IFRS Annual Report 2020
IFRS Annual Report 2020
IFRS Annual Report 2020
About us 3 About us
20 Our structure
Governance 21 Trustees of the IFRS Foundation
23 Trustee committees
24 Report from the Chair of the IFRS Foundation Monitoring Board
53 Funding providers
Appendices 56 IFRS Advisory Council
59 IFRS Interpretations Committee
About us Reports Overview Governance Financials Appendices
About us
The IFRS Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation The IFRS Foundation Trustees, who are accountable to
established to develop a single set of high-quality, a Monitoring Board of public authorities, are responsible
understandable, enforceable and globally accepted for strategy and governance.
accounting standards—IFRS® Standards—and to promote
and facilitate their adoption. The Foundation was founded in 2001 and is headquartered
in London, United Kingdom, with a regional Asia-Oceania
IFRS Standards are set by the Foundation’s standard-setting office in Tokyo, Japan.
body, the International Accounting Standards Board, which
in turn is aided by the IFRS Interpretations Committee in
supporting consistent application of the Standards.
We have sought to keep this report concise, with links to further information on our website. If you have questions that
you cannot find the answers to in this report or general feedback on the report, please email communications@ifrs.org.
Erkki Liikanen
In this year of the pandemic, we all new, unified web platform in 2021. We including lease accounting, financial
miss face-to-face interactions with have exciting plans for our digital future, instruments, revenue recognition and
colleagues and stakeholders around the including delivering a range of enhanced insurance contracts. On behalf of the
world but people's well-being comes digital services. Trustees, I would like to thank Hans for
first. Accordingly, I want to start by his outstanding service and wish him
warmly thanking my colleagues for their In November 2020 we announced
well with his future endeavours.
resilience and for delivering so many that Andreas Barckow will succeed
high-quality projects in very challenging Hans Hoogervorst as Chair of the
circumstances. International Accounting Standards Sustainability reporting
Board from July 2021. The Trustees’
Nominating Committee, under the For the Trustees, a lot of effort during
Times of change 2020 was invested in preparing for our
leadership of Michel Madelain,
In 2019 the Trustees initiated a multi- undertook an extensive global public five-yearly strategy review. Beginning
year Business Process and Technology search to identify Hans’s successor. Hans in late 2019 and throughout 2020, the
Programme (see page 15). The decision is only the second Chair of the Board Trustees met with key stakeholders from
to move to cloud-based services and this was a critical appointment. around the world to seek their views on
enabled our staff to quickly adapt to Under Hans’s leadership, the Board our organisational priorities. A recurring
current remote working arrangements. completed reforms responding to the theme of those discussions was a desire
External stakeholders will begin to see global financial crisis and substantially for accelerated progress in sustainability
the fruits of behind-the-scenes work enhanced some of the most reporting. Responding to this desire,
carried out in 2020 when we launch a fundamental accounting standards, we split the strategy review into two
phases—a first, more urgent phase that events hosted by third parties and the In 2020 the Trustees continued to
sought feedback on the demand for hosting of webinars that attracted more develop the already robust governance
global sustainability reporting standards than 3,000 registrants. After completing arrangements for the Foundation. This
and on whether the IFRS Foundation the outreach, the Foundation received included publishing a revised Due Process
should play a role in the development of 576 comment letters from a diverse set Handbook, which is used by the Board
such standards. A second review phase of organisations and individuals. The and the IFRS Interpretations Committee
will focus on other matters. Trustees wish to thank everyone when developing and maintaining IFRS
who participated in the events and Standards and the IFRS Taxonomy.
A Task Force of Trustees led the first responded to our consultation paper.
research phase, and my thanks go to Responses to that paper are publicly In conclusion
Lucrezia Reichlin for leading this work available on our website.
and to all members of the Task Force. I have the privilege to work with
On 30 September 2020 we published Analysis of the feedback received talented and experienced Trustees.
our request for views about the need indicates broad support for a global In particular, I would like to thank my
for a single set of global sustainability approach to setting sustainability two Vice-Chairs Alan Beller and Takafumi
standards; my fellow Trustees have led reporting standards and for the Sato, as well as Werner Brandt and
comprehensive outreach programmes Foundation to play a role. Based on Kurt Schacht, who retired as Trustees
in their own jurisdictions to inform our this feedback, the Trustees intend to at the end of 2020 after substantially
decision-making and to encourage broad move quickly in their work considering contributing to the work of the
participation across all geographies and the formation of a new sustainability Foundation. I welcome their successors
stakeholder groups. reporting standards board as a sister (see page 22) and thank them for their
board to the International Accounting future service.
These programmes included more than Standards Board within the overall
400 engagements across 33 jurisdictions, governance framework of the
participation in more than 20 public Foundation.
More than 20
400 engagements
across third-party events
33 jurisdictions
“I thank all my
colleagues and friends
both within the IFRS
Foundation and across
the world for the
immense support over
the past decade.”
Hans Hoogervorst
2020 turned out to be a challenging Second, we immediately supported our Throughout 2020, we worked closely
year because the coronavirus pandemic stakeholders in their efforts to apply IFRS with the IFRS Interpretations Committee
affected our stakeholder engagement, Standards during the pandemic, working to support consistent application of our
our working patterns and our priorities. swiftly to make tailored amendments Standards and continued to develop the
to the Standards and publishing IFRS Taxonomy.
However, thanks to resilient staff, educational material where necessary.
supportive stakeholders and well- See the case study on covid-19-related Priorities for 2021
developed technology, we were able support on page 16.
to deliver our work plan with some Every five years, we ask stakeholders for
important adjustments. Third, we focused on completing their input via an agenda consultation
our most time-sensitive projects― to help us set our work plan for the next
First, in March, when the UK amendments to the insurance five years. We last went through this
government—like that of many other contracts Standard, IFRS 17, and process in 2015–16 and have since been
countries—imposed lockdown, we amendments responding to the interest working on the projects identified as
moved all our activities online, including rate benchmark reform. At the same priorities, many of which aim to make
monthly Board meetings and stakeholder time, we provided some breathing space communicating information in financial
engagements. One particularly important where we could by deferring some of reports more effective.
event was our first-ever fully virtual the planned 2020 consultations, such
conference in September, which merged as the Agenda Consultation, and Our third Agenda Consultation will
the annual IFRS Foundation Conference extending the comment period on ask stakeholders what the strategic
with our annual World Standard-setters other major consultations already out direction of our work should be and
Conference. for public comment. how we should balance the Board’s
activities, what the criteria should be I am proud the Board made significant
for determining which projects to add improvements to our suite of IFRS
to our work plan, and which financial Standards, particularly our work in
reporting issues we should prioritise response to the financial crisis and the
from 2022 to 2026. completion of the ‘big four’ Standards
on financial instruments, revenue, leases
During the consultation, the Board will and insurance contracts. The revision of
continue working on projects already the Conceptual Framework for Financial
underway, including consulting on an Reporting solidified the underpinning IFRS Foundation Conference, London, 2011
updated version of the Management of our Standards, and the Management and across the world for the engaging
Commentary Practice Statement and on Commentary Practice Statement and the discussions, helpful contributions and
proposals to improve the effectiveness Primary Financial Statements projects immense support over the past decade. I
of disclosures in the notes to the will bring significant improvements would also like the thank the Trustees for
financial statements. in the communication of financial their devotion to the Foundation and its
The Agenda Consultation is an important information to investors. mission, and for their generous support
opportunity for everybody with an and advice over the years. A special thanks
In the wake of these important
interest in financial reporting to provide goes to my Vice-Chair Sue Lloyd, with
Standards, we have put considerable
input to help the Board determine its whom I could share many responsibilities
efforts both into supporting companies
next five-year work plan and shape and whose outstanding qualities are widely
implementing the new requirements
financial reporting for the future. recognised in the world of accounting.
and in supporting consistent application.
Our work with the Interpretations The Interpretations Committee made A warm thanks also to all those
Committee remains a priority and great progress in terms of timeliness stakeholders who have taken the time to
we will also advance the post- and helpfulness. provide us with comments on our work
implementation reviews of IFRS 9, and thoughtful input during the crisis
It has also been rewarding to experience
IFRS 10, IFRS 11 and IFRS 12. In all our caused by the pandemic.
how the support for the Foundation and
work, we will consider how we can the Board has increased over the years— As the Board enters its third decade,
improve the understandability and evidenced also in the positive tone of I wish my successor Andreas Barckow,
accessibility of our requirements. the comment letters to the Trustees’ who knows our organisation very well,
consultation on sustainability reporting. the very best for his tenure.
Thank you and farewell
I would like to take this opportunity
This is my last report as Chair of the to thank all my colleagues and friends
Board—my second term comes to an both within the IFRS Foundation
end on 30 June.
The past 10 memorable years have KASB 20th Anniversary, Seoul, 2019
had many highlights. I have thoroughly
enjoyed visiting many parts of the
world, discussing a range of financial
reporting issues with a variety of people
and organisations that make up our
stakeholders. I was often struck by the
passion of the accounting community
and the intensity of the debates, which
made my job really interesting. Some
debates, such as the one on the merits
of fair value measurement, have actually
subsided as we put a lot of effort in
better explaining our positions.
• develop a single set of high-quality, understandable, • take account of the needs of varied sizes and types of
enforceable and globally accepted financial reporting companies in diverse economic settings; and
standards based upon clearly articulated principles; • promote and facilitate adoption of those standards.
Our people
Our people drive the implementation of our strategy.
We have a diverse workforce with a wide range of skills
and expertise.
I work on various technical projects where I perform I have worked with XBRL taxonomies since the field first
research and analysis, discuss issues with stakeholders rose to prominence about a decade ago, so I really enjoy
and develop papers for Board meetings. One of these the work I do on the IFRS Taxonomy. The IFRS Taxonomy
projects is the Targeted Standards-level Review of aims to improve communication between companies
Disclosures where we are developing proposals to and investors by bringing the financial statements into a
improve the usefulness of disclosures in the notes to the digital format. My day-to-day job involves working with
financial statements. Another is the Board’s third Agenda the other technical teams to ensure any amendments
Consultation, which is all about the strategic balance and made to IFRS Standards are adequately reflected in the
priority of the Board’s work for the next five years. With IFRS Taxonomy.
this latter project, I have had the chance to interact with
colleagues I would not otherwise collaborate with, which
is giving me a different perspective on our work.
All staff
42% 58%
Male Female
Staff by function
8% 42% 50%
Board Operational Technical
I focus on supporting the consistent application and I ensure the facilities in our London office meet the needs
maintenance of IFRS Standards. My colleagues and I work of our organisation and our staff. 2020 presented a range
closely with the IFRS Interpretations Committee and the of challenges in that our staff were all working remotely
Board to help address questions raised by stakeholders from March onwards due to the pandemic, so it was like
that arise as the Standards are applied. Among other suddenly having 150 offices. We had to ensure they were
things, my daily work involves researching and analysing as well equipped and supported in their home set-ups
questions, discussing these questions with stakeholders as possible, while simultaneously getting the physical
and preparing papers for Board and Interpretations premises covid-19 compliant in readiness for a return
Committee meetings. At any given moment, I could to office.
be working on a number of application questions and
analysing the finer details of various Standards.
Staff engagement
We conducted our second engagement survey towards
Makoto Takahashi
the end of 2020, working with an independent research Director of the
agency to help us measure, understand and improve Asia-Oceania office
staff engagement.
Joined: May 2018
87% of staff participated in the survey, compared with From: Japan
77% in 2018, and the net promoter score* was +39 (up
from +17 in 2018).
As the Director of the Foundation's Asia-Oceania office,
which is in Tokyo, my overall goal is to ensure we
Expect to work for the Foundation in one year
support the work of the Board and the Interpretations
2018 86% Committee. Together with four colleagues, I engage
2020 91% with various important stakeholders in the Asia-Oceania
region by hosting or co-hosting seminars and workshops.
Proud to work for the Foundation We also frequently meet with Japanese stakeholders to
2018 95% encourage the voluntary adoption of IFRS Standards in
this country.
2020 97%
I come from a business and legal research background Working as part of a friendly and busy HR team, I manage
and work in the Information Management team. My the administration of a range of processes which span
day-to-day job involves leading the provision of research an employee’s life cycle at the Foundation. We have
and information services and ensuring they meet the continued to recruit during the covid-19 pandemic and
Foundation’s needs. Over the past year, I have also focused have successfully adapted our onboarding processes
on improving information management practices so that to suit remote working. I have helped tailor each new
we all work more efficiently and effectively. This work is joiner’s experience, responding to their individual needs
part of the Business Process and Technology Programme to ensure they have a positive and stimulating induction
(see page 15). and helping them to feel supported and connected to the
organisation while we work remotely.
Accounting Promote, develop and support Joint conferences and events, regular meetings, cooperation
profession accountants worldwide, audit with the International Federation of Accountants
and auditors financial statements
Commercial Have a commercial relationship Products, services, licensing material and intellectual
partners with the Foundation property
Companies Use our Standards when Meetings with the Global Preparers Forum (an advisory
preparing financial statements, group consisting of preparers of financial statements),
provide important input to regular meetings, conferences, educational and
consultations and feedback explanatory materials
on application of Standards
Investors Use financial reports, provide Meetings with the Capital Markets Advisory Committee
important input and feedback (advisory group consisting of investors), Investors in Financial
to the standard-setting process Reporting programme, dedicated investor relations team,
regular communication and meetings
Media Publish information or comment Press office, regular communication and briefings
on technical developments to
a wider audience
Policy makers Decide whether to adopt, Regular meetings and events
endorse and fund
Regulators Enforce use of IFRS Standards, Cooperation and regular meetings, including with the
provide subject-matter expertise Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, the International
Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and
jurisdictional regulators
Standard- Provide national knowledge Annual conference for standard-setters, as well as meetings
setters and relationships, technical with the Accounting Standards Advisory Forum, the
expertise and standard-setting Emerging Economies Group*, and the International Forum
experience, play a role in of Accounting Standard-setters, regular engagement with
endorsing Standards individual standard-setters
Students Future stakeholders on Virtual and in-person engagement with student groups
completion of accounting studies
*The Trustees thank the Chinese Ministry of Finance for providing the permanent secretariat for the group.
2020 review
We made good progress delivering our strategy and our organisational priorities for 2020.
Stakeholder engagement
Ensure engagement in • Enhanced stakeholder engagement on strategic priorities, specifically
our work is undertaken on sustainability
across stakeholder types • Conducted outreach on consultation documents
and jurisdictions.
• Deepened and broadened stakeholder engagement through virtual meetings
and conference in response to the covid-19 pandemic
• Successfully organised a fully virtual conference in September with nearly
500 participants from over 100 countries and more than 50 presenters,
which merged the annual IFRS Foundation Conference and the annual
World Standard-setters Conference
• Carried out research and focus groups to better understand our stakeholders’
needs in terms of digital experience
Throughout a three-month consultation on the paper, the Trustees led comprehensive outreach.
Feedback from these engagements and related comment letters indicates growing demand for
improving the global consistency and comparability of sustainability reporting. Respondents also
recognised that urgent steps need to be taken and the broad demand for the Foundation to play
a role.
During 2021 the Trustees will continue their analysis of the responses to the consultation paper
and take decisions regarding next steps.
Ensure the Foundation • Accelerated roll-out of internal technology solutions and training to ensure
is operationally sound efficiency as the organisation moved to remote working. Increased internal
and effective. communication to help staff with the rapid transition to new working patterns
• Successfully completed implementation of a new human resources system
• Made progress in all areas of the Business Process and Technology
Programme (see below)
In 2020 we accelerated the roll-out of cloud-based systems and new ways of working when the covid-19 pandemic led
to our staff being entirely remote.
We continue to engage with stakeholders to understand how we could further improve their digital experience as we
develop our new systems. In 2021 we will be launching our new website with improved search capability and a new
Standards navigator, and implementing a new stakeholder relationship management system.
IFRS Standards
Research issues and, • Finalised time-sensitive amendments to IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts and IBOR
if appropriate, develop reform projects
major new financial • Published consultation documents, conducted outreach and/or analysed
reporting requirements. feedback on:
– Exposure Draft General Presentation and Disclosures;
– Discussion Paper Business Combinations—Disclosures, Goodwill
and Impairment; and
– Discussion Paper Business Combinations under Common Control
• Advanced other research and standard-setting projects in progress
• Began post-implementation reviews on IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial
Statements, IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements and IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests
in Other Entities and the classification and measurement requirements in
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
Consistent application
Help stakeholders obtain • Issued various final narrow-scope amendments and exposure drafts proposing
a common understanding narrow-scope amendments
of financial reporting • Responded to submissions to the Interpretations Committee, for example by
requirements. publishing agenda decisions
• Provided covid-19-related support including an amendment to IFRS 16 Leases to
assist lessees accounting for covid-19-related rent concessions (see below)
• Highlighted requirements in IFRS Standards applicable to accounting for
climate-related matters in educational materials
At our 2020 Virtual Conference, we also held a panel discussion—involving investors, regulators and standard-setters—
on financial reporting complexities in times of heightened uncertainty, a topic also discussed in an article on our website.
Provide financial reporting • Published, conducted outreach and analysed feedback on the Request for
requirements tailored for Information Comprehensive Review of the IFRS for SMEs Standard
companies that do not have
public accountability (SMEs).
IFRS Taxonomy
Facilitate the digital • Developed IFRS Taxonomy updates reflecting requirements in IFRS Standards
consumption of financial issued during the year and common reporting practices
information. • Supported regulators using or adopting the IFRS Taxonomy
Improve the understandability • Worked to reduce unnecessary complexity and cost for preparers, while
and accessibility of our financial improving the quality of information provided to investors
reporting requirements. • Drafted clear Standards. The Board is supported in achieving this through the
work of editorial (see below) and translation teams, and external reviewers
• Made the Standards and related materials more accessible, for example,
by publishing IFRS Standards with annotations and cross-references to
other materials, publishing semi-annual compilations of agenda decisions,
and improving technology through the Business Process and Technology
Programme (see page 15) to make IFRS Standards and other materials easier
to navigate
2021 priorities
The Committee reviews the key risks for the Foundation, and
the appropriate accompanying mitigation actions, regularly
throughout the year.
• The risk that the Foundation fails to protect its reputation as a professional
Brand and competent global accounting standard-setter.
• The risk that the Foundation is perceived to lose its organisational relevance.
• The risk that the Foundation fails to develop high-quality IFRS Standards
or an IFRS Taxonomy that meets stakeholders’ needs.
Product
• The risk for the Foundation that inconsistent application of IFRS Standards and
the IFRS Taxonomy undermines the benefits of global financial reporting.
Technological • The risk that the Foundation's IT infrastructure and stored data are compromised
as a result of cyber hacks, phishing campaigns, system failure and/or human error.
infrastructure
Our structure
The IFRS Foundation’s governance structure is designed to keep standard-setting independent of special interests
and to maintain a high level of accountability to stakeholders.
The Monitoring Board is a group of capital market authorities The Board is the independent standard-setting body of the
responsible for setting out the form and content of financial Foundation. Its members are appointed from varied national
reporting in their jurisdictions. It reinforces the public and professional backgrounds, including academia, accountancy,
oversight of the Foundation and the Trustees. The Monitoring investment, preparation of financial statements, regulation
Board is responsible for approving all Trustee appointments. and standard-setting. The Board issues IFRS Standards, the
See page 25. IFRS for SMEs Standard and the IFRS Taxonomy. See page 12.
Chair: Jean-Paul Servais Chair: Hans Hoogervorst
The 22 Trustees from all over the world, and with various The Interpretations Committee comprises 14 external
professional backgrounds, are responsible for the governance members and a non-voting chair that works with the Board
and strategic direction of the organisation, for maintaining the by responding to questions about applying IFRS Standards.
Foundation’s Constitution and the Due Process Handbook, for The Interpretations Committee proposes that the Board
appointing members to the Board and its advisory bodies, and makes narrow-scope amendments to the Standards, develops
for ensuring appropriate financing arrangements are in place. IFRIC® Interpretations of the Standards and publishes agenda
See page 21. decisions. See page 59.
Chair: Erkki Liikanen Chair: Sue Lloyd
Erkki Liikanen (Europe) Alan Beller (Americas) Takafumi Sato (at large)
Chair Vice-Chair Vice-Chair
Former Governor of Senior Counsel at Former President of
the Bank of Finland Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP Japan Exchange Regulation
First term ends 30 September 2021 and member of the Sustainability Second term ended 31 December 2020
Attendance 2020: 7 out of 7 meetings Accounting Standards Board Attendance 2020: 7 out of 7 meetings
Second term ended 31 December 2020
Attendance 2020: 7 out of 7 meetings
Trustee committees
At 31 December 2020
The Trustees meet three times a year and operate through several committees. The following committees met in 2020.
Key audit matter How the matter was addressed in the audit
Unpaid Contributions In responding to the key audit matter, we performed the following audit procedures:
A significant proportion of income • Walkthrough procedures were performed at the planning stage to update our
relates to voluntary contributions. understanding of the Foundation’s processes and controls over the recording of
They are recognised as income on a contributions transactions.
receipts basis, exceptions being those
• For unpaid contributions, the largest contribution relates to the EU Grant. We have
received post year-end which have
performed substantive testing on the related expenses to ensure the claims are in
been designated by the contributor as
line with allowable expenses.
relating to the previous year.
• We tested whether contributions were recognised in the correct period by checking
We therefore identified the occurrence invoices to verify that the contributions related to the correct period, before
of unpaid contributions as a significant agreeing funds received to post year end bank statements to confirm the receipt
risk, which was one of the most of cash.
significant assessed risks of material
• We inspected correspondence with the donor to determine if they had provided a
misstatement due to fraud or error.
firm commitment to the Foundation to pay the funds due and that the contribution
related to the correct financial year.
• Performed an analytical review of contributions income year on year by contributor
and jurisdiction to identify any unusual movements in balances. We note that
certain international accounting firms reduced their contributions to the Foundation
in the year, however they have also increased the amounts paid to the Foundation
in the form of royalties; and
• We also reviewed post year end bank statements to determine if any amounts
received related to contributions for FY20 that had not been recognised and
traced these to the contributions schedule to ensure that they had been correctly
accounted for.
Significant judgements made by auditor In determining materiality, we made the following significant judgement, that income
in determining the materiality is considered the most appropriate benchmark because the Foundation is not a
profit-oriented entity
Materiality for the current year is lower than the level that we determined for the
year ended 31 December 2019 to reflect the reduction in income.
Performance materiality used to We set performance materiality at an amount less than materiality for the financial
drive the extent of our testing statements as a whole to reduce to an appropriately low level the probability that the
aggregate of uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceeds materiality for the
financial statements as a whole.
Significant judgements made by auditor In determining materiality, we made the following significant judgements, that the
in determining the performance overall control environment at the foundation was good through identifying limited
materiality adjustments or control findings in previous audits.
Communication of misstatements We determine a threshold for reporting unadjusted differences to the audit
to the audit, finance and risk committee.
committee
Threshold for communication £30k and misstatements below that threshold that, in our view, warrant reporting on
qualitative grounds.
Overall materiality
PM
£0.45m, 75%
Income
£30.1m FSM
£0.6m,2%
TFPUM
£0.15m, 25%
Auditor’s responsibilities The extent to which our procedures − knowledge of the industry in which
are capable of detecting irregularities, the client operates;
for the audit of the financial including fraud is detailed below: − understanding of the legal and
statements • The Foundation is subject to many regulatory requirements specific to
laws and regulations where the the entity/regulated entity including:
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable
consequences of non-compliance could − the provisions of the applicable
assurance about whether the financial
have a material effect on amounts or legislation;
statements as a whole are free from
disclosures in the financial statements. − the regulators rules and related
material misstatement, whether due to
We identified the following laws and guidance, including guidance
fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s
regulations as the most likely to have a issued by relevant authorities
report that includes our opinion.
material effect if non-compliance were that interprets those rules;
Reasonable assurance is a high level
to occur; financial reporting legislation,
of assurance, but is not a guarantee − the applicable statutory
tax legislation, anti-bribery legislation
that an audit conducted in accordance provisions; and
and employment law.
with ISAs (UK) will always detect a
• We identified areas of laws and • We did not identify any matters
material misstatement when it exists.
Misstatements can arise from fraud regulations that could reasonably be relating to non-compliance with laws
or error and are considered material expected to have a material effect and regulation or relating to fraud.
if, individually or in the aggregate, on the financial statements from our
they could reasonably be expected to general sector experience and through Use of our report
influence the economic decisions of users discussion with the Trustees, and from
taken on the basis of these Foundation inspection of the Foundation's Board This report is made solely to the
financial statements. minutes and legal and regulatory Foundation’s Trustees as a body. Our
correspondence. We discussed the audit work has been undertaken so
A further description of our policies and procedures regarding that we might state to the Foundation’s
responsibilities for the audit of the compliance with laws and regulations Trustees those matters we are required
financial statements is located on the with the Trustees. to state to them in an auditor’s report
Financial Reporting Council’s website at:
• Based on the results of our risk and for no other purpose. To the fullest
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.
assessment we designed further audit extent permitted by law, we do not
This description forms part of our
procedures to identify non-compliance accept or assume responsibility to
auditor’s report. with such laws and regulations anyone other than the Foundation and
identified above. Our procedures also
Explanation as to what extent the Foundation’s Trustees as a body, for
involved journal entry testing, with a
the audit was considered focus on journals meeting our defined
our audit work, for this report, or for the
capable of detecting risk criteria based on our understanding
opinions we have formed.
irregularities, including fraud of the business; enquiries of legal
counsel, management; consideration
Irregularities, including fraud, are
of the volume and nature of complaints
instances of non-compliance with laws
received through whistleblowing
and regulations. We design procedures during the year.
in line with our responsibilities, outlined
• Assessment of the appropriateness
above, to detect material misstatements
of the collective competence and for and on behalf of
in respect of irregularities, including
capabilities of the engagement Grant Thornton UK LLP
fraud. Owing to the inherent limitations
team included consideration of the
of an audit, there is an unavoidable
engagement team's: Statutory Auditor,
risk that material misstatements in
− understanding of, and practical Chartered Accountants
the financial statements may not be
detected, even though the audit is experience with audit engagements
London
properly planned and performed in of a similar nature and complexity
accordance with the ISAs (UK). through appropriate training and 30 March 2021
participation;
2020 2019
Note £’000 £’000
Income
Contributions 6 18,093 19,994
Revenue from publications and related activities 7 11,713 10,540
Other income 6 315 405
30,121 30,939
Operating expenses
Technical and operational activities
• Board members and staff costs 1 (19,669) (19,466)
• Other technical and operating costs 1 (2,394) (2,762)
• IFRS Advisory Council, IFRS Interpretations Committee
and other advisory bodies 1 (77) (277)
Publications and related activities expenses 7 (2,370) (2,522)
Trustee oversight 2 (771) (1,055)
Premises, occupancy and related expenses 3 (2,072) (1,888)
(27,353) (27,970)
2020 2019
Note £’000 £’000
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 15,299 10,022
Contributions receivable 6 3,367 2,528
Trade and other receivables 7 929 977
Prepaid expenses 1,075 717
Inventories 7 45 113
Bonds at fair value, including accrued interest 9 5,819 4,227
Forward currency contracts at fair value 8 293 213
26,827 18,797
Non-current assets
Bonds at fair value, including accrued interest 9 16,038 20,688
Forward currency contracts at fair value 8 2 180
Leasehold improvements, furniture and equipment 3 2,395 2,883
Right-of-use assets 4 4,844 5,582
Intangible assets 1 1,454 689
Deferred tax asset 5 569 –
25,302 30,022
Total assets 52,129 48,819
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 586 150
Payroll taxes payable 627 643
Accrued expenses 1,385 1,289
Contributions received in advance 6 753 140
Lease liability 4 927 898
Forward currency contracts at fair value 8 67 309
Publications revenue received in advance 7 1,164 1,313
5,509 4,742
Non-current liabilities
Lease liability 4 4,620 5,544
Reinstatement provision 3 460 457
Forward currency contracts at fair value 8 – 12
5,080 6,013
Total liabilities 10,589 10,755
Net assets / retained surplus 41,540 38,064
Erkki Liikanen
Chair of the IFRS Foundation Trustees
2020 2019
Note £’000 £’000
Operating activities
Cash received
Contributions 17,815 20,011
Publications and related activities 11,649 10,605
Funding for Asia-Oceania office 6 358 334
Interest 535 533
Other receipts 14 34
Cash paid
Salaries, wages and benefits (19,608) (18,653)
Publications and related activities expenses (2,169) (3,369)
Trustees’ fees (662) (675)
Foreign exchange settlements (210) (683)
Other operating expenses (3,174) (4,284)
Net cash from / (used in) operating activities 4,548 3,853
Investing activities
Matured bonds receipts 3,959 2,341
New bond purchases (981) (4,951)
Purchase of leasehold improvements, furniture
and equipment (32) (68)
Purchase of intangible assets (1,064) (689)
Net cash from / (used in) investing activities 1,882 (3,367)
Financing activities
Payments of principal on lease liabilities (895) (789)
Payments of interest on lease liabilities (175) (202)
Significant accounting take into account the Foundation’s continue to be met and whether there
activities, operations and known are any indicators that capitalised
policies cash requirements. The Foundation’s costs may be impaired. If any such
planning process, including financial and indication exists, the recoverable
Basis of preparation cash flow projections, has taken into amount of the asset is estimated to
The IFRS Foundation is a not-for- consideration the potential impact of determine the amount of impairment
profit corporation under the General covid-19 and Brexit (see Introduction to loss (see note 1(c)).
Corporation Law of the State of the financial statements). Having regard • Recognition of deferred tax assets—
Delaware, USA and operates in England to all relevant circumstances and the the assessment of the extent to which
and Wales as an overseas company funds held by the Foundation, the deferred tax assets can be recognised
(Company number: FC023235) with its Trustees consider it appropriate to is based on an assessment of the
principal office at Columbus Building, prepare the financial statements on amount of future taxable income that
7 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, a going concern basis. will be available against which the tax
London, E14 4HD. The Foundation’s most important loss carry forwards can be utilised.
The Foundation was incorporated intangible asset is the intellectual There are no other significant
on 6 February 2001. The objectives property embodied in IFRS Standards. judgements or estimates that require
and governance arrangements of The Foundation does not recognise separate disclosures.
the Foundation and its independent this asset because the cost of the
standard-setting body, the International asset cannot be measured reliably. Current period and
Expenditure related to the development
Accounting Standards Board, are set
of IFRS Standards is recognised as
future changes to the
out in the Foundation's Constitution.
an expense in the year in which it is accounting policies
The financial statements are presented incurred. Other intangible assets include
The financial statements have been
in sterling, which is the organisation’s software development expenditure and
prepared in accordance with IFRS
functional currency. the purchase of computer software
Standards. There have been no changes
licences (see note 1(c)).
The financial statements were approved in significant accounting policies since
and authorised for issue by the Trustees All other accounting policies that the 2019 financial statements.
of the Foundation on 30 March 2021. are relevant to an understanding
The Foundation has concluded that
As disclosed in note 11, there have been of the financial statements are
there are no IFRS Standards or IFRIC
no events since 31 December 2020 that provided throughout the notes to
Interpretations in issue that are not yet
required an adjustment to the accounts. the financial statements.
applied that will have a material effect
The Trustees are responsible for When preparing the financial on the financial statements.
overseeing the Foundation’s financial statements, management makes
reporting process and for assessing the judgements, estimates and assumptions Explanatory information
Foundation’s ability to continue as a about the recognition and measurement
The explanatory notes have been
going concern, disclosing, as applicable, of assets, liabilities, income and
organised into sections that provide
matters related to going concern. The expenses. The key judgements made by
a cohesive presentation of the
ability of the Foundation to continue to management are as follows:
financial reporting implications of
operate as a going concern is dependent
• Capitalisation of intangible assets— the Foundation’s core activity—the
on the ability of the Foundation to
determining whether the recognition development of IFRS Standards—how it
generate sufficient cash flows from
requirements for the capitalisation of funds that activity and how it manages
its contributions and publications
internally developed software meet its financial risk. Each section presents
and related activities to meet its
the criteria of IAS 38 and SIC 32. After the financial information and any
liabilities. The Foundation produces
capitalisation, management monitors significant accounting policies that are
annual budgets and forecasts which
whether the recognition requirements relevant to understanding the activities
of the Foundation.
Activities
1 Technical and operational activities
a) Board members and staff costs
The main costs associated with developing IFRS Standards are the salaries of the Board members and staff. The average number
of employees in 2020, including Board members and remunerated secondees, was 152 (2019: 149). Total headcount increased
from 150 to 156 during the year.
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Board member salaries and related costs 7,399 7,483
Staff salaries and related costs 13,438 12,877
20,837 20,360
The Trustees’ Human Capital Committee reviews, benchmarks and recommends salary and benefit levels, which are reviewed
and approved annually by the Trustees as a whole. The Foundation pays monthly contributions, at rates between 8% and 10% of
gross salary, into a defined contribution group personal pension scheme on behalf of staff.
Board members’ remuneration is based on an annual allowance which covers gross salary, compensation, pension contributions,
benefits and employer taxes. In 2020 the annual allowances were as follows: £686,000 for the Chair (2019: £669,000); £592,500 for
the Vice-Chair (2019: £578,000), and £542,000 for other Board members (2019: £528,500). The Board had a full complement of 14
members until 30 June 2020; thereafter it had 13 members (2019: 14). In addition to the Trustees, Board Chair and Vice-Chair, the
key management personnel include the Executive Director and the Executive Technical Director. Total remuneration which includes
gross salary, pension contributions and benefits for each of the Executive Directors in the year was £345,000 (2019: £320,000).
Intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Development expenditure
is not amortised until such time as the asset is available for use. Otherwise, amortisation is charged on a straight-line basis, over the
estimated life of the asset which is typically five years or less. The asset lives are reviewed on an annual basis considering the degree
of evolution of the asset and what plans, if any, are being made for its replacement. Intangible assets are reviewed annually for
impairment.
2020 2020 2020 2020 2020
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
CRM Modern Finance Other Total
system web platform system
Cost
1 January – 658 – 31 689
Additions 259 589 82 134 1,064
Disposals – (292) – – (292)
31 December 259 955 82 165 1,461
Accumulated amortisation
1 January – – – – –
Charge for the year – 292 – 7 299
Disposals – (292) – – (292)
31 December – – – 7 7
Carrying amount 259 955 82 158 1,454
Accumulated amortisation – – – – –
Carrying amount – 658 – 31 689
In line with the Foundation’s policy there was no amortisation charge in 2019 as none of the intangible assets were available for use.
d) The IFRS Advisory Council, IFRS Interpretations Committee and other advisory bodies
The annual remuneration for the Chair of the IFRS Advisory Council was £40,000 in 2020. Additionally, the Foundation
reimbursed the Chair’s travel and accommodation costs. Other members of the IFRS Advisory Council are not paid remuneration
and meet their own costs for attending meetings. Members of the IFRS Interpretations Committee and members of the Capital
Markets Advisory Committee are not remunerated, but they are reimbursed for their travel and accommodation costs for
attending meetings. Members of the Board’s other advisory bodies meet their own costs for attending meetings and are not
remunerated by the Foundation. As a result of covid-19-related travel restrictions, most meetings were held virtually. This is
reflected in the reduced meeting and travel costs.
The remuneration, travel and meeting costs for these committees and advisory bodies were as follows:
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
IFRS Advisory Council remuneration costs 37 40
IFRS Advisory Council travel and meeting costs 8 70
IFRS Interpretations Committee travel and meeting costs 29 154
Capital Markets Advisory Committee travel and meeting costs 3 13
77 277
2 Trustee oversight
The Foundation’s management and governance is overseen by 22 Trustees. The Trustees met seven times during the year.
The Chair of the Trustees receives £200,000 per year and other Trustees receive an annual fee of £20,000. There are six active
Trustee committees; committee chairs receive an additional £7,000 per year. All Trustees are reimbursed for their travel relating
to Foundation business. As a result of covid-19-related travel restrictions, six of the Trustee meetings were held virtually. This is
reflected in the reduced travel and meeting costs for the year.
The estimated costs of reinstating the premises when the leases expire of £460,000 (2019: £457,000) are recognised as lease
reinstatement obligations. All equivalent obligations that are included in leasehold improvements are recognised evenly over the
remaining lease terms.
Accumulated
depreciation/amortisation
1 January 552 728 1,280
Charge for the year 309 211 520
Disposals – – –
31 December 861 939 1,800
Carrying amount 2,063 332 2,395
Accumulated
depreciation/amortisation
1 January 251 480 731
Charge for the year 301 248 549
Disposals – – –
31 December 552 728 1,280
Carrying amount 2,372 511 2,883
4 Leases
The Foundation has recognised right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for its two office premises leases in London and Tokyo.
The London premises lease commenced in January 2018 for 10 years. The lease includes a five-year break clause and incentives
in the form of rent-free periods both initially and in year six. The Foundation has determined that it is reasonably certain not to
terminate the lease at the end of year five and thus, the lease has a term of 10 years for financial reporting purposes.
The Tokyo premises lease commenced in October 2012 for 10 years until September 2022.
Right-of-use assets are recognised at cost, comprising the amount of the initial measurement of the lease liability less
accumulated depreciation. There were no additions during the year:
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Right-of-use assets 1 January 5,582 6,320
Depreciation charge for the year (738) (738)
Carrying amount of right-of-use assets 31 December 4,844 5,582
Lease liabilities are recognised at the present value of lease payments not yet paid discounted using the Foundation’s
incremental borrowing rate of 3%. Interest expense is included in finance costs (see note 10).
Future undiscounted lease commitments under the premises leases are as follows:
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Within one year 1,075 1,073
In two to five years 3,063 3,132
More than five years 2,005 3,008
6,143 7,213
Effect of discounting (596) (771)
Lease liability at 31 December 5,547 6,442
Total cash outflows related to leases during the year was £1,070,000 (2019: £991,000); the change in the lease liability of
£895,000 (2019: £789,000) represents cash outflows from the repayment of principal (see Statement of Cash Flows).
5 Taxation
The Foundation is an exempt organisation under Section 501(c) (03) of the Internal Revenue Code, which is generally exempt
from US income taxes under Section 501(a) and for purposes of US taxation is a resident of the United States of America.
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Current tax (credit) / charge – –
Deferred tax (credit) / charge (569) –
Total tax (credit) / charge (569) –
The reason for the difference between the actual tax charge for the year and the standard rate of corporation tax applied to
profits for the year are as follows:
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Profit before tax 2,907 3,747
Applicable tax rate 19% 19%
Taxable income received in 2020 and expected in future years from new contractual licensing arrangements has resulted in the
Foundation determining that it is now probable that taxable profits will be available against which trade and certain non-trade
carry forward tax losses can be utilised. During 2020 the Foundation utilised £2,415,000 of previously unrecognised tax losses,
and recognised a deferred tax asset based on the remaining £3,498,288 of previously unrecognised tax losses. Deferred tax has
not been recognised on pre-April 2017 non-trade losses carried forward of £159,712 (2019: £182,340). This is because of the
uncertainty of being able to utilise these losses to offset future taxable income.
The IFRS Foundation has recognised a deferred tax asset of £569,000 related to remaining carry forward losses net of fixed asset
timing differences in 2020 (see below). Changes to UK corporation tax rates were announced on 3 March 2021, which confirmed
an increase in the tax rate from 19% to 23% with effect from 1 April 2023. The announcement does not constitute substantive
enactment and therefore deferred taxes at the balance sheet date continue to be measured at the enacted tax rate of 19%.
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Deferred tax asset b/f – –
Deferred tax credit for the year 569 –
Deferred tax asset c/f 569 –
Fixed asset
Losses timing differences Total
£’000 £’000 £’000
6 Contributions
Contributions to the Foundation are voluntary, mainly publicly sponsored and are recognised as income in the year designated
by the funding providers. Contributions that have been received but are designated for use after the reporting date are deferred
and recognised as liabilities. As at year end £753,000 (2019: £140,000) of contributions received are deferred. Contributions
received after the reporting date but designated for use in the reporting period are recognised as income and as contributions
receivable. As at year end £3.4 million (2019: £2.5 million) is included within contributions receivable.
The Foundation receives annual contributions from the European Union and the Australian Financial Reporting Council (AFRC)
that are supported by enforceable grants, subject to various conditions that the Foundation is expected to meet. The European
Union grant of £4.4 million (2019: £4.3 million) is payable by instalments, and contributions receivable includes the final grant
instalment expected for 2020 of £2.2 million (2019: £1.8 million). The AFRC grant of £561,300 was received in full in 2020
(2019: £547,000).
All contributions received are for general use by the Foundation except for funding of the Asia-Oceania office.
The Foundation received separate funding in 2020 from the Accounting Standards Board of Japan of £358,000 / ¥50,000,000
(2019: £334,000 / ¥50,000,000) towards the operations of the Asia-Oceania office located in Tokyo. £315,000 (2019: £372,000)
has been recognised in other income.
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
UK pounds 2,504 2,389
US dollars 4,884 6,957
Euro 6,884 6,798
Other 3,821 3,850
18,093 19,994
For more information on how the Foundation manages its currency risk refer to note 8.
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Revenues from contracts with customers
Publications 1,328 1,476
Subscription services 1,549 1,638
Licensing 8,752 7,221
Conferences and speaking engagements 84 205
11,713 10,540
Expenses
Staff salaries and related costs 895 894
Cost of goods sold 544 476
Depreciation 163 247
Occupancy 166 234
Communication technology 204 259
Other costs 398 412
2,370 2,522
Net revenue from publications and related activities 9,343 8,018
An internal review of the staff salaries and related costs which have historically been allocated to publications and related
activities was undertaken in 2020. The Foundation concluded that it was more appropriate for some of these costs to now be
classified within technical and operational activities. As a result, the analysis of Board members and staff costs shown in note
1(a) is after a reclassification of £978,000 to the prior year comparatives. The effect of the reclassification is that staff salaries and
related costs for the publication and related activities changed from £1.8 million to £894,000, and staff salaries and related costs
for technical and operation activities changed from £18.5 million to £19.5 million.
Revenues are generated from the sale of printed publications, subscription services, various licensing contracts and conference
and speaking engagements. The Foundation recognises revenue when it satisfies its performance obligations to customers.
Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in the contracts.
• Revenue from printed publications is recognised when control of the publication is transferred to the customer, which occurs
upon shipment. Publications are paid for in advance of shipment.
• Revenue from subscription services is recognised over the subscription period on a time-apportioned basis because the
services provide ongoing access to updated versions of IFRS Standards and other related content. Subscriptions are generally
paid for in advance.
• The Foundation enters into non-exclusive licensing contracts granting third parties rights to use IFRS Standards and related
content to provide various products and services. Consideration for these contracts is in the form of fixed fees payable in
advance or arrears, or variable fees that are based on customers’ sales and payable quarterly in arrears. Around 80% of
contracts are for fixed fee contracts. Revenues for fixed fee contracts are recognised on a time-apportioned basis over the term
of the licence because the contracts provide ongoing access to updated versions of IFRS Standards and other related content.
Revenues for variable fee contracts are recognised as the customers’ sales occur.
• Revenues from conferences and speaking engagements are recognised when the conference or other event occurs.
Customers are entitled to refunds or returns in accordance with statutory requirements, but such occurrences based
on experience are expected to be infrequent and insignificant.
Trade and other receivables include £201,500 (2019: £810,000) from licensing contracts. Publications revenue
received in advance relates to subscription services and licensing contracts; the amount of £1,313,000 recognised at
the beginning of the year has been recognised as revenue during the year, and the amount of £1,164,000 recognised
at the end of the year is expected to be recognised as revenue in 2021. No further information is provided about
remaining performance obligations at the end of the year that have an original duration of one year or less, as
permitted by IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
Inventories consist of the Foundation’s publications, which are carried at the lower of the cost of printing, on a
first-in, first-out basis or their net realisable value.
8 Risk management
The Trustees have overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Foundation’s risk management framework.
The Foundation’s risk management policies are established to identify and analyse the risks faced by the Foundation, to set
appropriate risk limits and controls, and to monitor risks and adherence to limits. The Foundation has a conservative approach to
financial risk, and the principal purpose of its treasury management policy is to maintain liquidity, mitigate and manage foreign
exchange risk and to safeguard the Foundation’s reserves. The Audit, Finance and Risk Committee oversees how management
monitors compliance with financial risk management policies and procedures and reviews the adequacy of the risk management
framework in relation to those risks. Risk management policies and systems are reviewed regularly.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Foundation will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Foundation’s
approach to managing liquidity is to ensure that it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when due, under
both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Foundation’s reputation.
The Foundation has no borrowings.
The Foundation holds reserves to provide cover for unexpected changes in income and expenditure, allowing the Foundation
to continue activities in the event of any shortfall in revenue (particularly from the voluntary elements of its funding), as well as
unforeseen costs.
Cash is held either as current or as short-term deposits at floating rates of interest. Part of the cash at bank is held in euro, yen
and US dollar accounts to meet expenditure obligations. Surplus funds are invested in sterling-denominated, fixed-rate bonds of
governments, governmental agencies or international organisations, with AAA minimum ratings at the time of purchase.
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Foundation if a counterparty or customer to a financial instrument fails to meet its
contractual obligations. The Foundation has financial assets measured at amortised cost comprising cash and cash equivalents,
contributions receivable and publication-related receivables. The Foundation has assessed the credit risk of its financial assets
measured at amortised cost and has determined that the loss allowance for expected credit losses of those assets is immaterial
to the financial statements. The Foundation has a history of very low credit losses and this is not expected to change in the
foreseeable future.
Cash and cash equivalents are all held in financial institutions with high credit ratings. Counterparty credit ratings are
reviewed regularly.
At 31 December 2020, the Foundation has a contribution receivable of £2,185,000 (2019: £1,849,000) from a single contributor,
the European Union. This contribution receivable reflects the final grant instalment for 2020. The European Union has a high
credit rating and stable outlook. The Foundation has determined this receivable to have low credit risk.
Exposure to credit risk arising from publications and related activities is managed by requiring advance payments for some
products and services and with the contractual control of the use of the Foundation’s intellectual property. The Foundation
retains a right to terminate contracts and cancel all rights and licences, although such occurrences are expected to be infrequent
and not significant.
The carrying amount of the Foundation’s financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure.
Market risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices will affect the Foundation’s income or the value of its holdings of financial
instruments. The Foundation is exposed to risks from movements in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates that
affect its assets and forecasted transactions.
The Foundation has historically adopted a policy of using forward foreign exchange contracts to reduce foreign exchange risk,
and to provide greater certainty of the value of the future cash flows in the currency in which they will ultimately be converted.
During 2020 a review of the foreign currency exposure of the Foundation was undertaken by the Trustees. Based on the
conclusion that the current levels of surplus reserves are sufficient to absorb foreign exchange risk, the decision was taken to
stop purchasing forward foreign exchange contracts. The current book of forward contracts will expire by 2022. The Trustees will
continue to monitor the position of foreign exchange risk to the Foundation and this will be reviewed on at least an annual basis.
Foreign exchange derivatives are recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss.
The following table presents the fair value and notional value of these financial instruments by currency:
2020 2019
Forward foreign Fair Notional Weighted Fair Notional Weighted
exchange contracts value value average value value average
by currency ’000 ’000 rate ’000 ’000 rate
Financial assets
US dollars (Level 2) £284 $10,800 1.320 £128 $16,150 1.319
Euro (Level 2) £5 €1,950 1.104 £259 €7,050 1.111
Yen (Level 2) £6 ¥141,000 139.906 £6 ¥282,000 140.859
Financial liabilities
US dollars (Level 2) – $6,550 – (£301) $6,550 1.412
Euro (Level 2) (£66) €1,650 1.159 (£13) €1,650 1.159
Yen (Level 2) (£1) ¥47,000 141.17 (£7) ¥47,000 146.510
The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts is bank-provided and based on pricing models using observable exchange
rates, described as Level 2 in IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement. All non-current forward contracts expire by 2022.
9 Investments
Bonds are recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. The values of these bonds are
quoted on active markets, described as Level 1 in IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement. Fair values and face values of current and
non-current bonds are presented in the following table.
The Foundation measures all other financial instruments at amortised cost. Those financial instruments include financial
assets with a total carrying amount of £19.4 million (2019: £12.8 million) and financial liabilities with a total carrying amount
of £586,000 (2019: £150,000). The carrying amount of these financial assets and liabilities is a reasonable approximation of
their fair value. These financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, contributions receivable, publication-related
receivables and trade and other payables.
2020 2019
£’000 £’000
Finance income
Interest income 230 314
Fair value gains on forward foreign exchange contracts 210 1,309
Fair value gains on bonds 227 139
667 1,762
Finance costs
Interest on lease liabilities (178) (202)
Fair value losses on forward foreign exchange contracts (55) (12)
Exchange losses on forward foreign exchange contracts and cash holdings (295) (770)
(528) (984)
Fair value gains and losses from bonds do not include interest income.
Covid-19
At the time of signing the financial statements the covid-19 pandemic continues. Whilst covid-19 is still creating uncertainties
for the future, no event has occurred since 31 December 2020 that required an adjustment to the financial statements.
Sustainability reporting
The Trustees are required by the Foundation’s Constitution to undertake a strategy review every five years. As part of that
review there has been an accelerated focus on sustainability reporting. As a result in September 2020 the Trustees published
a Consultation Paper on Sustainability Reporting to help assess the demand for global sustainability reporting standards and
to understand if and how the Foundation could be involved. The comment period closed on 31 December 2020 and feedback
confirmed an urgent need for such standards and broad support for the Foundation to play a role in their development. The
Trustees are therefore continuing their work in considering whether to establish an international sustainability reporting
standards board within the existing governance structure of the Foundation.
Funding providers
Jurisdiction Organisation
Australia
£561,300 Financial Reporting Council (FRC)
Brazil
£132,000
£50,000 + Itaúsa S.A.
£50,000 + Itaú Unibanco S.A.
Less than Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) B3 S.A.
£25,000
Canada
£534,812
£500,000 + Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada
Less than Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions
£25,000
Chinese Taipei
£62,000
Less than Accounting Research and Development Taiwan Futures Exchange
£25,000 Foundation
Taipei Exchange Taiwan Stock Exchange
Taiwan Depository & Clearing Corporation
EU
£4,284,140 European Commission
France
£895,335 Ministry for the Economy and Finance—Autorité des Normes Comptables
Germany Voluntary levy through the Accounting Standards Committee of Germany (DRSC)
£584,068
£25,000+ Allianz SE Deutsche Telekom AG
BASF AG Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA
Bayer AG Merck KGaA
BMW AG Münchener Rückversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG
Continental AG RWE AG
Daimler AG SAP AG
Deutsche Börse AG Siemens AG
Deutsche Post AG Volkswagen AG
Less than Aareal Bank AG K+S AG
£25,000 Aixtron SE Kion Group AG
Commerzbank AG Knorr-Bremse AG
DekaBank Lanxess AG
Deutsche Beteiligungs AG Metro AG
Deutz AG MTU Aero Engines AG
Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA Norma Group SE
Dürr AG Patrizia AG
Fielmann AG SAF-Holland S.A.
Fraport AG Sartorius AG
Hornbach Holding AG & Co. KGaA Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
Indus Holding AG SGL Carbon SE
Infineon Technologies AG Siemens Healthineers AG
Instone Real Estate Group AG Südzucker AG
Jurisdiction Organisation
Hong Kong SAR
£20,213 Hong Kong Monetary Authority
India
£489,500 Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Indonesia
£68,000
£25,000 + Financial Services Authority (OJK)
Indonesia Stock Exchange
International
£19,835 Bank for International Settlements
Israel
£17,000 Israel Securities Authority
Italy
£670,631 Organismo Italiano di Contabilita
Japan
£2,061,134 Financial Accounting Standards Foundation
£358,000 Financial Accounting Standards Foundation—Restricted contribution for the Asia-Oceania office
Kazakhstan
£7,580 National Bank of Kazakhstan
Malaysia
£65,000 Malaysian Accounting Standards Board
Netherlands
£400,549
£250,000 + Ministry of Finance
Less than De Nederlandsche Bank
£25,000
New Zealand
£77,219 External Reporting Board
Norway
£83,088 Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway
People’s Republic of China Through system created by the Ministry of Finance
£2,143,913
£500,000 + China Ministry of Finance
£100,000 + Chinese Institute of Certified Public Shenzen Stock Exchange
Accountants
Shanghai Stock Exchange
£50,000 + China Investment Corporation
£25,000 + China Communications Construction China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation
Company Ltd
China National Offshore Oil Corporation PetroChina Company Limited
China Pacific Insurance (Group) Co., Ltd.
Less than Bank of Communications Co., Ltd. China Unicom Corporation
£25,000 China Merchants Bank Huaneng Power International, Inc.
China Mobile Communication Co., Ltd. PICC Property and Casualty Company Limited
China Telecom Corporation Limited
Portugal
£18,949 Banco de Portugal
Jurisdiction Organisation
Republic of Korea Contributions organised through Korea Accounting Standards Board
£502,776
£100,000 + Korea Accounting Standards Board (KASB)
£50,000 + Financial Supervisory Service Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
£25,000 + Samsung C&T Corporation Samsung SDS Co Ltd
Samsung Life Insurance Co Ltd
Less than Hana Financial Group Inc Samsung Card Co Ltd
£25,000 Kakao Corp Samsung SDI Co Ltd
KB Financial Group Inc Samsung Securities Co Ltd
LG Corp Shinhan Financial Group Co Ltd
NongHyup Financial Group Inc POSCO
Russia
£427,700 Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
£150,000 Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants (SOCPA)
Singapore
£70,000 Ministry of Finance
South Africa
£7,350 Johannesburg Stock Exchange
Spain
£68,126 Bolsas y Mercados Españoles
Switzerland
£17,050
Less than LLQ Management SA
£25,000
Thailand
£81,251 Federation of Accounting Professions (TFAC)
United Kingdom Levy system organised by Financial Reporting Council
£828,000
United States of America
£397,051
£50,000 + AICPA Oracle
Bank of America Corporation CFA Institute
£25,000 + Morgan Stanley
Less than PepsiCo
£25,000
International accounting firms
£2,346,662
(US550,000 Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited KPMG
each) Ernst & Young PricewaterhouseCoopers
£100,000 + BDO (Brussels Worldwide Services BVBA) (US$300,000)
Grant Thornton (US$300,000)
Mazars (US$200,000)
Cumulative amount raised by a jurisdiction appears below the jurisdiction’s name. Amounts translated into sterling on
date received.
Chair
Bill Coen
Observer organisations:
• European Commission
• Japan Financial Services Agency
• US Securities and Exchange Commission
Non-voting Chair
Sue Lloyd, Vice-Chair, International Accounting Standards Board
Observer organisations
• Basel Committee on Banking Supervision
• European Commission
• International Organization of Securities Commissions
Carl Douglas (Corporate Controller, CCR S.A.), Mikael Hagström (Senior Vice President and CFO, Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles),
Bruce Mackenzie (Managing Director, W Consulting International) and Bonnie Van Etten (Group Chief Accounting Officer
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV) completed their terms on 30 June 2020.
More information about the IFRS Foundation Interpretations Committee, including member biographies, can be found at
www.ifrs.org/groups/ifrs-interpretations-committee.
IFRS® IASB®
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