Ias 37 Flashcards
Liabilities
Obligations arising from past events that will lead to an outflow of economic resources
Provision
Liability of uncertain timing or amount
Ias 37
Provisions , contingent liabilities and contingent assets
Provision should be recognized when and only when
1, an entity has a present obligation as part of a past event
2, probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation
3, a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation
Constructive obligation
Arises when entity’s past practices or published policies creates a valid expectation amongst other parties that it will discharge certain responsibilities
Legal obligation
Arises from contracts or from laws and legislations
Probable
If it is more likely than not to occur.
Measurement of provisions
Best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation to settle the obligation as at the reporting date.
Best estimate of a provision
- Most likely amount payable for a single obligation E.g. case
- Expected value for a large population of items e.g warranty
Subsequent measurements
Unwind discounts and present in finance costs in p/l
Finance cost . Dr
Provision. Cr
De recognition
At reporting date provision should be reversed if it is no longer probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation
Contingent liabilities
- Possible obligation that arises from past events and whose existence will be confirmed by the outcome of uncertain future events which are outside of the control of the entity
- Present obligation that arises from past events but does not meet the criteria for recognition as a provision. This because an outflow of economic benefit is not probable or its not possible to make a reliable estimate of the obligation
When to disclose contingent liability
All the time unless possibility of future outflow is remote
Onerous contract
In which the unavoidable costs of meeting the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it
Accounting for onerous contracts
A provision should be recognized for present obligation under the contract
- The cost of fulfilling the contract
- The cost of terminating it and suffering any penalties
Assets bought specifically for use in ful filling the onerous contract itself
Should be reviewed for impairment before any separate provision is made for the contract
Provision can’t be recognized for future repairs or replacement parts
Because there is no current obligation to incur the expense - even if the future expenditure is required by law the entity could avoid it by selling the asset
Environmental provisions
Referred to as clean up cost
Usually relate to cost of decontamination and restoration of an industrial site after production process has ceased
When to create environmental provision
Only when a past event has created an obligation to repair environmental damage
- provision can only be set up to rectify environmental damage that has already happened. No obligation to restore future environmental damage because entity could cease operations
- Merely causing damage or intending to clean up the site doesn’t create an obligation- unless it publicizes policies that include environmental awareness Or explicitly undertakes to clean up the damage caused by its operations
Full cost of environmental provision should be recognized when
Obligation arise
Should be discounted since effect of time value of money is usually material
If expenditure results in future economic benefit then an equivalent asset should be recognized
Restructuring
Programme planned and controlled by management and has a material effect on
- Scope of business entity has undertaken in terms of product or service
- Manner in which business undertaken by the reporting entity is conducted
Restructuring could include
Closure of a sale of a line of business
Closure of business locations in a country
Relocation of business activities from one country to another
When can a provision for restructuring be recognized
When there is a constructive obligation
Ie
- There is a detailed formal plan for restructuring that identifies the businesses location and employees affected as well as an estimate of the cost and timing involved
- Employees affected have valid expectation that the restructuring will be carried out, either because the plan has been formally announced or because the plan has started to be implemented.
Obligation must exist at the reporting date
Measurement of restructuring provision
Only direct costs (necessarily entailed by the restructuring and not associated with ongoing activities of the entity)
Recognize best estimate of expenditure required and it should take into account expected future events.