Government Accounting & Accounting for non-profit organizations by: ZEUS VERNON B. MILLAN Chapter 12 Liabilities Learning Objectives 1. State the recognition criteria for liabilities. 2. State the initial and subsequent measurements of financial liabilities. 3. State the measurement of provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets. GOVT ACCTG & ACCTG FOR NPOs by: Z.B.Millan Liability • Liability – is a present obligation arising from past event, the settlement of which is expected to result in an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits or service potential. • Present obligation means that as of the reporting date, an obligating event must have already occurred. • An obligating event is an event that creates either: a. Legal Obligation – is an obligation that results from a contract, legislation, or other operation of law; or b. Constructive Obligation – is an obligation that results from an entity’s actions (e.g., past practice, published policies) that create a valid expectation from others that the entity will accept and discharge certain responsibilities. GOVT ACCTG & ACCTG FOR NPOs by: Z.B.Millan Liability Recognition Criteria • A liability is recognized only when all of the following are met: a. The item meets the definition of a liability (i.e., present obligation); b. It is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation; and c. The obligation has a cost or value (e.g., fair value) that can be measured reliably. GOVT ACCTG & ACCTG FOR NPOs by: Z.B.Millan Financial Liabilities • A financial liability is any liability that is: a. A contractual obligation to deliver cash or another financial asset to another entity; b. A contractual obligation to exchange financial instruments with another entity under conditions that are potentially unfavorable to the entity; or c. A contract that will or may be settled in the entity’s own equity instruments. GOVT ACCTG & ACCTG FOR NPOs by: Z.B.Millan Examples of financial liabilities • • • • • • Accounts Payable Notes Payable Interest Payable Loans Payable Bonds Payable Accrued Payables GOVT ACCTG & ACCTG FOR NPOs by: Z.B.Millan Initial Recognition • A financial liability is recognized when an entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. (PPSAS 29.16) GOVT ACCTG & ACCTG FOR NPOs by: Z.B.Millan Initial Measurement • Financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value minus transaction costs, except for financial liabilities at fair value through surplus or deficit (e.g., designated financial liabilities and derivative liabilities) whose transaction costs are expensed. (PPSAS 29.45) • Transaction costs are incremental costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, issue, or disposal of a financial instrument. GOVT ACCTG & ACCTG FOR NPOs by: Z.B.Millan Subsequent Measurement • Financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortized cost, except for financial liabilities at fair value through surplus or deficit which are subsequently measured at fair value. GOVT ACCTG & ACCTG FOR NPOs by: Z.B.Millan Derecognition of Financial Liability • A financial liability is derecognized when it is extinguished, such as when it is discharged, waived, cancelled, or it expires. GOVT ACCTG & ACCTG FOR NPOs by: Z.B.Millan Provisions • Provision – is a liability of uncertain timing or amount. • A provision is recognized if all the recognition criteria for a liability are met (i.e., present obligation, probable outflow, and reliable measurement). If one or more of the criteria are not met, the item is a contingent liability, not a provision, and therefore not recognized as liability. GOVT ACCTG & ACCTG FOR NPOs by: Z.B.Millan Contingent Liability • Contingent Liability is: • A possible obligation that arises from past events, and whose existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the control of the entity; or • A present obligation that arises from past events, but is not recognized because: a. It is not probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits or service potential will be required to settle the obligation; or b. The amount of the obligation cannot be measured with sufficient reliability. (PPSAS 19.18) GOVT ACCTG & ACCTG FOR NPOs by: Z.B.Millan Contingent Asset • Contingent Asset – is a possible asset that arises from past events, and whose existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or nonoccurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the control of the entity. (PPSAS 19.18) GOVT ACCTG & ACCTG FOR NPOs by: Z.B.Millan Summary: Contingent Possible Disclose only Remote Liability Probable Recognize and Disclose Asset Disclose only Ignore Ignore GOVT ACCTG & ACCTG FOR NPOs by: Z.B.Millan Ignore Measurement • A provision is measured at the entity’s best estimate of the amount needed to settle the liability at the reporting date. • If the effect of time value of money is material, the provision is measured at present value. GOVT ACCTG & ACCTG FOR NPOs by: Z.B.Millan Reimbursements • If another party is expected to reimburse the settlement amount of a provision, a reimbursement asset is recognized and presented in the statement of financial position separately from the provision. • However, in the statement of financial performance, the expense related to the provision may be presented net of the reimbursement. • The amount recognized for the reimbursement shall not exceed the amount of the provision. GOVT ACCTG & ACCTG FOR NPOs by: Z.B.Millan APPLICATION OF CONCEPTS PROBLEM 12-3: FOR CLASSROOM DISCUSSION GOVT ACCTG & ACCTG FOR NPOs by: Z.B.Millan QUESTIONS???? REACTIONS!!!!! GOVT ACCTG & ACCTG FOR NPOs by: Z.B.Millan END GOVT ACCTG & ACCTG FOR NPOs by: Z.B.Millan