AS: Key Highlights of the Recently Notified Companies (Accounting Standard) Rules, 2021

Key Impact of the new Companies (Accounting Standard) Rules, 2021

1

Key Impact of the new Companies (Accounting Standard) Rules, 2021

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) vide Notification dated 23 June 2021 has issued new Companies (Accounting Standard) Rules, 2021 in consultation with the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA).

(b) A company which is not a bank or financial institution or an insurance company; (c) A company which is not a holding or subsidiary company of a company which is not a SMC;

The notification states that these rules shall be applicable for accounting period (s) commencing on or after 1st April 2021 which means that these rules are effective for financial year ending 31 March 2022.

(d) A company whose turnover (excluding other income) does not exceed two hundred and fifty crore rupees in the immediately preceding financial year; and

Further, every company, other than the companies on which Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) as notified under the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Rules, 2015 are applicable and its auditor (s) shall comply with the above notified Companies (AS) Rules, 2021 in the manner specified in the Annexure attached to the notification for the Preparation of Financial Statements. These Rules are applicable for non-Ind AS companies.

(e) A company which does not have borrowings (including public deposits) in excess of fifty crore rupees at any time during the immediately preceding financial year The Rules states that an existing company while was previously not a SMC and subsequently becomes SMC shall not be eligible to avail the exemptions/ relaxations available in the standards for SMC until it continues to remain a SMC for two consecutive accounting periods.

The Rules incorporate the Accounting Standards from 1 to 5, 7 and 9 to 29 and further lay down the criteria for exemptions/ relaxations for Small and Medium Sized Companies (SMCs).

According to new rules, a company shall satisfy the following conditions as at the end of the financial year for qualifying as SMC:–

If a SMC desires to avail exemptions or relaxations available for SMCs, it shall disclose the fact that it is a SMC and has complied with Accounting Standards in so far as they are applicable to an SMC. The following table gives key changes incorporated in each Accounting Standard (AS) and the relaxations for SMCs:-

(a) A company whose equity or debt securities are not listed or are not in the process of listing on any Stock Exchange;

2

Accounting Standards

Comparison with earlier version of Accounting Standards

Exemptions/ Relaxations for Small and Medium Sized Companies (SMCs)

AS 1 - Disclosure of Accounting Policies

•

The new Rules, 2021 has incorporated some editorial changes in the standard.

-

AS 2 - Valuation of Inventories

•

The new Rules, 2021 has incorporated some editorial changes in the standard.

-

AS 3 – Cash Flow Statements

•

The new Rules, 2021 have rectified some editorial errors in the standard like under para 31, the words ‘AS 10 Accounting for Fixed Assets ‘ has been replaced with ‘AS 16 Borrowing costs’.

Further, the presentation of some Illustrations has been changed along with some minor changes in the standard.

•

•

As per the definition of ‘financial statements’ under the Companies Act, 2013, financial statements include cash flow statement. In case of one person company, small company and dormant company, financial statements may not include cash flow statements.

AS 4 - Contingencies and Events Occurring After the Balance Sheet Date (Revised)

•

The new Rules, 2021 has incorporated some editorial changes in the standard.

-

AS 5 - Net Profit or Loss for the Period, Prior Period Items and Changes in Accounting Policies

•

The new Rules, 2021 under para 32 clarifies that in case there is any change in the accounting policies which has no material effect on the financial statements for the for the current period but which is reasonably expected to have a material effect in later periods, the fact of such change should be disclosed in the period in which such changes are adopted

-

AS 7 - Construction Contracts

•

The new Rules, 2021 has incorporated some changes in the presentation of certain Illustrations provided within the standard.

AS 9 - Revenue Recognition

•

NO such changes have been prescribed in the standard as per new Rules, 2021, except editorial one.

-

AS 10 - Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE)

•

NO such changes have been prescribed in the standard as per new Rules, 2021, except editorial one.

-

AS 11 - The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates

•

NO such changes have been prescribed in the standard as per new Rules, 2021, except editorial one.

-

AS 12 - Accounting for Government Grants

•

The new Rules, 2021 has deleted few content like in para 8 the words ‘For example in the case of a company, it is shown after ‘Reserve and Surplus’ but before ‘Secured Loans’, with a suitable description e.g. Deferred Government Grant’ has been deleted.

Apart from above some editorial changes have been incorporated in the standard.

-

•

3

-

Accounting Standards

Comparison with earlier version of Accounting Standards

Exemptions/ Relaxations for Small and Medium Sized Companies (SMCs)

AS 13 - Accounting for Investments

•

NO such changes have been prescribed in the standard as per new Rules, 2021, except editorial one.

-

AS 14 - Accounting for Amalgamations

•

NO such changes have been prescribed in the standard as per new Rules, 2021, except editorial one.

-

AS 15 - Employee Benefits

•

The new Rules, 2021 has replaced the word ‘Accounting for fixed Assets’ with ‘ AS 10 Property, Plant and Equipment under para 10(b), para 45(b) , para 62 of the standard.

Further, the rules has incorporated some changes in the presentation of certain Illustrations provided within the standard.

•

AS 16 - Borrowing Costs

•

NO such changes have been prescribed in the standard as per new Rules, 2021, except editorial one.

4

SMC may not comply with paragraphs 11 to 16 of AS 15 to the extent they deal with recognition and measurement of short-term accumulating compensated absences which are non-vesting (i.e., short-term accumulating compensated absences in respect of which employees are not entitled to cash payment for unused entitlement on leaving).

• SMC may not discount contributions that fall due more than 12 months after the balance sheet date.

• SMC may not apply the recognition and measurement principles laid down in paragraphs 50 to 116 in respect of accounting for defined benefit plans. However, such company should actuarially determine and provide for the accrued liability in respect of defined benefit plans as follows: (a) The method used for actuarial valuation should be the Projected Unit Credit Method ; and (b) The discount rate used should be determined by reference to market yields at the balance sheet date on government bonds as per paragraph 78 of the Standard.

• SMC may not apply the disclosure requirements laid down in paragraphs 119 to 123 of the Standard in respect of accounting for defined benefit plans. However, such company should disclose actuarial assumptions as per paragraph 120(l) of the Standard.

•

-

Accounting Standards

Comparison with earlier version of Accounting Standards

Exemptions/ Relaxations for Small and Medium Sized Companies (SMCs)

AS 17 - Segment Reporting

•

The new Rules, 2021 have widened the meaning of term ‘Segment Expenses’ along with some minor changes in the standard.

•

AS 18 - Related Party Disclosures

•

The new Rules, 2021 specifies some editorial changes in the standard along with some changes in the Illustrations provided within the standard.

-

AS 19 – Leases

•

The new Rules, 2021 has replaced the words ‘AS 6 Depreciation Accounting’ with ‘ AS 10 Property, Plant and Equipment’ under para 18 of the standard.

Further, some editorial changes have been provided in the standard along with some changes in the Illustrations provided within the standard.

•

•

AS 17 not mandatory for SMC

Following disclosures are not required for SMCs:

(a) A reconciliation between the total of minimum lease payments at the balance sheetdate and their present value.

In addition, an enterprise should disclose the total of minimum lease payments at the balance sheet date, and their present value, for eachof the following periods: (i) not later than one year; (ii) later than one year and not later than five years; (iii) later than five years; (b) The total of future minimum sublease payments expected to be received under non cancellable subleases at the balance sheet date; and (c) General description of the lessee’s significant leasing arrangements including, but not limited to, the following: (i) the basis on which contingent rent payments are determined (ii) the existence and terms of renewal or purchase options and escalation clauses; (iii) restrictions imposed by lease arrangements, such as those and concerning dividends, additional debt, and further leasing.

AS 20 - Earnings Per Share

•

The new Rules, 2021 specifies some editorial changes in the standard along with some changes in the Illustrations provided within the standard.

5

•

Disclosure of diluted earnings per share (both including and excluding extra- ordinary items) is not mandatory for Small and Medium Sized Companies, as defined in the Notification. Such companies are however encouraged to make these disclosures.

Accounting Standards

AS 21 - Consolidated Financial Statements

Comparison with earlier version of Accounting Standards •

•

AS 22 - Accounting for Taxes on Income

•

•

•

The new Rules, 2021 specifies that the standard does not mandate en entity to present consolidated financial statement. However, if an entity has to present the consolidated financial statements then the entity should comply with the requirements of this standard.

Further, it clarifies that the transitional provisions contained in paragraph 30 are relevant only for the standards notified under Companies (Accounting Standard) Rules, 2006, as amended form time to time as well as Companies (Accounting Standard) Rules, 2021

-

The new Rules have clarified that the word ‘Act’ shall be considered as ‘Income Tax Act 1961’ for the standard.

Further, it clarifies that the transitional provisions contained in paragraph 33 and 34 are relevant only for the standards notified under Companies (Accounting Standard) Rules, 2006, as amended form time to time as well as Companies (Accounting Standard) Rules, 2021.

Along with above changes, some changes have been incorporated in Illustrations provided within the standard.

-

AS 23 – Accounting for Investments in Associates in Consolidated Financial Statements

•

The new Rules, 2021 clarifies that the transitional provisions contained in paragraph 26 are relevant only for the standards notified under Companies (Accounting Standard) Rules, 2006, as amended form time to time as well as Companies (Accounting Standard) Rules, 2021.

AS 24 - Discontinuing Operations

•

Some editorial changes have been incorporated in the standard.

AS 25 - Interim Financial Reporting

•

The new Rules, 2021 have clarified that the transitional provisions contained in paragraph 44 are relevant only for the standards notified under Companies (Accounting Standard) Rules, 2006, as amended form time to time as well as Companies (Accounting Standard) Rules, 2021.

Further, the Illustrative statutory formats have been revised.

Along with above changes, some changes have been incorporated in Illustrations provided within the standard.

• •

Exemptions/ Relaxations for Small and Medium Sized Companies (SMCs)

6

-

-

Accounting Standards

AS 26 - Intangible Assets

Comparison with earlier version of Accounting Standards •

The new Rules, 2021 has inserted the definition of term ‘Financial Asset’ in the standard.

•

Further, the term ‘Termination Benefits’ has been clarified within the standard.

Also, the term ‘Accounting for fixed Assets’ has been replaced with ‘AS 10 Property, Plant and Equipment’ in the standard.

Along with above changes, some changes have been incorporated in Illustrations provided within the standard.

•

•

AS 27 - Financial Reporting of Interest in Joint Ventures

•

Not much changes have been prescribed in the standard as per new Rules, 2021, except editorial ones.

AS 28 - Impairment of Assets

•

The new Rules, 2021 have inserted the definition of term ‘Financial Asset’ in the standard.

The term ‘AS 6 Depreciation Accounting’ has been replaced with ‘ AS 10 Property, Plant and Equipment’ under para 13 of the standard.

Along with above changes, some changes have been incorporated in Illustrations provided within the standard.

•

•

Exemptions/ Relaxations for Small and Medium Sized Companies (SMCs) -

-

•

The definition of value in use for SMCs is simplified “Value in use is the present value of estimated future cash flows expected to arise from the continuing use of an asset and from its disposal at the end of its useful life, or a reasonable estimate thereof. ” Explanation: The definition of the term ‘value in use’ in the proviso implies that instead of using the present value technique, a reasonable estimate of the ‘value in use’ can be made.

Consequently, if an SMC chooses to measure the ‘value in use’ by not using the present value technique, the relevant provisions of AS 28, such as discount rate etc., would not be applicable to such an SMC. (g) if recoverable amount is value in use, the discount rate(s) used in the current estimate and previous estimate (if any) of value in use.

Provided that if a Small and Medium-Sized Company, as defined in the Notification, chooses to measure the ‘value in use’ as per the proviso to paragraph 4.2 of the Standard, such an SMC need not disclose the information required by paragraph 121(g) of the Standard

7

Accounting Standards

AS 29 – Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets

Comparison with earlier version of Accounting Standards •

•

•

The new Rules, 2021 has replaced the word ‘AS 15 Accounting for retirement benefits in the financial Statements of Employees’ with ‘AS 15 Employee benefits’ under para 5 (d) Further, it has been clarified that the interpretation of word ‘probable’ in this standard as ‘more likely than not’ does not necessarily apply in other Accounting Standards.

Along with above changes, some changes have been incorporated in Illustrations provided within the standard.

Exemptions/ Relaxations for Small and Medium Sized Companies (SMCs) • (a) (b)

(c)

(d) •

For each class of provision, an enterprise should disclose: the carrying amount at the beginning and end of the period additional provisions made in the period, including increases to existing provisions; 379 amounts used (i.e. incurred and charged against the provision) during the period; and unused amounts reversed during the period.

An enterprise should disclose the following for each class of provision:

(a) brief description of the nature of the obligation and the expected timing of any resulting outflows of economic benefits; (b) an indication of the uncertainties about those outflows.

Where necessary to provide adequate information, an enterprise should disclose the major assumptions made concerning future events, as addressed in paragraph 41; and (c) the amount of any expected reimbursement, stating the amount of any asset that has been recognised for that expected reimbursement.

8

9

59/32, New Rohtak Road, New Delhi – 110005 (India) Tel : +91-11-45562222

www.taxmann.com

Follow us

10