August

Summary of the June 2018 joint CMAC-GPF meeting

23 Aug, 2018

Representatives from the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) met with both the Capital Markets Advisory Council (CMAC) and Global Preparers Forum (GPF) in London on 14 and 15 June 2018. Notes from the joint meeting have now been released.

The topics discussed at the meeting included:

  • IASB and IFRS Interpretations Committee update
  • Targeted standards level review of disclosures project
  • Primary financial statements — EBITDA and unusual or infrequently occurring items
  • Primary financial statements — Improving the usefulness of disaggregation in the financial statements
  • Business combinations under common control
  • Management commentary

The next GPF meeting will be held on 6 November 2018; the next CMAC meeting will take place on 1 November 2018.

For more information, see the meeting page and the meeting summary on the IASB's website.

We comment on three IFRS Interpretations Committee tentative agenda decisions

21 Aug, 2018

We have published our comment letters on IFRS Interpretations Committee tentative agenda decisions related to IAS 21 and IAS 23, as published in the June 2018 IFRIC Update.

More information about the issues is set out below:

Issue

Agenda decision supported?

More information

IAS 21 — Determination of the exchange rate when there is a long-term lack of exchangeability

Yes; however, we believe that to address the facts that (as stated in the tentative agenda decision) economic conditions are constantly evolving and that different conditions exist in different jurisdictions this research should not focus solely on the current situation in Venezuela

IAS 23 — Expenditures on a qualifying asset

Yes; however, we believe that the value of the tentative agenda decision could be enhanced by elaborating on the statement that “the entity does not disregard expenditures on the qualifying asset incurred before the entity obtains the general borrowings”

IAS 23 — Borrowing costs on land

Yes

Click to access all our comment letters to the IASB, IFRS Foundation, and IFRS Interpretations Committee.

EFRAG publishes a feedback statement on its 2018 research agenda consultation

20 Aug, 2018

The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) has published a feedback statement on its 2018 research agenda consultation.

EFRAG published its 2018 Research Agenda Consultation in April 2018 to solicit input on the strategic direction of its research activities.

The feedback statement summarises the main messages received from constituents and notes any key themes identified.  Based upon the input received, the EFRAG Board will deliberate over the next few months which projects should be added to its Research Agenda.

A press release and the full feedback statement are available on the EFRAG website.

IASB posts webcast on IFRS 17

20 Aug, 2018

The IASB has posted a webcast on insurance contracts with participation and other features in IFRS 17 'Insurance Contracts'.

The webcast is presented in two parts:

  • Part 1 discusses the measurement of the fulfilment cash flows
  • Part 2 covers the contractual service margin and the scope and requirements of the variable fee approach

For more information, see the press release on the IASB’s website. In addition, earlier webcasts and webinars on IFRS 17 are available through an archive.

IPSASB releases proposed amendments to keep IPSASs in line with IFRSs

20 Aug, 2018

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) has released Exposure Draft 66 'Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures (Amendments to IPSAS 36) and Prepayment Features with Negative Compensation (Amendments to IPSAS 41)'.

The proposed amendments to IPSAS 36 would converge IPSAS with the narrow-scope amendments to IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures made by the IASB in Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures (Amendments to IAS 28) issued October 2017.

The proposed amendments to IPSAS 41 would converge IPSAS with the narrow-scope amendments to IFRS 9 Financial Instruments made by the IASB in Prepayment Features with Negative Compensation (Amendments to IFRS 9) also issued October 2017.

Comments on the exposure draft are requested by 22 October 2018. It can be accessed here on the IPSASB website.

IASB member discusses the relevance of accounting information

17 Aug, 2018

On 9 August 2018, IASB member Ann Tarca gave a lecture during a conference at the University of Western Australia in Perth.

Her speech entitled ‘Check the numbers: Accounting information still matters to you, me and investors around the world’ covered (1) the relationship between accounting information and share prices, (2) whether current accounting practices and economic changes have diminished the role for accounting information, and (3) how the IASB is addressing issues raised by those who consider accounting has lost its relevance.

The full version of Ms Tarca’s speech is available on the IASB’s website.

FRC to host event on how FTSE 350 companies are reporting diversity and inclusion in annual reports

17 Aug, 2018

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) will host an event to discuss current reporting on diversity and inclusion in annual reports of FTSE 350 companies, in particular against the principles in the Corporate Governance Code; and the initiatives being taken to promote diversity and inclusion.

The agenda can be found on the FRC website and further details of the event can be found here.

EFRAG Board meeting August 2018

17 Aug, 2018

The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) will hold a Board meeting on 22 August 2018 in Brussels.

An agenda with supporting papers and details on how to register for the public meeting can be found on the EFRAG website.

IPSASB publishes guidance on financial instruments

17 Aug, 2018

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) has released IPSAS 41 'Financial Instruments'.

IPSAS 41 replaces IPSAS 29 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, and introduces:

  • Simplified classification and measurement requirements for financial assets;
  • A forward-looking impairment model; and
  • A flexible hedge accounting model.

IPSAS 41 includes public sector-specific guidance and illustrative examples on: (1) financial guarantees issued through non-exchange transactions; (2) concessionary loans; (3) equity instruments arising from non-exchange transactions; and (4) fair value measurement.

For more information, see the press release, IPSAS 41, and At-a-Glance summary on the IPSASB website.

AAOIFI issues accounting standard on risk reserves

17 Aug, 2018

The Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) has issued a new accounting standard FAS 35 'risk reserves'.

The standard defines the accounting principles for risk reserves in line with the best practices of financial reporting and risk management. The standard encourages but does not require maintaining adequate risk reserves to safeguarding the interest of profit and loss stakeholders particularly against various risks including credit, market, equity investment risks, as well as, the rate of return risk. Together wih FAS 30 Impairment, Credit Losses and Onerous Commitments, FAS 35 supersedes the earlier FAS 11 Provisions and Reserves and is effective for the financial periods beginning on or after 1 January 2021 with earlier adoption permitted.

The new standard can be accessed through the press release on the AAOIFI website.

Correction list for hyphenation

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