THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF SRI LANKA

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS AND FINANCE - 2013/201 PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL AND COST ACCOUNTING

Nadeeshani Dissanayake B.Sc. Accounting (Sp), First Class, ACA,

ACMA, CPA (Aust)

Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors:

LKAS 8

Key is comparability  Objectives:

How to choose accounting policies Reporting changes in accounting policies Reporting changes in estimates Reporting the correction of errors

IAS 8 – SELECTION AND APPLICATION OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

For a specific transaction or event - First, look to the IFRS/SLFRS that deals specifically with that situation:

International Financial Reporting Standards, International Accounting Standards, and Interpretations developed by IFRIC or predecessor SIC

 Appendices and implementation guidance attached to these are an

integral part of each only if stated on the specific standard. IFRS/SLFRS standards and interpretations - top of the GAAP hierarchy

When applied – information is assumed to be relevant and reliable

What if no specific IFRS/SLFRS that applies?

If no specific IFRS/SLFRS that applies: Use judgment Develop a policy that results in relevant

and reliable information Hierarchy of sources to use

IFRS/SLFRS Conceptual framework basics If not in conflict with above, use other sources: Pronouncements of other standard setters with

similar frameworks, accounting literature, accepted industry practice, etc.

IAS 8 – CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Accounting policies - “specific principles, bases, conventions, rules

and practices applied by an entity in preparing and presenting financial statements”

 Source of changes in accounting policy: required by a new or revised IFRS (most

common) voluntary change to reliable and more relevant

information  Examples

If change due to: different economic conditions new events or conditions previously immaterial effects

Then NOT a change in accounting policy

Initial application of an IFRS/SLFRS – if transitional accounting method provided – follow it– if no transitional method – retrospective application

 Voluntary change in policy– retrospective application

Retrospective (retroactive) application– means apply new policy as if it had always been applied– change past amounts

Retrospective application: for the earliest prior period presented adjust opening balance of equity affected adjust opening balance of other

comparative amounts disclosed Unless

impracticable to determine effects on specific prior periods or cumulative effect of change

Impracticable: not able to determine adjustments needed after making reasonable effort, i.e., effects of retroactive changes not determinable assumptions needed about management’s intentions in the

prior period cannot make estimates without knowing circumstances that

existed in the prior period; can only do using hindsight Example: need to estimate fair value of private

company three years ago. Need to know expectations that existed then re cash flows and risk-adjusted discount rate. Not possible in many situations.

If impracticable to apply full retrospective treatment, then– apply the change to A, L, and equity accounts at

beginning of earliest possible period for which effects are known

If impracticable to determine cumulative effect even on current period opening balances, then– apply new policy prospectively

For all changes in accounting policy, disclose nature of the change amounts of adjustments to all F/S items, EPS, and to prior

periods if judged impracticable to apply retrospectively, explain

why, and how applied  If on application of a new/revised IFRS, also report

name of IFRS, that transitional provisions are applied, any likely future effects

 Also disclosures about new IFRS released but not yet effective

LKAS /IAS 8 – CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Change in accounting estimate – adjustment to carrying amount of an A/L or amount of asset consumed in period resulting from its present status and the expected future benefits/obligations associated with it. Results from new information or new

developments If uncertain whether a change in policy or a

change in estimate, account for it as a change in estimate

Estimates are fundamental to the accounting process

Changes are expected and recurring Therefore, account for prospectively Prospective application – recognize effect of

change in current and future periods Disclose

Nature of the change Amount of the change, unless effect on future

periods impracticable to estimate

LKAS/IAS 8 – CORRECTIONS OF ERRORS Prior period error – an omission or

misstatement in previously reported financial statements from failing to use/misuse of reliable information that Was available when F/S were authorized, and Could reasonably be expected to have been

used in preparing those F/S e.g., arithmetic mistakes, mistakes in

applying accounting policies, oversights, misrepresentation of facts, fraud

Accounting for correction of an error – Retrospective restatement As if error had never been made If impracticable to determine period-specific

adjustments, use partial retrospective application, or even prospective treatment (see change in accounting policy)

Disclose Nature of the error Amount of correction for each F/S item, EPS, and

to prior periods If judged impracticable to apply retrospectively,

explain why, how applied and date from which error is corrected

PROVISIONS, CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND CONTINGENT

ASSETS (LKAS 37)

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.

Legal Obligation + Constructive Obligation

A Contingent Liability – is 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.

A contingent Assets – is a possible asset that arises from past events and whose existence will be confirmed only by occurrence or non- occurrence of one ore more uncertain future events not wholly within the control of the company

RECOGNITION

A provision shall be recognized when :(a) An entity has a present obligation as a

result of past event;(b) It is probable that an outflow of

resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle obligation; and

(c) A reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation

Contingent Liability – Not recognised as a liability in FS. But needs to be disclosed.

Contingent Assets - Not recognised as a asset in FS. But needs to be disclosed where an inflow of economic benefit is probable.

EXAMPLE 1Entity A is involved in a legal dispute. A customer claims they slipped and fell at the entity premises, sustaining a back injury. The customer is seeking a damage of Rs. 1 mn. Despite the fact that customers have been successful in winning similar claims in the past, the directors of entity A believe they will be successful in defending the claim. Entity A’s lawyers have also advised that it is probable that Entity A will not be found liable.Should Entity A recognise a provision for the legal claim ?

EXAMPLE 1 CONT….

No, a provision does not need to be recognised in Entity A’s Financial Statements

In this fact pattern, although the entity has a present obligation resulting from a past event, it is not probable that an outflow to resources would be required to settle the obligation

The event would likely be disclosed as contingent liability in the FS

EXAMPLE 2

ABC is an oil exploration company. During the year, due to a lapse in safety procedures on one of ABC’ oil rigs, there was a major oil spill.

There is no environmental legislation that requires ABC to clean up the contamination caused by the oil spill. However, in recent years, ABC has widely publicised its environmental policy, which includes an undertaking to clean up any contamination that it causes.ABC engineers estimate that it will cost approximately Rs. 15 mn to rectify the damage caused by the spill

Should ABC recognise a provision for the cost of rectifying the oil spill ?

EX 2 - SOLUTION

Is there a present obligation as a result of past event ? YES

Is the outflow of economic resources probable ? YES

Can the amount be reliably measured ? YES

MEASUREMENT OF PROVISIONS A provision is measured as follows the best estimate of expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the end of the reporting period Best estimateThe amount that an entity would rationally pay to settle the obligation at that date or to transfer it to a third party at that time.Large Population of items : expected valueSingle obligation : most likely amount

EX :3 Using the same facts as for Ex 2, ABC

engineers have revised their original estimates for the cost of rectifying the damages caused by the oil spill. The engineers now believe that there is a

15% chance of the clean-up costing Rs. 10mn 30% chance of the clean-up costing Rs. 15mn55% chance of the clean-up costing Rs. 20mn

What is the appropriate value of the provision recognised by ABC in its FS ?

SolutionAs the oil spill is a single obligation, the individul most likely outcome should be used to provide the best estimate of the liabilityThe individual most likely outcome is Rs. 20mn (55% likeliehood)

EX: 4

Using the same facts as for ex – 3, except now assume that the obligation is relating to a large population of items ( ex: warranties on cars manufactured)Calculate the value of the provision to be recognised.

Provision should be estimated using the expected value method15% * Rs. 10mn = Rs. 1.5 mn30% * Rs. 15mn = Rs. 4.5 mn55% * Rs. 20mn = Rs. 11.0 mnTotal provision RS. 17mn