IFRS Compared With US GAAP and French GAAP

Implementing IFRS
Extract from:
IFRS compared with US GAAP

and French GAAP
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About this document
Content
This document is an extract from KPMG's February 2003 publication IFRS compared with US GAAP and
French GAAP, focusing on recognition, measurement and presentation, rather than disclosure. This
document focuses on the preparation of consolidated financial statements by listed enterprises on a
going concern basis. Requirements that are specific to stand-alone financial statements are not
discussed; neither are specialised industry accounting practices.
For each major financial statement line item or accounting area, a brief summary of the key points under
IFRS for identifying GAAP differences is provided on the left; on the right is a commentary identifying
where French GAAP has significant differences from IFRS. However, this document does not describe
fully the significant differences; for more information you should refer to the full publication.
The requirements of IFRS are summarised assuming that the enterprise has adopted IFRS already. The
special transitional rules that will apply in the period that an enterprise changes to IFRS are not
discussed. The IASB currently is debating these transitional rules and a new standard is expected
during 2003.
Cut-off date
Final pronouncements issued to 31 December 2001 are reflected in this document even if those
pronouncements are not effective immediately. Both IFRS and French GAAP are in a process of continual
development and change. As a result, a number of the differences highlighted in this document may
disappear, and new differences may arise.
Future developments
In May and June 2002 the IASB published a series of exposure drafts as part of its Improvements
Project; comments on the exposure drafts were due in September and October 20 02, and the final
standards are expected to be published during 2003. As a result, a number of the significant differences
highlighted in this document may disappear, and further differences may arise. Where the document
summarises a requirement that is expected to be amended as part of the Improvements Project, it is
highlighted with the symbol * to indicate a possible change. In such cases please take particular care to
watch for future developments.
Regarding French GAAP, Regulation CRC 02-10, which brings French GAAP closer to IFRS in respect of
the depreciation of assets was issued in December 2002 and becomes operative for annual financial
statements covering periods beginning on or after 1 January 2005. Earlier application is encouraged for
annual financial statements covering periods beginning on or after 1 January 2002.
Contents
Regulatory background
Generally accepted accounting practice
Legal and listing requirements
General issues
Form and elements of financial statements
Statement of recognised gains and losses
Statement of cash flows
Basis of accounting
Consolidation
Business combinations
Foreign currency translation
Prior period adjustments and other accounting changes
Events after the balance sheet date
Specific balance sheet items
General
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Investment property
Investments in associates and joint ventures
10
Financial instruments, including hedging
10
Inventories
11
Biological assets
11
Impairment
11
Equity
11
Provisions
12
Deferred tax
12
Contingent assets and liabilities
12
Specific income statement items
12
General
12
Revenue
13
Government grants
13
Employee benefits
13
Share-based payments
13
Interest expense
13
Income tax
13
Extraordinary and exceptional items
14
Contents (continued)
Special topics
Leases
Segment reporting
Earnings per share
Discontinuing operations
Related party disclosures
Financial instruments disclosure
Non-monetary transactions
Accompanying financial and other information
Interim financial reporting
14
14
14
14
14
15
15
15
15
15
Regulatory background
IFRS is the term used to indicate the whole body of IASB authoritative literature. At
present the sources of such accounting requirements are International Accounting
Standards (IAS) and interpretations thereof (such pronouncements are known as
SICs). In addition, an Implementation Guidance Committee (IGC) provided
interpretive guidance in applying IAS 39.
The term generally accepted accounting principles has no formal meaning in France
since laws, decrees and ministerial orders generally govern accounting.
Legal sources are found in the Commercial Code, which constitutes the framework of
general accounting rules and is applicable to traders, legal entities and individuals.
In France all businesses are required, for individual financial statements, to use the same
chart of general ledger accounts, to follow the same accounting rules (which are
influenced heavily by taxation laws) and also to use standardised formats for the balance
sheet, profit and loss statement and the notes to the financial statements. The
requirements are laid down in the General Accounting Plan, which was rewritten in CRC
(Comit de la Rglementation Comptable) regulation 99-03. The CRC is a government
organisation whose members are civil servants who serve on a part-time basis.
A true and fair override applies when the application of IFRS would be misleading.
There are no significant differences from IFRS.
General issues
The following must be presented:

balance sheet;
income statement;
a statement of recognised gains and losses or a statement of changes in equity,

which incorporates recognised gains and losses;
statement of cash flows; and
notes to the financial statements, including accounting policies.
No statement of recognised gains and losses is required.
The statements of changes in equity and cash flows need not be presented as primary
statements.
5
IFRS
FR
A statement summarising recognised gains and losses must be either presented as a

separate statement or combined with the statement of changes in equity.
No statement of recognised gains and losses is required.
The statement of cash flows is reconciled to cash and cash equivalents.
The cash flow statement may be reconciled to net indebtedness rather than to cash.
Dividends paid may be classified as operating or as financing.
Dividends paid must be classified as financing.
Basis of accounting
Basis of accounting
The IASB uses a conceptual framework as an aid to drafting IFRS.
There is no documented conceptual framework in France.
Many items in the financial statements are revalued, on either an optional or

compulsory basis.
The financial statements generally are prepared on a historical cost basis.
If an enterprises measurement currency is hyperinflationary, it must make current

purchasing power adjustments.
Financial statements of foreign entities in hyperinflationary economies may be

measured as if their functional (measurement) currency were their parents reporting
(presentation) currency.
Consolidation
Consolidation
Consolidation is based on the power to control, including a consideration of potential

voting rights.
Control is based on de facto control, and there is no guidance on potential voting

rights.
A parent need not hold any shares in a subsidiary.
At least one share in a controlled entity must be held in order to consolidate it.
A subsidiary is not consolidated if it is acquired and held exclusively for disposal in

the near future.*
A subsidiary held exclusively for subsequent disposal is not consolidated.
Subsidiaries excluded from consolidation are treated as financial assets.
Subsidiaries excluded from consolidation are treated as long-term investments.
The gap between the period-ends of a parent and a subsidiary should be no more than
three months either way.
A subsidiarys financial statements may be used for consolidation only if its year-end
is not more than three months before that of the parent.
IFRS
FR
Uniting of interests accounting is allowed in limited circumstances.
Certain business combinations are accounted for in a way similar to an IFRS uniting
of interests even if an acquirer can be identified.
In determining the cost of acquisition, the fair value of equity securities issued by the
acquirer is determined at the date control is obtained.
In determining the cost of acquisition, the fair value of equity securities issued is
determined at a date set by the market regulator.
Capitalised acquisition costs exclude the effect of income tax.
Capitalised acquisition costs are net of the effect of income tax.
Payments made by the acquirer under a guarantee of the value of the consideration do
not increase the cost of acquisition.
Payments made by the acquirer under a guarantee of the value of the consideration
increase the cost of acquisition.
All acquired identifiable intangibles and goodwill are capitalised at fair value and
amortised.
Identifiable assets and liabilities are valued at entry value, which in some cases is
different from fair value under IFRS. More intangibles are recognised than under IFRS.
Acquired in-process research is not capitalised. Acquired in-process development is

capitalised if certain criteria are met.
Acquired in-process research must be, and acquired in-process development may be,
capitalised and written off in the income statement immediately after the acquisition.
Costs of restructuring the acquiree are capitalised if the main features of the plan are
announced by the date of acquisition and a detailed plan is finalised by the earlier of
three months or when the financial statements are authorised.
The rules for recognising restructuring provisions are less strict than under IFRS, and
include certain restructuring of the acquirer.
Negative goodwill is recognised in the income statement, first to match any identified
expected costs, and then over the lives of the acquired depreciable assets.
Negative goodwill is offset first against any positive valuation differences; any
remaining amount is capitalised and recognised in income over a period of time.
In successive share purchases, assets and liabilities acquired in previous transactions

need not be revalued.
In successive share purchases up to the point of obtaining control, assets and

liabilities acquired in previous transactions must be revalued.
In a uniting of interests comparatives are restated.
There is no requirement to restate comparatives in a uniting of interests.
There is no guidance on accounting for transactions between enterprises under

common control, and practice varies.
Transactions between enterprises under common control are accounted for in the
same way as other business combinations.
IFRS
FR
An enterprise may select a presentation currency different from its measurement

currency.
Financial statements must be presented in the enterprises functional (measurement)

currency.
All gains on foreign currency transactions are recognised immediately.
Unrealised gains on foreign currency transactions may be deferred.
Errors that are not "fundamental are adjusted in the current year.*
All errors are corrected in the current periods financial statements.
Most accounting policy changes and all corrections of fundamental errors may be
effected by either restating comparatives or making an adjustment in the current year.*
Accounting policy changes are effected by restating opening retained earnings of the
current period; comparatives are not restated.
The financial statements are adjusted if a post balance sheet event indicates that the
going concern basis is not appropriate.
The financial statements are not adjusted for a post balance sheet event that indicates
that the going concern principle is no longer appropriate.
Specific balance sheet items

General
General
No specific balance sheet format is required.
A standard chart of accounts generally is used.
A refinancing after the balance sheet date may affect the classification of a liability at
the balance sheet date.
The short-term portion of long-term debt is classified as current even if it will be

refinanced on a long-term basis.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset if certain criteria are met.
Financial assets and liabilities cannot be offset.
8
IFRS
FR
When payment is deferred beyond normal credit terms, cost is the cash price
equivalent.
Cost always is the contract price.
Property, plant and equipment may be revalued to fair value. Revaluations must be
kept up to date.
Revaluations do not have to be updated.
Component accounting is used for the separate components of an asset.
Component accounting is not required.
Intangible assets
Intangible assets
Many internally developed intangibles, including development costs, must be

capitalised once certain criteria are met.
Development costs normally are expensed as incurred.
All advertising must be expensed as incurred.
Expenses may be capitalised more frequently than under IFRS, e.g. start-up and
business expansion costs, and advertising.
All capitalised intangibles are amortised.
There is no presumed limit of 20 years in amortising intangibles, although a maximum

life of five years applies in some cases. Some intangibles are not amortised.
Intangibles amortised over more than 20 years, and capitalised development costs
prior to being available for use, must be tested for impairment annually.
There is no requirement for the annual impairment testing of any intangibles.
Revaluation of some intangibles is permitted in limited circumstances.
Intangibles cannot be revalued.
Investment property
Investment property
Investment property may be stated at fair value.
Investment property is accounted for as property, plant and equipment.
Changes in fair value are recognised in the income statement.
Investment property may be revalued only when all long-term financial instruments
and property plant and equipment are revalued. Any revaluation surplus is credited
directly to equity.
9
IFRS
FR
An associate relationship is based on the power to exercise significant influence.
Significant influence is based on de facto significant influence.
In assessing significant influence, potential voting rights are taken into account.
There is no guidance on potential voting rights.
An investee is treated as a financial asset when acquired and held exclusively for
disposal in the near future.*
An investee is treated as a long-term investment when held exclusively for subsequent

disposal.
Proportionate consolidation is the benchmark treatment for joint ventures.
Jointly controlled entities must be proportionately consolidated.
Attributable goodwill is included in the investment in an associate.
Attributable goodwill is accounted for separately from the investment in an associate.
Transaction costs are included in the cost of a financial instrument.
Transaction costs are recognised in the income statement as incurred.
There are specific categories into which all financial instruments must be classified.
Financial instruments are not classified into the same categories as under IFRS, and
are not fair valued except in very limited circumstances.
An impairment is recognised if a financial assets recoverable amount is less than its

carrying amount.
Generally only permanent impairments are recognised.
The derecognition of transferred assets uses a financial components approach

combined with a risks and rewards approach.*
A financial asset is derecognised only when legal title is transferred.
Any liability discount or premium is amortised using the effective interest method.
Any liability discount or premium may be amortised on a straight-line basis.
Financial instruments must be evaluated to determine whether there are any liability
characteristics. Such characteristics will lead to classification of these instruments as
debt.
An issuers financial instruments may be classified on the basis of their legal form.
Split accounting of compound instruments is required where there are both liability
and equity characteristics.
Compound instruments are not split-accounted.
In-substance debt defeasance does not result in liability derecognition.
A liability may be derecognised on the basis of in-substance debt defeasance.
10
IFRS
FR
Financial instruments, including hedging (continued)
Financial instruments, including hedging (continued)
Derivatives are stated at fair value.
Derivatives usually are not shown in the balance sheet other than for the premiums
paid and received; only unrealised losses on derivatives are accounted for in the
income statement in the absence of hedge accounting.
There are strict criteria governing the use of hedge accounting.
Hedge accounting is permitted more frequently than under IFRS.
Inventories
Inventories
The cost of agricultural produce is its fair value at the date of harvest, less point-ofsale costs.
Agricultural produce may be stated at cost at the date of harvest.
Biological assets
Biological assets
Biological assets are stated at fair value for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2003.
Biological assets may be stated at cost.
Impairment
Impairment
An impairment exists if an assets (cash generating units) carrying amount exceeds the
greater of its net selling price and value in use (net present value of future cash flows);
this excess is the amount of the impairment loss.
An impairment loss is recognised in the form of additional depreciation when an

assets net realisable value is lower than its net book value.
Equity
Equity
Some shares must be classified as liabilities.
Certain instruments must be presented between liabilities and shareholders equity; all
other shares usually are classified as equity without regard to their substance.
Treasury shares held for trading purposes are deducted from equity.
Treasury shares held for trading purposes are recorded as an asset.
Dividends on shares classified as liabilities are recognised as interest in the income

statement on an accrual basis.
Dividends usually are recognised as distributions of equity.
11
IFRS
FR
Provisions
Provisions
All provisions must be discounted if the effect thereof is material.
There is no requirement to discount provisions.
Repairs and maintenance provisions are prohibited.
Provisions for major repairs and maintenance are recognised.
Deferred tax
Deferred tax
Deferred tax generally is recognised for fair value adjustments in a business

combination.
Deferred tax is not recognised on the fair valuation of unamortised intangible assets
acquired in a business combination if they cannot be sold separately.
Deferred tax in respect of temporary differences on associates and joint ventures is

not recognised in some circumstances.
Deferred tax in respect of temporary differences on associates and joint ventures is

recognised less frequently than IFRS.
Deferred tax is provided in respect of the remeasurement of a hyperinflationary

subsidiarys financial statements.
Deferred tax is not recognised for temporary differences arising from hyperinflation
adjustments.
Deferred tax is not discounted.
Deferred tax balances must be discounted if the timing of the reversal of the temporary
differences can be estimated reliably.
Contingent assets and liabilities are disclosed in the notes.
Specific income statement items

General
General
Expenses may be analysed by either their type or function.
12
IFRS
FR
Revenue
Revenue
Emphasis is placed on the substance of a contract in deciding when to recognise

revenue.
More emphasis is placed on the legal form of a contract in deciding when to recognise
revenue.
The percentage-of-completion method is required for long-term contracts.
The percentage-of-completion method is optional for long-term contracts. The

completed contract method is allowed also.
There is little specific guidance on revenue recognition.
Government grants
Government grants
Government grants may not be recognised directly in equity.
Investment subsidies are shown as part of shareholders equity.
Employee benefits
Employee benefits
A liability in respect of post-employment employee benefits must be recognised.
It is not mandatory to recognise a liability for post-employment employee benefits

except in a business combination.
There is no guidance on share-based payments, but extensive disclosure is required.
There are no disclosure requirements for share-based payments.
Interest expense
Interest expense
Imputed interest is amortised using the effective interest method.
Imputed interest may be amortised on a straight-line basis.
Income tax
Income tax
Current tax is recognised directly in equity when it relates to an item recognised

directly in equity.
Current tax always is recognised in the income statement.
13
IFRS
FR
Extraordinary items are rare.*
Extraordinary items do not exist under French GAAP.
Exceptional item is not a defined term under IFRS.
Exceptional items should be disclosed separately from ordinary activities on the face
of the income statement.
Special topics
Leases
Leases
Finance leases must be capitalised.
The capitalisation of finance leases is preferred, but not required.
A lease is classified as finance or operating based on its substance.
There is no definition of a finance lease under French GAAP.
If a sale and leaseback results in an operating lease that clearly is established at fair
value, any profit or loss is recognised immediately.
The treatment of sale and leaseback transactions may differ from IFRS.
Segment reporting
Segment reporting
Segment reporting cannot be omitted on the basis that it may be seriously prejudicial.
Segment reporting can be omitted if the directors consider it seriously prejudicial to

the enterprise.
Segment disclosures are much more limited than under IFRS.
Earnings per share
Earnings per share
The method of calculating EPS is specified.
The method of calculating EPS is not specified.
There are specific disclosure requirements for discontinuing operations.
There are no rules for discontinuing operations.
14
IFRS
FR
Related party transactions need not be disclosed by some enterprises.
The definition of related parties generally is narrower than under IFRS.

Extensive disclosures are required in respect of transactions with directors.
The level of detailed disclosures may vary depending on the quantitative information
necessary to understand the financial risks of those instruments.
Financial instrument disclosures are more limited than under IFRS.
Generally, exchanges of similar assets do not result in revenue recognition.
Exchanges of non-monetary assets of a similar nature and value are accounted for as a
disposal and a separate acquisition.
A financial review by management is encouraged.
A directors report is compulsory, which includes a summary of the enterprises results

for the five preceding years, and the views and comments of the workers council.
Enterprises of a certain size must prepare a statement of realisable assets and liabilities
(half-yearly); and a funds statement, forecast funds statement and forecast income
statement (annually).
With the exception of the tax charge, generally items are recognised and measured as if
the interim period were a discrete period.
The recognition and measurement rules are the same as for annual financial
statements, with no exceptions.
IFRS
FR
15
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About this document

2003 KPMG International, a Swiss nonoperating association. All rights reserved.

Generally accepted accounting practice

Legal and listing requirements

Form and elements of financial statements

Statement of recognised gains and losses

Statement of cash flows

Foreign currency translation

Prior period adjustments and other accounting changes

Events after the balance sheet date

Specific balance sheet items

Property, plant and equipment

Investments in associates and joint ventures

Financial instruments, including hedging

Contingent assets and liabilities

Specific income statement items

Extraordinary and exceptional items

2003 KPMG International, a Swiss nonoperating association. All rights reserved.

2003 KPMG International, a Swiss nonoperating association. All rights reserved.

Generally accepted accounting practice

2003 KPMG International, a Swiss nonoperating association. All rights reserved.

Legal and listing requirements

Legal and listing requirements

There are no significant differences from IFRS.

Form and elements of financial statements

The following must be presented:

a statement of recognised gains and losses or a statement of changes in equity,

statement of cash flows; and

notes to the financial statements, including accounting policies.

No statement of recognised gains and losses is required.

2003 KPMG International, a Swiss nonoperating association. All rights reserved.

Statement of recognised gains and losses

A statement summarising recognised gains and losses must be either presented as a

No statement of recognised gains and losses is required.

Statement of cash flows

Statement of cash flows

The statement of cash flows is reconciled to cash and cash equivalents.

Dividends paid may be classified as operating or as financing.

Dividends paid must be classified as financing.

The IASB uses a conceptual framework as an aid to drafting IFRS.

There is no documented conceptual framework in France.

Many items in the financial statements are revalued, on either an optional or

The financial statements generally are prepared on a historical cost basis.

If an enterprises measurement currency is hyperinflationary, it must make current

Financial statements of foreign entities in hyperinflationary economies may be

Consolidation is based on the power to control, including a consideration of potential

Control is based on de facto control, and there is no guidance on potential voting

A parent need not hold any shares in a subsidiary.

A subsidiary is not consolidated if it is acquired and held exclusively for disposal in

A subsidiary held exclusively for subsequent disposal is not consolidated.

Subsidiaries excluded from consolidation are treated as financial assets.

Subsidiaries excluded from consolidation are treated as long-term investments.

Statement of recognised gains and losses

2003 KPMG International, a Swiss nonoperating association. All rights reserved.

Uniting of interests accounting is allowed in limited circumstances.