1. Presentation of Financial Statements [Ind AS 1]
- Breach of loan covenants (including classification of liabilities into current and non-current)
Ind AS 1- Due to COVID-19 there may be instances of breach of loan covenants which may trigger the liability becoming due for payment and liability becoming current. However, as per paragraph 74 of Ind AS 1, such a liability shall not be classified as current, if the lender agreed, after the reporting period and before the approval of the financial statements for issue, not to demand payment as a consequence of the breach.
- Sources of estimation uncertainty under Ind AS 1
Paragraph 125 of Ind AS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements, requires an entity to disclose information about the assumptions it makes about the future, and other major sources of estimation of uncertainty at the end of the reporting period, that have a significant risk of resulting in a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year. COVID-19 may have created many uncertainties about the likely future scenarios which may affect the estimations of amounts recognised in the balance sheet as of reporting date. Entities shall be guided by the prescriptions in paragraphs 125 to 133 of Ind AS 1.
- Comparative information
Ind AS 1 requires presentation of minimum comparative information. Framework for the preparation and presentation of financial statements under Ind AS considers comparability as an important qualitative characteristic of financial statements. The Framework requires that users must be able to compare the financial statements of an entity through time in order to identify trends in its financial position and performance and also compare it with financial statements of other entities. COVID-19 may have affected the financial performance and financial position of entities. Therefore, preparers may consider making adequate disclosures and explanatory notes regarding the impact of COVID 19 on its financial position, performance and cash flows.
2. Consolidated Financial Statements [Ind AS 110 / AS 21]
Ind AS 110 prescribe that the financial statements of parent and subsidiaries used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are usually drawn upto the same date. It may be noted that in any case, the difference between the reporting dates should not be more than three months.
3. Property Plant and Equipment (PPE) [Ind AS 16/ AS 10]
Ind AS 16 and AS 10 require that useful life and residual life of PPE needs revision in annual basis. Due to COVID-19, PPE can remain under-utilized or not utilized for a period of time. It may be noted that the standards require depreciation charge even if the PPE remains idle. Further, COVID-19 impact may have affected the expected useful life and residual life of PPE.
The management may review the residual value and the useful life of an asset due to COVID 19 and, if expectations differ from previous estimates, it is appropriate to account for the change(s) as an accounting estimate in accordance with Ind AS 8, Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors and AS 5, Net Profit or Loss for the Period, Prior Period Items and Changes in Accounting Policies.
4. Borrowing Costs [Ind AS 23 / AS 16]
Above standards require that the capitalisation of interest is suspended when development of an asset is suspended. The management may consider this aspect while evaluating the impact of COVID-19.
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