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The impact of COVID-19 is expected to have a significant impact on the going concern assumption for a large number of entities. Some entities which were previously a going concern may no longer be. Many entities will need to apply significant judgement and will be required to consider the impact of material uncertainties in assessing the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Effective for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2019, IC Interpretation 23 ‘Uncertainty Over Income Tax Treatments’ (‘the Interpretation’) requires entities to consider the potential for adverse tax determinations being made by taxing authorities while under a hypothetical tax review and record a liability (and expense) where such a finding is considered “probable”. Many entities may not experience a financial impact as a result of this, but the Interpretation remains applicable and certain disclosures may be appropriate.

In this article 'Considerations when preparing financial statements and using alternative performance measures' we set out various ways to enhance communication on how the pandemic has impacted the financial position and performance of any reporting entity. These include sensitivity analysis, the use of alternative performance measures and changing line items that have previously been disclosed within the financial statements.

In accordance with MFRS 110 ‘Events after the Reporting Period’, entities are required to distinguish between subsequent events that are adjusting (ie those that provide further evidence of conditions that existed at the reporting date) and non-adjusting (ie those that are indicative of conditions that arose after the reporting date). Entities are required to update the carrying amounts of any assets or liabilities recognised in their financial statements to reflect any adjusting events that occur during the subsequent events period.

This article highlights key aspects of MFRS 15 ’Revenue from Contracts with Customers’, that are expected to be particularly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While many forms of government assistance should be accounted for by applying MFRS 120 ‘Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance’ because they meet the following definition, others should be addressed by other standards such as MFRS 112 ‘Income Taxes’.

MFRS 16 contains specific requirements on accounting for lease modifications. Rent concessions that change the overall consideration for the lease are in the scope of these requirements. Lessees are currently required to assess whether rent concessions are lease modifications and, if they are, apply specific accounting guidance.

As the impact of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to unfold around the world, those individuals responsible for preparing financial statements and approving them for issue need to be cognisant of not only what has happened and is happening at the reporting date and the time the financial statements are approved, but also what is likely to happen next.

As the impact of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to unfold around the world, those individuals responsible for preparing financial statements and approving them for issue need to be cognisant of not only what has happened and is happening at the reporting date and the time the financial statements are approved, but also what is likely to happen next.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is spreading around the globe rapidly. The virus has taken its toll on not just human life, but businesses and financial markets too, the extent of which is currently indeterminate. Entities need to carefully consider the accounting implications of this situation.

As Coronavirus is becoming more widespread, it is important that businesses consider the accounting implications as a result of the impact it is having on their business.