Week 4 ACC- Intangibles

Definition

Recognition/Treatment

R&D

Issues

Normal Asset

Intangible Asset

“A resource controlled by the entity as a result of past events from which the future economic benefits are expected to flow to the entity.”

AASB138: “An identifiable non-monetary asset without physical substance.” (para 8)

CF doesn't specify differences between assets in terms of identifiability, tangibility and existence of markets

Identifiable

Identifiability creates barriers to recognition in financial statements. It is a test of:

Separability: The capacity of being separated from entity and sold/transferred

Contractural or legal rights: Must demonstrate control over asset

Non-Monetary

Non-financial

Future economic benefits are undeterminable

No determinable amount of future benefits

Without physical substance

Assets don't have to be tangible

existence of intangibles can only be shown by oberving economic transactions

Cannot be touched

Importance of intangibel assets

need support to create value

loses value quickly

don't create value or generate growth on their own

Increasing expenditure on intangibles

Criteria for intangible to be measured

payment would not have been made if future economic benefits weren't expected

Both parties agreed on fair value during transaction

Internally Generated intangibles

Brand building expenditures are expensed

Internal research costs are expensed

Not Capitalized

Exception: Development expenditure

Not seperable

doesn't satisfy RC

Externally Acquired goodwill

Acquired seperatly

Acquired through business combination

Can be capitalized if separable and satisfies RC

Measured at cost

Fair value at acquisition date

Subsequent Measurement

Issue 1: Policy choice

Issue 2: Consumption of future economic benefits

Cost Model: Costs less acc amm and Impairment loss

Revaluation Model: FV less ACC Amor and ACC impairment

Systematic allocation

Impairment

AASB138.72: Choose either if there is an active market

Compromises Purchase price, import duty and other costs in preparing asset for intended use

Needs an active market

Effectively ruled out for intangibles

Must assess useful life of asset

Useful Life

Finite

From the date asset is available for use

Until held for sale

Reflective of FEB or on straight-line

Depreciable amount: Cost less residual value

Research

Development

e.g. activities to attain new knowledge, or searching for new alternatives

Is expensed as can't determine future economic benefit

Original and planned investigation undertaken with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding.

E.g. Design and testing of a new product design of tools and new tech

Can be capitalized if

Application of research findings or other knowledge to a plan or design for the production of new or substantially improved materials, devices, products, processes, systems or services before the start of commercial production or use.

Technical feasability

FEB expected

Adequate resources

Ability to use or sell

intention to complete

Reliable measurement

Controversial issue

Can be difficult to understand

Companies with significant investments can be undervalued (difference between book and market value)

Differential treatment is criticized

Reduced info in financial statement (relevant v faithfully represented)

Disclosure Requirement

amortization rates

Opening and closing amounts for impairments, revaluations and movements in IS

Must distinguish between each class

full details of revaluation models and assumptions used

R&D must disclose aggregate amount of research and development recognized a expense during period