Unit 2 : Accounting for Selected Asset and Liabilities Flashcards
Lease
is a contract, or part of a contract,
* that conveys the right to use an asset (the underlying asset)
* for a period of time
* in exchange for consideration
An underlying asset
is an asset that is the subject of a lease, for which the right to use that asset has been provided by a lessor to a lessee.
What are the two types of Lease?
operating leases and financial leases
Finance Lease
is a lease that transfers substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of an underlying asset.
Operating leases
correspond to the normal understanding of a lease –> a rental agreement that is also economically genuine.
- foreseeable period of time
-this period represent only a small part of the total value of the leased
asset.
-economic risk then remains with the lessor
What are the main differencies between a Finance Lease and operating Lease?
- ownership
- accounting treatement
-duration
-transfer of risk
How does IFRS 16 impact the accounting of leases?
IFRS 16 requires all relevant leases to appear on the balance sheet with the lessee reporting a right-of-use asset and a lease liability.
-For the Lessee, the classication in Finance or Operating Lease is eliminated
-For the Lessor there are no changes except for an enhancement of the dislosures
-The Lease expense (also for Operating Leases) is composed of a depreciation charge and an interest expense
Consequences of financial/ operating leases on the balance sheet (IAS 17)
-Finance Leases are reported on the Balance Sheet
-Operating Leases are only disclosed in the
Notes (”Off-Balance Sheet Leases”). In the income statement only the lease expense is recorded
Problem:
-The difference between Finance & Operating Leases made the comparison difficult
-Asset/Liability missing for lessee
In which industries is leasing particulary relevant?
- Retailers
-Manufacturing
-Airlines
What are advantage of leasing in comparaison to purchasing?
-Temporary increase of capacity
-Lower financial burden
-More flexible
-liquidity
“susbstance over form”
typical example for leases
When is initially recognised a lease contract?
at the present value of the lease payments
With the introduction of IFRS 16 the debt report on balance sheet has mostly ?
-increased
–> more asset and more liabilities
Impairement
extraordinary depreciation of an asset –> is the recognition of an unexpected loss in value of an asset
When an impairment loss should be recognized?
Impairment is recognized when the recoverable amount of an asset is lower than its carrying amount
What triggers an impairment test under IAS 36?
Significant market value decline, adverse changes in the environment, market interest rate increases, or underperformance of an asset.
External sources of information (to do an impairement test)
- Unusual significant decline in asset’s market value
- Significant changes in the technological, market, economic or legal environment
- Increase in market interest rates or other market rates of return on investments
- Carrying amount of the net assets of the entity is more than its market capitalization
Internal source of information to recognize to do an impairement test
- Evidence of obsolescence or physical damage of an asset
- Plans to discontinue or restructure the operation to which an asset belongs
- Evidence available from internal reporting that economic performance of an asset is/will be worse than expected
Do intangible asset need a impairement test ?
intangible assets with an indefinite useful life, goodwill in particular, must be subjected to a documented review at least once a year to determine whether an impairment loss needs to be recorded. (annual impairement test)
How does this so-called impairment test work?
- The starting position is the definition of assets as an expression of future inflows of benefits.
- To determine an impairment requirement –> The sum of the expected future inflows of benefits from an asset are, in simple terms, compared with the carrying amount of this asset.
–> If the sum of future cash flows is higher than the current carrying amount, there
is no need to recognize an impairment loss.
–> if the sum of future cash inflows is less than the current carrying amount of the asset, the asset must be impaired: Otherwise, asset values would be recognized which are not justified by future inflows of benefits and are therefore “useless”.
Challenges of the impairement test
-Estimating the expected future inflows of benefits is generally subject to considerable uncertainty.
Intangible assets developed internally (to avoid impairement)
Generally expensed when incurred, although capitalized in some situations. Under IFRS:
- Expenditures on research are expensed.
- Expenditures on development are capitalized.
Why can’t some assets be assigned direct, individual benefit flows?
Many assets, like individual machines or office equipment, do not produce direct, individual benefit flows.
These assets contribute to future benefits in combination with other assets.
What is the adjustment to the principle of individual asset valuation in impairment testing?
In impairment testing, the principle of individual asset valuation is relaxed.
Assets can be grouped into Cash-Generating Units (CGUs) for testing.
CGUs produce cash flows that are largely independent of other units.
What flexibility exists in forming Cash-Generating Units (CGUs)?
There is flexibility in how assets are grouped into CGUs.
The more assets included in a CGU, the more positive and negative developments can offset each other.
This may help prevent an impairment.
What are the advantages of grouping more assets in fewer Cash-Generating Units?
Grouping more assets in a CGU reduces the need for multiple impairment tests.
This simplifies the process and saves the accountant work.
However, CGUs should not be too large.
What happens if the reasons for an impairment no longer exist?
If the reasons for impairment cease, the impairment may need to be reversed.
Only the values that would have resulted under normal depreciation without the impairment should be revalued.
Example when an impairement happen
- Asset physically breaks down or is destroyed
- Asset is obsolete due to technological innovation
- changes in the sales market may lead to fewer products being sold than planned, or sales prices may fall
- New regulatory frameworks, such as new environmental guideline –> cause expected costs or revenues to change (Covid 19)
Objective of IAS 19
To prescribe the accounting and disclosure for employee benefits, requiring an entity to recognise a liability where an employee has provided service and an expense when the entity consumes the economic benefits of employee service.
What are the two types of post-employment benefit plans?
Defined contribution plans and defined benefit plans.
What is a defined contribution plan?
A plan where the entity pays fixed contributions with no obligation to make further payments, and the risk is on the employee.
What is a defined benefit plan?
Any contract that gives rise to a financial asset for one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument for another entity.
What is the accounting treatment for Defined Contribution Plans?
- Pension expenses are regularly booked in the income statement, similar to a salary.
- The corresponding amount is transferred to the pension fund.
- Aside from disclosures in the notes, the matter is settled in the annual financial statements