This month, sustainability reporting has again dominated the news, with the provisional agreement from the European Parliament to delay Commission adoption of the next sets of ESRS (namely sector-specific ESRS and ESRS for non-EU groups) by two years, i.e. by 30 June 2026 instead of 30 June 2024 as initially indicated in the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. Sector-specific standards in...
Happy New Year from everyone at Beyond the GAAP! The IASB work plan alone suggests that this new year will be a busy one on the accounting front. But the biggest new development in 2024 will be initial application of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), for the first companies falling within the scope of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) – i.e. large undertakings...
As 2023 year-end closing approaches, we present our traditional overview of the texts published by the IASB, taking account of their endorsement process at European level. This includes the latest developments concerning the European Union's endorsement of the IAS 12 amendments relating to OECD Pillar Two and the IFRS 16 amendments on lease liabilities arising from sale and leaseback transactions....
In mid-September, the European Commission (EC) launched a consultation on a draft delegated act that proposes to increase by 25% the size criteria set out in the Accounting Directive to classify undertakings and groups into different categories (micro, small, medium and large), in order to reflect inflation over the past ten years. This change in the thresholds, presented as part of a plan to increase...
On 31 July, only three weeks after the end of the public consultation on the draft delegated act, but a month behind the schedule set by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the European Commission adopted the final regulation on the first set of European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), after making a few last-minute changes based on the responses (more than 600!) received....
Almost seven months after EFRAG submitted the first drafts of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), and two months later than initially announced, the European Commission (EC) published the amended versions of these standards on 9 June via a draft delegated act. The uncertainties surrounding the nature of the changes introduced by the EC have now been resolved! In this issue, Beyond...
As the half-yearly reporting period draws to a close, Beyond the GAAP brings you the list of texts published by the IASB, including the IAS 12 amendments taking account of OECD's Pillar Two and the amendments to IAS 7 and IFRS 7 relating to supplier finance arrangements, both published this month. The list indicates whether these texts are mandatory or optional, depending on the progress of the European...
With the first requirements of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) coming into effect from 1 January 2024, some questions have arisen in the short term regarding the content of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) that companies must apply in this context. The European Commission (EC) has recently stated that it plans to reduce the reporting burden on companies...
At its monthly meeting in February 2023, the IASB continued its discussions on the Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Equity project (FICE) and reached a number of tentative decisions, which we discuss in detail in this issue. Readers will recall that this project, based on a discussion paper published in June 2018, is intended to clarify the principles of IAS 32, to address the issues...
As the half-yearly reporting period draws to a close, Beyond the GAAP brings you the list of texts published by the IASB, including the IAS 12 amendments taking account of OECD's Pillar Two and the amendments to IAS 7 and IFRS 7 relating to supplier finance arrangements, both published this month. The list indicates whether these texts are mandatory or optional, depending on the progress of the European...
With the first requirements of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) coming into effect from 1 January 2024, some questions have arisen in the short term regarding the content of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) that companies must apply in this context. The European Commission (EC) has recently stated that it plans to reduce the reporting burden on companies...
At its monthly meeting in February 2023, the IASB continued its discussions on the Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Equity project (FICE) and reached a number of tentative decisions, which we discuss in detail in this issue. Readers will recall that this project, based on a discussion paper published in June 2018, is intended to clarify the principles of IAS 32, to address the issues...
With the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) coming into effect on 5 January 2023, EU countries can now begin the work of transposing it into national law. In practice, the member states have until 6 July 2024 to transpose the CSRD and to specify certain requirements of the new directive, which some large companies will have to apply from 1 January 2024.
As 2022 gives way to 2023, the whole editorial team at Beyond the GAAP would like to wish you all the best for the coming year! While there will probably still be much to discuss on the accounting front, there is sure to be even more activity in terms of sustainability reporting, both at European and international level. In particular, the European Commission is expected to endorse the delegated acts...
As 2022 year-end closing approaches, we present our traditional overview of the new standards and amendments applicable at 31 December. Once again, no major new standards have been published this year, but disclosures are required on the impact of standards issued by the IASB but not yet effective, particularly for insurers in view of the entry into force of IFRS 17 on 1 January 2023.
The comment period for EFRAG’s public consultation on its first set of 13 draft European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRSs) closed on 8 August. EFRAG’s Sustainability Reporting Board, supported by its Technical Expert Group, now has to analyse the more than 750 responses received in order to submit the final version of its draft standards to the European Commission by next November. The EC...
In September, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 16 on leases to clarify the subsequent measurement of a lease liability arising from sale and leaseback transactions where the lease payments are variable and not dependent on an index or rate. As requested by stakeholders, the IASB has ultimately provided no clarification on how to measure the proportion of the seller-lessee's retained interest in...
On 28 October, the EU’s financial markets regulator, ESMA, published its European Common Enforcement Priorities for the annual financial and non-financial reporting for 2022.
As we approach the half-yearly closing of accounts, Beyond the GAAP presents a snapshot of the new standards and interpretations applicable from 1 January 2022 (both mandatory and optional). In addition to this overview, we bring you a summary of the ESMA recommendations published on 13 May. The European Securities and Markets Authority has identified the key issues to address in the interim financial...
On 22 June, and after political negotiations, the European Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a slightly revised version of the European Commission's initial proposal for a Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), published in April 2021. In this issue, Beyond the GAAP presents the highlights of this provisional agreement so far, bearing in mind that the final text...
As reported in our previous issue, Turkey was recently added to the list of hyperinflationary economies. As a result, groups will need to apply IAS 29 to their Turkish operations for all financial periods that include 1 April 2022, notably the interim financial statements to 30 June. Beyond the GAAP provides a recap of this little-used standard, which can often prove complicated to apply.
With the war in Ukraine raging for over a month now, it is time for companies to assess the impact of the crisis on their financial statements – though obviously, not all companies will have the same level of exposure. While market regulators and national authorities have already published statements drawing entities’ attention to their duty of transparency in disclosures, there are certain issues...
While February 2022 has seen very little drama on the corporate reporting front, the current situation in Ukraine provides a stark and appalling contrast. Although the situation is changing rapidly, companies that close their accounts after 24 February must start thinking now about the impacts of these events and of the first sanctions imposed on Russia. For those whose reporting period ended before...
As 2021 gives way to 2022, the Beyond the GAAP editorial team would like to wish you all the best for the coming year! We expect another busy year in terms of accounting news, with an obvious major development being the expected completion of the Primary Financial Statements project. However, the key focus of the year is likely to be the development of sustainability reporting standards.
As 2021 approaches its close, we present our traditional year-end overview of the new standards and amendments applicable at 31 December. Once again, no major new standards have been published this year, but insurers should take note: the European Union has finally adopted IFRS 17 (with some tweaks) and it will come into effect from 1 January 2023. Early application is permitted.
At the end of June, Hans Hoogervorst, Chair of the International Accounting Standards Board, has stepped down after a 10-year tenure. Andreas Barckow, who has previously served on several IFRS Foundation advisory bodies, has taken over for a first mandate as head of the IASB as of 1 July.
In mid-July, the European adoption process for IFRS 17 took a big step forward when the Accounting Regulatory Committee voted to endorse the new standard. EU endorsement is now expected in the fourth quarter of 2021.
At the end of October, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published its common priorities at European level for the 2021 reporting period.
While many were waiting, sometimes apprehensively, for the IASB's (tentative) decision on the reintroduction of goodwill amortisation, the Board held off at its September meeting, asking the staff to conduct further research on the subsequent accounting for goodwill.
Following the announcement of the first results for 2019 in February, companies that have not yet closed their accounts need to consider the potential implications of the current coronavirus epidemic for the disclosures required in the notes on events after the reporting period in accordance with IAS 10, as some market regulators have just recalled.
The year 2019 drew to a close with the publication of an exposure draft proposing significant changes to the presentation of IFRS financial statements, particularly the statement of comprehensive income. Consultations will continue in the new year, with many projects listed in the IASB’s work plan.
Our last editorial touched, without wanting to believe it, on the wide repercussions we could expect from the coronavirus outbreak. A few days later, with half the world’s population now under lock-down (whether enforced or encouraged), this month’s news has necessarily taken on a distinct flavour all its own. This is why we have produced a ‘COVID-19 supplement’ to examine the impacts of the crisis...
As the COVID-19 epidemic continues to disrupt business, with significant impacts expected on 2020 financial statements, various stakeholders (most especially standard-setters) are working hard to respond to this unprecedented crisis (cf. issue no. 2 of our COVID-19 supplement).
In contrast to the three previous issues, Beyond the GAAP is back to its traditional format this month, with no COVID-19 supplement. Things are getting back to normal as regards accountancy news, although it is expected that further statements will be published locally for instance on the consequences of the crisis on accounting for State-guaranteed loans in France.
There is no doubt that the preparation of the 2020 interim accounts will be particularly difficult this year. Properly reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 crisis in the financial statements is certain to be the main subject of concern. Once again, this month’s COVID-19 supplement summarises the current issues to be taken into account, in particular the ESMA press release for listed entities.
As we move into the new year, the Beyond the GAAP editorial team would like to wish you all the best for 2021: here’s hoping that the health crisis will soon be over... In this issue, we present the issues identified by the IASB in its Post-implementation Review of the “new” consolidation Standards, which have now been in effect for several years and which have given rise to various questions regarding...
2021 opens with a relatively stable IFRS framework in which to prepare the consolidated financial statements for this financial year, given the limited number and scope of the standards coming into force on 1 January.
A major development this month is the publication of a proposed amendment to IFRS 16 in the light of the ongoing public health crisis: the practical expedient that was rushed through by the IASB last spring may now be applied to rent concessions granted up to 30 June 2022, rather than 30 June 2021.
While 2020 has required a lot of work on the accounting impacts of the public health crisis, it should also be noted that most companies are now done with the upheaval resulting from the implementation of new standards (although IFRS 16 remains an enforcement priority at 31 December).
The half-yearly financial statements stand between you and your well-earned summer break, so it may be worth taking a look at the IFRS IC’s agenda decisions on IFRS 15, IFRS 16 and cryptocurrencies. After that, you could take our crossword away with you - a light-hearted edition that brings the series to a close. Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to read our special study on the IASB’s...
As the 2019 financial statements are finalised, the first-time application of IFRS 16 will have kept stakeholders on their toes right up to the last minute. This is because the IFRS Interpretations Committee did not officially clarify until 16 December how the term of certain leases should be determined.
This year, it wasn’t accounting that made the news in April... A chance for our readers to enjoy the holidays and the month of May. Nonetheless, this gives Beyond the GAAP an opportunity to update readers on the texts expected between now and the end of the year, and to warn that after the calm will come the storm, if we can describe the nine exposure drafts planned for May and June that way. Two...
As announced last month, the IASB has begun to publish a number of exposure drafts. With consultation deadlines phased from June to September, these will keep stakeholders busy throughout the summer. As if they needed to be! We are coming up to the period of half-yearly financial statements, and of the first application of IFRS 16 on Leases. To help you, our special studies consider the (other) new...
In March, the IASB completed its marathon discussions on the proposed amendments to IFRS 17 – Insurance Contracts (see our ‘A Closer Look’ feature). The Exposure Draft is now scheduled for publication at the end of June, and the Board has tentatively decided that the comment period will be three months (thus including August). Meanwhile, the IFRS IC has been particularly busy, publishing eight agenda...
