Capstone 2 flashcards

Question 1

Q

Accounts receivable

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Accounts receivable (ASPE)
• Considered a financial instrument (financial asset), as it represents a contractual right to receive cash or another financial asset from another party
• As such, accounts receivable must be tested for impairment at the end of the reporting period if significant adverse changes during the period cast doubt on collectability
• If impaired, then should be written down to the amount expected to be collected through the use of an allowance account
• The amount of the reduction shall be recognized as a bad debt expense in net income.

Reference: ASPE 3856.05(h), .16, .17

Question 2

Q

Inventory valuation

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Inventory valuation (ASPE)
• Inventories shall be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value (NRV).
• The cost of inventories shall comprise all costs of purchase, costs of conversion, and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition.
• NRV is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less estimated selling costs
• Estimates of NRV are based on the most reliable evidence available, at the time the estimates are made, of the amount the inventories are expected to realize upon sale.

Reference: ASPE 3031.07, .10-12, .29

Question 3

Q

Inventory costs

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Inventory costs (ASPE)
• The cost of inventories shall comprise all purchase, conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition
• Trade discounts, rebates and other similar items are deducted in determining the costs of purchase
• Storage, administrative overhead, and selling costs are specifically excluded from the cost of inventories

Reference: ASPE 3031.11, .12, .17

Question 4

Q

Internally generated intangible assets – R&D

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Internally generated intangible assets – R&D (ASPE)
• Research costs are always expensed when incurred
• Accounting policy choice to either capitalize or expense development costs
• Development costs can be capitalized if all of the following exist:
o Technically feasible
o Intention to complete it
o Ability to use or sell it
o Availability of adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development
o Ability to reliably measure the expenditures attributed
o Probable future economic benefits will be generated

Reference: ASPE 3064.37, .40, .41

Question 5

Q

Goodwill and intangible assets – Amortization

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Goodwill and intangible assets – Amortization (ASPE)
• Intangibles are to be amortized over their estimated useful lives unless they are considered to have an indefinite life
• Assets with indefinite lives are not to be amortized until the life is no longer considered indefinite (however it must still be tested for impairment)
• Amortization method and useful life should be reviewed annually
• The expected useful life must consider:
o expected use of the asset,
o expected useful life of related assets,
o contractual, legal and regulatory provisions and other economic factors

Reference: ASPE 3064.56, .57, .61

Question 6

Q

Investments

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Investments (ASPE)
• Investments subject to significant influence can be accounted for using the equity or cost method
• Investments without significant influence:
o Not quoted on an active market – accounted for using cost method
o Quoted on active market – accounted for at fair value

Reference: ASPE 3051 and 3856.11 - .15

Question 7

Q

Financial instruments – Impairment

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Financial instruments – Impairment (ASPE)
• Financial instruments tested for impairment at the end of each reporting period. Where impairment exists, reduce the carrying value to the highest of:
o Present value (PV) of cash flows expected from holding the asset
o Net realizable value (if asset sold)
o Amount entity expects to realize from exercising its right to collateral
• Impairment can be reversed if asset subsequently recovers in value

Reference: ASPE 3856.16 - .19

Question 8

Q

Deductibility of expenses

Taxation

Answer

A

Deductibility of expenses (Taxation)
• General limitation – To be deductible, expense or outlay must be made or incurred by the taxpayer for the purpose of gaining, producing or maintaining income, and be expected to generate income related to the taxpayer’s business or property

Reference: ITA 18(1)(a)

Question 9

Q

Common business expenses DISALLOWED

Taxation

Answer

A

Common business expenses DISALLOWED (Taxation)
• Amortization / Impairment / Accounting Gains & Losses (deduct via CCA)
• Personal expenses and membership / club dues
• Charitable donations – deduction to determine Taxable Income for a Corp.
• Political contributions – limited tax credit available for an individual; Federal Accountability Act deems corporate political contributions to be illegal, resulting in no deduction or credit.
• Taxes, interest and penalties related to tax
• Meals & entertainment (50% for business purposes, deductible for remote or temporary work sites, or special events for employees)
• Expenses re: issue or sale of shares and refinancing costs (deduct over 5 years)
• Life insurance premiums (except where the policy has been assigned as collateral)
• Unpaid amounts & unpaid remuneration (accrued salary which is unpaid 180 days after fiscal period is deemed not to have been incurred until actually paid)
• Carrying charges on vacant land (non-deductible portion added to ACB)
• Soft costs on construction of building (include interest, legal, accounting fees, insurance, property taxes; must be capitalized)

Reference: ITA 20(1), 18, 67.1, 78

Question 10

Q

Common business expenses ALLOWED

Taxation

Answer

A

Common business expenses ALLOWED (Taxation)
• Automobile expenses
• Home office expenses
• Convention expenses (limited to 2 per year)
• Foreign taxes (deductions in excess of 15% on foreign-source property income, since foreign tax credits limited to 15%; if no foreign tax credit can be claimed, entire amount of foreign non-business income tax is deductible)
• Inventory valuation (lower of cost or market, method must be consistent, LIFO not permitted)
• Reserves – no deduction for a reserve, contingent liability or sinking fund in general, but reserve is permitted for doubtful debts, amounts not due under an installment sales contract; any reserve deducted in one year must be taken into income the next year

Reference: ITA 10, 18, 20, 126(1)

Question 11

Q

Capital Cost Allowance (CCA)

Taxation

Answer

A

Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) (Taxation)
• CCA may be claimed on all tangible capital property other than land, must be available for use
• Inducements (such as leasehold improvements) may be included in income or used to reduce capital cost
• Most classes subject to Accelerated Investment Incentive of 1.5 × CCA on net additions (except 53, 43.1, and 43.2, which are subject to 100% CCA in the year of purchase)
• Dispositions are credited to UCC at lesser of cost and proceeds (excess of proceeds over original cost result in a capital gain)
• Terminal loss – when there is a balance of UCC in the class but there are no assets remaining, the UCC can be claimed as a terminal loss (capital loss cannot arise on the disposition of depreciable property)
• Recapture – arises when the balance in the class is negative (i.e. when the adjustment re: disposal is in excess of the UCC) and is taken into income
• Recapture / Terminal loss calculated as: Lesser of a) proceeds and b) cost; less UCC. If positive, then recapture. If negative, then terminal loss.

Reference: ITA 20(1)(a), ITR Schedule II

Question 12

Q

Reporting alternatives – Specific items

Audit & Assurance

Answer

A

Reporting alternatives – Specific Items (Audit & Assurance)
CAS 805 Report – Audits of Single Financial Statements and Specific Elements, Accounts or Items of a Financial Statement
• A report providing audit level assurance on individual financial statements or accounts, rather than financial statements on the whole
• May not be a practical alternative if the financial statements on the whole are not being audited
The auditor must
• comply with all CAS’s relevant to the audit (CAS 200)
• determine the acceptable financial reporting framework to be applied and document the agreed terms of the audit engagement, including the expected form of any reports to be issued (CAS 210)

CAS’s written in the context of an audit of financial statements are to be adapted as necessary when applied to audits of other historic financial information.
When forming an opinion and reporting on a single financial statement or on a specific element of a financial statement, the auditor shall apply the requirements in CAS 700, adapted as necessary in the circumstances of the engagement. Reference: CAS 805

Question 13

Q

Retiring allowance rollover to RRSP

Taxation

Answer

A

Retiring allowance rollover to RRSP (Taxation)
A retiring allowance (also called severance pay) is an amount paid to officers or employees when or after they retire from an office or employment, in recognition of long service or for the loss of office or employment. A retiring allowance includes:
• payments for unused sick-leave credits on termination; and
• amounts individuals receive when their office or employment is terminated, even if the amount is for damages (wrongful dismissal when the employee does not return to work).
Individuals with years of service before 1996 may be able to directly transfer all or part of a retiring allowance to a registered pension plan (RPP) or a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP). The amount that is eligible for transfer is limited to:
• $2,000 for each year prior to 1996
• Additional $1,500 for each year prior to 1989 (if no vested contributions to RPP or DPSP by employer)

Reference: ITA 60(j.1)

Question 14

Q

Shareholder loan

Taxation

Answer

A

Shareholder loan (Taxation)
• Principal amount must be added to shareholder’s income ITA 15(2)
• No imputed interest under ITA 80.4(3)
• Can be deducted under ITA 20(1)(j) when it is repaid
• Exception: If loan repaid prior to second balance sheet date of corporation, then principal amount need not be added to shareholder’s income, per ITA 15(2.6), but imputed interest under ITA 80.4(2) would apply. However, it cannot be a series of loans and payments (as per ITA 15(2.6), 20(1)(j))
• Exception: Loan advanced as an employee, rather than shareholder, to acquire residence, auto for work or shares of the company, under ITA 15(2.4), as long as at the time the loan was made, bona-fide arrangements were made for repayment of the loan within a reasonable amount of time

Reference: ITA 15, 20(1)(j), 80.4

Question 15

Q

Revenue recognition – Consignment sales

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Revenue recognition – Consignment sales (ASPE)
• Consignment sales include goods shipped but not yet billed
• They could be returned if not sold or only billed for to the extent sold
• Performance is not considered complete upon delivery for such goods, as the risks and rewards are deemed not to have been transferred from the seller to the buyer because of the seller’s continuing involvement
• As such, revenue cannot be recognized up until either the goods can no longer be returned or a payment is made in regards to them

Reference: ASPE 3400.13 - .15

Question 16

Q

Asset criteria

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Asset criteria (ASPE)
Definition of an asset:
•	Future benefit
•	Entity can control the benefit
•	Event that caused benefit already occurred

Reference: ASPE 1000.25

Question 17

Q

Residency

Taxation

Answer

A

Residency (Taxation)
• CRA considers both significant and secondary residential ties in assessing whether a taxpayer is a resident of Canada
• Significant residential ties – factors that make a strong case, in and of themselves, that residential ties exist:
o a home in Canada
o a spouse or common-law partner in Canada
o dependents in Canada
• Secondary residential ties – factors that may contribute to whether residential ties exist (including, but not limited to):
o personal property in Canada (car, furniture, etc.)
o social ties in Canada (memberships in Canadian recreational groups, etc.)
o economic ties in Canada (Canadian bank account or credit cards, etc.)
o Canadian driver’s licence, Canadian passport, or Canadian health insurance
• If a taxpayer is determined to be a resident of Canada, they are taxed on all of their worldwide income; non-residents of Canada are taxed only on income tied to Canadian sources
Reference: ITA 2, 3, Income Tax Folio S5-F1-C1

Question 18

Q

PPE – Betterments

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

PPE – Betterments (ASPE)
• A “betterment” enhances service potential (increase in physical output or service capacity, associated operating costs are lowered, useful life is extended, or quality of output is improved)
• If the expenditure can be classified as a betterment  capitalize asset
• If the expenditure cannot be classified as a betterment  expense as repair and maintenance

Reference: ASPE 3061.14

Question 19

Q

Non-monetary transactions

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Non-monetary transactions (ASPE)
• Asset exchanged in a non-monetary transaction should be measured at the more reliably measurable of the fair value of the asset given up and the fair value of the asset received, unless the transaction lacks commercial substance or neither the fair value of the asset received nor the fair value of the asset given up is reliably measurable, in which case, it should be measured at the carrying value of the asset given up
• A non-monetary transaction has commercial substance when the entity’s future cash flows are expected to change significantly as a result of the transaction, i.e.
o the risk, timing and amount of the future cash flows of the asset received differ significantly from the risk, timing and amount of the cash flows of the asset given up; or
o the entity-specific value of the asset received differs from the entity-specific value of the asset given up, and the difference is significant relative to the fair value of the assets exchanged

Reference: ASPE 3831.06, .07, .11

Question 20

Q

Non-monetary transactions

Financial Reporting (IFRS)

Answer

A

Non-monetary transactions (IFRS)
• Asset exchanged in a non-monetary transaction should be measured at the more reliably measurable of the fair value of the asset given up and the fair value of the asset received, unless the transaction lacks commercial substance or neither the fair value of the asset received nor the fair value of the asset given up is reliably measurable, in which case, it should be measured at the carrying value of the asset given up
• A non-monetary transaction has commercial substance when the entity’s future cash flows are expected to change significantly as a result of the transaction, i.e.
o the risk, timing and amount of the future cash flows of the asset received differ significantly from the risk, timing and amount of the cash flows of the asset given up; or
o the entity-specific value of the asset received differs from the entity-specific value of the asset given up, and the difference is significant relative to the fair value of the assets exchanged

Reference: IAS 16.24-.26

Question 21

Q

Review engagements

Audit & Assurance

Answer

A

Review engagements (Audit & Assurance)
• The objective of a review engagement is to obtain limited assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement
• A conclusion is formed on whether anything has come to the practitioner’s attention to cause them to believe the financial statements are not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with an applicable financial reporting framework, i.e. ASPE, IFRS
• Limited assurance about the results of the examination is provided, with an explicit statement that an audit opinion is not expressed
• Report expresses negative assurance – “nothing has come to our attention…”
• Similar to an audit, independence is required as it is an assurance engagement
• Materiality must be determined
• Typical procedures include:
o Obtaining knowledge of the client’s business
o Making inquiries of management and client personnel
o Performing analytical procedures

Reference: CSRE 2400

Question 22

Q

Opening balances

Audit & Assurance

Answer

A

Opening balances (Audit & Assurance)
• Sufficient and appropriate evidence regarding opening balances being free of material misstatement must be obtained in order to issue an opinion
• Evidence may be obtained by reviewing the previous auditor’s working papers, if the client has been audited before, or by performing specified audit procedures on the opening balances, if the client is being audited for the first time
• If the opening balances cannot be verified, it may be necessary to issue a qualified opinion or denial / disclaimer of opinion due to the scope limitation
• Generally, the opening balance scope limitation would not apply to a review engagement as there’s no requirement to send out A/R confirmations or attend inventory counts, which are time-sensitive and generally only required for audit level assurance

Reference: CAS 510, paragraph 6(c), 10

Question 23

Q

Employee vs. Contractor

Taxation

Answer

A

Employee vs. Contractor (Taxation)
• No single test is decisive. Must consider:
o Intention of the parties
o Control of work (hours, location, how job is completed)
o Ownership of tools (who supplies)
o Chance of profit and risk of loss
o Ability to subcontract work or hire assistants
o Integration
• Issues:
o Contractors can deduct all reasonable expenses whereas employment deductions are limited
o Employees can receive EI benefits, contractors can opt in with restrictions
o Employers are required to withhold source deductions for employees
o Employer may be responsible for both employee and employer contributions of EI and CPP if an individual is incorrectly classified as a contractor
Reference: RC4110

Question 24

Q

Employer provided automobile –
Standby charge

Taxation

Answer

A

Employer provided automobile – Standby charge (Taxation)
• Standby charge is a taxable employment benefit that only applies if an employer-provided automobile is available to the employee for personal use
• Calculated as:
o 2% of the original cost per month available; or
o 2/3 of the monthly lease payment per month available
• reduced by payments made by the individual to the employer
• reduced standby charge applicable where personal use less than 1,667 km per month and automobile primarily used for business purposes (consider greater than 50%)

Reference: ITA 6(1)

Question 25

Q

Employer provided automobile –
Operating cost benefit

Taxation

Answer

A

Employer provided automobile – Operating cost benefit (Taxation)
• Taxable employment benefit, calculated as:
o $0.27 (for 2021) per km of personal use; or
o 50% of the standby charge (only when vehicle used at least 50% for business)
• Operating costs include gas, insurance and maintenance, but not parking

Reference: ITA 6(1)(k)

Question 26

Q

Employer provided automobile –
Tax planning

Taxation

Answer

A

Employer provided automobile – Tax planning (Taxation)
• Consider employee purchasing the car and charging a reasonable per-km allowance (may be more tax effective since the standby charge is based on original cost)
• Consider employee including allowance in income and claiming business portion of actual car expenses if they exceed the allowance
• Consider sale and leaseback for employer-provided cars (leasing may lower tax benefits because otherwise the standby charge is based on original cost)
• Maintain log to justify business vs. personal km
• Lower standby charge by reducing number of days vehicle available for personal use
• Increase business use by visiting clients on the way to and from work

Reference: ITA 6(1), 8(1)

Question 27

Q

Employment –
Taxable benefits

Taxation

Answer

A

Employment – Taxable benefits (Taxation)
• Board and lodging (unless at remote location)
• Most rent-free and low-rent housing
• Trips of a non-business nature
• Gifts greater than $500 (that are not cash or near-cash)
• Cash and near-cash gifts
• Cost of tools where employee is not required to have tools to work
• Forgiveness of debt
• Employer-paid education costs when primarily for the benefit of employee

Reference: ITA 6(1), CRA’s Employers’ Guide – Taxable Benefits and Allowance (publication T4130), chapter 3

Question 28

Q

Employment – Non taxable benefits

Taxation

Answer

A

Employment – Non-taxable benefits (Taxation)
• Uniforms and special clothing required to be worn
• Transportation to job site
• Moving expenses reimbursed, excluding housing loss reimbursement
• Recreational facilities at place of work
• Premiums paid under private health services plans
• Professional membership fees when primarily for benefit of the employer

Reference: ITA 6(1), CRA’s Employers’ Guide – Taxable Benefits and Allowance (publication T4130), chapter 3

Question 29

Q

Impairment of long-lived assets

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Impairment of long-lived assets (ASPE)
• Steps:
1. Determine if factors indicating impairment exist
2. Group asset with other assets/liabilities to form group at the lowest level that generates cash flow (i.e. cash generating unit)
3. Determine if there is impairment by comparing net book value to recoverable amount (i.e. undiscounted future cash flows)
4. Calculate impairment by comparing carrying amount to fair value
• Cannot reverse write-downs

Reference: ASPE 3063.04-.09, .12, .18

Question 30

Q

Impairment of assets

Financial Reporting (IFRS)

Answer

A

Impairment of assets (IFRS)
• An entity is required to assess whether there are any indicators of impairment at the end of each reporting period. If an indication of impairment exists, the asset will need to be tested for impairment.
• To test for impairment, compare the asset’s recoverable amount to the carrying value. The extent to which the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount (if any) is the impairment loss.
• Recoverable amount: Higher of the fair value less costs to sell and value in use
o Fair value less costs to sell: price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability between market participants, less incremental costs directly attributable to the disposal of the asset (excluding finance cost and income tax expense)
o Value in use: Present value of the future cash flows from the continuing use of the asset and its ultimate disposal
• Impairment can be reversed if the asset subsequently recovers in value, but not to more than the “would be” value had the impairment not been recognized.
Reference: IAS 36

Question 31

Q

Investments – Equity method

Financial Reporting (IFRS)

Answer

A

Investments – Equity method (IFRS)
• IAS 28: an entity with significant influence over an investee shall treat the investee as an associate and account for its investment in the associate using the equity method
• Significant influence can be demonstrated by owning (directly or indirectly) 20% or more of the voting power of the investee
• The entity may be able to demonstrate influence, even with less than 20% ownership. Evidence of influence can include:
o Representation on the board of directors
o Participation in policy-making processes
o Material transactions between the entity and its investee
o Provision of essential technical information
• Under the equity method, the investment is initially recognized at cost, and is adjusted for the post-acquisition change in the investor’s share of the investee’s net assets

Reference: IAS 28

Question 32

Q

Accounting for subsidiaries

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Accounting for subsidiaries (ASPE)
An enterprise can make an accounting policy choice to account for its subsidiaries using one of the following methods:
•	Cost method
•	Equity method
•	Consolidation method

** Once a method has been selected, it must be applied consistently (i.e. all subsidiaries must be accounted for using the same method)

Reference: ASPE 1591, ASPE 3051

Question 33

Q

PPE – Costs

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

PPE – Costs (ASPE)
• PPE costs represent the amount of consideration given up to acquire, construct, develop, or better a PPE and comprise of all costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction, development or betterment, including installing it at the location and in the condition necessary for its intended use
• PPE costs include direct construction or development costs (such as materials and labour) and overhead / carrying costs directly attributable to the construction or development activity
• The cost of each item of PPE acquired as part of a basket purchase (i.e. when a group of assets is acquired for a single amount) is determined by allocating the price paid for the basket to each item on the basis of its relative fair value at the time of acquisition

Reference: ASPE 3061.03, .06, .08

Question 34

Q

Capital lease criteria – Lessee

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Capital lease criteria – Lessee (ASPE)
• Must meet one of the criteria:
o Transfer of ownership or bargain purchase option at the end of the lease term
o Lease term at least 75% of economic life of asset
o PV of minimum lease payments at least 90% of FV of leased asset
 Discount rate = lower of lessee’s incremental borrowing rate and implicit rate in the lease

Reference: ASPE 3065.06

Question 35

Q

Capital lease criteria – Lessor

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Capital lease criteria – Lessor (ASPE)
• Capital lease if all of the following exist:
• Credit risk is normal
• Unreimbursable costs are estimable
• Any one of the following criteria are met:
o Transfer of ownership or bargain purchase option at the end of the lease term
o Lease term at least 75% of economic life of asset
o PV of minimum lease payments at least 90% of FV of leased asset
 Discount rate = implicit rate in the lease

Reference: ASPE 3065.07

Question 36

Q

Types of capital leases – Lessor

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Types of capital leases – Lessor (ASPE)
• Sales-type lease
o Arise when a dealer uses leasing as a way to sell their products
o Record as sale
• Direct financing lease
o At inception, FV of the leased property is equal to its carrying value
o Usually arises when a lessor acts as intermediary between manufacturer and lessee
o Record as lease receivable (payments to be received and guaranteed residual value, if any)
o Difference between lease receivable and carrying value should be recorded as unearned finance income
o Finance income will be recognized each year

Reference: ASPE 3065.29, .30, .37

Question 37

Q

Compound Financial Instruments

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Compound Financial Instruments (ASPE)
• Financial instruments, or their component parts, should be classified as a liability or equity in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangement on initial recognition and the definitions of a liability and an equity instrument
• Financial instruments that contain both a liability and an equity element, including warrants or options issued with and detachable from a financial liability, should be separated into component parts, as follows:
o The equity component is measured as zero, i.e. the entire proceeds of the issue are allocated to the liability component; or
o The less easily measurable component is allocated the residual amount after deducting from the entire proceeds of the issue the amount determined for the component that is more easily measurable
• The sum of the carrying amounts assigned to the liability and equity components on initial recognition is always equal to the carrying amount that would be ascribed to the instrument as a whole, i.e. no gain or loss can arise from recognizing and presenting the components of the instrument separately

Reference: ASPE 3856.20 - .22

Question 38

Q

Capital Budgeting –
Buy vs. Lease

Finance

Answer

A

Capital Budgeting – Buy vs. Lease (Finance)
• Calculate NPV of each option and compare to determine which option is cheapest
• NPV of buy option – consider:
o Cost of asset
o PV of tax shield
o Maintenance costs
• NPV of lease option – consider:
o PV of after tax lease payments
• Other factors to consider:
o Impact on covenants
o Cash flows (leasing lessens the current cash burden)
o Leasing may be easier to come by if company has trouble obtaining financing
o Purchasing the asset might provide more flexibility (ownership of asset)
o Leasing might insulate company from severe declines in asset value
o Possible tax advantages (no capital leases for tax purposes – CRA sees all leases the same so cash payments would be deductible, however no CCA)

Question 39

Q

Financing Options –
Debt vs. Equity

Finance

Answer

A

Financing Options – Debt vs. Equity (Finance)
• Debt financing options:
o Loan- consider loan term, and security/collateral required
o Lease
o Government assistance
• Equity financing options:
o Angel investors- can be friends or family looking for a return on investment; generally passive investors
o Venture capitalists- professional investment funds, looking for superior returns (>30%); active participants in management, with a clear exit strategy
o Private equity- tends to participate later in business lifecycle, hence lower risk
o Public markets

Question 40

Q

Revenue recognition – Completed contract method

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Revenue recognition criteria – Completed contract method (ASPE)
• The completed contract method would only be appropriate when performance consists of the execution of a single act or when the enterprise cannot reasonably estimate the extent of progress toward completion.
• NOTE: There is no equivalent recognition criteria under IFRS.

Reference: ASPE 3400.18

Question 41

Q

Revenue recognition – Percentage of completion method

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Revenue recognition criteria – Percentage-of-completion method (ASPE)
The percentage-of-completion method is appropriate when:
• performance consists of the execution of more than one act, and
• revenue would be recognized proportionately by reference to the performance of each act.

For practical purposes, when services are provided by an indeterminate number of acts over a specific period of time, revenue would be recognized on a straight line basis over the period unless there is evidence that some other method better reflects the pattern of performance.

The amount of work accomplished would be assessed by reference to measures of performance that are reasonably determinable and relate as directly as possible to the activities critical to the completion of the contract.

Reference: ASPE 3400.17

Question 42

Q

Revenue recognition – Effect of uncertainties (returns)

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Revenue recognition – Effect of uncertainties (returns) (ASPE)
Recognition of revenue requires that the revenue is measurable and that ultimate collection is reasonably assured.
• If significant and unpredictable amounts of goods being returned, do not recognize revenue
• If the amount of returns can be reasonably estimated based upon experience, it may be possible to provide for an allowance for a returns expense.

Reference: ASPE 3400.19-.21

Question 43

Q

Business use of home expenses

Taxation

Answer

A

Business use of home expenses (Taxation)
A taxpayer can deduct expenses for the business use of a workspace in the home, as long as they meet one of the following conditions:
• The home is the principal place of business.
• They use the space only to earn business income, and the taxpayer uses it on a regular and ongoing basis to meet clients, customers, or patients.
Eligible costs include: heat, home insurance, electricity, property taxes, repairs and maintenance, mortgage interest or rent (if tenant).
• Expenses are pro-rated using a reasonable basis such as the area of the work space divided by the total area of the home.
• Home office expenses are also pro-rated for a short business year.
• Losses cannot be created by home office expenses. Unused expenses are carried forward for use in a later year.
• Do not claim CCA on a principal residence, as it may negatively impact the ability to use the principle residence exemption.
Reference: ITA 18(12), Publication T4044, Income Tax Folio S4-F2-C2, Business Use of Home Expenses

Question 44

Q

Inventory measurement – Cost formulas (specific identification)

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Inventory measurement – Cost formulas (specific identification) (ASPE)
• The cost of inventories of items that are not ordinarily interchangeable and goods or services produced and segregated for specific projects shall be assigned by using specific identification of their individual costs.

Reference: ASPE 3031.22

Question 45

Q

Inventory measurement – Allocation of overhead

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Inventory measurement – Allocation of overhead (ASPE)
• The allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion is based on the normal capacity of the production facilities.
• The actual level of production may be used if it approximates normal capacity.
• Unallocated overheads are recognized as an expense in the period in which they are incurred.

Reference: ASPE 3031.14

Question 46

Q

Intangible assets

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Intangible assets (ASPE)
• In order to meet the definition of an intangible asset, assets must meet the identifiability, control, and future economic benefits tests.
• An asset meets the identifiability criterion in the definition of an intangible asset when it:
o is separable, or
o arises from contractual or other legal rights
• An entity controls an asset if the entity has the power to obtain the future economic benefits flowing from the underlying resource and to restrict the access of others to those benefits.
• An intangible asset shall be recognized if, and only if:
o it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity; and
o the cost of the asset can be measured reliably.

Reference: ASPE 3064.12, .13, .21

Question 47

Q

Lease inducements

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Lease inducements (ASPE)
•	Lease inducements are an inseparable part of the lease agreement and, accordingly, are accounted for as reductions of the lease expense over the term of the lease.

Reference: ASPE 3065.27

Question 48

Q

Business income vs. property income

Taxation

Answer

A

Business income vs. property income (Taxation)
• It is a question of fact whether income is from business or property.
• Capital property is property that provides a long term or enduring benefit
• Disposition of capital property gives rise to capital gains or losses
• Business income will arise from an “adventure or concern in the nature of trade”, determined as follows:
o Conduct
 How long was the asset held? Have there been similar transactions?
o Nature of the asset
 Is the asset capable of producing income? Is the asset related to the taxpayer’s ordinary business?
o Intent
 Did the taxpayer originally acquire the asset with the intention to sell?
• For an individual, business income is generally taxed at a higher rate than capital gain, as only 50% of capital gains are taxable.
• For a CCPC earning less than the SB Limit, capital gain is generally taxed at a higher rate than business income, as the SBD doesn’t apply to capital gains

Reference: ITA 9, 248(1)

Question 49

Q

Incremental Cash Flows

Finance

Answer

A

Incremental Cash Flows (Finance)
• Incremental cash flows comprise the additional cash flows from taking on a new project, incorporating the tax-affected initial outlay, annual revenues & expenses and terminal value (or cost) associated with the project, in accordance with the scale and timing of the project
• When determining incremental cash flows from a new project, consider:
o Sunk Costs – These are the initial outlays that cannot be recovered even if a project is accepted. As such, these costs will not affect the future cash flows of the project and are not considered incremental
o Opportunity Costs – These represent any potential loss of current cash flows due to accepting a new project and are considered incremental
o Cannibalization – This is the opportunity cost where a new project takes sales away from an existing product
o Working Capital Changes – These represent changes in receivables, payables and inventory due to accepting a new project and are therefore considered incremental

Question 50

Q

Control Deficiencies

Audit & Assurance

Answer

A

Control Deficiencies (Audit & Assurance)
•	The most effective format to address controls weaknesses consists of a short statement of the problem (deficiency), its potential effect(s) on the financial statements or operations (implication) and suggestions to address the matter (recommendation)
o	Deficiency (D) – this is generally a case fact outlining something that might be deficient with the current controls
o	Implication (I) – here, we go beyond case facts to explain the effects of the noted deficiency either on the financial statements or on operations.  To the extent possible, effects on the financial statements must be tied to assertions or at least the affected accounts must be outlined along with a discussion of how they might be affected by the deficiency
o	Recommendation (R) – this involves suggesting a solution to rectify the noted deficiency that is specific and practical given the case facts and circumstances.

Question 51

Q

Internally generated intangible assets

Financial Reporting (IFRS)

Answer

A

Internally generated intangible assets (IFRS)
• Research is defined as original and planned investigation undertaken with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding
• Development is defined as the application of research findings or other knowledge to a plan or design for the production of new or substantially improved materials, devices, products, processes, systems, or services before the start of commercial production or use
• Research costs are always expensed
• Development costs must be capitalized if all of the following exist:
o Technically feasible
o Intention to complete it
o Ability to use or sell it
o Probable future economic benefits will be generated
o Availability of adequate technical, financial and other resources
o Ability to reliably measure the expenditures attributed
• Costs meeting the tangible asset criteria should not be capitalized as intangible

Reference: IAS 38.4, .8, .54, .57

Question 52

Q

Intangible assets – Definition and recognition

Financial Reporting (IFRS)

Answer

A

Intangible assets – Definition and recognition (IFRS)
• To meet the definition of an intangible asset the item must be: identifiable, the entity must have control over the future benefit and the item must meet the recognition criteria
• The asset is identifiable if it either:
o It can be separated from the entity
o Arises from contractual, legal right that allow it to be transferrable or separable
• The entity controls the asset if it has the power to obtain future economic benefits
• Recognition criteria:
o Probable that the expected future economic benefits will flow to the entity
o Cost of the asset can be measured reliably

Reference: IAS 38.12, .13, .17 .21

Question 53

Q

Intangible assets – Amortization

Financial Reporting (IFRS)

Answer

A

Intangible assets – Amortization (IFRS)
• Intangibles are to be amortized over their estimated useful lives unless they are considered to have an indefinite life
• Assets with indefinite lives are not to be amortized until the life is no longer considered indefinite, but they must be tested for impairment annually
• Assets with definite lives can be reported following either the cost model or the revaluation model
• Amortization method and useful life should be reviewed annually
• Consider expected use, life of related assets, contractual provisions, product life cycles and other economic factors

Reference: IAS 38.72, .88, .97, .104, .107, .109

Question 54

Q

Discontinued operations

Financial Reporting (IFRS)

Answer

A

Discontinued operations (IFRS)
•	A component of an entity where its operations and cash flows can be clearly distinguished operationally and for financial reporting purposes, from the rest of the entity and it has been disposed of or classified as held for sale
•	Report results of discontinued operations on the statement of comprehensive income for current and prior periods, net of tax, segregated as follows:
o	the post-tax profit or loss of discontinued operations
o	the post-tax gain or loss recognized on the measurement to fair value less costs to sell or on the disposal of the assets or disposal group(s) constituting the discontinued operation.

Reference: IFRS 5.03, .31 - .33

Question 55

Q

Assets held for sale

Financial Reporting (IFRS)

Answer

A

Assets held for sale (IFRS)
• Non-current assets (or disposal group) to be disposed of other than by sale should continue to be classified as held and used until they are disposed of
• Non-current assets (or disposal group) to be sold should be classified as held for sale when all of the following are met:
o Management commits to a plan to sell
o Steps to locate a buyer and complete the sale have started
o It is being actively marketed at a reasonable price
o It is available for immediate sale in its present condition
o The sale is probable and expected to occur within a year
o Actions required to complete the sale indicate it’s unlikely significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn
• Non-current assets (or disposal group) held for sale should be measured at lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell, and should not be amortized

Reference: IFRS 5.06 - .15, .25

Question 56

Q

Borrowing costs

Financial Reporting (IFRS)

Answer

A

Borrowing costs (IFRS)
•	Interest and other costs that an entity incurs in connection with the borrowing of funds
•	Capitalize borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset
•	Possible qualifying assets:
o	Inventories
o	Manufacturing plants
o	Intangible assets
o	Investment properties

Reference: IAS 23.05, .07, .08

Question 57

Q

Share-based compensation

Financial Reporting (IFRS)

Answer

A

Share-based compensation (IFRS)
• For equity-settled share-based payment transactions, the entity shall measure the goods or services received, and the corresponding increase in equity, directly, at the fair value of the goods or services received, unless that fair value cannot be estimated reliably, in which case fair value of the equity instruments granted is used
• Transactions with employees and others providing similar services require use of the fair value of the equity instruments granted measured at grant date, because typically it is not possible to estimate reliably the fair value of the services received

Reference: IFRS 2.10, .11

Question 58

Q

Common audit risk factors

Audit & Assurance

Answer

A

Common audit risk factors (Audit & Assurance)

New or additional users
Management bias
Going concern
Debt covenants
Cash flow issues
Control issues
New problems or issues
Significant growth in revenues or assets
Legal claims
High risk industry
Complex systems
Changes in operating environment
New personnel
Changes to information systems
New technologies
Changes in products or activities
Corporate restructuring
Expanded foreign operations
New accounting pronouncements

Reference: CAS 315, Appendix 2

Question 59

Q

Materiality

Audit & Assurance

Answer

A

Materiality (Audit & Assurance)
• A misstatement in financial statements is considered to be material if, in the light of surrounding circumstances, it is probable that the decision of a person who is relying on the financial statements, and who has a reasonable knowledge of business and economic activities (the user), would be changed or influenced
• Common base = 5% of Normalized Net Income before Taxes (NIBT) for profit-oriented entities
• Materiality is not purely quantitative; qualitative factors must be considered
• Factors that may indicate the existence of one or more particular classes of transactions, account balances or disclosures for which misstatements of lesser amounts than materiality for the financial statements as a whole could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users- i.e. “specific” materiality
• Performance materiality (generally 60% to 75% of materiality) means the amount less than materiality to reduce to an appropriately low level the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceeds materiality

Reference: CAS 320

Question 60

Q

Audit approach

Audit & Assurance

Answer

A

Audit approach (Audit & Assurance)
•	If Control Risk assessed at Maximum, then no reliance may be placed on controls, resulting in no Tests of Controls, and a Substantive approach must be followed
•	If Control Risk assessed at less than Maximum, then some reliance may be placed on controls, based on results of Tests of Controls, which could lower the amount of substantive work to be done at year-end.  Such an approach is generally referred to as a Combined approach

Reference: CAS 330

Question 61

Q

Financial statement assertions

Audit & Assurance

Answer

A

Financial statement assertions (Audit & Assurance)
• Assertions about classes of transactions and events for the period under audit:
o Occurrence – transactions and events that have been recorded have occurred and pertain to the entity
o Completeness – all transactions and events that should have been recorded have been recorded
o Accuracy – amounts and other data relating to recorded transactions and events have been recorded appropriately
o Cut-off – transactions and events have been recorded in the correct accounting period
o Classification – transactions and events have been recorded in the proper accounts
o Presentation – transactions and events are appropriately aggregated or disaggregated and clearly described, and related disclosures are relevant and understandable
• Assertions about account balances at the period end:
o Existence – assets, liabilities, and equity interests exist
o Rights and obligations – the entity holds or controls the rights to assets, and liabilities are the obligations of the entity
o Completeness – all assets, liabilities and equity interests that should have been recorded have been recorded
o Accuracy, valuation, and allocation – assets, liabilities, and equity interests are included in the financial statements at appropriate amounts and any resulting valuation or allocation adjustments are appropriately recorded
o Classification – assets, liabilities, and equity interests have been recorded in the proper accounts
o Presentation – assets, liabilities, and equity are appropriately aggregated or disaggregated and clearly described, and related disclosures are relevant and understandable

Reference: CAS 315.A124

Question 62

Q

Use of an expert

Audit & Assurance

Answer

A

Use of an expert (Audit & Assurance)
• Evaluate the competence, capabilities and objectivity of the expert
• Obtain an understanding of the expert’s work
• Evaluate the appropriateness of the expert’s work as audit evidence for the relevant assertion

Reference: CAS 500.A35 - .A58

Question 63

Q

Revenue recognition criteria

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Revenue recognition criteria (ASPE)
Revenue from sales and service transactions shall be recognized when:
• Performance is satisfied (risks and rewards transferred, significant acts complete, no continuing managerial involvement)
• Consideration is measurable
• Collection reasonably assured

Reference: ASPE 3400.04 - .06

Question 64

Q

Revenue recognition – performance criteria

Financial Reporting (ASPE)

Answer

A

Revenue recognition – performance criteria (ASPE)
Performance would be regarded as being achieved when all of the following criteria have been met:
• Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists
• Delivery has occurred or services rendered
• Price to the buyer is fixed or determinable

In determining if the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, an entity would consider the impact of the following factors:
• Cancellable sales arrangements;
• Right of return arrangements;
• Price protections and/or inventory credit arrangements; and
• Refundable fee for service arrangements.

Reference: ASPE 3400.07, .10

Answer 65

A

Revenue recognition – collectability criteria (ASPE)
• Recognition of revenue requires that the revenue is measurable and that ultimate collection is reasonably assured
• When there is reasonable assurance of ultimate collection, revenue is recognized even though cash receipts are deferred
• When there is uncertainty as to ultimate collection, recognize revenue only as cash is received

Reference: ASPE 3400.19

Answer 66

A

Revenue recognition – multiple deliverables (ASPE)
• Evaluate all deliverables to determine whether they represent separate deliverables
• If you can identify separate deliverables, revenue recognition criteria should be assessed for each deliverable separately
• If two or more transactions are linked together in such a way the commercial effect can’t be understood without reference to the series of transactions as a whole, then the recognition criteria will be applied to the series of transactions as one

Reference: ASPE 3400.11

Answer 67

A

Government assistance (ASPE)
• Assistance for non-capital items:
o Include in net income for period when incurred
o When government assistance relates to expenses of future accounting periods, the appropriate amounts shall be deferred and amortized to income as related expenses are incurred.
• Assistance for capital items:
o Reduce cost of capital item with any depreciation computed on the net amount; or
o Defer and amortize on the same basis of depreciation
• Provided there is reasonable assurance that the enterprise has complied and will continue to comply with the conditions for receipt of the government assistance, the accrual basis of accounting for the assistance is appropriate

Reference: ASPE 3800

Answer 68

A

Discontinued operation (ASPE)
•	A discontinued operation is a component of an entity where its operations and cash flows can be clearly distinguished from the rest of the entity and it has been disposed of or classified as held for sale
•	Report results of discontinued operations on I/S for current and prior periods, net of tax

Reference: ASPE 3475.03, .30

Answer 69

A

Assets held for sale (ASPE)
• Long-lived assets to be disposed of other than by sale should continue to be classified as held and used until they are disposed of
• Long-lived assets to be sold should be classified as held for sale when all of the following are met:
o Management commits to a plan to sell
o It’s available for immediate sale in its present condition
o Steps to locate a buyer and complete the sale have started
o The sale is probable and expected to occur within a year
o It’s being actively marketed at a reasonable price
o Actions required to complete the sale indicate it’s unlikely significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn
• Asset held for sale should be measured at lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell, and should not be amortized

Reference: ASPE 3475.04, .08, .13

Answer 70

A

Accounting changes – change in estimate (ASPE)
• The use of reasonable estimates is an essential part of the preparation of financial statements and does not undermine their reliability
• An estimate may need revision if changes occur in the circumstances on which the estimate was based or as a result of new information or more experience
• By its nature, the revision of an estimate does not relate to prior periods and is not the correction of an error.
• The effect of a change in an accounting estimate is recognized prospectively by including it in net income in:
o the period of the change, if the change affects that period only; or
o the period of the change and future periods, if the change affects both.

Reference: ASPE 1506.20 - .23

Answer 71

A

Net Present Value (NPV) vs. Internal Rate of Return (IRR) (Finance)
• The NPV rule states that you invest in any project which has a positive NPV when its cash flows are discounted at the opportunity cost of capital, also known as the discount rate (usually the cost of raising the capital to fund the project)
• The IRR rule states that you invest in any project offering a rate of return which exceeds the opportunity cost of capital
• A project’s rate of return is calculated as the discount rate at which the NPV of the project would be zero
• Therefore, the NPV and IRR rules should give the same accept/reject answer about a project, in most circumstances
• A project’s cash flows should include incremental elements only (i.e. additional sales, associated expenses, lost margin on cannibalization, investment & associated tax-shield, etc., but no financing elements, as discounting of the cash flows already addresses financing)

Answer 72

A

Discounted vs. Undiscounted Cash Flows (Finance)
• Incremental cash flows (excluding financing elements) should be discounted to recognize the time value of money for the purposes of making a decision regarding accepting or rejecting a project
• Incremental cash flows (including financing elements) should be analyzed year over year, without discounting, to determine if a certain cash position would be met by a certain time

Answer 73

A

Payback Period (Finance)
• Payback period is the time in which the initial cash outflow of an investment is expected to be recovered from the cash inflows generated by the investment
• In general, investments with lower payback period are preferred
• To determine, calculate the cumulative net cash flow for each period and then use the following formula for payback period:
Payback Period = A + B / C, where:
o A is the last period with a negative cumulative cash flow;
o B is the absolute value of cumulative cash flow at the end of the period A; and
o C is the total cash flow during the period after A.

Answer 74

A

Reporting alternatives – Compliance reporting (Audit & Assurance)
• CSAE 3530 Report: Attestation engagement — A reasonable assurance or limited assurance engagement to report on management’s statement of an entity’s compliance with agreements, specified authorities, or a provision thereof
o A report concluding on whether management’s stated compliance with the terms of the agreement is fairly stated
• CSAE 3531 Report: Direct engagement — A reasonable assurance or limited assurance engagement to report on an entity’s compliance with agreements, specified authorities, or a provision thereof
o A report stating compliance with the terms of the agreement
• Section 9100 Report – Results of Applying Specified Auditing Procedures
o A report providing the factual results of the specific procedures that can be chosen to be performed
o No assurance provided but is the most flexible of all alternatives

Reference: CSAE 3530, 3531, Section 9100

Answer 75

A

Methods of collecting audit evidence (Audit & Assurance)
• Inspection – thorough examination of an item by the auditor
• Observation – use of the senses to assess certain activities
• Confirmation – receipt of a written or oral response from an independent third party verifying the accuracy of information
• Recalculation – recheck the computations and mathematical work completed by the client
• Reperformance – redo other non-mathematical procedures such as internal controls
• Analytical procedures – use comparisons and relationships between financial and non-financial information to determine whether account balances appear reasonable
• Inquiry – obtain written or oral information from the client in response to questions

Reference: CAS 500.A14-A25

Answer 76

A

Related Party Transactions (ASPE)
• For transactions carried out in the normal course of operations
o monetary related party transactions, or non-monetary RPT with commercial substance should be recorded at their exchange amount, unless
 it is a non-monetary RPT that is an exchange of a product/property to be resold in the same line of business. This type of RPT will be recorded at carrying amount, adjusted for any additional consideration/
• For transaction NOT in the normal course of business
o monetary RPT, or non-monetary RPT with commercial substance should be recorded at their exchange amount, IF
 the change in ownership interest in item transferred/service provided is substantive, and
 the exchange amount is supported by independent evidence
• When the RPT has been measured at carrying amount, any difference between the carrying amounts of items exchanged, together with any related tax amounts, shall be booked to equity.

Reference: ASPE 3840.08-.09, .18, .22, .29

Answer 77

A

Financial Ratio Analysis (Finance)
Financial ratios are categorized according to the financial aspect that the ratio measures:
• Liquidity ratios measure the availability of cash to pay short-term debts.
E.g., Current ratio, Quick ratio, Working capital ratio
• Asset turnover ratios measure efficiency in utilizing assets. E.g., accounts receivable turnover, inventory turnover
• Profitability ratios measure how well assets are used and expenses are controlled to generate a return. E.g., gross profit margin, net profit
• Debt service ratios measure the ability to repay long-term debt. E.g., debt to equity, times interest earned

Ratios generally are not useful unless they are benchmarked against something else such as past performance or another organization. Therefore, the ratios of organizations in different industries, which face different risks, capital requirements, and competition, are usually hard to compare.

Answer 78

A

Lease Accounting – Land & Building (ASPE)
When a lease contains both land and building, it must first be determined whether the terms allow ownership to pass or provide for a bargain purchase option.
o If yes, the lessee will capitalize the land separately from the building, based upon fair values.
o If no, is the FV of the land at the inception of the lease significant in relation to the total FV of the leased property?
 If yes, the land and building(s) are considered separately for purposes of classification. The lessee and lessor allocate the minimum lease payments between the land and building(s) in proportion to their fair values. Both parties classify the portion of the lease applicable to land as an operating lease.
 If no, the land and building are considered a single unit, and the economic life of the building is considered the economic life of the unit.

Reference: ASPE 3065.70 - .72

Answer 79

A

Subsequent Events (ASPE)
• In general, there are two types of subsequent events:
o those that provide further evidence of conditions that existed at the financial statement date; and
o those that are indicative of conditions that arose subsequent to the financial statement date.
• Financial statements shall be adjusted when events occurring between the date of the financial statements and the date of their completion provide additional evidence relating to conditions that existed at the date of the financial statements.
• Disclosure shall be made of those events occurring between the date of the financial statements and the date of their completion that do not relate to conditions that existed at the date of the financial statements but:
o cause significant changes to assets or liabilities in the subsequent period; or
o will, or may, have a significant effect on the future operations.

Reference: ASPE 3820.04, .07, .10

Answer 80

A

Contingencies (ASPE)
• Existing condition involving uncertainty as to a possible gain or loss
• Uncertainty will result in a range of probabilities
o likely
o unlikely
o not determinable
• Contingent losses
o must be accrued if the future event is likely and a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made
o disclosed if the future event is likely but a reasonable estimate of the loss CANNOT be made
o disclosed if the future event is not determinable
• Contingent gains
o must NOT be accrued
o disclosed if the future event is likely

Reference: ASPE 3290

Answer 81

A

Revenue Recognition (IFRS)
In a transaction involving the sale of goods or provision of services, the amount of revenue to recognize and how it is measured is determined by applying the following five steps:
• identify the contract with the customer
• identify separate performance obligations in the contract
• determine the overall transaction price
• allocate the transaction price to the separate performance obligations in the contract
• determine when the performance obligation(s) is satisfied, as revenue is recognized when (or as) the entity satisfies the performance obligation
o revenue is recognized as control is passed, either over time or at a point in time

Reference: IFRS 15

Answer 82

A

Accounting Policies, Changes, Errors (IFRS)
Accounting policies are the specific principles, bases, conventions, rules and practices applied by an entity in preparing and presenting financial statements. Changes in accounting estimates result from new information or new developments and, accordingly, are not corrections of errors.

Only change a policy if:
• Standard/interpretation requires it, or
• Change will provide more relevant and reliable information to users
Apply changes to policy retrospectively unless it is impractical.

Changes to accounting estimates should be applied prospectively.

Corrections to errors should be applied retrospectively unless it is impractical

Reference: IAS 8

Answer 83

A

Property, Plant and Equipment (IFRS)
Initial recognition if:
• The future economic benefits associated with the asset will flow to the entity, and
• The cost of the asset can be reliably measured.
Initial measure- recorded at cost.
Subsequent measurement
• Carried at cost less accumulated depreciation, and impairment losses, OR
• Carried at revalued amount, i.e. FV, less subsequent depreciation if FV can be reliably measured
o An increase in value is credited to OCI, unless it is a reversal of a revaluation decrease previously recognized as an expense
Significant components are required to be depreciated over their estimated useful life.

Reference: IAS 16

Answer 84

A

Agriculture (IFRS)
This standard is intended to apply to the following which relates to agricultural activity
• Biological assets
• Agricultural produce at the point of harvest
• Government grants related to biological assets
Initial recognition if:
• The entity controls the asset as a result of a past event.
• The future economic benefits associated with the asset will flow to the entity, and
• The cost of the asset can be reliably measured.
Initial measurement at:
• FV, less estimated point of sale costs
• Cost, if no reliable measurement of FV is available.
Subsequent measurement
• FV, less estimated point of sale costs
• Cost, less accumulated depreciation if no reliable measurement of FV is available.
Reference: IAS 41

Answer 85

A

Revenue Recognition – Identification of the performance obligations (IFRS)
Performance obligations are identified as each promise to transfer to the customer either:
• a good or service (or bundle of goods or services) that is distinct; or
• a series of distinct goods or services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer to the customer
A good or service that is promised to a customer is distinct if:
• the customer can benefit from the good or service on its own or together with other resources readily available to the customer; and
• the entity’s promise to transfer the good or service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract
Two or more promises are not separately identifiable if the nature of the promise, within the context of the contract, is to transfer a combined item in which the promised goods or services are inputs.

If a promised good or service is not distinct, it is combined with other promised goods or services until the entity identifies a bundle of goods or services that is distinct.

Reference: IFRS 15.22-.30

Answer 86

A

Provisions, Contingent Liabilities, Contingent Assets (IFRS)
Provisions- a liability of uncertain timing or amount. May be recognized when:
• The entity has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event,
• It is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation; and
• A reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation
Contingent liabilities  NOT recognized:
• A possible obligation that arises from past events, whose existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly in the control of the entity;
• A present obligation that arises from past events is not recognised when an outflow of future economic benefits is not probable or the amount of the obligation cannot be measured reliably.
Contingent assets NOT recognized:
• – 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.

Reference: IAS 37

Answer 87

A

Loss of CCPC status (Taxation)
• Can occur if the company goes public, is no longer controlled by a Canadian resident, etc.
• Implications:
o Possible acquisition of control
o Tax balances  RDTOH pool cannot have any further additions (CDA would still be available if the company continued to be private)
o Small business deduction only available to CCPC  non-CCPC will be taxed at “high rate”, creating General Rate income pool (“GRIP”) and eligible dividends
o Shares of the company will no longer be qualified small business corporation (QSBC) shares; not eligible for the lifetime capital gains exemption on the disposal of non-QSBC shares
o Tax return payments due two months after year-end, instead of three months
o Stock option taxation less favourable, as employees will not be able to defer the tax benefit arising from the exercise of stock options until the sale of the underlying shares

Reference: ITA 89, 129, 111, 110.6(1), 125

Answer 88

A

Employer paid automobile expenses – Taxable benefit (Taxation)
• A taxable benefit arises when an employee is given something that is personal in nature or if something that is personal in nature is paid for by the company
• A benefit may include an allowance or a reimbursement of an employee’s personal expense (e.g. personal fuel is reimbursed)
• The value of the benefit is generally its FMV
• If an employee is provided with a taxable benefit, the amount must be included in their income

Reference: ITA 6

Answer 89

A

Owner- manager compensation – salary vs. dividends (Taxation)
• Corporations are separate legal entities therefore, to extract funds, an owner manager must either receive a dividend or be paid a salary
• The Canadian tax system is meant to charge the same level of tax on income regardless of whether it is earned directly as an individual (i.e. salary) or flowed through a corporation (i.e. dividend); this is referred to as integration
• Salary payments are deductible to the corporation whereas dividends are not
• Dividend payments will be paid out of after-tax profits and be eligible for a dividend tax credit which offsets the higher corporate rate of tax paid
• Salary is considered earned income for the purpose of generating RRSP contribution room and pensionable earnings for CPP
• Salary payment may result in reduced net cash flow available to an owner-manager, as there are CPP costs associated with this type of compensation; these remittances are not required for dividend payments
• Dividend payments will reduce an individual’s cumulative net investment loss (CNIL)

Reference: ITA 18(1)(a), 121, 146

Answer 90

A

Reserves for bad debts (Taxation)
• A reserve may be deducted for bad debts to the extent that it is reasonable and based on specific uncollectible accounts
• A reserve claimed in one taxation year must be included in income in the following tax year and a new reserve based on the current specific uncollectible accounts will be calculated and deducted from income
o Effectively this means that the increase in the reserve amount should be deducted each year

Reference: ITA 20(1)(l), 12(1)(d)

Answer 91

A

Business investment loss (Taxation)
• For tax purposes, in the year a corporation declares bankruptcy, or is insolvent (subject to certain conditions), its shareholder(s) may file an election to deem the shares to have been disposed of for proceeds equal to nil
o Generally, this will yield a capital loss equal to the ACB of the shares
• A capital loss of small business corporations is given special treatment and is deemed to be a business investment loss
o Half of the business investment loss is determined to be an “allowable business investment loss” (ABIL) and can be applied immediately against income from any source
o The ABIL can be carried back up to three years or forward up to 10 years
o If the ABIL is not used by the end of the 10 years, it will become a capital loss
Reference: ITA 50(1), 39(1)(c), 111

Answer 92

A

Activity based costing (Management Accounting)
• Costs are allocated to activity cost pools and activity rates are calculated
• Costs that are not driven by activities are not allocated to cost pools

Answer 93

A

Moving expenses (Taxation)
In order for any moving costs to be deductible for tax purposes, the move must be an “eligible relocation” and the costs incurred must be deductible moving expenses.
• Eligible relocation is:
o Occurring as a result of a new work location within Canada, and
o One in which the new residence is at least 40 kilometres closer to the new work location than the old residence
• Deductible moving expenses include:
o Selling costs related to the old residence (i.e. commissions)
o Costs to transport household goods (i.e. moving company costs, etc.)
o Legal fees associated with the purchase of a new residence
o Disconnecting and connecting utilities, revising legal documents to reflect a new address, replacing driver’s licenses
o Travelling costs
o Meals and lodging (not exceeding 15 days, not including travel days)
o Costs of cancelling a lease on the old residence
o Up to $5,000 of interest, property taxes, insurance, heating and utilities costs on the old resident, subsequent to the time when the taxpayer has moved out, during which reasonable efforts are made to sell the property
• Examples of costs that are not deductible include:
o Home renovations for the old property in advance of the sale (these are capital in nature and would be added to the capital cost of the old property)
o Travel expenses for a house-hunting trip

Reference: ITA 248(1); 62

Answer 94

A

Principal residence exemption (PRE) (Taxation)
The PRE enables the capital gains arising on the disposition of a principal residence to be received tax-free.
• The formula for determining the PRE is (A x (1 + B) /C), where A = the capital gain on the disposition of the property, B = number of years the property is being designated as the principal residence, and C = number of the years the property was owned by the taxpayer.
• Only 1 property can be designated as a principal residence for a taxpayer and his/her family in any given year
• A principal residence is an accommodation that is ordinarily inhabited by the taxpayer/taxpayer’s family in the year
o To be ordinarily inhabited, the property needs to have been lived in at some point during the year by the taxpayer/taxpayer’s family
• If more a taxpayer/taxpayer’s family own more than 1 principal residence in a year, they will have to choose 1 to designate as the principal residence
• To minimize taxes, it is most advantageous to designate the residence with the highest average capital gain per year as the principal residence

Reference: ITA 54; 40(2)(b)

Answer 95

A

Replacement property rules (Taxation)
• In an arm’s length transaction, when one property is exchanged for another property, it is deemed to be disposed of for proceeds equal to the fair market value, and any excess of proceeds over adjusted cost base is a capital gain
• If replacement property criteria are met, then an election is available to fully defer any recapture/capital gain arising on the deemed disposition, by reducing the UCC/cost base of the acquired property by the amount of the recapture/capital gain, respectively.
• To be eligible to defer the gain, the replacement property rules must apply:
o It is reasonable to conclude that the property was acquired by the taxpayer to replace the former property (and put to the same or similar use)
o Where the former property was used by the taxpayer or a person related to the taxpayer for the purpose of gaining or producing income from a business, the particular capital property was acquired for the purpose of gaining or producing income from that or a similar business or for use by a person related to the taxpayer for such a purpose
o Where the former property was a taxable Canadian property of the taxpayer, the particular capital property is a taxable Canadian property of the taxpayer

Reference: ITA 13(4), 44

Answer 96

A

Refundable dividend tax on hand (RDTOH) (Taxation)
For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2019, there are two types of RDTOH balances:
• Non-eligible RDTOH: Includes refundable taxes on investment income and Part IV tax on non-eligible portfolio dividends.
o Only the payment of a non-eligible dividend can trigger a refund from this account.
• Eligible RDTOH: This tracks refundable taxes paid on eligible dividends received by the corporation.
o Any type of dividend (either eligible or non-eligible) can trigger a refund out of this account; however, when non-eligible dividends are paid, the refund must come out of non-eligible RDTOH first.
At the date of transition, the eligible RDTOH balance will be calculated as the lesser of:
• The existing RDTOH balance; and
• 38 1/3 % of the General Rate Income Pool (GRIP) balance.

Reference: ITA 123.3, 129(4), 186

Answer 97

A

Eligible versus non-eligible dividends (Taxation)
• Individuals must include the actual dividend plus a gross-up in their net income for tax purposes. The grossed-up dividend is referred to as the taxable dividend. Dividends received by individuals will have been designated as either eligible or non-eligible by the corporation paying the dividend.
• Non-eligible dividends are paid by Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) out of after-tax active business income eligible for the small business deduction or from after-tax aggregate investment income subject to RDTOH.
o Since both of these types of income are taxed at preferential rates inside the corporation, the gross-up and dividend tax credit rates on non-eligible dividends are lower than the gross-up and dividend tax credit rates on eligible dividends.
• Eligible dividends are paid by: Canadian public companies out of after-tax income taxed at the general corporate tax rate, or CCPCs out of the general rate income pool (GRIP).
• A CCPC’s GRIP balance comprises eligible dividends received and 72% of active business income not eligible for the small business deduction.

Reference: ITA 82(1)

Answer 98

A

Filing and payment deadlines – corporation (Taxation)
• Income taxes
o Filing deadline is six months after year end.
o Tax balances owing are due two months after year end (three months for CCPCs eligible for small business deduction).
• GST/HST filing deadline
o Annual taxable supplies of:
 $1.5 million or less = annual reporting
 More than $1.5 million up to $6 million = quarterly reporting
 More than $6 million = monthly reporting
o Annual or quarterly filers have the option to report more frequently.
o Quarterly and monthly filers must file and remit the balance owing within one month after the end of the reporting period.
o Annual filers must file and remit the balance owing within three months after the fiscal year end.
o Annual filers are required to pay quarterly instalments if net GST owing in the previous year was more than $3,000.

References: ITA 150(1)(a), 248(1), Excise Tax Act 238(1)

Answer 99

A

Contribution margin (Management Accounting)
•	Contribution margin (CM) is the determination of how much variable profit is available to cover fixed costs and generate a profit. 
•	CM is highly dependent on the industry and type of business.
•	In general, the higher CM, the better. 
•	To determine CM, calculate the variable revenues per unit (hour, day, year, quantity) offset by the variable costs of the same. 
•	CM is A – B where:
o	A is the total variable revenue per unit;
o	B is the total variable expenses per unit.

Answer 100

A

Break-even analysis (Management Accounting)
• Break-even is the determination of sales volumes necessary to generate a zero-profit.
• Break-even can be expressed in number of units, total revenues, or a percentage of expected revenues.
• To determine, calculate the fixed costs per period, and divide them by the contribution margin (CM) per unit, to determine the necessary sales volumes to generate zero-profit.
• Break-even is A / B where:
 A is the total fixed costs;
 B is the CM per unit.

Answer 101

A

Warranties (IFRS)
• Two types of warranties:
o those that provide a customer with assurance that the related product will function as the parties intended because it complies with agreed-upon specifications
o those that provide the customer with a service in addition to the assurance that the product complies with agreed-upon specifications
• Warranty shall be accounted for in accordance with IAS 37 (Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets) if:
o The customer does not have the option to purchase a warranty separately, and
o The warranty does not provide the customer with a service in addition to the assurance that the product complies with agreed-upon specifications.

Reference: IFRS 15.B28 – B31

Answer 102

A

Business combinations (IFRS)
• For a business combination to occur, there must be:
o an acquirer who has gained control, and
o a business that has been purchased
 A business is defined as “an integrated set of activities and assets that is capable of being conducted and managed for the purpose of providing goods or services to customers, generating investment income (such as dividends or interest) or generating other income from ordinary activities.”
 “Determining whether a particular set of assets and activities is a business should be based on whether the integrated set is capable of being conducted and managed as a business by a market participant.”

Reference: IFRS 3

Answer 103

A

Earnings per share (EPS) (IFRS)
• Basic EPS: Net earnings available to common shareholders / weighted average common shares outstanding (WACSO) during the year
• Diluted EPS: Hypothetical measure of company earnings attributable to each common shareholder assuming all dilutive securities have been converted to common shares; dilutive elements must be ranked from most to least dilutive in completing the diluted EPS calculation.
o Stock options: the difference between the number of ordinary shares issued from exercising the options and the number of ordinary shares that would have been issued at the average market price during the period — difference is treated as an issue of ordinary shares for no consideration (no impact on the earnings in the EPS calculation).
o Convertible bonds: dilutive impact if the after-tax interest per share that would be issued is less than the basic EPS — the after-tax interest on the bond increase earnings and the number of shares issued on conversion is added to the WACSO.

Reference: IAS 33

Answer 104

A

Using the work of internal auditors (Audit & Assurance)
• The external auditor shall determine whether the work of the internal audit function can be used for purposes of the audit by evaluating the following:
o The extent to which the internal audit function’s organizational status and relevant policies and procedures support the objectivity of the internal auditors;
o The level of competence of the internal audit function; and
o Whether the internal audit function applies a systematic and disciplined approach, including quality control.
• In determining the nature and extent of work that may be assigned to internal auditors the external auditor shall consider:
o The amount of judgment involved in planning/performing audit procedures, and evaluating the audit evidence
o The assessed risk of material misstatement
o The existence of significant threats to objectivity and competence of the internal auditor

Reference: CAS 610.15, 610.29

Answer 105

A

General assurance standards (Audit & Assurance)
Standards for assurance engagements OTHER THAN audits of financial statements and other historical financial information.
• Attestation engagements (CSAE 3000): a party other than the practitioner measures or evaluates the underlying subject matter against the criteria
• Direct engagements (CSAE 3001): the practitioner measures or evaluates the underlying subject matter against the criteria
General standards:
• Before undertaking an assurance engagement, the practitioner should have a reasonable basis for believing the engagement can be completed in accordance with the relevant standards.
• The practitioner should seek management’s acknowledgment of responsibility for the subject matter as it relates to the objective of the engagement.
• The assurance engagement should be performed with due care and with an objective state of mind.
• The practitioner and any other persons performing the assurance engagement should have adequate proficiency in such engagements and collectively possess adequate knowledge of the subject matter.

Reference: CSAE 3000/CSAE 3001

Answer 106

A

Responsibility of the Auditor for Assessment of Going Concern (Audit & Assurance)
• The external auditor should obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence about management’s use of the going concern assumption in preparation of the financial statements
• Conclude if a material uncertainty exists that the entity cannot continue as a going concern
• Determine the implications on the auditor’s report
• Communicate with those charged with governance if events or conditions cast doubt on the going concern
Additional Audit Procedures When Conditions or Events Are Identified
• If no assessment has been made by management, request one
• Evaluate management’s plan for future actions
• Where there is a cash flow forecast and the forecast is a significant factor:
o Evaluate the reliability of underlying data
o Assess adequate support for assumptions
• Consider additional information
• Request written representations from management regarding future plans and feasibility
Impact on the Auditor’s Report if Material Uncertainty exists
• If adequate disclosures are made in the financial statements, unmodified option but include an emphasis of matter in the auditor’s report
• If adequate disclosures are not made, qualified or adverse opinion

Reference: CAS 570

Answer 107

A

Capital lease criteria – Lessee (IFRS)
• A lease is a contract that conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration
• Expensing lease payments is only available for short-term leases or those with a low underlying asset value
• Recognition:
o A right of use asset and a lease liability are recorded at the commencement date of the lease
• Initial measurement:
o Lease liability is equal to the present value of future lease payments, discounted using the rate implicit in the lease (if unknown, use lessee’s incremental borrowing rate)
o Right of use asset initially includes initial direct costs, dismantling costs, and value of the lease liability, less any lease incentives
• Subsequent measurement:
o Lease liability increases to reflect interest and decreases to reflect payments
o Right of use asset is amortized over its useful life (if asset is transferred to lessee at end of lease term or lessee is expected to exercise bargain purchase option) or the lease term

Reference: IFRS 16

Answer 108

A

Capital lease criteria – Lessor (IFRS)
• Each lease is classified as financing or operating:
o Financing — Substantially all of the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the asset are transferred to the lessee
o Operating — No substantial transfer of the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the asset to the lessee
• Finance lease:
o Initially measured as a receivable equal to the net investment in the lease, which is future lease payments discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease
o Finance income is recognized over the lease term at a constant rate of return
• Operating lease:
o Lease payments received are recognized in income either on the straight-line basis or another systematic basis

Reference: IFRS 16

Answer 109

A

Contributions — revenue recognition (ASNPO)
• Contributions of materials and services can be recognized only when fair value can be reasonably estimated and when the materials and services are used in the normal course of operations and would otherwise have been purchased.
• Fair value of assets is estimated using market or appraisal values. Fair value of contributed materials and services is determined by comparing to the purchase of similar materials and services.
• Recognition of contributions is not required; however, the criteria for recognition must be met if an NPO wishes to record contributions. Once an accounting method has been determined, it must be applied consistently to all periods and for all types of contributions.
• The nature and amount of the contributions must be disclosed in the financial statements.

Restricted contributions — deferral method Reference: ASNPO 4410.31, .33
• Funds are not recognized as revenue until they are used.
• If the funds are used for capital assets that are amortized, they are deferred and recognized over time.
• Contributions are recognized as deferred contributions on the financial statements.

Restricted contributions — restricted fund method Reference: ASNPO 4410.57, .62
• At least one restricted fund, and one general fund, must be used.
• Contributions in the restricted fund can be recognized as revenue upon receipt.

Reference: ASNPO 4410.16, .19-.20, .24

Answer 110

A

Efficiency variance (Management Accounting)
•	Efficiency variance is the difference between the actual unit usage of something and the expected amount of usage. The expected amount is usually the standard quantity of direct materials, direct labour, machine usage time, and so forth that is assigned to a product.
•	Efficiency variance = standard price × (actual quantity − standard quantity)
•	Using the above formula, positive result is unfavourable; negative result is favourable.

Answer 111

A

Price variance (Management Accounting)
•	Price variance is the difference between the actual cost and standard cost of materials or labour.
•	Price variance = actual quantity × (actual price − standard price)
•	Using the above formula, positive result is unfavourable; negative result is favourable.

Answer 112

A

Flexible budget variance (Management Accounting)
• A flexible budget variance is the difference between the actual costs and standard costs based on the actual production levels.
• Flexible budget variance = actual costs − flexible budget costs (that is, standard quantity of an item for actual units produced × standard price)
• Using the above formula, positive result is unfavourable; negative result is favourable.

Answer 113

A

Foreign currency transactions (IFRS)
• Initial measurement:
o At the functional currency, by applying to the foreign currency amount the spot exchange rate between the functional currency and the foreign currency at the date of the transaction.
• Subsequent measurement:
o Monetary items should be translated at the closing rate on the financial reporting date.
o Non-monetary items measured at historical cost should be translated using the exchange rate on the date of the transaction.
o Non-monetary items measured at fair value should be translated using the exchange rate on the date when the fair value was measured.

Reference: IAS 21.21-23

Answer 114

A

Stock options (ASPE)
• Initial measurement:
o The fair value is initially estimated based on the stock price at the grant date of stock options.
o The stock options are recorded as contributed surplus, which is an equity account.
• Subsequent measurement:
o The fair value of an option estimated at the grant date is not subsequently adjusted for changes in the price of the underlying stock or its volatility, the life of the option, dividends on the stock, or the risk-free interest rate.
o The compensation cost is recognized as an expense over the period in which the related employee services are rendered.
o An entity can choose whether to set up full compensation cost in the year of issuance or use the best available estimate of the stock options expected to be exercised.

Reference: ASPE 3870.24-.51

Answer 115

A

Stock appreciation rights (ASPE)
• Initial measurement:
o The initial compensation expense is calculated as the amount that the market value of the shares of the enterprise’s stock covered by the grant exceeds the value of the rights specified.
o The compensation cost is recorded as a liability.
• Subsequent measurement:
o Increases or decreases in the market value of those shares between the date of grant and the measurement date result in a change to compensation expense.
o The compensation cost is recognized as an expense over the period in which the related employee services are rendered.
o An entity can choose whether to set up full compensation cost in the year of issuance or use the best available estimate of the rights expected to be exercised.

Reference: ASPE 3870.24-.51

Answer 116

A

Business valuation – Asset-based valuation approach (Finance)
• To decide which asset-based valuation approach to apply, we must first determine whether the entity is a going concern.
• If the entity is NOT a going concern, a Liquidation approach must be used
o Net realizable value will depend upon whether or not there is a “forced” sale, or orderly liquidation
• If the entity IS a going concern, and the entity does not maintain active operations, the Adjusted Net asset approach may be appropriate
o Assets are valued at fair market value, net of disposition and tax costs
o Liabilities are paid

Answer 117

A

Business valuation – Income-based approach (Finance)
• If the entity IS a going concern, and the entity maintains active operations and “excess earnings”, an income-based valuation approach may be appropriate
• Capitalized cash flow approach- where the entity has consistent cash flows that are reflective of future earnings considering:
o Maintainable (normalized) EBITDA
o Sustaining capital reinvestments
o Capitalization rate/multiplier
o Income tax shield
o Redundancies
• Discounted cash flow approach- where the entity is in the start up stage
• Market based approach- where there is publicly available comparative information available

Answer 118

A

Derivative Instruments (Finance)
Two common risks are foreign currency risk and interest rate risk. Derivatives can be used to hedge and mitigate those risks. 
•	Foreign currency risk: Hedge with a forward contract, future contract or options
o	Forward: A contract to buy or sell a fixed amount of foreign currency dollars at a set future date. If hedging a future sale in foreign currency, then the entity would use the proceeds from the sale to settle the forward contract, fixing the amount of CDN dollars to be received from the sale. 
o	Future: A contract to buy or sell a fixed amount of foreign currency dollars at a set future date. Similar to forward contracts, but they are sold in fixed amounts with fixed maturity dates, so cannot match the timing and amount of the entity’s transactions exactly. 
o	Options: Purchase options to buy or sell foreign currency dollars at a certain price at a set future date. The entity has the right, not the obligation, to settle when the option matures.  
•	Interest rate risk: Hedge with an interest rate swap contract
o	Usually entered into with a bank, and has the effect of converting a variable rate loan into a fixed rate loan.

Answer 119

A

Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) Calculation (Finance)

Formula: WACC = MVe ÷ (MVe + MVd) × Re + MVd ÷ (MVe + MVd) × (Rd × (1 − t))
Where:
MVe – Market value of equity
MVd – Market value of debt
Re – Cost of Equity (see calculation below)
Rd – Cost of Debt
t – tax rate

Formula: Cost of Equity (Re) = Rf + β(Rm – Rf)
Rf - risk-free rate
Rm = rate of return expected from the market as a whole
β = beta for the underlying operations -> sensitivity of earnings

Answer 120

A

Audit and finance committee – Composition and duties/responsibilities (Strategy/Governance)
• Purpose – to assist the board of directors in fulfilling its oversight of the company’s financial affairs and to liaise with the independent auditors.
• Composition
o Majority of member should be independent from the company.
o All members should have basic knowledge of finance and accounting.
o At least one member should have expert knowledge of finance and accounting.
• Duties/responsibilities
o Review and discuss with management and independent auditors any issues arising from the audit of the financial statements.
o Review and discuss audited financial statements with management and independent auditors.
o Oversee compliance with legal, tax and regulatory authorities.
o Monitor effectiveness of internal control processes and risk management systems.

Answer 121

A

Performance measurement of responsibility centres (Management Accounting)
• A responsibility accounting system can improve goal congruence by assigning decision-making rights to responsibility centres, which are then held accountable for achieving organizational goals.
• Common types of responsibility centres are:
o Revenue centre – e.g., actual vs. budgeted revenue, revenue growth
o Cost centre – e.g., actual vs. budgeted costs, cost per unit
o Profit centre – e.g., actual vs. budgeted profit, growth in net income
o Investment centre – e.g., return on assets, growth in return on assets

Answer 122

A

Key performance measures (for-profit) (Management Accounting)
For-profit performance indicators can be grouped into five key areas:
• Financial indicators – revenue growth, productivity, asset utilization
• Customer indicators – customer selection, customer acquisition, customer service and retention, customer growth
• Internal business process indicators – supplier management, production management, distribution management
• Learning and growth indicators – innovation, human capital, information capital
• Regulatory indicators – environmental observance, legal compliance, community observance

Answer 123

A

External analysis – Porter’s Five Forces (Strategy/Governance)
The key considerations in Porter’s Five Forces include:
• Bargaining power of buyers, considering
o Concentration of buyers
o Ability to purchase from another supplier
• Bargaining power of suppliers
o Are there many or few suppliers?
o How costly is it to switch suppliers?
• Threat of substitution
o Are there readily available substitutes?
• Threat of new entrants
o Consider barriers to entry – economies of scale, product branding, capital requirements, government policies
• Competitive rivalry
o Consider – number of competitors, industry growth, unutilized capacity, exit barriers, etc.

Answer 124

A

External analysis – SWOT Analysis (Strategy/Governance)
SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) scans the internal and external environments to provide a comprehensive understanding of the business context.
A SWOT Analysis is designed to tell us where
• external opportunities potentially align with organizational strengths and vice versa,
• where threats loom and
• where we lack competence.
A SWOT Analysis can also help us identify the strategic drivers of the business. With this understanding, you can have more confidence during strategy development.

Answer 125

A

Governance structures (Strategy/Governance)
Organizations will have different corporate governance practices depending on:
• Their size (e.g., number of directors, the number of committees);
• Ownership structure (e.g., privately owned or publicly held);
• Nature, scope and complexity of operations (e.g., individuals with relevant expertise).
Different governance systems are acceptable as long as the system in place is effective for the organization to fulfill its mission, vision, and objectives.

Answer 126

A

Variance Analysis (Management Accounting)
• Part of an organization’s performance measurement system, variance analysis and interpretation of variances allow management to identify issues and recommend corrective or other actions
• Actual performance is compared against a static or flexible budget or other relevant benchmark
• Variances are used to assess both effectiveness and efficiency
• Sales revenue variances:
o Sales Price Variance = (Actual price – Standard price) x Actual quantity
o Sales Volume Variance = (Actual quantity - Standard quantity) x Standard price
• Direct and variable cost variances:
o Price/Rate Variance = (Actual Price-Standard Price) x Actual quantity
o Quantity/Efficiency Variance = (Actual Quantity-Standard Quantity) x Standard price

Answer 127

A

“Luxury” automobile costs (Taxation)
• There are various limitations on the costs that may be deducted by a business in the determination of net business income:
o CCA is calculated on a maximum vehicle value of $30,000 (before PST, GST, HST).
o Interest on financing the purchase of the vehicle is limited to a maximum of $10 per day.
o Vehicle lease payments are limited to $800 per 30 day period.

• Note that any taxable benefits that might arise where the business provides a “luxury” automobile to an employee or shareholder are calculated on the full value of the vehicle.

Reference: ITA 13(7)(g), 67.2, 67.3

Answer 128

A

Conventions expense (Taxation)
•	The costs of attending a maximum of two conventions per year may be deducted when determining net business income if the convention held during the year by a business or professional organization at a location that is consistent with the territorial scope of the organization.

Reference: ITA 20(10)

Answer 129

A

Bonuses payable – Limit on deferral (Taxation)
• All outstanding remuneration must be paid to the employee within 180 days of the year-end balance sheet date in order to be deductible by the company.
• If amounts remain unpaid for 180 days after the year end,
o the amount shall be deemed not to have been incurred as an expense for that taxation year.
o the company will claim a deduction for the expense when the amount is paid, and the employee will include the amount as income in the taxation year that it is received.

Reference: ITA 78(4)

Answer 130

A

Acquisition of control (Taxation)
• With an acquisition of control of a corporation, there is a mandatory recognition of accrued but unrealized losses. Ultimately, there is a reduction on the tax cost of those assets to the fair market value (FMV) on the deemed year-end date.
• To prevent losses from being used prior to the end of the taxation year in which the acquisition of control took place, ITA 249(4) requires that the corporation have a deemed year end on the day preceding an acquisition of control.
• Non-capital losses that were realized before or on the acquisition date can potentially be used after the acquisition date, but only if certain conditions are met and only against specific income. Only non-capital losses from carrying on a same or similar business will be available after the acquisition date.
• Capital losses that were realized before or on the acquisition date are simply lost, and will not be available after the acquisition date.

Reference: ITA 111(4)-(5.5)

Answer 131

A

Taxation on the sale of a business – Share sale (Taxation)
In a share deal, a shareholder sells the shares of the corporation which carries on a business. The business continues operating within the same legal entity, and only the ownership of the shares has changed.
• Unwanted assets can be removed from the corporation prior to an acquisition of control, but you need to consider the tax implications.
• The change in ownership of the shares causes an acquisition of control of the corporation and a deemed year end.
• On the acquisition of the shares of a corporation, the cost of non-depreciable capital property may be “bumped” to its fair market value at the time of the acquisition of control upon a vertical amalgamation or a windup. This only applies to non-depreciable capital property (e.g., land, securities).
• From a tax perspective, the vendor will report a capital gain or loss based on the proceeds of disposition received, less their adjusted cost base of the shares. If an individual (including a trust) is disposing of the shares, there may be an opportunity to claim the lifetime capital gains exemption.

Reference: ITA 110.6, 111, 249

Answer 132

A

Taxation on the sale of a business – Asset sale (Taxation)
In an asset deal, the vending corporation will sell the assets to the purchaser. The purchaser will carry on the business in a new legal entity of their choice. The parties can select which assets are to be sold, and which liabilities are to be assumed.
• As the assets are changing ownership, the purchaser will have a cost base in the assets equal to the purchase price which is paid to acquire them. This allows the purchaser to increase the tax basis of the assets to their fair market value, and obtain a tax write-off on the full amount of the purchase price, including goodwill.
• From a tax perspective, the vending corporation will have proceeds of disposition equal to the purchase price. The vending corporation will then pay corporate tax on the gains realized and be left with cash inside the corporation, which they will retain.
• The cash will then need to be distributed to the ultimate shareholders by way of dividends and return of capital. This provides a significant opportunity for tax deferral, as the corporation can choose when to distribute the cash to the shareholders.

Reference: ITA 13(1), 38, 20(16)

Answer 133

A

Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (Taxation)
In order to claim the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) on the sale of shares the following criteria must be met:
1. The corporation must be a small business corporation.
a. A small business corporation is a Canadian Controlled Private Company (CCPC), in which all or substantially all (90% test) of the fair value of its assets (including unrecorded assets but excluding liabilities) are used primarily in an active business carried on primarily in Canada.
2. Over a 24 month period preceding the sale of shares, more than 50% of the fair market value of the assets must be used in earning active business income, primarily in Canada.
3. Over a 24 month period preceding the sale, no one other than the shareholder, or someone related to the shareholder, can have held the shares.
Note: Certain farming and fishing property will also qualify for the exemption. This is not an additional exemption, but an additional type of property which can qualify for the tax benefit.

Reference: ITA 110.6

Answer 134

A

Disposal of real estate – Special rules (Taxation)
Real estate (real property) will generally be comprised of two separate assets – land, and building(s).
• When real estate is disposed, the allocation of the proceeds will have a significant effect on taxable income:
• Maximizing proceeds allocated to land can generate capital gains which are one half taxable, and terminal losses on building which are fully deductible.
• If the amount of the proceeds allocated to the building is LESS THAN cost, special rules will limit the amount of terminal loss that may be claimed by calculating deemed proceeds as being equal to the building UCC
• The amount of the proceeds allocated to the land will be determined to be the actual selling price for the real estate, less the deemed proceeds for the building, effectively reducing the amount of the capital gain.

Reference: ITA 13(21.1)(a)

Answer 135

A

Tax returns of a deceased individual (Taxation)
A representative of the deceased individual will need to file a final (terminal year) tax return for the taxation year starting January 1, and ending at the date of death.
• The terminal return includes all amounts realized up to the date of death on which the deceased would have paid tax had he or she lived.
• When a person dies, they are deemed to have disposed of all of their assets at the time of death.
• Filing deadline for the final tax return is the later of the normal filing date (April 30
of the following year), or six months after the date of death.
An election may be made to file a separate tax return for certain “rights and things”. These amounts include:
• amounts received on a periodic basis that were accruing but were not due at the time of death, such as employment income, interest, rent, royalties, certain annuities, and other amounts;
• certain investment tax credits;

Reference: ITA 111(2), 70(1), 70(2), 70(5)

Answer 136

A

Stock options (Taxation)
• No tax implications if the employee leaves the stock options unexercised.
• Employment income inclusion when the stock options are exercised, based on the difference between the FMV at the exercise date and the exercise price.
o If the company is a CCPC, then the inclusion is automatically deferred until the year the employee sells the shares.
• Possible Division C deduction to offset the employment income inclusion in the year it is taxed.
o If the options are NOT in the money when granted (FMV of shares does not exceed the exercise price), then 50% of the income inclusion may be deducted.
o If the company is a CCPC, the options can be in the money and the Division C deduction still available if the employee holds the shares for at least 24 months after exercise.
• A capital gain is also included in the employee’s income when they sell the shares, if the selling price is greater than the ACB, which is the price of the shares when options are exercised. One half of the capital gain is taxable.
• Implications to the employer: any compensation expense related to the stock options is not deductible for tax purposes.

Reference: ITA 7(1)(a), 7(1.1) 110(1)(d-(d.1)

Answer 137

A

Related party transaction (Taxation)
• When property is transferred between related parties at below FMV, the proceeds received on the transfer are deemed to be the FMV of the property.
o A capital gain must be reported for the difference between the deemed proceeds and the adjusted cost base of the property.
o The party receiving the property is only permitted to record a cost base equal to what was paid. If this is less than FMV, double taxation results.
• Can avoid this double taxation a number of ways, such as by selling the property for the FMV or by electing to use a Section 85(1) rollover.
o For a Section 85(1) rollover, a transfer price is elected between cost and FMV (electing at cost would minimize taxes).
o At least one share must be taken back as consideration.
o The non-share consideration should not exceed the elected transfer price, so the balance of the amount to reach FMV of the property should be shares.

Reference: ITA 69(1)

Answer 138

A

Class 14.1 (Taxation)
• Starting January 1, 2017, goodwill and other intangible assets (such as patents, trademarks, and licenses) with an unlimited useful life are included in Class 14.1 (previously they were included in cumulative eligible capital (CEC) as eligible capital property).
• Amounts are added to Class 14.1 at a 100% inclusion rate with a declining balance CCA rate of 5%, and the half year rule or accelerated investment incentive applies in the year of acquisition, depending on the acquisition date.
• For amounts included in Class 14.1 that were acquired before January 1, 2017, and were transitioned from CEC to Class 14.1, the CCA rate is 7% for the first 10 years.
o Taxpayers can deduct the greater of $500 per year or the amount otherwise deductible, for the first 10 years.

Reference: ITA 20(1)(a), ITR Schedule II

Answer 139

A

Small business limit reduction (Taxation)
• Starting January 1, 2019, there is a reduction in the small business limit (SBL) when adjusted aggregate investment income (AAII) is great than $50,000.
o The SBL is reduced by $5.00 for each dollar of AAII over $50,000 in the preceding year.
• AAII generally includes net taxable capital gains on non-business assets and net income from property, excluding dividends from connected corporations.

Reference: ITA 125

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