Accounting For Investments
Accounting For Investments
Accounting For Investments
Accounting for
Investments
Scope
This Statement does not deal with:
• If an investment is acquired, or partly acquired, by the issue of shares or other securities, the
acquisition cost is the fair value of the securities issued The fair value may not necessarily be
equal to the nominal or par value of the securities issued.
• If an investment is acquired in exchange, or part exchange, for another asset, the acquisition
cost of the investment is determined by reference to the fair value of the asset given up. It may
be appropriate to consider the fair value of the investment acquired if it is more clearly evident.
• Interest, dividends and rentals receivables in connection with an investment are generally
regarded as income, being the return on the investment. However, in some circumstances, such
inflows represent a recovery of cost and do not form part of income. For example, when unpaid
interest has accrued before the acquisition of an interest-bearing investment and is therefore
included in the price paid for the investment, the subsequent receipt of interest is allocated
between pre-acquisition and post-acquisition periods; the pre-acquisition portion is deducted
from cost. When dividends on equity are declared from pre-acquisition profits, a similar
treatment may apply. If it is difficult to make such an allocation except on an arbitrary basis,
the cost of investment is normally reduced by dividends receivable only if they clearly
represent a recovery of a part of the cost.
• When right shares offered are subscribed for, the cost
of the right shares is added to the carrying amount of
the original holding. If rights are not subscribed for
but are sold in the market, the sale proceeds are taken
to the profit and loss statement. However, where the
investments are acquired on cum-right basis and the
market value of investments immediately after their
becoming ex-right is lower than the cost for which
they were acquired, it may be appropriate to apply the
sale proceeds of rights to reduce the carrying amount
of such investments to the market value.
Types of Investments
The carrying amount for current investments is the lower of cost and fair value.
In respect of investments for which an active market exists, market value
generally provides the best evidence of fair value. The valuation of current
investments at lower of cost and fair value provides a prudent method of
determining the carrying amount to be stated in the balance sheet.
For current investments, any reduction to fair value and any reversals of such
reductions are included in the profit and loss statement.
Valuation of Long Term
Investments
Long-term investments are usually carried at cost. However, when
there is a decline, other than temporary, in the value of a long term
investment, the carrying amount is reduced to recognise the decline.
Indicators of the value of an investment are obtained by reference to
its market value, the investee's assets and results and the expected
cash flows from the investment. The type and extent of the
investor's stake in the investee are also taken into account.
Restrictions on distributions by the investee or on disposal by the
investor may affect the value attributed to the investment.