Accounting for Onerous Contracts under ASC 450 (FAS 5) and IAS 37
accounting-for-onerous-contracts-under-asc-450-(fas-5)-and-ias-37

Accounting for Onerous Contracts under ASC 450 (FAS 5) and IAS 37

In a previous post, we covered the accounting for unasserted claims under ASC 450 (previously FAS 5). In this post we discuss the accounting for onerous contracts. ASC 450 provides guidance on the accounting for contingencies, but it does not give a definition of an onerous contract. However, the term is defined by the IASB within IAS 37 as “a contract in which the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it.” So what is the proper accounting for onerous contracts under U.S. GAAP and IFRS? Let’s take a look at an example.

Example

images/user-uploads/Swiss Chalet.jpg

Mountain Chalets Co. owns a number of chalets that it rents out for the ski season. It has entered into an agreement with Ultra Luxury Holidays, Inc. on December 30, 2016 under which it rents out one of its chalets for USD 5,000 per day for 60 days. Mountain Chalets incurs costs of USD 7,000 per day to keep the chalet up and running under the terms of the contract it has with Ultra Luxury. Mountain Chalets is able to cancel the contract by paying a penalty of USD 250,000; however, management has decided not to cancel this contract, as they believe it would adversely affect their reputation in their very prestigious target market. Can Mountain Chalets accrue a loss related to this contract for the year ending December 31, 2016 under U.S. GAAP or IFRS?

Solution (under U.S. GAAP)

ASC 450 defines a contingency as an existing condition, situation, or set of circumstances involving uncertainty as to possible gain (gain contingency) or loss (loss contingency) to an enterprise that will ultimately be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur.

Under U.S. GAAP, liabilities can only be set up for incurred losses, not future losses. Although the costs of fulfilling this contract are greater than the economic benefits, there is no liability at this point in time and, accordingly, no provision can be recognized.

It order to recognize a provision, the following conditions must be met:

  1. Information available before the financial statements are issued or are available to be issued indicates that it is probable that an asset had been impaired or a liability had been incurred at the date of the financial statements. The date of the financial statements means the end of the most recent accounting period for which financial statements are being presented. It is implicit in this condition that it must be probable that one or more future events will occur confirming the fact of the loss; and
  2. The amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.

At December 31, 2016, it is not probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred. Accordingly, Mountain Chalets is not permitted to accrue a provision for this contract.

Solution (under IFRS)

Much like U.S. GAAP, provisions shall not be recognized for future losses under IFRS (IAS 37.63). Furthermore, as Mountain Chalets is anticipating future operating losses, this is an indicator that the chalet might be impaired and, therefore, it should first be tested for impairment under IAS 36 Impairment of Assets in accordance with IAS 37.69. Any impairment loss should be recognized prior to considering whether or not a provision for onerous contracts is appropriate.

If a contract meets the definition of an onerous contract, the present obligation under the contract should be recognized and measured as a provision under IAS 37.66. If, after any impairment losses have been recognized, there is still an unavoidable loss, it should be recognized as the lower of the fulfilment costs and the exit costs.

In this case, the fulfillment costs are USD 120,000 calculated as the difference between cash outflows (USD 7,000 x 60 days = USD 420,000) and cash inflows (USD 5,000 x 60 days = USD 300,000). The cost to cancel the contract is USD 250,000; however, management’s intent regarding cancellation is irrelevant. Hence, the provision may be USD 120,000, but more information is needed.

Specifically, we need more information about the USD 7,000 per day operating costs to determine which of these costs are truly “unavoidable.” Direct variable operating costs necessary to fulfil an entity’s obligations under a contract that cannot be avoided should be included when measuring the provision for an onerous contract. However, costs that could be avoided by the entity’s future actions or that are not related directly to the contract should not be included.

Final Thoughts

This is just one example of a difference that still exists between U.S. GAAP and IFRS. Think these differences are going away? Think again! Even within the largely converged standard Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606 and IFRS 15), new differences are being created as we discuss in this post. With over 122 jurisdictions requiring the use of IFRS for all or most publicly accountable companies, and most of the remaining jurisdictions permitting their use, we recommend that all accountants be bilingual in both U.S. GAAP and IFRS and we can help!

New call-to-action
 
Are You A Different Kind of CPA

Comments (0)


Add a Comment




Allowed tags: <b><i><br>Add a new comment:


Ready To Make a Change?

Cookies on the GAAP Dynamics website

To give you the best possible experience, this website uses cookies. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. For more details about cookies and how to manage them, please see our privacy policy.