🎓 What’s an Associate?
No, we’re not talking about your chatty co-worker at the water cooler. In accounting, an associate (or associated undertaking) is a company not controlled by you but over which you have significant influence. Essentially, it’s like having a strong say in the family dinner plans without actually hosting the dinner.
📜 The Rulebook – IAS 28 🍀
Accounting for associates is governed by IAS 28, Investments in Associates, and Section 14 of the Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Think of this as the Royal Rulebook for ensuring everything is accounted for properly! 🏰📚
When Am I an Associate?
You might be wondering, “When does my influence become significant enough to count?” Well, if you own 20%-50% of the voting power, congratulations! You’ve crossed into the magical land of significant influence! 🌟 It’s like having a backstage pass to a concert—it doesn’t make you the lead singer, but you do get some say over the set list.
Let’s Get Financial! 💸
So how do we treat our dear associates in the financial statements? Grab your calculator and let’s dive in!
graph TD;
A[Parent Company] -->|Significant Influence| B[Associate Company]
B --> C(20-50% Votes)
B -->D(Non-controlling)
A --> E(FRS Section 14)
A --> F(IAS 28)
Equity Method: Your Plus-One
To account for an associate, one uses the equity method. Picture this: Instead of showing the individual assets and liabilities of the associate, you simply slap a percentage of its net assets onto your own books. A neat little shortcut called the Equity Method Express! 🚆
The formula for the equity method looks something like this:
Investment in Associate = Cost + Share of Post-Acquisition Profits - Dividends Received
It’s like finding that extra fry at the bottom of your bag—a delightful bonus you can add to your meal!
Let’s Visualize 📊
Here’s how the equity method would look in a balance sheet:
graph LR;
A((Parent's Total Assets)) --- B[20-50% of Associate’s Net Assets]
B --- C((Balance Sheet))
style C fill:#f96
Quiz Time! 📚⏲️
So, ready to ace your knowledge with a fun quiz?
-
What range of ownership percentage generally defines a company as an associate?
- A. 0%-20%
- B. 20%-50%
- C. 50%-80%
- D. 80%-100%
- Correct Answer: B.
- Explanation: Significant influence is usually exerted when owning 20%-50%.
-
Which international standard governs accounting for associates?
- A. IAS 20
- B. IAS 28
- C. IAS 30
- D. IFRS 10
- Correct Answer: B.
- Explanation: IAS 28 governs investments in associates.
-
What method is used to account for associates?
- A. Cost Method
- B. Fair Value Method
- C. Equity Method
- D. Amortized Cost Method
- Correct Answer: C.
- Explanation: The equity method is used for accounting for associates.
-
The equity method considers which percentage of the associate’s net assets?
- A. Total assets
- B. 100% of net assets
- C. The parent company’s proportion of ownership
- D. Only liabilities
- Correct Answer: C.
- Explanation: The equity method includes the parent company’s proportionate share of the associate’s net assets.
-
True or False: To be an associate, the investing company must have control.
- Choices:
- True
- False
- Correct Answer: False.
- Explanation: Associates are defined by significant influence, not control.
-
How are dividends from an associate treated under the equity method?
- A. Added to the investment
- B. Subtracted from Post-Acquisition Profits
- C. Ignored
- D. Obfuscated
- Correct Answer: B.
- Explanation: Dividends are deducted from Post-Acquisition Profits in the equity method.
-
Investments in associates falling under which section in the FRS in the UK and Ireland?
- A. Section 3
- B. Section 12
- C. Section 14
- D. Section 20
- Correct Answer: C.
- Explanation: Investments in associates are accounted for under Section 14 of the FRS in the UK and Ireland.
-
What kind of say does significant influence provide in an associate?
- A. Full control
- B. Some influence
- C. Hidden control
- D. No influence
- Correct Answer: B.
- Explanation: Significant influence means the ability to affect decisions of the associate but not control it.
-
Is an entity with 10% ownership in another company considered an associate under IAS 28?
- Choices: Yes or No
- Correct Answer: No.
- Explanation: Ownership generally needs to be 20%-50% to be considered an associate.
-
Which of the following is not an indicator of significant influence?
- A. Representation on the board of directors
- B. Participation in policy-making processes
- C. Common management personnel
- D. Independent financial statement preparations
- Correct Answer: D.
- Explanation: Independent financial statement preparations do not indicate significant influence.
There you have it—hope you enjoyed this whimsical journey through the wondrous world of associates! Until next time, keep those pencils sharp and business associates even sharper!
