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| STATES OF JERSEY r ACCOUNTING STANDARDS TO BE ADOPTED FOR THE STATES OF JERSEY'S ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2019 |
| Presented to the States on 19th March 2020 by the Minister for Treasury and Resources |
| STATES GREFFE |
2020 R.24
2
REPORT
- Introduction
The Public Finances Manual sets out the accounting standards to be adopted in preparation of the States of Jersey financial statements. The Jersey Financial Reporting Manual is published by the Minister for Treasury and Resources and presented to the States each year. This policy sets out the proposed model for implementing the accounting standards to be used in the preparation of the States' annual financial statements, and the process for updating these accounting standards.
- Maintaining Accounting Standards
The Minister's policy is to require the States of Jersey accounting records to be maintained and accounts prepared in accordance with IFRS GAAP, modified for the Jersey public sector.
The Minister recognises that accounting standards are not fixed, that they evolve over time, and also that the implementation of new standards in the public sector context can be a complex and resource-hungry exercise.
The Minister's policy, therefore, is to update the accounting standards adopted by the States on an annual basis.
The Minister intends to follow those standards adopted by the UK Government in their annually updated Financial Reporting Manual. The implementation of new accounting standards can be complex and resource-intensive; there are obvious benefits to a small jurisdiction such as Jersey in learning from others and not being at the cutting-edge of such implementations. The Minister intends to adopt the standards implemented by the UK central government with a one-year delay. Therefore, it is the Minister's policy that the Jersey FReM for 2019 will adopt IFRS in line with the UK FReM for the year ending March 2018.
As with the preparation of the initial JFReM, new standards introduced in the UK FReM may require some modification for the States of Jersey. The Minister intends to continue to consult the Comptroller and Auditor General and Audit Committee on all significant amendments to the JFReM before implementing them.
R.24/2020
Jersey Financial Reporting Manual
Version 11.0
Based on UK FReM 2017-18
Date 16 March 2020
Chapter 1 Contents
- Objectives and scope of the Manual .............................................. 3
- Using the Manual ........................................................................... 3
- Budgetary Controls ........................................................................ 3
- The Financial Reporting Manual is the technical accounting guide to the preparation of financial statements for the States of Jersey. It is complemented by guidance issued by the Treasurer of the States such as Financial Directions and the Capital Accounting Manual. The Manual is based on the UK Treasury Financial Reporting Manual, adapted for States of Jersey specific situations.
- The FReM applies directly to entities defined in Chapter 4 whose accounts are required to be consolidated in the accounts of the States of Jersey.
- The principles underlying the application of accounting standards set out in this Manual may also be applied to other funds and accounts within the Jersey public sector. The Manual does not, however, consider the accounting requirements of these funds and accounts any further.
- This Manual applies EU adopted IFRS and Interpretations in effect for accounting periods commencing on or before 1 January 2017.
- The Manual provides guidance on the application of IFRS, adapted and interpreted for the public sector context. In particular, when preparing the Accounts, the following should be noted:
- in accordance with IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors, accounting policies set out in IFRSs need not be applied when the effect of applying them is immaterial;
- in accordance with IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements, applying the concept of materiality means that a specific disclosure requirement in a Standard or in an Interpretation need not be satisfied if the information is not material (disclosures should be limited to those necessary for an understanding of the entity's circumstances)[1]; and
- for the avoidance of doubt, there is no need to develop accounting policies, or provide disclosure notes, in relation to accounting standards that do not apply to the States of Jersey's circumstances or are immaterial. However, additional commentary maybe provided if helpful to the user and could be in the accounting policy note or next to an individual disclosure note.
- In addition the format and content of financial statements need to meet the information needs of the users of those financial statements.
- Guidance will be issued to assist entities in applying the Financial Reporting Manual.
- Accounting policies are generally common to both accounting and budgeting.
- In selecting relevant accounting policies (see chapter 2), the States should have regard to budgetary and control requirements, but should give paramount importance to the need for financial statements to give a true and fair view.
Chapter 2 Contents
Accounting convention ..........................................................................................5 No exemptions for smaller entities .......................................................................5 Practical application of guidance ...........................................................................6
Legal Responsibility for the preparation of Financial Statements .........................6
IASB's Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting (the Conceptual
Financial statements must give a true and fair view .............................................7
- The accounting policies contained in this Manual follow generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to the extent that it is meaningful and appropriate in the public sector context. Although the term GAAP' has no statutory or regulatory authority, for the purposes of this Manual, GAAP is taken to be:
- the accounting and disclosure requirements of the Companies Act 2006 of the United Kingdom (the UK Companies Act);
- pronouncements by or endorsed by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), including the Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements, the accounting standards – international accounting statements (IAS) and international financial reporting standards (IFRS) – and interpretations thereof issued by the Standards Interpretations Committee (SIC) or its successor, the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC);
- the body of accumulated knowledge built up over time and promulgated in (for example) textbooks, technical journals and research papers.
- For clarity, pronouncements as described in b) above are as reflected in the 2017-18 Financial Reporting Manual issued byHM Treasury (the UK FReM'). The States of Jersey therefore applies all such pronouncements as were relevant and effective at the date of issue of the UK FReM.
- For the purposes of accounting by the entities covered by this Manual, GAAP is taken to mean primarily those items listed under (a), and (b) above, interpreted as necessary in the light of the body of accumulated knowledge under (c). References throughout the manual aremade to the UK Companies Act. Although the States of Jersey is not required to comply with this legislation it has chosen to consider its requirements as best practice and comply with those requirements which it considers relevant.
- In addition to the general principles underlying GAAP, entities covered by the requirements of this Manual need to apply two additional principles – political accountability and regularity. These principles are explained in the context of the States of Jersey in the separate Financial Directions/Public Finance Manual (from 1 Jan 2020).
- Financial statements should be prepared under the historical cost convention, modified by the revaluation of certain assets and liabilities to fair value as determined by the relevant accounting standards, subject to the interpretations and adaptations of those standards in this Manual.
No exemptions for smaller entities
- The International Financial Reporting Standard for Small and Medium-sized Entities brings together those accounting standards and requirements that are applicable to small and medium-sized entities. Adoption is not available toany entity covered by the requirements of this Manual.
Practical application of guidance
- The following chapters refer to practical guidance on the application of GAAP where the Treasurer of the States feels that such guidance will assist in preparing the financial statements. The Treasurer of the States will provide additional guidance on request.
Legal Responsibility for the preparation of Financial Statements
- The Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019, states the following:
37 Annual financial statements
The Treasurer must, within 3 months of the end of a financial year –
- prepare a financial statement in respect of the accounts of the States for that financial year; and
- send the statement to the Comptroller and Auditor General for auditing.
IASB's Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting (the Conceptual Framework)
- The Conceptual Framework sets out the principles that the IASB believes should underlie the preparation and presentation of general purpose financial statements. In particular, preparers should be familiar with the objective of financial statements, which is to provide financial information about the reporting entity or reportable activity that is useful to existing and potential investors, lenders and other creditors in making decisions about providing resources to it. For the States of Jersey the objective of the financial statements is also to provide information about its financial position, financial performance, changes in financial position and cash flows that is useful to a wide range of users to permit them to assess the stewardship and accountability of management for the resources entrusted to them.
- Thekey users of the information in the financial statements of the States of Jersey are the States Assembly. Other users include the Corporate Strategy Board, the States of Jersey Risk and Audit Committee and the taxpayer.
- In presenting information in their financial statements, preparers should also be familiar with the:
- underlying assumption (financial statements shall be prepared on a going concern basis);
- qualitative characteristics of financial statements;
- elements of financial statements;
- recognition of the elements of financial statements; and
- measurement of the elements of financial statements.
- The Conceptual Framework notes that financial statements cannot meet all the information needs of users, who may need to consider pertinent information from other sources. However, the provision of financial statements that meet the requirements of the States Assembly will also meet most of the needs of other users.
Financial statements must give a true and fair view
- Financial statements prepared in accordance with the requirements of this Manual:
- should give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the States of Jersey at the end of the financial year and of the results for the year; and
- where, in exceptional circumstances, the Treasurer of the States concludes that compliance with a requirement in the JFReM would be so misleading that it would conflict with the objective of the financial statements set out in the Framework it shall depart from that requirement following the principles set out at paragraphs 20-24 of IAS 1. Particulars of any departure, the reasons for it and its effects should be disclosed in the financial statements.
- The Treasurer of the States and Minister for Treasury and Resources should not provide approval unless they are satisfied that the accounts give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and net income or expenditure of the entity, and where relevant, of the group.
Chapter 3 Contents
3.1 The Statement of Outturn against Approvals ................................. 9
Introduction ...........................................................................................................9 The Statement of Outturn against Approvals ........................................................9 The Notes to the Statement of Outturn against Approvals ...................................9
3.1 The Statement of Outturn against Approvals
- This section of the chapter explains the Statement of Outturn against Approvals. Approvals refer to:
- amounts of income from taxation intended to be raised approved by the States in the Budget Statement;
- appropriations to revenue heads or capital heads of expenditure approved by the States in the Medium Term Financial Plan or Budget Statement, after any amendments approved in accordance with the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005/2019. Under the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005/2019, the approval by the States of a revenue or capital head of expenditure authorises the body to withdraw amounts not exceeding that approval from the consolidated fund; and
- estimates of States Trading Operations approved by the States in the Medium Term Financial Plan or Budget Statement.
The Statement of Outturn against Approvals
- The Statement of Outturn against Approvals is the States' accountability statement. It reports the following to the States:
- a comparison of outturn against the approval for each head of expenditure (or equivalent) for both net revenue expenditure, and capital expenditure;
- a reconciliation of the revenue outturn to net revenue expenditure disclosed in the Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure; and
- a statement showing the unallocated consolidated fund balance at the end of the financial year.
- Explanations of variances between the Approval and outturn should be given in the Management Commentary and any accompanying reports and information.
The Notes to the Statement of Outturn against Approvals
- The Statement of Outturn against Approvals is supported by Notes to the Statement. The following information must be given in the supporting notes, however some detail may be included as an annex to the supporting notes.
Note a) Analysis of net revenue expenditure outturn
- This note analyses the net revenue expenditure outturn against approval as follows:
- Net General Revenue Incomeby income line as presented in Summary Table A of the Budget Statement, against the Estimate.
- Near cash net revenue expenditure outturn for the Consolidated Fund byhead of expenditure, comparing the net total outturn for each head of expenditure with the Approval.
- Non-cash net revenue expenditure outturn for the Consolidated Fund byhead of expenditure, comparing the net total outturn for each head of expenditure with the Approval.
- Net revenue expenditure outturn for each Trading Operation, comparing the net total outturn for each operation with the Estimate.
- A brief explanation of the reasons for significant variances between approvals and outturn should be given in the Management Commentary and any accompanying information to the Accounts.
Note b) Analysis of capital expenditure outturn
- This note analyses the capital expenditure outturn against approval as follows:
- Capital expenditure outturn for the Consolidated Fund by head of expenditure, comparing the net total outturn for each head of expenditure with the Approval.
- Capital expenditure outturn for Trading Operations by project, comparing the net total outturn for each project with the Estimate.
Other notes relating to Political accountability
- In addition to the requirements for notes supporting the Statement of Outturn against Approvals the States should also disclose in notes to the accounts:
- the names of any public sector bodies outside the group boundary for which the States had lead policy responsibility in the year, together with a description of their status (for example, trading fund or public corporation);
- a brief description of the nature of material remote contingent liabilities (that is, those that are disclosed under political reporting requirements and not under IAS
37) and, where practical, an estimate of its financial effect;
- a statement of losses, special and other payments; and
- gifts made over £10,000.
- Departments should note these disclosures will be subject to an audit opinion as described in 5.3.3.
Chapter 4 Contents
- Accounting boundaries .................................................................12
- Business Combinations .................................................................13
Accounting boundaries
- The States of Jersey shall prepare an annual report and consolidated financial statements (as defined in Chapter 5) covering all entities within its consolidation boundary.
- The group boundary is similar to the concept of a group under generally accepted accounting practice, but it is based on direct control. Direct control will normally be evidenced by the States, Council of Ministers or a Minister exercising in year control over operating practices, income, expenditure, assets or liabilities of the entity.
- The following principles are to be applied when considering whether an entity is within or without the group boundary:
- Entities which are under the direct control of the States, Council of Ministers, a Minister or Corporate Management Board for reasons of the proper governance of the Island's affairs, the realisation of value for the States' interests or the management of the States' liabilities shall be considered within the group boundary. The States considers that it has direct control over the subsidiary companies being States of Jersey Development Company, Andium Homes Limited and Ports of Jersey Limited and as such they are deemed to be within the group boundary.
- Entities which are not under the direct control of the States, Council of Ministers, a Minister or Corporate Management Board for similar reasons shall not be considered within the group boundary.
- The operation of the Common Investment Fund (the CIF') as an administrative arrangement is under the direct control of the States. However, in the States of Jersey consolidated financial statements, only the proportion of the CIF which relates to participant entities within the group boundary will be consolidated.
- Trust funds (including bequest funds) shall be outside of the States of Jersey accounting boundary.
- Where one entity has an investment in a second entity that does not meet the criteria for consolidation, it should be treated as an investment in the States of Jersey consolidated financial statements. Investments in other entities should beaccounted for following the requirements of IAS 39. For clarity: the States does not have direct control of the following entities which are accounted for as Strategic Investments:
- JT Group Limited;
- Jersey Post International Limited;
- Jersey Electricity plc; and
- Jersey New Waterworks Company Limited.
- For the purposes of applying the principles of consolidation, the States of Jersey will be the parent entity in the consolidated financial statements. The States of Jersey will present consolidated financial statements for the entire accounting boundary, and for the core departments in order to meet reporting obligations as detailed in 5.4.3, but not the primary statements and notes of the parent entity. The financial statements of all entities whose results areto be consolidated will generally have the same accounting reference date.
Applicability
- IFRS 3 excludes from its scope business combinations involving entities or businesses under common control. Public sector bodies within the Statest of Jersey accounting boundary are deemed to be under common control. The combination of two or more public sector bodies within the Accounting Boundary into one new body, or the transfer of functions from the responsibility of one part of the public sector to another, will be accounted for as either a Transfer by Merger or as a Transfer by Absorption as detailed below.
- For the purposes of this manual, a function is defined as an identifiable business operation with an integrated set of activities and recognised assets and/or liabilities that are capable of being conducted and managed to achieve the objectives of that business operation.
- IFRS 3 applies to all combinations involving an entity or entities within the accounting boundary with an entity outside the Accounting Boundary.
- When a business combination has been incorrectly reported bypreparers, IAS 8 should be applied in determining whether it is necessary to adjust retrospectively for material errors, as set out in Chapter 2 of this Manual. Any prospective change to an entity's reporting boundary where the business combination is not under common control should apply IFRS 3 in full.
Transfer by Merger or Transfer by Absorption
- The accounting treatment for transfers of function under common control should be determined by aligning the reporting with the accountability for financial performance.The underlying objective is to ensure the financial reporting supports the accountability for the transferring function, and to do so in a symmetrical way to ensure there is no transparency gap. As both entities will be within the Accounting Boundary there will be no effect on the consolidated financial statements.
- Under a Transfer by Merger, the carrying value of the assets and liabilities of the combining bodies or functions are not adjusted to fair value on consolidation. The results and cash flows of all the combining bodies (or functions) should be brought into the financial statements of the combined body from the beginning of the financial year in which the combination occurred. Restatement of comparatives including that of the results for all the combining bodies (or functions) for the previous period, should be provided in accordance with IAS 1 as interpreted by this manual. Comparatives should be adjusted as necessary to achieve uniformity of accounting policies and consistency of presentation.
- Under a Transfer by Absorption the carrying value of the assets and liabilities of the combining bodies or functions are not adjusted to fair value on consolidation. There should be no recognition of goodwill and no restatement of comparatives in the primary financial statements. The recorded amounts of net assets should be brought into the financial statements of the transferee from the date of transfer. The net asset/liability carrying value should be recorded at carrying value. Revaluation reserves should be transferred in full, with the remaining balance transferred to the accumulated reserve.
Disclosure
- An entity that receives a transfer of functions should be disclosed in the Accounts and accompanying information that the transfer has taken place (including a brief description of the transferred function), giving the date of the transfer, the name of the transferring body and the effect on the financial statements. Where accounted for as a Transfer by Absorption, the reporting entity should applyjudgment as to whether the additional disclosure of financial performance of the function should be provided, to enable users to understand the operation performance.
- An entity that transfers functions to another entity should provide the same information about the transfer in the Accounts and accompanying information.
Other requirements
- Transfers of non-current assets that are not part of a transfer of functions should be transferred at fair value following the fair value measures in IFRS 3. Where a States Decision specifies the value that should be used for such a transfer, this will be used instead (for example the Protocols for the Transfer of assets to and from the States of Jersey Development Company included in P.73/2010).
5 Form and content of the annual report and
accounts
Chapter 5 Contents
Scope of the performance report ........................................................................17 Overview ..............................................................................................................18 Performance analysis ...........................................................................................18
Scope of the accountability report ......................................................................19 Corporate governance report ..............................................................................19 Remuneration and staff report ............................................................................21 Political accountability and Audit report .............................................................23
Introduction .........................................................................................................24 Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure ...................................................24 Statement of Financial Position ...........................................................................24 Statement of Cash Flows .....................................................................................24 Statement of Changes in Equity...........................................................................25 Notes to the accounts ..........................................................................................25 Entities within the departmental boundary ........................................................27 Annex to Financial Statements ............................................................................27
- This chapter sets out the requirements for the format and content of the annual reports and accounts of the States of Jersey, incorporating the entities covered by the requirements of this Manual. The annual report and accounts includes:
- the Performance Report (section 5.2);
- the Accountability Report (section 5.3); and
- the Primary Financial Statements and notes (section 5.4).
- Reporting entities that comply with this Manual and are not incorporated as companies will apply chapters 4, 5 and 6 of Part 15 of the UK Companies Act 2006, plus associated statutory instruments, with interpretation for the public sector context. The remaining chapters of Part 15 will not apply.
- Guidance on the requirements for a Statement of Outturn against Approvals is set out in Chapter 3.
- If the States wishes to publish a document additional to its annual report and accounts that contains supplementary material including summary financial information it should comply with the requirements of section 426 of the UK Companies Act 2006, as amended by SI1970 (2013). Thesummary data must not be published in advance of the full annual report and accounts where this summary data refers to audited financial information.
Scope of the performance report
- The purpose of the performance section of the annual report is to provide information on the entity, its main objectives and strategies and the principal risks that it faces. The requirements of the performance report are based on the matters required to be dealt with in a Strategic Report as set out in Chapter 4A of Part 15 of the UK Companies Act 2006. The requirements of the Companies Act 2006 have been adapted for the public sector context.
- The performance report must provide a fair, balance and understandable analysis of the entity's performance, in line with the overarching requirement for the annual report and accounts as a whole to be fair, balance and understandable (paragraph 0 of this manual).
- Auditors will review the performance report for consistency with other information in the financial statements.
- The performance report is required to have two sections: an Overview' and a Performance analysis'.
- The purpose of the Overview' is to give the user a short (no more than 10 to 15 pages) summary that provides them with sufficient information to understand the organisation, its purpose, thekey risks to the achievement to of its objectives and how it has performed during the year. The Overview should be enough for the lay user to have no need to look into the rest of the annual report and accounts unless they were interested in further detail or had specific accountability or decision making needs to be met.
- As a guide, the Overview should include the below although it could also be captured elsewhere in the Performance Report:
- A short summary explaining the purpose of the overview section;
- A statement from the Minister for Treasury and Resources providing their perspective on the performance of the Government/States of Jersey over the period;
- A statement of the purpose and activities of the Government/States of Jersey including in respect of a brief description of the business model and environment, organisational structure, objectives and strategies;
- The key issues and risks that could affect the Government/States of Jersey in delivering its objectives; and
- A performance summary.
- The purpose of the Performance analysis' is for entities to provide a detailed performance summary of how their entity measures its performance, more detailed integrated performance analysis and long term expenditure trend analysis where appropriate.
- As a minimum, the Performance analysis must include:
- Information on how the entity measures performance i.e. what the entity sees as its key performance measures, how it checks performance against those measures and narrative to explain the link between KPIs, risk and uncertainty;
- A more detailed analysis and explanation of the development and performance of the entity during the year and an explanation of the relationships and linkages between different pieces of information. This analysis is required to utilise a wide range of data including key financial information from the financial statements section of the accounts; and
- Non-financial information including, for example, social matters, respect for human rights, anticorruption and anti-bribery matters;
- Reporting entities are expected to provide information on environmental matters including the impact of the entity's business on the environment. Entities must also comply with mandatory sustainability reporting requirements. It is envisaged that such reporting will be integral throughout the annual report and accounts and not a separate standalone report.
Scope of the accountability report
- The purpose of the accountability section of the annual report is to meetkey accountability requirements to the States Assembly. The requirements of the accountability report are based on the matters required to be dealt with in a Directors' Report, as set out in Chapter 5 of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 and Schedule 7 of SI 2008 No 410, and in a Remuneration Report, as set out in Chapter 6 of the Companies Act 2006 and Schedule 8 of SI 2008 No 410.
- The requirements of the Companies Act 2006 have been adapted for the public sector context and only need to be followed by entities which are not companies to the extent that theyare incorporated into this Manual.
- Auditors will review the accountability report for consistency with other information in the financial statements and will provide an opinion on the following disclosures which should clearly be identified as audited within the accountability report:
- the Statement of Outturns against Approvals and any accompanying notes, including any notes reported in an accompanying report to the financial statements;
- Regularity of expenditure;
- Disclosures of political accountability as detailed in 3.1.8;
- Single total figure of remuneration for each minister and director;
- CETV disclosures for each minister and director;
- Payments to past directors, if relevant;
- Payments for loss of office, if relevant;
- Fair pay disclosures;
- Exit packages, (if relevant); and
- Analysis of staff costs.
- The accountability report shall be signed and dated by the Treasurer of the States.
- The accountability report is required to have three sections: a Corporate Governance Report, a Remuneration and Staff Report, and a Political Accountability and Audit Report. Entities should provide a short overview of these sections and explain how they contribute to the entity's accountability to the States Assembly and best practice corporate governance norms and codes.
- The purpose of the corporate governance report is to explain the composition and organisation of the States' governance structures and how they support the achievement of the States' objectives.
- As a minimum, the corporate governance report must include:
- The directors' report
- The governance statement
- The directors' report must include the following, unless disclosed elsewhere in the responsibility for the department during the year;
- the ministerial titles and names of all ministers who had responsibility for the States during the year;
- thename of the chief executive unless disclosed elsewhere in the annual report;
- the composition of the management board (including advisory and non- executive members) having authority or responsibility for directing or controlling the major activities of the States during the year. This means those who influence the decisions of the States as a whole rather than the decisions of individual directorates or sections within the reporting entity;
- details of company directorships and other significant interests held by members of the management board which may conflict with their management responsibilities. Where a Register of Interests is available online, a web link may be provided instead of a detailed disclosure in the annual report; and
- information on personal data related incidents where these have been formally reported to the information commissioner's office.
For the remainder of the manual, individuals described in bullets b) to c) above are referred to as directors.
Statement of Accountable Officer's responsibilities
- The Treasurer of the States should explain his/her responsibility for preparing the financial statements. The Statement should be positioned as part of the Accountability report.
- The Treasurer of the States is required to confirm that, as far as he or she is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the States of Jersey's auditors are unaware, and the Treasurer of the States has taken all the steps that he or she ought to have taken tomake himself or herself aware of any relevant information to establish that the States of Jersey's auditors are aware of that information.
Governance statement
- The Chief Executive and the Treasurer of the States shall prepare a Governance Statement. They should refer to guidance in Financial Directions/Public Finances Manual published separately by the Treasurer of the States for Governance Statements. Reference should also be made to the governance structure in place for the States of Jersey.
- Accountable Officers of all entities covered by the requirements of this Manual shall prepare a Governance Statement. Entities should refer to guidance in Financial Directions published separately by the Treasurer of the States for Governance Statements. In preparing the statement, the Accountable Officer should reflect the particular circumstances in which the entity operates, and adapt the statement accordingly. These statements should not be included in full in the financial statements but will be kept on record by the Treasury.
- The Chief Executive and the Treasurer of the States shall sign and date the Governance Statement.
- The remuneration and staff report sets out the entity's remuneration policy for directors, reports on how that policy has been implemented and sets out the amounts awarded to directors and where relevant the link between performance and remuneration.
- In addition the report provides details on remuneration and staff that the States Assembly and other users see as key to accountability.
- There is a presumption that information about named individuals will be given in all circumstances and all disclosures in the remuneration report will be consistent with those in the financial statements. Non-disclosure is acceptable only where publication would:
- prejudice the rights, freedom or legitimate interest of the individual;
- cause or be likely to cause substantial damage or substantial distress to the individual or another, and that damage or distress would be unwarranted,
- be in breach of any confidentiality agreement; or
- affect national security or where an individual may be at risk if his or her name is disclosed.
- In other cases, it would be for the staff member to make a case for non-disclosure which should be considered by the employer on a case-by-case basis. Where non-disclosure is agreed, the fact that certain disclosure has been omitted should be disclosed.
Remuneration policy
- The States' policy on the remuneration of directors for the current and future years must be disclosed.
Single total figure of remuneration for each minister and director
- Each component of remuneration should be disclosed for each minister and director, in addition to the overall single total remuneration for each individual. This excludes Social Security contributions.
- The following interpretations apply:
- Salaries and allowances – should be disclosed in bands of £5,000 for officials and actual amounts for ministers. Salary and allowances covers both pensionable and non- pensionable amounts and includes, but may not necessarily be confined to: gross salaries; overtime; recruitment and retention allowances; private-office allowances or other allowances to the extent they are subject to taxation and any severance or ex-gratia payments. It does not include amounts which are a reimbursement of expenses directly incurred in the performance of an individual's duties;
- Performance pay or bonuses payable – should be separately reported from salaries, in bands of £5,000;
- Non-cash benefits – the estimated value of non-cash benefits (benefits in kind) should be disclosed to the nears £100;
- Accrued pension benefits – the value of pensions accrued during the year is calculated as (the real increase in pension multiplied by 20) plus (the real increase inany lump sum) less (the contributions madeby the individual). Thereal increases exclude increases due
to inflation or any increase or decreases due to a transfer of pension rights. Accrued pension benefits will be disclosed in bands of £5,000.
Pension entitlements for each minister and director
- Entities must disclose the pension entitlements for each minister and director to include:
- the real increase during the reporting year in the pension and (if applicable) related lump sum at pension age in bands of £5,000;
- the value at the end of the reporting year of the accrued pension and (if applicable) related lump sum at pension age in bands of £5,000;
- the value of the cash equivalent transfer value at the beginning of the reporting year to the nearest £1,000;
- the real increase in the cash equivalent transfer value during the reporting year, to the nearest £1,000; and
- the value of the cash equivalent transfer value at the end of the reporting year to the nearest £1,000.
Compensation on early retirement or loss of office
- If a payment for compensation on early retirement for loss of office (paid or receivable) has been made under the terms of legislation or an approved Compensation Scheme, the fact that such a payment has been made should be disclosed, including a description of the compensation payment and details of the total amounts paid (the cost to be used must include any top-up to compensation provided by the employer to buy out the actuarial reduction on an individual's pension).
Payments to past directors
- Entities must provide details of any payments made to any person (minister or officials) who was not a director at the time the payment was made, but who had been a director of the entity previously, unless already disclosed within a previous directors' remuneration report, the current year single total remuneration disclosure or within the disclosure of compensation for early retirement or loss of office. Only payments of regular pension benefits which commenced in previous years and payments in respect of employment for the entity other than as a director may be excluded.
Fair pay disclosure
- Entities must disclose the following information together with prior year comparatives:
- The median remuneration of the reporting entity's staff. This is based on annualised, full-time equivalent remuneration of all staff (excluding temporary and agency staff) as at the reporting date;
- The range of staff remuneration;
- The ratio between the median staff remuneration and the mid-point of the banded remuneration of the highest paid director; and
- An explanation for any significant changes in the ratio between the current and prior year.
Staff report
- Number of senior civil service staff (or equivalent);
- Staff numbers and costs – an analysis of staff costs and numbers distinguishing between:
- Staff in a permanent employment contract;
- Other staff engaged on objectives of the States, such as short-term contract staff or agency staff. Where the number of staff under any one subset of "other staff" is significant, that subset should be separately disclosed; and
- Staff composition – including an analysis of the number of persons of each sex who were directors, senior civil servants (or equivalent) and employees;
- Staff policies applied during the financial year:
- For giving full and fair consideration to applications for employment by the company made by disabled persons, having regard to their particular aptitudes and abilities;
- For continuing the employment of, and for arranging appropriate training for, employees of the company who have become disabled persons during the period when they were employed by the company;
- Otherwise for the training, career development and promotion of disabled persons employed by the company.
- Other employee matters – such as, other diversity issues and equal treatment in employment and occupation; employment issues including employee consultation and/or participation; health and safety at work; trade union relationships; and human capital management such as career management and employability, paypolicy etc.;
- Expenditure on consultancy;
- Exit packages; and
- States member's remuneration.
Political accountability Report
- The political accountability report brings together the key political accountability documents with the annual report and accounts. It comprises:
- Statement of Outturn against Approvals and supporting notes;
- Regularity of expenditure; and
- Political accountability disclosures as detailed in 3.1.8.
The Audit Report and the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
- The financial statements laid before the States shall include the report issued by the auditors appointed by the Comptroller and Auditor General, the certificate of the Comptroller and Auditor General and any report by the C&AG under Article 12(3) of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Jersey) Law 2014.
- This section of the chapter provides guidance on the format and content of the Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure, the Statement of Financial Position, the Statement of Changes in Equity and the Statement of Cash Flows, together with the relevant notes. This section sets requirements based on the UK Companies and details adaptations and interpretations of the following accounting standards that provide guidance on the formats of, and disclosures in, financial statements:
IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements; IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows;
IAS 10 Events after the Reporting Period; IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures; and IFRS 8 Operating Segments.
- Other accounting standards, which are dealt with in other chapters of this Manual, might include disclosure requirements. Unless indicated otherwise, those disclosure requirements apply in full.
- Where group accounts are prepared IAS 1 is interpreted to require that the financial statements provide two columns, one showing the core departments and the other showing the group as a whole, where core departments are those subject to a regularity audit opinion and the entire group being all those within the group boundary for accounting purposes. Only the Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure shall be split in this way.
Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure
- IAS 1 requires entities to prepare a Statement of Comprehensive Income. This manual adapts IAS 1 as set out below
- The States of Jersey shall prepare a Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure. Row headings should be based on material sources of income and expenditure.
Statement of Financial Position
- IAS 1 requires entities to prepare a Statement of Financial Position and provides guidance on the minimum presentation required on the face of the statement of financial position.
- The Statement of Financial Position must be signed by the Treasurer of the States. Statement of Cash Flows
- IAS 7 sets out the requirements for the format of the Statement of Cash Flows.
- In reconciling the operating expenditure to operating cash flows, entities should exclude movements in debtors and creditors relating to items that do not pass through the Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure.
- In analysing capital expenditure and financial investment, entities should adjust for debtors and creditors relating to capital expenditure and those relating to loans issued to or repaid by other entities in the accounting boundary.
- In analysing financing, departments should adjust for debtors and creditors relating to the capital expenditure in respect of finance leases and on-balance sheet PFI contracts.
Statement of Changes in Equity
- IAS 1 requires entities to prepare a Statement of Changes in Equity. IAS 1 is interpreted for the public sector context such that the States of Jersey is required to present a Statement of Changes in Taxpayers' Equity following the format in IAS 1.
- The financing of public sector entities is ultimately tax-based and an IAS 1-based notion of capital does not apply.
- The notes to the financial statements provide additional detail to users onthe accounting policies of the entity and the numbers included in the core financial statements. Notes should only be included where additional information is material, i.e. where its omission or misstatement could influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial statements. In the public sector context, materiality can beby nature and contest as well as in value, and the decisions of users can be of a non-economic nature. Notes are not required where the information is immaterial to the user and this manual clearly notes that disclosures should be limited to those necessary for an understanding of the entity's circumstances. Entities should refer to the disclosure requirements in the International Financial reporting Standards unless adaptations and interpretations are detailed below.
Accounting policies
- The notes to the accounts must include a statement that the accounts have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adapted and interpreted by this Manual. Significant accounting policies should be disclosed particularly in the event of a change in policy or in relation to a material item.The accounting policy for a particular item within the financial statements maybe disclosed within the note for that item. Where an entity considers that additional information on accounting policies is necessary to assist users then this should be included in the accounting policies note or next toan individual disclosure note.
Operating Segments
- Entities should provide an analysis of its operating segments, products and services, the geographical areas in which they operate, and their major customers in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 8.
Expenditure
- Entities should provide an analysis of expenditure as recorded in the Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure in separate notes to the financial statements. This should include service charges under PFI contracts, the individual components of non-cash items, and an analysis of other significant expenditure items. A brief summary of staff costs should also be included with a reference to more detailed disclosures (per 5.3.25b) in the Accountability Report.
Cash and cash equivalents
- Entities shall disclose the opening position, the change in balances and the closing position separately for cash and cash equivalents.
Financial instruments
- Where the entity is exposed to material financial instrument risk the relevant IFRS 7 disclosures should be made. Particular emphasis should be placed on considering appropriate disclosure requirements relating to significant credit risk from receivables.
Commitments under PFI contracts
- Commitments under Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contracts will need to be disclosed. The Treasurer of the States will provide advice on a case bycase basis.
Information about related undertakings
- If not disclosed elsewhere in the annual report and accounts, entities shall disclose the name of each of its subsidiaries, or provide a web link to where this information is available.
Third party assets
- These are assets for which an entity acts as custodian or trustee but in which neither the entity nor government more generally has a direct beneficial interest. Third party assets are not public assets, and should not be recorded in the primary financial statements. Material third party assets should be disclosed. Where significant, the note should differentiate between:
- third party monies and listed securities: the minimum level of numerical disclosure required is a statement of closing balances at financial year-end. For listed securities, this will be the total market value. Optionally, when considered significant by the entity and at its discretion, further disclosures may be made, including gross inflows and outflows in the year and the number and types of securities held;
- third party physical assets and unlisted securities: disclosure may be by way of narrative note. For physical assets, the note should provide information on the asset categories involved. Such disclosure should be sufficient to give users of the financial statements an understanding of the extent to which third-party physical assets and unlisted securities are held by the entity; and
- in the event that third party monies are found to have been in a public bank account at the end of an accounting year, commentary should be included in the note on cash at bank and in hand and in the disclosures above on the amount of third party monies held in the bank account.
Grants and subsidies payments
- A note should analyse all grants and subsidies payments by entity. It should categorise all grants/subsidies, and should separately disclose grants/subsidies of £75,000 or more to any individual/organisation in the year. In the rare instances where disclosure of this detailed information would seriously prejudice the position of the States of Jersey, a general disclosure should be made, together with a reason why the detailed information has not been disclosed.
- Entities shall analyse trade and other receivables by type (as appropriate) as set out below:
- Income Tax Receivables and Accrued Income;
- GST Receivable and Accrued Income;
- Provision for taxation receivables;
- Trade receivables;
- Prepayments and accrued income;
- Other Receivables;
- Provision for non-taxation debtors; and
Trade and other payables
- The consolidated financial statements shall analyse payables by type (as appropriate) as set out below:
- trade payables;
- other payables;
- Income Tax receipts in advance
- accruals and deferred income;
- receipts in advance
- other headings as appropriate.
Currency in circulation
- A note should disclose the States liability in relation to currency in circulation, split between currency and coinage, including the balances held bythe States of Jersey.
Entities within the departmental boundary
- The States of Jersey should disclose in a note to the accounts a list of entities within the accounting boundary.
- A note including a Statement of Net Comprehensive Expenditure and Statement of Financial Position for each of the Social Security Fund, Health Insurance Fund, Social Security (Reserve) Fund, Long Term Care Fund and Jersey Dental Scheme should also be included.
6 Applicability of accounting standards
Chapter 6 Contents
- EU adopted IFRS .................................................................................... 29
- Interpretations and adaptations for the public sector context ............... 30
6.1.1 A list of EU adopted IFRS is shown in Table 6.1, together with a record or whether they have been adapted or interpreted for the public sector context in this Manual. All standards apply to all reportable activities and reporting entities applying this Manual to the extent that each standard is relevant to those activities and in the light of any statutory requirements or other pronouncements that might from time to time be made by the Treasurer of the States.
1 Table 6.1
International Standard | Applies without adaptation | Applies as interpreted for public sector | Applies as adapted for public sector |
IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of IFRS |
| • |
|
IFRS 2 Share-based Payments | • |
|
|
IFRS 3 Business Combinations |
| • |
|
IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts | • |
|
|
IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations |
| • |
|
IFRS 6 Mineral Resources | • |
|
|
IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures | • |
|
|
IFRS 8 Operating Segments | • |
|
|
IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements |
|
| • |
IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements |
|
| • |
IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities |
|
| • |
IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement[1] | • |
|
|
IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements |
| • |
|
IAS 2 Inventories |
| • |
|
IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows |
| • |
|
IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors | • |
|
|
IAS 10 Events after the Reporting Period |
| • |
|
IAS 11 Construction Contracts | • |
|
|
IAS 12 Income Taxes | • |
|
|
International Standard | Applies without adaptation | Applies as interpreted for public sector | Applies as adapted for public sector |
IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment |
| • | • |
IAS 17 Leases | • |
|
|
IAS 18 Revenue | • |
|
|
IAS 19 Employee Benefits |
| • |
|
IAS 20 Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance |
| • |
|
IAS 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates |
| • |
|
IAS 23 Borrowing Costs |
| • |
|
IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures |
| • | • |
IAS 26 Accounting and Reporting by Retirement Benefit Plans |
| • | • |
IAS 27 Separate Financial Statements |
|
| • |
IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures |
|
| • |
IAS 29 Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies |
| • |
|
IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation |
| • |
|
IAS 33 Earnings per Share | • |
|
|
IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting | • |
|
|
IAS 36 Impairment of Assets |
| • | • |
IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets |
| • | • |
IAS 38 Intangible Assets |
|
| • |
IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement |
| • |
|
IAS 40 Investment Property |
| • |
|
IAS 41 Agriculture | • |
|
|
6.2.1 Table 6.2 provides details of those adaptations and interpretations for the public sector context. Where an adaptation or interpretation to a standard results in an inconsistency with a related Interpretation issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) or Standards Interpretations Committee (SIC), the Interpretation is similarly adapted or interpreted. In all other cases, IFRIC and SIC Interpretations will apply in full.
Table 6.2
IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards | |
Interpretations | This Manual requires financial statements to be prepared under the historical cost convention, modified by the revaluation of assets and liabilities to fair value as determined by the relevant account standard, and so the elections available in IFRS 1.16, 17 and 18 are not relevant. |
IFRS 3 Business Combinations | |
Interpretations | IFRS 3 excludes from its scope business combinations involving entities or businesses under common control. Public sector bodies within the States of Jersey accounting boundary are deemed to be under common control. Therefore IFRS applies only to combinations involving an entity or entities within the accounting boundary with an entity outside the accounting boundary. Chapter 4 provides guidance on the accounting for a combination of two or more public sector bodies into one new body, or the transfer of functions from the responsibility of one part of the public sector to another. |
IFRS 5 Non-Current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations | |
Interpretations | (1) In order to qualify as discontinued operations', the activities must cease completely: that is, responsibilities transferred from one part of the public sector to another are not discontinued operations. |
IFRS 8 Operating Segments | |
Interpretation | The Financial Report and Accounts and accompanying information includes a large amount of detailed information relating to the departments, funds and other entities included within them. This information in a lot of cases exceeds that required by the standard, and so a summarised segmental analysis may be provided with reference to other parts of the Financial Report and Accounts including the accompanying information. The States will report any further segmental information required by IFRS 8 that is regularly reviewed by senior management as per 5.3.8 a) to c). |
IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements | |
Adaptations | The group boundary is similar to the concept of a group under generally accepted accounting practice, but it is based on direct control and not on strategic control. Direct control will normally be evidenced by the States, Council of Ministers or a Minister exercising in year control over operating practices, income, expenditure, assets or liabilities of the entity. Chapter 4 provides guidance on the departmental accounting boundary and application of consolidation standards. |
IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements | |
Adaptations | Where one entity has an investment in a second entity that does not meet the criteria for consolidation, it should be treated as an investment in the States of Jersey consolidated financial statements. Investments in other entities should be accounted for following the requirements of IAS 39. |
| Chapter 4 provides guidance on the departmental accounting boundary and application of consolidation standards. |
IFRS 12 Disclosure in Interests of Other Entities | |
Adaptations | Disclosures of interests in other entities will be subject to the adaptations for departments and agencies to IFRS 10, IFRS 11, IAS 27 and IAS 28. Chapter 4 provides guidance on the departmental accounting boundary and application of consolidation standards. |
IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements | |
Interpretations |
"The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the States of Jersey Financial Reporting Manual (JFReM) issued by Treasurer of the States in order to meet the requirements of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2005/2019. The accounting policies contained in the JFReM apply International Financial Reporting Standards as adapted or interpreted for the public sector in Jersey. The JFReM applicable to the [financial year] financial year is based on the UK Financial Reporting Manual for the UK financial year ending 31 March [year]. Where the JFReM permits a choice of accounting policy, the accounting policy which is judged to be most appropriate to the particular circumstances of the States of Jersey for the purpose of giving a true and fair view has been selected. The particular policies adopted the States of Jersey are described below. They have been applied consistently in dealing with items that are considered material to the accounts."
States in advance of making the change. |
| If a non-departmental entity has adopted the going concern basis of accounting where this might be called into doubt, for example where there are significant net liabilities, they must provide an explanation to the Treasurer of the States of why they consider that this approach is appropriate.
|
IAS 2 Inventories | |
Interpretations | In addition to the types of inventories identified in IAS 2, central government has categories of inventories for which IAS 2 may not adequately cover the accounting treatment. Chapter 5 provides guidance on the treatment of stockpile goods and military reserve inventories; confiscated, seized and forfeited property; and goods held under price support programmes. |
IAS 10 Events after the Reporting Period | |
Interpretations | The date of the Accountable Officer's authorisation for issue of the financial statements of the reporting entities covered by this Manual is normally the same as the date of the Certificate and Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The date of authorisation for issue must be included in the Annual Report and Accounts, but not on the title page. |
IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment | |
Adaptations | IAS 16 is adapted to specify the following valuation bases for property, plant and equipment: - Assets which are held for their service potential (i.e. operational assets) and are in use should be measured at current value in existing use. For non-specialised assets current value in existing use should be interpreted as market value for existing use. In the RICS Red Book, this is defined as Existing Use Value (EUV). For specialised assets current value in existing use should be interpreted as the present value of the asset's remaining service potential. - Assets which were most recently held for their service potential but are surplus should be valued at current value in existing use as above if there are restrictions on the entity or the asset which would prevent access to the market at the reporting date. If the entity could access the market then the surplus asset should be valued at fair value using IFRS 13. - Assets which are not held for their service potential should be valued in accordance with IFRS 5 or IAS 40 depending on whether the asset is actively held for sale. Where such assets are surplus and do not fall within the scope of IFRS 5 or IAS 40, they should be valued at fair value applying IFRS 13. |
Interpretations |
Chapter 5 provides additional guidance on asset valuations and additional interpretations for applying IAS 16 to heritage assets. Further application guidance on accounting for heritage assets, networked assets and PPP arrangements, including PFI is included in chapter 7. Further guidance of capital accounting is provided in the Capital Accounting Manual. |
IAS 19 Employee Benefits | |
Interpretations | (1) Recognition of pension schemes: Public Employees Pension Fund (PEPF) and Jersey Teachers Superannuation Fund (JTSF) The PEPF comprises a final-salary section known as the Public Employees Contributory Retirement Scheme (PECRS) and a career average section known as the Public Employees' Pension Scheme (PEPS). Whilst the schemes characterise the benefits that members can receive, they are not conventional defined benefit schemes as the employer is not responsible for meeting any past service deficiency in the schemes. Regulations and communications to scheme members clearly state that benefits are dependent on the financial position of the pension funds remaining satisfactory – they are not guaranteed. If there is a deficit in the funds, employee benefits may be reduced in order to bring the funds back to a balanced position. Whilst employer contributions could be increased to meet scheme deficits, the possibility is considered remote and within the employer's control with an employers contribution cap in legislation in the case of PEPF. The characteristics of the schemes leave them open to interpretation against the definitions in IAS 19. Based on the limitations to employer liabilities identified above, IAS 19 is being interpreted to recognised these schemes as defined contribution schemes. Two specific past service liabilities are recognised on the States of Jersey Statement of Financial Position;
|
| Both liabilities are serviced by an agreed proportion of the overall contributions paid in to the schemes with the precise mechanism for valuing and repaying the JTSF subject to agreement by the Management Board and employer.
|
IAS 20 Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance | |
Interpretations |
|
IAS 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates | |
Interpretations | The presentational currency will be the same as the functional currency i.e. pounds sterling. |
IAS 23 Borrowing Costs | |
Interpretations | Borrowing costs in respect of qualifying assets held at fair value shall be expensed. |
IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures | |
Interpretations |
|
|
|
IAS 26 Accounting and Reporting by Retirement Benefit Plans | |
Adaptations | IAS 26 does not apply to forms of employment benefit other than retirement benefits. However, where schemes currently report separately transactions relating to termination benefits (also known as early departure costs or compensation payments) they should continue to do so. The treatment of such costs will depend on whether the scheme acts as a principal or an agent, and whether or not the early departure costs (however described) are regarded as retirement benefits and included within the pension provision. |
IAS 27 Separate Financial Statements | |
Adaptations | The presentation of separate, non-consolidated financial statements will only be applied in full if the investment has not been designated for consolidation. |
IAS 28 Investments in Associates | |
Adaptations | Where a department has an investment in a public sector entity that has not been designated for consolidation, it should be reported following the requirements of IAS 39. Chapter 4 provides guidance on the departmental accounting boundary and application of consolidation standards. |
IAS 29 Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies | |
Interpretations | As all entities covered by the JFReM have a functional currency of pounds sterling, the Treasurer of the States will notify classification of the economy as hyperinflationary if appropriate. |
IAS 36 Impairments of Assets | |
Adaptations | References in IAS 36 to the recognition of an impairment loss of a revalued asset being treated as a revaluation decrease to the extent that the impairment does not exceed the amount in the revaluation surplus for the same asset, are adapted such that only those impairment losses that do not result from a clear consumption of economic benefit or reduction of service potential (including as a result of loss or damage resulting from normal business operations) should be taken to the revaluation reserve. Impairment losses that arise from a clear consumption of economic benefit should be taken to the Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure. |
Interpretations | Where an asset is not held for the purpose of generating cash flows, value in use is assumed to equal the cost of replacing the service potential provided by the asset, unless there has been a reduction in service potential. Chapter 7 provides additional guidance on the classification of impairments and application guidance. |
IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets | |
Interpretations | Where the cash flows to be discounted are expressed in current prices, entities should use the real discount rates set by the Treasurer of the States. |
| Chapter 3 details additional requirements for remote obligations outside the scope of IAS 37 to be reported to the States. |
IAS 38 Intangible Assets | |
Interpretations | Following the initial recognition of an intangible asset, for subsequent measurement IAS 38 permits the use of either the cost or revaluation model for each class of intangible asset. Where an active (homogenous) market exists, intangible assets should be carried at fair value at the reporting period date – that is, the cost option given in IAS 38 has been withdrawn. Where no active market exists, entities should revalue the asset, using indices or some suitable model, to the lower of depreciated replacement cost and value in use where the asset is income generating. Where there is no value in use, the asset should be valued used depreciated replacement cost. These measures are a proxy for fair value. |
IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement | |
Interpretations |
|
IAS 40 Investment Properties | |
Interpretations | All investment property should be accounted for under the fair value model – that is, the option given in IAS 40 to adopt the cost model has been withdrawn. IAS 40 applies in full to all reporting entities covered by this Manual that hold (or are constructing or developing) properties only for the purpose of earning rentals or for capital appreciation or both. If earning rentals were an outcome of a regeneration policy, for example, the properties concerned would be accounted for under IAS 16 and not IAS 40. |
7 Further guidance on accounting for assets and
liabilities
Chapter 7 Contents
- Property, plant and equipment .............................................................. 39
- Impairments .......................................................................................... 50
- Inventories............................................................................................. 51
Valuations (excluding networked assets, donated assets and heritage assets)
- In considering how best to apply the valuation requirements of IAS 16 so as to ensure that the Statement of Financial Position gives a true and fair view of the value of the assets at the reporting date, entities should consider the following guidance on property and non-property assets. The flowchart at the end of this section will assist in determining the appropriate accounting treatment of PPE excluding networked assets, donated assets and heritage assets. (More detailed guidance is available in the Capital Accounting Manual).
- Entities should value their property using the most appropriate valuation methodology. Such methods might include:
- a quinquennial valuation supplemented by either annual indexation or regular desktop valuation update;
- a quinquennial valuation supplemented by an interim professional valuation in year 3;
- annual valuations;
- a rolling programme of valuations; or
- for non property assets only, appropriate indices.
- It is for valuers, using the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; (RICS) Red Book' (RICS Valuation – Professional Standards), and following discussions with the entity, to determine the most appropriate methodology for obtaining a fair value.
- Assets which are held for their service potential (i.e. operational assets used to deliver either front line services or back office functions) should be measured at their current value in existing use. For non-specialised assets current value in existing use should be interpreted as market value in existing use which is defined in the RICS Red Book as Existing Use Value (EUV). For specialised assets current value in existing use should be interpreted as the present value of the assets remaining service potential, whichcanbe assumed to be at least equal to the cost of replacing that service potential.
- Assets which were most recently held for their service potential but are surplus should be valued at current value in existing use as per paragraph 7.1.15 if there are restrictions on the entity or the asset which would prevent access to the market at the reporting date. If the entity could access the market then the surplus asset should be valued at fair value under IFRS 13.
- In determining whether an asset which is not in use is surplus, management should assess whether there is a clear plan to bring the asset back into future use as an operational asset. Where there is a clear plan, the asset is not surplus and the current value in existing use should be maintained. Otherwise, the asset should be assessed as surplus and valued under IFRS 13.
- Assets which are not held for their service potential should be valued in accordance with IFRS 5 or IAS 40 depending on whether the asset is actively held for sale.
- Where an asset is not being used to deliver services and there is no plan to bring it back into use, with no restrictions on sale, and it does not meet the IAS 40 and IFRS 5 criteria, these assets are surplus and should be valued at fair value using IFRS 13.
- Where a valuer, following discussion with the entity, determined that depreciated replacement cost (DRC) is the most appropriate, entities and their valuers should have regard to the guidance contained in the most recent RICS Red Book.
- Where DRC is used as the valuation methodology:
- entities should normally value a modern equivalent asset in line with the Red Book;
- entities should use the instant build' approach;
- the choice of an alternative site will normally hinge on the policy in respect of the locational requirements of the service that is being provided.
- The cost of enhancements to existing assets (such as building of a new wing within an existing prison) should be capitalised during the construction phase as an asset under construction. At the first valuation after the asset is brought into use, any write down of cost should be treated as an impairment and charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure.
- The States of Jersey should:
- disclose in the accounting policies note the fact that assets are carried at fair value. Entities should also provide information about the approach to valuing their estates, including a statement (where applicable) that alternative sites have been used in DRC valuations;
- disclose in the notes on tangible non-current assets: the date of the last valuations of those property assets that are subject to revaluation, and the names and qualifications of the valuer; and
- discuss in the Management Commentary, where they hold extensive estates: their estate management strategy; the indicative alternative use values provided by the valuer as part of the routine valuation work, and what those alternative use values mean.
- As part of the Property, Plant and Equipment note entities are required, in the year the asset is acquired, to separately disclose the fair value of those assets funded by capital grant or donation. Where the funder provides cash, rather than the physical assets, any difference between the cash provided and the fair value of the assets acquired should also be disclosed.
- Entities may elect to adopt a depreciated historical cost basis as a proxy for fair value for assets that have short useful lives or low values (or both). For depreciated historical cost to be considered as a proxy for fair value, the useful life must be a realistic reflection of the life of the asset and the depreciation method used must provide a realistic reflection of the consumption of that asset class. If depreciated historical cost is used as a proxy for current value in existing use or fair value then this fact should be disclosed, including the classes of assets where it has been used (where appropriate), the reasons why, and information about any significant estimation techniques (where applicable).
Flowchart of valuation for property, plant and equipment (excluding networked assets, donated assets and heritage assets)
Is the asset held for its No Is the asset available for No Is the asset held to earn service potential or was immediate sale in its rentals or for capital
it most recently held for present condition and is a appreciation or both?
its service potential? sale highly probable?
Yes Yes No
Apply IFRS 5 Apply IFRS 13 Yes Measure at lower of its Apply IFRS 40 Measure at fair
carrying amount before Measure at fair value, option for cost classification and fair value, option for cost model is withdrawn value less costs to sell model is withdrawn (Surplus category)
No Is there a clear plan to No Are there restrictions on
Is the asset in use? bring the asset back into the entity or the asset
use? which prevent access to No
the market
Yes Yes
Yes
Apply adaptations to IAS 16 Measure at current value in existing use. For non-specialised assets, this will be at market value in existing use. For specialist assets, it will be the present value of the asset's remaining service potential
Networked assets
- Networked assets comprise assets that form part of an integrated network servicing a significant geographical area. These assets usually display some or all of the following characteristics:
- they are part of a system or network;
- they are specialised in nature and do not have alternative uses;
- they are immovable; and
- they may be subject to constraints on disposal.
Examples of networked assets include road networks, sewer systems and sea defences. The road network
- Land, Structures and Communications will be accounted for following the guidance in IAS 16.
- The road surface asset will be recognised as a single asset following the additional guidance in this manual.
- The road surface asset will be held at depreciated replacement cost based on service potential.
- Subsequent expenditure on the road surface will be capitalised where it enhances or replaces the service potential. Spending that does not replace or enhance service potential will be expensed.
- The annual depreciation charge for the road surface will be the value of the service potential replaced through the maintenance programme plus, or minus, any adjustment resulting from the annual condition survey. The value of maintenance work undertaken will be used as an indication of the value of the replaced part. Where the condition survey show that deterioration in the road surface exceeds the service potential replaced by the maintenance programme the additional deterioration will be taken to the Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure as part of the depreciation charge. Where the condition survey shows that deterioration in the road surface is less than the service potential replaced by the maintenance programme the depreciation charge will be reduced by the excess maintenance.
- The road surface will be subject to annual valuations as measured by suitable indices. Upward movements in value will be taken to the revaluation reserve and included in comprehensive net expenditure. Downward movements in value will beset against any credit balance held in the revaluation reserve until this credit is exhausted and thereafter to net operating expenditure.
- The road surface will be subject to an annual impairment review. Impairments will be recognised as required by IAS 36 Impairment of Assets as applied by the manual (see section 7.2).
Other Infrastructure
- The road accounting methodology detailed above should also be used for the foul and surface water sewerage system and the sea defences network.Where entities hold other networked assets the road surface accounting methodology detailed above may be used where it is appropriate to do so. However approval to use the road surface methodology should first be obtained from Treasurer of the States.
Donated assets
- Assets donated by third parties (see also paragraph 7.1.30 on asset transfers), either by gift of the asset or byway of funds to acquire assets should be capitalised at current value in existing use or fair value on receipt depending on whether the assets will be held for their service potential and as set out in paragraphs 7.1.4 to 7.1.7.The funding element should be recognised as income as required by IAS 20 as interpreted in this Manual.
- To qualify for treatment as a donated asset there should beno consideration given in return.
- Donated assets do not include:
- assets financed by States of Jersey Funds;
- the subsequent capitalised expenditure on a donated asset which is capitalised;
- assets constructed or contributed to by a developer to benefit the developer's business;
- assets accepted in lieu of tax.
- The assets listed in 7.1.26 should be accounted for in accordance with IAS 16 in the sameway as other assets of that general type.
- Donated assets should be revalued, depreciated and subject to impairment review in the same way as other non-current assets.
- Details of any restrictions or conditions imposed by the donor on the use of the donated asset should be disclosed in a note to the financial statements.
Asset transfers
- Entitiesmay give or receive assets to/from another public sector body (including public sector bodies not covered by the requirements of this Manual) for no consideration. Assets acquired in this way will normally be recognised in accordance with IAS 20 as interpreted in this Manual. Entities should consult the Treasurer of the States before entering into such a transaction.
Heritage assets
Definition
- A heritage asset is a tangible asset with historical, artistic, scientific, technological, geophysical or environmental qualities that is held and maintained principally for its contribution to knowledge and culture. Heritage assets are those assets that are intended to be preserved in trust for future generations because of their cultural, environmental or historical associations. They are held by the reporting entity in pursuit of its overall objectives in relation to the maintenance of the heritage. Non-operational assets are those that are held primarily for this purpose. Operational heritage assets are those that, in addition to being held for their characteristics as part of the nation's heritage, are also used by the reporting entity for other activities or to provide other services (the mostcommon example being buildings).
- The entity holding the asset should attest annually to the ongoing heritage credentials of its heritage assets. Heritage assets include historical buildings, archaeological sites, military and scientific equipment of historical importance, museum and gallery collections and works of art.
- In principle, heritage assets should be accounted for in the same way as any other asset under IAS 16. There are, however, certain characteristics associated with heritage assets that give rise to the need for interpretation of IAS 16:
- Their value to government and the public in cultural, environmental, educational and historical terms is unlikely to be fully reflected in a financial value derived from a market mechanism or price.
- Established custom and, in many cases, primary statute and trustee obligations impose prohibitions or severe restrictions on disposal by sale.
- They are often irreplaceable and their value may increase over time even if their physical condition deteriorates.
- Theymay require significant maintenance expenditure so that they can continue to be enjoyed by future generations.
- Their life might be measured in hundreds of years.
- Antiques and other works of arts held by reporting entities outside the main collections should be classified as heritage assets only when they fulfil the above requirements. Otherwise, antiques and other works of art should be accounted for in the same way as other assets.
Recognition and measurement
- Operational heritage assets should be valued in the same way as other assets of that general type (buildings, for example).
- Non-operational heritage assets should be valued subject to the requirements set out in paragraphs 7.1.36 to 7.1.39 below.
- Where information is available on the cost or fair value of heritage assets:
- they should be presented in the Statement of Financial Position separately from other tangible assets;
- the Statement of Financial Position or the notes to the accounts should identify separately those classes of heritage assets being reported at cost and those at fair value; and
- changes in the valuation should be recognised in the Other Comprehensive Expenditure section of the Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure, except impairment losses that should be recognised in accordance with section 7.2 of this Manual.
- The accounting convention in this manual is to recognise non-current assets at either current value in existing use or fair value but, where exceptionally, it is not practicable to obtain a fair value, the heritage assets may be reported at historical cost.
- Where assets have previously been capitalised or are recently purchased, information on their cost or fair value will be available. Where this information is not available, and cannot be obtained at a cost commensurate with the benefits to users of the financial statements, the assets will not be recognised in the Statement of Financial Position and the disclosure required by this manual should be made.
- Valuations may be made by any method that is appropriate and relevant. There is no requirement for valuations to be carried out or verified by external valuers, nor is there any prescribed minimum period between valuations. However, where heritage assets are reported at valuation, the carrying amount should be reviewed with sufficient frequency to ensure the valuations remain current.
Depreciation and impairment
- Depreciation is not required on heritage assets which have indefinite lives.
- The carrying amount of an asset should be reviewed where there is evidence of impairment, for example, where it has suffered physical deterioration or breakage or new doubts arise as to its authenticity. Any impairment recognised should be dealt with in accordance with the recognition and measurement requirements of IAS 36 Impairment of Assetsin section 7.2.
Donations
- The receipt of donations of heritage assets should be recognised as income and taken through the Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure where there are no conditions specifically relating to the operating activities of the entity or recognised as deferred income in the Statement of Financial Position. Where exceptionally, it is not practicable to obtain a valuation for a donated heritage asset, the reasons why should be stated. Disclosures should also be provided on the nature and extent of significant donations.
Disclosures
- The States of Jersey's financial statements should contain an indication of the nature and scale of heritage assets held by the entity;
- The financial statements should set out the States' policy for the acquisition, preservation, management and disposal of heritage assets. This should include a description of the records maintained by the States of its collection of heritage assets and information on the extent to which access to the assets is permitted. The information required by this paragraph may alternatively be provided in a document that is cross- referenced from the financial statements;
- The accounting policies adopted for the States' holding of heritage assets should be stated, including details of the measurement bases used;
- For heritage assets that are not reported in the Statement of Financial Position, the reasons why should be explained and the notes to the financial statements should explain the significance and nature of those assets that are not reported in the Statement of Financial Position; and
- The disclosures relating to assets that are not reported in the Statement of Financial Position should aim to ensure that, when read in the context of information about capitalised assets, the financial statements provide useful and relevant information about the entity's overall holding of heritage assets.
- Where heritage assets are reported in the Statement of Financial Position, the following should be disclosed:
- the carrying amount of heritage assets at the beginning of the financial period and at the Statement of Financial Position date, including an analysis between those classes or groups of heritage assets that are reported at cost and those that are reported at valuation; and
- where assets are reported at valuation, sufficient information to assist in an understanding of the valuations being reported and their significance.
- This should include:
- the date of the valuation;
- the methods used to produce the valuation;
- whether the valuation was carried out by external valuers and, where this is the case, the valuer's name and professional qualification, if any; and
- any significant limitations on the valuation.
- An example of a limitation to be disclosed under paragraph 7.1.44 (ii) d) would be where an asset has a particular provenance, the effect of which is not fully captured by valuation.
- Information that is available to the entity and is helpful in assessing the value of those heritage assets that are not reported in the entity's Statement of Financial Position should be disclosed.
- The financial statements should contain a summary of transactions relating to heritage assets disclosing, for the accounting period and each of the previous four accounting periods:
- the cost of acquisitions of heritage assets;
- the value of heritage assets acquired by donation;
- the carrying amount of heritage assets disposed of in the period and the proceeds received; and
- any impairment recognised in the period.
This summary should show separately transactions in assets that are reported in the Statement of Financial Position and those that are not.
- The disclosures required by paragraphs 7.1.43 to 7.1.47 maybe presented in aggregate for groups or classes of heritage assets provided this aggregation does not obscure significant information. Separate disclosures should be provided for those assets reported at cost and those reported at valuation. Amounts in respect of assets that are not reported in the Statement of Financial Position should not be aggregated with amounts for assets that are recognised at cost or valuation.
Accounting for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements, including Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contracts, under IFRS
- This section of the Manual deals with the accounting treatment of PPP arrangements, including PFI contracts, that meet the definition of service concession arrangements in IFRIC 12 Service Concession Arrangements. To be within the scope of IFRIC 12, the service concession arrangement must contractually oblige the private sector operator to provide the services related to the infrastructure to the public on behalf of the grantor (the public sector) (IFRIC 12.3). Contracts that do not involve the transfer or creation of aninfrastructure asset for the purpose of the contract fall outside the scope of IFRIC 12, as do arrangements that do not involve the delivery of services to the public. Examples of infrastructure for public services are: roads, bridges, tunnels, prisons, hospitals, airports, water distribution facilities, telecommunication networks, permanent installations for military etc. operations, and non- current assets used for administrative purposes in delivering services to the public.
- The private sector operator will apply IFRIC 12 to those arrangements where:
- the grantor controls or regulates what services the operator must provide with the infrastructure, to whom it must provide them and at what price; and
- the grantor controls – through beneficial entitlement or otherwise – any significant residual interest in the infrastructure at the end of the term of the arrangement.
Where the infrastructure asset is used for its entire useful life, and there is little or no residual interest, the arrangement would fall within the scope of IFRIC 12 where the grantor controls or regulates the services as described in the first condition (see also IFRIC 12.6). Significant residual interest will exist where the grantor is contractually required to purchase the infrastructure asset at the end of the term of the arrangement.
- IFRIC 12 (Application Guidance paragraph 3) notes that, in determining the applicability of the first condition, non-substantive features (such as price capping that would applyonly in remote circumstances) should be ignored and the substance of the arrangement considered.
- IFRIC 12, including the Appendices, Information Notes, Illustrative Examples and Basis for Conclusions, provides guidance on how to apply IFRS to service concession arrangements. IFRIC 12 does not create exceptions from other IFRS for transactions that are within service concession arrangements, other than as specifically stated in IFRIC 12. Issues not addressed explicitly in this section of the Manual should be resolved by reference to other IFRS. IFRIC 12 applies to:
- arrangements where the infrastructure is used for its entire useful life;
- infrastructure that the operator constructs or acquires from a third party; and
- infrastructure that the grantor provides to the operator for the purpose of the concession.
IFRIC 12 does not specify the accounting for infrastructure that was held and recognised as an asset by the operator prior to entering the arrangement (IFRIC 12.6-8). This is because the operator would de-recognise the asset under IAS 16. Paragraph 7.1.48 interprets IFRIC 12 for the public sector by including an asset previously owned by the operator within the criteria for recognising the arrangement as a service concession. The flowchart overleaf will assist in determining the appropriate accounting treatment of PPP arrangements, including PFI contracts by public sector grantors.
Flowchart of accounting for PPP arrangements
Does the grantor control or regulate
what services the operator must No Does the arrange- No Grantor provide with the infrastructure, ment contain a lease recognises
Yes
Yes Does the grantor control through No
ownership, beneficial entitlement or Grantor recognises otherwise, any significant residual lease in accordance
interest in the infrastructure at the
Yes
Is the infrastructure constructed or The infrastructure is acquired by the operator from a No the existing
third party for the purpose of the infrastructure of the grantor to which the
operator is given Yes
Yes
Report property as asset and related liability. Separate the unitary payment stream between the property element, the interest charge and service element either
The grantor continues to recognise the infrastructure on balance sheet as property, plant and equipment (IAS 16) or as a leased asset (IAS 17).
Initial recognition and measurement of assets and liabilities in new arrangements and contracts
- Where there is infrastructure, whether previously owned by the contractor or the grantor, or constructed or acquired from a third party for the purpose of the service arrangement, and the grantor:
- Controls or regulates what services the operator mustprovide with the infrastructure, to whom it must provide them and at what price; and
- Controls through beneficial entitlement or otherwise, any significant residual interest in the infrastructure at the end of the term of the arrangement (or there is no residual interest),
then the PPP arrangement or PFI contract is a service concession within the meaning of IFRIC 12 from the grantor's viewpoint.
- The grantor should recognise the infrastructure as a non-current asset and value it in the same way as other non-current assets of that generic type. The asset will be recognised when:
- it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the asset will flow to the organisation; and
- the cost of the asset can be measured reliably.
The grantor should consider the asset recognition criteria, together with the specific terms and conditions of the binding arrangement, when determining whether to recognise the service concession asset during the period in which the asset is constructed or developed. If the asset recognition criteria have been met a work-in-progress service concession asset and associated liability should be recognised. If not and the grantor makes contributions to the operator in advance of the asset coming into use, the grantor should account for those payments as prepayments.
Subsequent measurement
- The asset will be measured in one of two ways:
- where the contract is separable between the service element, the interest charge and the infrastructure asset (see also paragraph 7.1.56), the asset will be initially measured following the guidance in IAS 17, with the service element and the interest charge recognised as incurred over the term of the concession arrangement (the subsequent measurement should be subject to the guidance of IAS 16); or
- where there is a unitary payment stream that includes infrastructure and service elements that cannot be separated, the various elements will be separated using estimation techniques as set out in paragraph 7.1.57.
- The grantor should separate out the service, interest and infrastructure elements. A contract may be separable in a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to the following:
- the contract identifies an element of a payment stream that varies according to the availability of the property itself and another element that varies according to usage or performance of certain services;
- different parts of the contract run for different periods or can be terminated separately. For example, an individual service element can be terminated without affecting the continuation of the rest of the contract; or
- different parts of the contract can be renegotiated separately. For example, a service element is market tested and some or all of the cost increases or reductions are passed on to the grantor in such a way that the part of the payment by the grantor that relates specifically to that service canbe identified.
- In situations where it is not possible to separate the contract due to commercial reality, the service element of the payments must be estimated, which could be achieved by obtaining information from the operator or by using the fair value approach. The fair value of the asset determines the amount tobe recorded as an asset with an offsetting liability. The total unitary payment is then divided into three: the service charge element, repayment of the capital element of the contract obligation and the interest expense onit (using the interest rate implicit in the contract).
- For both existing and new contracts, where it is not practicable to determine the interest rate implicit in the contract, the grantor shall use its cost of capital rate (including inflation). It is expected that this situation would be rare. The rate should not be changed unless the infrastructure element or the whole of the contract is renegotiated.
- Under either approach, the grantor will recognise a liability for the capital value of the contract. That liability does not include the interest charge and service elements, which are expensed annually to the Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure.
- Entities should adopt an appropriate asset revaluation approach as set out earlier in this chapter. Liabilities will be measured using the appropriate discount rate, taking account of the reduction arising from the capital payments included in the unitary payment stream.
- Revenue received under any revenue sharing provision in the service concession arrangement should be recognised when all the conditions as laid down in IAS 18 have been satisfied.
- The grantor should recognise any guarantees to the operator that it will meet any shortfalls in revenue or repay the debt if the operator defaults in line with the requirements of IAS 32 and IAS 39.
- The grantor should derecognise a non-current asset provided to the operator (and not used in the arrangement) and recognise any consideration received at fair value. If the consideration received is in the form of a reduction in future payments, this should be recognised as an asset representing a reduction in the future liability (normally as a prepayment).
Disclosure
- The disclosure requirements in respect of PPP arrangements, including PFI contracts, are set out in chapter 5 of this manual.
- Where the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount departments will recognise an impairment loss. Departments need to establish whether any of the impairment loss is as a result of:
- Consumption of economic benefit or reduction in service potential, or;
- A change in market price.
- A fall in value relating to a consumption of economic benefit or reduction in service potential is always taken to the SoCNE. A fall in value relating to changes in market price should first be offset against a revaluation reserve for the asset in question if there is one, and once that element of the reserve is exhausted the fall in value should be taken to the SoCNE.
- Examples of impairments resulting from a consumption of economic benefit or reduction in service potential include losses as a result of loss or damage, abandonment of projects, gold plating and use of the asset for a lower specification purpose.
- In preparation for planned changes to the States of Jersey budgeting regime, entities are required toclassify impairments on the following basis: certain impairments will score as Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) and others as Annually Managed Expenditure (AME). The budgeting treatment does not influence the accounting treatment, but entities might wish to consider whether information about the type and cause of impairment could usefully be included in the relevant notes to the accounts. Impairment categories are defined below.
- Where an asset has been impaired due to a clear consumption of economic benefit or reduction in service potential, any balance on any revaluation reserve (upto the level of the impairment) to which the impairment would have been charged under IAS 36 should be transferred to the general fund. This ensures that the outcome as reflected in the reserves figure on the Statement of Financial Position is consistent with the requirements of IAS 36 had the FReM adaptation of IAS 36 not been applied
- 7.3.6 The capitalised development expenditure that is directly linked to a tangible noncurrent asset should be impaired only where the tangible non-current asset becomes impaired. Where the intangible asset relates to a group of tangible non-current assets, any impairment will be charged only where the entire group is impaired and will be proportionate to the impairment of the group of tangible assets.
- In addition to the types of inventories identified in IAS 2, central government has categories of inventories for which IAS 2 may not adequately cover the accounting treatment.
Stockpile goods
- Stockpile goods maybe defined as strategic materials held for use in national defence and national emergencies. They can be further categorised as:
- non-current assets, which should be accounted for in the same way as other assets of the same type; or
- other non-deteriorable and deteriorable inventories. Other inventories should be accounted for under IAS 2.
Confiscated, seized and forfeited property
- Seized assets should be recognised at current value when legal ownership is transferred to the States of Jersey. Assets that are held before the point at which legal ownership has been transferred should be treated as third party assets.
- The proceeds of items sold to satisfy outstanding tax liabilities, net of sale expenses, should be treated in the same way as other taxation receipts.
Goods held under price support and stabilisation programmes (intervention stocks)
- Intervention buying is a method of supporting market prices for certain agricultural commodities. Purchased stocks are valued at cost, adjusted byany depreciation or revaluation to bring them into line with market values.
Unissued Currency
- Unissued Currency should be recognised at cost.
Inventories held for distribution at no/nominal charge and inventories held for consumption in the production process of goods to be distributed at no/nominal charge
- Inventories held for distribution at no/nominal charge and inventories held for consumption in the production process of goods to be distributed at no/nominal charge should be measured at the lower of cost and current replacement cost.
- A public sector entity may hold inventories whose future economic benefits or service potential are not directly related to their ability to generate net cash inflows. These types of inventories may arise when the public sector entity has determined to distribute certain goods at no charge or for a nominal amount. In these cases, the future economic benefits or service potential of the inventory for financial reporting purposes is reflected by the amount the entity would need to pay to acquire the economic benefits or service potential if this was necessary to achieve the objectives of the entity. Where the economic benefits or service potential cannot be acquired in the market, an estimate of replacement cost will need to be made.
8 Further guidance on accounting for income and
expenditure
Chapter 8 Contents
- Income ................................................................................................... 53
- Expenditure ............................................................................................. 55
Operating and non-operating income
- Operating income is anyincome generated byan entity in pursuit of its activities (generally referred to as fees and charges) or as part of managing its affairs (examples include rents, interest and dividends receivable). Proceeds arising from the sale of investments and non- current assets are accounted for as non-operating income.
Retainable and non-retainable income
- All income should be recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure. Only income that can be retained and set against resource or capital budgets should be recorded in the Statement of Outturn against Approvals.
Taxes and duties
- Taxes and duties are economic benefits compulsorily paid or payable to public sector entities, in accordance with laws and regulations established to provide revenue to the government, excluding fines or other penalties imposed for breaches of laws or regulations.
- In preparing their financial statements, entities will not recognise or measure the "tax gap". The "tax gap" is defined as the difference between the hypothetical amounts of revenue due, based on data on economic activity, and revenue receivable. Revenues receivable include both the tax yield from compliant taxpayers and estimates of amounts expected to be paid from non- compliant, but known, taxpayers. Where taxes and duties are material, a statement should be included in the accounting policies note that the "tax gap" is not recognised in the financial statements.
- Where taxes and duties are recognised on an accrual basis, they will be measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of repayments. Revenue is recognised when a taxable event has occurred, the revenue can be measured reliably and it is probable that the economic benefits from the taxable event will flow to the collecting entity. All these elements are required to be satisfied. In the case of personal income tax, taxation income will be recognised on an accruals basis based on a reliable estimate. Companies tax will be recognised in the year company tax returns are due based on completed assessments, returns by companies where assessments are not complete or appropriate estimates of their liability in the absence of a return.
Fines and penalties
- Fines and penalties are economic benefits paid or payable to government for breaches of laws or regulations where there is a statutory obligation to pay.
- Fines and penalties are recognised at the time that the fine or penalty is imposed and becomes receivable by the entity. Where, on appeal, or for other legal reasons, the penalty is cancelled, the amount receivable is derecognised at the date of the successful appeal. Where a financial penalty is imposed, but with an alternative of a non-financial penalty, the financial penalty is recognised initially, but is derecognised when (and if) the option of the non-financialpenalty is taken up.
- Where fines and penalties are uncollectible or, for policy reasons, (other than the imposition of an alternative penalty), the entity decides that it is inappropriate to pursue collection, the amounts not collected are recorded as an expense. The amounts not collectible are estimated from the most appropriate data available to the entity.
Non-exchange income
- IFRS does not include a standard on non-exchange transactions. International Public Sector Accounting Standard 23 Revenue from non-exchange transactions (Taxes and Transfers)' defines non-exchange transactions as follows:
In a non-exchange transaction, an entity either receives value from another entity without directly giving approximately equal value in exchange, or gives value to another entity without directly receiving approximately equal value in exchange.
Non-exchange income will be accounted for on an accruals basis, provided that a reasonable estimate of that income can be determined.
- For the sake of clarity, the following types of income will be classified as non-exchange income, and accounted for in the following way:
Personal Taxation Income
Taxation income will be recognised on an accruals basis based on an appropriate estimate. Companies Taxation Income
Taxation income will be recognised in the year company tax returns are due based on completed assessments, returns by companies where assessments are not complete or appropriate estimates of their liability in the absence of a return
Social Security Contributions
Social Security Contributions are recognised on an accruals basis based on an appropriate estimate.
Long Term Care Contributions
Long Term Care Contributions are recognised on an accruals basis based on an appropriate estimate.
Impôts Duty
Impôts duties are recognised when the goods are landed in Jersey.
Stamp Duty
Stamp Duty is recognised when the stamps are sold.
Fines and Penalties
Income from fines is recognised when the fine is imposed.
Seizure of assets
Income in relation to asset seizures should be recognised when the court order is made.
Island Rates
Island Rates are charged on a calendar year basis. Income is recognised in the period for which the rates are charged.
Grant expenditure
- Expenditure in respect of grants or subsidy claims should be recognised in financial statements at the time of the underlying event or activity that gives rise to a liability.
Insurance claims
- Expenditure that is subject to an insurance claim should be recorded gross in the accounts. Any receipt from insurers should be shown as income.