Ernst & Young Monthly News July 2009
E-News
(PDF, English, 435 kB)
What is going on with financial instruments? / Equity accounting: a time for change? / Financial reporting developments / Resources
(PDF, English, 145 kB)
The IASB has adopted a working premise to use a two-category approach to measure financial instruments at either: (a) fair value; or
(b) amortised cost. Under this approach, the Board expects to retain a fair value option, prohibit reclassifications between the two
categories, eliminate 'tainting' rules, and for certain instruments, allow presentation of fair value changes in other comprehensive
income. A new Exposure Draft containing these proposals is expected in July 2009, with the final standard expected in time for 2009
year-end financial statements.
(PDF, English, 160 kB)
In response to issues that arise when assets, liabilities and equity instruments are measured at fair value, the IASB has issued an
Exposure Draft proposing a single consistent definition of fair value; the establishment of a single framework for measuring fair value;
and extends disclosures required when fair value information is disclosed or used as a measurement method. The proposals are likely to
result in companies having to make changes to their information systems to accommodate the extended disclosure requirements and to re-evaluate
their processes and procedures for determining fair value. This supplement summarizes the key proposals in the ED and the key business
impacts and challenges that entities may initially face. Comments are due by 28 September 2009.
(PDF, Englisch, 87 kB)
The practical application of the guidance in IFRIC 14 for applying IAS 19 Employee Benefits to restrict a pension asset in a defined benefit
plan to its recoverable amount has had a number of unintended consequences for entities in some jurisdictions. The IASB has proposed a limited
amendment to give entities the ability to recognize an asset for prepayments of minimum funding requirement contributions. This supplement
contains an example illustrating how this amendment would apply and considers the impact for businesses.
(PDF, English, 310 kB)
Editorial / Simplified subsequent taxation on inheritances and mpunity for voluntary self-accusation of tax evasion (Sibilla Cretti,
Astrid von Dungern) / Human capital – Global Mobility Effectiveness Survey 2009 (Chris Debner) / Amendments to the Agreement on the
Carriage of Goods between the European Commission and Switzerland – Introduction of the AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) status in
Switzerland (Barbara Henzen, Marc Schlaeger, Silja Pracht) / New VAT law will enter into force as of January 1, 2010
(Barbara Henzen) / Tax planning is indispensable, especially in times of crisis (René Schreiber) / Optimizing cash-in in a carve-out –
tax considerations with regard to the sale of a business unit (Flurin Poltera, Georg Lutz, Daniel Gentsch, Annette Walk) / Germany:
Act for combating tax evasion might be implemented (Heiko Kubaile) / Double taxation agreement with United Arab Emirates / New
and revised double taxation treaties (Fabian Duss, Lukas Küttel) / Real estate capital gains tax: Particularities and pitfalls in
restructuring real estate companies (Urs Schüpfer, Sereina Purtschert)
(PDF, German, 315 Ko)
Source: NZZ, 24 June 2009
Authors: Iqbal Khan, Philippe Zimmermann, Ernst & Young
Under the impact of the financial crisis, various means are being employed to try to explain the risks of the products that investors
have in their portfolios. But as the authors state, it is not enough to simply clarify the risks – the investor must also understand when
and under what circumstances such risks may occur. In view of the complexity of these products, however, simple figures are not enough.
(PDF, English, 704 kB)
Distinction between the employment contract and mandate – a constant issue