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a.) i) Accounting policies are specific principles, bases, conventions, rules and practices applied by
an entity in preparing and presenting financial statements (IAS 8,p5).
ii) A change in accounting policy shall be made if: it is required by IFRS or Interpretation; or
it results in more reliable and relevant presentation in the financial statements, financial position or financial performance of the entity.
Accounting policies are the principles upon which the presentation of the financial statements
are based and therefore applying changes to these accounting policies cannot be made
prospectively as it will compromise the comparability and consistency of the financialstatements.
A change in accounting policy is therefore applied retrospectively with all prior periodcomparatives in the set of financial statements being restated and based upon the new policy.
All prior periods not given as comparatives must also be adjusted, but with the cumulative
effect on the opening balance of retained earnings disclosed as a single adjustment.
Where adjustments to prior periods are impracticable to determine (i.e. the company cannot
apply it after making every reasonable attempt to do so), the application of a prospective
adjustment may be appropriate.
b.) i) A change in accounting estimate is an adjustment of the carrying amount of an asset or aliability, or the amount of the periodic consumption of an asset, that results from the
assessment of the present value status of, and the expected future benefits and obligations
associated with, assets and liabilities. Changes in accounting estimates result from the newinformation or new developments and, accordingly, are not correction of errors (IAS 8, p5).
ii) A change in accounting estimate relates to the change in the present status of expected future
benefits and obligations associated with assets and liabilities. Due to accounting estimatesrelating to future benefits, a retrospective change would not be appropriate.
The effect of a change in accounting estimate shall therefore be recognised prospectively byincluding it in profit or loss in
the period of the change, if that change affects that period only; i.e. the current period; or
the period of the change and in future periods, if the change affects both.
(IAS 8.36)
To the extent that a change in accounting estimate gives rise to changes in assets and
liabilities, or relates to an item of equity, it shall be recognised by adjusting the carryingamount of the related asset, liability or equity item in the period of the change (IAS 8.37).
c.) i) Errors are omissions from, and misstatements in, the entity’s financial statements, and
preparation thereof, arising from a failure to use, or misuse, of reliable information that wasavailable or reasonably expected to have been obtained and taken into account.
ii) IAS 8 requires that all material prior period errors are to be corrected retrospectively in the
financial statements authorised for issue after their discovery.
Material omissions or misstatements of items are material if they could, individually or
collectively; influence the economic decision that users make on the basis of the financialstatements (IAS 8.5).
Prior period errors are omissions from, and misstatements in, the entity’s financial statements
for one or more prior periods arising from a failure to use, or misuse of, reliable information
that:
was available when the financial statements for those periods were authorised for issue;
and
could reliably be expected to have been obtained and taken into account in the preparation
and presentation of those financial statements.
iii) In order to understand how errors are accounted for we shall break them down into three key
areas, namely:
Errors in the current financial year
Immaterial errors made in the previous financial years
Material errors occurring in previous financial years
All errors that occurred during the current year, whether material or immaterial, are adjustedin the current year.
If an error in the previous period is immaterial, it should also be corrected in the current year.
An entity shall correct material prior period errors as this means that previous financial
statements that were published were incorrect and therefore need to be restated. Material prior
period errors shall be corrected retrospectively.
A prior period error shall be corrected by retrospective restatement except to the extent that itis impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the
error. When it is impracticable to determine the cumulative effect, at the beginning of the
current period, of the error on all prior periods, the entity shall restate the comparative
information to correct the error prospectively from the earliest date (IAS 8, p43–45).
Solution 7.2
a)
A change in the method of depreciation from the residual balance method to the straight linemethod is a change in accounting estimate. It may not be recognised as a change in
accounting policy as the policy to depreciate the asset has not changed. It is merely the
method of estimating depreciation that has changed.
The depreciation method used must reflect the pattern in which the asset’s future economic benefits are expected to be consumed (IAS 16, p60).
When there has been a significant change in the expected pattern of consumption of the future
economic benefits embodied in the asset, the method of depreciation must be changed to
reflect the changed pattern (e.g. from the residual balance method to the straight line method).
Such a change must be accounted for as a change in an accounting estimate in accordancewith IAS 8 (IAS 16, p61).
The change in accounting estimate must be applied prospectively. This prospectiveadjustment may be made using either the reallocation method or the cumulative catch-up
method.
b)
A change from the weighted average method to the first-in-first-out method is generally taken
to be a change in accounting policy although there is an argument that suggests it could be
Accounting policies are specific principles, bases, conventions, rules and practices applied by
an entity in preparing and presenting financial statements (IAS 8, p5).
IAS 8, p35 states that a change in a measurement basis is a change in an accounting policy.
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. This is referred to in IAS 2 as
the measurement basis used for inventory. This is therefore a policy (the basis used in
preparing the inventory balance for inclusion in the financial statements).
Part of this measurement basis is the determination of cost. IAS 2 requires that cost be
determined according to one of the cost formulae:
Weighted average
First-in-first-out
Specific identification
A change from the weighted average method to the FIFO method of valuing inventory is
therefore a change in the cost formula used. Since the cost formula used is simply a part of
the measurement basis for inventory, this represents a partial change in the measurement basis – and therefore a change in accounting policy.
Arguments in favour of a change in accounting estimate
A change in accounting estimate is defined as an adjustment of the carrying amount of anasset or a liability, or the amount of the periodic consumption of an asset, that results from the
assessment of the present value status of, and the expected future benefits and obligations
associated with, assets and liabilities (IAS 8, p5).
A change from weighted average to first-in-first-out method reflects a change in the pattern in
which the future economic benefits embodied in inventory are to be expensed.
IAS 8.35 states that when it is difficult to distinguish a change in accounting policy from a
change in accounting estimate, the change is treated as a change in accounting estimate. Since
there appears to be a lack of consensus regarding whether or not the change from weightedaverage to first-in-first-out method is a change in policy or change in estimate, this paragraph
suggests that it should be accounted for as a change in estimate.
Solution 7.3
a)
CLUEDO LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 20X4 (EXTRACTS)
1. Accounting policies
1.1 Statement of compliance
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the approved accounting
standards as applicable in Pakistan. Approved accounting standards comprise of such
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International AccountingStandards Board as are notified under the Companies Ordinance, 198, provisions of and directives
issued by under the Companies Ordinance, 1984. In case the requirements differ, the provisions or
directives of the Companies Ordinance, 1984 shall prevail.
1.2 Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost convention. The principalaccounting policies are set out below. These policies are consistent in all material respects with
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the approved accounting standards
as applicable in Pakistan. Approved accounting standards comprise of such International FinancialReporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board as are notified
under the Companies Ordinance, 198, provisions of and directives issued by under the Companies
Ordinance, 1984. In case the requirements differ, the provisions or directives of the CompaniesOrdinance, 1984 shall prevail.
1.2 Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost convention. The principalaccounting policies are set out below. These policies are consistent in all material respects with those
applied in the previous year.
1.3 Non-current assets
Plant is depreciated using the straight-line method over its remaining useful life of three years. This
represents a change in estimate, as disclosed in note 4 and 5.
4. Profit before tax
Profit before tax is arrived at after deducting:
20X6
C
20X5
C
Depreciation - plant 80 000 64 000
- original estimate 51 200
- change in estimate (note 5) 28 800
5. Change in estimate The company changed the method of estimating depreciation on plant from the reducing balance
to the straight-line method and changed the estimated residual value from C0 to R16 000.
The (increase)/ decrease caused by the change in estimate is as
follows:20X6
C
Current profits (before tax) 28 800
Future profits (before tax) (44 800)
6. Taxation expense
20X6 20X5
C C Normal tax
- Current tax 20X6 (given – unchanged) or (W3) 112 080 80 000- Deferred tax 20X6 [19 520 – (28 800x40%)] or (W2) 8 000 14 400
Had no entries for depreciation yet been passed in 20X5, the correct journal entry would have been:
Correct depreciation journal: Debit Credit
Depreciation 125 000
Vehicles: accumulated depreciation 125 000 Depreciation of vehicles
b) Note disclosure
MILD LIMITED.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 20X5 (EXTRACTS)
1. Accounting Policies
1.1 Statement of compliance
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the approved accounting standardsas applicable in Pakistan. Approved accounting standards comprise of such International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board as are notified
under the Companies Ordinance, 198, provisions of and directives issued by under the Companies
Ordinance, 1984. In case the requirements differ, the provisions or directives of the CompaniesOrdinance, 1984 shall prevail.
1.2 Basis of preparationThe financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost convention. The principal
accounting policies are set out below. These policies are consistent in all material respects with those
applied in the previous year.
1.3 Depreciation
Vehicles are depreciated over 6 years using the straight-line method. This represents a change in
estimate (see notes 2 and 3).
2. Profit before tax
Profit before tax is stated after taking into account the following
items:
20X5
C
20X4
C Depreciation 125 000 75 000
original estimate 75 000
change in estimate 3. 50 000
3. Change in estimate
The company changed the estimated useful life of vehicles from 8 years to 6 years.
The (increase)/ decrease caused by the change in estimate isas follows:
Carrying amount: future final residual value 0 0 0
Adjusting journal
Debit Credit
Depreciation 100 000
Accumulated depreciation: vehicles 100 000
Adjustment to depreciation of vehicles
For your interest: Had no entries for depreciation yet been passed in 20X5, the correct journal entry
would have been:
Debit Credit
Depreciation 175 000
Accumulated depreciation: vehicles 175 000
Depreciation of vehicles
b) Note disclosure
SPRING LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 20X5 (EXTRACTS)
1. Accounting Policies
1.1 Basis of preparation
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the approved accounting
standards as applicable in Pakistan. Approved accounting standards comprise of suchInternational Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting
Standards Board as are notified under the Companies Ordinance, 198, provisions of and
directives issued by under the Companies Ordinance, 1984. In case the requirements differ, the provisions or directives of the Companies Ordinance, 1984 shall prevail.
1.2 Depreciation
Vehicles are depreciated over 6 years using the straight-line method. This represents a change inestimate (see notes 3 and 4).
Profit before tax is stated after taking the following items into account:
20X5
C
20X4
C Depreciation 175 000 75 000
original estimate 75 000
change in estimate 4 100 000
4. Change in accounting estimate
The company changed the estimated useful life of vehicles from 8 years to 6 years.
The (increase) / decrease caused by the change in estimate on
profit before tax is as follows:
20X5
C
current profits (100 000)
future profits 100 000
c) Statement of comprehensive income – revised using the cumulative catch-up method
SPRING LIMITED
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 20X5
20X5 20X4
C C
Profit before taxation (20X5: 500K-100K) 2 400 000 650 000
Income tax expense (20X5: 180K – 100K x 30%) 150 000 300 000
Profit for the period 250 000 350 000Other comprehensive income 0 0
Total comprehensive income 250 000 350 000
Notice that when adjusting for a change in accounting estimate, there is no change to the prior year figures (the change is adjusted for prospectively). Notice that the tax amount is adjusted by the tax
effect of the change in estimate adjustment (i.e. adjustment x tax rate). You must NEVER assume that
tax will be 30% of ‘profit before tax’ because there may be permanent differences, STC and other
reconciling items to be taken into consideration.
d) Statement of financial position – revised using the cumulative catch-up method
The journal entry above can be understood by examining the journal entries that would have been processed if it were possible to post journal entries to each specific year affected.
Debit Credit
Year of inception to 20X5 (prior to the prior year)
Retained earnings Per statement of changes in equity 607 900 281 700 68 900
HOT LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 20X7
1. Accounting policies
1.1 Statement of compliance
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the approved accounting standards as
applicable in Pakistan. Approved accounting standards comprise of such International FinancialReporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board as are notified
under the Companies Ordinance, 198, provisions of and directives issued by under the Companies
Ordinance, 1984. In case the requirements differ, the provisions or directives of the Companies
Ordinance, 1984 shall prevail.
1.2 Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost convention. The principal accounting
policies are set out below. These policies are consistent in all material respects with those applied in the previous year.
1.3 Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realisable value, with movements recorded on the first-
in-first-out method. This represents a correction of error (see note 4).
4. Correction of error
The company had incorrectly recorded inventory movements using the weighted average method insteadof the first-in-first-out method.
The effect of this correction is as follows:
20X6
Effect on the statement of comprehensive income C
Increase/ (decrease) in expenses or lossesIncrease in cost of sales 1 000
Decrease in tax expense (300)(Increase)/ decrease in income or profits
Decrease in profit for the year 700
20X6 20X5
Effect on the statement of financial position C C
Increase/ (decrease) in assets
Increase in inventories 1 000 2 000(Increase)/ decrease in liabilities and equity
Retained earnings Per statement of changes in equity 607 900 281 700 68 900
HOT LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 20X7
1. Accounting policies
1.1 Statement of complianceThese financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the approved accounting standards as
applicable in Pakistan. Approved accounting standards comprise of such International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board as are notified
under the Companies Ordinance, 198, provisions of and directives issued by under the CompaniesOrdinance, 1984. In case the requirements differ, the provisions or directives of the Companies
Ordinance, 1984 shall prevail.
1.2 Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost convention. The principal accounting
policies are set out below. These policies are consistent in all material respects with those applied in the
previous year, except the policy concerning the recording of inventory as detailed in note 4.
1.3 Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realisable value, with movements recorded on the first-in-first-out method. This represents a change in accounting policy (see note 4).
4. Change in accounting policy
The company changed its policy of recording inventory movements using the weighted average method
to the first-in-first-out method instead.
This gives relevant and more reliable information in that it better reflects the expected pattern of futureeconomic benefits through usage and sale of inventory. The comparatives have been appropriately
restated.
The effect of this change is as follows:
20X7 20X6
Effect on the statement of comprehensive income C C
W1. Proof that the tax adjustment is a deferred tax adjustment
Deferred tax caused by
equipment that did not exist
Carrying
amount
Tax
base
Temporary
difference
Deferred
tax
Balance or
adjustment
Incorrect balances: 31/12/20X2(300 000 - 300 000 x 10% x 1.5 yrs)
255 000 0 (255 000) (76 500) L
Correct balances: 31/12/20X2 0 0 0 0
Adjustment required 76 500 Dr DT; Cr TE
Comment: This required deferred tax adjustment assumes that the correct figures had been submitted
for tax purposes. In other words: a deduction for cost of sales of C300 000 had been claimed in 20X1 and
a deduction of wear and tear had been claimed on the correct equipment cost of C1 200 000 in20X1 and 20X2 (i.e. wear and tear was not claimed on the incorrect cost of C1 500 000).
Retained earnings 300 000 x 70 210 000VAT payable Given 300 000
Current tax payable: income tax 300 000 x 30% 90 000
Correction of error made in 20X5
Depreciation 60 000
Vehicles: accumulated depreciation 60 000
Change in estimated depreciation: W1 (90 000 – 30 000)
Deferred tax 18 000
Tax expense 18 000
Change in estimated depreciation: tax effect of decreased profits:
60 000 x 30%
Advertising expense 750 000
Machine: cost 750 000
Machine: accumulated depreciation 750 000 x 10% x 7/12 43 750
Depreciation 43 750
Correction of error made in 20X6: reverse incorrectly capitalised
advertising to expense and reverse related depreciation
Current tax payable: income tax 198 750
Tax expense 198 750
Correction of error made in 20X6: tax effect of decreased profit:
[(750 000 x 20% x 7/12) - 750 000] x 30%
Deferred tax 13 125
Tax expense 13 125
Correction of error made in 20X6:
Tax base was: 750 000 - (750 000 x 20% x 7/12) = 662 500
Carrying amount was: 750 000 - (750 000 x 10% x 7/12) = 706 250
DTL was: (662 500 - 706 250) x 30% = 13 125; to be reversed
For interest sake, had one been able to process journals in the previous year of 20X5, the first‘correcting’ journal entry in 20X6 above would have been replaced with the following entries in 20X5:
Proof that effect on tax expense was a deferred tax adjustment (as opposed to current tax owing to thetax authorities).
It was not necessary to provide this working, because the tax authority is not interested in the rate atwhich you believe you should be amortising your asset (he simply grants a tax allowance, in this case,
at 10% per annum).
Notice how you can pick up the new, revised balances for the statement of financial position from the