Identifying functional currency for development-stage entities – a matter of judgment!, part two

Continuing with some complexities of identifying an entity’s functional currency under IFRS We concluded last time by considering a Canadian mining entity that identities the South African rand as the functional currency of an exploration-stage foreign subsidiary, based solely on its current expenditures. As the discussion of CPA Canada’s IFRS Discussion Group indicates, it may well have to…

Identifying functional currency for development-stage entities – a matter of judgment!, part one

A common question relating to identifying an entity’s functional currency under IFRS, on which one can find plenty of diversity in practice. Many Canadian entities, particularly in the resource industries (and let’s assume for this purpose with Canadian dollar functional currencies), have exploration-stage foreign subsidiaries. At the current time, those subsidiaries are incurring the bulk…

Accounting for revenue – I’ll extend it if you will!

As we’ve discussed in many previous articles, the IASB has issued IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. The new standard is built around a five-step framework, the first step being to identify the contract(s) with the customer. Often of course, this step will be…

Trump and IFRS: shadow and light

In how many ways should we regret the ascent of Trump? I confess I see no hint of a “bright side” to this abomination. Have deeply-rooted anxieties ever settled on such a wretchedly unsuitable means of deliverance? It provides harsh evidence that the world is succumbing to irrationality and recklessness, regardless that its complexities and challenges have never required…

Looking ahead – the IASB’s coming decade of fun

The IASB recently published the conclusions from its recent Agenda Consultation and its five-year work plan. Here’s how the news release summed it up: Listening to feedback from stakeholders, the Board has confirmed that a central theme for its activities until 2021 will be Better Communication in financial statements. The Board aims to improve the communication effectiveness of…

IFRS – a contribution to building trust?

Let’s return now to the topic of Integrated Reporting, as we no doubt should from time to time. Scrolling through the recent material on the <IR> website, I came across a September 2016 speech by Jonathan Labrey, Chief Strategy Officer, IIRC. Here are some extracts: “It is not possible to put a price on trust…

New leases standard – lessor accounting

As we discussed here, the IASB has issued IFRS 16 Leases, effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. We’ve covered the main aspects of lessee accounting in a series of articles. It’ll only take this one post though to cover the other side of the transaction, the implications for lessors.…

The unblockable progress of blockchain?

CPA Canada recently published Technological Disruption of Capital Markets and Reporting? An Introduction to Blockchain. The preface sums up the main theme: “Blockchain originated as the technology underlying the digital currency Bitcoin but is currently receiving attention for its expanding applicability, particularly within capital markets and reporting. Blockchain-enabled automated processes could significantly affect the way…