Technical Summary Of IAS 18 Revenue

The primary issue in accounting for revenue is determining when to recognise revenue. Revenue is recognised when it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity and these benefits can be measured reliably.

• This Standard identifies the circumstances in which these criteria will be met and, therefore, revenue will be recognised. It also provides practical guidance on the application of these criteria.

Revenue is the gross inflow of economic benefits during the period arising in the course of the ordinary activities of an entity when those inflows result in increases in equity, other than increases relating to contributions from equity participants.

This Standard shall be applied in accounting for revenue arising from the following transactions and events:

(a) the sale of goods;

(b) the rendering of services; and

(c) the use by others of entity assets yielding interest, royalties and dividends.

The recognition criteria in this Standard are usually applied separately to each transaction.

• However, in certain circumstances, it is necessary to apply the recognition criteria to the separately identifiable components of a single transaction in order to reflect the substance of the transaction. For example, when the selling price of a product includes an identifiable amount for subsequent servicing, that amount is deferred and recognised as revenue over the period during which the service is performed. Conversely, the recognition criteria are applied to two or more transactions together when they are linked in such a way that the commercial effect cannot be understood without reference to the series of transactions as a whole. For example, an entity may sell goods and, at the same time, enter into a separate agreement to repurchase the goods at a later date, thus negating the substantive effect of the transaction; in such a case, the two transactions are dealt with together.

• Revenue shall be measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. Fair value is the amount for which an asset could be exchanged, or a liability settled, between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm’s length transaction.

• The amount of revenue arising on a transaction is usually determined by agreement between the entity and the buyer or user of the asset. It is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable taking into account the amount of any trade discounts and volume rebates allowed by the entity.

SALE OF GOODS

• Revenue from the sale of goods shall be recognised when all the following conditions have been satisfied:

(a)  the entity has transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods;

(b)  the entity retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold;

(c)  the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;

(d)  it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity; and

(e)  the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.

RENDERING OF SERVICES

When the outcome of a transaction involving the rendering of services can be estimated reliably, revenue associated with the transaction shall be recognised by reference to the stage of completion of the transaction at the balance sheet date.

The outcome of a transaction can be estimated reliably when all the following conditions are satisfied:

(a)  the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;

(b)  it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity;

(c) the stage of completion of the transaction at the balance sheet date can be measured reliably; and

(d)  the costs incurred for the transaction and the costs to complete the transaction can be measured reliably.

The recognition of revenue by reference to the stage of completion of a transaction is often referred to as the percentage of completion method. Under this method, revenue is recognised in the accounting periods in which the services are rendered. The recognition of revenue on this basis provides useful information on the extent of service activity and performance during a period.

When the outcome of the transaction involving the rendering of services cannot be estimated reliably, revenue shall be recognised only to the extent of the expenses recognised that are recoverable.

INTEREST, ROYALTIES AND DIVIDENDS

Revenue shall be recognised on the following bases:

(a)  interest shall be recognised using the effective interest method as set out in IAS 39, paragraphs 9 and AG5-AG8;

(b)  royalties shall be recognised on an accrual basis in accordance with the substance f the relevant agreement; and

(c)  dividends shall be recognised when the shareholder’s right to receive payment is established.