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Financial Reporting and Ethics - The Institute of Chartered ...

Financial Reporting and Ethics - The Institute of Chartered ...

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FINANCIAL REPORTING AND ETHICS(d)(e)Materiality<strong>The</strong> principle holds that only items <strong>of</strong> material values are accordedtheir strict accounting treatment.PrudenceThis principle dem<strong>and</strong>s exercising great care in the recognition <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>itwhilst all known losses are adequately provided for.2.4 METHODS OF RECOGNIZING ASSETS AND LIABILITIESAssets are resources controlled by the enterprise as a result <strong>of</strong> past events <strong>and</strong>from which future economic benefits are expected to flow to the enterprise.Liabilities on the other h<strong>and</strong>, represent obligations <strong>of</strong> the enterprise arisingfrom past events, settlement <strong>of</strong> which is expected to result in an outflow <strong>of</strong>resources from the enterprise <strong>and</strong> embodying economic benefits.In circumstances where legal principles contradict the financial realities <strong>of</strong> atransaction, the substance <strong>of</strong> the transaction should be accounted for while itslegal principles are ignored. Accountants are <strong>of</strong>ten faced with this conflict incertain transactions such as:Sale <strong>and</strong> Repurchase Agreement: <strong>The</strong>se arrangements occur where an assetis sold by the seller to a buyer on terms that the seller repurchases the assetfrom the buyer at a future date. This transaction has two possible interpretations<strong>of</strong> either a secured loan or a sale <strong>and</strong> lease back. If the arrangements providethat the seller retains right to determine asset’s use while the buyer onlyreceives return (secured loan) the asset will only be recognized in the books <strong>of</strong>the seller. <strong>The</strong> transfer <strong>of</strong> title by way <strong>of</strong> purchase is ignored.Where the transaction resembles a finance lease arrangement, that is, theownership title passes to the buyer, the assets shall be recorded as that <strong>of</strong> thebuyer.2.5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONSThis chapter discussed the general <strong>and</strong> specific policies that could be adoptedby a reporting entity. <strong>The</strong> chapter also delved into guidelines for selectingrelevant policies, methods <strong>of</strong> recognising assets <strong>and</strong> liabilities as well as thedistinction between legal <strong>and</strong> commercial views <strong>of</strong> accounting. Excerpts fromannual reports which highlight accounting policy implementation are givenin the chapter.Refer to Comprehensive Questions <strong>and</strong> Suggested Solutions in Appendix II,page 269.16

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