Methodology for testing assets for impairment during the coronavirus pandemic

Accounting for the impairment of assets is one of the difficult issues in the preparation of financial statements. However, despite the considerable attention of domestic and foreign accounting science to tangible and intangible assets, the methodological apparatus for analyzing the procedure of asset impairment remains insufficiently developed. Issues that take into account the specifics of the development of the economic environment for the functioning of companies, the state and degree of the accounting and financial reporting system have not been worked out, which requires a comprehensive study of methodological issues of checking assets for impairment. Assessing whether an asset has decreased in value can be highly subjective and impairment can appear as a failure of directors, prompting management to underestimate the impairment loss. An impairment loss could have a material effect on a company's financial statements if the assets are overvalued. The main difficulties lie in recognizing when it is necessary to conduct impairment tests, applying the value in use and determining the cash-generating unit (CGU). In some cases, the application of the standard may be difficult, and therefore companies may inadvertently include distorted data in the reporting. The article discusses the application of the rules for determining indicators of impairment during the coronavirus pandemic. Particular attention is paid to the consideration of the principles and procedures of IFRS IAS 36, which apply to the impairment of assets in the form of a right of use. Based on the results of this study, several recommendations have been compiled for accountants who need to conduct an impairment test.

Features of accounting and information risk management in the conditions of impact of COVID-19

The purpose of the article is to develop theoretical provisions and develop guidelines for improving approaches to accounting for risks of exposure to COVID-19 and disclosure of information about them in the reporting of economic entities. In the process of research the methods of observation, comparison, analysis, synthesis, generalization were used. The study is based on the hypothesis that high-quality accounting and information support will increase the validity, efficiency and analytical information about the risks of COVID-19 and their impact on business activities in accordance with modern management requirements, strengthening the responsibility of performers, improving management accounting. The article summarizes the approaches to the impact of uncertainty and risk on the accounting and analytical system of enterprises, which are considered in scientific circles by domestic researchers. The risks of the enterprise’s activity that are relevant in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic are highlighted: risks caused by restrictions by legislative and regulatory acts; risks due to the occurrence of obligations related to the production and sale of products, goods, works, services; risks of asset impairment; risks to the recognition and measurement of liabilities; risks of possible bankruptcy; investment risks. to identify risk and assess it, you can use the «triple method». It is established that the accounting and information support of risk management in the conditions of influence of COVID-19 includes: methodical support of risk accounting, analytical support, documentary support; display of information on risks in the reporting, which allowed developing a report on the risks of the impact of COVID-19 on the activities of the enterprise. The obtained results are the basis for bringing the system of accounting and analytical support to a qualitatively new level and will generate useful, truthful and relevant information for enterprise management in decision-making to minimize the impact of risks on business activities through COVID-19.

Beware of the existence of a big bath with asset impairment after pandemic covid-19!

This study attempts to investigate the relationship between big bath accounting and asset impairment. It used the sample consisting of 231 firm-year observations from 33 mining companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during the 2012 to 2018 period. Logistic regression has been used to analyze a big bath accounting on assets impairment. The results provide evidence that companies that tend to do a big bath accounting will recognize a loss of asset value. A big bath accounting is done because managers assume that investors will respond when the company suffered large losses or small losses. The manager acknowledges the costs of future periods and current period losses when unfortunate unavoidable circumstances in the current period. It will consequently make a profit higher than expected in the next year. In the next period, the company’s performance will look better so that managers can maximize utility in the form of compensation for the targets that have been achieved.

Does R&D input matter the impact of financial resources allocation on green production in china’s energy sectors

Corporate financial resources are always a tool to support their greenization. This paper investigates whether R&D input inspires financial resources allocation to better promote green production in China’s energy sectors because of their pillar status to national industrial layout, significant impacts on climate change, and distinctive governance structure. By investigating 254 firm-year observations of China’s energy sectors, we find that their R&D input (including funds and personnel inputs) is at a low level, and it has not improved green production. While R&D input can help release the allocation pressure of financial resources (including asset impairment, shareholders equity, and tax structure) in green production and shows a robust role of the two R&D indicators. Our theoretical model helps directly link financial resources allocation and greenization, and empirical results suggest exploring more transmission paths to address cask effects of resources allocation for climate-friendly operations in heavy-polluting sectors especially in emerging markets.

Changes to the growth and discount rates and asset impairment

Purpose With timeliness and measurement of asset impairments as well as management opportunistic behaviour being topical, since the issuance of Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) 136, this study aims to examine whether assumptions about growth and discount rates made about asset recoverable amounts determine asset impairments. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a sample of 450 firm-year observations representing 133 Australian listed firms from 2015 to 2018. An estimation model is used where asset impairments is the dependent variable, growth and discount rates are the variables of interest and several impairment indicators are included as controls. Findings The results show that the decrease in growth rate but not the increase in discount rate affects the recognition of large asset impairments, where firms decrease the growth rate in the year of recognition. A change in discount rate affects asset impairments only when it is higher than the industry average. Hence, the growth rate is the management’s tool of choice in the recognition of asset impairments. Originality/value This study provides additional insight into how AASB 136 is used in practice. This includes investigating the tools used by firms in the calculation of asset recoverable amount and whether firms provide important information, as a part of disclosure. The results are of interest to investors and policymakers because they highlight the need for more restrictions around growth rate assumptions and less variation in disclosure.

Issues of Accounting Presentation of Metals and Mining Companies at Key Exploration Work Stages

The paper provides an overview of the main stages and types of exploration works for solid minerals according to the current regulatory documents of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation, and also considers the features of accounting for these works in conformity with the requirements of RAS 24/2011 “Accounting for the costs on exploitation of natural resources”, IFRS 6 “Exploration and Assessment of Mineral Reserves” and IAS 36 “Asset Impairment”. According to the results of a comparative analysis of RAS and IFRS, assessment of the methods for reflecting exploration work in the accounting of mining companies, an analysis of their impact on management decisions by stakeholders is carried out. The theoretical and practical significance of the study is to justify the need to develop an alternative methodology for accounting and presentation of accounting information on the results of exploration, based on a phased increase in the reliability of knowledge about subsoil areas. The study is primarily interest to government agencies for improving the legislative regulation of accounting, credit institutions and mining companies in conducting investment analysis of customers and partners.

Does the Mark-to-Model Fair Value Measure Make Assets Impairment Noisy?: A Literature Review

With the purpose of reporting high-quality, transparent, and comparable information in financial statements, there is a strong, visible trend towards the implementation and use of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which represent the Anglo-American accounting model. According to IFRS, the fair value has become a dominant measurement paradigm. The purpose of this paper is to examine the implications of the implementation of the mark-to-model fair value measures for asset impairment tests on the relevance and reliability of information presented in financial reports. Among the three levels of the fair value hierarchy, mark-to-model is most controversial because it is susceptible to manipulation and has poor verifiability. After a systematic literature review and a synthesis of high-quality contributions in this field, we conclude that the implementation of asset impairment tests, that use the mark-to-model fair value measures, is not promising for increasing the quality and reliability of the information presented in financial statements. Unfortunately, research has shown that companies are using that tool to manage their earnings and promote managers’ unethical behaviour. Furthermore, capital markets’ reaction to asset impairment announcements is negative. Performed analysis can provide valuable pointers for standard setters, accounting policy makers, and researchers.