UK GAAP

Since 2005 listed groups in the UK have been required to prepare their consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs). Almost all other groups and companies have a choice. They can choose to follow IFRSs or UK GAAP. 

For periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015, FRSs 100101 and 102 came into force, bringing with them a number of new options for all UK entities and groups. These Standards replaced old UK GAAP.

In addition to the above three Standards, two additional Standards were in force from 1 January 2015 - FRS 103 Insurance Contracts which contains specific accounting requirements for entities that have insurance contracts (including reinsurance contracts) and are applying FRS 102 and FRS 104 Interim Financial Reporting, which is intended for use in the preparation of interim financial reports by those entities that apply FRS 102FRS 105 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the Micro Entities Regime is a financial reporting standard applicable to entities able to apply the micro entities regime. 

Companies who operate within specialised industries or sectors will also apply the requirements of their specific Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) in conjunction with the Financial Reporting Standards.  Most of the various SORP-issuing bodies have revised their SORPs in the light of FRS 102.

As the UK GAAP regime has now been in place for a number of years, preparation of either parent company or subsidiary accounts under either FRS 101 or FRS 102 should now have become a routine exercise. 

Amendments have been made to FRS 102 in relation to phase 2 of the interest rate benchmark reform and also in relation to accounting for temporary rent concessions for operating leases occurring as a direct consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic extending beyond 30 June 2021 (for which an amendment was also made to FRS 105). Amendments to FRS 101, FRS 102, FRS 104 and FRS 105 have also been made to reflect changes in company law following the UK's exit from the European Union and to FRS 101 as a result of the 2020/21 annual review of the standard.

The news articles and publications below - organised chronologically - provide a comprehensive collection of resources on the UK GAAP framework.

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Related Resources

ICAEW webinar on the FRC’s draft guidance on going concern for non-Code companies

20 Nov, 2015

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) will be holding a webinar in December 2015 to discuss the FRC’s draft guidance on going concern for non-code companies that was issued for comment in October 2015.

Need to know — FRC proposes limited amendments to the FRS 102 fair value hierarchy disclosure

10 Nov, 2015

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has published Financial Reporting Exposure Draft (FRED) 62 'Draft amendments to FRS 102 – Fair value hierarchy disclosures'. The FRC has received feedback that amending the fair value disclosure requirements applicable to financial institutions and retirement benefit plans will reduce the costs of complying with Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 102 and allow these entities to provide information to users that is more consistent with EU-adopted IFRS. This should also make it easier for users to make comparisons between the financial statements of these entities and those applying EU-adopted IFRS. This 'Need to know' publication discusses this FRED.

FRC proposes limited amendments to the FRS 102 fair value hierarchy disclosure for financial instruments required for financial institutions and retirement benefit plans

04 Nov, 2015

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has today published Financial Reporting Exposure Draft (FRED) 62 'Draft amendments to FRS 102 – Fair value hierarchy disclosures'. The FRC has received feedback that amending the fair value disclosure requirements applicable to financial institutions and retirement benefit plans will reduce the costs of complying with Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 102 and allow these entities to provide information to users that is more consistent with EU-adopted IFRS. This should also make it easier for users to make comparisons between the financial statements of these entities and those applying EU-adopted IFRS.

HMRC publishes draft guidance on the corporation tax treatment of interest-free loans and other non-market loans

03 Nov, 2015

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published draft guidance on the corporation tax treatment of interest-free loans and other non-market loans.

HMRC updates its paper on the tax implications of FRS 102

30 Oct, 2015

HM Revenue and Customs has updated its paper which provides an overview of the key accounting changes and the key tax considerations of moving from ‘old’ UK GAAP to FRS 102 ‘The financial reporting standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland’.

Accounting Roundup — October 2015

21 Oct, 2015

This accounting roundup covering the period July through to September 2015, pulls together the headlines for all the latest developments in accounting, providing links to a wealth of further information and resources.

Need to know — FRC issue draft guidance on going concern for non-Code companies

16 Oct, 2015

This edition outlines the FRC Exposure Draft of best practice guidance on the going concern basis of accounting and reporting on solvency and liquidity risks for companies that do not apply the UK Corporate Governance Code (‘non-Code companies’).

FRC issues draft guidance on going concern for non-Code companies

15 Oct, 2015

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has today published an Exposure Draft of best practice guidance on the going concern basis of accounting and reporting on solvency and liquidity risks for companies that do not apply the UK Corporate Governance Code (‘non-Code companies’). Comments are invited until 15 January 2016.

FRC and Charity Commission consult on new taxonomy for charity accounts

08 Oct, 2015

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) and the Charity Commission have today published a consultation on a proposed new XBRL charity accounts taxonomy to enhance the quality of financial reporting for Charities in the UK and Ireland.

FRC issues revised versions of FRS 100, FRS 101 and FRS 102

29 Sep, 2015

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has today issued revised editions of FRS 100, FRS 101 and FRS 102, incorporating recently published amendments; most notably the incorporation of amendments issued in July 2015.

Stay Tuned Online - IFRS and UK GAAP update September 2015

28 Sep, 2015

The following topics are covered in the September 2015 webcast: 1 - IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers' - an update, 2 - New UK GAAP - latest developments, 3 - Annual report insights and 4 - a round up of other news including IFRS developments and news from the Financial Reporting Council.

2015 Pensions SORP - In brief

18 Aug, 2015

In June 2015, a joint working group of the Pensions Research Accounting Group (PRAG) and The Investment Association, published guidance to help pension schemes and their advisers fulfil their responsibilities in implementing the Statement of Recommended Practice "Financial Reports of Pension Schemes" ("the 2015 Pensions SORP") investment disclosure requirements. This briefing from Deloitte builds on the practical guidance in "A practical user guide to the 2015 Pension SORP" that we published earlier in the year.

Need to know — Changes to accounting standards as a result of implementation of the EU Accounting Directive

28 Jul, 2015

This publication from Deloitte discusses the changes to UK accounting standards largely as a result of the UK implementation of the EU Accounting Directive.

FRC issues updates to UK GAAP, including new standards for small and micro-entities

16 Jul, 2015

The UK Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has issued amended versions of FRS 100, FRS 101 and FRS 102, as well as a new accounting standard applicable to companies eligible to apply the Micro-entities Regime (FRS 105). The changes have largely been made response to the implementation of the new EU Accounting Directive but also incorporate other clarifications and simplifications.

Accounting Roundup — July 2015

15 Jul, 2015

This accounting roundup covering the period April through to June 2015, pulls together the headlines for all the latest developments in accounting, providing links to a wealth of further information and resources.

2015 update on half-yearly financial reporting

26 Jun, 2015

This publication provides an illustrative half-yearly financial report (also referred to as 'interim accounts') and disclosure checklist, suitable for use for June 2015 half-years. The regulatory requirements for UK listed companies’ half-yearly financial reports are also explained, highlighting the changes for preparers to contend with in 2015.

Charity Commission and OSCR consult on revisions to Charities SORPs as a result of changes to UK Accounting Standards

18 Jun, 2015

The Charity Commission for England and Wales (‘Charity Commission’) and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) have today published an Exposure Draft on further revisions to the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORPs) as a result of changes to UK Accounting Standards that are planned to come into effect for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016.

ICAEW comment letter on FRED 61 ‘Draft amendments to FRS 102 – Share-based payment transactions with cash alternatives’

16 Jun, 2015

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has published its comment letter on the Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC’s) Financial Reporting Exposure Draft (FRED) 61 ‘Draft amendments to FRS 102 – Share-based payment transactions with cash alternatives’.

FRC issues revised illustrative auditor’s reports

12 Jun, 2015

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has today published eight revised illustrative auditor’s reports reflecting developments in UK financial reporting.

We comment on FRED 61 ‘Draft amendments to FRS 102 – Share-based payment transactions with cash alternatives’

01 Jun, 2015

We have published our comment letter on the Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC’s) Financial Reporting Exposure Draft (FRED) 61 ‘Draft amendments to FRS 102 – Share-based payment transactions with cash alternatives’.

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