1,880
(20)
1,860

Original cost
Share of post acquisition change in net assets (40% 3,200 (W2))
Impairment losses to date

Answer to Interactive question 2


P Ltd: Consolidated income statement for the year ending 31 December 20X8
CU
26,000
(13,000)
13,000
(8,000)
5,000
1,000
840
6,840
(2,200)
4,640

Revenue (W2)
Cost of sales (W2)
Gross profit
Administrative expenses (W2)
Profit from operations
Investment income (W2)
Share of profit of associates (W4)
Profit before tax
Income tax expense (W2)
Profit after tax
Attributable to:
Equity holders of P Ltd ()
Minority interest (W3)

4,480
160
4,640

WORKINGS
(1) Group structure

P
Group 80%

40%

(2) Consolidation schedule

Revenue
Cost of sales
Admin expenses
Inv. income
Tax

P Ltd
CU
14,000
(9,000)
(2,000)
1,000
(1,000)

S Ltd
CU
12,000
(4,000)
(6,000)

(1,200)
800

Adj
CU

Consol
CU
26,000
(13,000)
(8,000)
1,000
(2,200)

(3) Minority interest


S Ltd (20% 800 (W2))

CU
160

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

517

Financial accounting
(4) Share of profit of associates
CU
840

A Ltd ((40% 2,400) 120)

Answer to Interactive question 3


1

Account for the dividend in the books of the individual companies


A's books
DR Retained earnings (1)
CR Payables (2)

CU
100

100
CU

P's books
DR Receivables (40% 100) (3)
CR Income statement (4)
2

CU

CU

40
40

Impact on CBS and workings


(1) = Adjust in A's net assets working (i.e. W2).
(2) = Can effectively ignore as net assets part of A's balance sheet is not used in the workings.
(3) = Include in receivables in consolidated balance sheet.
(4) = Include in retained earnings schedule (i.e. W5).

Answer to Interactive question 4


Consolidated balance sheet journal
DR P's retained earnings (35% (50,000 40%))
CR Investment in A

CU
7,000

CU
7,000

Consolidated income statement


In the consolidation schedule (W2) reduce P's revenue by CU17,500 (35% 50,000) and its cost of sales by
CU10,500 (17,500 (100 40)%). The effect is to reduce P's profit by CU7,000.

Answer to Interactive question 5


(a)

Consolidated balance sheet journal

DR P's share of A's post acquisition retained earnings (35% (50,000 40%))
CR P's inventories

CU
7,000

CU
7,000

The effect on retained earnings can best be dealt with by adjusting A's net assets in the net assets working
(W2) by 100% of the PURP (so CU20,000 (50,000 40%)) before calculating P's 35% share of A's post
acquisition retained earnings.
(b)

Share of profit of associates for consolidated income statement


CU

Associates PAT
Less: Unrealised profit
Group share 35%

518

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

75,000
(20,000)
55,000
19,250

chapter 14

Group accounts: disposals

Contents
Introduction
Examination context
Topic List
1

Introduction

Treatment of disposal in parent company's


own financial statements

Full disposal of a subsidiary

Partial disposal of a subsidiary: retention of


control

Partial disposal of a subsidiary: retention of


significant influence

Partial disposal of a subsidiary: retention of no


influence

Disposal of an associate

Summary and Self-test


Technical reference
Answers to Self-test
Answers to Interactive questions

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

519

Financial accounting

Introduction

Learning objectives

Account for the complete and partial disposal of a subsidiary in the parent's books and in the
group accounts

Account for the complete and partial disposal of an associate in the parent's books and in the
group accounts

Explain how the underlying principles of group accounts are applied in accounting for
disposals

Tick off

Specific syllabus references for this chapter are: 1g, 3d,e.

Practical significance
So far, we have been looking at the circumstances in which one entity acquires an investment in another
entity. However, the decision to dispose of an investment is an equally important decision. A company may
decide to dispose of an investment for a number of reasons, including:

The need to generate cash


The fact that the investment does not fit in with future strategic plans
Underperformance of the investment

This chapter considers the accounting treatment of the disposal of a subsidiary or associate.

Stop and think


What kinds of strategic decisions might lead to the disposal of an investment?

Working context
Where a subsidiary has been disposed of there are a number of key issues which the accountant will need
to consider. The most important of these considerations will include establishing the date of disposal and
the net assets of the subsidiary at the disposal date. The disposal must be appropriately accounted for and
disclosed.

Syllabus links
This topic is introduced in Financial Accounting and is also relevant to the Financial & Corporate Reporting
paper. More complex aspects are covered at the Advanced Stage.

520

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

Examination context

Examination commentary
Preparation of consolidated financial statements represents 35% of the syllabus and disposals of subsidiaries
and associates forms part of this. This topic could be examined in either the written test or the short-form
question section of the paper. Short-form questions are likely to focus on the calculation of the group profit
or loss on disposal. Written test questions are more likely to focus on the impact of the disposal on the
consolidated financial statements as a whole.
In the examination candidates may be required to:

Prepare consolidated financial statements including the effects of the disposal of a subsidiary or an
associate

Prepare extracts to the consolidated financial statements including the calculation of the group profit
or loss on disposal of a subsidiary or an associate

Explain the principles behind the treatment of the disposal of a subsidiary or an associate.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

521

Financial accounting

1 Introduction
Section overview

1.1

An entity may dispose of all or some of its shares in a subsidiary.

Disposal possibilities
When a group disposes of all or part of its interest in a subsidiary this needs to be reflected in the parent's
individual financial statements and in the group financial statements.
The disposal may be:

A full disposal i.e. the entire shareholding is sold


A partial disposal i.e. some interest is retained in the entity

Partial disposals could include the following situations:

Retention of control i.e. the entity remains a subsidiary


Retention of significant influence i.e. the entity becomes an associate
Retention of no influence i.e. the entity becomes a trade investment

Similarly a group may dispose of an associate. It may dispose of all of its interest or retain a small trade
investment.
Both full disposal and partial disposals of subsidiaries and associates are examinable in the Financial
Accounting syllabus.

2 Treatment of disposal in parent company's own


financial statements
Section overview

2.1

A profit or loss will be calculated by comparing the sale proceeds with the carrying amount of the
proportion of the investment disposed of.

Recording the disposal


In the individual financial statements of the parent company the investment in the subsidiary or associate
will have been recorded as follows:
Balance sheet

Non-current asset investment (normally at cost)

Income statement

Dividend income receivable from the subsidiary or associate

When all or part of the investment is sold this will be treated as a non-current asset disposal. This will
usually give rise to a profit or loss on disposal in the parent's individual financial statements.
The disposal will be recorded as follows:
DR Cash/receivables (proceeds)
CR
Investment in S or A (Carrying amount usually cost)
DR or CR Income statement loss/profit on disposal

522

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU
X
X

CU
or

X
X

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

3 Full disposal of a subsidiary


Section overview

The subsidiary disposed of will not be included in the consolidated balance sheet.

In the consolidated income statement.

3.1

The results of the subsidiary should be time-apportioned and consolidated up to the date of
disposal
The minority interest will be based on the subsidiarys results up to the date of disposal
The group profit or loss on disposal should be recognised

In the consolidated statement of changes in equity the balances relating to the minority interest in the
subsidiary sold will be removed.

Consolidated balance sheet


The consolidated balance sheet (like any other balance sheet) shows the financial position at a particular
point in time (i.e. the balance sheet date.) As a result, if a subsidiary has been disposed of during the year,
that subsidiary will not be reflected in the consolidated balance sheet. A consolidated balance sheet
will only need to be prepared if the parent has other subsidiaries and will be prepared as though the
subsidiary disposed of had never existed.

3.2

Consolidated income statement


When a subsidiary is disposed of, its resources cease to be controlled by the group at the date of disposal.
Prior to that point, they are under the group's control and therefore the results of the subsidiary up to
the disposal date must be included in the consolidated income statement. So there will always be a
consolidated income statement in the year of disposal, even if the parent has no other subsidiaries. The
consolidated income statement will include:

3.3

S's results up to the date of disposal

If there is a minority interest in the subsidiary, their share of S's results up to the date of
disposal

The profit or loss arising on the disposal

Group profit/loss on disposal


The profit or loss on disposal is the difference between the sales proceeds and the parent's total
investment in the subsidiary, i.e. the values in respect of the subsidiary which would appear in a
consolidated balance sheet prepared immediately before the disposal. These values are the sum of:

P's share of S's net assets at the date of disposal. These net assets will be the net assets at the
start of the year in which the disposal takes place, plus/minus the net asset increase/decrease arising
through S's profit/loss in the period up to the disposal and minus any dividends paid by S in that
period; and

The goodwill acquired in the business combination with S, to the extent that it has not already
been recognised as an expense as a result of impairment reviews.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

523

Financial accounting
So the calculation is as follows:
Proceeds
Less:
Share of net assets at disposal
Net assets brought forward
Profit/(loss) to date of disposal
Dividends paid (see points to note 1)

CU

X
X/(X)
(X)
X

P's share
Less:
Carrying amount of goodwill at date of disposal
Cost of investment
Share of net assets at acquisition
Goodwill at acquisition
Impairment to date
Profit/(loss) on disposal

CU
X

(X)
X
X
(X)
X
(X)
(X)
X/(X)

Points to note
1

The retained reserves/net assets at the date of disposal of the subsidiary should be calculated
deducting only those dividends to which the parent is entitled i.e. dividends paid up to the date of
disposal (and dividends declared if the shares are sold ex-dividend).

In examination questions you should assume that a subsidiary which is fully disposed of is a separately
reportable business segment and meets the BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued
Operations definition of a discontinued activity (the presentation of discontinued operations was
discussed in Chapter 4). As such the disposal should be disclosed in accordance with BFRS 5.

These learning materials adopt the approach illustrated in BFRS 5 1G example 11. This includes a one line
entry in the income statement which incorporates both the subsidiary's results up to the date of disposal
and the group profit or loss arising on disposal. You should adopt this approach in the examination.

Interactive question 1: Profit/loss on disposal

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

Champion Ltd has held a 70% investment in Hercules Ltd for many years. On 31 December it disposed of
all of this investment. Further details are as follows:
Cost of investment
Hercules Ltd's net assets at the date of acquisition
Sale proceeds
Hercules Ltd's net assets at the date of disposal
Requirement
Calculate the profit/loss on disposal:
(a)

In Champion Ltd's individual accounts

(b) In the consolidated accounts assuming that in respect of goodwill


(i)
(ii)

There has been no impairment


There has been an impairment loss of CU470

Fill in the proforma below.

524

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU
2,000
1,900
2,100
2,400

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

Solution
(a)

Champion Ltd's separate financial statements


CU

Proceeds
Cost
Profit on disposal
(b) Consolidated financial statements
No impairment
CU
CU

Impairment of CU470
CU
CU

Proceeds
Less: Share of net assets at date of disposal
Less: Carrying amount of goodwill at date
of disposal
Cost of investment
Share of net assets at acquisition
Goodwill at acquisition
Impairment to date
Profit/(loss) on disposal
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

3.4

Consolidated statement of changes in equity


There will almost always be a need for a consolidated statement of changes in equity (CSCE) in the year of
disposal (the only exception would be if the parent had no other subsidiaries and there had been no
minority interest in the subsidiary now disposed of). In relation to the subsidiary disposed of, the CSCE will
contain the following in the minority interest column:

S's current period profit (to the date of disposal) attributable to the minority interest. This reflects the
minority interest amount shown in the consolidated income statement

The minority interest in S's share capital and retained earnings brought forward, i.e. the minority
interest as shown in the previous period's consolidated balance sheet

A deduction for the total of the above amounts. This deduction must be made because at the
end of the current period there will be no minority interest in relation to S, which has now been
disposed of

Point to note
There is no need to make a similar deduction in the CSCE for P's share of S's post-acquisition retained
earnings brought forward plus P's share of S's current period profits. That deduction has in effect already
been made by the profit or loss on disposal calculation.

Worked example: Full disposal


Ben Ltd bought 80% of the share capital of Bill Ltd for CU950,000 on 1 October 20X1. At that date Bill
Ltd's retained earnings stood at CU510,000.
Ben Ltd has several other subsidiaries, which are wholly owned.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

525

Financial accounting
The balance sheets at 30 September 20X8 and the summarised income statements to that date are given
below:
Balance sheets

Property, plant and equipment


Investment in Bill Ltd
Current assets
Share capital (CU1 ordinary shares)
Retained earnings
Current liabilities
Income statements
Profit before interest and tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the period

Ben Ltd
Group
CU'000
2,050
950
2,700
5,700

Bill Ltd
CU'000
600

1,300
1,900

2,000
2,500
4,500
1,200
5,700

300
1,100
1,400
500
1,900

CU'000
1,400
(400)
1,000

CU'000
180
(50)
130

CU'000
1,000
1,500
2,500

CU'000
130
970
1,100

Statement of changes in equity (extract)


Profit for the period
Retained earnings at 30 September 20X7
Retained earnings at 30 September 20X8
No entries have been made in the accounts for any of the following transactions.
Assume that profits accrue evenly throughout the year. To date no impairment losses on goodwill have
been recognised. The Box Ltd group figures exclude any amounts for Bill Ltd.
Requirement
Prepare the consolidated balance sheet, income statement and statement of changes in equity extract at 30
September 20X8 on the basis that Ben Ltd sells its entire holding in Bill Ltd for CU2,100,000 on 30
September 20X8.
You should assume that the disposal is a discontinued operation in accordance with BFRS 5 Non-current
Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.

Solution
Ben and Bill
Consolidated balance sheet as at 30 September 20X8
Property, plant and equipment
Current assets (2,700 + 2,100)
Share capital
Retained earnings (W4)
Current liabilities

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU'000
2,050
4,800
6,850
2,000
3,650
5,650
1,200
6,850

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 September 20X8


CU'000

Continuing operations
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the period from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Profit for the period from discontinued operations (678 + 130) (W1 + W2)
Profit for the period

1,400
(400)
1,000
808
1,808

Attributable to:
Equity holders of Ben Ltd ()
Minority interest (20% 130)

1,782
26
1,808

Consolidated statement of changes in equity (extract)

Profit for the year


Eliminated on disposal of subsidiary (26 + 254 (W5))
Balance at 30 September 20X7 (W3 + W5)
Balance at 30 September 20X8 (W4)

Ben Ltd
Retained
earnings
CU'000
1,782

1,782
1,868
3,650

Minority
interest
(Bill Ltd)
CU'000
26
(280)
(254)
254

WORKINGS
(1) Profit of Bill Ltd for year to disposal
CU'000
130
130

PAT
12/12
(2) Profit on disposal of Bill Ltd
CU'000
Sale proceeds
Less: Share of net assets at disposal (1,400 80%)

CU'000
2,100
(1,120)
980

Less: Carrying amount of goodwill at date of disposal


Cost of investment
Share of net assets at acquisition (80% (300 + 510))

950
(648)
(302)
678

(3) Retained earnings brought forward


Ben Ltd
Bill Ltd (80% x (970 510))

CU'000
1,500
368
1,868

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527

Financial accounting
(4) Retained earnings carried forward
CU'000
2,500
1,150
3,650

Ben Ltd
Profit on disposal (2,100 950)
(5) MI b/f

CU'000
300
970
1,270
254

Share capital
Retained earnings b/f
20%
Point to note

The profit on disposal figure in the retained earnings carried forward balance is the profit which would
appear in Ben Ltd's own income statement.
This adjustment is required as Ben Ltd's own financial statements do not reflect the disposal. (We are told
that no entries have been made in respect of this transaction.)

Interactive question 2: Full disposal

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

Daring Ltd has a number of subsidiaries, one of which, Glory Ltd, was sold in the current year. The draft
accounts for the Daring Group (being Daring Ltd and the subsidiaries it still has) and Glory Ltd at 31 March
20X1 are as follows:
Balance sheets

Intangibles goodwill
Investment in Glory Ltd at cost
Sundry assets
Share capital (CU1 ordinary shares)
Retained earnings
Attributable to equity holders of Daring Ltd
Minority interest
Equity
Liabilities
Sales proceeds account

Daring
Group
CUm
4,000
3,440
42,450
49,890

Glory
Ltd
CUm

9,500
9,500

8,000
11,000
19,000
12,000
31,000
10,000
8,890
49,890

3,000
3,500
6,500

6,500
3,000

9,500

Daring
Group
CUm
12,950
(5,400)
7,550

Glory
Ltd
CUm
3,800
(2,150)
1,650

Income statements

Profit before tax


Income tax expense
Profit after tax
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Daring Ltd
Minority interest

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5,050
2,500
7,550

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

Statements of changes in equity

Profit for the year


Balance b/f
Balance c/f

Daring Group
Attributable to equity holders of
Daring
Ltd
Share
Retained
capital
earnings
Total
CUm
CUm
CUm

5,050
5,050
8,000
5,950
13,950
8,000
11,000
19,000

Glory Ltd

Minority
interest
CUm
2,500
9,500
12,000

Total
CUm
7,550
23,450
31,000

CUm
1,650
4,850
6,500

Daring Ltd acquired 90% of Glory Ltd when the retained earnings of Glory Ltd were CU700m. In an earlier
accounting period an impairment loss of CU20m was recognised in relation to the goodwill arising on the
acquisition of Glory Ltd.
On 31 December 20X0 Daring Ltd sold all its shares in Glory Ltd for CU8,890m. Daring Ltd has debited
cash and credited a sales proceeds account in the balance sheet with this amount, as it is unsure what
entries are needed.
Requirement
Prepare the Daring Group consolidated balance sheet, consolidated income statement and consolidated
statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 March 20X1.
You should assume that the disposal of Glory Ltd constitutes a discontinued operation in accordance with
BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.

Solution
Daring Group
Consolidated balance sheet at 31 March 20X1
CUm
Intangibles goodwill
Sundry assets
Share capital (CU1 ordinary shares)
Retained earnings
Attributable to equity holders of Daring Ltd
Minority interest
Equity
Liabilities
Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 March 20X1
CUm
Continuing operations
Profit before tax (W2)
Income tax expense (W2)
Profit for the period from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Profit for the period from discontinued operations (W4 and W5)
Profit for the period
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Daring Ltd ()
Minority interest

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529

Financial accounting
Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 March 20X1
Attributable to equity holders of
Daring Ltd
Share
Retained
capital
earnings
Total
CUm
CUm
CUm

Minority
interest
CUm

Total
CUm

Daring
Group
CUm

Consol
CUm

Profit for the year


Eliminated on disposal
of subsidiary (W9)
Balance b/f (W7 and W8)
Balance c/f
WORKINGS
(1) Group structure

(2) Consolidation schedule for CIS

Profit before tax


Tax
(3) Minority interests in Glory Ltd for CIS
CUm
(4)

Profit of Glory Ltd for year to disposal


CUm

(5) Profit on disposal of Glory Ltd for CIS


CUm

CUm

Sale proceeds
Less: Share of net assets at disposal
Less: Carrying amount of goodwill at date of disposal
Cost of investment
Share of net assets at acquisition
Goodwill at acquisition
Impairment to date

(6) Net assets at disposal


Share capital
Retained earnings b/f
Profit for year to disposal (W4)

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CUm

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

(7) Group retained earnings b/f for CSCE


CUm

Daring Group
Glory Ltd
Goodwill impairment to date
(8) Minority interest b/f for CSCE

CUm
(9) Minority interest eliminated on disposal
CUm
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

4 Partial disposal of a subsidiary: retention of control


Section overview

In the consolidated balance sheet the subsidiary should be consolidated based on the year-end
holding.

In the consolidated income statement:

4.1

The minority interest should be time apportioned reflecting the pre and post disposal stake.
The group profit or loss on disposal should be recognised and separately presented

In the CSCE an amount will be added representing the increase in the minority interest in the net
assets at the date of disposal.

Subsidiary to subsidiary
A parent entity may sell some of its shares in a subsidiary but still retain control. For example, a 90% stake
could be reduced to a 60% stake.
Point to note
For disclosure purposes you should assume that this does not constitute a discontinued operation.

4.2

Accounting treatment
The accounting treatment would be as follows:

Consolidated balance sheet

As the parent company still holds a subsidiary at the balance sheet date the assets and liabilities of
the subsidiary should be consolidated as normal.

The minority interest should be calculated based on the year-end holding.

Consolidated income statement

As the parent has held a subsidiary throughout the period the revenues and expenses should be
consolidated as normal (i.e. 100% for the whole year).

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

531

Financial accounting

The change in % holding is reflected in the minority interest calculation. This should be
calculated to reflect the pre and post disposal situation.

The group profit or loss should be calculated and recognised.

Worked example: Minority interest


At the start of its year, on 1 January 20X7, Pine Ltd owned 90% of Sycamore Ltd. On 30 June 20X7 Pine
Ltd disposed of 1/3 of its shares in Sycamore Ltd. Sycamore Ltd has a profit after tax for the year ended 31
December 20X7 of CU600,000.
In the consolidated income statement the minority interest will be calculated as follows:
Minority interest
CU
30,000
120,000
150,000

CU600,000 x 10% x 6/12 =


CU600,000 x 40% x 6/12 =

Point to note
In the above worked example Pine Ltd disposed of 1/3 of its 90% shareholding i.e. 30% of the company.
Pine Ltd's holding was therefore reduced from 90% to 60% increasing the minority interest from 10% to
40%.

4.3

Group profit or loss


The group profit or loss is calculated in essentially the same way as for the full disposal (see section 3.3
above). Care must be taken, however, to ensure that the correct proportions of net assets and goodwill
are brought in to the calculation.

Worked example: Partial disposal: profit/loss on disposal


Leeds Ltd has held a 90% investment in York Ltd for many years. On 31 December it disposed of 1/3 of its
investment. Further details are as follows:
CU000

CU000
2,500
1,900
900
2,400

CU000

CU000
900
(720)
180

Cost of investment
York Ltd net assets at acquisition
Sale proceeds
York Ltd net assets at disposal
There has been no impairment of goodwill.
The profit or loss in the group accounts would be calculated as follows:
Proceeds
Less: Share of net assets at disposal disposed of (30% x 2,400)
Less: Carrying amount of goodwill at disposal relating to disposal
Cost of investment
Share of net assets at acquisition (90% x 1,900)
Goodwill at acquisition
Relating to disposal (790 x 1/3)
Loss on disposal

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2,500
(1,710)
790
(263)
(83)

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

30% of the net assets at disposal are brought in to the above calculation as the net assets relate to the
company as a whole.
1/3 of the goodwill is brought in to the above calculation as the goodwill only relates to the 90% share in
York Ltd originally held by Leeds Ltd.
In other words, Leeds Ltd has disposed of 30% of York Ltd but 1/3 of its investment.

Point to note
The profit or loss on disposal will normally be presented separately on the face of the consolidated
income statement.
Consolidated income statement (extract)
Profit from operations
Loss on sale of interest in subsidiary
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for period

4.4

CU'000
X
(83)
X
(X)
X

Consolidated statement of changes in equity


In relation to the subsidiary partly disposed of, the CSCE will contain the following in the minority interest
column:

S's current period profit attributable to the minority interest.

The minority interest in S's share capital and retained earnings brought forward i.e. the
minority interest as shown in the previous period's consolidated balance sheet.

An adjustment representing the increase in the minority interest (due to the part disposal) in the
net assets at the date of the change in stake. This must be added because the minority interest
at the end of the current period will be based on the year-end position.

Worked example: Adjustment representing increase in the minority interest


Apple Ltd owned 80% of Orange Ltd on 1 January 20X7 when the net assets of Orange Ltd were
CU675,000. Apple Ltd disposes of one quarter of its shares in Orange Ltd on 31 December 20X7 when the
net assets of Orange Ltd are CU750,000. The net profit of Orange Ltd for the year is CU75,000.
The minority interest, which increases from 20% to 40% during the year as Apple Ltds shareholding
decreases from 80% to 60%, would be reflected in the consolidated statement of changes in equity as
follows:
Consolidated statement of changes in equity (extract)

Profit for year (75,000 x 20% x 12/12)


Partial disposal of subsidiary (20% x 750,000)
Balance at 31 December 20X6 (675,000 x 20%)
Balance at 31 December 20X7 (750,000 x 40%)

Minority
interest
CU'000
15,000
150,000
165,000
135,000
300,000

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533

Financial accounting

5 Partial disposal of a subsidiary: retention of


significant influence
Section overview

In the consolidated balance sheet the investment is accounted for as an associate based on the yearend holding.

In the consolidated income statement:

5.1

The results are consolidated up to the date of disposal


The equity method is used for the post-disposal period
The group profit or loss on disposal should be recognised and separately presented

In the CSCE the balances relating to the minority interest in the subsidiary sold will be removed.

Subsidiary to associate
A parent entity may sell some of its shares in a subsidiary but still retain significant influence. For
example, an 80% stake could be reduced to a 40% stake.
Point to note
For disclosure purposes you should assume that this does not constitute a discontinued operation.

5.2

Accounting treatment
The accounting treatment would be as follows:

Consolidated balance sheet

Consolidated income statement

The investment is accounted for using the equity method based on the year-end holding.
This reflects the pre and post disposal situation therefore the subsidiary's results are time
apportioned and:

Consolidated up to the date of disposal

Equity accounted for in the post-disposal period.

The group profit or loss on disposal should be calculated and recognised and is normally
separately presented on the face of the income statement (see section 4.3 above).

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

In relation to the subsidiary partly disposed of, the CSCE will contain the following in the minority interest
column:

534

S's current period profit (to the date of disposal) attributable to the minority interest. This
reflects the minority interest shown in the consolidated income statement.

The minority interest in S's share capital and retained earnings brought forward i.e.
the minority interest shown in the previous period's consolidated balance sheet.

A deduction for the total of the above amounts. This deduction must be made because at the
end of the current period there will be no minority interest in relation to the subsidiary as it is
now an associate.

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GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

6 Partial disposal of a subsidiary: retention of no


influence
Section overview

In the consolidated balance sheet the investment is frozen at its level under the equity method.

In the consolidated income statement

6.1

The results are consolidated up to the date of disposal


The group profit or loss on disposal should be recognised and separately presented

In the CSCE the balances relating to the minority interest in the subsidiary sold will be removed.

Subsidiary to trade investment


A parent entity may sell a majority of its shares in a subsidiary such that it holds a small investment,
without retaining control or significant influence.
For example, a 90% stake could be reduced to a 10% stake.
Point to note
For disclosure purposes you should assume that this does constitute a discontinued operation in
accordance with BFRS 5.

6.2

Accounting treatment
The accounting treatment would be as follows:

Consolidated balance sheet

The investment is recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at its value under the equity
method, i.e. the group share of net assets and goodwill retained by the group at the date of
disposal.

The investment remains in the consolidated balance sheet at this value unless impaired i.e. the
value is not updated at each subsequent year-end.

Consolidated income statement

The results of the subsidiary are time apportioned and consolidated up to the date of disposal.

After disposal only dividend income is recognised.

The group profit or loss on disposal is included in the presentation of the profit or loss from
discontinued operations as required by BFRS 5.

Consolidated statement of changes in equity


In relation to the subsidiary partly disposed of, the CSCE will contain the following in the minority
interest column:

S's current period profit (to the date of disposal) attributable to the minority interest. This
reflects the minority interest shown in the consolidated income statement.

The minority interest in S's share capital and retained earnings brought forward i.e.
the minority interest shown in the previous period's consolidated balance sheet.

A deduction for the total of the above amounts. This deduction must be made because at the
end of the current period there will be no minority interest in relation to the subsidiary as it is
now a trade investment.

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535

Financial accounting
Point to note
This study manual makes the working assumption that the trade investment in the consolidated
balance sheet should be recorded at its equity method value at the date of disposal. The recognition
and measurement of equity investments which are not accounted for as subsidiaries or associates, in
accordance with BAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, will be covered in more
detail in the Financial Reporting syllabus.

Interactive question 3: Partial disposal: impact on financial statements


[Difficulty level: Intermediate]
Requirement
Based on the information provided in Worked example: Full disposal (see section 3 above) prepare the
consolidated balance sheet, consolidated income statement and extracts from the consolidated statement of
changes in equity at 30 September 20X8 in the following circumstances:
(a)

Ben Ltd sells one quarter of its holding in Bill Ltd for CU380,000 on 30 June 20X8.

(b) Ben Ltd sells one half of its holding in Bill Ltd for CU1,350,000 on 30 June 20X8, and the remaining
holding is to be dealt with as an associate.
(Work to the nearest CU'000.)
Fill in the proforma below.

Solution
(a)

Partial disposal (subsidiary to subsidiary) mid year


Consolidated balance sheet as at 30 September 20X8
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Current assets
Share capital (CU1 ordinary shares)
Retained earnings
Minority interest
Current liabilities

536

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU000

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 September 20X8


CU000

Profit from operations


Profit on sale of interest in subsidiary
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the period
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Ben Ltd
Minority interest
Consolidated statement of changes in equity (extract)
Ben Ltd
Retained
earnings
CU000

Minority
interest
(Bill Ltd)
CU000

CU000

CU000

Profit for the year


Partial disposal of subsidiary
Balance at 30 September 20X7
Balance at 30 September 20X8
WORKINGS
(1) Group structure

(2) Profit on disposal of Bill Ltd


Sale proceeds
Less: Share of net assets at disposal

Less: Carrying amount of goodwill at date of disposal


Cost of investment
Share of net assets at acquisition
Goodwill at acquisition
Re disposal

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537

Financial accounting
(3) Minority interest in Bill Ltd for CIS
CU'000

CU'000

(4) Retained earnings/MI brought forward


As per worked example

1,868

254

(5) Retained earnings carried forward


Ben Ltd
Add: Profit on disposal

CU'000

Bill Ltd
(6) MI c/f
CU'000
Share capital
Retained earnings

(b) Partial disposal (subsidiary to associate) mid year


Consolidated balance sheet as at 30 September 20X8
Property, plant and equipment
Investments in associates

CU'000

Current assets
Share capital (CU1 ordinary shares)
Retained earnings
Current liabilities
Consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 September 20X8
Profit from operations
Profit on sale of interest in subsidiary
Share of profit of associates
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the period
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Ben Ltd
Minority interest

538

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU'000

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

Consolidated statement of changes in equity (extract)

Profit for the year


Eliminated on disposal of subsidiary

Ben Ltd
Retained
earnings
CU'000

Minority
interest
(Bill Ltd)
CU'000

Balance at 30 September 20X7


Balance at 30 September 20X8
WORKING
(1) Group structure

(2) Investments in associates


CU'000
Cost of associates
Share of post acquisition retained earnings
(3) Profit on disposal of Bill Ltd
CU'000

CU'000

Sale proceeds
Less: Share of net assets at disposal
Less: Carrying amount of goodwill at date of disposal
Cost of investment
Share of net assets at acquisition
Goodwill at acquisition
Re disposal
(4) Minority interest in Bill Ltd for CIS
(5) Retained earnings/MI brought forward
As per worked example

CU'000
CU'000
1,868

CU'000
254

(6) Retained earnings carried forward


CU'000
Ben Ltd
Add: Profit on disposal
Bill Ltd
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

539

Financial accounting

7 Disposal of an associate
Section overview

7.1

The principles involved are similar to those relating to the disposal of a subsidiary.

Full disposal
The accounting treatment would be as follows:
Consolidated balance sheet

7.2

As the parent no longer holds an investment in the associate at the year-end the associate will
not be recognised in the consolidated balance sheet.

Consolidated income statement

Up to the date of disposal the profits of the associate will be recognised in the consolidated
income statement using the equity method of accounting.

The group profit or loss on disposal will be calculated as per the disposal of a subsidiary (see
section 3.3 above) and will usually be separately presented on the face of the income statement,
immediately underneath the share of the associates profit for the pre-disposal part of the period.

Partial disposal
A parent may sell some of its shares in an associate such that it loses significant interest but still retains a
small trade investment.
The accounting treatment would be as follows:

Consolidated balance sheet

At the year end the parent company simply holds a trade investment. The investment in the
former associate is brought in to the consolidated balance sheet at its equity method value, i.e.
the group share of net assets and goodwill retained by the group at the date of disposal.

Consolidated income statement

Up to the date of disposal the profits of the associate will be recognised in the consolidated
income statement using the equity method.

After the disposal the parent will record any dividends received, which are paid out of profits
earned after the change of status, as investment income.

The group profit or loss on disposal will be calculated and recognised and will usually be
separately presented on the face of the income statement, immediately underneath the share of
the associates profit for the pre-disposal part of the period.

Worked example: Disposal of an associate


An investor has had an investment of 40% in an associate for a number of years. During the year the group
disposes of of its investment and no longer has significant influence. The following information is
available:
Cost of 40% investment
Goodwill on original acquisition
Proceeds received
Net asset value of associate at date of sale
The goodwill was capitalised on the acquisition of the associate and has not been impaired.

540

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU
220,000
20,000
210,000
620,000

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

In the consolidated balance sheet the former associate would be valued as follows:
Remaining share of net assets (620,000 x 10%)
Goodwill retained (20,000 x 1/4)

CU
62,000
5,000
67,000

In the consolidated income statement the group profit on disposal would be calculated as follows:
Proceeds
Less: Net assets disposed of (620,000 x 30%)
Goodwill associated with disposal (20,000 x )

CU
210,000
(186,000)
(15,000)
9,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

541

Financial accounting

Summary and Self-test

Summary

Full disposal of S

CBS

CIS

CSCE

Reflect year end


position - no
subsidiary

Consolidate results to
date of disposal

Remove balances
relating to MI in S
sold

MI based on Ss results
up to date of disposal
Recognise group profit
or loss (combine with
Ss results to date of
disposal)

Partial disposal of
S: control retained

Consolidate based
on year end
position

Consolidate results for


the entire period
Time apportion MI
Recognise group profit
or loss separately

Partial disposal of
S: retention of
significant influence

Equity account for


investment

Consolidate up to date
of disposal
Use equity method for
post disposal period

Will include an
adjustment
representing the
increase in the
minority interest in
the net assets at the
date of change
MI balances relating
to subsidiary sold
will be deducted

Recognise group profit


or loss separately
Partial disposal of
S: trade investment
held

Include investment
at its value under
the equity method

Consolidate up to date
of disposal (then only
record dividends
received)
Recognise group profit
or loss separately

Full disposal of A

Partial disposal of
A: trade
investment held

Reflect year end


position no
associate

Equity method up to
date of disposal

Include investment
at its value under
the equity method

Equity method up to
date of disposal (then
only record dividends
received)

Recognise group profit


or loss separately

Recognise group profit


or loss separately

542

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

MI balances relating
to subsidiary sold
will be deducted

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

Self-test
Answer the following questions.
1

On 1 January 20X1 Rainbow Ltd acquired all of Zippy Ltd's 1,000 CU1 ordinary shares. The goodwill
acquired in the business combination was CU10,000 of which 40% had been written off as impaired by
the end of 20X2.
On 1 January 20X3 Rainbow Ltd sold all the shares for CU140,000 when Zippy Ltd's retained earnings
amounted to CU112,000.
What is the profit on disposal which should be included as part of the profit for the period from
discontinued operations figure in the consolidated income statement of Rainbow Ltd?
A
B
C
D

CU15,000
CU21,000
CU27,000
CU28,000

Yogi Ltd has held an 80% investment in Bear Ltd for many years. On 31 December 20X6 it disposed of
all of its investment. Details for the acquisition and disposal are as follows.
Cost of investment
Fair value of Bear Ltd's net assets at acquisition (reflected in Bear Ltd's books)
Sale proceeds on 31 December 20X6

CU'000
7,380
9,000
9,940

Goodwill acquired in the business combination has been fully written off as a result of impairment
reviews.
The summarised balance sheet of Bear Ltd on 31 December 20X6 showed the following.
CU'000
3,000
7,350
10,350

Called up share capital


Retained earnings
Equity

What is the profit/(loss) on disposal of the shares in Bear Ltd that will be included as part of the profit
for the period from discontinued operations figure in the consolidated income statement of Yogi Ltd
for the year ended 31 December 20X6?
A
B
C
D
3

(CU410,000)
(CU1,220,000)
CU1,480,000
CU1,660,000

The Bill Group disposed of its 60% interest in Ben Ltd after owning it for five years. Original cost was
CU120,000 and goodwill acquired in the business combination was CU50,000. Sales proceeds were
CU250,000, and this has been posted to a suspense account in Bill Ltd's individual accounts. Ben Ltd
had net assets of CU100,000 on disposal and 50% of the original amount of the goodwill had been
written off as impaired.
What is the profit on disposal which will be included as part of the profit for the period from
discontinued operations figure within the consolidated income statement of the Bill Group?
A
B
C
D

CU100,000
CU130,000
CU165,000
CU185,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

543

Financial accounting
4

On 1 September 20X1 the Villa Group acquired 70% of Charlton Ltd's 1,000 CU1 ordinary shares.
The goodwill acquired in the business combination was CU1,200.
On 1 September 20X5 the Villa Group sold all the shares for CU50,000 when Charlton Ltd's retained
earnings were CU89,000.
What is the loss on disposal which will be included as part of the profit for the period from
discontinued operations figure in the consolidated income statement of the Villa group?
A
B
C
D

CU13,000
CU13,500
CU14,000
CU14,200

The Gill Group disposed of the following mid way through the financial year.
Tracey Ltd (100% subsidiary) for
Debbie Ltd (55% subsidiary) for

CU150,000
CU70,000

Goodwill acquired in the business combinations has been fully written off as a result of impairment
reviews. The retained earnings of the companies are as follows.
Tracey Ltd
Debbie Ltd

At acquisition
CU70,000
CU25,000

At disposal
CU100,000
CU40,000

The consolidated retained earnings of the remaining Gill Group, including the profit made on the
disposal of the investments in the year were CU230,000 at 31 December 20X6.
What will be the amount for consolidated retained earnings included in the consolidated balance sheet
for the Gill Group as at 31 December 20X6?
A
B
C
D
6

CU230,000
CU260,000
CU266,000
CU275,000

Tom Ltd acquired 75% of Bill Ltd on 1 January 20X4. The goodwill acquired in the business
combination was CU125,000.
On 1 January 20X9 Tom Ltd disposed of its entire holding in Bill Ltd for CU820,000. On this date the
net assets of Bill Ltd amounted to CU790,000 and goodwill impairment write offs to date totalled to
CU31,250.
What is the profit/(loss) on disposal which should be included as part of the profit for the period from
discontinued operations figure in the consolidated income statement of Tom Ltd?
A
B
C
D

CU(63,750)
CU102,500
CU196,250
CU133,750

Chelsea Ltd has held an 80% investment in Hammersmith Ltd for a number of years. On 31 December
20X7 it disposed of of its investment. Details of the original acquisition and disposal are as follows:
Cost of investment
Fair value of Hammersmith Ltd's net assets at acquisition
(reflected in Hammersmith's books)
Sale proceeds on 31 December 20X7
50% of the goodwill acquired in the business combination has been written off as a result of
impairment reviews.

544

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU'000
8,856
10,800
11,928

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

The summarised balance sheet of Hammersmith Ltd on 31 December 20X7 showed the following:
CU'000
3,600
8,820
12,420

Called up share capital


Retained earnings
Equity

What is the profit on disposal of the shares in Hammersmith Ltd that will be included as part of the
profit for the period from discontinued operations figure in the consolidated income statement of
Chelsea Ltd for the year ended 31 December 20X7?
A
B
C
D
8

CU'000
8,796
9,390
9,417
9,714

Maple Ltd has had a 30% investment in an associate, Ash Ltd for a number of years. The goodwill was
capitalised on acquisition of the associate and has not been impaired.
During the year the group disposed of 50% of its investment and could no longer exercise significant
influence. The following information is available:
Cost of investment
Goodwill on acquisition
Proceeds received
Net asset value of associate at date of sale

CU
165,000
15,000
157,500
620,000

What is the profit/(loss) on disposal of the shares in Ash Ltd that will be included in the consolidated
income statement of Maple Ltd for the year ended 31 December 20X7?
A
B
C
D
9

CU57,000
CU64,500
CU75,000
CU(160,000)

The Blair Group purchased 75% of Brown Ltd a number of years ago for CU5,000,000. The goodwill
arising on that business combination was CU1,250,000. On 31 December 20X7 the Blair Group
disposed of 80% of its shares in Brown Ltd for CU7,500,000. On this date the net assets of Brown Ltd
amounted to CU8,200,000 and the amount of goodwill impairment to date was CU375,000.
In the consolidated balance sheet of the Blair Group at 31 December 20X7 at what amount will the
remaining investment in Brown Ltd be stated?
A
B
C
D

CU750,000
CU1,230,000
CU1,361,000
CU1,405,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

545

Financial accounting
10

The Greatheed Group purchased a 70% investment in Gaveston Ltd on 1 January 20X4 for
CU8,500,000. At that date the retained earnings of Gaveston Ltd stood at CU9,800,000. On 31
December 20X7 the Greatheed Group disposed of half of its investment in Gaveston Ltd for
CU5,200,000. Share capital and retained earnings of Gaveston Ltd at that date were as follows.
Share capital
Retained earnings

CU'000
1,000
14,500
15,500

In the consolidated balance sheet of Greatheed Ltd for the year ended 31 December 20X7 at what
amount would the remaining interest in Gaveston Ltd be shown?
A
B
C
D
11

CU000
4,250
5,190
5,895
10,145

On 1 September 20X4 the Moorefields Group acquired 40% of Davenport Ltds 1,000 CU1 ordinary
shares. The goodwill was capitalised on acquisition of this associate and 50% has been written off as a
result of impairment.
During the year ended 31 December 20X7 the Moorefields Group disposed of all of its shares in
Davenport Ltd. The following information is available.
Cost of original investment
Goodwill on acquisition
Proceeds received on disposal
Davenport Ltds net assets at date of sale

CU
198,000
18,000
189,000
744,000

What is the loss on disposal of Davenport Ltd that will be included in the consolidated income
statement of the Moorefields Group for the year ended 31 December 20X7?
A
B
C
D
12

CU9,000
CU108,600
CU117,600
CU126,600

PARABLE LTD
Parable Ltd is a holding company with a number of subsidiaries. The consolidation for the year ended
31 December 20X8 has been carried out to include all subsidiaries except Story Ltd. Story Ltd has
been 80% owned by Parable Ltd since 20X2, at which date Story Ltd's retained earnings amounted to
CU50,000, but on 30 June 20X8 Parable Ltd sold all of its shares in Story Ltd.
Details are as follows.
Cost of original investment (80,000 out of 100,000 CU1 ordinary shares)
Goodwill acquired in the business combination fully recognised as an
expense as a result of impairment reviews
Sales proceeds

CU
150,000
30,000
500,000

Because Parable Ltd is unsure how to deal with its investment in Story Ltd in the 20X8 consolidation,
it has not yet consolidated Story Ltd into the group financial statements.

546

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

Income statements for the year ended 31 December 20X8 are set out below.

Profit from operations


Sales proceeds on disposal of Story Ltd
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the year
Attributable to
Equity holders of Parable Ltd
Minority interest

Parable Ltd
group
CU
875,500
500,000
1,375,500
(405,000)
970,500

Story
Ltd
CU
325,600

325,600
(102,500)
223,100

870,300
100,200
970,500

The Parable Ltd group and Story Ltd had retained earnings brought forward of CU1,926,300 and
CU326,400 respectively. Other minority interests brought forward were CU507,500.
Requirements
(a)

Prepare the consolidated income statement and the retained earnings and minority interest
columns for the statement of changes in equity for the Parable Ltd group for the year ended 31
December 20X8 in so far as the information is available.
(8 marks)

(b) Redraft the above on the basis that


(i)

Parable Ltd sells only a quarter of its shares in Story Ltd for CU200,000 and that the
disposal does not constitute a discontinued operation in accordance with BFRS 5.(5 marks)

(ii)

Parable Ltd sells all but a 20% holding of its shares in Story Ltd, for CU400,000, retains
significant influence and that the disposal does not constitute a discontinued operation in
accordance with BFRS 5.
(5 marks)
(18 marks)

13

ARBITRARY LTD
Arbitrary Ltd holds 80% of the ordinary shares of Contrary Ltd which it purchased five years ago, on 1
July 20X0, for CU175,000. On 1 July 20X5 Arbitrary Ltd sold all of these shares and used the
proceeds (CU212,000) to purchase 65% of the ordinary shares of Enthusiast Ltd on the same date.
Share capital of Contrary Ltd and Enthusiast Ltd has remained constant for many years at CU100,000
and CU200,000 respectively. Net assets of Contrary Ltd and Enthusiast Ltd were as follows.

Net assets

Contrary Ltd
At
At
acquisition
1 January
20X5
CU
CU
187,000
150,000

Enthusiast Ltd
At
1 January
20X5
CU
280,000

Income statements and statements of changes in equity for all three companies for the year ended 31
December 20X5 were as follows.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

547

Financial accounting
Income statements

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Distribution costs
Administrative expenses
Interim dividend received from Contrary Ltd
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit after tax

Arbitrary
Ltd
CU
1,926,500
(1,207,200)
719,300
(207,500)
(192,600)
8,000
327,200
(110,000)
217,200

Contrary
Ltd
CU
521,600
(386,200)
135,400
(79,200)
(26,100)

30,100
(9,500)
20,600

Enthusiast
Ltd
CU
792,400
(405,900)
386,500
(198,200)
(107,100)

81,200
(27,500)
53,700

Statements of changes in equity

Net profit for the period


Interim dividends on ordinary shares (paid 1 May 20X5)
Final dividends on ordinary shares
(declared 1 December 20X5)
Balance brought forward
Balance carried forward

Arbitrary
Ltd
CU
217,200
(50,000)

167,200
671,300
838,500

Retained earnings
Contrary
Enthusiast
Ltd
Ltd
CU
CU
20,600
53,700
(10,000)

(5,000)
5,600
50,000
55,600

53,700
80,000
133,700

No entries have been made in Arbitrary Ltd's income statement relating to the sale of Contrary Ltd.
In an earlier accounting period an impairment loss of CU12,700 was recognised in relation to the
goodwill arising on the acquisition of Contrary Ltd.
Requirements
(a)

Prepare the consolidated income statement and the retained earnings and minority interest
columns for the statement of changes in equity for Arbitrary Ltd for the year ended 31
December 20X5 in so far as the information is available.
(15 marks)
Note. You should assume that the disposal of Contrary Ltd constitutes a discontinued operation
in accordance with BFRS 5 Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations.

(b) Calculate the profit on disposal that would be shown in the individual accounts of Arbitrary Ltd
and explain how and why this differs from group profit on disposal.
(4 marks)
(c)

Briefly discuss the concepts of control and ownership in the context of this disposal. (4 marks)
(23 marks)

Now, go back to the Learning Objectives in the Introduction. If you are satisfied you have achieved these
objectives, please tick them off.

548

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

Technical reference
For a comprehensive Technical reference section, covering all aspects of group accounts (except group cash
flow statements) see Chapter 15.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

549

Financial accounting

Answers to Self-test
1

B
Sale proceeds
Less: Share of net assets at disposal (1,000 + 112,000)
Carrying amount of goodwill (10,000 60%)

CU
140,000
(113,000)
(6,000)
21,000

D
Sale proceeds
Less: Share of net assets at disposal (80% 10,350)

CU'000
9,940
(8,280)
1,660

If any initial goodwill has been fully written off, net assets at disposal date can be used in this
calculation.
3

C
Sale proceeds
Less: Share of net assets at disposal (100,000 60%)
Carrying amount of goodwill (50,000 50%)

CU
250,000
(60,000)
(25,000)
165,000

Sale proceeds
Less: Share of net assets at disposal (70% (1,000 + 89,000))
Carrying amount of goodwill

CU
50,000
(63,000)
(1,200)
(14,200)

As the profit on disposal has been included within the remaining Gill Group retained earnings, no
further adjustment is necessary.

Sale proceeds
Less: Share of net assets at disposal (790,000 75%)
Carrying amount of goodwill (125,000 31,250)
7

C
Sale proceeds
Less: 20% x 12,420
25% x 108 (see below)

Goodwill
Cost of investment
Share of NA at acquisition (80% x 10,800)
Impaired (50%)

550

CU
820,000
(592,500)
(93,750)
133,750

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU'000
11,928
(2,484)
(27)
9,417
CU'000
8,856
(8,640)
216
(108)
108

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

10

11

12

14

A
Proceeds
NA disposed of (15% x 620,000)
Goodwill (15,000 x 50%)

CU
157,500
(93,000)
(7,500)
57,000

Share of net assets at disposal (15% x CU8.2m)


Goodwill re remaining shares (15/75 x (1,250 375))

CU000
1,230
175
1,405

Cost of investment (50% x 8,500)


Increase in retained earnings (14,500 9,800) x 35%

CU000
4,250
1,645
5,895

Proceeds
Less: Net assets disposed of (744,000 x 40%)
Goodwill not yet written off (18,000 x 50%)

CU
189,000
(297,600)
(9,000)
(117,600)

PARABLE LTD
(a)

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8


CU

Continuing operations
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the period from continuing operations

875,500
(405,000)
470,500

Discontinued operations
Profit for the period from discontinued operations (111,550 + 69,640) (W2, W3)
Profit for the period
Attributable to
Equity holders of Parable Ltd ()
Minority interest (W4)

181,190
651,690

529,180
122,510
651,690

Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 December 20X8
(extracts)

Net profit for the period


Eliminated on disposal of subsidiary (85,280 (W6) + 22,310 (W4))
Balance brought forward (W5 and W6)
Balance carried forward

Equity holders
of Parable Ltd
Retained
earnings
CU
529,180

529,180
2,117,420
2,646,600

Minority
interest
CU
122,510
(107,590)
14,920
592,780
607,700

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

551

Financial accounting
(b) (i)

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8


CU
1,201,100
92,410
1,293,510
(507,500)
786,010

Operating profit (875,500 + 325,600)


Profit on sale of interest in subsidiary (W3)
Profit before tax
Income tax expense (405,000 + 102,500)
Profit for the period
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Parable Ltd ()
Minority interest (W4)

618,880
167,130
786,010

Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 December


20X8 (extracts)

Net profit for the period


Partial disposal of subsidiary (W7)
Balance brought forward (W5, W6)
Balance carried forward
(ii)

Equity holders
of Parable Ltd
Retained
earnings
CU
618,880

2,117,420
2,736,300

Minority
interest
CU
167,130
107,590
592,780
867,500

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8


CU
1,038,300
77,230
22,310
1,137,840
(456,250)
681,590

Operating profit (875,500 + (325,600 6/12))


Profit on sale of interest in subsidiary (W3)
Share of profit of associate (223,100 6/12 20%)
Profit before tax
Income tax expense (405,000 (102,500 6/12))
Profit for the period
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Parable Ltd ()
Minority interest (W4)

559,080
122,510
681,590

Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 December


20X8 (extracts)

Net profit for the period


Eliminated on disposal of subsidiary (as (a))
Balance brought forward (W5 and W6)
Balance carried forward

552

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Equity holders
of Parable Ltd
Retained
earnings
CU
559,080

559,080
2,117,420
2,676,500

Minority
interest
CU
122,510
(107,590)
14,920
592,780
607,700

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

WORKINGS
(1) Group structure

Parable Ltd group

Parable Ltd group

Parable Ltd group

(2) Profit for year to disposal


PAT of S Ltd

CU
223,100

6/12 =

111,550

(3) Profit on disposal of operations

Sale proceeds
Less: Share of net assets at disposal
Net assets at 1 January 20X8
Profit to 30 June 20X8 (W2)

Complete disposal
(a)
CU
CU
500,000
426,400
111,550
537,950
80%

(430,360)
69,640

Partial disposal
(subsidiary retained)
(b)(i)
CU
CU
200,000

Partial disposal
(associate retained)
(b)(ii)
CU
CU
400,000

537,950
20% (107,590)
92,410

537,950
60% (322,770)
77,230

(4) Minority interest for year


No
subsidiary
retained
(a) and (b)(ii)
CU
Story Ltd (223,100 6/12 20%)
((223,100 6/12 20%) + (223,100 6/12 40%))
Other

22,310
100,200
122,510

Subsidiary
retained
(b)(i)
CU
66,930
100,200
167,130

(5) Retained earnings b/f


Parable Ltd group
Add Story Ltd (80% (326,400 50,000))
Less Goodwill impairment to date

CU
1,926,300
221,120
(30,000)
2,117,420

(6) Minority interest b/f


Story Ltd ((100,000 + 326,400) 20%)
Other

CU
85,280
507,500
592,780

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

553

Financial accounting
(7) Partial disposal of subsidiary
CU
537,950
107,590

Net assets at date of disposal (100,000 + 326,400 + (6/12 223,100))


20%
13

ARBITRARY LTD
(a)

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X5


CU
Continuing operations
Revenue (W2)
Cost of sales (W2)
Gross profit
Distribution costs (W2)
Administrative expenses (W2)
Profit before tax
Income tax expense (W2)
Profit for the period from continuing operations

2,322,700
(1,410,150)
912,550
(306,600)
(246,150)
359,800
(123,750)
236,050

Discontinued operations
Profit for the period from discontinued operations (10,300 + 79,060) (W3 + W4)
Profit for the period
Attributable to
Equity holders of Arbitrary Ltd ()
Minority interest (W5)

89,360
325,410
313,952
11,458
325,410

Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 December 20X5
(extracts)

Net profit for the period


Added on acquisition of subsidiary (W8)
Eliminated on disposal of subsidiary (W9)
Interim dividend on ordinary shares
Balance brought forward (W6) + (W7)
Balance carried forward

Equity holders
of Arbitrary Ltd
Retained
earnings
CU
313,952

(50,000)
263,952
629,000
892,952

Minority
interest
CU
11,458
107,397
(32,060)

86,795
30,000
116,795

(b) Calculation of profit in individual accounts of Arbitrary Ltd


Sale proceeds
Less Cost
Profit

CU
212,000
(175,000)
37,000

The different calculations of profit on disposal reflect the different way in which the subsidiary
(Contrary Ltd) is accounted for in the individual and consolidated accounts.
In the individual balance sheet of Arbitrary Ltd Contrary Ltd is carried at cost of CU175,000. The
profit on disposal is therefore the sale proceeds less this cost.
In the consolidated financial statements the cost of Contrary Ltd is replaced with its underlying
net assets and with goodwill acquired in the business combination. The profit on disposal is
therefore based on sale proceeds less the percentage of net assets being sold (here 80%) less the
unimpaired goodwill which is being sold in full (as it only ever related to the 80% share of net
assets acquired).

554

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

(c)

14

Application of control and ownership ideas


Control
Up to 1 July 20X5 Arbitrary Ltd owns 80% of Contrary Ltd and therefore controls it. So the
consolidated income statement should include 100% of Contrary Ltd's profits up to that date.
After 1 July 20X5 Arbitrary Ltd no longer controls Contrary Ltd. Its results should be excluded
from the consolidated income statement for the last six months of the year and also from the
consolidated balance sheet.
This treatment reflects the fact that once Contrary Ltd has been sold its resources are no longer
under group control.
Ownership
For the first six months of the year 100% of Contrary Ltd's profits are included in the
consolidated income statement. However, 20% of its profits are owned by the minority interest
and this has to be deducted in arriving at the group's share of profit (CU20,600 x 6/12 x 20%).
When the disposal occurs the group is selling its ownership interest in the net assets and its
goodwill. Therefore the group profit on disposal is calculated from the point of view of
ownership.

WORKINGS
(1) Group structure
Arbitrary Ltd
80%
(sold 1 July 20X5
6/12 in)

65%
(acq 1 July 20X5
6/12 in)

Contrary Ltd

Enthusiast Ltd

(2) Consolidation schedule


Arbitrary
Ltd
CU
1,926,500
(1,207,200)
(207,500)
(192,600)
(110,000)

Revenue
C of S
Distrib cost
Admin exp
Tax
PAT

Enthusiast
Ltd
6/12
CU
396,200
(202,950)
(99,100)
(53,550)
(13,750)
26,850

Consol
CU
2,322,700
(1,410,150)
(306,600)
(246,150)
(123,750)

(3) Profit for year to disposal


PAT of C Ltd
6/12

CU
20,600
10,300

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

555

Financial accounting
(4) Profit on disposal of Contrary Ltd operations
Sale proceeds
Less: Share of net assets at disposal
Net assets at 1 January 20X5
Profit to 1 July 20X5 (W3)
Dividends paid

Less: Carrying amount of goodwill


Cost of investment
Share of net assets at acquisition (80% 187,000)
Impairment to date

CU
150,000
10,300
(10,000)
150,300
80%
175,000
(149,600)
25,400
(12,700)

CU
212,000

(120,240)
91,760

(12,700)
79,060

(5) Minority interest in year


Contrary Ltd (20% x 10,300 (W3))
Enthusiast Ltd (35% x 26,850 (W2))

CU
2,060
9,398
11,458

(6) Retained earnings b/f


Arbitrary Ltd
Contrary Ltd (80% x (50,000 (187,000 100,000))
Goodwill impairment to 31 December 20X4

CU
671,300
(29,600)
(12,700)
629,000

(7) Minority interest b/f


Contrary Ltd (150,000 20%)

CU
30,000

(8) Minority interest added on acquisition of subsidiary


Enthusiast Ltd ((200,000 + 80,000 + 26,850 (W2)) 35%)

CU
107,397

(9) Minority interest eliminated on disposal of subsidiary


CU
Contrary Ltd
B/f (W7)
Current year (W5)

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30,000
2,060
32,060

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

Answers to Interactive questions

Answer to Interactive question 1


(a)

Champion Ltd's individual accounts


CU
2,100
(2,000)
100

Proceeds
Cost
Profit on disposal
(b) Consolidated accounts
No impairment
CU
CU
Proceeds
2,100
(1,680)
Less: Share of net assets at date of disposal (70% 2,400)
420
Less:Carrying amount of goodwill at date
of disposal
Cost of investment
2,000
Share of net assets at acquisition
(1,330)
(70% 1,900)
Goodwill at acquisition
670
Impairment to date

(670)
Profit/(loss) on disposal
(250)

Impairment of CU470
CU
CU
2,100
(1,680)
420
2,000
(1,330)
670
(470)
(200)
220

Answer to Interactive question 2


Daring Group
Consolidated balance sheet at 31 March 20X1
CUm
4,000
42,450
46,450

Intangibles goodwill
Sundry assets
Share capital (CU1 ordinary shares)
Retained earnings (from CSCE)
Attributable to equity holders of Daring Ltd
Minority interest
Equity
Liabilities

8,000
16,450
24,450
12,000
36,450
10,000
46,450

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 March 20X1


Continuing operations
Profit before tax (W2)
Income tax expense (W2)
Profit for the period from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Profit for the period from discontinued operations (1,238 + 3,321) (W4 and W5)
Profit for the period
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Daring Ltd ()
Minority interest (2,500 + 124 (W3))

CUm
12,950
(5,400)
7,550
4,559
12,109
9,485
2,624
12,109

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Financial accounting
Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 March 20X1

Profit for the year


Eliminated on disposal
of subsidiary (W9)
Balance b/f (W7 and W8)
Balance c/f

Attributable to equity holders of


Daring Ltd
Share
Retained
capital
earnings
Total
CUm
CUm
CUm

9,485
9,485

8,000
8,000

9,485
6,965
16,450

9,485
14,965
24,450

Minority
interest
CUm
2,624

Total
CUm
12,109

(609)
2,015
9,985
12,000

(609)
11,500
24,950
36,450

WORKINGS
(1) Group structure

Daring

90% for 9/12 of year

Glory
(2) Consolidation schedule for CIS

Profit before tax


Tax

Daring Group
CUm
12,950
(5,400)

Consol
CUm
12,950
(5,400)

Tutorial note. In this case the consolidation schedule only includes the results of the parent group as
those of Glory Ltd are to be treated as discontinued. (See working 4.) In an examination question it is
likely that you will have to deal with another subsidiary still retained at the year end as well as the
company disposed of so this working will be required.
(3) Minority interests in Glory Ltd for CIS
CUm
124

1,238 (W4) 10%


(4) Profit of Glory Ltd for year to disposal

CUm
1,650
1,238

PAT
9/12
(5) Profit on disposal of Glory Ltd for CIS
CUm
Sale proceeds
Less: Share of net assets at disposal (90% 6,088 (W6))
Less: Carrying amount of goodwill at date of disposal
Cost of investment
Share of net assets at acquisition (90% (3,000 + 700))
Goodwill at acquisition
Impairment to date
Profit on disposal

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CUm
8,890
(5,479)
3,411

3,440
(3,330)
110
(20)
(90)
3,321

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

(6) Net assets at disposal


Share capital
Retained earnings b/f (4,850 3,000)
Profit for year to disposal (W4)

CUm
3,000
1,850
1,238
6,088

(7) Group retained earnings b/f for CSCE


Daring Group
Glory Ltd (90% (1,850 700))
Goodwill impairment to date

CUm
5,950
1,035
(20)
6,965

(8) Minority interest b/f for CSCE


Glory Ltd (4,850 10%) = 485 + other subsidiaries 9,500

CUm
9,985

(9) Minority interest eliminated on disposal


B/f amount 485 (W8) + current year 124 (W3)

CUm
609

Answer to Interactive question 3


(a)

Partial disposal (subsidiary to subsidiary) mid year


Consolidated balance sheet as at 30 September 20X8
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill (302-75)
Current assets (2,700 + 1,300 + 380)
Share capital (CU1 ordinary shares)
Retained earnings (W5)
Minority interest (W6)
Current liabilities (1,200 + 500)

CU'000
2,650
227
2,877
4,380
7,257
2,000
2,997
4,997
560
5,557
1,700
7,257

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 September 20X8


Profit from operations
Profit on sale of interest in subsidiary (W2)
Profit before tax
Income tax expense (400 + 50)
Profit for the period
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Ben Ltd ()
Minority interest (W3)

CU'000
1,580
31
1,611
(450)
1,161

1,128
33
1,161

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Financial accounting
Consolidated statement of changes in equity (extract)

Profit for the year


Partial disposal of subsidiary
Balance at 30 September 20X7 (W4)
Balance at 30 September 20X8 (W5 + W6)

Ben Ltd
Retained
earnings
CU'000
1,129

1,129
1,868
2,997

Minority
interest
(Bill Ltd)
CU'000
33
273
306
254
560

CU'000

CU'000
380
(274)
106

WORKINGS
(1) Group structure

Ben plc

80% x 9/12
60% x 3/12
Bill Ltd
(2) Profit on disposal of Bill Ltd
Sale proceeds
Less: Share of net assets at disposal ((300 + 970 + 9/12 130) 20%)
Less: Carrying amount of goodwill at date of disposal
Cost of investment
Share of net assets at acquisition (80% (300 + 510))
Goodwill at acquisition
Re disposal (1/4)

950
(648)
302

(75)
31

(3) Minority interest in Bill Ltd for CIS


20% 130 9/12 =
40% 130 3/12 =

CU'000
20
13

CU'000
33

(4) Retained earnings/MI brought forward


As per Worked example

CU000
1,868

CU000
254

(5) Retained earnings carried forward


Ben Ltd
Add: Profit on disposal (380 (950 25%))
Bill Ltd (60% (1,100 510))

560

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU'000
2,500
143
2,643
354
2,997

GROUP ACCOUNTS: DISPOSALS

14

(6) MI c/f
CU'000
300
1,100
1,400
560

Share capital
Retained earnings
40%
(b) Partial disposal (subsidiary to associate) mid year
Consolidated balance sheet as at 30 September 20X8

CU'000
2,050
711
2,761
4,050
6,811

Property, plant and equipment


Investments in associates (W2)
Current assets (2,700 + 1,350)
Share capital (CU1 ordinary shares)
Retained earnings (W6)

2,000
3,611
5,611
1,200
6,811

Current liabilities
Consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 September 20X8

CU'000
1,535
652
13
2,200
(438)
1,762

Profit from operations (1,400 + (9/12 180))


Profit on sale of interest in subsidiary (W3)
Share of profit of associates (130 3/12 40%)
Profit before tax
Income tax expense (400 + (9/12 50))
Profit for the period
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Ben Ltd ()
Minority interest (W4)

1,743
19
1,762

Consolidated statement of changes in equity (extract)

Profit for the year


Eliminated on disposal of subsidiary (19 + 254)

Ben Ltd
Retained
earnings
CU'000
1,743
1,743

Balance at 30 September 20X7 (W5)


Balance at 30 September 20X8 (W6)

1,868
3,611

Minority
interest
(Bill Ltd)
CU'000
19
(273)
(254)
254

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561

Financial accounting
WORKINGS
(1) Group structure
Ben Ltd

80% x 9/12
Bill Ltd

40% x 3/12
Bill Ltd

(2) Investments in associates


CU'000
475
236
711

Cost of associate (950 )


Share of post acquisition retained earnings (40% (1,100 510))
(3) Profit on disposal of Bill Ltd
CU'000
Sale proceeds
Less: Share of net assets at disposal (300 + 970 + (9/12 130)) 40%
Less: Carrying amount of goodwill at date of disposal
Cost of investment
Share of net assets at acquisition (80% (300+510))
Goodwill at acquisition
Re disposal (1/2)

950
(648)
302

CU'000
1,350
(547)
803

(151)
652

(4) Minority interest in Bill Ltd for CIS


CU'000
19

20% 130 9/12


(5) Retained earnings/MI brought forward
As per worked example

CU'000
1,868

CU'000
254

(6) Retained earnings carried forward


Ben Ltd
Add: Profit on disposal (1,350 (950 50%))
Bill Ltd (40% (1,100 510))

562

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU'000
2,500
875
3,375
236
3,611

chapter 15

Business combinations,
consolidated financial
statements and associates
Contents
Introduction
Examination context
Topic List
1

Sources of requirements

BFRS 3 Business Combinations

Identifying the acquirer

Measuring the cost of a business combination

Allocating the cost of the business combination

Goodwill

Practical issues

Disclosures

BAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements

10

BAS 28 Investments in Associates

Summary and Self-test


Technical reference
Answers to Self-test
Answers to Interactive questions

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Financial accounting

Introduction

Learning objectives

Identify and explain the relationship between companies as parent, subsidiary or associate

Determine whether group accounts are required

Calculate goodwill including the measurement of identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent
liabilities in relation to the acquisition of a subsidiary

Explain the accounting treatment of goodwill in the consolidated balance sheet and
consolidated income statement

Explain the accounting treatment in consolidated financial statements of:

Subsidiaries

Associates

Tick off

Specific syllabus references for this chapter are: 1g, 3a,b,c,d,e.

Practical significance
One of the key topics covered in this chapter is goodwill, particularly the way in which fair values affect the
calculation of goodwill on acquisition of a subsidiary. Goodwill arising in these circumstances can be a
significant asset, particularly for acquisitive groups. For example, the UK Vodafone Group plc recognised
CU69,118 million of goodwill in its 2006 financial statements. This represented over three quarters of
shareholders equity.
Accounting standards emphasise the need to recognise identifiable intangible assets rather than subsuming
them within goodwill. This has become an increasingly important issue as the nature of business has
changed. At acquisition a subsidiary may have intangible assets such as brands as key business assets as well
as the more traditional tangible assets of property, plant and equipment.

Stop and think


What would be the potential benefits of subsuming identifiable intangible assets within goodwill?

Working context
Goodwill and fair values are key factors affecting consolidated accounts. Although accounting standards
provide guidance, the assessment of fair values still involves judgement. As a result, this aspect of the
consolidation process is likely to be carried out by more senior members of staff.

Syllabus links
This chapter puts the treatment of a subsidiary and an associate covered in Chapters 10 to 14 into the
context of the relevant accounting standards. It is important that you are familiar with the principles which
underpin the purchase method and equity method described in this chapter as well as being able to produce
the consolidated financial statements.
More complex aspects of group accounts are dealt with in Financial & Corporate Reporting at the
Advanced Stage.

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15

Examination context

Exam commentary
Accounting and reporting concepts constitute 10% of the syllabus, and an ability to explain and demonstrate
the concepts and principles surrounding the consolidated financial statements would be included here. This
is likely to be tested in the written test section of the paper. Typically a question would require preparation
of some consolidated information followed by an explanation of the principles behind the method.
Alternatively you could be asked to justify your treatment of an investment as a subsidiary or an associate.
Goodwill and fair values are also popular exam topics and would be tested within the 35% groups part of
the paper. This area could be examined in the written test section but is also likely to be examined in shortanswer questions.
In the exam candidates may be required to:

Explain the following concepts:

Control
Substance over form
Single entity concept
Significant influence

Distinguish between a subsidiary, an associate and a trade investment and explain the accounting
treatment of each of these

Calculate goodwill incorporating fair values of:

Consideration
Assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired

Demonstrate the subsequent accounting treatment of goodwill

Prepare simple extracts from financial statements in accordance with Companies Act and BFRS

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Financial accounting

1 Sources of requirements
Section overview

1.1

This chapter considers group accounts in the context of BFRS Framework and the relevant Bangladesh
Financial Reporting Standards.

Context
Previous chapters have dealt with the mechanics of preparing consolidated financial statements. This
chapter covers the International Financial Reporting Standards relating to business combinations (the
acquisition of one business by another), subsidiaries and associates which form the basis of the
consolidation process dealt with earlier. The standards covered in this chapter are as follows:

1.2

BFRS 3 Business Combinations (sections 2-8)


BAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements (section 9)
BAS 28 Investments in Associates (section 10)

Underlying principles
The key elements in financial statements, identified in BFRS Framework, which are relevant to business
combinations, subsidiaries and associates are:

Assets: resources controlled by the entity as a result of past events and from which future economic
benefits are expected to flow to the entity

Liabilities: present obligations of the entity arising from past events, the settlement of which is
expected to result in an outflow of resources embodying economic resources.

Also relevant are the definitions of:

Gains, which are a part of income: increases in economic benefits through enhancements of assets or
decreases in liabilities other than contributions from equity

Losses, which are included in expenses: decreases in economic benefits through depletions of assets
or additional liabilities other than distributions to equity

The recognition criteria:

It is probable that any future economic benefit associated with the item will flow to or from the
entity; and

The item has a cost or value that can be measured with reliability

and the need to account for matters in accordance with their substance and economic reality, not
merely their legal form.

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15

2 BFRS 3 Business Combinations


Section overview

2.1

All business combinations should be accounted for using the purchase method.

Objective
The objective of BFRS 3 is to set out the accounting and disclosure requirements for a business
combination. In practice business combinations can be structured in all sorts of different ways, usually for
reasons which are peculiar to the parties to the combination and/or to suit the legal and tax environments
in which they operate.
In an area of such potential complexity BFRS 3 looks beyond the legal form of the transaction to the
underlying substance, in line with BFRS Framework. This can be seen in the definitions below.

Definitions
Business combination. The bringing together of separate entities or businesses into one reporting entity.
Business. An integrated set of activities and assets conducted and managed for the purpose of providing:
(a)

A return to investors; or

(b) Lower costs or other economic benefits directly and proportionately to policyholders or participants.
A business generally consists of inputs, processes applied to those inputs, and resulting outputs that are, or
will be, used to generate revenues. If goodwill is present in a transferred set of activities and assets, the
transferred set is presumed to be a business.

Nearly all business combinations result in one entity, the acquirer, obtaining control of one or more other
businesses. We will look at the issue of control in section 3.
The type of business combination with which you need to be familiar is the acquisition of one company
by another resulting in a parent-subsidiary relationship. (We have looked at the practical
application of this relationship in Chapters 10-12.)
Point to note
If assets alone are purchased, such as a fleet of motor vehicles these will be accounted for under BAS 16
Property, Plant and Equipment not BFRS 3.

Definitions
Parent. An entity that has one or more subsidiaries.
Subsidiary. An entity, including an unincorporated entity such as a partnership, that is controlled by
another entity (known as the parent).

2.2

Scope
BFRS 3 applies to all business combinations except those for which there are or will be separate
BFRSs. None of these excluded combinations fall within the Financial Accounting syllabus.

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Financial accounting

2.3

Purchase method of accounting


All business combinations must be accounted for by applying the purchase method. This involves
three key steps:

Identifying an acquirer

Measuring the cost of the business combination; and

Allocating the cost of the business combination to the identifiable assets and liabilities (including
contingent liabilities) acquired.

We will look at these three steps in more detail in the following sections 3-5 of this chapter.

3 Identifying the acquirer


Section overview

The acquirer should be identified for all business combinations.

The acquirer is the entity which obtains control of the other entity.

There are a number of ways in which control can be achieved.

Control is normally assumed where the acquirer obtains more than 50% of the voting rights in the
acquiree.

BFRS 3 states that the acquirer should be identified for all business combinations.

Definitions
Acquirer. The combining entity that obtains control of the other combining entities or businesses.
Control. The power to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity or business so as to obtain
benefits from its activities.

In practical terms the simplest way in which control can be achieved is where the acquirer (P) gains more
than half of the voting rights in the acquiree (S) i.e. rights relating to votes of the shareholders in
general meeting. These rights are normally attached to the ordinary shares BFRS 3 states that in this case
control should be assumed unless it can be demonstrated otherwise.
Control also exists, however, where P has power:

Over a majority of the voting rights, through an agreement with others

To govern the financial and operating policies of S under statute or agreement (this is similar to
the definition of control above)

To appoint or remove the majority of the members of the board of directors (or equivalent
top management) of S, or

To cast the majority of votes at S's board meetings.

In most business combinations it should be relatively straightforward to identify the acquirer. Where this is
not the case BFRS 3 provides a number of additional indicators as follows:

568

If the fair value of one of the entities is significantly greater than the other entity, the entity with the
larger fair value is likely to be the acquirer

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATES

Where the business combination is effected through an issue of shares for cash or other assets, the
entity giving up the cash or other assets is likely to be the acquirer

Where one of the entities is able to select the management team of the combined entity, that
party is likely to be the acquirer.

15

4 Measuring the cost of a business combination


Section overview

4.1

The cost of a business combination includes the fair values at the date of exchange of assets given,
liabilities incurred or assumed and equity instruments issued by the acquirer.

Quoted equity investments should be valued at their published price.

Deferred consideration should be discounted.

Costs directly attributable to the combination should be recognised as part of the cost of the
combination.

General rule
The cost of the business combination is

4.2

The total of the fair values of the consideration given; and


Any costs directly attributable to the business combination.

Fair value of consideration


BFRS 3 requires that consideration given should be measured at fair value at the date of exchange.

Definition
Fair value. The amount for which an asset could be exchanged, or a liability settled, between
knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm's length transaction.

The Financial Accounting syllabus includes only combinations achieved through a single exchange
transaction (not a gradual build up of control through successive transactions to acquire shares in the
acquiree) so for our purposes the date of exchange is the acquisition date.

Definition
Acquisition date. The date on which the acquirer effectively obtains control of the acquiree.

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Financial accounting
This is the same date as that which would be used to split pre and post-acquisition profits.
Points to note

4.3

Consideration given may be in the form of cash or other assets, liabilities assumed or incurred and
equity instruments (e.g. shares) issued by the acquirer.

The fair value of any quoted equity investments (marketable securities) forming part of the
purchase consideration would be the published price at the date of exchange, except in rare
circumstances.

Future losses or other costs expected to be incurred as a result of the combination are not included
as part of the cost of the combination.

Deferred consideration
Where settlement of the consideration is deferred to a later date, it is valued at its discounted
present value at the time of acquisition. For marketable securities this is their market value at the
acquisition date (market value being the best estimate of the present value of all future benefits accruing
on the securities).

4.4

Contingent consideration
Part of the consideration for the acquisition may be contingent on the acquired business meeting certain
targets in the future, or may be dependent on other uncertain future events.
The normal principles of BAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets (dealt with in Chapter
9) are applied. Therefore, the additional cost of investment is recognised if it is probable (more likely than
not) that the additional consideration will be paid and if its amount can be estimated reliably. If this is not
the case, a contingent liability for the additional consideration will be disclosed.
The assessment of whether contingent consideration is likely to be paid is an accounting estimate, not
an accounting policy. Hence, if the assessment needs to be revised in the light of subsequent experience
(because, for example, the acquired business beats or falls short of its targets) and the revision arises after
the completion of the initial accounting (see section 6.4 below), the consequential effect on goodwill is
accounted for in the period of the revision, not retrospectively.
Point to note
There is no time limit within which such adjustments to goodwill must be made.

4.5

Directly attributable costs


Costs directly attributable to the acquisition can be included in the cost of the combination.
These will include professional and other fees relating specifically to the individual transaction e.g.
accountants fees and legal costs. It will not include general administrative costs and internal costs e.g. staff
costs relating to employees in the acquisitions department. These costs relate to all transactions, therefore
they are not directly attributable to an individual acquisition.
The costs of arranging financial liabilities (e.g. loans) and issuing equity are deducted from the
liability/equity, rather than being added to the cost of the business combination.

Worked example: Issue costs


Fir Ltd acquired 100% of Pine Ltd by issuing 200,000 new CU1 ordinary shares at a fair value of CU2 per
share. The issue costs associated with these shares were CU20,000. Professional fees were also incurred in
respect of the acquisition amounting to CU25,000.

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15

The cost of the business combination would be as follows:


Fair value of shares issued (200,000 CU2)
Professional fees

CU
400,000
25,000
425,000

The issue costs do not form part of the cost of the combination but are deducted from the share premium
arising on the issue of the new share capital as follows:
CU
200,000
(20,000)
180,000

Share premium (200,000 CU1)


Less: Issue costs

5 Allocating the cost of the business combination


Section overview

5.1

The acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities should be recognised at fair value
at the date of acquisition.

Where certain criteria are met the acquiree's assets, liabilities and contingent assets should be
recognised separately.

Provisions for future reorganisation plans and future losses should not be recognised as liabilities at
the acquisition date.

Contingent liabilities which can be measured reliably should be recognised as liabilities at the
acquisition date.

An intangible asset may only be recognised if it is separable or arises from contractual or other legal
rights and can be measured reliably.

BFRS 3 provides guidance on the measurement at fair value of specific assets, liabilities and contingent
liabilities.

Basic principle
BFRS 3 requires that the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities should
be recognised at fair value at the date of acquisition.
The exception to this is non-current assets that are classified as held for sale in accordance with BFRS 5
Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations. These are recognised at fair value less costs
to sell.
Point to note
What constitutes the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities is important as the
difference between the cost of the business combination and the acquirer's share of these represents
goodwill. (The mechanics of this calculation were covered in Chapters 10-12.) The higher the total value
of net assets acquired, the lower the total value of goodwill and vice versa.

5.2

Identification of net assets acquired


Separate recognition of the acquiree's assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities is required where they meet
specific criteria at the acquisition date. The criteria are based on BFRS Framework definitions of an asset and
a liability, covered in Chapter 1. These are as follows:

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Assets other than intangible assets

Where it is probable that any associated future


economic benefits will flow to the acquirer, and
their fair value can be measured reliably.

Liabilities other than contingent liabilities

Where it is probable that an outflow of


resources embodying economic benefits will be
required to settle the obligation, and its fair value
can be measured reliably.

(see section 5.3 below)

Intangible assets

5.3

(see section 5.4 below)

Where they meet the definition of an


intangible asset in accordance with BAS 38
Intangible assets and their fair value can be
measured reliably.

Contingent liabilities

Where their fair value can be measured reliably.

Recognition of liabilities
An acquirer may only recognise an acquiree's liabilities if they exist at the acquisition date.
This application of the normal BFRS Framework definition of a liability prohibits any account being taken at
that time of two factors which will have depressed the price the acquirer is prepared to pay for the
acquiree:
Reorganisation plans devised by the acquirer
which will only be put into effect once control
over the acquiree is gained.

Acquirers often plan to create value by


changing the cost structure of the acquiree so
that the post-acquisition cost base is less than
the sum of the acquirer's and acquiree's existing
cost bases. The acquirer will evaluate the oneoff costs of making these changes when
deciding what lower price to offer for the
acquiree, but as these costs are neither a
liability nor a contingent liability of the
acquiree prior to the date control is gained,
they cannot be set up as provisions at the
time of acquisition.

Future losses to be incurred as a result of the


business combination (this covers future losses
to be incurred by the acquirer as well as by the
acquiree).

An acquirer will often target a loss-making


business, in the expectation that after
reorganisation and with new management it will
become profitable. But it often takes some time
for the benefits of such changes to emerge,
during which time further trading losses will be
incurred. The reorganisation process may also
cause short-term losses within the acquirer.
The total of such losses will depress the price
to be offered by the acquirer. But no account
can be taken of them, because future losses
relate to future, not past, events.

Point to note
Contrast the first of these situations with contractual obligations put in place by the acquiree (not the
acquirer) prior to the acquisition date and conditional on being taken over. (Such contractual obligations
are sometimes put together on a large scale by the acquiree's management, precisely to deter acquirers. In
these cases they are often described as 'poison pill' defences.) Prior to the acquisition date these are
present obligations arising from past events but outflows of resources are not probable. So they will be
dealt with as contingent liabilities by the acquiree up to the moment when a business combination
becomes probable. At that point they meet the recognition criteria for a liability and must be recognised as
one of the acquiree's liabilities in allocating the cost of the combination.

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5.4

15

Recognition of intangible assets


As already noted in section 5.2 above, intangible assets must be recognised when they can be reliably
measured. But even before that test, they must meet the definition of an intangible asset under
BAS 38 Intangible Assets. This BAS was dealt with in detail in Chapter 6, but the following points are relevant
here:

An intangible asset is a non-monetary asset without physical substance. It must be separable or arise
from contractual or other legal rights. 'Separable' means that the asset can be sold separately
from the entity owning the asset, while 'contractual or other legal rights' provides evidence of the
existence of the asset. Contrast an intangible defined in this way with goodwill arising on an
acquisition, which is not separable and does not arise from contractual or other legal rights

The illustrative examples which accompany BFRS 3 (but which are not an integral part of it) list the
following examples of intangible assets which could be recognised on a business combination:

Separable assets:

Customer lists
Non-contractual customer relationships
Databases

Customer lists are often leased (i.e. used for a period without ownership being gained) for
mailing purposes by entities wanting to try to acquire new customers. Customer relationships
are details of customers together with their past buying profiles which can be sold, on the basis
that even though these customers have no outstanding commitments to make purchases, the
probability is that a number of them will place future orders. A value can then be put on this
probability.

Assets arising from contractual or other legal rights:

5.5

Trademarks
Internet domain names
Newspaper mastheads
Non-competition agreements
Unfulfilled contracts with customers
Copyrights over plays
Books, music, videos, etc
Leases
Licences to broadcast television and/or radio programmes
Licences to fish in certain waters
Licences to provide taxi services
Patented technology
Computer software

The definition also covers research and development projects which are in process at the
acquisition date. These will often not be recognised in the acquiree's balance sheet as we saw in
Chapter 6.

Measurement of net assets acquired


Where the BFRS 3 recognition criteria are met the assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities
acquired should be measured at fair value as follows:
Asset, liability or contingent liability

Fair value

Financial instruments traded in an active market

Current market values

Financial instruments not traded on an active


market

Estimated values based on comparable


instruments of entities with similar characteristics

Receivables

Present value of amounts to be received.

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Asset, liability or contingent liability

Fair value
(Discounting is not required for short-term
receivables where the effect is likely to be
immaterial.)

Inventories of finished goods

Selling price less:


The costs of disposal and
A reasonable profit allowance for the
selling effort of the acquirer.

Inventories of work-in-progress

Selling price of finished goods less:


Costs to complete
Costs of disposal and
A reasonable profit allowance for the
completing and selling effort.

Inventories of raw materials

Current replacement costs

Land and buildings

Market values

Plant and equipment

Market values
Depreciated replacement cost should be
used where the asset is of a specialised nature
and there is no market-based evidence of
fair value (see worked example below).

Intangible assets

Market value by reference to an active market.


If no active market exists the amounts the
acquirer would have paid in an arm's length
transaction between knowledgeable willing
parties, based on the best information available.

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Accounts and notes payable, long-term debt,


liabilities and accruals

Present values of amounts to be paid.

Onerous contracts (see Chapter 9)

Present values of amounts to be paid.

Contingent liabilities (see section 5.6 below)

The amounts that a third party would charge


to assume those contingent liabilities.

(Discounting is not required for short-term


payables where the effect is likely to be
immaterial.)

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Worked example: Depreciated replacement cost


Gareth Ltd is being acquired by Roz Ltd. Gareth Ltd owns specialised plant for which no market value is
available. This plant originally cost CU3m, is one-third of the way through its useful life and has no residual
value. So it stands in its books at cost CU3m less accumulated depreciation CU1m, i.e. CU2m. New plant
with a similar capacity would cost CU3.6m.
'Depreciated' replacement cost means that the same proportionate amount of accumulated depreciation is
applied to the replacement cost. The replacement plant would cost CU3.6m, accumulated depreciation of
one-third would be CU1.2m, so the depreciated replacement cost is CU2.4m.

5.6

Contingent liabilities
BFRS 3 requires an acquirer to recognise an acquiree's contingent liabilities where their amount
can be measured reliably. This is in spite of the fact that they will not have been recognised in the
balance sheet of the acquiree (under BAS 37 ).
Once recognised, contingent liabilities must be carried at the higher of the amount under BAS 37
(which will be nil until they become liabilities) and their value at the acquisition date, less any
subsequent amortisation.
Points to note

5.7

If these cannot be measured reliably, their value, whatever it is, will be subsumed within goodwill
or discount on acquisition. But full disclosure must still be made.

Even if recognised, the normal BAS 37 disclosures re contingent liabilities must be made.

Consequences of recognition at fair value


The consequences of the recognition of the acquiree's assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities at the
acquisition date are that:

5.8

The acquirer's consolidated income statement must include the acquiree's profits and losses from the
same date

The fair values of the acquiree's net assets form the basis of all the subsequent accounting in the
consolidated financial statements even where fair values are not incorporated into the acquiree's single
entity financial statements. For example, depreciation will be based on the fair values of property, plant
and equipment which may not be the same as the carrying amount in the acquiree's balance sheet

Any minority interest in the acquiree is based on the minority interest share of the net assets at
their fair values

Summary
The allocation of the cost of a business combination is made as follows:
Fair value of assets given, liabilities assumed and equity instruments issued
Less: Fair value of tangible assets acquired
Fair value of intangible assets acquired
Fair value of assets acquired
Fair value of liabilities acquired
Fair value of contingent liabilities acquired
Fair value of net assets acquired
Share of net assets acquired at fair value
Goodwill/(discount on acquisition)

CU
X
X
X
(X)
(X)
X

CU
X

(X)
X/(X)

We will look at goodwill in more detail in section 6 below.

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Interactive question 1: Measuring fair value

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

Kelly Ltd acquired 75% of Eclipse Ltd on 1 July 20X7. The consideration comprised:

5 million 25p ordinary shares of Kelly Ltd (market value 60p) to be issued on 1 July 20X7 (issue costs
of CU10,000 were paid to a merchant bank)

CU1 million cash payable on 1 July 20X7

A further 1 million 25p ordinary shares of Kelly Ltd to be issued on 1 July 20X8, provided that Eclipse
Ltd achieves a profit for the year ended 31 March 20X8 of CU10 million.

Professional fees to bankers and advisers relating to the acquisition totalled CU20,000 (excluding the issue
costs stated above). The directors of Kelly Ltd estimate that the value of their time spent working on the
acquisition was CU25,000.
The fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities recognised by Eclipse Ltd at 1 July 20X7 is
CU3,628,000. The financial statements of Eclipse Ltd have for some years disclosed a contingent liability
with a potential amount of CU2 million. The fair value of this contingent liability at 1 July 20X7 has been
estimated at CU200,000.
Current forecasts indicate that Eclipse Ltd will probably make profits of at least CU12 million for the year
to 31 March 20X8.
Requirement
Show the entries in Kelly Ltd's books to record the investment in Eclipse Ltd, and calculate goodwill
acquired in the business combination.
Fill in the proforma below.

Solution
CU'000

CU'000

CU'000

CU'000

Recording investment in Eclipse Ltd


Shares to be issued 1 July 20X7
DR
CR
CR
CR
Cash
DR
CR
Professional fees
DR
CR
Shares to be issued 1 July 20X8
DR
CR
Goodwill on consolidation of Eclipse Ltd
Cost of investment
Shares
Cash
Fees
Shares to be issued
Identifiable assets and liabilities acquired
Per books of Eclipse Ltd
Contingent liability
Group share (75%)
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

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6 Goodwill
Section overview

6.1

Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the fair value of the acquisition cost over the acquirer's
interest in the fair value of the net assets acquired.

Goodwill arising on a business combination is recognised as an intangible asset in the consolidated


balance sheet.

Goodwill should be tested for impairment at least annually.

If a discount arises the measurement of the fair value of net assets acquired should be checked.

If the discount remains it should be recognised in profit or loss in the accounting period in which the
acquisition is made.

Goodwill at acquisition
In accordance with BFRS 3 any excess of the acquisition cost over the acquirer's interest in the fair value of
the net assets acquired should be:

Described as goodwill; and


Recognised as an asset (as it meets the recognition criteria)

Definition
Goodwill. Future economic benefits arising from assets that are not capable of being individually identified
and separately recognised.

Point to note
Any goodwill carried in the acquiree's balance sheet becomes subsumed in the goodwill
arising on acquisition, because:

6.2

It is excluded from identifiable assets (see section 5.4 above)


This reduces the net assets acquired; and
Must therefore increase the goodwill arising on consolidation.

Goodwill subsequent to acquisition


After initial recognition, goodwill should be:

6.3

Carried in the balance sheet at cost less accumulated impairment losses;


Tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with BAS 36 Impairment of Assets.

Discount on acquisition
A discount on acquisition arises if the acquirers share of the fair value of the net assets acquired
exceeds the cost of the acquisition, i.e. there is 'negative goodwill'.
BFRS 3 is based on the assumption that this usually arises because of errors in the measurement of the
acquiree's net assets (i.e. assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities) and/or of the cost of the
combination. So the first action is always to reassess the identification and measurement of the net
assets and the measurement of the cost of the combination, checking in particular whether the fair
values of the net assets acquired correctly reflect future costs arising in respect of the acquiree.
If the discount still remains once these reassessments have been made, then it is attributable to a bargain
purchase, i.e. the acquirer has managed to get away with paying less than the full value for the acquiree.
This discount does not meet BFRS Framework's definition of a liability, so it must be part of equity. It must
therefore be recognised in profit or loss in the same accounting period as the acquisition is made.

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6.4

Initial accounting
Initial accounting is the process of identifying and determining the fair values of:

The acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities; and


The cost of the combination, i.e. of the assets given, liabilities assumed and equity instruments issued.

Whilst every effort should be made to complete this process by the end of the accounting period in which
the combination is effected, it may be that in some cases only provisional values can be
established by that time. This is often true of the valuation of non-current assets, including intangibles.
In such cases:

Provisional values should initially be used

Adjustments to the values of the net assets and/or the cost of the combination made within one
year of the acquisition date should be backdated to the acquisition date. Changes in both these
sets of values may therefore lead to a restatement of the provisional values for goodwill or the
discount on acquisition

Comparative figures for the previous period (the one in which the combination was effected)
must be restated as if these adjustments had been made as part of the initial accounting. So
depreciation charges in the previous period in respect of PPE may have to be restated.

Point to note
This one year period can only be used to reassess fair values. It cannot be used to backdate the
recognition of acquired assets and liabilities which did not meet the recognition criteria at the
acquisition date but do so during this period, because this would involve taking account of events after the
acquisition date. As an example, major pollution damage resulting from an accident taking place within the
one year period may result in new types of liabilities being identified, types which were unknown at the
acquisition date. No such liabilities can be recognised at the acquisition date as they were not known at that
time.

6.5

Subsequent adjustments
The need for further adjustments may emerge later but to allow them to be backdated to the acquisition
date might result in continual changes to previously published data, in a way which is not helpful to users of
financial statements. For example, a large group might make several acquisitions every year; adjustments to
fair values at the date of each acquisition might result in annual adjustments to comparative figures and not
just for acquisitions in the immediate prior period. So fair value adjustments made after the end of the one
year period are to be treated as follows:

578

In limited circumstances, they are backdated to the acquisition date with restatement of goodwill or
discount on acquisition and all comparative figures. These circumstances are if they arise as a result of
an error, as defined by BAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors (dealt with in
Chapter 4). But such errors will be very rare

If they are adjustments to the fair value of the cost of the combination (see section 4 above), then
goodwill or discounts on acquisition are adjusted, but in the current period only. There is no
backdating to the acquisition date and no restatement of the comparative figures

In all other circumstances, such adjustments are to be treated as changes in accounting


estimates, as defined in BAS 8. There is no backdating to the acquisition date and no
restatement of comparative figures. These adjustments are recognised as income or expenses in
the accounting period in which they arise. So if a debt which had a fair value of nil at the
acquisition date (i.e. it had been recognised as an expense in profit or loss) is recovered in full two
years afterwards, it is treated as income, not as a reduction in goodwill.

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7 Practical issues
Section overview

7.1

Where a subsidiary has not reflected fair values in its single entity financial statements, adjustments
will need to be made as part of the consolidation process.

Fair value adjustments


The way fair value adjustments are taken up in the initial calculation of goodwill is dealt with in Chapter 11.
But such adjustments may also have to be taken up subsequently, because there is no requirement that
the acquiree should recognise in its own accounting records the fair values attributed to its
assets and liabilities at the acquisition date. If these fair values have been recognised by the acquiree,
then its financial statements are suitable for the consolidation process. But if they have not, it will be
necessary to make adjustments for fair values as part of the consolidation process:

In the consolidated balance sheet changes will often be necessary to the acquiree's carrying
amounts for non-current assets and the accumulated depreciation/amortisation

In the consolidated income statement such changes will affect the current period's
depreciation/amortisation charges.

Other adjustments may have to be made, depending on the circumstances. An adjustment will always be
necessary for any contingent liabilities recognised at the acquisition date, to the extent they are only
disclosed in the acquiree's financial statements.

Interactive question 2: Fair value adjustments

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

Chris Ltd acquired 60% of Andy Ltd for CU8m on 1 July 20X2 when Andy Ltd's balance sheet showed net
assets of CU5m. The fair value of Andy Ltd's property, plant and equipment was CU1m higher than carrying
amount, but this was not reflected in Andy Ltd's books. At 30 June 20X5 Andy Ltd's balance sheet shows
net assets of CU10m. Chris Ltd's policy is to depreciate property, plant and equipment over 10 years. Andy
Ltd's financial statements still disclose a contingent liability for a claim for damages against it. At the
acquisition date its fair value was estimated at CU100,000, which was its carrying amount until 30 June
20X5 when it was re-estimated at CU80,000.
Requirement
Calculate as at 30 June 20X5 Chris Ltd's share of Andy Ltd's post-acquisition reserves and the goodwill
arising on consolidation and the adjustment to be made to Andy Ltd's depreciation charge for the
consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 June 20X5.
Fill in the proforma below.

Solution
Chris Ltd's share of Andy Ltd's post-acquisition reserves (W1)

CU'000

Goodwill arising on consolidation (W2)


Adjustments to Andy Ltd's depreciation charge (W3)

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WORKINGS
(1) Net assets and post-acquisition reserves
Balance
sheet date
CU'000

At
acquisition
CU'000

Postacquisition
CU'000

Andy Ltd
Net assets
PPE fair value uplift
Depreciation thereon
Contingent liability
Chris Ltd's share
(2) Goodwill
Cost of shares
Share of net assets

CU'000

(3) Depreciation charge


CU'000
Additional charge
See Answer at the end of this chapter.

8 Disclosures
Section overview

BFRS 3 requires a number of disclosures.

As business combinations may result in very significant changes to the nature of a group of companies,
substantial disclosures are required under three headings, to enable users to evaluate the nature and
effects of:
1

Business combinations effected in the accounting period or after its finish but before the financial
statements are authorised for issue (in the latter case, there will just be disclosures by way of note,
with no amounts actually being recognised in the financial statements)

Gains, losses, errors and other adjustments which relate to combinations effected in the current
or previous periods

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period.

In respect of new business combinations there must be disclosure of:

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The names and descriptions of the combining entities

The acquisition date

The percentage of the voting shares acquired

The cost of the combination, together with a description of the components of that cost

Details of any operations which have been or will be disposed of

The amounts recognised at the acquisition date for each class of assets, liabilities and contingent
liabilities

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Any discount on acquisition, together with the line item in the income statement within which it
has been recognised

Descriptions of the factors which led to the recognition of goodwill or discount on acquisition

The post-acquisition profit or loss included in the consolidated income statement

For combinations during the period, estimates of the consolidated revenue and profit or loss
which would have been recognised if the acquisition date for all combinations had been the first day of
the accounting period.

15

In respect of gains, losses etc re combinations effected in the current or previous periods, there must be
disclosure of:

Gains or losses on acquired net assets

Adjustments to provisional values in the initial accounting for combinations effected in the
immediately preceding period

Errors corrected under BAS 8.

In respect of goodwill there must be a reconciliation of the opening carrying amount (gross amount less
accumulated impairment losses) with the closing amount, in terms of

Additions
Amounts recognised as an expense as a result of disposals
Any impairment losses incurred
Any other adjustments.

9 BAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial


Statements
Section overview

9.1

With limited exceptions, all parents must present consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated financial statements must include the parent and all the entities under its control.

BAS 27 sets down key consolidation procedures (which we have demonstrated in Chapters 10-14).

The investment in the subsidiary is carried at cost in the parent's balance sheet.

Scope definitions
BAS 27 is to be applied in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements (CFS) of the
group. It is also to be applied in accounting for subsidiaries (and associates see section 10.1 below) in
the parent company's individual financial statements.
The definitions used in BAS 27 are the same as those discussed in relation to BFRS 3. The following
additional definitions should be noted:

Definitions
A group. A parent and all its subsidiaries.
Consolidated financial statements. The financial statements of a group presented as those of a single
economic entity.
Minority interest. That portion of the profit or loss and net assets of a subsidiary attributable to the
equity interests that are not owned, directly or indirectly through subsidiaries, by the parent.

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9.2

Control
The factors identified by BAS 27 which would indicate that one entity controls another are very similar to
those identified by BFRS 3. However, BAS 27 also requires an assessment of whether any potential
voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible contribute to control. Potential voting
rights are considered not currently exercisable or convertible when they cannot be exercised or converted
until:

A future date or
The occurrence of a future event.

For example, an entity may own share warrants or debt or equity instruments that are convertible into
ordinary shares that if exercised or converted would give the entity additional voting power.
In making this assessment the entity should examine all the facts and circumstances that affect the potential
voting rights (e.g. terms of exercise, contractual arrangements). However, the intention of management and
the financial ability to exercise or convert should not have an effect on the assessment.

9.3

Presentation of CFS
With one exception, a parent must present CFS.
A parent need not prepare CFS if:

9.4

Either it is a wholly-owned subsidiary or the owners of the minority interest have all been
informed of the proposal that CFS are not prepared and none have objected (note that it is not
necessary for them all to vote positively in favour non-objection is sufficient); and

Its securities are neither publicly traded nor in the process of being issued to the public; and

CFS are prepared by the immediate or ultimate parent company.

Scope of CFS
The CFS must include the parent and all the companies under its actual control, i.e. its
subsidiaries. The guidance as to what constitutes control is the same as in BFRS 3 (see section 3 above).
Exclusion from the CFS is not permitted on the grounds that a subsidiary's business is dissimilar from
those of the other companies in the group.
There is only one circumstance in which an entity falling within the definition of a subsidiary is not
consolidated in the normal way. This is when a new subsidiary is acquired but the 'held for sale'
criteria of BFRS 5 are met, e.g. it is expected to be sold within 12 months of acquisition (BFRS 5 as it
applies to individual assets held for sale is covered in Chapter 5).
Accounting for this situation is outside the scope of the Financial Accounting syllabus.
Point to note
In some other circumstances it may look as though a 'subsidiary' has not been consolidated, for example
where it comes under the control of a government or goes into administration as part of a financial
restructuring. But BAS 27 takes the position that because such an entity is no longer controlled, it is no
longer a subsidiary. It is not a question of omitting such an entity from the CFS; the absence of control
means that it is not eligible for inclusion.

9.5

Consolidation procedures
BAS 27 makes specific reference to those consolidation procedures necessary to present the group as a
single economic entity. These were explained in earlier chapters, i.e.:

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Eliminating the carrying amount of the parent's investment against its share of the equity in
its subsidiaries, with goodwill being the resultant figure

Eliminating intra-group balances, transactions, profits and losses in full (i.e. not just the
parent's share)

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Calculating the minority interest and presenting it as a separate figure:

In the balance sheet, within total equity but separately from the parent shareholders' equity
In the income statement.

Point to note
The balance sheet amount for the minority interest cannot go below nil (any excess being charged against
the parent shareholders' equity) unless there is a binding obligation on the minority interest to make
additional investments in the subsidiary to cover the losses. If there is a minority interest in cumulative
preference shares which are classified as equity, the minority interest must be allocated their share of the
relevant dividends even if they have not been declared.
There are additional requirements that:

Where the parent and subsidiary have different reporting dates, that difference must be not more
than three months (remember that, because it has control, the parent can dictate a reporting date
to the subsidiary) and adjustments must be made for major transactions between the two
dates. An example of such an adjustment would be if the subsidiary with cash appearing in its balance
sheet at the earlier date lent it to the parent so that the same cash was in the parent's balance sheet at
the later date. An adjustment must be made to eliminate this double-counting.

Uniform accounting policies must be applied to all companies in preparing the CFS. If they are
not adopted in the subsidiaries' own financial statements, then adjustments must be made as part
of the consolidation. It might be the case that certain group companies take advantage of the
alternative accounting treatments allowed in some areas by BFRSs, but these must be made uniform
on consolidation.

Changes in the composition of the group are accounted for as follows:

9.6

Acquisitions are accounted for under BFRS 3, by bringing into the consolidated income
statement the new subsidiary's income and expenses from the date of acquisition

In the case of disposals, the income and expenses to the date of disposal (i.e. the date control is
lost) are included in the CFS, as is the difference between the proceeds of sale and the carrying
amount in the consolidated balance sheet at that date (which will be the parent's share of the
subsidiary's net assets at the date of disposal plus any remaining goodwill relating to that subsidiary).

Parent's separate financial statements


The investment in a subsidiary is carried at cost in the parent's balance sheet, cost being the fair
value of the consideration given as computed under BFRS 3. Note that the same treatment is used for
associates (dealt with in section 10 below).
The knock-on effect is that the only income included in the parent's income statement are the distributions
received of profits earned after the date of acquisition; distributions out of earlier profits are accounted for
as return of the investment made and are deducted from cost.

9.7

Disclosures in CFS
Disclosure must be made of:

The nature of the relationship between parent and subsidiary when the parent does not own,
directly or indirectly, more than half of the voting power in the subsidiary

Reasons why a parent does not have control over an investee, even though it holds more than
half of the voting power in it

A subsidiary's reporting date if different from that of the parent, together with the reason for using
a different date

The nature of any restrictions on a subsidiary's ability to transfer funds to the parent

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10 BAS 28 Investments in Associates


Section overview

10.1

An associate is an entity over which the investor has significant influence.

A holding of 20% or more of the voting power in an investee is presumed to provide the investor
with significant influence.

Associates must be accounted for in the consolidated financial statements using the equity method.

Scope and definitions


BAS 27 is to be applied in accounting for investments in associates in the investor's own
financial statements as an individual company.
So BAS 28 is to be applied in the CFS only. The requirements of BAS 28 are very similar to those of BAS
27, adjusted for the fact that the investor company has significant influence over the associate, rather than
the control it has over a subsidiary.
The definition of an associate is as follows:

Definition
Associate. An entity, including an unincorporated entity such as a partnership, over which the investor has
significant influence and that is neither a subsidiary nor an interest in a joint venture.
Significant influence. The power to participate in financial and operating policy decisions of the investee,
but is not control or joint control over those policies.

Points to note

584

A holding of 20% or more of the voting power in an investee (but less than the 50.1% which
would create a parent/subsidiary relationship) is presumed to provide the investor with that
significant influence, while a holding of less than that is presumed not to do so. Both of these
presumptions are rebuttable on the facts of the case.

It is the mere holding of 20% which is sufficient.

It is possible for an investee to be the associate of one investor and the subsidiary of another,
because the former investor can still have significant influence when the latter has control. A holder of
more than 75% can do most things in a company, such as passing a special resolution, without paying
much attention to the other shareholders, so someone else holding 20% is unlikely to have significant
influence. But it is always necessary to have regard to the facts of the case.

Significant influence is evidenced in a number of ways, such as representation on the board of


directors, participation in the policy-making process and material transactions with the investee. (See
Chapter 9.)

Significant influence may be lost in the same circumstances as a parent may lose control over
what was a subsidiary.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATES

10.2

15

Equity method
The equity method must be carried out in relation to associates, the rationale being that it reflects the
significant influence the investor holds by making the investor answerable for the associate's overall
performance, not just for the distributions received. So the investor's share of the associate must be
included in the investor's financial statements.
Under the equity method, the investment in the associate is initially recognised at cost, but the carrying
amount is then increased or decreased by the investor's share in the post-acquisition change in the
associate's net assets.
Shares of post-acquisition profits/losses will be recognised in the investor's consolidated income statement,
but shares of revaluations of non-current assets will be recognised directly in the consolidated statement of
changes in equity.
When an investment in an associate meets the 'held for sale' criteria of BFRS 5, e.g. it is expected to be sold
within 12 months of acquisition, it is still classified as an associate, but it is not subject to equity accounting;
BFRS 5 is applied instead.
Once significant influence is lost, the investee is no longer an associate, so the investor's income statements
subsequently include only distributions received.
The procedures used in consolidation are applied wherever possible to accounting for associates. So:

Profits and losses on transactions between the investor and the associate are eliminated
to the extent of the investor's share

There are provisions as to reporting dates, adjustments for material transactions when they do not
coincide and uniform accounting policies which are very similar to those for subsidiaries

Recognition of a share of an associate's losses can only result in the investor's interest being written
down below nil (so as to become a liability) if the investor has incurred obligations on behalf of
the associate.

The differences are that:

10.3

There is no cancellation of the investment against the share of the associate's net assets.
This is because there is no line-by-line addition to balance sheet items of the investor's share of the
associate's assets and liabilities. Such addition is appropriate under conditions of control, but not under
those of significant influence

There is no goodwill calculation at the date the investment is made

Instead, the investor's interest in the associate is shown in the balance sheet, as a single line under
non-current assets

The whole of that interest is subjected to an impairment review if there is an indicator of


impairment

That interest includes items which are in substance a part of the investment, such as long-term
loans to the associate. But short-term receivables which will be settled in the ordinary course of
business remain in current assets

The investor's interest in the associate's post-tax profits less any impairment loss is
recognised in its consolidated income statement.

Investor's separate financial statements


Under BAS 27, the investment in the associate is carried at cost in the investor's balance sheet.
The knock-on effect is that the only income included in the investor's income statement are the
distributions received out of profits earned after the date of acquisition.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

585

Financial accounting

10.4

Disclosures
The minimum disclosures are:

The fair value for an investment in any associate for which there are published price quotations (i.e.
the associate's securities are dealt in on a public market)

Summarised financial statements of the associate

Reasons why the investor thinks the 20% presumptions are overcome, if that is the case

The associate's reporting date, if different from that of the investor

Restrictions on funds transfers from the associate

Losses in the associate, both current period and cumulative, which have not been recognised in the
investor's financial statements (because the investment has already been written down to nil)

The investment to be shown as a non-current asset in the balance sheet

The investor's share of the associate's:

586

After-tax profits, to be shown in the investor's income statement


Discontinued operations
Changes in equity recognised directly in equity, to be shown in the investor's statement of
changes in equity
Contingent liabilities.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATES

15

Summary and Self-test

Summary

Allocation of cost:
-

Identifiable assets
Identifiable liabilities
Contingent liabilities

Goodwill: capitalise
and review for
impairment

Discount:
recognise in
income statement
immediately

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

587

Financial accounting

Self-test
Answer the following questions.
1

In relation to accounting for goodwill, BFRS 3 Business Combinations permits a company to


A

Amortise goodwill over its useful life

Write off immediately and amortise goodwill relating to different acquisitions

Revalue goodwill upwards

Restate goodwill at acquisition as a result of adjustments to values within one year of the
acquisition date

With regard to goodwill, in accordance with BFRS 3 Business Combinations, which of the following
statements is true?
A
B
C
D

Goodwill should be amortised over its useful life


Goodwill will normally have a low positive residual value
Goodwill should be tested for impairment at least annually
Goodwill should be carried in the balance sheet at cost indefinitely

With regard to goodwill, in accordance with BFRS 3 Business Combinations, which of the following
statements is true?
A Negative goodwill should be recognized in the balance sheet on the balance sheet date
B Negative goodwill should be recognized in profit or loss on acquisition date
C Negative goodwill should be adjusted with the existing goodwill
D Negative goodwill should be amortised over its useful life

Ovett Ltd acquires the following during the year ended 30 June 20X6.
1
2

The separable net assets of Elliott, a sole trader.


100% of the share capital of Moorcroft Ltd.

In accordance with BFRS 3 Business Combinations goodwill may arise in Ovett Ltd's own financial
statements in respect of
A
B
C
D
5

Elliott and Moorcroft Ltd


Elliott only
Moorcroft Ltd only
Neither Elliott nor Moorcroft Ltd

Linford Ltd purchased the net assets of the business of Merrow Ltd on 30 June 20X0 for CU750,000.
The balance sheet of Merrow Ltd on 30 June 20X0 disclosed the following.
Goodwill
Development costs
Property, plant and equipment
Net current assets

CU
50,000
65,000
340,000
200,000
655,000

The fair value of the property, plant and equipment of Merrow Ltd amounted to CU355,000 on the
acquisition date; all the other items are stated at their fair values.
The notes to the financial statements of Merrow Ltd disclosed a contingent liability of CU100,000. The
fair value of this at 30 June 20X0 was CU10,000.
In accordance with BFRS 3 Business Combinations, the amount of goodwill arising on the purchase of
the business of Merrow Ltd is
A
B
C

588

CU80,000
CU105,000
CU140,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATES

D
6

15

CU195,000

Ling Ltd purchased 80% of the ordinary shares of Moy Ltd on 1 June 20X0 for CU5,400,000. The
summarised balance sheet of Moy Ltd on this date showed the following.
CU'000
1,000
500
400
2,700
4,600

Ordinary share capital


Share premium account
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings

The fair value of the identifiable net assets of Moy Ltd exceeded their carrying amount by CU150,000.
The balance sheet of Moy Ltd included goodwill of CU500,000.
In accordance with BFRS 3 Business Combinations the amount of goodwill acquired in the business
combination is
A
B
C
D
7

CU650,000
CU1,150,000
CU1,600,000
CU2,000,000

Tony Ltd purchased 80% of Simon Ltd during the year. Which of the following would not normally be
included as part of the fair value of the consideration in accordance with BFRS 3 Business Combinations?
A

Further shares in Tony Ltd to be issued in one year's time

Additional cash to be paid in two years' time if certain targets are met by Simon Ltd. It is
considered more likely than not that those targets will be met

Professional fees paid for obtaining legal advice re the acquisition

A proportion of the salary cost of staff working full time in the general acquisitions department

Tom Ltd has purchased all the share capital of Jerry Ltd during the year.
Which of the following items should Tom Ltd take into account when calculating the fair value of the
net assets acquired in accordance with BFRS 3 Business Combinations?

A possible loss dependent on the outcome of a legal case which has not been provided for in
Jerry Ltd's books. The fair value of the loss can be estimated reliably.

A provision required to cover the costs of reorganising Jerry Ltd's departments to fit in with
Tom Ltd's structure.

A warranty provision in Jerry Ltd's books to cover the costs of commitments made to
customers.

A
B
C
D

3 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1 only

Which of the following is/are acceptable when assessing fair values on acquisition in accordance with
BFRS 3 Business Combinations?
1

Valuation of non-current assets at market value where this is different from their carrying
amount.

Discounting a trade receivable to present value where the debt is not due to be recovered for
two years.

Valuation of specialised plant and machinery at depreciated replacement cost.

A
B
C

1 only
2 only
1 and 2

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

589

Financial accounting
D
10

1, 2 and 3

Leeds Ltd acquired the whole of the issued share capital of Cardiff Ltd for CU12 million in cash. In
arriving at the purchase price Leeds Ltd had taken into account future costs for reorganising Cardiff
Ltd of CU1 million and Cardiff Ltd's anticipated future trading losses of CU2 million. The fair value of
the net assets of Cardiff Ltd before taking into account these matters was CU7 million.
In accordance with BFRS 3 Business Combinations, what is the amount of goodwill acquired in the
business combination?
A
B
C
D

11

CU8 million
CU7 million
CU6 million
CU5 million

Castor Ltd acquires 75% of the share capital of Pollux Ltd on 1 December 20X1. The consideration
given is CU1 million in cash and 300,000 CU1 ordinary shares of Castor Ltd. The market value of each
of Castor Ltd's shares on 1 December is 300 pence. On 1 December the fair value of Pollux Ltd's net
assets is CU1 million.
In accordance with BFRS 3 Business Combinations what is the amount of goodwill acquired in the
business combination to be dealt with in Castor Ltd's consolidated accounts?
A
B
C
D

12

CU300,000
CU550,000
CU900,000
CU1,150,000

In accordance with BFRS 3 Business Combinations the timetable for the acquisition of a subsidiary will
usually include the following four dates.
1

The date on which consideration passes.

The date on which an offer becomes or is declared unconditional.

The date from which the acquiring company has the right to share in the profits of the acquired
business under the agreement.

The date on which control passes.

The effective date for accounting for the business combination should be
A
B
C
D
13

The earlier of 1 and 2


The earlier of 1 and 4
3 only
4 only

On 31 July 20X6 Yonder Ltd announced an all-cash takeover bid for Fidge Ltd. Subsequently the
following events occurred.
7 August 20X6. The board of Fidge Ltd unanimously recommended the offer and announced that all
directors would be accepting in respect of their own holdings.
14 August 20X6. Yonder Ltd announced that it had received acceptances amounting to more than 50%
of the shares in Fidge Ltd.
21 August 20X6. Yonder Ltd declared that the offer had become unconditional.
28 August 20X6. Control of Fidge Ltd passed to Yonder Ltd.
In accordance with BFRS 3 Business Combinations Yonder Ltd should account for the acquisition of
Fidge Ltd from
A
B
C
D

590

7 August 20X6
14 August 20X6
21 August 20X6
28 August 20X6

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATES

14

15

Sam Ltd has a share capital of CU10,000 split into 2,000 A ordinary shares of CU1 each and 8,000 B
ordinary shares of CU1 each. Each A ordinary share has ten votes and each B ordinary share has one
vote. Both classes of shares have the same rights to dividends and on liquidation. Tom Ltd owns 1,500
A ordinary shares in Sam Ltd. Dick Ltd owns 5,000 B ordinary shares in Sam Ltd.
All three companies conduct similar activities and there is no special relationship between the
companies other than that already stated. The shareholdings in Sam Ltd are held as long-term
investments and are the only shareholdings of Tom Ltd and Dick Ltd.
In accordance with BFRS 3 Business Combinations consolidated financial statements must be prepared
by
A
B
C
D

15

16

Neither Tom Ltd nor Dick Ltd


Tom Ltd only
Dick Ltd only
Both Tom Ltd and Dick Ltd

According to BAS 28 Investments in Associates under the equity method of accounting the balance sheet
of an investing group will include in respect of its associate
A

Long-term receivables due from associate, but not its share of net assets of the associate

Cost of investment plus share of post-acquisition change in associate's net assets plus long-term
receivables due from associate

Share of net assets of the associate and long-term receivables due from associate

Cost of investment plus share of post-acquisition change in associate's net assets but not
receivables due from associate

Inveresk Ltd has equity shareholdings in three other companies.


Raby Ltd
Seal Ltd

Inveresk Ltd
40%
25%

Toft Ltd

30%

Notes
No other holdings larger than 10%
Another company holds 75% of Seal Ltd's equity and
dominates the board of directors
This investment has been classified as held for sale under BFRS 5
Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations

According to BAS 28 Investments in Associates the associates of Inveresk Ltd are most likely to be
A
B
C
D
17

Raby Ltd only


Raby Ltd and Seal Ltd
Raby Ltd and Toft Ltd
Raby Ltd, Seal Ltd and Toft Ltd

Which of the following statements is/are true when equity accounting for an associate in accordance
with BAS 28 Investments in Associates?
1

Any impairment losses in respect of the investment in the associate will not affect group profit
before tax in the consolidated income statement.

Balances owing to associates should not appear in the consolidated balance sheet.

A
B
C
D

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

591

Financial accounting
18

19

20

Which of the following statements is/are true when accounting for a subsidiary?
1

Provisions for unrealised profits should always be deducted from the parent company's retained
earnings.

When a subsidiary prepares its own financial statements, it may adopt the parent company's
accounting policies.

When a parent and subsidiary have different reporting dates, that difference must be no more
than three months.

A parent may omit a company from the consolidated financial statements where the company is
held for sale in accordance with BFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued
Operations.

A
B
C
D

1, 2, 3 and 4
1, 2 and 4 only
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only

According to BAS 28 Investments in Associates which of the following statements about equity
accounting for an associate is/are true?
1

The consolidated income statement should show separately the group's share of the associate's
tax charge.

Dividends received from an associate should not be included in the consolidated income
statement.

Any impairment loss relating to the investment in the associate will reduce the minority interest's
share of profit.

Balances payable/receivable between an associate and subsidiary should appear on the


consolidated balance sheet.

A
B
C
D

1, 2 and 4 only
2, 3 and 4 only
1 and 3 only
2 and 4 only

Apple Ltd acquired 90% of Banana Ltd on 1 January 20X7 for CU800,000. At the date of acquisition
Banana Ltd had the following assets and liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment
Contingent liability
Patent allowing sole use of technology for a fixed period of time

CU
750,000
(50,000)
25,000

The above values represent fair values all of which can be measured reliably. The useful life of goodwill
is estimated to be 10 years. Goodwill has suffered no impairment to date.
At 31 December 20X7 goodwill in the consolidated balance sheet of Apple Ltd would be:
A
B
C
D

592

CU100,000
CU125,000
CU170,000
CU147,500

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATES

21

15

PAYNE LTD
The draft balance sheets at 31 March 20X5 of Payne Ltd and its 80% subsidiary Glass Ltd, acquired on
30 September 20X4, are as follows.
Payne Ltd
CU'000
CU'000

Glass Ltd
CU'000
CU'000

3,138

552
475

90
3,228

1,027

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangibles (including goodwill of
CU275,000)
Investments: Shares in Glass Ltd
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Suspense account
Cash and cash equivalents

927
975
128
836

403
423

132

Total assets

2,866
6,094

958
1,985

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES


Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital (50p shares)
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings
Equity
Current liabilities (trade payables)
Total equity and liabilities

2,000
475
1,905
4,380
1,714
6,094

700

765
1,465
520
1,985

The following points are relevant.


1

At the acquisition date the balance sheet of Glass Ltd showed net assets with a carrying amount
of CU1,265,000. Included in this total were freehold land with a carrying amount of CU250,000
(market value CU683,000), goodwill (arising on the acquisition of an unincorporated business
some years ago) with a carrying amount of CU300,000 and patent rights acquired giving Glass Ltd
sole use of certain technology for five years which have a carrying amount of CU100,000. The fair
values of all other assets and liabilities are approximately equal to their carrying amounts. A
contingent liability at this date (which was not provided for in the financial statements) was
disclosed as a potential CU300,000. However, its fair value was assessed at CU58,000. A final
decision on this matter is expected to be reached by the end of 20X5.

At the acquisition date the directors of Payne Ltd intended to restructure and reorganise Glass
Ltd and wished to provide for restructuring costs which are forecast as CU78,000.

At the acquisition date an investment in plant and machinery was required to bring the remaining
production line of Glass Ltd up to date. This will amount to CU290,000 in the next 12 months.

The consideration for the acquisition comprised cash of CU90,000 and 800,000 shares with a
nominal value of 50p and fair value of 130p each. The issue of shares has not yet been reflected in
the books of Payne Ltd.

Professional fees to bankers and solicitors in respect of the acquisition amounted to CU75,000.
In addition the directors of Payne Ltd estimate that the value of their time spent working on the
acquisition amounted to CU53,000.
At the moment these expenses have been posted to a suspense account.

Glass Ltd sells part of its output to Payne Ltd. Included in the inventories of Payne Ltd are goods
valued at CU150,000 purchased from Glass Ltd since acquisition at cost plus 25%.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

593

Financial accounting
Requirements
(a)

Calculate the value of the goodwill arising on the acquisition of Glass Ltd in accordance with
BFRS 3 Business Combinations.
(5 marks)

(b) Prepare the consolidated balance sheet for Payne Ltd as at 31 March 20X5.

(13 marks)
(18 marks)

22

PRIMAX LTD
Primax Ltd holds the following investments.
1

4,000 of the 10,000 CU1 ordinary shares in Alders Ltd, an engineering company with seven
directors on the board, five of whom are appointed by Primax Ltd. Of the remaining shares 2,000
are held by Yeti Ltd. Primax Ltd is a major supplier to Yeti Ltd and the board of Yeti Ltd have
agreed to vote with Primax Ltd on all matters concerning Alders Ltd.

CU3,000 nominal value of the 5,000 CU2 ordinary shares in Bulls Ltd, and 80% of its CU1
irredeemable preference shares. The remaining shares are held by other companies in sizeable
blocks, but none hold more than Primax Ltd. Each member of Bulls Ltd appoints one person to
the board of directors. The irredeemable preference shares carry no voting rights.

3,000 of the 10,000 CU1 ordinary shares in Clyde Ltd. These were recently acquired, as the
directors of Primax Ltd believe that Clyde Ltd has excellent growth potential in the future.
However, the market in which Clyde Ltd operates is very specialised and Primax Ltd has decided
to take no part in the running of Clyde Ltd. Primax Ltd intends to hold its shares for several
years, but not to influence the board in any way.

2,500 of the 12,000 equity shares in Suffolk Ltd. Suffolk Ltd was established ten years ago and
made considerable profits in the first eight years of its existence. During this time Primax Ltd
appointed two members to the board of directors and was actively involved in developing
operating and financial policies.
Last year one of the directors on the board of Primax Ltd resigned through ill health and the
other directors decided to give Primax Ltd the right to appoint four out of the six directors of
Suffolk Ltd and to remove any director if a dispute is not resolved within one month. Since then
Primax Ltd has taken a more active role in managing the business.

Requirement
Discuss the nature of each holding, and state the method of accounting in the group accounts under
BAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements and BAS 28 Investments in Associates.
(16 marks)

594

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BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATES

23

15

HEREFIELD LTD (Sample Paper)


Herefield Ltd prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with BFRS. Herefield Ltd has
investments in two companies, Wormford Ltd and Stringer Ltd.
The draft summarised balance sheets of the three companies at 30 June 20X6 are shown below.

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Total assets
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves
Issued capital - CU1 ordinary shares
Retained earnings
Equity
Non-current liabilities
Provisions
Loans
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Bank overdraft
Taxation
Total equity and liabilities

Herefield
Ltd
CU

Wormford
Ltd
CU

Stringer
Ltd
CU

1,280,000
10,950,000
12,230,000

1,800,000

1,800,000

5,995,000

5,995,000

785,000
240,000
57,600
1,082,600
13,312,600

290,000
440,000

730,000
2,530,000

90,000
394,000
300,000
784,000
6,779,000

9,000,000
2,734,600
11,734,600

2,000,000
(367,000)
1,633,000

4,000,000
2,396,000
6,396,000

300,000
620,000
920,000

550,000
550,000

187,000

187,000

378,000

280,000
658,000
13,312,600

255,000
47,000
45,000
347,000
2,530,000

72,000

124,000
196,000
6,779,000

Additional information:
(1) On 1 July 20X2, Herefield Ltd acquired 1.7 million CU1 ordinary shares in Wormford Ltd for
CU1.50 cash per share. The retained earnings of Wormford Ltd at that date were CU0.25
million.
(2) Herefield Ltd acquired 2.8 million CU1 ordinary shares in Stringer Ltd on 31 March 20X6 for
CU3 cash per share. The retained earnings of Stringer Ltd at 31 March 20X6 were CU2.0 million.
The fair value of land held by Stringer Ltd at the date of acquisition was CU2.5 million in excess
of its carrying amount.
(3) At the date of acquisition Stringer Ltd had disclosed in the notes to its financial statements a
contingent liability in relation to a customer claim for CU100,000. Herefield Ltds legal advisers
estimated the fair value of the claim at CU150,000. The claim was settled on 10 June 20X6 for a
final figure of CU160,000 and is payable on 10 September 20X6. Stringer Ltd recognised a
provision for the final claim in its draft balance sheet at 30 June 20X6.
(4) Wormford Ltd has been developing a new product based on revolutionary technology. No other
similar products currently exist in the market. At 1 September 20X5 Wormford Ltd determined
that the product development was at a stage where the criteria for capitalisation in accordance
with BAS 38 Intangible Assets had been met. During the year Wormford Ltd incurred CU720,000
of development costs, accrued evenly through the year. These costs have been included in the
income statement as operating expenses. The product is still under development at 30 June
20X6. An independent valuer has estimated the recoverable amount of the technology at CU1
million at 30 June 20X6.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

595

Financial accounting
(5) Wormford Ltd sold goods to Herefield Ltd for CU170,000 during the year. At the year end half
of these goods remained in inventory. Wormford Ltd sold the goods based on a transfer price of
cost plus 25%. Wormford Ltds receivables included an amount for the goods at the year end,
however, Herefield Ltd sent a cash payment for CU170,000 to Wormford Ltd on 25 June 20X6.
Wormford Ltd received the payment on 2 July 20X6.
(6) Herefield Ltd has undertaken annual impairment reviews of goodwill. At 30 June 20X6 an
impairment loss of CU300,000 in respect of Wormford Ltd needs to be recognised.
Requirement
Prepare the consolidated balance sheet of Herefield Ltd as at 30 June 20X6.
(21 marks)
Now, go back to the Learning Objectives in the Introduction. If you are satisfied you have achieved these
objectives, please tick them off.

596

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BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATES

15

Technical reference
Point to note. The following sets out the examinability of the standards covered in this chapter.
BFRS 3

All paragraphs but excluding paragraphs 10-13, 20-23, 58-60 and 65. Appendix B1-B3, B5,
B7-B15 and the illustrative examples are also excluded.

BAS 27

All paragraphs but excluding all references to BAS 31, BAS 39 for investments excluded
from consolidation and references to the separate financial statements of the investor.

BAS 28

All paragraphs but excluding all references to BAS 31, BAS 39 for investments excluded
from consolidation and references to the separate financial statements of the investor.

The paragraphs listed below are the key references you should be familiar with.
1 BFRS 3 BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
Basics

Definitions: control, parent, subsidiary, acquisition date, goodwill.

Purchase method: acquirer, cost of combination, allocation over identifiable


assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities.

BFRS 3 (16)

Control through:

BFRS 3 (19)

P holds more than half of the voting rights in S

P holds a majority of voting rights in S, through an agreement with others

P has power to govern the financial and operating policies of S under


statute or agreement

P has power to appoint or remove the majority of S's top management.

BFRS 3 (App A)

Cost of combination

Cost:

BFRS 3 (24)

Fair value of assets given, liabilities assumed and equity instruments issued

Costs directly attributable to the acquisition, e.g. professional fees, but not
internal overheads.
Subsequent adjustment to cost:

Account on acquisition for probable outcomes of future events

Subsequent adjustments affect goodwill

If after initial accounting complete, then in current period.

BFRS 3 (32)
BFRS 3 (33 34)

Allocation of cost

Identifiable assets exist at acquisition date and:

Tangible meet normal recognition criteria

BFRS 3 (36 37)

Intangible reliably measurable and either separable or arising from


contractual/other legal rights

BFRS 3 (45 46)

May or may not have been recognised in the acquiree's own financial
statements

BFRS 3 (36 37)

Detailed rules for measurement at fair value.

BFRS 3 (B 16)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

597

Financial accounting

Identifiable liabilities exist at acquisition date and:

Meet the normal recognition criteria

BFRS 3 (41)

Specific exclusion for acquirer's reorganisation plans and acquirer's or


acquiree's future operating losses - recognition criteria not met

BFRS 3 (41)

Detailed rules for measurement at fair value.

Identifiable contingent liabilities exist at acquisition date and:

BFRS 3 (36 37)

Reliably measurable

Normal BAS 37 disclosures

BFRS 3 (47)

Subsequently carried at higher of BAS 37 value and value at acquisition date.

BFRS 3 (48)

Goodwill

Non-current asset at cost.

BFRS 3 (51)

No amortisation but subject to annual impairment reviews.

BFRS 3 (54)

Discount on acquisition

Reassess identification and measurement of the net assets acquired and


measurement of cost of combination.

Any remaining amount recognised in profit or loss in period the acquisition is


made.

BFRS 3 (56)

Initial accounting

At acquisition date or within 12 months thereof.

Subsequently: errors accounted for retrospectively, everything else


prospectively.

BFRS 3 (62)
BFRS 3 (63 64)

Disclosures

Business combinations effected in the accounting period or after its finish but
before financial statements authorised for issue (in the latter case, by way of
note).

BFRS 3 (66)

Gains, losses, errors and other adjustments which relate to combinations


effected in the current or previous periods.

BFRS 3 (72)

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period.

BFRS 3 (74)

2 BAS 27 CONSOLIDATED AND SEPARATE FINANCIAL


STATEMENTS
Basic rule

Parent must prepare CFS to include all subsidiaries as if single economic entity.

No control if 'subsidiary' under the control of a government or regulator, etc.

BAS 27 (9)
BAS 27 (21)

Exception

598

No need for CFS if wholly owned or all minority shareholders have been
informed of and none have objected to the plan that CFS need not be prepared.

BAS 27 (10)

If new subsidiary meets held for sale criteria at acquisition date, account for it
under BFRS 5.

BAS 27 (12)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATES

15

Procedures

As dealt with in earlier sessions.

Minority interest shown as a separate figure:

In the balance sheet, within total equity but separately from the parent
shareholders' equity

In the income statement, the share of the profit after tax.

BAS 27 (12 and 33)

Accounting dates of group companies to be no more than 3 months apart.

BAS 27 (26 27)

Uniform accounting policies across group or adjustments to underlying values.

BAS 27 (28 29)

Bring in share of new subsidiary's income and expenses:

From date of acquisition, on acquisition

To date of disposal, on disposal.

BAS 27 (30)

Parent's separate financial statements

Account for subsidiary on basis of cost and distributions declared.

BAS 27 (37)

Disclosures

Details where own more than 50% but do not consolidate, and vice-versa.

BAS 27 (40)

3 BAS 28 INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES


Definitions

The investor has significant influence, but not control.

Significant influence is the power to participate in financial and operating policy


decisions of the investee, but is not control over those policies (if the investor
had control, then under BAS 27 the investee would be its subsidiary).

Presumptions re less than 20% and 20% or more.

Can be an associate, even if the subsidiary of another investor.

No significant influence if 'associate' under the control of a government or


regulator, etc.

BAS 28 (2)

BAS 28 (6)

BAS 28 (10)

Equity method

In balance sheet: non-current asset = cost plus share of post-acquisition share in


A's net assets.

In income statement: share of A's post-tax profits less any impairment loss.

BAS 28 (38)

In statement of changes in equity: share of A's changes.

BAS 28 (39)

Use cost method of accounting in investor's separate financial statements.

BAS 28 (35)

BAS 28 (38 and


39)

Disclosures

Fair value of associate where there are published price quotations.

Summarised financial statements of the associate.

Reasons why 20% presumptions overcome, if that be the case.

The investment to be shown as a non-current asset in the balance sheet, at cost


plus/minus share of post acquisition change in associate's net assets plus longterm financing less impairment losses.

BAS 28 (37)

BAS 28 (38)

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Financial accounting

600

The investor's share of the associate's:

After-tax profits

Discontinued operations

Changes in equity recognised directly in equity

BAS 28 (39)

Contingent liabilities.

BAS 28 (40)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATES

15

Answers to Self-test
1

BFRS 3 paragraph 62.

The correct answer is C (BFRS 3 paragraph 55). Goodwill cannot have a residual value as it
cannot be sold separately.

BFRS 3, paragraph 34 specifies charging to profit or loss. .

The goodwill arising from the purchase of shares in Moorcroft Ltd will arise on consolidation, not
in the individual accounts of Ovett Ltd.

C
CU
Fair value of consideration
Less: Fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities acquired
(65,000 + 355,000 + 200,000)
Fair value of contingent liabilities acquired

620,000
(10,000)

CU
750,000

(610,000)
140,000

D
Fair value of consideration
Less Share of fair value of net assets acquired ((4,600 + 150 500) 80%)
Goodwill

CU000
5,400
(3,400)
2,000

BFRS 3 paragraph 29.

Contingent liabilities must be recognised even though not provided for in the acquiree's books
and the warranty provision must be recognised as it arises from past events.
Reorganisation plans are only put into effect once control is gained. No liability or contingent
liability therefore exists at the time of acquisition.

10

All are required or permitted by BFRS 3 Appendix B B16.

Fair value of consideration


Less: Share of fair value of net assets acquired

CUm
12
(7)
5

Acquirer's reorganisation plans and acquiree's or acquirer's future operating losses do not meet
the recognition criteria for liabilities as the related liabilities did not exist at the acquisition date.
11

D
CU000
Fair value of consideration
Cash
Shares at fair value (300 3)
Less Share of fair value of net assets acquired (75% 1,000)

12

1,000
900
(750)
1,150

A business combination is accounted for from the acquisition date, which is the date on which
control passes (BFRS 3 paragraph 36 and Appendix A).

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Financial accounting
13

A business combination is accounted for from the acquisition date, which is the date on which
control passes (BFRS 3 paragraph 36 and Appendix A).

14

Total number of votes:


Votes
20,000
8,000
28,000

A shares 2,000 10 =
B shares 8,000 1 =

Tom Ltd controls

15,000
= 54% of the votes
28,000

15

Both the cost of investment plus the share of post-acquisition change in associate's net assets and
long-term receivables due from the associate are included. There is no cancellation of intercompany receivables as with a subsidiary.

16

Raby Ltd over 20%, significant influence demonstrated.


Seal Ltd over 20%, but unlikely to have significant influence because of the other company's
level of control.
Toft Ltd over 20%, significant influence demonstrated, even though classified as held for sale.

17

18

19

False impairment write offs in respect of an associate are reflected in share of profits of
associates, just above the profit before tax sub-total.0

False balances with associates are not contra'd out.

False PURPs should be eliminated against the selling company's profits.

True uniform accounting policies only have to be adopted in the consolidated financial
statements. They may be adopted in the subsidiary's own financial statements.

True the difference must be no more than three months.

False must be included, even though accounted for under BFRS 5

1
2
3
4

False the consolidated income statement just shows share of A's profit after tax.
True dividends are not included as this would double count profit.
False the MI is based on S's profit not A's.
True balances between A and the rest of the group are not contra'd out.

20
As per BFRS
CU
Cost of investment
Fair value of net assets
PPE
Contingent liability
Patent
x 90%

602

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

750,000
(50,000)
25,000
725,000

CU
800,000

(652,500)
147,500

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATES

21

15

PAYNE LTD
(a)

Goodwill arising on the acquisition of Glass Ltd


Calculation
Fair value of consideration
Cash
Shares (800,000 CU1.30)
Professional fees
Less:Share of identifiable assets and liabilities acquired
Carrying amount
Add: Revaluation of non-current assets to fair value
Freehold land (683,000 250,000)
Less: Goodwill in subsidiary's own books
Contingent liability

CU
90,000
1,040,000
75,000

CU

1,205,000

1,265,000
433,000
(300,000)
(58,000)
1,340,000
80%

(1,072,000)
133,000

(b) Payne Ltd consolidated balance sheet as at 31 March 20X5


ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment (3,138 + 552 + 433)
Intangibles (475 275 + 133(a))
Current assets
Inventories (927 + 403 30)
Trade and other receivables (975 + 423)
Cash and cash equivalents (836 + 132)

CU000

CU000
4,123
333
4,456

1,300
1,398
968
3,666
8,122

Total assets
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital (2,000 + 400)
Share premium account (800 80p)
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings (W4)
Attributable to the equity holders of Payne Ltd
Minority interest (W3)
Equity
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (1,714 + 520)
Acquired contingent liabilities
Total equity and liabilities

2,400
640
475
2,008
5,523
307
5,830
2,234
58

2,292
8,122

WORKINGS
(1) Group structure
Payne Ltd
80%
Glass Ltd
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

603

Financial accounting
(2) Net assets

Share capital
Retained earnings
Per Q (1,265 700)
Less: PURP (W7)
Goodwill w/o

Balance sheet date


CU'000
CU'000
700
765
(30)
(275)

FV adj to land
Contingent liability

Acquisition
CU'000
CU'000
700

Post
acquisition
CU'000

565

(300)
460
433
(58)
1,535

265
433
(58)
1,340

195

(3) Minority interest


CU'000
307

20% 1,535,000 (W2)


(4) Retained earnings c/f

CU'000
1,905
(53)
156
2,008

Payne Ltd
Less Acquisition expenses re directors
Glass Ltd (80% 195 (W2))
(5) Issue of shares
DR Cost of investment (800,000 130p)
CR Share capital (800,000 50p)
CR Share premium (800,000 80p)

CU
1,040,000

CU
400,000
640,000

(6) Acquisition expenses


DR Administrative expenses
DR Cost of investment
CR Suspense account

CU
53,000
75,000

CU
128,000

(7) PURP
%
125
(100)
25

SP
Cost
GP

CU
150,000
(120,000)
30,000

Point to note
The calculation in (a) was performed on the following basis, in accordance with BFRS 3.
(i)

(ii)

Fair value of consideration

Cash. Fair value will be the amount actually paid.

Shares. These should be included at their fair value on the date of acquisition (CU1.30 per
share).

Professional fees. These costs have only been incurred as a result of the acquisition and can
therefore be included as part of the cost of acquisition.

Value of directors' time. BFRS 3 does not permit the inclusion of allocated costs which
would still have been incurred had the acquisition not been entered into.

Fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities acquired

604

Freehold land. This should be valued at its market value.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATES

22

Contingent liability. Should be recognised at its fair value, which is the amount a third party
would charge to assume such a liability at the date of acquisition.

Goodwill in subsidiary's own accounts BFRS 3 only allows identifiable assets to be included
(i.e. assets that are capable of being disposed of without disposing of the business of the
entity). This goodwill does not meet this definition and must therefore be written off.

Reorganisation provision. This does not meet the definition of a liability at the acquisition
date (as the reorganisation can only take place once control has been gained) and therefore
should not be recognised.

Future investment in plant and machinery. This cannot be recognised as the cost will only be
incurred after acquisition.

15

PRIMAX LTD
1

Alders Ltd
Primax Ltd holds 40% of the equity shares in Alders Ltd which carry significant influence,
suggesting that Alders Ltd is an associate (although this presumption can be rebutted if there is
evidence to the contrary).
However, the following indicate that Alders Ltd is in fact a subsidiary of Primax Ltd.

Primax Ltd controls the board of Alders Ltd, appointing five of the seven directors, and thus
can control and direct the operating and financial decision making within the company.

Furthermore, Yeti Ltd, another member of Alders Ltd, has agreed to vote its 20% alongside
Primax Ltd, thus giving Primax Ltd effective control of the voting shares.

In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, Alders Ltd should be accounted for as a
subsidiary and consolidated using the purchase method of accounting.
2

Bulls Ltd
Primax Ltd holds 1,500 of the 5,000 ordinary shares in Bulls Ltd giving Primax Ltd a 30% holding,
which carries significant influence and therefore suggests that it is an associate.
The 80% holding of irredeemable preference shares does not affect this decision, as the
irredeemable preference shares do not carry any voting rights.
Of the other shareholders none has a greater influence than Primax Ltd; however, all are
sizeable. This suggests that whilst Primax Ltd's influence is significant, it is not dominant.
Similarly each member appoints one person to the board of directors, giving each member some
influence in the operational and financial decision making, but not control.
Having shown significant influence, without actual control, Bulls Ltd would best be classified as an
associate and should be accounted for on consolidation using the equity method of accounting.

Clyde Ltd
Primax Ltd holds 30% of the ordinary shares in Clyde Ltd. Under BAS 28 Investments in Associates
significant influence is presumed when a holding reaches 20%; however, this can be rebutted in
the light of further evidence.
Primax Ltd plays no part in the decision making of Clyde Ltd. The holding is purely held for its
investment potential and the substance of the holding is better reflected as a trade investment.
On consolidation Primax Ltd's investment would be shown at cost as a non-current asset
investment.

Suffolk Ltd
Primax Ltd holds 20.8% of the equity shares in Suffolk Ltd, indicating significant influence.
However, the key issue is whether Primax Ltd now exercises control. As it

Can appoint a majority of the board of directors

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

605

Financial accounting

Can remove directors if there is a dispute

Primax Ltd now controls Suffolk Ltd which should be treated as a subsidiary and consolidated
using the purchase method of accounting.

23

HEREFIELD LTD
Consolidated balance sheet as at 30 June 20X6
CU
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant & equipment
(1,280,000 + 1,800,000 + 5,995,000 + 2,500,000)
Goodwill (2,555,000 + 337,500 (W3))
Intangible assets (W7)

11,575,000
2,892,500
600,000
15,067,500

Current assets
Inventories (785,000 + 290,000 + 90,000 17,000 (W6))
Trade and other receivables
(240,000 + 440,000 + 394,000 170,000)
Cash and cash equivalents (57,600 + 300,000 + 170,000)

1,148,000
904,000
527,600

Total assets
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves
Issued capital
Retained earnings (W5)

2,579,600
17,647,100

9,000,000
2,787,900
11,787,900
3,001,200
14,789,100

Minority interest (W4)


Equity
Non-current liabilities
Provisions (300,000 + 187,000)
Loans (620,000 + 550,000)

487,000
1,170,000
1,657,000

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (378,000 + 255,000 + 72,000)
Bank overdraft (47,000)
Taxation (280,000 + 45,000 + 124,000)

705,000
47,000
449,000
1,201,000
17,647,100

Total equity and liabilities


WORKINGS
(1) Group Structure
Herefield
85%
(1.7m/2.0m)
Wormford

606

CU

70%
(2.8m/4.0m)
Stringer

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATES

(2)

15

Net assets
Stringer Ltd

Share capital
Retained earnings
Fair value land
Contingent liability

Balance
sheet date
CU
4,000,000
2,396,000
2,500,000

8,896,000

Acquisition
CU
4,000,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
(150,000)
8,350,000

Post
acquisition
CU

396,000

150,000
546,000

Balance
sheet date
CU
2,000,000
(367,000)
(17,000)
600,000
2,216,000

Acquisition
CU
2,000,000
250,000

2,250,000

Post
acquisition
CU

(617,000)
(17,000)
600,000
(34,000)

Wormford Ltd

Share capital
Retained earnings
Unrealised profit (W6)
Intangible asset (W7)
(3) Goodwill
Stringer Ltd
Cost of acquisition (2,800,000 x CU3)
Share of net assets (70% x 8,350,000 (W2))

CU
8,400,000
(5,845,000)
2,555,000

Wormford Ltd
Cost of acquisition (1,700,000 x CU1.50)
Share of net assets (85% x 2,250,000 (W2))
Impairment loss

CU
2,550,000
(1,912,500)
637,500
(300,000)
337,500

(4) Minority interest


Share of net assets (30% x 8,896,000 (W2)) Stringer
Share of net assets (15% x 2,216,000 (W2)) Wormford

CU
2,668,800
332,400
3,001,200

(5) Retained earnings


Herefield Ltd per question
Stringer Ltd (70% x 546,000 (W2))
Wormford Ltd (85% x 34,000 loss (W2))
Impairment
(6) Unrealised profit
CU170,000
(CU136,000)
CU34,000

CU
2,734,600
382,200
(28,900)
(300,000)
2,787,900
125%
100%
25%

CU34,000 x = CU17,000
(7) Intangible asset
Development expenditure of CU720,000. Capitalisation from 1 Sept 20X5.
CU720,000 x (10/12 months) = CU600,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

607

Financial accounting

Answers to Interactive questions

Answer to Interactive question 1


Recording investment in Eclipse Ltd
Shares to be issued 1 July 20X7
DR Investment in Eclipse Ltd (5m 60p)
CR
Cash (issue costs)
CR
Share capital (5m 25p)
CR
Share premium (3,000 1,250 10)
Cash
DR
CR

Investment in Eclipse Ltd


Cash

Professional fees
DR Investment in Eclipse Ltd (fees)
CR
Cash
Shares to be issued 1 July 20X8
DR Investment in Eclipse Ltd (1m 60p)
CR
Shares not issued (heading in capital and reserves)

CU'000

CU'000

3,000
10
1,250
1,740
1,000
1,000
20

20

600
600

Point to note
The directors' time is not a direct cost of the acquisition and hence cannot be included in the cost of
investment.
Goodwill on consolidation of Eclipse Ltd
Cost of investment
Shares
Cash
Fees
Shares to be issued
Identifiable assets and liabilities acquired
Per books of Eclipse Ltd
Contingent liability
Group share (75%)

CU'000

CU'000

3,000
1,000
20
600
4,620
3,628
(200)
3,428
(2,571)
2,049

Answer to Interactive question 2


Chris Ltd's share of Andy Ltd's post-acquisition reserves (W1)
Goodwill arising on consolidation (W2)
Adjustments to Andy Ltd's depreciation charge (W3)

608

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU'000
2,832
4,460
100

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATES

15

WORKINGS
(1) Net assets and post-acquisition reserves

Andy Ltd
Net assets
PPE fair value uplift
Depreciation thereon - 3 years = 30%
Contingent liability
Chris Ltd's share - 60%

Balance
sheet date
CU'000

At
acquisition
CU'000

Post
acquisition
CU'000

10,000
1,000
(300)
(80)
10,620

5,000
1,000
0
(100)
5,900

5,000
0
(300)
20
4,720
2,832

(2) Goodwill
Cost of shares
Share of net assets (60% 5,900(W1))

CU'000
8,000
(3,540)
4,460

(3) Depreciation charge


Additional charge (10% 1,000)

CU'000
100

Point to note
If future events resulted in the contingent liability ceasing to exist (e.g. because it related to a legal claim
being defended and the court judgement was in favour of the defendant), it would be re-measured at CUnil
and the whole of the CU100,000 would be recognised in current period profit or loss. If future events
resulted in the contingent liability crystallising into a liability (e.g. because the court judgement was in favour
of the plaintiff), it would be re-measured at CUnil but the carrying amount of the net assets would be after
deducting the liability.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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Financial accounting

610

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

chapter 16

Group cash flow statements

Contents
Introduction
Examination context
Topic List
1

Individual company cash flow statements

Group cash flow statements

Summary and Self-test


Technical reference
Answers to Self-test
Answers to Interactive questions

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

611

Financial accounting

Introduction

Learning objectives

Prepare a cash flow statement for an individual entity including the effects of payments of
instalments under finance leases

Prepare a consolidated cash flow statement including the effects of

Dividends paid to the minority interest

Dividends received from associates

Acquisitions/disposals of subsidiaries/associates

Tick off

Specific syllabus references for this chapter are: 2c, 3e.

Practical significance
As we saw in Chapter 3, a companys performance and prospects often depend not so much on the profits
earned in a period, but on liquidity and cash flows. This same principle is also true of a group of companies.

Stop and think


What do you think are the benefits of a consolidated cash flow statement to the shareholders of the parent
company?

Working context
As we saw in Chapter 3, the cash flow statement forms an important part of the financial statements which
will need to be prepared and audited. The work performed in preparing a consolidated cash flow statement
will be very similar to that performed in preparing an individual cash flow statement. However, the impact
of a number of additional issues will need to be considered. These include the impact of minority interests,
the treatment of associates and the treatment of acquisitions and disposals of associates or subsidiaries.

Syllabus links
This chapter develops many of the ideas which were introduced in Chapter 3. As you will see, the process
involved in preparing a consolidated cash flow statement is very similar to that used in the preparation of a
cash flow statement for an individual entity.
The preparation of individual and consolidated cash flow statements is also highly relevant in the Financial &
Corporate Reporting paper at the Advanced Stage, where the emphasis will change to the analysis and
interpretation of these statements.

612

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GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

16

Examination context

Exam requirements
Group accounts represent 35% of the syllabus and it is likely that the consolidated cash flow statement will
be examined regularly either in the written test section of the paper or in the short-form questions section.
In an examination you could either be asked to prepare a full consolidated cash flow statement (from
consolidated income statement, consolidated balance sheet and notes) or to prepare consolidated cash flow
extracts and/or answer a number of short-form questions.
In the examination candidates may be required to:

Prepare and present a consolidated cash flow statement for a group of companies including
subsidiaries and associates

Prepare extracts from a consolidated cash flow statement

Prepare simple cash flow statement extracts in accordance with BFRS

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

613

Financial accounting

1 Individual company cash flow statements


Section overview

1.1

The cash flow statement of an individual entity was covered in Chapter 3.

An instalment paid under a finance lease must be split between interest and capital repaid and the
two elements presented separately in the cash flow statement.

Revision
As we saw in Chapter 3 the objective of a cash flow statement is to provide information about the
historical changes in cash and cash equivalents during the accounting period.
In accordance with BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements cash flows are classified under the following headings:

Cash flows from operating activities


Cash flows from investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities

Cash generated from operations is shown as part of cash flows from operating activities. A note to the cash
flow statement is then presented showing how the cash generated from operations has been calculated
using:

The direct method; or


The indirect method.

Refer back to Chapter 3 if you need a reminder of the proforma for a cash flow statement and its
supporting note.

1.2

Finance leases
The payment of an instalment under a finance lease represents a cash outflow which must be reflected in
the cash flow statement. As we saw in Chapter 8, however, an individual instalment may represent
the repayment of interest accrued to date and a repayment of a proportion of the capital
outstanding. For the purposes of preparing the cash flow statement these two elements must be
presented separately as follows:

The repayment of interest is presented within interest paid as part of cash flows from
operating activities

The repayment of capital is presented as a separate item under cash flows from financing
activities.

Points to note
1 The acquisition of assets under a finance lease requires separate disclosure as a non-cash transaction (see
Chapter 3 section 6).
2 For the purposes of the cash flow statement additions to PPE should exclude the effects of any new assets
acquired under finance leases as these have not been purchased for cash.

Interactive question 1: Finance lease

[Difficulty level: Easy]

Camel Ltd enters into a finance lease on 1 January 20X7. Lease payments comprise three annual payments
of CU10,000 commencing on 31 December 20X7. The asset would have cost CU24,869 to buy outright.
The implicit interest rate is 10%.

614

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GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

16

Requirement
Show the effect of the finance lease on the cash flow statement on the basis that Camel Ltd uses the
actuarial method to allocate interest to the periods of borrowing.
Complete the proforma below.

Solution
Cash flow (extract) statement for the year ended 31 December 20X7

CU

Cash flows from operating activities


Interest paid
Cash flows from financing activities
Payment of finance lease liabilities
WORKING
Bal b/f
1.1.X7
CU

Year ended 31 December 20X7

Interest
accrued
at 10%
CU

Payment 31
December
20X7
CU

Bal c/f
31.12.X7
CU

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

2 Group cash flow statements


Section overview

2.1

The consolidated cash flow statement shows the cash flows of the group (i.e. parent and subsidiaries)
with third parties.

The basis of preparation is essentially the same as for the individual cash flow statement.

Dividends to the minority interest are disclosed separately, classified as cash flows from financing
activities.

Dividends received from associates are disclosed separately classified as cash flows from investing
activities.

The net cash effect of the acquisition/disposal of a subsidiary should be disclosed separately and
classified as cash flows from investing activities.

Cash receipts/payments to acquire/dispose of associates should be classified as cash flows from


investing activities.

Basic principle
In principle the preparation of the group cash flow statement is the same as that for the individual entity in
that balance sheet and income statement information is converted into cash flow information, the difference
being that this source information is consolidated.
The aim of the consolidated cash flow statement is to show the cash flows of the group with
third parties. (This is consistent with the preparation of the consolidated balance sheet and consolidated
income statement.) This is achieved automatically as the information forming the basis of the preparation

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

615

Financial accounting
of the consolidated cash flow statement (i.e. the consolidated income statement and consolidated balance
sheet) has already been adjusted for intra-group transactions.
A number of additional issues do need to be considered however:

Cash flows to the minority interest


Cash received from associates
Acquisitions/disposals of subsidiaries
Acquisitions/disposals of associates

We will consider each of these in the remainder of this chapter.

2.2

Cash flows to the minority interest


The minority interest represents a third party so dividends paid to the minority interest should be
reflected as a cash outflow. This payment should be presented separately and classified as Cash flows
from financing activities.
As we saw in Chapter 3 many of the cash flows were calculated by using a T account working. This
technique also applies to the consolidated cash flow statement. Dividends paid to the minority interest may
be calculated using a T account as follows:
MINORITY INTEREST
CU
MI dividend paid (balancing figure)
c/f MI (CBS)

X
X
X

CU
X
X

b/f MI (CBS)
MI (CIS)

Interactive question 2: Minority interest

X
[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

Consolidated income statement (extract) for the year ended 31 December 20X7
CU'000
60
(20)
40

Group profit before tax


Income tax expense
Profit for the period
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent
Minority interest

30
10
40

Consolidated balance sheet (extract) as at 31 December

Minority interest
Requirement
Calculate the dividend paid to the minority interest during 20X7.
Complete the T account below.

616

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

20X7
CU'000
204

20X6
CU'000
200

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

16

MINORITY INTEREST
CU'000

CU'000

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

2.3

Associates
There are two issues to consider with regard to the associate:
1

The aim of the cash flow statement is to show the cash flows of the parent and any subsidiaries with
third parties, therefore any cash flows between the associate and third parties are irrelevant.
As a result, the group share of profit of the associate must be deducted as an adjustment in
the reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations. This is because
group profit before tax includes the results of the associate.

Worked example: Cash flows from operating activities


Consolidated income statement (extract) for the year ended 31 December 20X7
CU'000
273
60
333
(63)
270

Group profit from operations


Share of profit of associates
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the period
Consolidated balance sheet (extracts) as at 31 December
20X7
CU000
867
1,329

Inventories
Receivables

20X6
CU000
694
1,218

Cash generated from operations would be calculated and shown as follows:


CU'000
333

Profit before tax


Adjustments for:
Share of profit of associates
Increase in trade receivables (1,329 1,218)
Increase in inventories (867 694)
Cash absorbed by operations

(60)
273
(111)
(173)
(11)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

617

Financial accounting
2

Dividends received from the associate must be disclosed as a separate cash flow classified as
Cash flows from investing activities. The cash receipt can be calculated as follows:
INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES
CU
X
X

b/f Inv in A (CBS)


Share of profit of A (CIS)

CU
Dividend received (balancing figure)
c/f Inv in A (CBS)

X
X
X

Interactive question 3: Dividends received from associates


[Difficulty level: Exam standard]
Consolidated income statement (extract) for the year ended 31 December 20X7
CU'000
100
20
120
(50)
70

Group profit from operations


Share of profit of associates
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the period
Consolidated balance sheet (extract) as at 31 December
20X7
CU000
184

Investments in associates

20X6
CU000
176

Requirement
Calculate the dividend received from associates during 20X7.
Complete the T account below.
INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES
CU'000

CU'000

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

2.4

Acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries


If a subsidiary is acquired or disposed of during the accounting period the net cash effect of the
purchase or sale transaction should be shown separately under Cash flows from investing
activities. The net cash effect will be the cash purchase price/cash disposal proceeds net of any cash or
cash equivalents acquired or disposed of.

618

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

16

Worked example: Acquisition of a subsidiary


Warwick Ltd acquired 75% of Leamington Ltd by issuing 250,000 CU1 shares at an agreed value of CU2.50
and CU200,000 in cash. At the date of acquisition the cash and cash equivalents in Leamington Ltds balance
sheet amounted to CU30,000.
In the cash flow statement this would be shown as follows:
CU'000
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of subsidiary Leamington Ltd, net of cash acquired (200 30)

(170)

Disclosure is required in the notes to the cash flow statement of the following in aggregate in respect
of both acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries during the period:

Total purchase price/disposal consideration

Portion of purchase price/disposal consideration discharged by means of cash and cash


equivalents

Amount of cash and cash equivalents in the subsidiary acquired or disposed of

Amount of assets and liabilities other than cash and cash equivalents in the subsidiary acquired
or disposed of, summarised by major category.

Examples of these disclosures can be found in BAS 7 Appendix A.

Point to note
As the cash effect of the acquisition/disposal of the subsidiary is dealt with in a single line item as we saw
above, care must be taken not to double count the effects of the acquisition/disposal when
looking at the movements in individual asset balances.
Each of the individual assets and liabilities of a subsidiary acquired/disposed of during the period must be
excluded when comparing group balance sheets for cash flow calculations as follows:
Subsidiary acquired in the period

Subtract PPE, inventories, payables, receivables


etc at the date of acquisition from the movement
on these items.

Subsidiary disposed of in the period

Add PPE, inventories, payables, receivables etc at


the date of disposal to the movements on these
items.

This would also affect the calculation of the dividend paid to the minority interest. The T account
working introduced in section 2.2 above would be modified as follows:
MINORITY INTEREST

MI in S at disposal
MI dividend paid (balancing figure)
c/f MI (CBS)

CU
X
X
X
X

b/f MI (CBS)
MI in S at acquisition
MI (CIS)

CU
X
X
X
X

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

619

Financial accounting

Worked example: Calculating cash flows


Continuing from the worked example above (Acquisition of a subsidiary) you have the following additional
information.
Consolidated balance sheet (extract) of Warwick Ltd at 31 December
20X7
CU000
500

Property, plant and equipment

20X6
CU000
400

At the date of acquisition Leamington Ltds balance sheet included property, plant and equipment at a cost
of CU75,000.
There were no disposals of property, plant and equipment in the period.
Calculate the amount to be disclosed as Purchase of property, plant and equipment under Cash flows
from investing activities.

Solution
Normally, when preparing the cash flow statement, a comparison of the opening and closing assets would
be made to determine the cost of additions. In this case if we make the comparison there are CU100,000 of
additional assets (500 400). However, CU75,000 of these additional assets are as a result of the
acquisition of the subsidiary. The cash outflow due to the purchase of the subsidiary as a whole is dealt
with separately as we described above, therefore we are only concerned with any other assets purchased.
Therefore the information would be presented as follows:
CU

Cash flows from investing activities


Acquisition of subsidiary Leamington Ltd, net of cash acquired
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (500 400 75)

(170)
(25)

Alternatively the adjustment could be made in a T account working as follows:


PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT COST ACCOUNT

b/f
On acquisition
Additions (balancing figure)

CU'000
400
75
25
500

CU'000
c/f

Interactive question 4: Acquisition of a subsidiary

500
500

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

On 1 October 20X8 P Ltd acquired 90% of S Ltd by issuing 100,000 shares at an agreed value of CU2 per
share and paying CU100,000 in cash.
At that time the net assets of S Ltd were as follows:
Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Trade receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade payables

620

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU'000
190
70
30
10
(40)
260

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

The consolidated balance sheets of P Ltd as at 31 December were as follows:


Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Current assets
Inventories
Trade receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Capital and reserves


Ordinary share capital (CU1 shares)
Share premium account
Retained earnings
Attributable to equity holders of P Ltd
Minority interest
Equity
Current liabilities
Trade payables
Income tax payable

20X8
CU'000

20X7
CU'000

2,500
66
2,566

2,300

2,300

1,450
1,370
76
2,896
5,462

1,200
1,100
50
2,350
4,650

1,150
650
1,791
3,591
31
3,622

1,000
500
1,530
3,030

3,030

1,690
150
1,840
5,462

1,520
100
1,620
4,650

The consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8 was as follows:
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Administrative expenses
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the period
Attributable to:
Equity holders of P Ltd
Minority interest

16

CU'000
10,000
(7,500)
2,500
(2,080)
420
(150)
270
261
9
270

The statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 December 20X8 (extract) was as follows:
Retained
earnings
CU'000
Balance at 31 December 20X7
1,530
Profit for the period
261
Balance at 31 December 20X8
1,791
You are also given the following information:
1
2
3

All other subsidiaries are wholly owned.


Depreciation charged to the consolidated income statement amounted to CU210,000.
There were no disposals of property, plant and equipment during the year

Requirement
Prepare a consolidated cash flow statement for P Ltd for the year ended 31 December 20X8 under the
indirect method in accordance with BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements. The only notes required are those
reconciling profit before tax to cash generated from operations and a note showing the effect of the
subsidiary acquired in the period.
Complete the proforma below.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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Financial accounting

Solution
Consolidated cash flow statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations (Note 2)
Income taxes paid
Net cash from operating activities

CU'000

CU'000

Cash flows from investing activities


Acquisition of subsidiary S Ltd, net of cash acquired (Note 2)
Purchase of property, plant & equipment
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of share capital
Dividend paid to minority interest
Net cash from financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period
Notes to the cash flow statement
(1) Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations
CU'000
Profit before taxation
Adjustments for:
Depreciation
Increase in trade and other receivables
Increase in inventories
Increase in trade payables
Cash generated from operations
(2) Acquisition of subsidiary
During the period the group acquired subsidiary S Ltd. The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities
assumed were as follows:
Cash and cash equivalents
Inventories
Receivables
Property, plant and equipment
Trade payables
Minority interest
Goodwill
Total purchase price
Less: Cash of S Ltd
Less: Non-cash consideration
Cash flow on acquisition net of cash acquired

622

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU'000

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

16

WORKINGS
(1)
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
CU'000

CU'000

(2)
GOODWILL
CU'000

CU'000

(3)
MINORITY INTEREST
CU'000

CU'000

(4)
INCOME TAX PAYABLE
CU'000

CU'000

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

623

Financial accounting

Interactive question 5: Disposal

[Difficulty level: Exam standard]

Below is the consolidated balance sheet of the Othello Group as at 30 June 20X8 and the consolidated
income statement for the year ended on that date:
Consolidated balance sheet as at 30 June

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Current assets
Inventories
Receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Capital and reserves


Share capital
Retained earnings
Attributable to equity holders of Othello Ltd
Minority interest
Equity
Current liabilities
Trade payables
Income tax payable

20X8
CU000

20X7
CU000

4,067

3,950

736
605
294
1,635
5,702

535
417
238
1,190
5,140

1,000
3,637

1,000
3,118

4,637
482
5,119

4,118
512
4,630

380
203
583
5,702

408
102
510
5,140

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 June 20X8 (summarised)
Continuing operations
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the period from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Profit for the period from discontinued operations
Profit for the period
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Othello Ltd
Minority interest

CU000
862
(((290)
572
50
622
519
103
622

You are given the following information:


1

Othello Ltd sold its entire interest in Desdemona Ltd on 31 March 20X8 for cash of CU400,000.
Othello Ltd had acquired an 80% interest in Desdemona Ltd on incorporation several years ago. The
net assets at the date of disposal were:
Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade payables

624

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU000
390
50
39
20
(42)
457

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

The profit for the period from discontinued operations figure is made up as follows:
CU000
20
(4)
34
50

Profit before tax


Income tax expense
Profit on disposal
3

16

The depreciation charge for the year was CU800,000.


There were no disposals of non-current assets other than on the disposal of the subsidiary.

Requirements
With regard to the consolidated cash flow statement for the year ended 30 June 20X8:
(a) Show how the disposal will be reflected in the cash flow statement
(b) Calculate additions to property, plant and equipment as they will be reflected in the cash flow
statement.
(c) Calculate dividends paid to the minority interest.
(d) Prepare the note to the cash flow statement required for the disposal of the subsidiary.
(e) Prepare the reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations.
Work to the nearest CU000
Complete the proforma below.

Solution
(a)

Cash flows from investing activities


CU'000

(b) Cash flows from investing activities (W1)


CU'000
(c)

Cash flows from financing activities (W2)


CU'000

(d) Notes to the cash flow statement


During the period the group disposed of its subsidiary Desdemona Ltd. The book value of assets and
liabilities disposed of were as follows:
Cash and cash equivalents
Inventories
Receivables
Property, plant and equipment
Payables
Minority interest (W2)

CU'000

Profit on disposal
Total sale proceeds
Less: Cash of Desdemona Ltd disposed of
Cash flow on disposal net of cash disposed of

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

625

Financial accounting
(e)

Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations


CU'000
Profit before tax
Adjustments for:
Depreciation
Increase in receivables
Increase in inventories
Increase in payables
Cash generated from operations

WORKINGS
(1)

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT NBV


CU'000

(2)

CU'000

MINORITY INTEREST
CU'000

CU'000

See Answer at the end of this chapter.

2.5

Acquisitions and disposals of associates


Receipts and payments of cash to acquire/dispose of associates should be classified as Cash flows
from investing activities.

626

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

16

Summary and Self-test

Summary

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

627

Financial accounting

Self-test
Answer the following questions.
1

In accordance with BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements what is the net cash flow from financing activities given
the information below?
Receipts
Share issue

CU
5,000

Loan

9,000

A
B
C
D
2

Payments
Loan repayments (including CU300
interest)
Expense of share issue

CU
2,200
500

CU7,100
CU11,300
CU11,600
CU12,100

Sun Ltd provides the following information:


Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December

Inventories
Trade receivables
Trade payables

20X8
CU
550,000
943,000
620,000

20X7
CU
475,000
800,000
530,000

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8


CU
775,000

Profit before tax

During the year Sun Ltd acquired an 80% interest in the equity share capital of Shine Ltd. Extracts
from Shine Ltds balance sheet at acquisition were as follows:
CU
80,000
110,000
70,000

Inventories
Trade receivables
Trade payables

In accordance with BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements what is the cash generated from operations in the
consolidated cash flow statement of Sun Ltd for the year ended 31 December 20X8?
A
B
C
D
3

CU647,000
CU743,000
CU757,000
CU767,000

Spades Ltd acquired an 80% interest in the share capital of Clubs Ltd on 1 May 20X4, when the net
assets of Clubs Ltd were CU600,000. Extracts from the consolidated balance sheet of Spades Ltd as at
30 September 20X6 are as follows:

Minority interest

20X6
CU
750,000

20X5
CU
720,000

Minority interest in the profit for the year was CU100,000.


What is the amount to be included in the consolidated cash flow statement for the dividends paid to
the minority according to BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements?
A
B
C
D

628

CU90,000
CU70,000
CU190,000
CU250,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

16

The following are extracts from the balance sheet of Scratch Ltd as at 31 December:

Property, plant and equipment (Note 1)


Obligations under finance leases (Note 2)
Within one year
After more than one year

20X4
CUm
192

20X3
CUm
175

20
51

10
45

Notes
1

During 20X4, Scratch Ltd disposed of property, plant and equipment with a net book value of
CU10 million and charged depreciation of CU42 million.

Rentals paid under finance leases during 20X4 amounted to CU18 million. Interest charged to the
income statement amounted to CU6 million.

What amount should be included in purchase of property, plant and equipment in the cash flow
statement for the year ended 31 December 20X4 in accordance with BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements?
A
B
C
D
5

CU35 million
CU41 million
CU51 million
CU69 million

How should an acquisition or disposal of a subsidiary be disclosed in a consolidated cash flow


statement prepared in accordance with BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements?
A

On the face of the cash flow statement, giving an analysis of all the cash flows relating to the
subsidiary

As a note to the cash flow statement, showing a summary of the effects of acquisitions and
disposals of subsidiaries, including how much of the consideration comprised cash

It need not be disclosed at all

As a note to the cash flow statement, showing a breakdown of all cash flows relating to the
subsidiary

The following extracts relate to Rain Ltd:


Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X5
CU
500,000
(150,000)
350,000

Group profit before tax


Income tax expense
Profit for the period
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Rain Ltd
Minority interest

295,000
55,000
350,000

Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December

Minority interest

20X5
CU
550,000

20X4
CU
525,000

During the year ended 31 December 20X5 Rain Ltd acquired a 75% interest in the equity shares of
Puddle Ltd when the net assets of Puddle Ltd were CU400,000.
In accordance with BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements what was the amount of dividend paid to the minority
interest in the year ended 31 December 20X5?
A
B
C
D

CU20,000
CU130,000
CU180,000
CU330,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

629

Financial accounting
7

Brink Ltd acquired a 75% interest in the share capital of Edge Ltd on 1 January 20X6. The balance on
Edge Ltd's property, plant and equipment at that date was CU500,000.
Extracts from the consolidated balance sheet of Brink Ltd as at 31 December 20X6 are as follows:

Property, plant and equipment

20X6
CU
4,100,000

20X5
CU
3,700,000

Depreciation charged for the year ended 31 December 20X6 was CU970,000.
What is the amount to be included in the consolidated cash flow statement for purchase of property,
plant and equipment in accordance with BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements?
A
B
C
D
8

CU70,000
CU870,000
CU995,000
CU1,370,000

The consolidated financial statements of Brad Ltd show the following information:
Consolidated income statement (extract) for the year ended 31 December 20X7
CU'000
220
44
264
(110)
154

Group profit from operations


Share of profit of associates
Income tax expense
Profit for period
Consolidated balance sheet (extract) as at 31 December 20X7

Investments in associates

20X7
CU'000
405

20X6
CU'000
387

In accordance with BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements what is the dividend receivable from associates?
A
B
C
D
9

CU'000
18
26
44
62

Romeo Ltd had acquired 75% of Juliet Ltd for CU750,000 a number of years ago. During the year
ended 31 December 20X7 Romeo Ltd disposed of its entire interest in Juliet Ltd for CU1,020,000 in
cash. The net assets of Juliet Ltd at the date of disposal were:
Property, plant and equipment
Inventories and receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade payables

CU'000
700
150
75
(47)
878

In accordance with BAS 7 Cash Flow Statements what amount would be disclosed as Disposal of
subsidiary under cash flows from investing activities?
A
B
C
D

630

CU'000
361
750
945
1,020

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

10

16

TASTYDESSERTS LTD
The following are extracts from the consolidated financial statements of Tastydesserts Ltd and one of
its wholly owned subsidiaries, Custardpowders Ltd, the shares in which were acquired on 31 October
20X8.
Balance sheets as at

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Investments in associates

Tastydesserts Ltd
Group
31 December
31 December
20X8
20X7
CU'000
CU'000

Custardpowders
Ltd
31 October
20X8
CU'000

4,764
42
2,195

3,685

2,175

694

1,735
2,658
43
11,437

1,388
2,436
77
9,761

306
185
7
1,192

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES


Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Share premium account
Retained earnings

4,896
216
2,458

4,776

2,000

400

644

Non-current liabilities
Loans

1,348

653

1,915
176
346
82
11,437

1,546
343
380
63
9,761

148

1,192

Current assets
Inventories
Receivables
Bank balances and cash
Total assets

Current liabilities
Payables
Bank overdrafts
Taxation
Dividends payable
Total equity and liabilities

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8


Profit before interest and tax
Share of profit of associates
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the period
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Tastydesserts Ltd
Minority interest

CU'000
546
120
666
126
540
540

540

The following information is also given:


(1) The consolidated figures at 31 December 20X8 include Custardpowders Ltd.
(2) Depreciation charged on property, plant and equipment during the year was CU78,000.
Additions to property, plant and equipment, excluding property, plant and equipment acquired
on the acquisition of Custardpowders Ltd, were CU463,000. There were no disposals.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

631

Financial accounting
(3) The cost on 31 October 20X8 of the shares in Custardpowders Ltd was CU1,086,000
comprising the issue of CU695,000 unsecured loan stock at par, 120,000 ordinary shares of CU1
each at a value of 280p each and CU55,000 in cash.
(4) No write down of goodwill was required during the period.
(5) Total dividends charged to retained earnings by Tastydesserts Ltd during the period amounted to
CU82,000.
Requirement
Prepare a consolidated cash flow statement for Tastydesserts Ltd for the year ended 31 December
20X8 using the indirect method, a note reconciling profit before tax to cash generated from
operations and a note showing the effect of the subsidiary acquired in the period.
(15 marks)
11

GREENFINGERS LTD
Greenfingers Ltd is a 40 year old company producing wooden furniture. 22 years ago it acquired a
100% interest in a timber import company, Arbre Ltd. In 20W9 it acquired a 40% interest in a
competitor, Water Features Ltd and on 1 January 20X7 it acquired a 75% interest in Garden Furniture
Designs Ltd. The draft consolidated accounts for the Greenfingers Group are as follows.
Draft consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 20X7
Profit from operations
Share of profit of associates
Dividends from long-term investments
Interest payable
Profit before taxation
Income tax expense
Profit after taxation
Attributable to:
Equity holders of Greenfingers Ltd
Minority interest

632

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU'000
4,455
1,050
465
(450)
5,520
(1,485)
4,035
3,735
300
4,035

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

16

Draft consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December


20X7
CU'000 CU'000
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Buildings at net book value
Machinery:
Cost
Accumulated depreciation
Net book value

6,225
9,000
(3,600)

5,925
5,550
13,545

Total assets
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital (25p shares)
Share premium account
Retained earnings
Attributable to equity holders of Greenfingers Ltd
Minority interest
Equity
Non-current liabilities
Finance lease liabilities
Loans
Current liabilities
Trade payables
Finance lease liabilities
Income tax payable
Accrued interest and finance charges
Total equity and liabilities

25,020
41,475

11,820
8,649
10,335
30,804
345

6,600
900
7,500

3,000
1,230
11,730
3,000
3,825
5,460

12,285
24,015

6,000
6,285
7,500
19,785

31,149

2,130
4,380

19,785
510
1,500

6,510
1,500
720
1,476
120

20X6
CU'000

4,200
(3,300)
5,400
11,625
300
3,300
1,230
16,455

Goodwill
Investments in associates
Long-term investments
Current assets
Inventories
Receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

CU'000

3,816
41,475

2,010
840
600
690
90

2,220
24,015

Additional information
1

There have been no acquisitions or disposals of buildings during the year.


Machinery costing CU1.5 million was sold for CU1.5 million resulting in a profit of CU300,000.
New machinery was acquired in 20X7, including additions of CU2.55 million acquired under
finance leases.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

633

Financial accounting
2

Information relating to the acquisition of Garden Furniture Designs Ltd is as follows:


Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Trade receivables
Cash
Trade payables
Income tax
Minority interest
Goodwill
2,640,000 ordinary shares issued as part consideration
Balance of consideration paid in cash

CU'000
495
96
84
336
(204)
(51)
756
(189)
567
300
867
825
42
867

Requirement
Prepare a consolidated cash flow statement for the Greenfingers Group for the year ended
31 December 20X7 using the indirect method. The only note required is that reconciling profit before
tax to cash generated from operations.
(20 marks)

634

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

16

Technical reference
Point to note
All of BAS 7 is examinable with the exception of paragraphs 24-28, 38 and Appendix B. The paragraphs
listed below are the key references you should be familiar with.
1 Cash flow statement and finance leases

Disclose the assets acquired via finance leases as a non-cash transaction

BAS 7 (43 44)

2 Group cash flow statements

Example of a consolidated cash flow statement

Cash flows arising from acquisitions/disposals of subsidiaries and associates


should be

Presented separately

Classified as investing activities

Additional information should be disclosed in respect of acquisitions and


disposals

BAS 7 Appendix A
BAS 7 (39)

BAS 7 (40)

Also see Chapter 3 Technical reference section.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

635

Financial accounting

Answers to Self-test
1

C
Inflows

Share issue
Loan

Outflows Share expenses


Loan repayments, less interest (2,200 300)
2

CU
775,000
5,000
(33,000)
20,000
767,000

Profit before tax


Decrease in inventory (550 475 80)
Increase in receivables (943 800 110)
Increase in payables (620 530 70)
3

CU
5,000
9,000
14,000
(500)
(1,900)
11,600

C
MINORITY INTEREST
CU'000
750

c/f
Dividend paid to minority ()
4

190
940

b/f
Minority interest in income statement
Acquisition of subsidiary (600 20%)

CU'000
720
100
120
940

The additions in the cash flow statement should only be additions for cash. The inception of a
finance lease is not a cash transaction and must therefore be excluded. The amount of assets
acquired under finance leases is calculated by looking at the movement in the liability for finance
leases. As this balance represents capital only, the payment which goes into the working must
exclude the interest element.
NON-CURRENT ASSETS AT NBV
b/f
Total additions ()

CUm
175
69
___
244

Depreciation
Disposals
c/f

CUm
42
10
192
244

OBLIGATIONS UNDER FINANCE LEASES


Payment
c/f

CUm
12

b/f
Additions ()

71
83

Therefore additions for cash (69 28) = CU41m


5

636

BAS 7 (40)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CUm
55
28
__
83

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

16

B
MINORITY INTEREST
CU

MI dividend paid ()

130,000

c/f (CBS)

550,000
680,000

CU
525,000
55,000
100,000

b/f (CBS)
MI (CIS)
MI in S acquired (400,000 25%)

680,000

B
PPE
CU'000
3,700
500
870
5,070

b/f
Acquired with Edge
Additions ()
8

CU'000
Depreciation charge
c/f

970
4,100
5,070

B
INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES
CU'000
387
44

b/f (CBS)
Share of profit (CIS)
(tax already deducted)

___
431
9

10

TASTYDESSERTS LTD

CU'000
26

Dividend received ()
c/f (CBS)

405
431

(1,020 - 75) = CU945,000

Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8


CU'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations (Note 1)
Income taxes paid (W1)
Net cash from operating activities

767
(160)

Cash flows from investing activities


Acquisition of subsidiary Custardpowders Ltd, net of cash acquired (Note 2)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Dividends received from associates (W2)
Net cash used in investing activities

(48)
(463)
100

Cash flows from financing activities


Dividends paid
Net cash used in financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

CU'000

607

(411)
(63)

(63)
133
(266)
(133)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

637

Financial accounting
Notes to the cash flow statement
(1) Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations
CU'000
666

Profit before taxation


Adjustments for:
Depreciation
Share of profit of associates

78
(120)
624
(37)
(41)
221
767

Increase in receivables (2,658 2,436 185)


Increase in inventories (1,735 1,388 306)
Increase in payables (1,915 1,546 148)
Cash generated from operations
(2) Acquisition of subsidiary

During the period the group acquired subsidiary Custardpowders Ltd. The fair value of the assets
acquired and liabilities assumed were as follows:
Bank balances and cash
Inventories
Receivables
Property, plant and equipment
Payables
Goodwill
Total purchase price
Less: Cash of Custardpowders Ltd
Less: Non-cash consideration Loan stock issued
Shares issued
Cash flow on acquisition net of cash acquired

CU'000
7
306
185
694
(148)
1,044
42
1,086
(7)
(695)
(336)
48

WORKINGS
(1)
INCOME TAX PAYABLE

Cash paid ()
c/f

CU'000
160
346
506

b/f
CIS

CU'000
380
126
506

(2)
INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES

b/f Inv in A
Share of profit

CU'000
2,175
120

CU'000
Dividends received ()
c/f Inv in A

2,295

638

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

100
2,195
2,295

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

16

(3)
SHARE CAPITAL AND PREMIUM
CU'000
c/f (4,896 + 216)

5,112

b/f
Issued to acquire S (120,000
CU2.80)

5,112

CU'000
4,776
336
5,112

No shares have been issued for cash during the year.


11

GREENFINGERS LTD
Consolidated cash flow statement for the year ended 31 December 20X7
CU'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations (note 1)
Interest paid (W2)
Income taxes paid (W3)
Net cash used in operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of subsidiary Garden Furniture Designs Ltd, net of cash
acquired (W4)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (W5)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Dividends received
Dividends received from associate (W6)
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of ordinary share capital (W7)
Proceeds from issue of loan notes (W8)
Payments under finance leases (W10)
Dividends paid (3,735 + 7,500 10,335)
Dividends paid to minority interests (W9)
Net cash from financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

1,116
(420)
(750)

CU'000

(54)

294
(3,255)
1,500
465
750
(246)
7,359
2,880
(810)
(900)
(144)

8,385
8,085
5,460
13,545

Notes
(1) Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations
Profit before tax
Adjustments for:
Depreciation (W1)
Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment
Share of profits of associates
Investment income
Interest expense
Increase in trade and other receivables (5,550 3,825 84)
Increase in inventories (5,925 3,000 96)
Increase in trade payables (1,500 840 204)
Cash generated from operations

CU'000
5,520
975
(300)
(1,050)
(465)
450
5,130
(1,641)
(2,829)
456
1,116

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

639

Financial accounting
WORKINGS
(1)
ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION PLANT
CU'000
b/f (Plant)
Disposal

300
Depreciation charge ()

c/f (Plant)

3,600
3,900

Total depreciation:
Freehold buildings (6,600 6,225)
Plant

CU'000
3,300
600
____
3,900
CU'000
375
600
975

(2)
INTEREST PAYABLE
CU'000
420
120
540

Cash paid ()
c/f

b/f
CIS

CU'000
90
450
540

(3)
TAXATION
CU'000
750
1,476

Cash paid ()
c/f

b/f
CIS
On acquisition

2,226

CU'000
690
1,485
51
2,226

(4) Purchase of subsidiary


CU'000
336
(42)
294

Cash received on acquisition


Less: Cash consideration
Net cash inflow
(5)
MACHINERY

b/f
On acquisition
Leased
Additions ()

CU'000
4,200
495
2,550
3,255
10,500

Disposal
c/f

CU'000
1,500
9,000
10,500

(6)
INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES

b/f
Share of profit (CIS)

CU'000
3,000
1,050

CU'000
Dividends received ()
c/f

4,050

640

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

750
3,300
4,050

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

16

(7)
SHARE CAPITAL AND PREMIUM
CU'000
c/f (11,820 + 8,649)

20,469
20,469

b/f (6,000 + 6,285)


Non-cash consideration (660 + 165)
Proceeds from issue ()

CU'000
12,285
825
7,359
20,469

(8)
LOAN NOTES
CU'000
c/f

4,380
4,380

b/f
Proceeds from issue ()

CU'000
1,500
2,880
4,380

(9)
MINORITY INTERESTS
CU'000
144
345
489

Dividends to MI ()
c/f

b/f
Share of profits (CIS)
On acquisition

CU'000

300
189
489

(10)
OBLIGATIONS UNDER FINANCE LEASES
CU'000

Capital repayment ()
c/f Current
Long-term

810
720
2,130
3,660

b/f Current
Long-term
New lease commitment

CU'000
600
510
2,550

3,660

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

641

Financial accounting

Answers to Interactive questions

Answer to Interactive question 1


Cash flow statement (extract) for the year ended 31 December 20X7
CU
Cash flows from operating activities
Interest paid

(2,487)

Cash flows from financing activities


Payment of finance lease liabilities

(7,513)

WORKING

Year ended 31 December 20X7

Bal b/f
1.1.X7
CU
24,869

Interest
accrued at
10%
CU
2,487

Payment 31
December
20X7
CU
(10,000)

Bal c/f 31.12.X7


CU
17,356

The payment of CU10,000 therefore represents:


CU
2,487
7,513
10,000

Interest
Capital (10,000 2,487)

Answer to Interactive question 2


MINORITY INTEREST
CU'000
b/f MI (CBS)
MI (CIS)
MI dividend paid (balancing figure)
c/f MI (CBS)

6
204
210

CU'000
200
10
210

Answer to interactive question 3


INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES
CU'000
b/f Inv in A
Share of profit of A

176
20

CU'00
0
Dividend received (balancing figure)
c/f Inv in A

196

642

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

12
184
196

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

16

Answer to Interactive question 4


Consolidated cash flow statement for the year ended 31 December 20X8
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations (Note 1)
Income taxes paid (W4)
Net cash from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of subsidiary S Ltd, net of cash acquired (Note 2)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (W1)
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of share capital (1,150 + 650 1,000 500 (100 CU2))
Dividend paid to minority interest (W3)
Net cash from financing activities

CU'000
340
(100)

(90)
(220)

CU'000

240

(310)

100
(4)
96

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents


Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period

26
50
76

Notes to the cash flow statement


(1) Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations
CU'000
420

Profit before taxation


Adjustments for:
Depreciation
Increase in trade receivables (1,370 1,100 30)
Increase in inventories (1,450 1,200 70)
Increase in trade payables (1,690 1,520 40)
Cash generated from operations

210
630
(240)
(180)
130
340

(2) Acquisition of subsidiary


During the period the group acquired subsidiary S Ltd. The fair value of assets acquired
and liabilities assumed were as follows:
Cash and cash equivalents
Inventories
Receivables
Property, plant and equipment
Trade payables
Minority interest
Goodwill
Total purchase price
Less: Cash of S Ltd
Less: Non-cash consideration
Cash flow on acquisition net of cash acquired

CU'000
10
70
30
190
(40)
(26)
234
66
300
(10)
(200)
90

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

643

Financial accounting
WORKINGS
(1)
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

b/f
On acquisition
Additions (balancing figure)

CU'000
2,300
190
220
2,710

Depreciation
c/f

CU'000
210
2,500
2,710

(2)
GOODWILL

b/f
Additions (300 (90% 260))

CU'000

66
66

CU'000
Impairment losses (balancing figure)
c/f

0
66
66

(3)
MINORITY INTEREST

Dividend (balancing figure)


c/f

CU'000
4
31

b/f
On acquisition
CIS

35

CU'000

26
9
35

(4)
INCOME TAX PAYABLE
CU'000
Cash paid (balancing figure)
c/f

100
150
250

b/f
CIS

CU'000
100
150
250

Answer to Interactive question 5


Disposal of subsidiary
(a)

Cash flows from investing activities


Disposal of subsidiary Desdemona Ltd, net of cash disposed of (400 20)

CU'000
380

(b) Cash flows from investing activities


Purchase of property, plant and equipment (W1)
(c)

Cash flows from financing activities


Dividend paid to minority interest (W2)

644

CU'000
(1,307)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU'000
(42)

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

16

(d) Notes to the cash flow statement


During the period the group disposed of subsidiary Desdemona Ltd. The book value of assets and
liabilities disposed were as follows:
CU000
20
50
39
390
(42)
(91)
366
34
400
(20)
380

Cash and cash equivalents


Inventories
Receivables
Property, plant and equipment
Payables
Minority interest (W2)
Profit on disposal
Total sale proceeds
Less: Cash of Desdemona Ltd disposed of
Cash flow on disposal net of cash disposed of
(e)

Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations


CU000
878

Profit before tax (862 + (20 4))


Adjustments for:
Depreciation

800
1,678
(227)
(251)
14
1,214

Increase in receivables (605 417 + 39)


Increase in inventories (736 535 + 50)
Increase in payables (380 408 + 42)
Cash generated from operations
WORKINGS
(1)
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT NBV
CU'000
3,950
1,307

b/f
Additions (balancing figure)

5,257

c/f
Disposal of sub
Depreciation charge

CU'000
4,067
390
800
5,257

(2)
MINORITY INTEREST

c/f
Disposal of sub (457 x 20%)
Dividends to MI (balancing figure)

CU'000
482
91
42
615

b/f
CIS

CU'000
512
103
615

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

645

Financial accounting

646

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

Appendix

BFRS financial statements


Contents
Topic List
1 Income statement
2 Balance sheet
3 Cash flow statement
4 Statement of changes in equity
5 Notes to the financial statements

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

647

Financial accounting

BFRS financial statements


This appendix illustrates the layout and presentation of an individual companys financial statements
in line with the Bangladesh accounting standards which fall within the Financial Accounting syllabus.
It is not a full-scale disclosure checklist and comparative figures have been omitted.

1 Income statement
SPECIMEN LTD
Income statement for the year ended 31 March 20X6
Notes
2

3
4
5

20

648

CU000
Continuing operations
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Other operating income
Distribution costs
Administrative expenses
Profit/(loss) from operations
Finance costs
Investment income
Profit/(loss) before tax
Income tax expense
Profit/(loss) for the period from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Profit/(loss) for the period from discontinued operations
Profit/(loss) for the period

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

X
(X)
X
X
(X)
(X)
X/(X)
(X)
X
X/(X)
(X)
X/(X)
X/(X)
X/(X)

APPENDIX

2 Balance sheet
SPECIMEN LTD
Balance sheet as at 31 March 20X6
Notes
6
7

20

9
9
6
10

CU000
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangibles
Investments
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Investments
Cash and cash equivalents
Non-current assets held for sale

CU000
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X

Total assets

X
X

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES


Capital and reserves
Ordinary share capital
Share premium account
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings
Equity

X
X
X
X
X

11
12
13

Non-current liabilities
Preference share capital (redeemable)
Finance lease liabilities
Borrowings

X
X
X

20
14
13
12

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Taxation
Liabilities held for sale
Provisions
Borrowings
Finance lease liabilities

X
X
X
X
X
X

Total equity and liabilities

X
X

Date authorised by the Executive Board for issue.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

649

Financial accounting

3 Cash flow statement


SPECIMEN LTD
Cash flow statement for the year ended 31 March 20X6
CU00
0

Notes
21

Cash flows from operating activities


Cash generated from operations
Interest paid
Income taxes paid

X
(X)
(X)

Net cash from operating activities


23

Cash flows from investing activities


Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Interest received
Dividends received

(X)
X
X
X

Net cash used in investing activities

(X)

Cash flows from financing activities


Proceeds from issue of share capital
Proceeds from issue of long-term borrowings
Dividends paid

22

CU00
0

X
X
(X)

Net cash used in financing activities


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

(X)
X
X
X

4 Statement of changes in equity


SPECIMEN LTD
Statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 March 20X6

Attributable to equity holders of Specimen Ltd


Notes
Balance brought forward
as reported
10
correction of error
as restated
Recognised directly in equity:
Revaluation of non-current assets
Transfer of excess depreciation
on revaluations
Total recognised directly in equity
Profit for the period
Total recognised income and
expense for the period
15
Dividends on ordinary shares
9
Issue of share capital
Balance carried forward

650

Ordinary
share
capital
CU000

Share
premium
CU000

Revaluation
reserve
CU000

Retained
earnings
CU000

Total
CU000

X
(X)
X

X
(X)
X

(X)
X

X
X
X

X
X

X
X
X

X
X
X

X
X

X
(X)

X
X

X
(X)
X
X
X

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

APPENDIX

5 Notes to the financial statements 31 March 20X6


(1)

Accounting policies
(a)

Accounting convention
The financial statements are prepared in accordance with Bangladesh Financial Reporting
Standards and under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of
freehold and long leasehold land and buildings.

(b) Intangibles
Goodwill is the difference between the fair value of the consideration paid on the acquisition of a
business and the aggregate of the fair values of its identifiable assets and liabilities and contingent
liabilities. It is subject to annual impairment reviews.
Development expenditure is recognised as an intangible asset to the extent it is expected to
generate future economic benefits. It is amortised over its useful life, typically five years.
(c)

Property, plant and equipment


Non-current asset properties are valued at least every three years, and in intervening years if
there is an indication of a material change in value.
Surpluses on valuations of freehold and long leasehold non-current asset properties are
recognised directly in equity in the revaluation reserve, and any deficits below original cost are
recognised in profit or loss.
Plant and equipment is carried at cost.
Any plant and equipment expected to be sold within 12 months of the decision to dispose of it is
reclassified as assets held for sale, presented separately in the balance sheet. It is carried at the
lower of its carrying amount at the date of the decision to sell and fair value less costs to sell.
Any write-down is shown as an impairment loss.

(d) Depreciation
Depreciation is recognised in respect of property, plant and equipment other than freehold land
and assets classified as held for sale, at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation, less
estimated residual value, of each asset evenly over its expected useful life, as follows:

Freehold buildings over 50 years


Leasehold land and buildings over the lease term
Plant and equipment over 5 to 15 years

The depreciation methods and the useful lives and residual values on which depreciation is based
are reviewed annually.
(e)

Leased assets
Assets held under finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment at their fair value
and depreciated over their useful lives. Lease payments consist of capital and interest elements
and the interest is recognised in profit or loss. The annual rentals in respect of operating leases
are recognised in profit or loss.

(f)

Borrowings
Borrowings are recognised at the proceeds received. Preference shares which are redeemable on
a specific date are classified as long-term liabilities, while the dividends relating to them are
recognised in the finance cost in the income statement.

(g)

Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the company has a present obligation which will result in an
outflow of resources. Restructuring provisions mainly comprise lease termination penalties and
employee termination payments.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

651

Financial accounting
(h) Revenue
Sales are recognised on delivery of the goods to customers and on the performance of services
for customers. They are shown net of VAT and discounts.
(i)

Research costs
Research costs are recognised in profit or loss as incurred. Some development costs are
capitalised (see (b) above).

(j)

Inventories
The cost of inventories comprises all costs of purchase and conversion and other costs incurred
in bringing them to their present location and condition. The FIFO cost formula is applied.

(2) Revenue
Sale of goods
Performance of services

CU000
X
X
X

(3) Profit/loss from operations


Profit/loss from operations is shown after charging/crediting:
Research and development costs
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Profit/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Impairment of assets held for sale
Impairment of goodwill
Amortisation of development costs
Operating lease payments
Employee benefits
Cost of inventories sold, included in cost of sales

CU000
X
X
(X)
X
X
X
X
X
X

(4) Finance costs


Interest on borrowings
Dividends on redeemable preference shares
Interest on finance lease liabilities

CU000
X
X
X
X

The interest rate for the borrowing costs capitalised was X%.
(5) Investment income
Interest
Dividends

652

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU000
X
X
X

APPENDIX

(6)

Property, plant and equipment


Properties
Freehold
CU00
0

Long
leasehold
CU000

Short
leasehold
CU000

Under
construction
CU000

Plant
and
equipment
CU000

Total
CU0
00

Cost or valuation
At 1 April 20X5
Revaluation surplus
Additions
Acquired in business
combination
Transfers
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
At 31 March 20X6

X
X
X

X
X

X
X
X
X

(X)
X

(X)
X

(X)
(X)
X

(X)

(X)
(X)
X

(X)
(X)
X

Depreciation
At 1 April 20X5
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
Charge for year
At 31 March 20X6

(X)

X
(X)
(X)

(X)

X
(X)
(X)

(X)
X
X
(X)
(X)

(X)
X
X
(X)
(X)

(X)
X
X
(X)
(X)

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

Carrying amount
At 31 March 20X6
At 31 March 20X5

The carrying amounts at 31 March 20X6 on the historical cost basis were CUX for freehold
properties and CUX for long leasehold properties.
Non-current asset properties were revalued as follows.
Freehold properties were revalued on 1 April 20X5 by Messrs Tottitup, an independent firm of
Chartered Surveyors, at CUX, on the basis of existing use value. Open market value is not considered
to be materially different to existing use value.
Long leases were revalued in 20X4 at CUX by Messrs Tottitup, Chartered Surveyors, on the basis of
open market value. In the directors opinion, there has been no indication of a material change in value
during the year.
The carrying amount of plant and equipment of CUX includes an amount of CUY in respect of assets
held under finance leases.
Non-current asset properties under construction include total interest capitalised to 31 March 20X6
of CUX, of which CUY was capitalised in the current year.
(7)

Intangibles

Cost

At 1 April 20X5
Additions during year
At 31 March 20X6
Amortisation/impairment
At 1 April 20X5
Charge for the year
At 31 March 20X6
Carrying amount
At 31 March 20X6
At 31 March 20X5

Goodwill
CU000

Development
costs
CU000

Total
CU000

X
X
X

X
X
X

X
X
X

X
X
X

X
X
X

X
X
X

X
X

X
X

X
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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

653

Financial accounting
(8) Inventories
CU000
X
X
X
X

Raw materials and consumables


Work in progress
Finished goods and goods for resale
(9) Ordinary share capital
Ordinary shares of 50p each
1 April 20X5
Issued during the year
At 31 March 20X6

Authorised
Number
CU000
X
X
X
X
X
X

Issued and fully paid


Number
CU000
X
X
X
X
X
X

On 30 December 20X5 X ordinary shares were issued fully paid for cash at a premium of Xp per
share.
As described in note 19, X ordinary shares were issued at a premium of Xp per share in the
acquisition of the trade and assets of A Ltd.
(10) Retained earnings
The restatement of the balance brought forward is to correct an error arising out of the overvaluation
of inventories at 31 March 20X5. The effect on the profit for the year ended 31 March 20X5 was
CUX. Comparative information has been adjusted accordingly.
(11) Preference share capital
The 10% preference shares of CU1 carry no voting rights and are redeemable at par on 31 March
20Z5. Dividends are paid half-yearly and on a winding up these shares rank ahead of the ordinary
shares.
(12) Finance lease liabilities
The minimum lease payments on finance leases are as follows:

Within one year


Two to five years
More than five years
Future finance charges
Present value

Minimum
lease
payments
CU000
X
X
X
X
(X)
X

Present
value
CU000
X
X
X
X

Being:
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

X
X
X

(13) Borrowings
Borrowings comprise:
Bank loans and overdrafts
Debentures
Being:

Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

The debentures have a coupon of 11% and are redeemable at par on 31 March 20Z5.

654

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

CU000
X
X
X
X
X
X

APPENDIX

The bank loans are secured by a fixed charge on the freehold property and are repayable on 31 March
20Y5. The interest rate is variable, currently 6%.
(14) Provisions
Restructuring
CU000
X
X
(X)
X

At 1 April 20X5
Additions
Amounts used during year
At 31 March 20X6

Other
CU000
X
X
(X)
X

Total
CU000
X
X
(X)
X

Per share
Xp
Xp
Xp

CU000
X
X
X

(15) Dividends
The dividends recognised in the statement of changes in equity comprise:
Final dividend for 20X5
Interim dividend for 20X6

A resolution proposing a final dividend for 20X6 of Xp per share, CUX in total, will be put to the
Annual General Meeting.
(16) Events after the balance sheet date
Following a decision of the board, a freehold property was classified as held for sale on 1 May 20X6.
The sale was completed on 15 June 20X6, realising a gain of CUX after tax of CUX. The transaction
will be reflected in the companys financial statements to 31 March 20X7.
(17) Contingent liabilities
The company is being sued in the USA for damages of $X million (approximately CUX million) in
respect of sale of faulty goods. The directors do not expect to lose the case and do not believe any
provision needs to be made.
(18) Commitments
Capital commitments
Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment contracted for at the balance sheet date but not
recognised in these financial statements amounted to CUX.
Operating lease commitments
At the year end the company had commitments to make payments under non-cancellable operating
leases, which fall due as follows:
CU000
X
X
X
X

Within one year


Two to five years
More than five years
(19) Goodwill arising during the year

X 50p ordinary shares were issued on 30 December 20X5 to acquire the assets and trade of A Ltd.
Details of the consideration and assets acquired were as follows:
Fair value of assets acquired:
Short leasehold property
Inventories
Goodwill
Fair value of consideration

CU000
X
X
X
X
X

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

655

Financial accounting
The income statement includes revenue of CUX and profit of CUX in relation to this trade since the
date of acquisition. If the acquisition had been made on 1 April 20X5, the income statement would
have included revenue of CUX and profit of CUX.
(20) Discontinued activities
Division A is being closed down and was classified as held for sale on 1 February 20X6. Completion of
the closure is expected by the end of September 20X6. The carrying amount of assets held for sale
was CUX on 31 March 20X6. The results of Division A for the year ended 31 March 20X6 were:
revenue CUX, expenses CUX, pre-tax loss CUX, tax in respect of the pre-tax loss CUX, loss on the
remeasurement of assets at fair value less costs to sell CUX and tax in respect of that remeasurement
loss CUX.
(21) Reconciliation of profit/loss before tax to cash generated from operations for the year
ended 31 March 20X6
Profit/(loss) before tax
Finance cost
Investment income
Depreciation charge
Amortisation charge
Loss/(profit) on disposal of non-current assets
(Increase)/decrease in inventories
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables
(Increase)/decrease in prepayments
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables
Increase/(decrease) in accruals
Increase/(decrease) in provisions
Cash generated from operations

CU000
X/(X)
X
(X)
X
X
X/(X)
(X)/X
(X)/X
(X)/X
(X)/X
(X)/X
(X)/X
X

(22) Cash and cash equivalents


Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and balances with banks, and investments in money
market instruments. Cash and cash equivalents included in the cash flow statement comprise the
following balance sheet amounts.
Cash on hand and balances with banks
Short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents

CU'000
X
X
X

The company has undrawn borrowing facilities of CUXm of which only CUXm may be used for future
expansion.
(23) Property, plant and equipment
During the period the company acquired property, plant and equipment with an aggregate cost of
CUX of which CUX was acquired by finance lease. Cash payments of CUX were made to purchase
property, plant and equipment.
(24) Details of Specimen Ltd
The company is incorporated in Bangladesh. In the opinion of the directors, the immediate and
ultimate controlling party of the company is its parent company, XYZ Ltd, a company incorporated in
Bangladesh. No transactions took place between the company and XYZ Ltd during the year and there
are no outstanding balances.

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The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, March 2009

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