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

Deloitte comment letter on tentative agenda decision on IFRS 15 — Revenue recognition in a real estate contract that includes the transfer of land

29 Jan, 2018

We have commented on the IFRS Interpretations Committee's publication in the November 2017 IFRIC Update of the tentative decision not to take onto the Committee's agenda the request for clarification on the application of the revenue recognition requirements of IFRS 15 to a contract for the sale of land and a building in which title to the land irrevocably transfers to the customer at contract inception, with the building subsequently constructed on that land.

Deloitte comment letter on tentative agenda decision on IFRS 15 — Right to payment for performance completed to date

29 Jan, 2018

We have commented on the IFRS Interpretations Committee's publication in the November 2017 IFRIC Update of the tentative decision not to take onto the Committee's agenda the request for clarification on the application of the revenue recognition requirements of IFRS 15 to a contract for the sale of a unit in a residential complex which the customer can cancel during construction and is then liable to pay any shortfall between the original sales price and a price achieved on resale of the unit to a new customer.

Video summary of IPSASB consultation paper on accounting for revenue and non-exchange expenses

10 Jan, 2018

In August 2017, the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) published a consultation paper on potential recognition and measurement approaches for revenue and non-exchange expenses. The IPSASB has now released a short video highlighting the concepts, proposals and IPSASB preliminary views contained in the consultation paper.

FRC publishes Strategy for 2018/21

19 Dec, 2017

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

We comment on two IFRS Interpretations Committee tentative agenda decisions

20 Nov, 2017

We have published our comment letters on IFRS Interpretations Committee tentative agenda decisions on IFRS 15 and IAS 28, as published in the September 2017 IFRIC Update.

Deloitte comment letter on tentative agenda decision on IFRS 15 — Revenue recognition in a real estate contract

20 Nov, 2017

We agree with the IFRS Interpretations Committee's decision not to add this item onto its agenda for the reasons set out in the tentative agenda decision; however, we recommend an amendment to the wording in the tentative agenda decision to highlight the distinction between control of an asset and of a right to sell or pledge that asset in the future.

FRC announces thematic reviews for 2018/2019

20 Nov, 2017

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has announced the thematic reviews that it will undertake in 2018/19.

IFRS model financial statements 2017 — Appendix 2: Early application of IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers'

14 Nov, 2017

This Appendix has been produced to complement the International GAAP Holdings Limited Model financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017. It focuses on the disclosure requirements in IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers' which are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018. It does not illustrate all the disclosures in IFRS 15, which will depend on an entity's underlying facts and circumstances.

EFRAG endorsement status report 9 November 2017

09 Nov, 2017

This endorsement status report update reflects that IFRS 16 'Leases', 'Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised Losses (Amendments to IAS 12)', 'Disclosure Initiative (Amendments to IAS 7)', 'Clarifications to IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers'', and 'Applying IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments' with IFRS 4 'Insurance Contracts' (Amendments to IFRS 4)' have been adopted for use in the European Union.

European Union formally adopts IFRS 16 as well as several amendments to IFRSs

09 Nov, 2017

The European Union has published a Commission Regulation endorsing IFRS 16 'Leases', 'Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised Losses (Amendments to IAS 12)', 'Disclosure Initiative (Amendments to IAS 7)', 'Clarifications to IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers'', and 'Applying IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments' with IFRS 4 'Insurance Contracts' (Amendments to IFRS 4)'.

ESMA announces enforcement priorities for 2017 financial statements

27 Oct, 2017

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has announced the priority issues that the assessment of listed companies' 2017 financial statements will focus on.

Paper on the transition to full adoption of new revenue recognition requirements

24 Oct, 2017

The CFA Institute, a global association of investment professionals, has published 'Revenue Recognition Changes'.

Implementing IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers' - A practical guide to implementation issues for the asset management sector

16 Oct, 2017

This guide is intended to provide an overview of applying IFRS 15 within the asset management sector. The guidance provided here is not intended to be exhaustive, but aims to highlight some of the potential issues to consider and to indicate how those issues might be approached.

FRC publishes year-end advice to preparers in advance of the 2017/18 reporting season

11 Oct, 2017

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has published a letter to Audit Committee Chairs and Finance Directors, in advance of the 2017/18 reporting season, highlighting changes to reporting requirements and aspects of annual reports where the FRC feels that companies can improve.

IASB publishes editorial corrections

27 Sep, 2017

The IASB has published a batch of editorial corrections that impact consequential amendments and stand-alone standards as well as the Blue Book 2017, the Red Book 2017 and the Green Book 2017.

IPSASB consults on accounting for revenue and non-exchange expenses

23 Aug, 2017

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) has published a consultation paper on potential recognition and measurement approaches for revenue and non-exchange expenses. The paper proposes updating existing IPSAS 23 'Revenue from Non-Exchange Transactions (Taxes and Transfers)' as well as to replace current IPSAS dealing with revenue arising from exchange transactions and construction contracts with an IPSAS based on IFRS 15.

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

12 Jul, 2017

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and the Local Authority (Scotland) Accounts Advisory Committee (LASAAC) are seeking comments, via an ‘Invitation to Comment’, on proposals for developing 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.

FRAB minutes for June 2017 meeting released

07 Jul, 2017

The minutes of the Financial Reporting Advisory Board’s (FRAB’s) meeting of 15 June 2017 have been made available on the HM Treasury website.

EFRAG endorsement status report 6 July 2017

06 Jul, 2017

The endorsement status report has been updated to reflect that ARC voted in favour of endorsing amendments to IAS 7, amendments to IAS 12, and clarifications to IFRS 15. Final endorsement of these pronouncements is expected in the fourth quarter of 2017.

We comment on FRED 67— 'Draft amendments to FRS 102 - Triennial review - Incremental improvements and clarifications'

04 Jul, 2017

We have published our comment letter on the Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC’s) Financial Reporting Exposure Draft (FRED) 67 ‘Draft amendments to FRS 102 - Triennial review - Incremental improvements and clarifications'.

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