Newsletter „Beyond the GAAP“ 139

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.

A part from the substantive issues, the subject shed light on the due process underlying the Interpretations Committee’s agenda decisions. The current simple majority rule allows the Committee to conclude that the contents of a standard form a sufficient basis for determining how to apply it to a given situation even when almost half of its members, despite their IFRS expertise, disagree. That may raise legitimate questions.

The current revision of the Due Process Handbook, which should result in the involvement of the IASB in deciding whether to publish an IFRS IC agenda decision, is rightly presented as a way of enhancing the Committee’s due process.

The end of the year also saw the publication of a major new IASB exposure draft on the presentation of financial statements, which is sure to be a lively discussion topic in the months to come.

On behalf of the editorial team at Beyond the GAAP, we wish you an excellent 2020!

Topics

Highlights

  • European highlights

A Closer Look

  • Recent IASB decisions on proposed amendments to IFRS 17
  • The IFRS IC stands by its assessment of the lease term
  • Presentation of financial statements under IFRSs: publication of an exposure draft
  • IFRS IC agenda decisions will soon be published only if the IASB does not object

Events and FAQ