Accounting Standard
(AS) 5* (revised 1997)
Net Profit or Loss
for the Period, Prior Period Items and Changes in Accounting Policies
8. Extraordinary
items should be disclosed in the statement of profit and loss as a part of
net profit or loss for the period. The nature and the amount of each
extraordinary item should be separately disclosed in the statement of profit
and loss in a manner that its impact on current profit or loss can be perceived.
11. Examples of
events or transactions that generally give rise to extraordinary items for most
enterprises are:
– attachment of
property of the enterprise; or
– an earthquake.
Profit or Loss from
Ordinary Activities
12. When items of
income and expense within profit or loss from ordinary activities are of such
size, nature or incidence that their disclosure is relevant to explain the
performance of the enterprise for the period, the nature and amount of such
items should be disclosed separately.
Prior Period Items
15. The nature and
amount of prior period items should be separately disclosed in the statement of
profit and loss in a manner that their impact on the current profit or loss can
be perceived.
Changes in Accounting
Estimates
20. As a result of the uncertainties inherent in business
activities, many financial statement items cannot be measured with precision
but can only be estimated. The estimation process involves judgments based on the latest information available. Estimates may
be required, for example, of bad debts, inventory obsolescence or the useful
lives of depreciable assets. The use of reasonable estimates is an essential
part of the preparation of financial statements and does not undermine their
reliability.
21. An estimate may have to be revised if changes occur regarding the
circumstances on which the estimate was based, or as a result of new
information, more experience or subsequent developments. The revision of
the estimate, by its nature, does not bring the adjustment within the definitions
of an extraordinary item or a prior period item.
22. Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish between a change in an accounting policy and a change in an accounting estimate. In such cases, the change is treated as a change in an accounting estimate, with appropriate disclosure.
22. Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish between a change in an accounting policy and a change in an accounting estimate. In such cases, the change is treated as a change in an accounting estimate, with appropriate disclosure.
23. The effect of a change in an accounting estimate should be included in the determination of net profit or loss in:
(a) the period of the change, if the change affects the period only; or
(b) the period of the change and future periods, if the change affects both.
24. A change in an accounting estimate may affect the current period only or both the current period and future periods. For example, a change in the estimate of the amount of bad debts is recognised immediately and therefore affects only the current period. However, a change in the estimated useful life of a depreciable asset affects the depreciation in the current period and in each period during the remaining useful life of the asset. In both cases, the effect of the change relating to the current period is recognised as income or expense in the current period. The effect, if any, on future periods, is recognised in future periods.
25. The effect of a change in an accounting estimate should be classified using the same classification in the statement of profit and loss as was used previously for the estimate.
26. To ensure the comparability of financial statements of different periods, the effect of a change in an accounting estimate which was previously included in the profit or loss from ordinary activities is included in that component of net profit or loss. The effect of a change in an accounting estimate that was previously included as an extraordinary item is reported as an extraordinary item.
27. The nature and amount of a change in an accounting estimate which has a material effect in the current period, or which is expected to have a material effect in subsequent periods, should be disclosed. If it is impracticable to quantify the amount, this fact should be disclosed.
22. Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish between a change in an accounting policy and a change in an accounting estimate. In such cases, the change is treated as a change in an accounting estimate, with appropriate disclosure.
22. Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish between a change in an accounting policy and a change in an accounting estimate. In such cases, the change is treated as a change in an accounting estimate, with appropriate disclosure.
23. The effect of a change in an accounting estimate should be included in the determination of net profit or loss in:
(a) the period of the change, if the change affects the period only; or
(b) the period of the change and future periods, if the change affects both.
24. A change in an accounting estimate may affect the current period only or both the current period and future periods. For example, a change in the estimate of the amount of bad debts is recognised immediately and therefore affects only the current period. However, a change in the estimated useful life of a depreciable asset affects the depreciation in the current period and in each period during the remaining useful life of the asset. In both cases, the effect of the change relating to the current period is recognised as income or expense in the current period. The effect, if any, on future periods, is recognised in future periods.
25. The effect of a change in an accounting estimate should be classified using the same classification in the statement of profit and loss as was used previously for the estimate.
26. To ensure the comparability of financial statements of different periods, the effect of a change in an accounting estimate which was previously included in the profit or loss from ordinary activities is included in that component of net profit or loss. The effect of a change in an accounting estimate that was previously included as an extraordinary item is reported as an extraordinary item.
27. The nature and amount of a change in an accounting estimate which has a material effect in the current period, or which is expected to have a material effect in subsequent periods, should be disclosed. If it is impracticable to quantify the amount, this fact should be disclosed.
Changes in Accounting
Policies
29. A change in an accounting policy should be made only if
the adoption of a different accounting policy is required by statute or for
compliance with an accounting standard or if it is considered that the change
would result in a more appropriate presentation of the financial statements of
the enterprise.
32. Any change in an accounting policy which has a material
effect should be disclosed.
The impact of, and the adjustments resulting from, such
change, if material, should be shown in the financial statements of the period
in which such change is made, to reflect the effect of such change. Where the
effect of such change is not ascertainable, wholly or in part, the fact should
be indicated. If a change is made in the accounting policies which has no
material effect on the financial statements for the current period but which is
reasonably expected to have a material effect in later periods, the fact of
such change should be appropriately disclosed in the period in which the change
is adopted.
33. A change in accounting policy consequent upon the
adoption of an Accounting Standard should be accounted for in accordance with
the specific transitional provisions, if any, contained in that Accounting
Standard. However, disclosures required by paragraph 32 of this Standard should
be made unless the transitional provisions of any other Accounting Standard
require alternative disclosures in this regard.
Question and Answer
Q1 - Change in Accounting policy?
Answer - PARA 32. Any change in an accounting policy which has a material effect should be disclosed. The impact of, and the adjustments resulting from, such change, if material, should be shown in the financial statements of the period in which such change is made, to reflect the effect of such change. Where the effect of such change is not ascertainable, wholly or in part, the fact should be indicated. If a change is made in the accounting policies which has no material effect on the financial statements for the current period but which is reasonably expected to have a material effect in later periods, the fact of such change should be appropriately disclosed in the period in which the change is adopted.
Q2- Increase in debtor provision (Change in Extimates )
Answer - Para 21 An estimate may have to be revised if changes occur regarding the circumstances on which the estimate was based, or as a result of new information, more experience or subsequent developments. The revision of the estimate, by its nature, does not bring the adjustment within the definitions of an extraordinary item or a prior period item.
Para 27. The nature and amount of a change in an accounting estimate which has a material effect in the current period, or which is expected to have a material effect in subsequent periods, should be disclosed. If it is impracticable to quantify the amount, this fact should be disclosed.
Q3 -