www.CAnaresh.com - Chartered Accountants, Mumbai.

022-23878321 contact@canaresh.com

Note 1:

In view of the applicability of the accounting standards and exemptions/relaxations for SMEs, the necessary modifications have been made in AS 3, AS 17, AS 18, AS 19, AS 20, AS 24 and AS 28, coming into effect in respect of accounting periods commencing on or after 1-4-2004. Relaxations for AS 29 are incorporated in the AS itself.

Note 2:

From the date of coming into operation of AS 29, the following stand withdrawn:

AS 4 – Contingencies and Events Occurring after the Balance Sheet Date – paras 1(a), 2.3.1, 4(4.1 to 4.4), 5(5.1 to 5.6), 6, 7 (7.1 to 7.3), 9.1 (relevant portion), 9.2, 10, 11, 12 and 16) stand withdrawn. However, till the issuance of the proposed Accounting Standard on financial instruments, paragraphs which deal with contingencies would remain operational to the extent they cover impairment of assets not covered by other Accounting Standards. For example, provision for bad and doubtful debts.

Note 3:

Limited revision to AS 5 by adding para 33 effective for accounting periods commencing on or after 1-4-2001.

Note 4 :

From the date of coming into operation of AS 26, the following stand withdrawn:

AS 8   – Accounting for Research and Development
AS 6   – Depreciation Accounting only with respect to amortisation of intangible assets
AS 10 – Accounting for Fixed Assets – paras 16.3 to 16.7, 37 and 38

Note 5:

1. The revised AS 7 (2002) is applicable in respect of all contracts entered into during the accounting periods commencing on or after 1-4-2003; however, for contracts entered into prior to this date, AS 7 (1983) would continue to be applicable.

2. The revised AS 11 (2003) would supersede AS 11 (1994); however, accounting for transactions in foreign currencies entered into before the date the revised AS 11 (2003) comes into effect, i.e. 1-4-2004, AS 11 (1994) would continue to be applicable.

Note 6 :

From the date of coming into operation of AS 16, the following stand withdrawn:

AS 10 – Accounting for Fixed Assets – paragraphs 9.2, 29 (except the first sentence)

Note 7:

Limited revision to AS 13 in para 2 effective for accounting periods commencing on or after 1-4-2002.

Note 8:

Limited revision to AS 14 in paras 23 and 42 effective for accounting periods commencing on or after 1.4.2004.

Note 9:

Exemptions and Relaxations for AS 15 (Revised)

CRITERIA	LEVEL II SMES	LEVEL III SMES
No. of Employees	Average No. of employees of 50 or more	Average employees of  less than 50
Recognition and measurement of short term accumulated compen-sating absences contained in Paras 11 to 16	Not applicable	Not applicable
Amounts due for payment under Defined Contribution Plans or Termination Benefits, after 12 months from the end of the year	Applicable (See Note i)	Applicable (See Note i)
Recognition and measurement under Defined Benefit Plans contained in Paras 50 to 116 and disclosures under Paras 117 to 118	Applicable (See Note ii)	Applicable (See Note iii )
Disclosures contained in Paras 119 to 123 under Defined Benefit Plans	Applicable (See Note iv)	Not applicable
Recognition and measurement of other long term benefits contained in Paras 129 to 131	Applicable	Applicable

1. Need not be accounted for on discounted basis (Paras 46 and 139)

2. Determination of liability should be based on PUCM (discount rate provisions shall apply)

3. For recognition and measurement of liabilities under DBP, PUCM need not be applied. Some other rational methods can be applied.

4. Actuarial assumptions should be disclosed

Note 10:

Limited revision to AS 18 in para 26 and insertion of para 27 effective for accounting periods commencing on or after 1-4-2003, but earlier application is encouraged.

Note 11:

1. AS 19 – paras 22(c), (e) and (f); 25(a), (b) and (e); 37(a), (f) and (g); and 46(b), (d) and (e) with respect to disclosures, of AS 19 are not applicable to Level II and Level III enterprises.

2. AS 20 is applicable to Level II and Level III enterprises, if they disclose earnings per share. AS 20 is applicable to all companies, (irrespective of category of Level) as Part IV of Schedule VI to the Companies Act, 1956, requiring disclosure of earnings per share (Also refer ASI 12). However, all the enterprises including companies, who fall either in Level II or Level III, are not required to disclose diluted earnings per share and information required by para 48 of AS 20.

3. At present, in India, as no enterprise is required to present interim financial report within the meaning of AS 25, compliance with the disclosure and presentation requirements and measurement principles of AS 25 are applicable to certain Level I enterprises, for their interim financial results. At present, in any case, AS 25 is not mandatorily applicable to Level II and Level III enterprises.

4. AS 29 – para 67 is not applicable to Level II enterprises and para 66 and para 67 are not applicable to Level III enterprises.

Note 12:

AS 21 is mandatory if an enterprise presents consolidated financial statements. In other words, the accounting standard does not mandate an enterprise to present consolidated financial statements but, if the enterprise presents consolidated financial statements for complying with the requirements of any statute or otherwise, it should prepare and present consolidated financial statements in accordance with AS 21.

Note 13:

AS 22 comes into effect in respect of accounting periods commencing on or after 1-4-2001. It is mandatory in nature for:

1. All the accounting periods commencing on or after 1-4-2001, in respect of the following:

1. Enterprises whose equity or debt securities are listed on a recognised stock exchange in India and enterprises that are in the process of issuing equity or debt securities that will be listed on a recognised stock exchange in India as evidenced by the board of directors’ resolution in this regard.

2. All the enterprises of a group, if the parent presents consolidated financial statements and the Accounting Standard is mandatory in nature in respect of any of the enterprises of that group in terms of (i) above.

2. All the accounting periods commencing on or after 1-4-2002, in respect of companies not covered by (a) above.

3. All the accounting periods commencing on or after 1-4-2003 (deferred to 1-4-2006) in respect of all other enterprises. (Refer July 2004 ICAI Journal)

Note 14:

AS 23, AS 27 would come into effect in respect of accounting periods commencing on or after 1-4-2002. AS 23, AS 27 is mandatory if an enterprise presents consolidated financial statements. In other words, if an enterprise presents consolidated financial statements, it should account for investments in associates in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with AS 23, AS 27 from the date of its coming into effect; i.e., 1-4-2002.

Note 15:

Limited revision to AS 25 in para 16 effective for accounting periods commencing on or after 1.4.2004. Para 29(c) and certain paragraphs of Appendix 3 have also been revised to omit the word "effective".

Note 16:

Limited revision to AS 26 in para 6 effective for accounting periods commencing on or after 1-4-2003.

Note 17:

Limited revision to AS 27 in para 6 and deletion of para 9 effective for accounting periods commencing on or after 1-4-2004.

Note 18:

1. Applicable only for accounting periods commencing on or after April 1, 2008.

2. Option to measure value in use on a reasonable estimate basis under para 121(g).

Note 19:

Limited revision to AS 20 in para 48 (and consequential in para 51) effective for accounting periods commencing on or after 1-4-2004.

Other Notes:

1. Applicability of Accounting Standards

1. Enterprises are classified into three categories, viz., Level I, Level II and Level III.

2. Level I enterprises are to comply fully with all the accounting standards;

3. Level II and Level III enterprises are considered as Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Level II and Level III enterprises are fully exempted from certain accounting standards, which primarily deal with disclosure requirements, given relaxations from certain disclosure requirements in respect of other accounting standards, which deal with recognition, measurement and disclosure requirements.

2. Criteria for classification of enterprises

1. Level I Enterprises

Enterprises which fall in any one or more of the following categories, at any time during the accounting period:

1. Whose equity or debt securities are listed, whether in India or outside India.

2. Which are in the process of listing their equity or debt securities as evidenced by the board of directors’ resolution.

3. Banks including co-operative banks.

4. Financial Institutions.

5. Carrying on insurance business.

6. All commercial, industrial and business reporting enterprises, whose turnover for the immediately preceding accounting period on the basis of audited financial statements exceeds Rs. 50 crore. Turnover does not include ‘other income’.

7. All commercial, industrial and business reporting enterprises having borrowings, including public deposits, in excess of Rs. 10 crore at any time during the accounting period.

8. Holding and subsidiary enterprises of any one of the above at any time during the accounting period.

2. Level II Enterprises

Enterprises which are not Level I but fall in one or more of the following categories:

1. All commercial, industrial and business reporting enterprises, whose turnover for the immediately preceding accounting period on the basis of audited financial statements exceeds Rs. 40 lakhs but does not exceed Rs. 50 crore. Turnover does not include ‘other income’.

2. All commercial, industrial and business reporting enterprises having borrowings, including public deposits, in excess of Rs. 1 crore but not in excess of Rs. 10 crore at any time during the accounting period.

3. Holding and subsidiary enterprises of any one of the above at any time during the accounting period.

3. Level III Enterprises

Enterprises which are not covered under Level I and Level II.

3. Accounting Standards as applicable to different levels

   Level-I	Level-II	Level-III	Level-I	Level-II	Level-III
   AS 1	AS 1	AS 1	AS 17	—	—
   AS 2	AS 2	AS 2	AS 18	—	—
   AS 3	—	—	AS 19	AS 19	AS 19
   AS 4	AS 4	AS 4		(Partly)	(Partly)
   AS 5	AS 5	AS 5	AS 20	AS 20	AS 20
   AS 6	AS 6	AS 6		(Partly)	(Partly)
   AS 7	AS 7	AS 7	AS 21	—	—
   AS 8	AS 8	AS 8	AS 22	AS 22
   AS 9	AS 9	AS 9	AS 23	—	—
   AS 10	AS 10	AS 10	AS 24	—	—
   AS 11	AS 11	AS 11	AS 25	—	—
   AS 12	AS 12	AS 12	AS 26	AS 26	AS 26
   AS 13	AS 13	AS 13	AS 27	—	—
   AS 14	AS 14	AS 14	AS 28	AS 28	AS 28
   AS 15	AS 15	AS 15	AS 29	AS 29	AS 29
   AS 16	AS 16	AS 16		(Partly)	(Partly)

4. Note 2:

It may be noted that where a requirement of an accounting standard is different from the applicable law, requirements as per the law would prevail.

Accounting  Standard (AS)	Title of the AS	Exemptions for SMCs	Refer  Note No.
AS 1	Disclosure of Accounting Policies	None
AS 2	Valuation of Inventories	None
AS 3	Cash flow Statements	Optional	1
AS 4	Contingencies and Events Occurring After the Balance Sheet Date	None	2
AS 5	Net Profit or Loss for the Period, Prior Period Items and Changes in Accounting Policies	None
AS 6	Depreciation Accounting	None
AS 7	Construction Contracts	None
AS 9	Revenue Recognition	None
AS 10	Accounting for Fixed Assets	None
AS 11	The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates	None	10
AS 12	Accounting for Government Grants	None
AS 13	Accounting for Investments	None
AS 14	Accounting for Amalgamations	None
AS 15	Accounting for Retirement Benefits in the Financial Statements of Employers
	Employees Benefits (Revised 2005)	Partial	3
AS 16	Borrowing Costs	None
AS 17	Segment Reporting	Optional	1
AS 18	Related Party Disclosures	None
AS 19	Leases	Partial	4, 11
AS 20	Earnings Per Share	Partial	5
AS 21	Consolidated Financial Statements	None	6
AS 22	Accounting for Taxes on Income	None
AS 23	Accounting for investments in associates in Consolidated Financial Statements	None	7
AS 24	Discontinuing Operations	None
AS 25	Interim Financial Reporting	None
AS 26	Intangible Assets	None
AS 27	Financial Reporting of Interests in Joint Ventures	None	7
AS 28	Impairment of Assets	Partial	8
AS 29	Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets	Partial	2, 9

NOTES

Note 1 : It is not mandatory for SMCs. However, SMCs are encouraged to apply this standard

Note 2 : As per the Notified AS, all portions of the Standard that deal with contingencies are applicable only to the extent not covered by other Accounting Standards prescribed by the Central Government.

Note 3 : SMCs are given specific exemptions from the following specified paras of AS 15

1. Paragraphs 11 to 16 of the standard to the extent they deal with recognition and measurement of short-term accumulating compensated absences which are non-vesting (i.e., short-term accumulating compensated absences in respect of which employees are not entitled to cash payment for unused entitlement on leaving);

2. Paragraphs 46 and 139 of the Standard which deal with discounting of amounts that fall due more than 12 months after the balance sheet date;

3. Recognition and measurement principles laid down in paragraphs 50 to 116 and presentation and disclosure requirements laid down in paragraphs 117 to 123 of the Standard in respect of accounting for defined benefit plans. However, such companies should actuarially determine and provide for the accrued liability in respect of defined benefit plans by using the Projected Unit Credit Method and the discount rate used should be determined by reference to market yields at the balance sheet date on government bonds as per paragraph 78 of the Standard. Such companies should disclose actuarial assumptions as per paragraph 120(l) of the Standard; and

4. Recognition and measurement principles laid down in paragraphs 129 to 131 of the Standard in respect of accounting for other long term employee benefits. However, such companies should actuarially determine and provide for the accrued liability in respect of other long-term employee benefits by using the Projected Unit Credit Method and the discount rate used should be determined by reference to market yields at the balance sheet date on government bonds as per paragraph 78 of the Standard.

Note 4 : SMCs are exempted from certain disclosure requirements of paragraphs 22(c), (e) and (f); 25(a), (b) and (e); 37(a) and (f); 46(b) and (d) of this standard.

Note 5 : SMCs are not required to disclose diluted EPS both including and excluding extraordinary items.

Note 6 : AS 21 is mandatory if an enterprise presents consolidated financial statements. In other words, the accounting standard does not mandate an enterprise to present consolidated financial statements but, if the enterprise presents consolidated financial statements for complying with the requirements of any statute or otherwise, it should prepare and present consolidated financial statements in accordance with AS 21.

Note 7 : AS 23, AS 27 is mandatory if an enterprise presents consolidated financial statements. In other words, if an enterprise presents consolidated financial statements, it should account for investments in associates in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with AS 23, AS 27.

Note 8 : SMCs are allowed to measure the ‘value in use’ on the basis of reasonable estimate thereof instead of computing the value in use by present value technique. Consequently, if an SMC chooses to measure the ‘value in use’ by not using the present value technique, the relevant provisions of AS 28, such as discount rate etc., would not be applicable to such an SMC. Further, such an SMC need not disclose the information required by paragraph 121(g) of the Standard.

Note 9 : AS 29, paragraphs 66 and 67 relating to disclosures are not applicable to SMCs.

Note 10 : In respect of accounting for transactions in foreign currencies entered into by the reporting enterprise itself or through its branches before the effective date of the notification prescribed in this Standard under section 211 of Companies Act, 1956, the applicability of this Standard would be deter-mined on the basis of Accounting Standard (AS) 11 revised by ICAI in 2003

Note 11 : In respect of assets leased prior to the effective date of notification presenting this Standard under section 211 of the Companies Act, 1956, the applicability of this Standard would be determined on the basis of the Accounting Standard (AS) 19, issued by ICAI in 2001.

STATUS OF ACCOUNTING STANDARD INTERPRETATIONS ISSUED BY THE ICAI FOR CORPORATES

ASI	Content	Status under Companies (Accounting Standard) Rules
ASI 1	Substantial period of time( AS 16)	Incorporated in (AS) 16 “Borrowing Costs” as Explanation below Para 3.2
ASI 2	Accounting for machinery spares (AS 2 and AS 10)	Incorporated in para 4 of AS 2 and para 8.2 of AS I0
ASI 3	Accounting for taxes on income in the situations of  tax holiday under sections 80-IA and 80-IB of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (AS 22)	Incorporated in (AS) 22 “Accounting for Taxes on Income” as Explanation below para 13.
ASI 4	Losses under the head Capital Gains (AS 22)	Incorporated in (AS) 22" Accounting for Taxes on Income” as Explanation 2 below para 17.
ASI 5	Accounting for taxes on income in the situations of tax holiday under sections 10A and 10B of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (AS 22)	Incorporated in (AS) 22 “Accounting for Taxes on Income” as Explanation below  para 13.
ASI 6	Accounting for taxes on income in the context of Section 115JB of the Income-tax Act, 1961(AS 22)	Incorporated in (AS) 22 “Accounting for Taxes on Income” as Explanation below  para 21.
ASI 7	Disclosure of Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liability in the balance sheet of a Company (AS 22)	Incorporated in (AS) 22 “Accounting for Taxes on Income” as Explanation below  para 30.
ASI 8	Interpretation of the term ‘Near Future’ (AS 21,  AS 23 & AS 27)	Incorporated in (AS) 21 “Consolidated Financial Statements” as Explanation (b) below para 11. Also incorporated in (AS) 23" Accounting for Investments in Associates in Consolidated Financial Statements” as Explanation below para 7 and in (AS) 27 “Financial Reporting of Interests in Joint Ventures” as Explanation below para 28.
ASI 9	Virtual certainty supported by convincing evidence (AS 22)	Incorporated in (AS) 22 “Accounting for Taxes on Income” as Explanation below  para 17.
ASI 10	Interpretation of paragraph 4(e) of AS 16	Incorporated in (AS) 16 “Borrowing Costs” as Explanation below para 4(e)
ASI 11	Accounting for taxes on income in case of amalgamation	Not incorporated in Notified ASs.
ASI 12	Applicability of AS 20	Not incorporated in Notified ASs.
ASI 13	Interpretation of paragraphs 26 and 27 of AS 18	Incorporated in (AS) 18 “Related Party Disclosures” as Explanation below para 26 and Explanation (a) below para 27.
ASI 14	Disclosure of Revenue from Sales Transactions (AS 9)	Incorporated in (AS) 9 “Revenue Recognition” as Explanation below para 10.
ASI 15	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (AS 21)	Incorporated in (AS) 21 “Consolidated Financial Statements” as Explanation below para 6.
ASI 16	Treatment of Proposed Dividend under AS 23	Incorporated in (AS) 23 “Accounting for Investments in Associates in Consolidated Financial Statements” as Explanation (b) below para 6.
ASI 17	Adjustments to the carrying amount of Investments arising from changes in Equity not included in statement of Profit and Loss of the associate (AS 23)	Incorporated in (AS) 23 “Accounting for Investments in Associates in Consolidated  Financial Statements” as Explanation (a) below para 6.
ASI 18	Consideration of Potential Equity shares for determining whether an investee is an associate under AS 23	Incorporated in (AS) 23 “Accounting for Investments in Associates in Consolidated Financial Statements” as Explanation below para 4.
ASI 19	Interpretation of the term ‘Intermediaries’ (AS 18)	Incorporated in (AS) 18 “Related Party Disclosures” as Explanation below para 13.
ASI 20	Disclosure of Segment information (AS 17)	Incorporated in (AS) 17 “Segment Information’’ (Re. AS 20) as Explanation below para 38.
ASI 21	Non Executive Directors on the Board – whether related parties	Incorporated in (AS) 18 “Related Party Disclosures” as Explanation below para 14.
ASI 22	Treatment of interest for determining segment expense (AS 17)	Incorporated in (AS) 17 “Segment Information” as Explanation below para 5.6( b).
ASI 23	Remuneration paid to key management personnel – whether a related party transaction (AS 18)	Impliedly incorporated in AS 18 this is only a logical corollary flowing out of ASI-21 incorporated in (AS) 18 as Explanation below para 14.
ASI 24	Definition of ‘Control’ (AS 21)	Incorporated in (AS) 21 “Consolidated Financial Statements” as Explanation below para 10.
ASI 25	Exclusion of a subsidiary from consolidation (AS 21)	Incorporated in (AS) 21 “Consolidated Financial Statements” as Explanation (a) below para 11.
ASI 26	Accounting for taxes on income in the consolidated financial statements (AS 21)	Incorporated in (AS) 21 “Consolidated Financial Statements” as Explanation (a) below para 13.
ASI 27	Applicability of AS 25 to Interim Financial Results (AS 25)	Not incorporated in Notified ASs.
ASI 28	Disclosure of Parent’s/ venture’s shares in	Incorporated in (AS) 21 “Consolidated Financial Statements” as post acquisition reserves of a subsidiary/ jointly controlled entity (AS 21 and AS 27) Explanation below Para 13 and in (AS) 27 “Financial Reporting of Interests in Joint Ventures as Explanation below para 32.
ASI 29	Turnover in case of Contractors (AS 7)	Not incorporated in Notified ASs
ASI 30	Applicability of AS 29 to onerous contracts (AS 29)	Incorporated in (AS) 29 “Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets” as Explanation (i) below Para 1(b).

This section provides a brief synopsis of the Notified AS and the AS issued by the ICAI. To the extent there are significant differences between the Notified AS and the AS, the same has been highlighted.

Accounting Standard 1: Disclosure of Accounting Policies

• Significant Accounting Policies followed in preparation and presentation of financial statements should form part thereof and be disclosed at one place in the financial statements.

• Any change in the accounting policies having a material effect in the current period or future periods should be disclosed. The amount by which any item in financial statements is affected by such change should be disclosed to the extent ascertainable. If the amount is not ascertainable the fact should be indicated. Accounting policies adopted by enterprise should represent true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Financial Statement

• If fundamental assumptions (going concern, consistency and accrual) are not followed, fact to be disclosed.

• Major considerations governing selection and application of accounting policies are i) Prudence, ii) Substance over form and iii) Materiality.

• The ICAI has made announcement that till the issuance of Accounting Standards on (i) Financial Instruments : Presentation, (ii) Financial Instruments : Disclosures and (iii) Financial Instruments : Recognition and Measurement, an enterprise should provide information regarding the extent of risks to which an enterprise is exposed and as a minimum, make following disclosures in its financial statements:

1. category-wise quantitative data about derivative instruments that are outstanding at the balance sheet date,

2. the purpose, viz. hedging or speculation, for which such derivative instruments have been acquired, and

3. the foreign currency exposures that are not hedged by a derivative instrument or otherwise.

This announcement is applicable in respect of financial statements for the accounting period(s) ending on or after March 31, 2006.

Accounting Standard 2: Valuation of Inventories

• This standard should be applied in accounting for inventories other than WIP arising under construction contracts, WIP of service providers, shares, debentures and financial instruments held as stock-in-trade, producers’ inventories of livestock, agricultural and forest products and mineral oils, ores and gases to the extent measured at net realisable value in accordance with well established practices in those industries.

• Inventories are assets held for sale in ordinary course of business, in the process of production of such sale, or in form of materials to be consumed in production process or rendering of services.

• Inventories do not include machinery spares which can be used with an item of fixed asset and whose use is irregular.

• Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less the estimated costs of completion and estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

• Cost of inventories should comprise all costs incurred for bringing the inventories to their present location and condition.

• Inventories should be valued at lower of cost and net realisable value. Generally, weighted average cost or FIFO method is used in cases where goods are ordinarily interchangeable.

• Specific Identification Method to be used when goods are not ordinarily interchangeable or have been segregated for specific projects.

• Disclose the accounting policies adopted including the cost formula used, total carrying amount of inventories and its classification.

Also refer ASI 2 – deals with accounting of machinery spares

The ASI 2 is incorporated in para 4 of Accounting Standard 2 of Companies (Accounting Standard) Rules.

Accounting Standard 3: Cash Flow Statements

• Prepare and present a cash flow statement for each period for which financial statements are prepared.

• A cash flow statement should report cash flows during the period classified by operating, investing and financial activities.

• Operating activities are the principal revenue producing activities of the enterprise other than investing or financing activities.

• Investing activities are the acquisition and disposal of long- term assets and other investments not included in cash equivalents.

• Financing activities are activities that result in changes in the size and composition of the owner’s capital and borrowings of the enterprise.

• A cash flow statement for operating activities should be prepared by using either the direct method or the indirect method. For investing and financing activities cash flows should be prepared using the direct method.

• Cash flows arising from transactions in a foreign currency should be recorded in enterprise’s reporting currency by applying the exchange rate at the date of the cash flow.

• Investing and financing transactions that do not require the use of cash and cash equivalent balances should be excluded.

• An enterprise should disclose the components of cash and cash equivalents together with reconciliation of amounts as disclosed to amounts reported in the balance sheet.

• Cash comprises cash on hand and demand deposits with the Bank

• Cash equivalent are short-term, highly liquid investment that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risks of changes in value

• An enterprise should disclose together with a commentary by the management the amount of significant cash and cash equivalent balances held by it that are not available for use.

Accounting Standard 4: Contingencies and Events Occurring after the Balance Sheet Date

• A contingency is a condition or situation the ultimate outcome of which will be known or determined only on the occurrence or non-occurrence of uncertain future event/s.

• Events occurring after the balance sheet date are those significant events both favourable and unfavourable that occur between the balance sheet date and the date on which the financial statements are approved.

• Amount of a contingent loss should be provided for by a charge in P & L A/c if it is probable that future events will confirm that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred as at the balance sheet date and a reasonable estimate of the amount of the loss can be made.

• Existence of contingent loss should be disclosed if above conditions are not met, unless the possibility of loss is remote.

• Contingent Gains if any, not to be recognised in the financial statements.

• Material change in the position due to subsequent events be accounted or disclosed.

• Proposed or declared dividend for the period should be adjusted.

• Material event occurring after balance sheet date affecting the going concern assumption and financial position be appropriately dealt with in the accounts.

• Contingencies or events occurring after the balance sheet date and the estimate of the financial effect of the same should be disclosed.

• Assets and Liabilities should be adjusted for events occurring after the Balance sheet date that provide additional evidence to assist the estimation of amounts relating to condition existing at the Balance sheet date.

Post issuance of AS 29, AS 4 – Contingencies and Events Occurring after the Balance Sheet Date – paras 1(a), 2.3.1, 4(4.1 to 4.4), 5(5.1 to 5.6), 6, 7 (7.1 to 7.3), 9.1 (relevant portion), 9.2, 10, 11, 12 and 16) stand withdrawn.

However the above-mentioned Paras of AS 4 are not withdrawn from Notified Accounting Standards.

Accounting Standard 5: Net Profit/Loss for the Period, Prior Period Items and Changes in Accounting Policies

• All items of income and expense, which are recognised in a period, should be included in determination of net profit or loss for the period unless an accounting standard requires or permits otherwise.
  
  Ordinary activities are activities which are undertaken by an Enterprise as part of its Business and such related activities in which enterprise engaged in furtherance of, incidental to, or arising from these activities.
  
  Extraordinary items are incomes and expenses that arise from events or transactions that are clearly distinct from ordinary activities of the enterprise and therefore are not expected to recur frequently or regularly.
  
  Prior period items are incomes or expenses which arise in the current period as a result of errors or omissions in the preparation of the financial statement of one or more prior periods.

• Prior period, extraordinary items be separately disclosed in a manner that their impact on current profit or loss can be perceived. Nature and amount of significant items be provided. Extraordinary items should be disclosed as a part of profit or loss for the period.

• Effect of a change in the accounting estimate should be included in the determination of net profit or loss in the period of change and also future periods if it is expected to affect future periods.

• Change in accounting policy, which has a material effect, should be disclosed. Impact and the adjustment arising out of material change should be disclosed in the period in which change is made. If the change does not have a material impact in the current period but is expected to have a material effect in future periods then the fact should be disclosed.

• Accounting policy may be changed only if required by the statute or for compliance with an accounting standard or if the change would result in appropriate presentation of the financial statements.

• A change in accounting policy on the adoption of an accounting standard should be accounted for in accordance with the specific transitional provisions, if any, contained in that accounting standard.

Accounting Standard 6: Depreciation Accounting

• Standard does not apply to depreciation in respect of forests, plantations and similar regenerative natural resources, wasting assets including expenditure on exploration and extraction of minerals, oils, natural gas and similar non-regenerative resources, expenditure on research and development, goodwill and livestock. Special considerations apply to these assets.

• Allocate depreciable amount of a depreciable asset on systematic basis to each accounting year over useful life of asset.

• Useful life may be reviewed periodically after taking into consideration the expected physical wear and tear, obsolescence and legal or other limits on the use of the asset.

• Basis for providing depreciation must be consistently followed and disclosed. Any change to be quantified and disclosed.

• A change in method of depreciation be made only if required by statute, for compliance with an accounting standard or for appropriate presentation of the financial statements. Revision in method of depreciation be made from date of use. Change in method of charging depreciation is a change in accounting policy and be quantified and disclosed. A change in rate of depreciation is a change in accounting estimates.

• In cases of addition or extension which becomes integral part of the existing asset depreciation to be provided on adjusted figure prospectively over the residual useful life of the asset or at the rate applicable to the asset.

• Where the historical cost undergoes a change due to fluctuation in exchange rate, price adjustment etc. depreciation on the revised unamortised amount should be provided over the balance useful life of the asset.

• On revaluation of asset depreciation should be based on revalued amount over balance useful life. Material impact on depreciation should be disclosed.

• Deficiency or surplus in case of disposal, destruction, demolition etc. be disclosed separately, if material.

• Historical cost, amount substituted for historical cost, depreciation for the year and accumulated depreciation should be disclosed.

• Depreciation method used should be disclosed. If rates applied are different from the rates specified in the governing statute then the rates and the useful life be also disclosed.

Accounting Standard 7 : Accounting for Construction Contracts (Revised 2002)

• The standard is applicable in accounting of contracts in the books of contractor. It is to be noted that this standard is not applicable for construction projects undertaken by the entity on behalf of its own. For example a builder constructing flats to be sold. It is also not applicable to service contracts which are not related to construction of assets.

• Construction contract may be for construction of a single/combination of interrelated or interdependent assets.

• A fixed price contract is a contract where contract price is fixed or per unit rate is fixed and in some cases subject to escalation clause.

• A cost plus contract is a contract in which contractor is reimbursed for allowable or defined cost plus percentage of these cost or a fixed fee.

• In a contract covering a number of assets, each asset is treated as a separate construction contract when there are:

– separate proposal;
– subject to separate negotiations and the contractor and customer is able to accept/reject that part of the contract;
– identifiable cost and revenues of each asset

• A group of contracts to be treated as a single construction contract when

– they are negotiated as a single package;
– contracts are closely interrelated with an overall profit margin; and
– contracts are performed concurrently or in a continuous sequence.

• Additional asset construction to be treated as separate construction contract when

– assets differs significantly in design/technology/function from original contract assets.
– a price negotiated without regard to original contract price

• Contract revenue comprises of

– initial amount and
– variations in contract work, claims and incentive payments that will probably result in revenue and are capable of being reliably measured.

• Contract cost comprises of

– costs directly relating to specific contract
– costs attributable and allocable to contract activity
– other costs specifically chargeable to customer under the terms of contracts.

• Contract Revenue and Expenses to be recognised, when outcome can be estimated reliably up to stage of completion on reporting date.

• In Fixed Price Contract outcome can be estimated reliably when

– total contract revenue can be measured reliably
– it is probable that economic benefits will flow to the enterprise;
– contract cost and stage of completion can be measured reliably at reporting date and
– contract costs are clearly identified and measured reliably for comparing actual costs with prior estimates.

• In cost plus contract outcome is estimated reliably when

– it is probable that economic benefits will flow to the enterprise; and
– contract cost whether reimbursable or not can be clearly identified and measured reliably.

• When outcome of a contract cannot be estimated reliably

– revenue to the extent of which recovery of contract cost is probable should be recognised;
– contract cost should be recognised as an expense in the period in which they are incurred; and
– All foreseen losses must be fully provided for.

• When uncertainties no longer exist revenue and expenses to be recognised as mentioned above when outcomes can be estimated reliably.

• When it is probable that contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss should be recognised as an expense immediately.

• Change in estimate to be accounted for as per AS 5.

• An enterprise to disclose

– contract revenue recognised in the period.
– method used to determine recognised contract revenue.
– methods used to determine the stage of completion of contracts in progress.

• For contracts in progress an enterprise should disclose

– the aggregate amount of costs incurred and recognised profits (less recognised losses) up to the reporting date.
– amount of advances received and
– amount of retention.

• An enterprise should present

– gross amount due from customers for contract work as an asset and
– the gross amount due to customers for contract work as a liability.

Accounting Standard 8: Accounting for Research and Development

Note: In view of operation of AS 26, this Standard stands withdrawn.

Accounting Standard 9: Revenue Recognition

• Standard does not deal with revenue recognition aspects of revenue arising from construction contracts, hire-purchase and lease agreements, government grants and other similar subsidies and revenue of insurance companies from insurance contracts. Special considerations apply to these cases.

• Revenue from sales and services should be recognised at the time of sale of goods or rendering of services if collection is reasonably certain; i.e., when risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the buyer and when effective control of the seller as the owner is lost.

• In case of rendering of services, revenue must be recognised either on completed service method or proportionate completion method by relating the revenue with work accomplished and certainty of consideration receivable.

• Interest is recognised on time basis, royalties on accrual and dividend when owner’s right to receive payment is established.

• Disclose circumstances in which revenue recognition has been postponed pending significant uncertainties.

  Also refer ASI 14 (withdrawing GC 3/2002) deals with the manner of disclosure of excise duty in presentation of revenue from sales transactions (turnover).

  In Accounting Standard 9 of Companies (Accounting Standards) Rules, ASI 14 is incorporated in (AS)9 "Revenue Recognition" as an explanation below para 10 as follows:

  "In cases where revenue cycle of the entity involves collection of excise duty, the enterprise is required to disclose revenue at gross as reduced by excise amount thereby finally arriving at net sales on the face of the profit and loss account."

Accounting Standard 10: Accounting for Fixed Assets

• Fixed asset is an asset held for producing or providing goods and/or services and is not held for sale in the normal course of the business.

• Cost to include purchase price and attributable costs of bringing asset to its working condition for the intended use. It includes financing cost for period up to the date of readiness for use.

• Self-constructed assets are to be capitalised at costs that are specifically related to the asset and those which are allocable to the specific asset.

• Fixed asset acquired in exchange or part exchange should be recorded at fair market value or net book value of asset given up adjusted for balancing payment, cash receipt etc. Fair market value is determined with reference to asset given up or asset acquired.

• When a fixed asset is revalued in a financial statement an entire class of assets should be revalued or the selection of assets for revaluation should be made on a systematic basis.

• Basis of revaluation should be disclosed.

• Increase in value on revaluation be credited to Revaluation Reserve while the decrease should be charged to P & L A/c.

• Goodwill should be accounted only when paid for.

• Assets acquired on hire purchase be recorded at cash value to be shown with appropriate note about ownership of the same. (Not applicable for assets acquired after 1st April, 2001 in view of AS 19 – Leases becoming effective).

• Gross and net book values at beginning and end of year showing additions, deletions and other movements, expenditure incurred in course of construction and revalued amount if any be disclosed.

• Assets should be eliminated from books on disposal/when of no utility value.

• Profit/Loss on disposal be recognised on disposal to P & L statement.

  Also refer ASI 2 which deals with accounting for machinery spares.

  ASI 2 is incorporated in para 8.2 of Accounting Standard 10 of Companies (Accounting Standards) Rules.

Accounting Standard 11: The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates (Revised 2003)

• The Statement is applied in accounting for transactions in foreign currency, and translating financial statements of foreign operations. It also deals with accounting of forward exchange contract.

• Initial recognition of a foreign currency transaction shall be by applying the foreign currency exchange rate as on the date of transaction. In case of voluminous transactions a weekly or a monthly average rate is permitted, if fluctuation during the period is not significant.

• At each Balance Sheet date foreign currency monetary items such as cash, receivables, payables shall be reported at the closing exchange rates unless there are restrictions on remittances or it is not possible to effect an exchange of currency at that rate. In the latter case it should be accounted at realisable rate in reporting currency. Non monetary items such as fixed assets, investment in equity shares which are carried at historical cost shall be reported at the exchange rate on the date of transaction. Non monetary items which are carried at fair value shall be reported at the exchange rate that existed when the value was determined.
  
  Note: Schedule VI to the Companies Act, 1956, provides that any increase or reduction in liability on account of an asset acquired from outside India in consequence of a change in the rate of exchange, the amount of such increase or decrease, should added to, or, as the case may be, deducted from the cost of the fixed asset.
  
  Therefore, for fixed assets, the treatment described in Schedule VI will be in compliance with this standard, instead of stating it at historical cost.

• Exchange differences arising on the settlement of monetary items or on restatement of monetary items on each balance sheet date shall be recognised as expense or income in the period in which they arise.

• Exchange differences arising on monetary item which in substance, is net investment in a non integral foreign operation (long term loans) shall be credited to foreign currency translation reserve and shall be recognised as income or expense at the time of disposal of net investment.

• The financial statements of an integral foreign operation shall be translated as if the transactions of the foreign operation had been those of the reporting enterprise; i.e., it is initially to be accounted at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of transaction.

• For incorporation of non integral foreign operation, both monetary and non monetary assets and liabilities should be translated at the closing rate as on the balance sheet date. The income and expenses should be translated at the exchange rates at the date of transactions. The resulting exchange differences should be accumulated in the foreign currency translation reserve until the disposal of net investment. Any goodwill or capital reserve on acquisition on non-integral financial operation is translated at the closing rate.

• In Consolidated Financial Statement (CFS) of the reporting enterprise, exchange difference arising on intra group monetary items continues to be recognised as income or expense, unless the same is in substance an enterprise’s net investment in non integral foreign operation.

• When the financial statements of non integral foreign operations of a different date are used for CFS of the reporting enterprise, the assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate prevailing on the balance sheet date of the non integral foreign operations. Further adjustments are to be made for significant movements in exchange rates up to the balance sheet date of the reporting currency.

• When there is a change in the classification of a foreign operation from integral to non integral or vice versa the translation procedures applicable to the revised classification should be applied from the date of reclassification.

• Exchange differences arising on translation shall be considered for deferred tax in accordance with AS 22.

• Forward Exchange Contract may be entered to establish the amount of the reporting currency required or available at the settlement date of the transaction or intended for trading or speculation. Where the contracts are not intended for trading or speculation purposes the premium or discount arising at the time of inception of the forward contract should be amortized as expense or income over the life of the contract. Further, exchange differences on such contracts should be recognised in the P & L A/c in the reporting period in which there is change in the exchange rates. Exchange difference on forward exchange contract is the difference between exchange rate at the reporting date and exchange difference at the date of inception of the contract for the underlying currency.

• Profit or loss arising on the renewal or cancellation of the forward contract should be recognised as income or expense for the period. A gain or loss on forward exchange contract intended for trading or speculation should be recognised in the profit and loss statement for the period. Such gain or loss should be computed with reference to the difference between forward rate on the reporting date for the remaining maturity period of the contract and the contracted forward rate. This means that the forward contract is marked to market. For such contract, premium or discount is not recognised separately.

• Disclosure to be made for:
  
  – Amount of exchange difference included in Profit and Loss statement
  – Net exchange difference accumulated in Foreign Currency Translation Reserve.
  – In case of reclassification of significant foreign operation, the nature of the change, the reasons for the same and its impact on the shareholders fund and the impact on the Net Profit and Loss for each period presented.

• Non mandatory Disclosures can be made for foreign currency risk management policy.
  
  In respect of accounting period commencing on or after 7th December and ending on or before 31st March 2011 at the option of the enterprise, exchange differences arising on reporting of long term foreign currency monetary items at rates different from those at which they were initially recorded during the period or reported in previous financial statements in so far as they relate to the acquisition of a depreciable capital assets can be added to or deducted from the cost of the assets and shall be depreciated over the balance life of the assets and in other cases can be accumulated in a Foreign Currency Monetary Item Translation Difference Account and amortized over the balance period of such long term assets / liability but not beyond 31st March 2011 by recognition as income or expense in each of such period with the exception of exchange differences dealt with in accordance with paragraph 15 of AS 11.

• such an option to be irrevocable and to be exercised retrospectively for such accounting period from the date of this transitional provision comes into force or the first date on which the concerned foreign currency monetary item is acquired whichever is later and applied to all such foreign currency monetary items

• For the purpose of exercise of this option an asset or a liability shall be designated as long term foreign currency monetary item if the asset or liability is expressed in foreign currency and has a term of 12 months or more at the date of origination of asset or liability.

• Any difference pertaining to accounting period commencing on or after 7th December 2006, previously recognized in the profit and loss account before the exercise of the option shall be reversed in so far as it relates to acquisition of depreciable capital asset by way of addition to or deduction from the cost of the asset and in other cases by transfer to Foreign Currency Monetary Item Translation Difference Account, in both the cases by debit or credit, as the case may be , to the general reserve.

• If the option is exercised, disclosure shall be made of exercise of such option and the amount remaining to be amortized in the financial statements of the period in which such option is exercised and in every subsequent period so long as any exchange difference remain unamortized.

Accounting Standard 12: Accounting for Government Grants

• Grants can be in cash or in kind and may carry certain conditions to be complied.

• Grants should not be recognised unless reasonably assured to be realized and the enterprise complies with the conditions attached to the grant.

• Grants towards specific assets should be deducted from its gross value. Alternatively, it can be treated as deferred income in P & L A/c on rational basis over the useful life of the depreciable asset. Grants related to non-depreciable asset should be generally credited to Capital Reserves unless it stipulates fulfilment of certain obligations. In the latter case the grant should be credited to the P & L A/c over a reasonable period. The deferred income balance to be shown separately in the financial statements.

• Grants of revenue nature to be recognised in the P & L A/c over the period to match with the related cost, which are intended to be compensated. Such grants can be treated as other income or can be reduced from related expense.

• Grants by way of promoter’s contribution is to be credited to Capital Reserves and considered as part of shareholder’s funds.

• Grants in the form of non-monetary assets, given at concessional rate, shall be accounted at their acquisition cost. Asset given free of cost be recorded at nominal value.

• Grants receivable as compensation for losses/expenses incurred should be recognised and disclosed in P & L A/c in the year it is receivable and shown as extraordinary item, if material in amount.

• Grants when become refundable, be shown as extraordinary item.

• Revenue grants when refundable should be first adjusted against unamortised deferred credit balance of the grant and the balance should be charged to the P & L A/c.

• Grants against specific assets on becoming refundable are recorded by increasing the value of the respective asset or by reducing Capital Reserve / Deferred income balance of the grant, as applicable. Any such increase in the value of the asset shall be depreciated prospectively over the residual useful life of the asset.

• Grant to promoters’ contribution when becomes refundable, it should be reduced from the capital reserves.

• Accounting policy adopted for grants including method of presentation, extent of recognition in financial statements, accounting of non-monetary assets given at concession/ free of cost be disclosed.

Accounting Standard 13: Accounting for Investments

• Current investments and long term investments be disclosed distinctly with further sub-classification into government or trust securities, shares, debentures or bonds, investment properties, others unless it is required to be classified in other manner as per the statute governing the enterprise.

• Cost of investment to include acquisition charges including brokerage, fees and duties.

• Investment properties should be accounted as long term investments. It includes investment in land or building that are not intended to be occupied substantially for use by or in the operations of investing enterprise.

• Current investments be carried at lower of cost and fair value either on individual investment basis or by category of investment but not on global basis.

• Long term investments be carried at cost. Provision for decline (other than temporary) to be made for each investment individually.

• If an investment is acquired by issue of shares/securities or in exchange of an asset, the cost of the investment is the fair value of the securities issued or the assets given up. Acquisition cost may be determined considering the fair value of the investments acquired.

• Changes in the carrying amount and the difference between the carrying amount and the net proceeds on disposal be charged or credited to the P & L A/c.

• Disclosure is required for the accounting policy adopted, classification of investments; profit / loss on disposal and changes in carrying amount of such investment.

• Significant restrictions on right of ownership, realisability of investments and remittance of income and proceeds of disposal thereof be disclosed.

• Disclosure should be made of aggregate amount of quoted and unquoted investments together with aggregate value of quoted investments.

Accounting Standard 14: Accounting for Amalgamations

• Amalgamation in nature of merger be accounted for under Pooling of Interest Method and in nature of purchase be accounted for under Purchase Method.

• Under the Pooling of the Interest Method, assets, liabilities and reserves of the transferor company be recorded at existing carrying amount and in the same form as it was appearing in the books of the transferor.

• In case of conflicting accounting policies, a uniform policy be adopted on amalgamation. Effect on financial statement of such change in policy be reported as per AS 5.

• Difference between the amount recorded as share capital issued and the amount of capital of the transferor company should be adjusted in reserves.

• Under Purchase Method, all assets and liabilities of the transferor company be recorded at existing carrying amount or consideration be allocated to individual identifiable assets and liabilities on basis of fair values at date of amalgamation. The reserves of the transferor company shall lose its identity. The excess or shortfall of consideration over value of net assets be recognised as goodwill or capital reserve.

• Any non-cash item included in the consideration on amalgamation should be accounted at fair value.

• In case the scheme of amalgamation sanctioned under the statute prescribes a treatment to be given to the transferor company reserves on amalgamation, same should be followed. However a description of accounting treatment given to reserves and the reasons for following a treatment different from that prescribed in the AS is to be given. Also deviations between the two accounting treatments given to the reserves and the financial effect, if any, arising due to such deviation is to be disclosed. (Limited Revision to AS 14 w.e.f. 1-4-2004)

• Disclosures to include effective date of amalgamation for accounting, the method of accounting followed, particulars of the scheme sanctioned.

• In case of amalgamation under the Pooling of Interest Method the treatment given to the difference between the consideration and the value of the net identified assets acquired is to be disclosed. In case of amalgamation under the Purchase Method the consideration and the treatment given to the difference compared to the value of the net identifiable assets acquired including period of amortization of goodwill arising on amalgamation is to be disclosed.

Accounting Standard 15 – Employee Benefits – Effective from accounting period commencing on or after 1st April, 2007.

• In case of corporates:
  
  – Applicable to all companies with certain specified relaxations available for SMCs

• In case of non corporates:
  
  – Applicable to Level II & III enterprises (subject to certain relaxations provided), if number of persons employed is 50 or more.
  – For Enterprises employing less than 50 persons, any method of accrual for accounting long-term employee benefits liability is allowed.

• Employee benefits are all forms of consideration given in exchange of services rendered by employees. Employee benefits include those provided under formal plan or as per informal practices which give rise to an obligation or required as per legislative requirements. These include performance bonus (payable within 12 months) and non-monetary benefits such as housing, car or subsidized goods or services to current employees, post-employment benefits, deferred compensation and termination benefits. Benefits provided to employees’ spouses, children, dependents, nominees are also covered.

• Short-term employee benefits should be recognised as an expense without discounting, unless permitted by other AS to be included as a cost of an asset.

• Cost of accumulating compensated absences is accounted on accrual basis and cost of non-accumulating compensated absences is accounted when the absences occur.

• Cost of profit sharing and bonus plans are accounted as an expense when the enterprise has a present obligation to make such payments as a result of past events and a reliable estimate of the obligation can be made. While estimating, probability of payment at a future date is also considered.

• Post employment benefits can either be defined contribution plans, under which enterprise’s obligation is limited to contribution agreed to be made and investment returns arising from such contribution, or defined benefit plans under which the enterprise’s obligation is to provide the agreed benefits. Under the later plans if actuarial or investment experience are worse than expected, obligation of the enterprise may get increased at subsequent dates.

• In case of a multi-employer plans, an enterprise should recognise its proportionate share of the obligation. If defined benefit cost cannot be reliably estimated it should recognise cost as if it were a defined contribution plan, with certain disclosures (in para 30)

• State Plans and Insured Benefits are generally Defined Contribution Plan.

• Cost of Defined contribution plan should be accounted as an expense on accrual basis. In case contribution does not fall due within 12 months from the balance sheet date, expense should be recognised for discounted liabilities.

• The obligation that arises from the enterprise’s informal practices should also be accounted with its obligation under the formal defined benefit plan.

• For balance sheet purpose, the amount to be recognised as a defined benefit liability is the present value of the defined benefit obligation reduced by (a) past service cost not recognised and (b) the fair value of the plan asset. An enterprise should determine the present value of defined benefit obligations (through actuarial valuation at intervals not exceeding three years) and the fair value of plan assets (on each balance sheet date) so that amount recognised in the financial statements do not differ materially from the liability required. In case of fair value of plan asset is higher than liability required, the present value of excess should be treated as an asset.

• For determining Cost to be recognised in the profit and loss account for the Defined benefit plan, following should be considered :
  
  – Current service cost
  – Interest cost
  – Expected return of any plan assets

• Actuarial gains and losses
  
  – Past service cost
  – Effect of any curtailment or settlement
  – Surplus arising out of present value of plan asset being higher than obligation under the plan.

• Actuarial Assumptions comprise of following :
  – Mortality during and after employment
  – Employee Turnover
  – Plan members eligible for benefits
  – Claim rate under medical plans
  – The discount rate, based on market yields on Government bonds of relevant maturity.
  – Future salary and benefits levels
  – In case of medical benefits, future medical costs (including administration cost, if material)
  – Rate of return expectation on plan assets.

• Actuarial gains/losses should be recognised in profit and loss account as income/expenses.

• Past Service Cost arises due to introduction or changes in the defined benefit plan. It should be recognised in the profit and loss account over the period of vesting. Similarly, surplus on curtailment is recognised over the vesting period. However, for other long-term employee benefits, past service cost is recognised immediately.

• The expected return on plan assets is a component of current service cost. The difference between expected return and the actual return on plan assets is treated as an actuarial gain/loss, which is also recognised in the profit and loss account.

• An enterprise should disclose information by which users can evaluate the nature of its defined benefit plans and the financial effects of changes in those plans during the period. For disclosures requirement refer to paras 120 to 125 of the Standard.

• Termination benefits are accounted as a liability and expense only when the enterprise has a present obligation as a result of a past event, outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate of it can be made. Where termination benefits fall due beyond 12 months period, the present value of liability needs to be worked out using the discount rate. If termination benefit amount is material, it should be disclosed separately as per AS 5 requirements. As per the transitional provisions expenses on termination benefits incurred up to 31st March, 2009 can be deferred over the pay-back period, not beyond 1st April, 2010.

• Transitional Provisions
  
  When enterprise adopts the revised standard for the first time, additional charge on account of change in a liability, compared to pre-revised AS – 15, should be adjusted against revenue reserves and surplus.
  
  Central Government has also issued the Companies (Accounting Standard) Amendment rules, 2008 dealing with the transitional provision on AS -15

Accounting Standard 16: Borrowing Costs

• Statement to be applied in accounting for borrowing costs.

• Statement does not deal with the actual or imputed cost of owner’s equity/preference capital.

• Borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of any qualifying asset (assets that takes a substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use or sale) should be capitalized. Generally, a period of 12 months is considered as a substantial period of time (ASI-1 Incorporated in (AS) 16 "Borrowing Costs" as an explanation below para 3.2).

• Borrowing costs may include:

• Interest and commitment charges on Bank Borrowings, Other short term and other long term borrowings

• Amortisation of ancillary costs incurred in connection with the arrangement of borrowings.

• Amortisation of discounts or premium relating to borrowings.

• Finance charges in respect of assets acquired under finance leases or under other similar arrangements; and

• Exchange differences arising from foreign currency borrowings to the extent that they are regarded as an adjustment to interest costs.

• Income on the temporary investment of the borrowed funds be deducted from borrowing costs.

• In case of funds obtained generally and used for obtaining a qualifying asset, the borrowing cost to be capitalized is determined by applying weighted average of borrowing cost on outstanding borrowings, other than borrowings for obtaining qualifying asset.

• Capitalization of borrowing cost should commence when expenditure for acquisition, construction or production is being incurred, borrowing costs is incurred and activities necessary to prepare the asset for its intended use or sale are in progress.

• Capitalization of borrowing costs should be suspended during extended periods in which development is interrupted. When the expected cost of the qualifying asset exceeds its recoverable amount or Net Realizable Value, the carrying amount is written down.

• Capitalization should cease when activity is completed substantially or if completed in parts, in respect of that part, all the activities for its intended use or sale are complete.

• Financial statements to disclose accounting policy adopted for borrowing cost and also the amount of borrowing costs capitalized during the period.

• In case exchange difference on foreign currency borrowings represent saving in interest, compared to interest rate for the local currency borrowings, it should be treated as part of interest cost for AS 16 (ASI-10 Incorporated in (AS) 16 "Borrowing Costs" as an explanation below para 4(e)).

Accounting Standard 17: Segment Reporting

• Requires reporting of financial information about different types of products and services an enterprise provides and different geographical areas in which it operates.

• A business segment is a distinguishable component of an enterprise providing a product or service or group of products or services that is subject to risks and returns that are different from other business segments.

• A geographical segment is distinguishable component of an enterprise providing products or services in a particular economic environment that is subject to risks and returns that are different from components operating in other economic environments.

• Internal organizational management structure, internal financial reporting system is normally the basis for identifying the segments.

• The dominant source and nature of risk and returns of an enterprise should govern whether its primary reporting format will be business segments or geographical segments.

• A business segment or geographical segment is a reportable segment if revenue from sales to external customers and from transactions with other segments exceeds 10% of total revenues (external and internal) of all segments; or segment result, whether profit or loss, is 10% or more of (i) combined result of all segments in profit or (ii) combined result of all segments in loss whichever is greater in absolute amount; or segment assets are 10% or more of all the assets of all the segments. If there is reportable segment in the preceding period (as per criteria), same shall be considered as reportable segment in the current year.

• If total external revenue attributable to reportable segment constitutes less than 75% of total revenues then additional segments should be identified, for reporting.

• Under primary reporting format for each reportable segment the enterprise should disclose external and internal segment revenue, segment result, amount of segment assets and liabilities, cost of fixed assets acquired, depreciation, amortization of assets and other non cash expenses.

• Interest expense (on operating liabilities) identified to a particular segment (not of a financial nature) will not be included as part of segment expense. However, interest included in the cost of inventories (as per AS 16) is to be considered as a segment expense (ASI-22).

• Reconciliation between information about reportable segments and information in financial statements of the enterprise is also to be provided.

• Secondary segment information is also required to be disclosed. This includes information about revenues, assets and cost of fixed assets acquired.

• When primary format is based on geographical segments, certain further disclosures are required.

• Disclosures are also required relating to intra-segment transfers and composition of the segment.

• AS disclosure is not required, if more than one business or geographical segment is not identified However, the fact that there is only one ‘business segment’ and ‘geographical segment’ should be disclosed by way of a note. (ASI-20 Revised Incorporated in (AS) 17 "Segment Information’’ (Re. AS 20) as an explanation below para 38.).

Accounting Standard 18: Related Party Disclosures

• The statement deals with following related party relationships: (i) Enterprises that directly or indirectly control (through subsidiaries) or are controlled by or are under common control with the reporting enterprise; (ii) Associates, Joint Ventures of the reporting entity; Investing party or venturer in respect of which reporting enterprise is an associate or a joint venture; (iii) Individuals owning voting power giving control or significant influence; (iv) Key management personnel and their relatives; and (v) Enterprises over which any of the persons in (iii) or (iv) are able to exercise significant influence. Remuneration paid to key management personnel falls under the definition of a related party transaction (ASI-23 Impliedly incorporated in AS-18 this is only a logical corollary flowing out of ASI-21 incorporated in (AS) 18 as an explanation below para 14.).

• Parties are considered related if one party has ability to control or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and/or operating decisions.

• Following are not considered related parties: (i) Two companies merely because of common director, (ii) Customer, supplier, franchiser, distributor or general agent merely by virtue of economic dependence; and (iii) Financiers, trade unions, public utilities, government departments and bodies merely by virtue of their normal dealings with the enterprise.

• Disclosure under the standard is not required in the following cases (i) If such disclosure conflicts with duty of confidentially under statute, duty cast by a regulator or a component authority; (ii) In consolidated financial statements in respect of intra-group transactions; and (iii) In case of state-controlled enterprises regarding related party relationships and transactions with other state-controlled enterprises.

• Relative (of an individual) means spouse, son, daughter, brother, sister, father and mother who may be expected to influence, or be influenced by, that individual in dealings with the reporting entity.

• Where there are transactions between the related parties following information is to be disclosed: name of the related party, nature of relationship, nature of transaction and its volume (as an amount or proportion), other elements of transaction if necessary for understanding, amount or appropriate proportion outstanding pertaining to related parties, provision for doubtful debts from related parties, amounts written off or written back in respect of debts due from or to related parties.

• Names of the related party and nature of related party relationship to be disclosed even where there are no transactions but the control exists.

• Items of similar nature may be aggregated by type of the related party. The type of related party for the purpose of aggregation of items of a similar nature implies related party relationships. Material transactions; i.e., more than 10% of related party transactions are not to be clubbed in an aggregated disclosure. The related party transactions which are not entered in the normal course of the business would ordinarily be considered material (ASI-13 Incorporated in (AS) 18 "Related Party Disclosures" as an explanation below para 26 and an explanation (a) below para 27).

• A non-executive director is not a key management person for the purpose of this standard. Unless,
  
  – he is in a position to exercise significant influence by virtue of owning an interest in the voting power or,
  – he is responsible and has the authority for directing and controlling the activities of the reporting enterprise. Mere participation in the policy decision making process will not attract AS 18. (ASI-21 incorporated in (AS) 18 "Related Party Disclosures" as an explanation below para 14).

Accounting Standard 19: Leases

• Applies in accounting for all leases other than leases to explore for or use natural resources, licensing agreements for items such as motion pictures films, video recordings, plays etc. and lease for use of lands.

• A lease is classified as a finance lease or an operating lease.

• A finance lease is one where risks and rewards incident to the ownership are transferred substantially; otherwise it is an operating lease.

• Treatment in case of finance lease in the books of lessee:
  
  At the inception, lease should be recognised as an asset and a liability at lower of fair value of leased asset and the present value of minimum lease payments (calculated on the basis of interest rate implicit in the lease or if not determinable, at lessee’s incremental borrowing rate).
  
  Lease payments should be appropriated between finance charge and the reduction of outstanding liability so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the balance of the liability.
  
  Depreciation policy for leased asset should be consistent with that for other owned depreciable assets and to be calculated as per AS 6.
  Disclosure should be made of assets acquired under finance lease, net carrying amount at the balance sheet date, total minimum lease payments at the balance sheet date and their present values for specified periods, reconciliation between total minimum lease payments at balance sheet date and their present value, contingent rent recognised as income, total of future minimum sub lease payments expected to be received and general description of significant leasing arrangements.

• Treatment in case of finance lease in the books of lessor:
  
  The lessor should recognize the asset as a receivable equal to net investment in lease.
  
  Finance income should be based on pattern reflecting a constant periodic return on net investment in lease.
  
  Manufacturer/dealer lessor should recognize sales as outright sales. If artificially low interest rates quoted, profit should be calculated as if commercial rates of interest were charged. Initial direct costs should be expensed.
  
  Disclosure should be made of total gross investment in lease and the present value of the minimum lease payments at specified periods, reconciliation between total gross investment in lease and the present value of minimum lease payments, unearned finance income, unguaranteed residual value accruing to the lessor, accumulated provision for uncollectible minimum lease payments receivable, contingent rent recognised, accounting policy adopted in respect of initial direct costs, general description of significant leasing arrangements.

• Treatment in case of operating lease in the books of the lessee :
  
  Lease payments should be recognised as an expense on straightline basis or other systematic basis, if appropriate.
  
  Disclosure should be made of total future minimum lease payments for the specified periods, total future minimum sub lease payments expected to be received, lease payments recognised in the P & L statement with separate amount of minimum lease payments and contingent rents, sub lease payments recognised in the P & L statement, general description of significant leasing arrangements.

• Treatment in case of operating lease in the books of the lessor:
  
  Lessors should present an asset given on lease under fixed assets and lease income should be recognised on a straight-line basis or other systematic basis, if appropriate.
  
  Costs including depreciation should be recognised as an expense.
  
  Initial direct costs are either deferred over lease term or recognised as expenses.
  
  Disclosure should be made of carrying amount of the leased assets, accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment loss, depreciation and impairment loss recognised or reversed for the period, future minimum lease payments in aggregate and for the specified periods, general description of the leasing arrangement and policy for initial costs.

• Sale and leaseback transactions
  If the transaction of sale and lease back results in a finance lease, any excess or deficiency of sale proceeds over the carrying amount should be amortized over the lease term in proportion to depreciation of the leased assets.
  
  If the transaction results in an operating lease and is at fair value, profit or loss should be recognised immediately. But if the sale price is below the fair value any profit or loss should be recognised immediately, however, the loss which is compensated by future lease payments should be amortized in proportion to the lease payments over the period for which asset is expected to be used. If the sales price is above the fair value the excess over the fair value should be amortised.
  
  In a transaction resulting in an operating lease, if the fair value is less than the carrying amount of the asset, the difference (loss) should be recognised immediately.

Accounting Standard 20: Earnings Per Share

• Focus is on denominator to be adopted for earnings per share (EPS) calculation.

• In case of enterprises presenting consolidated financial statements EPS to be calculated on the basis of consolidated information.

• Requirement is to present basic and diluted EPS on the face of Profit and Loss statement for each class of equity shares with equal prominence to all periods presented.

• EPS required to be presented even when negative.

• Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net profit or loss for the period attributable to equity shareholders by weighted average of equity shares outstanding during the period. Basic & Diluted EPS to be computed on the basis of earnings excluding extraordinary items (net of tax expense). (Limited Revision w.e.f. 1-4-2004)

• Earnings attributable to equity shareholders are after the preference dividend for the period and the attributable tax.

• The weighted average number of shares for all the periods presented is adjusted for bonus issue, share split and consolidation of shares. In case of rights issue at price lower than fair value, there is an embedded bonus element for which adjustment is made.

• For calculating diluted EPS, net profit or loss attributable to equity shareholders and the weighted average number of shares are adjusted for the effects of dilutive potential equity shares (i.e., assuming conversion into equity of all dilutive potential equity).

• Potential equity shares are treated as dilutive when their conversion into equity would result in a reduction in profit per share from continuing operations.

• Effect of anti-dilutive potential equity share is ignored in calculating diluted EPS.

• In calculating diluted EPS each issue of potential equity share is considered separately and in sequence from the most dilutive to the least dilutive.

• This is determined on the basis of earnings per incremental potential equity.

• If the number of equity shares or potential equity shares outstanding increases or decreases on account of bonus, splitting or consolidation during the year or after the balance sheet date but before the approval of financial statement, basic and diluted EPS are recalculated for all periods presented. The fact is also disclosed.