Diploma in International Financial Reporting

Syllabus Content

1. International sources of authority

A The structure of the International Accounting  Standards Board (IASB)
B The standard setting process
C The role of the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee
D Progress towards international harmonisation
E The IASB “Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements”
F The first time adoption of international financial reporting standards

2. Elements of financial statements

A  Property, plant and equipment
B Intangible assets
C Goodwill
D Current assets including inventories
E Construction contracts
F Liabilities
G Financial instruments
H Provisions and contingencies
I Employment and post-employment benefits
J Current and deferred tax
K Biological assets and agricultural produce
L Share-based payment
M Exploration and evaluation expenditures

3. Presentation and additional disclosures

A Events after the balance sheet date
B Earnings per share
C Related party disclosures
D Interim financial reporting
E Effects of changes in foreign exchange rates
F Operating segments

4. Preparation of external financial reports for single entities

A Income statements and discontinued operations
B Cash flow statements
C Statement of changes in equity.

5. Preparation of external financial reports for combined entities and joint ventures

A Definitions of subsidiaries, investments in associates and joint ventures
B Preparation of consolidated balance sheets and income statements
C Equity accounting
D Proportionate consolidation and joint ventures.

EXCLUDED TOPICS

• The following topics are specifically excluded from the syllabus:
• Partnership and branch financial statements
• Complex group structures, including sub-subsidiaries or mixed groups and foreign subsidiaries
• Piece-meal acquisitions, disposal of subsidiaries and group re-constructions
• Financial statements of banks and similar financial institutions Group cash flows
• Schemes of reorganisation/reconstruction
• Company/share valuation Accounting for insurance entities
• International financial reporting exposure drafts and discussion papers
• The international public sector perspective
• Multi-employer benefit schemes
• Information reflecting the effects of changing prices and financial reporting in hyperinflationary economies
• Share-based payment transactions with cash alternatives.

The following topics are specifically excluded from the syllabus:

KEY AREAS OF THE SYLLABUS
The key topic area headings are as follows:

• International sources of authority
• Elements of financial statements
• Presentation of accounts and additional disclosures
• Preparation of external financial reports of single entities
• Preparation of external reports for combined entities and joint ventures.

APPROACH TO EXAMINING THE SYLLABUS
The examination is a three-hour paper in two sections. It will contain a mix of computational and discursive elements. Some questions will adopt a scenario/case study approach.
Section A comprises a compulsory question requiring the preparation of consolidated group financial statements, and may include a related discussion element. Section B comprises four questions from which the candidate is required to answer three. Computations will be designed to test an understanding of principles. At least one of the optional questions in Section B will be a conceptual/ discursive question that may include illustrative numerical calculations.
An individual question may often involve elements that relate to different areas of the syllabus. For example a question on the preparation of financial statements for public issue could include elements relating to several accounting standards. In scenario questions candidates may be expected to comment on management's chosen accounting treatment and determine a more appropriate one, based on circumstances described in the question.
Some International Financial Reporting Standards are very detailed and complex. In the DiplFR exam candidates need to be aware of the principles and key elements of these Standards. Candidates will also be expected to have an appreciation of the background and need for international financial reporting standards and issues related to harmonisation of accounting in a global context.
Pass rates
The overall pass mark for the Diploma in International Financial Reporting is 50%.

EXAMINATION STRUCTURE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Candidates need to be aware that questions involving knowledge of new examinable regulations will not be set until at least six calendar months after the last day of the month in which the regulation was issued.
The study guide provides more detailed guidance on the syllabus. Examinable documents are included in the DiplFR web section, www.accaglobal.com.

                   
STUDY GUIDE

INTERNATIONAL SOURCES OF AUTHORITY

1    The International Accounting Standards Board and the regulatory framework
        
•   Discuss the need for international accounting standards and possible barriers to this process
•   Explain the structure and constitution of the IASB and the standard setting process
•   Identify the purpose and functions of the International Financial Reporting Interpretation Committee (IFRIC)
•   Understand and interpret the lASB's "Framework for thePreparation and Presentation of Financial Statements"
•   Apply First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards.

ELEMENTS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2     Revenue recognition
•   Outline the principles of the timing of revenue recognition
•    Explain the concept of substance over form in relation to recognising sales revenue
•   Discuss the various points in the production and sales cycle where it may, depending on circumstances, be appropriate to recognise gains and losses - give examples of this
•   Describe the lASB's 'balance sheet approach' to revenue recognition.

3    Non-current assets – tangible

•   Define the initial cost of a non-current asset (including a self-constructed asset) and apply this to various examples of expenditure, distinguishing between capital and revenue items
•   Identify pre-conditions for the capitalisation of borrowing costs
•   Describe, and be able to identify, subsequent expenditures that may be capitalised
•   State and appraise the effects of the lASB's rules for the revaluation of property, plant and equipment
•   Account for gains and losses on the disposal of re­ valued assets
•   Calculate depreciation on: revalued assets, and assets that have two or more major items or significant parts
•   Apply the provisions of accounting standards relating to government grants and government assistance
•  Describe the criteria that need to be present before non-current assets are classified as held for sale, either individually or in a disposal group
•   Discuss the way in which the treatment of investment properties differs from other properties
•   Apply the requirements of international accounting standards to investment properties.

4      Impairment of assets

•   Define the recoverable amount of an asset; define impairment losses
•   Give examples of, and be able to identify, circumstances that may indicate that an impairment of an asset has occurred
•   Describe what is meant by a cash-generating unit
•   State the basis on which impairment losses should be allocated, and allocate a given impairment loss to the assets of a cash-generating unit.

5      Leases

•   Define the essential characteristics of a lease
•   Describe and apply the method of determining a lease type (ie an operating or finance lease)
•   Explain the effect on the financial statements of a finance lease being incorrectly treated as an operating lease
•   Account for operating leases in financial statements
•   Account for finance leases in the financial statements of the lessor and lessee
•   Outline the principles of accounting standards for leases and the main disclosure requirements. 

Note: the net cash investment method will not be examined.

6    Intangible assets and goodwill

•   Discuss the nature and possible accounting treatments of both internally generated and purchased goodwill
•   Distinguish between goodwill and other intangible assets
•   Define the criteria for the initial recognition and measurement of intangible assets
•   Explain the subsequent accounting treatment, including the principle of impairment tests in relation to purchased goodwill
•   Identify the circumstances in which negative goodwill arises, and its subsequent accounting treatment
•   Describe and apply the requirements of international accounting standards to internally generated assets other than goodwill (eg research and development)
•   Describe the method of accounting specified by the IASB for the exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources

7    Inventories and construction contracts

•   Measure and value inventories
•   Define a construction contract and describe why recognising profit before completion is generally considered to be desirable; discuss if this may be profit smoothing
•   Describe the ways in which contract revenue and contract cost may be recognised
•   Calculate and disclose the amounts to be shown In the financial statements for construction contracts.

8    Financial instruments

•   Account for debt instruments, equity instruments and the allocation of finance costs
•   Account for fixed interest rate and convertible bonds
•   Discuss the definition and classification of a financial instrument
•   Discuss the measurement issues relating to financial instruments
•   Explain the current measurement proposals for financial instruments including the use of current values, hedging and the treatment of gains and losses
•   Describe the nature of the presentation and disclosure requirements relating to financial instruments
•   Discuss the key areas where consensus is required on the accounting treatment of financial instruments.

9    Liabilities - provisions, contingent assets and liabilities

•   Explain why an accounting standard on provisions is necessary - give examples of previous abuses in this area
•   Define provisions, legal and constructive obligations, past events and the transfer of economic benefits
•   State when provisions may and may not be made, and how they should be accounted for
•   Explain how provisions should be measured Define contingent assets and liabilities – give examples and describe their accounting treatment Identify and account for: Onerous contracts Environmental and similar provisions
•   Discuss the validity of making provisions for future repairs or renewals.

10  Accounting for employment and post-employment benefit costs

•   Describe the nature of defined contribution, multi-employers and defined benefits schemes
•   Explain the recognition and measurement of defined benefit schemes under current proposals
•   Account for defined benefit schemes including the amounts shown in the balance sheet, income statement and notes to the accounts.

11  Taxation in financial statements

•   Account for current tax liabilities and assets in accordance with international accounting standards
•   Describe the general principles of government sales taxes (e.g. VAT or GST)
•   Explain the effect of taxable temporary differences on accounting and taxable profits.
•   Outline the principles of accounting for deferred tax Identify and account for the IASB requirements relating to deferred tax assets and liabilities
•   Calculate and record deferred tax amounts in the financial statements.

12  The effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates

•   Discuss the recording of transactions and translateon of monetary/non-monetary items at the balance sheet date for individual entities in accordance with IAS 21
•   Distinguish between reporting and functional currencies
•   Determine an entity's functional currency
•   Translate from the functional currency to the presentation currency and account for the treatment of exchange differences relating to the above.

13  Agriculture

•   Recognise the scope of international accounting standards for agriculture
•   Discuss the recognition and measurement criteria including the treatment of gains and losses, and the inability to measure fair value reliably
•   Identify and explain the treatment of government grants, and the presentation and disclosure of information relating to agriculture
•   Report on the transformation of biological assets and agricultural produce at the point of harvest and account for agriculture related government grants.

14  Share-based payment

•   Understand the term 'share-based payment'
•   Discuss the key issue that measurement of the transaction should be based on fair value
•   Explain the difference between cash settled share based payment transactions and equity settled share based payment transactions
•   Identify the principles applied to measuring both cash and equity settled share-based payment transactions
•   Compute the amounts that need to be recorded in the income statement and the balance sheet when an entity carries out a transaction where the payment is share based.

15  Exploration and evaluation expenditures

•   Outline the need for an accounting standard in this area and clarify its scope
•   Give examples of elements of cost that might be included in the initial measurement of exploration and evaluation assets
•   Describe how exploration and evaluation assets should be classified and reclassified
•   Explain when and how exploration and evaluation assets should be tested for impairment

PRESENTATION OF ACCOUNTS AND ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURES

16  Presentation of the income statement

•   State the objectives of international accounting standards governing 'presentation of financial statements'
•   Describe the structure and content of income statements, including continuing operations
•   Discuss 'fair presentation' and the accounting concepts/principles
•   Recognise the content and format of interim financial statements.

17  Earnings per share

•   Recognise the importance of comparability in relation to the calculation of earnings per share (EPS) and its importance as a stock market indicator
•   Explain why the trend of EPS may be a more accurate indicator of performance than a company's profit trend
•   Define earnings
•   Calculate the EPS in the following circumstances:
- basic EPS
- where there has been a bonus issue of shares/ stock split during the year, and
- where there has been a rights issues of shares during the year
•   Explain the relevance to existing shareholders of the diluted EPS, and describe the circumstances that will give rise to a future dilution of the EPS
•   Compute the diluted EPS in the following circumstances: where convertible debt or preference shares are in issue; and where share options and warrants exist
•   Identify anti-dilutive circumstances.

18  Accounting policies, changes in accounting estimates and errors

•   Distinguish between and account for adjusting and non-adjusting events after the balance sheet date
•   Identify items requiring separate disclosure, including their accounting treatment and required disclosures
•   Recognise the circumstances where a change in accounting policy is justified
•   Define prior period adjustments and 'errors' and account for the correction of errors and changes in accounting policies.

19   Related party disclosures

•   Define and apply the definition of related parties in accordance with international accounting standards
•   Describe the potential to mislead users when related party transactions are accounted for
•   Adjust financial statements (for comparative purposes) for the effects of non-commercial related party transactions
•   Explain the disclosure requirements for related party transactions.

20  Operating segments

•   Discuss the usefulness and problems associated with the provision of segment information
•   Define an operating segment
•   Identify reportable segments (including applying theaggregation criteria and quantative thresholds)
•   Prepare segment information in accordance with international accounting standards.
•   Prepare a consolidated income statement for a simple group, including an example where an acquisition occurs during the year where there is minority interest.

PREPARATION OF EXTERNAL FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR THE SINGLE ENTITY

21    Preparation of external financial reports for the single entity

•   Prepare an income statement in accordance with international accounting standards
•   Define discontinued operations
•   Discuss the importance of identifying and reporting the results of discontinued operations
•   Distinguish between non-current assets, current assets and held for sale non-current assets
•   Prepare and explain the contents and purpose of a statement of changes in equity linking to the framework and the concept of comprehensive income
•   Prepare the cash flow statement, including relevant notes, for an individual company. (Note: questions may specify the use of the direct or the indirect method)
Assess the usefulness of information contained in a cash flow statement.

PREPARATION OF EXTERNAL REPORTS FOR COMBINED ENTITIES AND JOINT VENTURES

22    Preparation of group consolidated external reports

•   Explain the concept of a group and the purpose of preparing consolidated financial statements
•   Explain and apply the definition of subsidiary companies under
•   Identify the circumstances and reasoning when subsidiaries should be excluded from consolidated financial statements
•   Prepare a consolidated balance sheet for a simple group dealing with pre and post acquisition profits, minority interests and goodwill
•   Explain the need for using coterminous year-ends and uniform accounting polices when preparing consolidated financial statements and describe how it is achieved in practice

23    Business combinations - intra-group adjustments

•   Explain why intra-group transactions should be eliminated on consolidation
•   Report the effects (in the income statement and balance sheet) of intra-group trading and other transactions including:
- unrealised profits in inventory and non-current assets
- intra-group loans and interest and other intra-group charges, and
- intra-group dividends including those paid out of pre-acquisition profits.

24    Business combinations - fair value adjustments

•   Explain why it is necessary for both the consideration paid for a subsidiary and the subsidiary's identifiable assets and liabilities to be accounted for at their fair values when preparing consolidated financial statements
•   Prepare consolidated financial statements dealing with fair value adjustments (including their effect on consolidated goodwill) in respect of:
•   Depreciating and non-depreciating non-current
-  assets
-  Inventory
-  Monetary liabilities
-  Assets and liabilities (including contingencies),not included in the subsidiary's own balance sheet.

25    Business combinations - associates and joint ventures

•   Define associates and joint ventures (ie jointly controlled operations, assets and entities)
•   Distinguish between equity accounting and proportional consolidation
•   Describe and prepare accounts under the two formats of proportional consolidation
•   Prepare consolidated financial statements to include a single subsidiary and an associated company or a joint venture (both allowed methods).