From 2011, Canadian publicly accountable entities will cease to report under Canadian GAAP and instead use IFRS. This paper discusses three accounting topics to compare Canadian GAAP with IFRS. The three topics cover (1) conceptual framework, (2) property, plant and equipment, and (3) financial statement presentation.
Conceptual Framework
Both IFRS and Canadian GAAP are based on similar conceptual frameworks. Many of the basic concepts in IFRS (e.g., the going concern assumption, accrual accounting) are similar to Canadian GAAP. Many recognition and measurement principles are similar, as is the general structure and content of the financial statements.
The framework is not an international accounting standard in and of itself and
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Section 3061 applies). Under IFRS this type of property should be recognized as assets when the cost of an item of property, plant and equipment can be reliably measured and it is probable that the future economic benefits from the item will flow to the entity (IAS 16.7) for separately from property, plant and equipment as it has its own standard (IAS 40 – Investment Property).
IFRS seems to separate the property, plant and equipment into more detail for classification by the nature and intention of usage. For the users of financial statements, they might not aware of the detail, but for the preparers, they need to gather more detail information to account it into the right section.
2. Canadian GAAP and IAS 16 both require property, plant and equipment to be recorded at historical cost however there are different requirements for what expenditures are included or excluded from the historical cost. Under Canadian GAAP, the initial cost of property, plant and equipment includes legal obligations (Section 3110). Similarly IFRS requires legal obligations to be included in the initial cost. However, IFRS also requires constructive obligations to be included (IAS 16.16(c)).
IFRS requires detail identifications of what elements of cost are included so that determine how cost is measured.
3. IAS 16 permits an entity to record property plant and equipment at a revalued (fair value) amount, which generally prohibited under Canadian GAAP. Like Canadian GAAP
2007/2008 Edition This PricewaterhouseCoopers publication is for those who wish to gain a broad understanding of the key similarities and differences between IFRS, US GAAP and Swiss GAAP FER. No summary publication can do justice to the many differences of detail that exist between IFRS, US GAAP and Swiss GAAP FER. Even if the guidance is similar, there can be differences in the detailed application, which could have a material impact on the financial statements. It needs to be stressed that this brochure deals with the main differences only. Many more pages would be needed to be
In the course of normal business operations certain transactions require specific treatment in accordance with generally accepted accounting procedures (GAAP). To properly prepare financial statements, the analysis of working papers is imperative to insuring compliance. Clarification of why information is needed about adjusting lower cost of market inventory on valuation, capitalizing interest on building construction, recording gain or loss on asset disposal, and adjusting goodwill for impairment is presented here.
In summary, IFRS is more restrictive of assets than ASPE and more encompassing of liabilities than ASPE. It results in the equity section under IFRS being reported more conservatively than under ASPE (CICA, 2011, Section 1000).
With reference to the measurement of tangible non-current assets, critically evaluate whether financial statements prepared using IFRS’s provide useful information. Use specific examples from the annual reports of FTSE 100 companies to illustrate your points.
There is no universal GAAP standard and the specific vary from one geographic location or industry to another. In the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) mandates that financial reports adhere to GAAP requirements. The financial accounting standards Board (FASB) stipulates GAAP overall and the Governmental accounting standards Board (GAAP) stipulates GAAP for state and local government. Publicly traded companies must comply with both SEC and GAAP requirements. In recent years it also has had the chance to look at the United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and modify the rules to enhance clarity and consistency, intentionally setting itself apart from U.S. GAAP. The convergence of these two accounting frameworks is a must for both foreign and domestic businesses. The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is the accounting framework used by the European Union, Japan, Canada, and other world economic leaders. Companies need an accurate and reliable financial accounting systems not matter if globally or in the United
Although the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) have a lot of similar guidelines and expectations, they also differ in many ways. The IFRS employs more of a “principles based” accounting standards whereas GAAP utilizes more of a “rules based” approach. Even though there are differences between terminology, revenue recognition, gains and/or losses, and statement presentation, both standards do follow the same conceptual guidelines. With the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) of 2002, the standards expected of foreign countries are significantly less than those that reside as publically
recognition requirements in U.S. GAAP are different from those in IFRSs and both are considered in need of improvement. U.S. GAAP comprises broad revenue recognition concepts and numerous industry or transaction-specific requirements that can result in different accounting for economically similar transactions. Although, IFRSs contain less guidance on revenue recognition, its two main standards IAS 18 Revenue and IAS 11 Construction Contracts can be difficult to understand and apply beyond simple transactions. Also, they lack guidance on important topics such as revenue recognition for multiple-element arrangements.
Intangible Assets were part of the 2006 “memorandum of understanding” between FASB and IASB. Eventually, intangibles assets were cut from the list of changes to be made. In future years the problems will have to be addressed. As far as research and development costs, IAS 38 will likely be fully adopted. One major problem still being faced is the revaluation of intangible assets. Under GAAP, revaluation is strictly prohibited. Under IFRs, revaluation
There are subtle differences between the presentation of the IFRS statement of financial position and the US GAAP balance sheet. One primary difference is that IAS 1.66-.67 requires for the statement of cash position to be classified by current or non-current assets and liabilities, while US GAAP has no requirement for the balance sheet to be classified by current or non-current assets and
The objective of AASB 116 is to stipulate the accounting treatment for property, plant and equipment, make user can understand information about an entity’s investment in its property, plant and equipment, and the changes in entity’s investment. The main issue for property, plant and equipment in accounting are the recognition of relationship between assets, the determination of their carrying amounts, the depreciation charges and impairment losses. AASB 116 required the entity disclose it’s information of gross carrying amount, depreciation method, depreciation rate, useful lives of PPE, accumulated depreciation and reconciliation of carrying amount at beginning of the reporting period and at end of the reporting period.
There are several differences between the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The IFRS is considered more of a "principles based" accounting standard in contrast to U.S. GAAP which is considered more "rules based." By being more "principles based", IFRS, arguably, represents and captures the economics of a transaction better than U.S. GAAP. As a team me collaborated to answer the following seven questions.
There are two sets of accounting standards that are used worldwide. One is the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). There is a huge desire for there to one set of accounting standards worldwide with the increase of companies performing business in many different countries and global expansion.
There are two major similarities or points of convergence between US GAAP and IFRS. The first similarity is with regards to objectives of financial. In this case, both IFRS and US GAAP take the same general position with regards to objectives of financial reporting. The two main objectives shared by the two accounting bodies are relevancy of
With complete notion and awareness of how each country has their set of rules, “the goal of IFRS is to provide a global framework for how public companies prepare and disclose their financial statements” (Rouse, 2011). This view is meant to provide general guidelines, as well as international comparisons through conventional and edifying means. To bring broader and vivid objectives, IFRS replaced IAS, the older standards, in order to bring a more comprehensive and simplified accounting procedures.
It’s important to call that under US GAAP, estimates of useful and residual value, and the method of depreciation, are reviewed only when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the current estimates or depreciation method are no longer appropriate. Unlike IFRS, the revaluation of property, plant and equipment is not permitted.