The IPSASB held its first meeting of 2020 from March 10-13, 2020 at the IFAC offices in New York, USA.
Infrastructure Assets
The IPSASB decided that infrastructure assets are a subset of property, plant and equipment and considered the characteristics which differentiate them. The IPSASB will agree the infrastructure assets characteristics after analyzing the remaining issues. The IPSASB also considered the issues of depreciation, spare parts and dismantling costs. The IPSASB will continue these discussions at its June meeting. Access Presentation >>
Heritage
The IPSASB considered whether heritage items are resources and controlled for financial reporting purposes. The IPSASB decided that tangible heritage items are assets when they meet the definition of property, plant and equipment and concluded they should be depreciated and tested for impairment, except under certain specific circumstances.
Revised guidance related to these issues will be developed for the IPSASB’s consideration at its June meeting. Access Presentation >>
Measurement
The IPSASB reviewed the responses to the Measurement Consultation Paper. The IPSASB agreed that the existing accounting policy choice in IPSAS 5, Borrowing Costs, which allows borrowing costs that are directly attributed to qualifying assets to be either expensed as incurred or capitalized, should be retained. Additional guidance will be developed for the IPSASB’s consideration at its June meeting.
The IPSASB identified several themes in its review of the responses and will further address these during its June and September meetings. Access Presentation >>
Conceptual Framework - Limited Scope Update
The IPSASB approved a project brief on the Limited Scope Update of the Conceptual Framework (the Framework) subject to minor drafting and editorial changes. The project addresses specified issues identified from the IPSASB’s experience in using the Framework, as well as considering relevant developments in the finalized Conceptual Framework of the International Accounting Standards Board, which was published in March 2018. It is not an extensive review.
The IPSASB approved a project brief on Natural Resources subject to minor drafting and editorial changes. The first part of this project will develop a comprehensive consultation paper covering the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of subsoil resources, living resources and water. Access Presentation >>
Leases
The IPSASB decided to continue the project in phases, firstly, by developing an ED based on IFRS 16, followed by a second phase addressing the accounting for concessionary leases, which is a prevalent public sector issue. The IPSASB also agreed that the exposure draft based on IFRS 16 should request constituent input on concessionary leases to help with the second phase of the project. Access Presentation >>
Accounting for Non-Current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations in the Public Sector
The Board reviewed a proposal for a project to align with IFRS 5, Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations. The IPSASB agreed that the project should proceed and identified public sector issues for further consideration. The IPSASB also recommended that the project be discussed with the Consultative Advisory Group at its June 2020 meeting. It will then be discussed with the IPSASB at its June 2020 meeting. Access Presentation >>
Meeting Podcast
A podcast highlighting key points of the March 2020 meeting is now available here.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the IPSASB will be in Toronto, Canada from June 23-26, 2020 with the Consultative Advisory Group Meeting on June 22, 2020. For more information, or to register as an observer, visit the IPSASB website.
Professional accountants in business and the public sector have an important role to play in leading their organizations through the challenging times ahead. In a recent report, Supporting Accountants in Business & Public Sector through Uncertain Times, the IFAC Professional Accountants in Business Committee (PAIBC) shares latest thinking on focus areas for finance teams, including on value creation, data, accountancy careers, and professional and skills development.
“Organizations are turning to their accountants and finance teams as trusted professionals for guidance in navigating the crisis and its economic implications,” said PAIBC Chair, Sanjay Rughani. “Times of crisis provide unique opportunities for radical change, often by necessity. But a crisis also offers many valuable lessons for the future.”
Through ongoing conversations with global business leaders, Rughani shares four additional recommendations for accountants to lead their organizations in the context of current uncertainties. These recommendations include:
Financial management: Look for opportunities to drive cost control and savings, new sources of growth and revenue, and positive cash flows.
Operational effectiveness: Drive thinking about the supply chain, digital transformation, data, and innovation.
Leadership: Support strong governance, deliver frequent and authentic communications, and evolve commitments to social purpose; and
Planning: Update scenario planning and risk management, monitor and respond to market realities, and take the time to understand new stakeholder expectations.
Today’s business challenges make clear the need for strong information and analysis to support decision-making. Accountants working within organizations – both in the public and private sector – are well-positioned to provide this key information and to deliver in other areas critical to long-term success. CFOs and finance teams must embrace these opportunities to lead.
