Whats the difference between full consolidation and equity method of accounting?

Question

In brief.
Exam tomorrow.
Thanks.

Answer 1

You consolidate subsidiaries while you apply equity accounting to the results of associates. In consolidation you have to go the whole hog, eliminating interco. balances as well as transactions, etc.

Consolidation Procedures
Intragroup balances, transactions, income, and expenses should be eliminated in full. Intragroup losses may indicate that an impairment loss on the related asset should be recognised. [IAS 27.24-25]

The financial statements of the parent and its subsidiaries used in preparing the consolidated financial statements should all be prepared as of the same reporting date, unless it is impracticable to do so. [IAS 27.26] If it is impracticable a particular subsidiary to prepare its financial statements as of the same date as its parent, adjustments must be made for the effects of significant transactions or events that occur between the dates of the subsidiary's and the parent's financial statements. And in no case may the difference be more than three months. [IAS 27.27]

Consolidated financial statements must be prepared using uniform accounting policies for like transactions and other events in similar circumstances. [IAS 27.28]

Minority interests should be presented in the consolidated balance sheet within equity, but separate from the parent's shareholders' equity. Minority interests in the profit or loss of the group should also be separately presented. [IAS 27.33]

Where losses applicable to the minority exceed the minority interest in the equity of the relevant subsidiary, the excess, and any further losses attributable to the minority, are charged to the group unless the minority has a binding obligation to, and is able to, make good the losses. Where excess losses have been taken up by the group, if the subsidiary in question subsequently reports profits, all such profits are attributed to the group until the minority's share of losses previously absorbed by the group has been recovered. [IAS 27.35]

Applying the Equity Method of Accounting
Basic principle. Under the equity method of accounting, an equity investment is initially recorded at cost and is subsequently adjusted to reflect the investor's share of the net profit or loss of the associate. [IAS 28.11]

Distributions and other adjustments to carrying amount. Distributions received from the investee reduce the carrying amount of the investment. Adjustments to the carrying amount may also be required arising from changes in the investee's equity that have not been included in the income statement (for example, revaluations). [IAS 28.11]

Potential voting rights. Although potential voting rights are considered in deciding whether significant influence exists, the investor's share of profit or loss of the investee and of changes in the investee's equity is determined on the basis of present ownership interests. It should not reflect the possible exercise or conversion of potential voting rights. [IAS 28.12]

Implicit goodwill and fair value adjustments. On acquisition of the investment in an associate, any difference (whether positive or negative) between the cost of acquisition and the investor's share of the fair values of the net identifiable assets of the associate is accounted for like goodwill in accordance with IFRS 3, Business Combinations. Appropriate adjustments to the investor's share of the profits or losses after acquisition are made to account for additional depreciation or amortisation of the associate's depreciable or amortisable assets based on the excess of their fair values over their carrying amounts at the time the investment was acquired. Any goodwill shown as part of the carrying amount of the investment in the associate is no longer amortised but instead tested annually for impairment in accordance with IFRS 3. [IAS 28.23]

Discontinuing the equity method. Use of the equity method should cease from the date that significant influence ceases. The carrying amount of the investment at that date should be regarded as a new cost basis. [IAS 28.18-19]

Transactions with associates. If an associate is accounted for using the equity method, unrealised profits and losses resulting from upstream (associate to investor) and downstream (investor to associate) transactions should be eliminated to the extent of the investor's interest in the associate. However, unrealised losses should not be eliminated to the extent that the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. [IAS 28.22]

Date of associate's financial statements. In applying the equity method, the investor should use the financial statements of the associate as of the same date as the financial statements of the investor unless it is impracticable to do so. [IAS 28.24] If it impracticable, the most recent available financial statements of the associate should be used, with adjustments made for the effects of any significant transactions or events occurring between the accounting period ends. However, the difference between the reporting date of the associate and that of the investor cannot be longer than three months. [IAS 28.25]

Associate's accounting policies. If the associate uses accounting policies that differ from those of the investor, the associate's financial statements should be adjusted to reflect the investor's accounting policies for the purpose of applying the equity method. [IAS 28.27]

Losses in excess of investment. If an investor's share of losses of an associate equals or exceeds its "interest in the associate", the investor discontinues recognising its share of further losses. The "interest in an associate" is the carrying amount of the investment in the associate under the equity method together with any long-term interests that, in substance, form part of the investor's net investment in the associate. [IAS 28.29] After the investor's interest is reduced to zero, additional losses are recognised by a provision (liability) only to the extent that the investor has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate. If the associate subsequently reports profits, the investor resumes recognising its share of those profits only after its share of the profits equals the share of losses not recognised. [IAS 28.30]

Impairment. The impairment indicators in IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, apply to investments in associates. [IAS 28.31] If impairment is indicated, the amount is calculated by reference to IAS 36, Impairment of Assets. [IAS 28.33] The recoverable amount of an investment in an associate is assessed for each individual associate, unless the associate does not generate cash flows independently. [IAS 28.34]

Answer 2

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RE:
Whats the difference between full consolidation and equity method of accounting?
In brief.
Exam tomorrow.
Thanks.

Answer 3

That's a good question

Answer 4

Not sure how to answer this one