Scope & Objective

Objective: IFRS 10 establishes principles for the presentation and preparation of consolidated financial statements when an entity controls one or more other entities.

  • Applies to all entities that control other entities
  • Replaces IAS 27 and SIC-12 consolidation requirements
  • Single control model for all entities
Definition of Control

Control: An investor controls an investee when it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee.

Control Assessment Framework:
1. Power over the investee
2. Exposure to variable returns
3. Ability to use power to affect returns
→ All three must be present for control
ElementDescriptionExamples
PowerExisting rights that give ability to direct relevant activitiesVoting rights, appointment rights, decision-making rights
ReturnsVariable returns that can be positive, negative, or bothDividends, interest, fees, synergies, tax benefits
LinkageAbility to use power to affect returnsStrategic decisions, operational policies
Assessing Power

Power: Existing rights that give the current ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee.

  • Relevant Activities: Activities that significantly affect returns
    • Selling and purchasing goods/services
    • Managing financial assets
    • Selecting/acquisition/disposing of assets
    • Researching/developing new products
  • Substantive Rights: Rights that holder has practical ability to exercise
  • Protective Rights: Rights designed to protect interest without giving power
De facto Control

De facto Control: Control achieved without having majority of voting rights, but through other means that give practical ability to direct relevant activities.

SituationAssessment
Widely dispersed ownershipEntity with largest holding may have control
Potential voting rightsConsider if substantive and currently exercisable
Contractual arrangementsPower through management contracts, leases
Special relationshipsFamily relationships, close business associates
Consolidation Procedures

Consolidation Principles: Combine like items of assets, liabilities, equity, income, expenses, and cash flows.

ProcedureDescription
Line-by-line additionCombine parent and subsidiary financial statements
Eliminate investmentParent's investment against subsidiary's equity
Eliminate intra-groupBalances, transactions, income, expenses
Fair value adjustmentsAdjust assets/liabilities to fair value at acquisition
NCI recognitionPortion of equity not attributable to parent
Consolidation Example:

Parent acquires 80% of Subsidiary for $8 million

Subsidiary net assets fair value: $10 million

Goodwill Calculation:
• Consideration: $8 million
• NCI (20% of $10M): $2 million
• Net assets: $10 million
• Goodwill: $0 (No goodwill - bargain purchase)

Non-controlling Interests (NCI)

Non-controlling Interest: Equity in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent.

Measurement of NCI at fair value: This results in the recognition of full goodwill. Any impairment loss is allocated between the parent and the NCI on a pro-rata basis, unless otherwise required by IAS 36.

Measurement of NCI at its proportionate share of the acquiree's identifiable net assets: This results in the recognition of partial goodwill (attributable only to the parent). Any goodwill impairment loss is recognized in full by the parent.

  • Measurement: At fair value or proportionate share of net assets
  • Presentation: Presented within equity, separately from parent equity
  • Profit Attribution: NCI share of profit/loss presented separately
  • Changes in Ownership: Accounted for as equity transactions
Changes in Control
SituationAccounting Treatment
Acquisition of controlApply acquisition method from acquisition date
Loss of controlDerecognize assets/liabilities, recognize gain/loss
Changes without loss of controlAccounted for as equity transactions
Step acquisitionRemasure previously held interest at fair value
Special Purpose Entities (SPEs)

SPE Assessment: Apply same control principles to determine if SPE should be consolidated.

  • Indicators of Control:
    • SPE activities predetermined to benefit reporting entity
    • Reporting entity has decision-making rights
    • Reporting entity exposed to majority of risks/rewards
    • Reporting entity has residual interest in SPE
  • Substance over Form: Consider all facts and circumstances
  • Continuous Assessment: Reassess control at each reporting date
Disclosure Requirements
  • Basis of Consolidation: Basis for concluding control exists
  • Subsidiaries: List of significant subsidiaries
  • Non-controlling Interests: Reconciliation of opening/closing balances
  • Changes in Ownership: Effects of changes in ownership interest
  • Restrictions: Nature and extent of significant restrictions
  • Loss of Control: Gain/loss calculation and components
  • SPEs: Nature, purpose, size, activities of SPEs
Key Changes from IAS 27
AspectIAS 27IFRS 10
Control DefinitionPower to govern financial/operating policiesPower + Returns + Linkage
SPE ConsolidationSeparate guidance (SIC-12)Single control model for all entities
De facto ControlLimited guidanceComprehensive guidance
Potential Voting RightsConsider if currently exercisableConsider if substantive