Revenue resources

The FRC noted in its Annual Review of Corporate Reporting 2022/23 that the frequency of substantive queries on revenue recognition and related disclosures were lower than in preceding years, indicating that entities have become more familiar with application of the IFRS 15 recognition model.  The most common areas of challenge included variable consideration, principal/agent considerations and contract balances. Queries were mostly centred around insufficient information to demonstrate compliance with certain requirements.

For their forthcoming reporting the FRC expects companies to ensure that:

  • when material variable consideration exists, sufficient company-specific information is provided to explain how it arises and how it is estimated and constrained.
  • accounting policies are provided for all significant performance obligations and address in sufficient detail:
    • the timing of revenue recognition.
    • the basis for recognising any revenue over time.
    • the methodology applied.
  • significant judgements made in relation to revenue recognition are disclosed (for example, in relation to whether the company is acting as agent or principal, the allocation of the transaction price and the timing of satisfaction of performance obligations).
  • that inflationary features in contracts with customers and accounting for such clauses (that is whether the feature is an embedded derivative or variable consideration) are adequately disclosed and clearly explained.

The FRC encourages companies to refer to its previously issued IFRS 15 thematic review for further guidance as to its expectations in this area.

This page includes all of our resources on IFRS 15.  It includes links to:

Latest IFRS 15 Resources

IASB publishes editorial corrections

01 Mar, 2019

The IASB has published its first batch of editorial corrections in 2019.

IASB posts webcast on IFRS 15

14 Feb, 2019

The IASB has posted a webcast, by IASB member Nick Anderson and investor engagement member Sid Kumar, that provides an overview on IFRS 15, ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’.

Governance in brief — FRC issues advice on annual reports for the 2018/19 reporting season

06 Dec, 2018

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has issued its Annual Review of Corporate Reporting and annual letter to finance directors and audit committee chairs covering its perspective on key developments for 2018/19 annual reports.

We comment on six IFRS Interpretations Committee tentative agenda decisions

22 Nov, 2018

We have published our comment letters on IFRS Interpretations Committee tentative agenda decisions related to IAS 27, IAS 37, IFRS 9, IFRS 11, and IFRS 15, as published in the September 2018 IFRIC Update.

Deloitte comment letter on tentative agenda decision on IFRS 15 — Assessment of promised goods or services

21 Nov, 2018

We have commented on the IFRS Interpretations Committee's publication in the September 2018 IFRIC Update of the tentative decision not to take onto the Committee's agenda the request for clarification on the recognition of revenue by a stock exchange that provides a listing service to a customer.

FRC publishes the results of IFRS 9 and 15 thematic reviews

05 Nov, 2018

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has published the results of its thematic reviews looking at the disclosures made by companies on the impact of IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’ and IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ in their June 2018 interim reports.

ESMA announces enforcement priorities for 2018 financial statements

27 Oct, 2018

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has announced the priority issues that the assessment of listed companies' 2018 financial statements will focus on.

FRC publishes year-end advice to preparers in advance of the 2018/19 reporting season

25 Oct, 2018

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has published a letter to Audit Committee Chairs and Finance Directors, in advance of the 2018/19 reporting season, highlighting changes to reporting requirements and key matters which should be considered in the preparation of forthcoming annual reports and accounts.

FRC publishes findings on the quality of corporate reporting in 2017/2018

24 Oct, 2018

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has published its Annual Review of Corporate Governance and Reporting 2017/2018, which provides the FRC's assessment of corporate reporting in the UK based on evidence from a variety of sources, including the work of the FRC's own Corporate Reporting Review (CRR) team. The report also includes information on the level of compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code (“the Code”) as well as the quality of explanations and reporting provided by companies in their governance statements and committee reports.

2018 Update on Half Yearly Financial Reporting

03 Jul, 2018

The 2018 edition of our popular guide to half-yearly financial reporting contains a regulatory overview, setting out the requirements for half-yearly financial reports and changes for preparers to contend with in 2018, including disclosures on the impact of implementing IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers and IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, a model half-yearly financial report, including illustrative IAS 34 condensed financial statements; and a disclosure checklist.

Need to know — Disclosing the new adoption of accounting standards in interim financial statements

21 Jun, 2018

Both IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments' and IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers' are mandatorily effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018. For many entities, the first financial statements reflecting adoption of these significant standards will be an interim report for the six months to June 2018. IFRS 16 'Leases' is also available for early adoption in 2018 financial statements.

FRC issues a briefing setting out current ‘hot topics’ of its Corporate Reporting Review team

12 Jun, 2018

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has issued a Briefing setting out the current ‘hot topics’ of its Corporate Reporting Review (CRR) team. The CRR team monitors the quality of corporate reporting in the UK and enforces compliance with accounting standards and relevant company law.

CIPFA/LASAAC issue new Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting

10 Apr, 2018

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and the Local Authority (Scotland) Accounts Advisory Committee (LASAAC) have issued the 2018/19 Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the UK (the Code) which would apply to accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2018.

ICAEW webinar on IFRS 15

03 Apr, 2018

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) will be hosting a webinar on International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers' on 19 April 2018.

FRC publishes Strategy for 2018/21

27 Mar, 2018

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has published its three year strategy for 2018/21 and its budget and levy proposals for the 2018/19 financial year.

Deloitte publishes guide to new revenue standard

22 Mar, 2018

Deloitte has issued 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers — A guide to IFRS 15'. As the IASB's new revenue standard is now effective (for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018 with earlier adoption permitted), this detailed guide helps entities consider the impact of the new standard. In some cases, IFRS 15 will require significant changes to systems and may significantly affect other aspects of operations.

Use of financial accounting standards to meet TCFD recommendations

12 Mar, 2018

The Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB) has published 'Uncharted waters: How can companies use financial accounting standards to deliver on the TCFD’s recommendations?'. The publication explores how companies can use existing international accounting standards when implementing the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations and comes out as the European Commission calls for the review of current IFRS to assess their potential impact on sustainable investment.

Paper on the new revenue recognition requirements from the investors' view

27 Feb, 2018

The CFA Institute, a global association of investment professionals, has published 'Revenue Recognition: Top Ten Questions Investors Should Be Asking Regarding the Adoption of the New Standard'.

Deloitte e-learning — IFRS 15

06 Feb, 2018

This Deloitte e-learning module provides training in the background, scope and principles under IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers', and the application of this Standard. Topics covered include the principles for the recognition of revenue to the sale of goods, services, licenses, royalties, and any variable consideration or modifications to contracts; and guidance is provided on how these principles should be applied by using the new five step revenue recognition model.

We comment on three IFRS Interpretations Committee tentative agenda decisions

29 Jan, 2018

We have published our comment letters on IFRS Interpretations Committee tentative agenda decisions related to IFRS 15 and IFRS 9, as published in the November 2017 IFRIC Update.

Correction list for hyphenation

These words serve as exceptions. Once entered, they are only hyphenated at the specified hyphenation points. Each word should be on a separate line.