Sample Disclosure – Impairment of Assets (27 November 2008)

Impairment of assets

The carrying amounts of assets, other than investment properties, inventories, deferred tax assets and non-current assets (or disposal groups) held for sale, are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated to determine the amount of impairment loss.

For goodwill, intangible assets that have an indefinite useful life and intangible assets that are not yet available for use, the recoverable amount is estimated at each balance sheet date or more frequently when indicators of impairment are identified.

For the purpose of impairment testing of these assets, recoverable amount is determined on an individual asset basis unless the asset does not generate cash flows that are largely independent of those from other assets. If this is the case, recoverable amount is determined for the cash-generating unit (CGU) to which the asset belongs to. Goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the Group’s CGUs, or groups of CGUs, that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the Group are assigned to those units or groups of units.

An asset’s recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s or CGU’s fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. Where the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered impaired and is written down to its recoverable amount. Impairment losses recognised in respect of a CGU or groups of CGUs are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to those units or groups of units and then, to reduce the carrying amount of the other assets in the unit or groups of units on a pro-rata basis.

An impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss in the period in which it arises.

Impairment loss on goodwill is not reversed in a subsequent financial period. An impairment loss for an asset other than goodwill is reversed if, and only if, there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognised. The carrying amount of an asset other than goodwill is increased to its revised recoverable amount, provided that this amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined (net of amortisation or depreciation) had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in prior years. A reversal of impairment loss for an asset other than goodwill is recognised in profit or loss.

Sample Disclosure – Investment Properties (27 November 2008)

Investment properties

Investment properties are properties which are held either to earn rental income or for capital appreciation or for both. Such properties are measured initially at cost, including transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, investment properties are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses.

A property interest under an operating lease is classified and accounted for as an investment property on a property-by-property basis when the Group holds it to earn rentals or for capital appreciation or both. Any such property interest under an operating lease classified as an investment property is carried at cost.

Investment properties are derecognised when either they have been disposed of or when the investment property is permanently withdrawn from use and no future economic benefit is expected from its disposal. Any gains or losses on the retirement or disposal of an investment property are recognised in income statement in the year in which they arise.

Sample Disclosure – Property, Plant and Equipment (27 November 2008)

Property, plant and equipment and depreciation

All items of property, plant and equipment are initially recorded at cost. Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognised. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the income statement during the financial period in which they are incurred.

Subsequent to recognition, property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses.

Freehold land has an unlimited useful life and therefore is not depreciated. Capital­work-in-progress is not depreciated as these assets are not available for use. Depreciation of other property, plant and equipment is provided for on a straight-line basis to write off the cost of each asset to its residual value over the estimated useful life, at the following annual rates:

Buildings 2%

Plant, machinery, mould, die and laboratory equipment 10%

Office equipment, fixtures, fittings, renovations and computers 10% – 20%

Motor vehicles 20%

The residual values, useful life and depreciation method are reviewed at each financial year end to ensure that the amount, method and period of depreciation are consistent with previous estimates and the expected pattern of consumption of the future economic benefits embodied in the items of property, plant and equipment.

An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. The difference between the net disposal proceeds, if any and the net carrying amount is recognised in income statement.

Sample Disclosure – Intangible Assets (26 November 2008)

Intangible assets

i. Goodwill

Goodwill acquired in a business combination is initially measured at cost being the excess of the cost of business combination over the Group’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities. Following the initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is not amortised but instead, it is reviewed for impairment, annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be impaired. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold.

ii. Product development expenditure

All research costs are recognised in the profit or loss as incurred.

Expenditure incurred on projects to develop new products is capitalised and deferred only when the Group can demonstrate the technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset so that it will be available for use or sale, its intention to complete and its ability to use or sell the asset, how the asset will generate future economic benefits, the availability of resources to complete the project and the ability to measure reliably the expenditure during the development. Product development expenditures which do not meet these criteria are expensed when incurred.

Development costs, considered to have finite useful lives, are stated at cost less any impairment losses and are amortised using the straight-line basis over the commercial lives of the underlying products not exceeding 3 years. Impairment is assessed whenever there is an indication of impairment and the amortisation period and method are also reviewed at least at each balance sheet date.

 

 

Sample Disclosure – Accounting Policy on Subsidiaries and Consolidation (25 November 2008)

Subsidiaries and basis of consolidation

i. Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are entities over which the Group has the ability to control the financial and operating policies so as to obtain benefits from their activities. The existence and effect of potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible are considered when assessing whether the Group has such power over another entity.

In the Company’s separate financial statements, investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost less impairment losses. On disposal of such investments, the difference between net disposal proceeds and their carrying amounts is included in profit or loss.

 

ii. Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries as at the balance sheet date. The financial statements of the subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting date as the Company.

Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date of acquisition, being the date on which the Group obtains control, and continue to be consolidated until the date that such control ceases. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, intragroup balances, transactions and unrealised gains or losses are eliminated in full. Uniform accounting policies are adopted in the consolidated financial statements for like transactions and events in similar circumstances.

Acquisitions of subsidiaries (except for those which meet the conditions of merger) are accounted for using the purchase method. The purchase method of accounting involves allocating the cost of the acquisition to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the fair values, at the date of exchange, of the assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed, and equity instruments issued, plus any costs directly attributable to the acquisition.

Any excess of the cost of the acquisition over the Group’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities represents goodwill. Any excess of the Group’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities over the cost of acquisition is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Acquisitions of certain subsidiaries which meet the conditions of merger were accounted for using the merger method. When the merger method is used, the cost of investment in the Company’s financial statements is recorded at fair value of the shares issued at the date of exchange. The difference between the carrying value of the investment and the nominal value of shares acquired is treated as merger reserve or merger deficit. Where the carrying value of investment is less than the nominal value of shares acquired, the merger reserve should be treated as a reserve arising on consolidation. Where the carrying amount of investment is greater than the nominal value of shares acquired, the merger deficit is treated on consolidation as a reduction of reserves. The results of the companies being merged are included as if the merger had been effected throughout the current and previous financial year.

Minority interests represent the portion of profit or loss and net assets in subsidiaries not held by the Group. It is measured at the minorities’ share of the fair value of the subsidiaries’ identifiable assets and liabilities at the acquisition date and the minorities’ share of changes in the subsidiaries’ equity since then.