Abstract (eng)
In May 2011 the IASB issued a new standard IFRS 11 („Joint Ventures“), which has re-placed IAS 31 („Interests in Joint Ventures“) and SIC-13 („Jointly Controlled Entities – Non-Monetary Contributions by Ventures“). The affected companies should apply the new standard for the annual periods, beginning after 1.1.2013 (1.1.2014 in the European Un-ion).
IFRS 11 differs in many points from its precursor. The structure plays no more a key role in the process of classification of a joint arrangement. Furthermore, the IFRS 11 identifies just two types of joint arrangements instead of three, namely joint operations and joint ven-tures.
One of the most important purposes to issue a new Standard was to achieve a better com-parability between the IFRS and the US-GAAP. That is why the accounting regulations for joint arrangements have had significant changes. The choice between the proportionate consolidation and the equity-method for joint ventures has been removed; just the equity-method can be applied now. When a company participates in a joint operation, it has to recognise proportionally assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of a joint operation. The proportionate consolidation according to IFRS 11 and to IAS 31 are similar, but in some cases they can have significant differences.
The new accounting regulations both for joint operations and joint ventures can be found in the IFRS 11. Furthermore, the transitional provisions for companies, which have to change the accounting method from the 1.1.2013 or 1.1.2014, are also described in the new standard. Which consequences will this transition have on the affected companies?
Theoretically, when the company changes its consolidation method from the equity-method to the proportionate consolidation, the items of the balance sheet and the income statement (assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses) have to rise by proportional assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the joint arrangement. The interest in a joint venture and earnings from joint ventures have to be derecognised. The transition from the propor-tionate consolidation to the equity-method should show a reverse image.
To find out the actual consequences of the transition from the IAS 31 to the IFRS 11 the biggest oil and gas companies in Europe were analysed. IFRS 11 did not cause adjustments for the majority of the companies; the analysis of the six affected companies shows, that there are no material changes of the most important posts of the balance sheet like total equity and equity and the income statement like profit expected. Though a reclassification within these elements of a financial statement could lead to significant adjustments.
Differences between the theoretical changes and the changes, which occurred in reality, could be explained by in some points significant deviations between the proportionate con-solidation and the equity-method. Particularly the consolidation policies play an important role in the transition to the new standard. That is why the detailed transition provisions may be practical in order to assure comparability, transparency and uniformity of the ap-plication of the new standard.