IFRS 9 Financial Instruments introduced changes to the calculation of bad debt provisions on trade receivables. Previously, companies provided for amounts when the loss had actually occurred. Under IFRS 9, companies are required to account for what they expect the loss to be on the day they raise the invoice – and they revise their estimate of that loss until the date they get paid. The concept of expected credit losses (ECLs) means that companies are required to look at how current and future economic conditions impact the amount of loss. Credit losses are not just an issue for banks.
ECLs on trade receivables are measured by applying either the general model or the simplified model. This article considers issues particularly relevant to the simplified model, in which ECL is measured at an amount equal to lifetime ECL. For application of the general model, see the following web articles :
Companies using the simplified model often use provisioning matrices that are based on historical data. Those matrices will have to be adjusted to incorporate reasonable and supportable information that is available at the reporting date, including the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. This may include additional scenarios and the impact of any government support schemes.
In addition, certain assumptions used in the ECL estimate – e.g. about segmentation of a portfolio or the effective interest rate used to discount expected future cash flows – may no longer be appropriate and so may need revising.
Companies will need to update provision models to reflect increased credit losses arising from COVID-19.
Reflecting information available at the reporting date
ECLs are measured at an unbiased, probability-weighted amount, using reasonable and supportable information that is available without undue cost or effort at the reporting date. This includes information about past events, current conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions. Because of the short-term nature of trade receivables, many companies may not have needed to consider updating ECL estimates for changes in future economic conditions relative to historic experience. However, they may now need to revisit this given the severe economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. Also, companies may need to consider a longer time horizon – e.g. when payment dates are deferred for a significant period. [IFRS 9.5.5.17]
IFRS 9 allows the use of practical expedients when measuring ECLs under the simplified approach – e.g. using a provision matrix. A company that applies a provision matrix may be applying segmentation to capture the significantly different historical credit loss experience for different customer segments. However, the segmentation applied in previous periods may no longer be appropriate and may need to be revised to reflect the different ways in which the COVID-19 outbreak affects different types of customers.
Provision matrices are based on historical loss experience but should be adjusted to reflect information about current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions. The COVID-19 outbreak may lead to a significant increase in the loss rate for trade receivables. Therefore, companies will need to consider how the timing and amount of cash flows generated by outstanding trade receivables might be affected and increase loss rates as necessary.
Companies that have credit insurance for their trade receivables should consider how this affects the measurement of ECL and ensure that measurement is consistent with updated loss estimates and any limitations on coverage. The accounting will depend on whether the insurance is considered to be a financial guarantee integral to the contractual terms of the trade receivable. If the guarantee is integral, then it will be included in the measurement of ECL on the trade receivable. If it is not, then separate accounting considerations will apply depending on whether the loss event has occurred. [Insights 7.1.132, 139–140]
Discount rate
Trade receivables without a significant financing component are measured on initial recognition at the transaction price determined under IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and do not have a contractual interest rate. This implies that the effective interest rate for these receivables is zero. Accordingly, discounting of cash shortfalls to reflect the time value of money when measuring ECLs is generally not required.
However, if a trade receivable becomes overdue and is then modified to effectively incorporate a significant financing component, then further analysis and judgement may be required, because using an effective interest rate of zero may no longer be appropriate. There may be more renegotiations of trade receivables given the economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. [Insights 7.8.400.30]
Disclosures
Under IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures, a company is required to disclose the nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments and how it manages those risks. Therefore, a company will need to explain the significant impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on the risks arising from financial instruments, including trade receivables, and how it is managing those risks. It will need to use judgement to determine the specific disclosures that are both relevant to its business and necessary to meet these disclosure objectives. [IFRS 7.31]
Examples of specific disclosures include the following.
When measuring ECLs for trade receivables:
References to ‘Insights’ mean our publication Insights into IFRS
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