Borrowing Cost
IFRS News
Emerging issues and practical guidance*
Supplement – September 2008
IAS 23R – Q&As, part 2
This is the second in a series of two supplements providing Q&As on IAS 23R. Olivier Scherer, partner in Global ACS, looks at some of the issues arising from the application of the revised standard that PwC’s Global Accounting Consulting Services has addressed. IFRS 23R is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009 (in the EU, subject to EU endorsement). Earlier application is permitted. General scope and definitions The IASB has amended the list of costs that can be included in borrowing costs, as part of its 2008 minor improvement project. Will this change anything in practice? The amendment should eliminate inconsistencies between interest expense as calculated under IAS 23R and IAS 39. IAS 23R refers to the effective interest rate method as described in IAS 39. The calculation includes fees, transaction costs and amortisation of discounts or premiums relating to borrowings. These components were already included in IAS 23. However, IAS 23 also referred to ‘ancillary costs’ and did not define this term. This could have resulted in a different calculation of interest expense than under IAS 39. No significant impact is expected from this change. Alignment of the definitions means that management only uses one method to calculate interest expense. Can an intangible asset be a ‘qualifying asset’ under IAS 23R? Yes. An intangible asset that takes a substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use or sale is a ‘qualifying asset’. This would be the case for an internally generated intangible asset in the development phase when it takes a ‘substantial period of time’ to complete, such as software. The interest capitalisation rate is applied only to costs that themselves have been capitalised. Should management’s intention be taken into account to assess the ‘substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use or sale’?
Emerging issues and practical guidance*
Supplement – September 2008
IAS 23R – Q&As, part 2
This is the second in a series of two supplements providing Q&As on IAS 23R. Olivier Scherer, partner in Global ACS, looks at some of the issues arising from the application of the revised standard that PwC’s Global Accounting Consulting Services has addressed. IFRS 23R is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009 (in the EU, subject to EU endorsement). Earlier application is permitted. General scope and definitions The IASB has amended the list of costs that can be included in borrowing costs, as part of its 2008 minor improvement project. Will this change anything in practice? The amendment should eliminate inconsistencies between interest expense as calculated under IAS 23R and IAS 39. IAS 23R refers to the effective interest rate method as described in IAS 39. The calculation includes fees, transaction costs and amortisation of discounts or premiums relating to borrowings. These components were already included in IAS 23. However, IAS 23 also referred to ‘ancillary costs’ and did not define this term. This could have resulted in a different calculation of interest expense than under IAS 39. No significant impact is expected from this change. Alignment of the definitions means that management only uses one method to calculate interest expense. Can an intangible asset be a ‘qualifying asset’ under IAS 23R? Yes. An intangible asset that takes a substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use or sale is a ‘qualifying asset’. This would be the case for an internally generated intangible asset in the development phase when it takes a ‘substantial period of time’ to complete, such as software. The interest capitalisation rate is applied only to costs that themselves have been capitalised. Should management’s intention be taken into account to assess the ‘substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use or sale’?