PWC Ifrs and Luxembourg Gaap

www.pwc.
lu/ifrs
Similarities and
Differences
A comparison of IFRS and
Luxembourg GAAP
International Financial
Reporting Standards
June 2013
2PwC Luxembourg
Contents
Preface
How to use this publication
The Luxembourg regulatory framework
Accounting framework
Presentation of financial statements
10
Assets, liabilities and equity
20
Intangible assets other than goodwill, formation expenses
21
Property, plant and equipment
26
Investment property
31
Capitalisation of borrowing costs
35
Leases
37
Inventories
44
Impairment of non-financial assets
48
Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations
52
Financial assets
54
Financial liabilities
66
Equity
71
Derivatives and hedge accounting
74
Provisions and contingency
80
Employee benefits
84
Share-based payment
90
Deferred taxes
92
Investment in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled

entities in separate financial statements
Revenue and expenses
96
100
Revenue recognition
101
Expenses recognition
106
Consolidation and business combinations

Consolidated financial statements
107
109
Investments in associates
117
Investments in joint arrangements
119
Business combinations
Other accounting and reporting topics
125
129
Fair value
130
Foreign currency translation
133
Earnings per share
135
Related party transactions
137
Segment reporting
139
Post balance sheet events
141
Your contacts
142
Similarities and differences A comparison of IFRS and Luxembourg GAAP 1
Preface
International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRS) has gained
momentum in Europe. The globalisation
of business and finance has inevitably led
to calls for a common set of high quality,
global accounting standards. IFRS has
been successfully adopted in almost a
hundred countries over the last couple
of years. The International Accounting
Standards (IAS) Regulation issued
by the European Union (EU) in 2002
requires that listed companies in Europe
prepare financial information using
IFRS.
Luxembourg actively supports the
development of these international
accounting standards and, since2010,
the option to use IFRS as adopted by the
European Union for the preparation of
both statutory and consolidated financial
statements of non-listed entities has
been introduced into national law
through the endorsement of the EU
modernisation and fair value
directives.
Marc Minet
Partner, IFRS Leader
2PwC Luxembourg
The law of 10 December 2010 modifying

the Accounting Law of 19 December
2002 introduces the fair value option in
the Luxembourg accounting framework
in addition to IFRS.
We hope you will find this guide of

interest and stay at your disposal to
provide support whatever your needs
may be.
These changes lead to the possibility of

choosing between several accounting
frameworks: Luxembourg Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles
(LuxGAAP) under the historical cost
convention, full IFRS framework as
adopted by the European Union or a
mixed accounting framework (historical
cost with fair value option for some
elements).
This publication allows a comparison of
IFRS as adopted by the European Union
and LuxGAAP as applicable today in
entities subject to the above mentioned
Accounting Law.
Anne-Sophie Preud'homme
Partner, LuxGAAP Leader
How to use this publication

This PwC Luxembourg publication is
designed for those who wish to gain
a broad understanding of the key
similarities and differences between
IFRS as adopted by the European Union
and the Luxembourg regulatory and
accounting framework. The Luxembourg
framework material of this brochure
is based on the amended law of 19
December 2002 (the Accounting Law)
for the preparation of stand-alone
accounts and on section XVI of the
amended law of 10August1915 (the
Company Law) for the preparation of
consolidated accounts.
No summary publication can encompass

the many differences of detail that exist
between IFRS and LuxGAAP. Even if the
overall approach taken in the guidance
is similar, there can be differences in
the detailed application, which could
have a material impact on the financial
statements. This publication focuses
on the similarities and differences
most commonly found in practice. For
further details on the preparation of
annual accounts, we invite you to refer
to our publication Handbook for the
preparation of annual accounts under
Luxembourg accounting framework.
Abbreviated references are provided to

the articles of the Accounting Law as
amended (e.g. Art. 1(2) indicates Article
1 alinea 2 of the Accounting Law).
Where applicable, a summary of recent

developments has been added at the
end of some sections to anticipate
future changes in standards and
interpretations.
Abbreviated references are also provided

to the articles of the law of 10 August
1915 as amended and are indicated by
* (e.g. Art. 76* indicates Article 76 of
the Company Law).
When applying the individual

accounting frameworks, readers should
consider all the relevant accounting
standards and the applicable laws. Listed
companies should also follow relevant
securities regulations and relevant stock
exchange listing rules.
This publication takes account of

authoritative pronouncements and
recent developments issued under IFRS
and LuxGAAP up to 31 March 2013.
It is based on the most recent version
of those pronouncements. Should an
earlier version of a pronouncement
still be effective at the date of this
publication, reference to this fact has
been inserted.
This publication is exclusively designed
only for the general information of
readers and not for reliance purpose.
The reader must be aware that the
information to which he/she has access
is provided as is without any express or
implied guarantee by PwC Luxembourg.
No reader should act on or refrain
from acting on the basis of any matter
contained in this publication without
considering and, if necessary, taking
appropriate advice in respect of his/her
own particular circumstances.
4PwC Luxembourg
The law of 10 December 2010 (amending the Accounting Law) introduced major changes in the Luxembourg accounting
regulatory framework. It gives companies the possibility to prepare and file their stand-alone and consolidated accounts
according one of the following regimes:
LuxGAAP under historical cost convention;
LuxGAAP with some fair value options;
IFRS as adopted by the European Union.
Therefore, Luxembourg companies may now opt for IFRS on a voluntary basis.
However, companies whose securities are admitted to official trading on a regulated market of any Member State of the European Union
must publish their consolidated accounts in accordance with IFRS as adopted by EU, pursuant to the EC regulation N1606/2002.
Companies means all corporate entities including Luxembourg branches of foreign companies but excludes banking
institutions, pension funds, insurance and reinsurance companies that have their specific accounting framework. SICAR (Socit
dinvestissement en capital risque/investment company in risk capital), SIF (Specialised Investment Fund) and investment
funds shall follow the Accounting Law in addition to the specific guidance available in their specific law.
The different accounting regimes applicable can be summarised as follow:
LuxGAAP
Accounting regimes
Companies whose
securities are admitted
to official trading on a
regulated market of any
Member State of the
European Union
Other companies
IFRS
Historical cost
convention
Fair value option
Stand-alone accounts
Optional
Optional
Optional
Consolidated accounts
Not applicable
Not applicable
Mandatory
Stand-alone accounts
Optional
Optional
Optional
Consolidated accounts
Optional
Optional
Optional
Companies preparing their annual accounts in accordance with IFRS remain subject to the following LuxGAAP requirements:
Articles 68 and 68bis: obligation to prepare a management report
The management of the company has to prepare a management report. Luxembourg branches of foreign companies and
individual business owners are not obliged to prepare a management report as well as small-sized1 companies provided that they
include in their notes to the annual accounts the information concerning any acquisition of own shares. However, this exemption
does not apply to companies whose transferable securities are quoted on a EU regulated market.
The management report must include at least a fair review of the development of the companys business, its results and
position which provides clarification on the data shown in the annual accounts together with a description of the main risks
and uncertainties the company is facing. This analysis should include key indicators of performance for both financial and nonfinancial aspects which impact the activity of the company and in particular information related to environmental and personal
1 A company is categorised as a small-sized entity when two of the three criteria set out below are not exceeded:
- total balance sheet: 4.4m euros;
- net turnover: 8.8m euros;

- average number of full-time staff employed during the financial year: 50.

Are not considered as small-sized entities undertakings whose securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market of any Member State of the European Union.
matters. Medium-sized companies21 are exempt from providing non-financial information. However, this exemption does not
apply to companies whose transferable securities are quoted on a EU regulated market.
The report shall give also an indication of:
any important events that have occurred since the end of the financial year;
the companys likely future development;
in respect of the acquisitions of own shares:
- the reasons for acquisitions made during the financial year;
- the number and the nominal value, or, in the absence of nominal value, the accounting par value, of the shares acquired
and disposed of during the financial year and the proportion of the subscribed capital which they represent;
- in case of acquisition or disposal for value, the consideration for the shares; and
- the number and nominal value, or, in the absence of nominal value, the accounting par value, of all the shares acquired and
held in the companys portfolio as well as the proportion of the subscribed capital which they represent;
the existence of branches of the company; and
with respect to the use of financial instruments by the undertaking and when this is relevant for the valuation of its assets,
liabilities, financial situation and profit and loss:
- the objectives and policies of the company in terms of financial risk management, including its policy concerning the
hedging of each main category of transactions for which hedge accounting is used; and
- the companys exposure to market, credit, liquidity and treasury risks.
Moreover, companies for which transferable securities are quoted on a EU regulated market shall include a corporate governance
statement in the management report or issue it as a separate report.
Articles 69, 69bis, 69ter: audit requirements
Luxembourg companies, except small-sized companies, must have their annual accounts audited by an approved independent
auditor (Rviseur dentreprises agr).
Articles 70 and 71: parent companies and subsidiaries specific regime
Under certain conditions described in article70 of the Accounting Law, subsidiaries included in the consolidated accounts drawn
up by the parent undertaking are not obliged to apply the provisions of the Accounting Law regarding the content, the audit and
the publication of annual accounts.
Under certain conditions described in article71 of the Accounting Law, a parent company is not obliged to apply the provisions of
the Accounting Law regarding the audit and publication of the profit and loss account.
Articles 65(1) 2, 9, 12, 13, 15 and 16: content of the notes to the annual accounts
In addition to the IFRS disclosure requirements, the notes to the annual accounts must include:
information regarding undertakings in which the company holds at least 20% of the capital (this disclosure is described in the
section Investment in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities in separate financial statements);
the average number of staff employed during the period, broken down by categories;
the amount of the emoluments granted during the period (this disclosure is described in the section Employee benefits);
the amount of advances and loans granted to the management and supervisory bodies;
the name and registered office of the undertaking which draw up consolidated accounts; and
separately the audit fees, the other assurance services, the fees related to tax advisory services and all other fees received by
the statutory auditor or audit firm.
On 20December2011, the accounting draft bill n6376 has been filed to the Parliament. This draft bill provides a number
of changes to the Accounting Law and the Company Law, in detailing for example rules when applying the fair value option,
making the substance over form principle optional or eliminating the possibility of adapting the structure and nomenclature of
the balance sheet and profit and loss account according to the companys business. These changes have been mentioned in this
brochure where relevant.
2 A company is categorised as a medium-sized entity when two of the three criteria set out below are not exceeded:

- total balance sheet:>4.4m euros and 17.5m euros;

- net turnover: >8.8m euros and 35m euros;

- average number of full-time staff employed during the financial year: >50 and 250.
6PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
The principal qualitative characteristics that

make the information provided in financial
statements useful to users are understandability,
relevance, materiality, reliability, substance over
form, prudence, completeness, comparability,
timeliness and achieving a balance between
benefit and cost. Information is material if its
omission or misstatement could influence the
economic decisions of users made on the basis
of the financial statements. Materiality depends
on the size of the omission or misstatement
assessed in the particular circumstances.
There is no definition of the qualitative

characteristics of the annual accounts
as such but the regulations state that the
annual accounts shall be drawn up clearly, in
accordance with the Accounting Law and give
a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities,
financial position and results of the company.
The financial information must be comparable,
presented consistently and based on the
prudence principle. The Accounting Law also
states that the presentation of amounts within
items in the profit and loss account and balance
sheet shall have regards to the substance of the
reported transaction or arrangement. According
to the draft bill n6376, the substance over form
principle should become optional.
Conceptual Framework
Qualitative characteristics of
financial information
[Art. 26 (2) & (3); 29(6) and 51 (1) b) to f)]

Reporting elements
There are five reporting elements in the

statement of financial position and the statement
of comprehensive income: assets, liabilities,
equity, income (including revenues and gains)
and expenses (including losses).
LuxGAAP has the same five reporting elements

in the balance sheet and in the profit and loss
account as IFRS although each element is not
defined as such in the Accounting Law.
[Art. 26; 34 and 46]
Assets are resources controlled by an entity as a

result from a past event.
Liabilities are present obligations arising from a
past event. Assets and liabilities are recognised
on the statement of financial position when it is
probable that economic benefits will flow to or
from the entity, and those benefits are reliably
measurable.
Equity is the residual interest in the assets after
deducting the entitys liabilities.
Income relates to increases in economic benefits
that result in increases in equity other than those
relating to contributions from equity participants.
Expenses are decreases in economic benefits
that result in decreases in equity other than those
relating to distributions to equity participants.
8PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Historical cost is the main accounting

convention. However, IFRS permits the
revaluation of financial instruments, intangible
assets, property, plant and equipment (PPE)
and investment property. IFRS also requires
certain categories of financial instruments to
be reported at fair value. Inventories shall be
measured at the lower of cost and net realisable
value.
Historical cost is also the main accounting

convention. However, the Accounting Law
permits the revaluation of certain financial
instruments and other categories of assets.
According to the draft bill n6376, the other
categories of assets will be restricted to the
assets which are eligible to the fair value option
in IFRS. Inventories shall be measured at lower
of cost or market value.
Historical cost
[Art. 52; 62; 64bis; 64ter and 64sexies]

First-time adoption of
accounting framework
IFRS includes a specific standard on how a

company should apply IFRS for the first time
(IFRS 1 - First-time Adoption of International
Financial Reporting Standards). It introduces
certain reliefs and imposes certain requirements
and disclosures. First-time adoption of IFRS
as the primary accounting basis requires full
retrospective application of IFRS effective at the
reporting date for an entitys first IFRS financial
statements, with optional exemptions primarily
for PPE, business combinations, share-based
payments and pension plan accounting and
limited mandatory exceptions. Comparative
information is prepared and presented on the
basis of IFRS. Almost all adjustments arising
from the first-time application of IFRS are
adjusted against opening retained earnings of
the first period presented on an IFRS basis.
Some adjustments are made against goodwill
or against other classes of equity. Further, in
an entitys first IFRS financial statements, it
must present reconciliations of profit or loss
in respect of the last period reported under
previous GAAP, of equity at the end of that
period and of equity at the start of the earliest
period presented in comparatives in those first
IFRS financial statements. Finally, an entitys
first IFRS financial statements shall include
at least three statements of financial position
(including the opening statement of financial
position at IFRS transition date), two statements
of comprehensive income, two separate income
statements (if presented), two statements of
cash flows and two statements of changes in
equity and related notes.
There is no specific guidance on first-time

adoption of the Luxembourg accounting
framework. Therefore, first-time adoption of
LuxGAAP does not require the full retrospective
application of LuxGAAP.
The comparative figures have to be adjusted to
ensure comparability of the previous year items.
This must be disclosed in the notes to the
annual accounts with relevant comments.
[Art. 29 (4)]
10PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Scope and standard
The applicable standard is IAS 1 - Presentation

of Financial Statements.
The presentation of annual accounts is covered

by the following articles: 26 (1); 26 (2); 26 (5);
28; 29 (4); 33; 34; 35; 39 (1); 39 (2); 46; 47; 49;
51 (1) b); 51 (1) f); 51 (2); 65; 66; 320 (1)* and
337*.
Compliance
Entities should make an explicit and unreserved

statement that financial statements comply with
IFRS. Compliance cannot be claimed unless
the financial statements comply with all the
requirements of each applicable standard and
each applicable interpretation.
The annual accounts shall be drawn up clearly

and in accordance with the provision of the
ChapterII of the Accounting Law Annual
accounts. The consolidated annual accounts
shall be prepared in accordance with the
sectionXVI of the Company Law.
Components of financial
statements
The financial statements are composed of:

statement of financial position;
statement of comprehensive income;
statement of changes in equity;
statement of cash flows;
accounting policies; and
notes to the financial statements.
The annual accounts are composed of:

balance sheet;
profit and loss account;
accounting policies; and
notes to the annual accounts.
One year of comparatives is required for all

numerical information in the financial statements,
with limited exceptions. Comparative information
for qualitative disclosures is also required unless
deemed not relevant in improving the quality
of the financial statements. In limited note
disclosures, more than one year of comparative
information is required.
LuxGAAP requires one year of comparatives

for every caption in the balance sheet and
in the profit and loss account. Although not
specifically indicated, all numerical information
in the notes to the annual accounts generally
include one year of comparatives. Where the
figures from one year are not comparable to
figures of the other year and where the figures
of the preceding year have been adjusted, this
must be disclosed in the notes to the annual
accounts with relevant comments.
General requirements
Comparative data
The statement of changes in equity and the

statement of cash flows are not required by the
Accounting Law.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Statement of financial position - balance sheet

Format
Current/non-current
classification
12PwC Luxembourg
The current/non-current distinction is required

by IAS1 - Presentation of Financial Statements
for assets and liabilities, except when a liquidity
presentation provides more relevant and
reliable information. All assets and liabilities
are presented broadly in order of liquidity in
such cases. Otherwise, there is no prescribed
statement of financial position format and
management may use judgement regarding the
form of presentation in many areas. However,
IFRS requires presentation of minimum items on
the face of the statement of financial position,
including among others:
assets: property, plant and equipment,
investment property, intangible assets,
financial assets, investments accounted for
using the equity method, biological assets,
inventories, trade and other receivables,
deferred tax assets, cash and cash
equivalents, assets classified as held for
sale and assets included in disposal groups
classified as held for sale;
equity and liabilities: issued capital and serves
attributable to owners of the parent, financial
liabilities, provisions, current and deferred tax
liabilities, trade and other payables, financial
liabilities, liabilities included in disposal groups
classified as held for sale and non-controlling
interests (presented within equity).
The Accounting Law prescribes in article

34 a standard format for the presentation of
the balance sheet. The format presents the
total assets and total liabilities. Since the
introduction of the electronic filing in2012, this
format can no longer be adapted to the specific
business of the company.
Where the distinction is made, assets are

classified as current assets if they are held
for sale or consumed in the normal course of
the entitys operating cycle, or cash and cash
equivalents. Both assets and liabilities are
classified as current when they are held for
trading or expected to be realised within 12
months of the statement of financial position
date. Interest-bearing liabilities are classified as
current when they are due to be settled within 12
months of the statement of the financial position
date, even if the original term was for a period of
more than 12 months. An agreement to refinance
or reschedule payments on a long-term basis
that is completed after the statement of the
financial position date does not result in noncurrent classification of the financial liabilities
even if executed before the financial statements
are issued.
The Accounting Law requires to present assets

in order of liquidity and liabilities in order of
repayability, according to the prescribed format.
As allowed by article35, small-sized companies

(refer to size criteria mentioned in the section
The Luxembourg regulatory framework) may
draw up their balance sheet in the form of an
abridged balance sheet. These derogations are
not valid for the companies whose securities
are admitted to official trading on a regulated
market of any Member State of the European
Union.
In the format prescribed by the Accounting

Law, there is a distinction between fixed and
current assets. Whether assets are to be
shown as fixed or current assets shall depend
upon the purpose for which they are intended.
Fixed assets are assets intended for use on
a continuing basis for the purpose of the
undertakings activity.
Separate presentation of assets and liabilities
into amounts due within one year or after one
year is also required. Borrowings due after five
years must be disclosed separately in the notes
to the annual accounts.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Statement of financial position - balance sheet

Offsetting assets and
liabilities
Assets and liabilities cannot be offset, except

where specifically permitted by a standard.
Financial assets and financial liabilities are
offset when an entity has a legally enforceable
right to offset the recognised amounts and
intends to settle transactions on a net basis
or to realise the asset and settle the liability
simultaneously. A master netting agreement,
in the absence of the intention to settle net or
realise the asset and liability simultaneously,
is not sufficient to permit net presentation of
derivative financial instruments even if it creates
a legally enforceable right of offset. Generally,
an entitys right of offset under a master netting
agreement is conditional and enforceable only
on the occurrence of some future events and net
presentation is not permitted.
Any offset between assets and liabilities items

is prohibited.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Statement of comprehensive income - profit or loss account

Format
Entities should present all items of income and

expenses recognised in a period:
in a single statement of comprehensive
income; or
in two statements: a statement displaying
components of profit or loss (separate income
statement) and a second statement beginning
with profit or loss and displaying components
of other comprehensive income.
There is no prescribed format for the statement
of comprehensive income in IAS1 - Presentation
of Financial Statements.
The entity should select a method of presenting
its expenses recognised in profit or loss either
by function or by nature. This can either be, as
it is encouraged, on the face of the statement of
comprehensive income or in the separate income
statement (if presented).
Additional disclosure of expenses by nature
is required if functional presentation is used.
Entities should not mix functional and nature
classifications of expenses by excluding certain
expenses from the functional classifications to
which they relate.
The following minimum items have to be
presented on the face of the statement of
comprehensive income:
revenue;
finance costs;
share of post-tax results of associates and
joint ventures accounted for using the equity
method;
tax expense;
post-tax gain or loss attributable to the
results and to remeasurement of discontinued
operations;
profit or loss for the period;
each component of other comprehensive
income classified by nature (net of tax or gross
with net cumulative tax effect on all items of
other comprehensive income);
share of the other comprehensive income of
associates and joint ventures accounted for
using the equity method; and
total comprehensive income.
The portion of profit or loss and total
comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interests and to the owners of the
parent are separately disclosed on the face of
the statement of comprehensive income as
14PwC Luxembourg
Under LuxGAAP, all items of income and

expenses are presented in a single statement
named profit and loss account.
There is a prescribed format in article 46 for the
profit and loss account.
The undertakings referred to in article 47
(small-sized and medium-sized companies
refer to size criteria mentioned in the section
The Luxembourg regulatory framework) may
draw up their profit and loss account in the
form of an abridged profit and loss account.
This exemption is, however, not permitted for
companies whose securities are admitted to
official trading on a regulated market of any
Member State of the European Union.
Undertakings have the ability to include in their
annual accounts a statement of comprehensive
income in addition to the profit and loss
account.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Statement of comprehensive income - profit or loss account

allocations of profit or loss and total
comprehensive income for the period within that
caption. An entity that discloses an operating
result shall include all items of an operating
nature, including those that occur irregularly or
infrequently or are unusual in amount.
The components of other comprehensive income
shall include:
changes in revaluation surplus (on items of
property, plant and equipment or intangibles);
remeasurement of defined benefit obligations
on employee benefits;
gains and losses arising from translation of a
foreign operation;
gains and losses on remeasuring available-forsale financial assets; and
effective portion of gains and losses on
hedging instruments in a cash flow hedge.
Items that will not be recycled such as
revaluation gains on property, plant and
equipment are presented separately from items
that may be recycled in the future, such as
deferred gains and losses on cash flow hedges.
Entities that choose to present other
comprehensive income items before tax are
required to show the amount of tax related to the
two groups separately.
From 2013, the title used by IAS 1 for the
statement of comprehensive income has
changed to statement of profit or loss and other
comprehensive income. However IAS 1 still
permits entities to use other titles.
Significant items
A separate disclosure is required for items of

income and expenses that are of such size, nature
or incidence that separate disclosure is necessary
to explain the performance of the entity for the
period. Disclosure may be on the face of the
income statement or in the notes. IFRS does not
use or define the term significant items.
The Accounting Law does not define the

term significant items.
Extraordinary items
The presentation of extraordinary items is

prohibited.
Article 49 defines extraordinary items as

income and charges that arise otherwise
than in the course of ordinary activity.
When material, extraordinary items shall
be explained in the notes to the annual
accounts. Small-sized companies (refer to
size criteria mentioned in the section The
Luxembourg regulatory framework) are
exempted to disclose this information, unless
they issue securities which are admitted to
official trading on a regulated market of any
Member State of the European Union.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
A statement of changes in equity is presented

as a primary statement for all entities in
accordance with IAS1 - Presentation of Financial
Statements. The following minimum items have
to be presented:
total comprehensive income for the period,
showing separately the total amounts
attributable to owners of the parent and to
non-controlling interests;
for each component of equity, the effects
of retrospective application or retrospective
restatement recognised in accordance with
IAS8 - Accounting Policies, Changes in
Accounting Estimates and Errors;
the amounts of transactions with owners in
their capacity as owners, showing separately
contributions by and distributions to owners;
and
for each component of equity, a reconciliation
between the carrying amount at the beginning
and at the end of the period, separately
disclosing each change.
A statement of changes in equity is not required

but may be included on a voluntary basis in the
annual accounts.
Statement of changes in equity

Format
16PwC Luxembourg
IFRS can be used as a benchmark.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
A statement of cash flows is presented in

accordance with IAS7 - Statement of Cash
Flows as a primary statement for all entities.
A statement of cash flows is not required but

may be included on a voluntary basis in the
annual accounts.
Cash flows from operating, investing and

financing activities are classified separately.
Direct/indirect method
Inflows and outflows of cash and cash

equivalents are reported in the statement of
cash flows. The statement of cash flows may be
prepared using either the direct method (cash
flows derived from aggregating cash receipts and
payments associated with operating activities)
or the indirect method (cash flows derived from
adjusting net income for transactions of a non cash
nature such as depreciation). The indirect method
is more common in practice. Non-cash investing
and financing transactions are to be disclosed.
Definitions of cash and cash

equivalents
Cash is cash on hand, and demand deposits.
Cash is not defined in the Accounting Law.
Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid

investments that are readily convertible to
known amounts of cash and are subject
to an insignificant risk of changes in value.
An investment normally qualifies as a cash
equivalent only when it has a maturity of three
months or less from its acquisition date.
The cash caption does not include cash

equivalent which is classified within the
transferable securities.
Bank overdrafts are normally considered financing

activities similar to borrowings. However, if they
are repayable on demand and form an integral
part of an entitys cash management, bank
overdrafts are a component of cash and cash
equivalents in the statement of cash flows.
Bank overdrafts are normally considered to

be liabilities and accounted for in the caption
amounts owed to credit institutions. However,
if the company has a net positive balance with
the same bank, the bank overdraft can be
deducted from the cash if there is a possible
legal compensation.
Statement of cash flows

Format
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Changes in accounting policy and other accounting changes

Changes in accounting policy
Changes in accounting policy are accounted

for retrospectively in accordance with IAS8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting
Estimates and Errors. Comparative information
is restated and the amount of the adjustment
relating to prior periods is adjusted against the
opening balance of retained earnings of the
earliest year presented. An exemption applies
when it is impracticable to change comparative
information.
Entities are required to present a statement of
financial position (balance sheet) at the beginning
of the earliest comparative period when they
apply an accounting policy retrospectively or
when they reclassify items in their financial
statements. Policy changes made upon adoption
of a new standard must be accounted for in
accordance with that standards transition
provisions. The method described above is used
if transition provisions are not specified.
Correction of errors
The same method as for changes in accounting

policy applies.
Accounting policies must be applied

consistently and shall not be modified from
one year to another. Any exceptional departure
requires an explanatory note detailing the
reason for such changes and shall detail the
impact on the assets and liabilities, the financial
situation and the results of the undertaking.
The changes in accounting policies are
accounted in the profit and loss account in the
year they occur. Alternatively, the management
may decide to account for the changes in
accounting policies in the retained earnings at
the opening of the financial year.
Comparative figures cannot be restated but
management may opt to insert in the annual
accounts next to the comparative figures a
column with pro-forma figures where previous
years data have been restated using the new
accounting rules of the company.
By virtue of the principle of intangibility of the
opening balance, corrections of errors are
recorded in the profit and loss account in the
year when discovered.
Alternatively, the management may decide to
account the correction of errors in the retained
earnings at the opening of the financial year.
Where the figures from one year are not
comparable to figures of the next year and
where the figures of the preceding year have
been adjusted, this must be disclosed in the
notes to the annual accounts, with relevant
comments.
Changes in accounting
estimates
18PwC Luxembourg
Changes in accounting estimates are recognised

prospectively by including the effects in profit
or loss in the period that is affected (that is, the
period of change and future periods) except if
the change in estimates gives rise to changes
in assets, liabilities or equity. In this case, it is
recognised by adjusting the carrying amount of
the related asset, liability or equity in the period
of change.
Not specified in the Accounting Law.

Future developments
Guidance on management commentary
International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) has
issued a non-mandatory practice statement to help entities
present a narrative report, often referred to as management
commentary. The practice statement is not an IFRS.
The practice statement lists the information that management
might choose to provide to users of the financial statements
with an explanation of the entitys financial position, financial
performance and cash flows. It explains managements
objectives and its strategies for achieving those objectives.
The IASB is currently reviewing its Framework and seeks to
converge it with the conceptual framework of the US standards
setter (the Financial Accounting Standards Board FASB).
The Conceptual Framework project will focus on the following:
reporting entity, elements of financial statements (including
recognition and derecognition), measurement, presentation
and disclosure. Before being paused in 2010, the IASB
completed chapters on the objective of financial reporting and
qualitative characteristics of useful information.
The IASB agreed to restart this project in September 2012.
The focus of management commentary will be specific to

each entity. The IASBs practice statement provides a broad
framework of principles, qualitative characteristics and
elements that might be used to provide users of the financial
report with decision-useful information. Management
commentary might include a description of the nature of the
business, managements objectives and strategies to meet
those objectives, critical financial and non-financial resources,
principal risks, performance and development of the entity
and performance measures.
A discussion paper is targeted to be released during the second

quarter of 2013.
Entities that are not currently required to provide management

commentary and now elect to do so will be able to apply
the new practice statement. Entities that currently provide
management commentary in accordance with local legislation
or listing requirements are unlikely to be affected. Entities that
elect to apply the non-mandatory practice statement should
review any existing management commentary to identify and
include some or all of the features required by the practice
statement.
If a Luxembourgish entity prepares statutory IFRS financial
statements, requirements regarding management report shall
comply with Luxembourg regulation (refer to section The
Luxembourg regulatory framework).
20PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP

Scope and standard
The applicable standard is IAS 38 - Intangible

Assets.
Intangible fixed assets and formation expenses

are covered by the following articles: 34; 39;
53; 55; 59 (1); 64 sexies; 64 septies and 65.
Definitions
An intangible asset is an identifiable nonmonetary asset without physical substance.
Intangible fixed assets are items without

physical substance which are intended for use
on a continuing basis for the purpose of the
undertakings activity.
Intangible items are composed of:
research and development costs;
concessions, patents, licenses, trademarks
and similar rights and assets; and
payments on account and intangible assets
under development.
Recognition General rules
Formation expenses do not qualify as assets

under IFRS and shall be expensed immediately.
Formation expenses are expenses relating to

the creation or extension of an undertaking
or of a line of business (for example set-up
costs).
The recognition criteria require that it is probable

that future economic benefits attributable to the
asset will flow to the entity (probability criterion),
the assets cost can be reliably measured
(reliability criterion) and the asset is identifiable
(identifiable criterion). The identifiable criterion
is met when intangible asset is separable (that
is, it can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented or
exchanged), or where it arises from contractual
or legal rights.
Intangible fixed assets are recognised when

the control (generally the property rights) is
transferred.
The overriding recognition criteria apply to both

initial costs and subsequent expenditure incurred
in acquiring or internally generating an intangible
asset. If the recognition criteria are not met,
costs must be expensed.
Formation expenses may be either capitalised

or directly expensed. The same principle
applies to research and development costs.
The recognition of intangible fixed assets

shall also be based on the substance over
form principle. This principle should become
optional with the adoption of the draft bill
n6376.
It is important to distinguish between the

different ways of acquiring an intangible asset as
it will affect the assumptions made in applying
the three recognition criteria and the initial
measurement of the assets. The three major
categories of intangible assets include internally
generated intangible assets, separately acquired
intangible assets or intangible assets acquired in
a business combination.
Recognition Additional
criteria for internally generated
intangibles
The costs associated with the creation of

intangible assets are classified between the
research phase and development phase. Costs
in the research phase are always expensed.
Costs in the development phase are expensed
unless the entity can demonstrate all of the
following:
the technical feasibility of completing the
intangible asset;
No specific guidance in the Accounting Law.

In practice, internally generated fixed assets
can be capitalised under the three following
criteria:
the expenses must be incurred by the
company for its own account;
the expenses must offer a reasonable
chance of technical success and
profitability; and
the company must be able to demonstrate
an exclusive property right.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP

the intention to complete the intangible asset;
the ability to use or sell it;
how the intangible asset will generate
future economic benefits (the entity shall
demonstrate the existence of a market or, if for
internal use, the usefulness of the intangible
asset);
the availability of adequate resources to
complete the development; and
the ability to measure reliably the expenditure
attributable to the intangible asset during its
development.
Development costs initially recognised as an
expense cannot be capitalised in a subsequent
period.
Recognition Website
development costs
Costs incurred during the planning stage are

expensed. Costs incurred for activities during
the websites application and infrastructure
development stages are capitalised, and costs
incurred during the operational stage are
expensed as incurred.
General rules for internally generated

intangible fixed assets apply.
Recognition Intangible
assets acquired in a business
combination
IFRS 3 - Business Combinations requires that, in

a business combination, the acquirer recognises
an identifiable intangible asset if its fair value can
be reliably measured. This is the only criterion
that has to be satisfied as it is presumed that the
probability criterion is satisfied. The condition is
deemed to be satisfied, because the probability
factor is reflected in the fair value attributed to
the intangible asset. The cost of an intangible
asset acquired in a business combination is its
fair valueat the acquisition date. The acquirers
intentions or specific circumstances are not
relevant to the measurement of fair value as
fair value is not entity-specific. But the reliable
measurement criterion will always be met
for intangible assets acquired in a business
combination under IFRS3. The effects of
uncertainty are reflected in measuring the assets
fair value.

Here are types and examples of identifiable

intangible assets acquired in a business
combination:
marketing-related assets: trademarks,
newspaper mastheads, internet domain
names, non-competitive agreements, etc.;
customer-related assets: customers lists, order
or production backlogs, customer contracts
and related customer relationships, noncontractual customer relationships, etc.;
22PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP

contract-based assets: licensings, royalties,
advertisings, constructions, management,
service or supply contracts, operating and
broadcast rights, franchise agreements, etc.;
and
technology-based assets: patented
technologies, research and development
works, computer softwares, unpatented
technology, databases, etc.
Initial measurement
Internally generated and separately acquired

intangible assets are initially measured at cost
while intangible assets acquired in a business
combination are initially measured at fair value.
Intangible fixed assets must be initially

measured at purchase price or production
cost.
Purchase price
The purchase price shall be calculated
by adding to the price paid the expenses
incidental thereto. Ancillary costs include all
direct costs with the exception of distribution
costs, overhead and financing costs.
Production cost
The production cost shall be calculated
by adding to the purchase price of the raw
materials and consumables the costs directly
attributable to the intangible fixed assets in
question.
A reasonable proportion of the costs which
are only indirectly attributable to the product
in question may be added into the production
costs to the extent to which they relate to the
period of production.
Interest on capital borrowed to finance the
production of intangible fixed assets may be
included in the production cost to the extent it
relates to the period of production.
The recognition of intangible fixed assets
acquired in a business combination can
be made at book value or market value
depending on the purchase price allocation
documentation.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP

Subsequent measurement
Intangible assets with a finite life are subject to

amortisation and carried at historical cost less
accumulated amortisation/impairment, or at fair
value less subsequent amortisation/impairment.
Subsequent revaluation of intangible assets to
their fair value is based on prices observable on
an active market. Revaluations are performed
regularly and at the same time if an entity adopts
this treatment. The revaluation model is very rare
in practice.
The residual value at the end of the useful life
is presumed to be zero, unless there is either
a commitment by a third party to purchase the
asset and/or there is an active market for the
asset.
Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are
not subject to amortisation and are carried at
historical cost unless impaired.
Impairment reviews are required whenever
changes in events or circumstances indicate
that an intangible assets carrying amount may
not be recoverable. Annual impairment tests
are required for intangible assets with indefinite
useful lives and for assets not yet ready for use.
Reversals of impairment losses are allowed
under specific circumstances.
Intangible fixed assets are carried at historical

cost less accumulated amortisation and value
adjustment.
Alternatively, intangible fixed assets can be
fair valued using the market value or any value
resulting from generally accepted valuation
models and techniques.
Historical cost convention
Intangible fixed assets with indefinite life are
not amortised, but should be tested annually
for value adjustments.
Intangible fixed assets with definite life are
amortised over their economic useful life.
Formation expenses and research and
development costs, if capitalised, shall be
written off on a straight-line basis over a
period of five years maximum. The period of
amortisation of research and development
can be extended where it is expected that the
benefits will exceed five years. No dividend
can be distributed insofar they have not
been completely written off unless there are
available reserves equal to the expenses not
written off.
Value adjustments must be made so that
intangible fixed assets are valued at the lower
figure to be attributed to them at the balance
sheet date if it is expected that the reduction
in value will be permanent. Value adjustments
may not be continued if the reasons for which
the value adjustments were made have ceased
to apply.
Fair value option
Under the existing Accounting Law, intangible
fixed assets can be fair valued (possible
modification contemplated by draft billn6376,
fair value option available if fair value permitted
under IFRS).
24PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP

Disclosure
The disclosures required are comprehensive

and include the method chosen for subsequent
measurement, the estimated useful life,
amortisation rates as well as the movement
in gross carrying amount, in accumulated
depreciation and in impairment which shall
reconcile with the net carrying amount and
depreciation charge of the year. This information
must be given by classes.
The notes to the annual accounts must

include the valuation methods applied to the
various items and the methods employed
in calculating the amortisation. In addition,
if intangible fixed assets are subject to
exceptional amortisation, the amount of the
adjustments and the reasons for making them
accounts.
The reason supporting the assessment of

indefinite life when company holds such assets
shall be disclosed. For assets on which the
revaluation model is applied, the movement in
revaluation surplus and the restriction on its
distribution to shareholders as well as what would
have been the carrying amount had the company
chosen the cost model shall be disclosed.
In the event that borrowing interest is included

in the production cost, the inclusion of such
interest must be disclosed.
Movements of the categories of intangible
fixed assets during the year must be disclosed
in the notes to the annual accounts.
The formation expenses must be detailed in
the notes to the annual accounts. Movements
in formation expenses shall be detailed in the
Where valuation at fair value has been applied,
annual accounts must disclose the following:
the main assumptions in relation to the
models and valuation techniques used;
the movements of fair value booked directly
in the profit and loss account and in the fair
value reserve;
the movements of the fair value reserve.
Small-sized companies (refer to size criteria
mentioned in the section The Luxembourg
regulatory framework), are exempted from
the obligation to disclose movements of the
categories of intangible fixed assets and
formation expenses.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
The applicable standard is IAS 16 - Property,

Plant and Equipment.
Tangible fixed assets are covered by the

following articles: 34; 39; 40; 55; 64sexies;
64septies and 65.

Scope and standard
The standard does not apply to:

investment property;
biological assets related to agricultural activity;
recognising and measuring exploration and
evaluation assets;
mineral rights and mineral reserves such as
oil, natural gas and similar non-regenerative
resources; and
plant and equipment classified as held for
sale in accordance with IFRS 5 - Non-current
Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued
Operations.
Definitions
Property, plant and equipment (PPE) are

tangible assets that are:
held for use in the production or supply of
goods and services, for rental to others or for
administrative purposes; and
expected to be used during more than one
period.
Property, plant and equipment are not defined

as such in the Accounting Law but listed in
the prescribed format of the balance sheet.
They are classified as fixed assets if they are
intended for use on a continuing basis for
the purpose of the undertakings activity. In
practice, they are disclosed as tangible fixed
assets in the balance sheet.
Tangible fixed assets are composed of:
land and buildings;
plant and machinery;
other fixtures and fittings, tools and
equipment; and
payments on account and tangible assets in
course of construction.
Recognition
General IFRS asset recognition criteria apply.

PPE is recognised if future economic benefits
attributable to the asset are probable and the
cost of the asset can be measured reliably.
Sufficient certainty that future economic benefits
will flow to the entity is normally achieved only
when the risks and rewards of the asset have
passed to the entity. Before this, the transaction
can usually be cancelled without significant
penalty and, therefore, the asset should not
be recognised. Normally, the transfer of risks
and rewards is assumed to occur when an
unconditional and irrevocable contract is put in
place. Where there is a contractual commitment
for the acquisition of property, plant and
equipment, such commitments are disclosed,
but the asset is not recognised until the transfer
of risks and rewards has occurred.
26PwC Luxembourg
General LuxGAAP asset recognition criteria

apply: tangible fixed assets should be initially
recognised when the control (generally the
property rights) over these items is transferred,
i.e. the date when the significant risks and
rewards incidental to the tangible fixed assets
are transferred.
The recognition of tangible fixed assets shall
also be based on the substance over form
principle. This principle should become optional
with the adoption of the draft bill n6376.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
PPE, at initial measurement, comprises the costs

directly attributable to bringing the asset to the
location and working condition necessary for it to
be capable of operating in the way management
intends, including costs of testing whether the
asset is functioning in the way the management
intends. Start-up and pre-production costs are
not capitalised unless they are a necessary part of
bringing the asset to its working condition.
Tangible fixed assets must be valued at

purchase price or production cost.
The following costs are also included in the initial

measurement of the asset:
the costs of site preparation;
initial delivery and handling costs;
installation and assembly costs;
costs of employee benefits arising from
construction or acquisition of the asset;
costs of testing whether the asset is functioning
properly;
professional fees;
fair value gains/losses on qualifying cash flow
hedges relating to the purchase of PPE in a
foreign currency; and
the initial estimate of the costs of dismantling
and removing the item and restoring the site on
which the PPE is located.
Production cost
attributable to the tangible fixed assets in
question.
Government grants received in connection with

the acquisition of a PPE may be set off against the
costs.
Government grants received are either

deducted from the book value of the tangible
fixed asset concerned or recorded in the
caption Capital investment subsidies in the
liability.
Spare parts and servicing equipment are normally

treated as inventory and expensed as consumed.
However, major spare parts and stand-by
equipment should be treated as property, plant
and equipment when they are expected to be used
during more than one period.
Spare parts are treated differently depending

upon their nature and their use:
main spare parts are recorded as tangible
fixed assets when they are expected to
be used during more than 12months and
are amortised over the remaining life of the
related asset; otherwise they are recorded as
inventory; and
other spare parts and maintenance
equipment are recorded as inventory.
The entity shall include the borrowing costs

incurred during the period of acquiring,
constructing or producing the asset for use (refer
to section Capitalisation of borrowing costs).

production of tangible fixed assets may be
included in the production costs to the extent it
relates to the period of production.

Initial measurement
Initial measurement
Borrowing costs
Purchase price
The purchase price shall be calculated by
adding to the price paid the expenses incidental
thereto. Ancillary costs include all direct
costs with the exception of distribution costs,
overhead and financing costs.
A reasonable proportion of the costs which

are only indirectly attributable to the product
in question may be added into the production
costs to the extent to which they relate to the
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
PPE is accounted for either under the cost

model or the revaluation model.
Tangible fixed assets are carried at historical

cost less accumulated depreciations and
value adjustments.

Under the cost model, PPE is carried at cost

less accumulated depreciation and impairment.
Under the revaluation model, PPE is carried
at fair value at the date of revaluation less
depreciation and impairment. The revaluation
model should be applied to an entire class of
assets. Revaluations have to be kept sufficiently
up-to-date to ensure that the carrying amount
does not differ materially from fair value. The
increase of an assets carrying amount as
a result of a revaluation is credited as other
comprehensive income, unless it reverses
a revaluation decrease for the same asset
previously recognised as an expense. In this
case it is recognised in the income statement.
A revaluation decrease is recognised as other
comprehensive expense against any related
revaluation surplus for the same asset; any
excess is recognised as an expense in the
income statement.
Alternatively, tangible fixed assets can be fair

valued using the market value or any value
resulting from generally accepted valuation
models and techniques (possible modification
contemplated by draft bill n6376, fair value
option available if fair value permitted under
IFRS). The unrealised gains or losses for the
period are recorded in the profit and loss
account or in a revaluation reserve.
The cost of the asset, or other amount

substituted for cost, less its residual value shall
be depreciated on a systematic basis over the
economic useful life of the asset. Depreciation
charged in a period is generally recognised in
the income statement (more exactly as part of
operating profit).
Tangible fixed assets are depreciated over

their useful economic life. The amount to
depreciate must, where appropriate, reflect
the purchase price less the residual value.
Impairment
To determine whether an item of property, plant
and equipment is impaired, an entity applies
IAS36 - Impairment of Assets. That standard
explains how an entity reviews the carrying
amount of its assets, how it determines the
recoverable amount of an asset, and when it
recognises or reverses the recognition of an
impairment loss.
Value adjustments
Value adjustments must be made so that they
are valued at the lower figure to be attributed
to them at the balance sheet date if it is
expected that the reduction in value will be
permanent. Value adjustments may not be
continued if the reasons for which the value
adjustments were made have ceased to apply.
Refer to section Impairment of non-financial

assets.
28PwC Luxembourg
Depreciation of lands is prohibited, except for

quarries and landfill sites.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Once an item of property, plant and equipment has

been capitalised, an entity may incur further costs
on that asset at a later date.
The subsequent expenses which enhance or

increase the economic life of the tangible fixed
asset shall be capitalised.
The decision to capitalise or expense involves

consideration of the future economic benefits
originally expected from the asset. Subsequent
costs that merely maintain the economic benefits
originally expected are considered repairs and
maintenance and are recognised as an expense in
the income statement when incurred. Subsequent
costs are included in an assets carrying amount
or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate,
only when it is probable that future economic
benefits associated with the item will flow to the
entity and the cost of the item can be measured
reliably. Additional future economic benefits would
normally arise in situations where the subsequent
costs result in either an increase in productive
capacity, an additional ability to generate future
economic benefits or an extension in the expected
useful life.
Subsequent expenditures which only allow

keeping the performance of the tangible fixed
asset shall not be capitalised.

Subsequent costs
The costs of the day-to-day servicing of an

item of property, plant and equipment are not
recognised as an asset because they do not add
to the future economic benefits of the item. These
costs maintain the assets potential to deliver
the future economic benefits that were expected
when the asset was originally acquired. These
subsequent repair and maintenance costs do
not, therefore, qualify for recognition as an asset
and are recognised in profit or loss as incurred.
Day-to-day servicing costs would include costs of
labour and consumables and may include the cost
of small replacement parts. The purpose of this
type of expenditure is often known as repairs and
maintenance.
The cost of a major inspection or overhaul
occurring at regular intervals is capitalised where
the recognition criteria are satisfied. Any remaining
carrying amount relating to the previous inspection
is derecognised. This treatment is regardless of
whether or not the cost of the previous inspection
was separately identified and depreciated when
the item was acquired or constructed. The
estimated cost of a future similar inspection
may be used as a proxy for the carrying value
that needs to be derecognised if this was not
separately identified previously.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
The disclosures required are comprehensive

and include the method chosen for subsequent
measurement, the useful life, the amortisation
rates, the residual value as well as the movement
in gross carrying amount, in accumulated
depreciation and impairment which shall reconcile
with the net carrying amount and depreciation
charge of the period. This information must be
given by classes. The amount of PPE pledged shall
also be disclosed as well as the restrictions on title
and commitments to acquire PPE.
The disclosures required include the valuation

method, the useful life, the amortisation method
and the amortisation rate. In addition, if tangible
fixed assets are subject to exceptional value
adjustments, the amount of the adjustments
and the reasons for making them must be
disclosed in the notes to the annual accounts.
For assets measured under the revaluation model,

it shall be disclosed, if the work of an independent
valuer was used, the fair value level (degree of
observable inputs used in fair value determination),
the movement in revaluation surplus and the
restriction on its distribution to shareholders
as well as what would have been the carrying
amount had the company chosen the cost model.
For further disclosures on fair valuation, refer to
section Fair value.
Movements in tangible fixed assets during the

year have also to be disclosed by category.

Disclosure
Moreover, in the event that borrowing costs are

included in the production, the inclusion of such
costs must be disclosed.

value reserve;
regulatory framework) are exempted from
the obligation to disclose movements of the
categories of tangible fixed assets.
30PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Scope and standard
The applicable standard is IAS 40 - Investment

Property.
Investment property is covered by the following

articles: 34; 39; 40; 55; 64sexies; 64septies and
65.
Definitions
Investment properties include lands and buildings

held in order to earn rentals and/or for capital
appreciation. The definition does not include
owner-occupied property or property held for sale
in the ordinary course of business. However, they
include investment properties being constructed or
developed.
There are no specific rules and definition for

investment properties under the Accounting
Law. Investment properties are part of the
tangible fixed assets as long as they are
intended for use on a continuing basis for the
purpose of the undertakings activity. Rights
to immovable and other similar rights must be
shown under land and buildings.
Recognition
Investment property shall be recognised as an

asset when, and only when:
it is probable that the future economic benefits
that are associated with the investment property
will flow to the entity; and
the cost of the investment property can be
measured reliably.
Investment properties shall be initially

recognised when the control (generally the
property rights) over these items is transferred,
i.e. the date when the significant risks and
rewards incidental to the items are transferred.
Investment property
An entity evaluates under this recognition principle

all its investment property costs at the time they
are incurred. These costs include costs incurred
initially to acquire an investment property and
costs incurred subsequently to add to, replace part
of, or service a property.
Under the recognition principle mentioned above,
an entity does not recognise in the carrying
amount of an investment property the costs
of the day-to-day servicing of such a property.
Rather, these costs are recognised in profit or loss
as incurred. Costs of day-to-day servicing are
primarily the cost of labour and consumables, and
may include the cost of minor parts. The purpose
of these expenditures is often described as for the
repairs and maintenance of the property.
The recognition of investment properties shall

also be based on the substance over form
principle. This principle should become optional
with the adoption of the draft bill n6376.
The subsequent expenses which enhance or
increase the economic life will be capitalised.
Subsequent expenditures which only allow
keeping the performance of an asset should not
be capitalised.
Parts of investment properties may have been

acquired through replacement. For example, the
interior walls may be replacements of original
walls. Under the recognition principle, an entity
recognises in the carrying amount of an investment
property the cost of replacing part of an existing
investment property at the time that cost is
incurred if the recognition criteria are met. The
carrying amount of those parts that are replaced is
derecognised in accordance with the derecognition
provisions of IAS40.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
The same cost-based measurement is used for

acquired and self-constructed investment property.
The cost of a purchased investment property
includes its purchase price and any directly
attributable costs such as professional fees for
legal services, property transfer taxes and other
transaction costs. Self-constructed property is
directly accounted for as an investment property
during the construction phase. Property under
finance or operating lease can also be classified
as investment property. Borrowing costs that are
directly attributable to the acquisition, construction
or production of a qualifying asset are required
to be capitalised as part of the cost of that asset.
General borrowing costs are required to be
capitalised based on an allocation key defined
in IAS 23 - Borrowing Costs if used in relation
with the asset. Refer to section Capitalisation of
borrowing costs.
Investment properties are initially recorded at

purchase price or at construction cost.
Investment property
Initial measurement
Purchase price
Construction cost
The construction cost shall be calculated
by adding to the purchase price of the
raw materials and consumables the costs
directly attributable to the construction of the
investment property. A reasonable proportion of
the costs which are only indirectly attributable
to the investment property may be added into
the construction costs to the extent they relate
to the period of construction.
construction of the investment property may be
included in the construction cost to the extent it
relates to the period of construction.
The costs related to the self-constructed
investment property are recorded as expenses
during the year and are recognised as a fixed
tangible asset under development at the end of
the financial year. The fixed tangible asset under
development is transferred to the appropriate
balance sheet caption when the investment is
ready for use.
The entity can choose between the fair value

model and the cost model for all investment
property.
The company can choose between the

historical cost model and the fair value model.
Historical cost model
The cost model is similar to the one described in

the section Property, plant and equipment.
Investment properties are carried at historical

cost less accumulated depreciation and value
adjustments. They must be valued separately.
Investment properties are depreciated over their
estimated useful economic life. The amount to
depreciate must, where appropriate, reflect the
purchase price less the residual value.
Depreciation of lands is prohibited, except for
quarries and landfill sites.
For the investment properties measured under

historical cost model, the impairment requirements
follow the rules described in the section
Impairment of non-financial assets.
32PwC Luxembourg
Value adjustments must be made so that

investment properties are valued at the lower
sheet date if it is expected that the reduction
in value will be permanent. Value adjustments
may not be continued if the reasons for which
the value adjustments were made have ceased
to apply.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Fair value model Frequency
and basis of revaluations
The fair value of investment property reflects the

market conditions and circumstances as of the
statement of financial position date. The standard
does not require the use of an independent and
qualified appraiser, but the use is encouraged.
Revaluations should be made with sufficient
regularity that the carrying amount does not differ
materially from fair value.
Investment properties can be fair valued using

the market value or any value resulting from
generally accepted valuation models and
techniques. The unrealised gains or losses
for the year are recorded in the profit and
loss account or in a revaluation reserve upon
management decision. A revaluation shall be
made at least each year at closing date.
Fair value model Investment
property under construction
The following factors should be taken into account

in assessing how to determine a reliable fair value:
the provisions of the construction contract;
the stage of completion;
whether the project/property is standard (typical
for the market) or non-standard;
the level of reliable cash inflows after
completion;
the development risk specific to the property
and who has the responsibility;
past experience with similar constructions; and
status of construction permits.

Investment property
There are 2 models used:

discounted future cash flows (i.e. pre-letting);
and
residual value: fair value at completion minus
costs to complete.
Transfers to/from investment
property
When there is a change in use of the investment

property, there is detailed guidance for subsequent
classification. Investment property to be sold is
reclassified as inventories if there is a development
with a view to sale, and investment property to be
owner-occupied is reclassified as property, plant
and equipment.
There is no specific guidance in the Accounting

Law regarding the subsequent transfer to/from
investment property. Investment properties and
property plant and equipment are part of the
tangible fixed assets. When these investments
are no longer intended for use on a continuing
basis for the purpose of the undertakings
activity, they shall be reclassified as current
asset under the caption Inventories if they
become part of the operating cycle. The
transfer to inventories is not necessary when
the asset is intended to be sold.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Disclosures described in the section Property,

plant and equipment are applicable also for
investment property. In addition, all the disclosures
mentioned in the section Fair value are
applicable for the investment property under the
fair value model. Other disclosures include also the
amounts recognised in profit or loss for:
rental income from investment property;
direct operating expenses (including repairs and
maintenance) arising from investment property
that generated rental income during the period;
direct operating expenses (including repairs and
maintenance) arising from investment property
that did not generate rental income during the
period.
The notes to the annual accounts shall include

the valuation method, the useful life, the
amortisation method and the amortisation rate.
In addition, if investment properties are subject
to exceptional value adjustments, the amount
of the adjustments and the reasons for making
them must be disclosed in the notes to the
annual accounts.
When an asset is transferred from a pool of assets

where cost model is used into a pool of assets
where fair value model is used, it is likely that an
impact on profit or loss will occur. This shall be
disclosed in the notes. If the company chooses
fair value model, in the exceptional cases when an
entity cannot determine reliably the fair value of
some of the investment property, it shall disclose:
a description of the investment property;
an explanation of why fair value cannot be
determined reliably; and
if possible, the range of estimates within which
fair value is highly likely to be.

value reserve;
Investment property
Disclosure
34PwC Luxembourg
Moreover, in that event that borrowing costs are

included in the construction cost, the inclusion
of such costs must be disclosed.
Movements in investment properties during the
period have also to be disclosed.

regulatory framework) are exempted from the
obligation to disclose movements of investment
property.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Scope and standard
The applicable standard is IAS 23 - Borrowing

Costs.
Capitalisation of borrowing costs is covered by

the articles 55 and 61 (2).
Definitions
Borrowing costs are interest and other costs that

an entity incurs in connection with the borrowing
of funds.
No definition in the Accounting Law of

borrowing costs, however borrowing costs
include interest expenses on capital borrowed.
A qualifying asset is an asset that necessarily takes

a substantial period of time to get ready for its
intended use or sale.
The commencement date for capitalisation is the
date when the entity first meets all of the following
conditions:
it incurs expenditures for the asset;
it incurs borrowing costs; and
it undertakes activities that are necessary to
prepare the asset for its intended use or sale.
Recognition
Borrowing costs that are directly attributable to

the acquisition, construction or production of a
qualifying asset are required to be capitalised as
part of the cost of that asset.
Interest expenses on capital borrowed to

finance the production of fixed or current assets
may be included in the production cost as far as
they relate to the period of production.
Any income derived from temporary investment

of these borrowings shall be deducted from the
amount capitalised.
Borrowing costs may include:
interest expense calculated using the
effective interest method as described in IAS
39 -Financial Instruments: Recognition and
Measurement;
finance charges in respect of finance leases
recognised in accordance with IAS17 - Leases;
and
exchange differences arising from foreign
currency borrowings to the extent that they are
regarded as an adjustment to interest costs.
Borrowing costs that would have been avoided
if the expenditure on the qualifying asset had not
been made are eligible for capitalisation.
It may be difficult to identify a direct relationship
between particular borrowings and a qualifying
asset and to determine the borrowings that could
otherwise have been avoided, therefore the
exercise of judgment is required. Such a difficulty
occurs, for example, when the financing activity of
an entity is coordinated centrally.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP

To the extent that an entity borrows funds
generally and uses them for the purpose of
obtaining a qualifying asset, the entity shall
determine the amount of borrowing costs eligible
for capitalisation by applying a capitalisation
rate to the expenditures on that asset. The
capitalisation rate shall be the weighted average of
the borrowing costs applicable to the borrowings
of the entity that are outstanding during the
period, other than borrowings made specifically
for the purpose of obtaining a qualifying asset.
The amount of borrowing costs that an entity
capitalises during a period shall not exceed the
amount of borrowing costs it incurred during that
period.
Recognition Commencement
of capitalisation
An entity shall begin capitalising borrowing costs

as part of the cost of a qualifying asset on the
commencement date.
The capitalisation of borrowing costs starts at

the beginning of the production period.
Recognition Suspension of
capitalisation
An entity may incur borrowing costs during an

extended period in which it suspends the activities
necessary to prepare an asset for its intended
use or sale. Such costs are costs of holding
partially completed assets and do not qualify
for capitalisation. However, an entity does not
normally suspend capitalising borrowing costs
during a period when it carries out substantial
technical and administrative work. An entity also
does not suspend capitalising borrowing costs
when a temporary delay is a necessary part of the
process of getting an asset ready for its intended
use or sale.
Suspension of the capitalisation is not defined

in the Accounting Law.
Recognition Cessation of
capitalisation
An entity shall cease capitalising borrowing costs

when substantially all the activities necessary to
prepare the qualifying asset for its intended use or
sale are complete.
Cessation of the capitalisation occurs when the

production of the asset is completed.
Disclosure
An entity shall disclose:

the amount of borrowing costs capitalised
during the period; and
the capitalisation rate used to determine
the amount of borrowing costs eligible for
capitalisation.
The capitalisation of such costs must be

36PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
IAS 17 - Leases shall be applied in accounting for

all leases other than:
leases to explore for or use minerals, oil, natural
gas and similar non-regenerative resources; and
licensing agreements for such items as
motion picture films, video recordings, plays,
manuscripts, patents and copyrights.
No specific article in the Accounting

Law covers the leasing. However, the
article65(1)7 on disclosure of commitments
in the notes to the annual accounts applies to
leasing.
Leases
Scope and standard
Art. 29(6) is also applicable to leasing (principle

of substance over form).
However, the standard shall not be applied as the

basis of measurement for:
property held by lessees that is accounted for as
investment property;
investment property provided by lessors under
operating leases;
biological assets held by lessees under finance
leases; or
biological assets provided by lessors under
operating leases.
SIC 15 - Operating Leases Incentives sets out the
required accounting for operating lease incentives.
IFRIC 4 - Determining whether an Arrangement
contains a Lease discusses the analyses if a
contract is a lease contract in substance.
Definitions
A lease is an agreement whereby the lessor

conveys to the lessee in return for a payment or a
series of payments the right to use an asset for an
agreed period of time.
Leasing is not defined by the Accounting Law.
The interest rate implicit in the lease is the discount

rate that, at the inception of the lease, causes the
aggregate present value of:
the minimum lease payments; and
the unguaranteed residual value to be equal to
the sum of:
- the fair value of the leased asset; and
- any initial direct costs of the lessor.
Gross investment in the lease is the aggregate of:
the minimum lease payments receivable by the
lessor under a finance lease; and
any unguaranteed residual value accruing to the
lessor.
Net investment in the lease is the gross investment
in the lease discounted at the interest rate implicit
in the lease.
A sale and leaseback transaction arises when a
vendor sells an asset and immediately re-acquires the
use of the asset by entering into a lease with the buyer.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Leases
A non-cancellable lease is a lease that is
cancellable only:
upon the occurrence of some remote
contingency;
with the permission of the lessor;
if the lessee enters into a new lease for the same
or an equivalent asset with the same lessor; or
upon payment by the lessee of such an
additional amount that, at inception of the lease,
continuation of the lease is reasonably certain.
Recognition
A lease is classified at inception as a finance

lease if it transfers to the lessee substantially the
entire risks and rewards incidental to ownership.
All other leases are treated as operating leases.
Whether a lease is a finance lease or an operating
lease depends on the substance of the transaction
rather than the legal form of the contract.

Examples of situations that would normally lead to

a lease being classified as a finance lease:
transfer of ownership of the asset takes place by
the end of the lease term;
there is a bargain purchase option;
lease term is for the major part of the economic
life of the asset;
at the inception of the lease, the present value
of the minimum lease payments amounts to
at least substantially all of the fair value of the
leased asset;
leased assets are of a specialised nature.
Recognition Sale and
leaseback transactions
Any gain realised by the seller-lessee on the

transaction is deferred and amortised through
the profit or loss over the lease term. Separate
requirements apply where the transaction results in
an operating lease.
Measurement Lease
treatment in the financial
statements of a lessor
Finance lease
The amount due from the lessee under a
financelease should be recognised in the lessors
balance sheet as a receivable at an amount equal
to the lessors net investment in the lease. Over
the lease term, rentals are apportioned between
a reduction in the net investment in the lease and
finance income. IAS39-FinancialInstruments:
Recognition and Measurement does not apply to
finance lease receivables, except as regards their
derecognition and impairment. Refer to section
Financial assets.
Operating lease
These assets are recorded according to the
nature of the assets and depreciated on a basis
consistent with the normal depreciation policy for
similar assets. Lease income (excluding receipts
for services provided such as insurance and
maintenance) should be recognised in the statement
of comprehensive income on a straight line basis,
irrespective of when the payment is due, except if
another systematic basis is more representative.
38PwC Luxembourg

LuxGAAP does not make a distinction between

finance and operating lease and generally
follows the legal approach. Assets are
recognised in the balance sheet of the lessor
and are depreciated over their economic life.
Revenues are recognised in the profit and loss
account on an accrual basis.
When the principle of substance over form is
followed, IFRS can be used as a benchmark for
the accounting of finance lease.
As this principle should become optional
with the adoption of the draft bill n6376, the
accounting treatment of finance lease may
follow the legal approach rather than the
economical approach.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Leases
Prospective lessees are sometimes given
Measurement Operating
lease incentives in the financial incentives to sign operating leases for office or
retail property.
The treatment of operating lease incentives
by lessors in SIC15 mirrors the accounting
treatment by lessees. All incentives, regardless
of their nature, form or timing, be it a payment,
assumption of liabilities or a rent-free or reduced
rent period, given by lessors for the benefit of
lessees to sign a new or renewed operating
lease, should be recognised as an integral part
of the net consideration agreed for the use of
the leased asset. Therefore, the aggregate cost
of incentives should be treated as a reduction of
rental income over the lease term. The cost should
be recognised on a straight-line basis, unless
another systematic basis is more representative
of the time pattern over which the benefit from the
leased asset is diminished. In practice, the use of
an allocation basis other than straight-line should
be rare. Costs incurred by the lessor as incentives
for the agreement of new or renewed operating
leases are not considered to be part of the initial
costs that are added to the carrying amount of a
leased asset.
Measurement Lease
treatment in the financial
statements of a lessee
Finance lease
IAS 17 requires that a finance lease should be
recorded in a lessees balance sheet both as an
asset and as an obligation to pay future rentals. At
the commencement of the lease term, the sum to
be recognised both as an asset and as a liability
should be the fair value of the leased asset or,
if lower, the present value of the minimum lease
payments each determined at the inception of
the lease. In calculating the present value of the
minimum lease payments, the discount factor is
the interest rate implicit in the lease. Any initial
direct costs of the lessee are added to the amount
recognised as an asset. It is not appropriate for
the liabilities in respect of leased assets to be
presented as a deduction from the leased assets
as they represent separate assets and liabilities.

IFRS can be used as a benchmark. Incentives
are either recognised in the profit and loss
account of the lessor at the beginning of the
lease or amortised over the lease term.
LuxGAAP does not make a distinction between

the finance lease and the operating lease and
generally follows the legal approach. As assets
are recognised in the balance sheet of the
lessor, the lessee recognised only the lease
payments in the profit and loss account.
However, when the principle of substance
over form is followed, IFRS can be used as a
benchmark for the accounting of finance lease.
As this principle should become optional
with the adoption of the draft bill n6376, the
accounting treatment of finance lease may
follow the legal approach rather than the
economical approach.
The interest rate implicit in the lease is the lessors

internal rate of return from the lease taking into
account the normal cash price of the leased asset,
rentals and the amount the lessor expects to
recover from the residual value. In practice, the
interest rate implicit in the lease is unlikely to be
stipulated in the agreement and, unless the lessor
volunteers the information to the lessee, the lessee
will need to derive an estimate of the rate from the
information available.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Leases
Operating lease
Operating leases should not be capitalised. Lease
payments made under operating leases should be
recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis
over the lease term, unless another systematic
basis is more representative of the time pattern
of the users benefit. The start of the lease term is
the commencement of the lease, rather than the
inception of the lease, that is, when the lessee
is entitled to exercise its right to use the leased
asset. Lease payments exclude costs for services
such as insurance and maintenance.
The rental expense under an operating lease

is recognised on a straight-line basis over the
lease term.
Measurement Operating
lease incentives in the lessee
financial statements
The aggregate benefit of incentives should be

recognised by the lessee as a reduction of the
rental expense over the lease term on a straightline basis, unless another systematic basis is
representative of the time pattern of the lessees
benefit from the use of the leased asset. This
requirement seeks to ensure that the profit or loss
account reflects the true effective rental charge for
the property irrespective of the particular cash flow
arrangements agreed between the two parties.
Incentives can be amortised over the term

of the lease or taken into account in a single
instalment at the beginning of the lease.
Measurement Sale and

leaseback transactions
Where the seller enters into a finance leaseback,

the transaction is essentially a financing operation.
The seller/lessee never disposes of the risks and
rewards of ownership of the asset and so it should
not recognise a profit or loss on the sale. Any
apparent profit (that is, the difference between the
sale price and the previous carrying value) should
be deferred and amortised over the lease term.
This treatment will have the effect of adjusting
the overall charge to the profit or loss account
for the depreciation of the asset to an amount
consistent with the assets carrying value before
the leaseback.
Sale and leaseback transactions are not

covered specifically by LuxGAAP. In practice,
the gain or loss on the sale is recognised in
the profit and loss account at the date of the
transaction.
Where the seller enters into a sale and operating

leaseback, he effectively disposes of substantially
all the risks and rewards of owning the asset in the
sale transaction, and may re-acquire some of the
risks and rewards of ownership in the leaseback,
but does not re-acquire substantially all of them.
Accordingly, the transaction should be treated as
a disposal and any profit or loss on the transaction
should be recognisedimmediately in the income
statement.
40PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Leases
Disclosure Financial
Finance lease
The following information shall be disclosed:
a reconciliation between the gross investment in
the lease and the present value of the minimum
lease payments and, for each of them, the
maturity by specified time buckets;
unearned finance income;
the unguaranteed residual values accruing to the
benefit of the lessor;
the accumulated allowance for uncollectible
minimum lease payments receivable;
the contingent rents recognised in income in the
period; and
a general description of the lessors material
leasing arrangements.
The commitments from the lessee shall be

disclosed in the notes to the annual accounts,
with a separate disclosure for commitments
from the affiliated undertakings.
Operating lease
the total of future minimum lease payments
under non-cancellable operating leases for
specified periods;
the total contingent rents recognised in the
income of the period; and
a general description of the lessors leasing
agreements.
Disclosure Financial
statements of a lessee
Finance lease
for each class of asset, the net carrying amount
at the balance sheet date;
a reconciliation between the total of future
minimum lease payments and their present value
and, for each of them, the maturity by specified
time buckets;
the contingent rents recognised in income for
the period; and
the total of future minimum sublease payments
expected to be received under non-cancellable
subleases at the balance sheet date.
The commitments related to the lease shall be

disclosed in the notes to the annual account.
Any commitments given to an affiliated
undertaking shall be disclosed separately.
A general description of the lessees material

leasing arrangements including, but not limited to
the followings, shall be disclosed:
the basis on which contingent rent payments are
determined;
the existence and terms of renewal or purchase
options and escalation clauses; and
the restrictions imposed by lease arrangements,
such as those concerning dividends, additional
debts and further leasing.
Subject
IFRS
Leases
Operating lease
IAS 17 requires the following information to be
disclosed:
the total of future minimum lease payments
under non-cancellable operating leases for
specified periods;
the total of future minimum sublease payments
expected to be received under non-cancellable
subleases at the balance sheet date; and
the lease and sublease payments recognised
as an expense for the period, with separate
amounts for minimum lease payments,
contingent rents and sublease payments.
In addition, if the difference between the actual
cash commitments disclosed and the income
statement charge is significant because of the
spreading of incentives or due to provisions made
for onerous leases, the effect should be disclosed.
Disclosure of the effect is not required by the
standard but is considered to be best practice.
42PwC Luxembourg
LuxGAAP
Recent developments Leasing

In an effort to ensure that investors and others have sufficient
information about a companys leasing activities, the IASB is
working on a project that would provide information about the
amount of a lessee obligation to make lease payments and the
assets that a lessee has control over.
In effect, the project would result in operating leases
being reported on the balance sheet. The proposals would
significantly change the accounting for operating leases
of more than 12months. For all practical purposes, the
accounting for finance leases would remain unchanged. A
lessee would recognise assets and liabilities for all leases (of
more than 12 months) on a discounted basis.
The recognition and presentation of lease related expenses in
the income statement and cash paid for leases in the cash flow
statement would largely depend on the nature of the asset that
is the subject of the lease.
The main effects are as follows:
for the substantial majority of leases of equipment or
vehicles, the balance sheet, income statement and cash flow
statement would change; and
for the substantial majority of leases of property (real
estate), only the balance sheet would change.
If the lessee is expected to consume more than an insignificant

portion of the leased asset, the lessee would account for
the lease similarly to a finance lease in existing accounting
standards. This means that for the substantial majority of
leases of equipment or vehicles (e.g. aircraft, ships, mining
equipment, cars, trucks), a lessee:
in the income statement, would report amortisation/
depreciation of the asset separately from interest on the
lease liability over the lease term; and
in the cash flow statement, would separate the total amount
of cash paid into a principal portion (presented within
financing activities) and interest (presented within either
operating or financing activities).
If the lessee is paying only for use of the leased asset (and is not
expected to consume more than an insignificant portion of that
asset), the lessee would account for the lease in the income
statement and cash flow statement similarly to an operating
lease in existing accounting standards. This means that for the
substantial majority of leases of property (i.e. land and/or a
building), although it would report assets and liabilities on a
discounted basis on the balance sheet, a lessee:
in the income statement, would report a lease expense on a
straight-line basis over the lease term; and
in the cash flow statement, would report the cash paid
within operating activities.
Effect on the balance sheet
A lessee would report an asset (a right-of-use asset) and a lease

liability for all leases of more than 12 months at the discounted
amount of lease payments to be made during the lease term.
The asset would be presented within property, plant and
equipment, and the lease liability would be presented as a
financial liability. A lessee would generally not include in
the measurement of the assets and liabilities rentals that
are contingent on future sales or usage and rentals payable
in optional extension periods (similarly to finance lease
accounting in existing accounting standards).
Service contracts are outside the scope of the proposals.

Timetable
The IASB expects to publish a revised Leases Exposure Draft

in the first semester of 2013, with a 120-day comment period.
In addition to the changes to lessee accounting presented
above, the Exposure Draft will also propose changes to lessor
accounting.
Effect on the income statement and cash flow statement
The presentation of lease related expenses in the income

statement and cash paid for leases within the cash flow
statement would depend on the nature of the asset being
leased and the extent to which the lessee consumes (or uses
up) that asset.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
The applicable standard is IAS 2 - Inventories.
Inventories are covered by the following articles:

34; 39; 60; 61; 62; 64sexies and 65.
Inventories
Scope and standard
IAS 2 applies to all inventories (that is raw

materials, consumable supplies, work in progress
and finished goods) except the following, which
are wholly excluded from its scope:
work in progress arising from construction
contracts, including directly related service
contracts;
financial instruments; and
biological assets related to agricultural activity
and agricultural produce at the point of harvest.
In addition, the standard does not apply to the
measurement of the following types of inventories
(but does apply in all other respects, for example,
disclosure):
inventories held by producers of agricultural
and forest products, agricultural produce after
harvest and minerals and mineral products,
to the extent that they are measured at net
realisable value in accordance with wellestablished practice in those industries. Where
such inventories are measured at net realisable
value, changes in that value are recognised in
profit or loss in the period of change; and
inventories held by commodity broker-traders
who measure their inventories at fair value
less costs to sell. Where such inventories are
measured on that basis, changes in value are
also recognised in profit or loss in the period of
change.
Definitions
44PwC Luxembourg
Inventories are assets:

held for sale in the ordinary course of business;
in the process of production for such sale,
or in the form of materials or supplies to be
consumed in the production process or in the
rendering of services.
As opposed to fixed assets, inventories are

items which are not intended for use on
a continuing basis for the purpose of the
undertakings activity. Inventories are assets
that are held for sale in the ordinary course of
business.
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in

the ordinary course of business less the estimated
costs of completion and the estimated costs
necessary to make the sale.
Inventories are composed of:

raw materials and consumables;
work and contracts in progress;
finished goods and merchandises; and
payments on account.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
An entity should initially recognise inventory when

it has control of the inventory, expects it to provide
future economic benefits and the cost of the
inventory can be measured reliably.
General LuxGAAP asset recognition criteria

apply. Inventories should be initially recognised
when the control (generally the property
rights) over these items is transferred, i.e. the
date when the significant risks and rewards
incidental to the inventories are transferred.
Inventories
Recognition
Inventories include goods purchased and held

for resale, such as merchandise purchased by a
retailer or land and other property held for resale.
Property should be recognised as inventory under
the following circumstances:
property purchased for the specific purpose of
resale;
property constructed for the specific purpose
of resale (work in progress under the scope of
IAS18 - Revenue); or
property transferred from investment property
to inventories. This is permitted when an entity
commences the propertys development with
a view to sale. Refer to section Investment
property. In this case, the propertys cost for
subsequent recognition as inventory should be
its carrying value at the date of change in use.
The inventory of manufacturing entities is raw
materials and consumable supplies, work in
progress and finished goods awaiting sale. The
cost of services rendered by a service entity
is recognised as inventory, where the entity
has not recognised the related revenues. This
amount should, however, be minimal, given the
requirement to recognise service revenues on
the percentage of completion basis.
Initial measurement
Inventories are initially recognised at cost, which

includes all costs of purchase, costs of conversion
and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories
to their present location and condition. IFRS does
not permit direct costing methods that expense all
overheads.
Inventories are initially recognised at cost

including all expenses incidental thereto. Cost is
defined as the purchase price or the production
cost.
Costs of purchase comprise the purchase price

including import duties and other taxes (so far
as not recoverable from the tax authorities),
transport and handling costs and any other directly
attributable costs, less trade discounts, rebates and
similar items. In its rejections, IFRIC has confirmed
that cash discounts received and settlement
discounts should be deducted from the cost of
inventories. However, rebates that specifically and
genuinely refund selling expenses should not be
deducted from the cost of inventories.

Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Cost of conversion comprises:

costs that are specifically attributable to units
of production, for example, direct labour, direct
expenses and sub-contracted work; and
production overheads and other overheads, if
any, attributable in the particular circumstances
of the business to bringing the product or
service to its present location and condition.

attributable to the product. A reasonable
proportion of the costs which are only indirectly
attributable to the product may be added into
the production.
Borrowing costs meeting specific criteria are

included in the cost of inventories as identified
by IAS 23 - Borrowing Costs. Refer to section
Capitalisation of borrowing costs.

production of inventories may be included in the
production costs to the extent it relates to the
The cost of inventories used is determined by

using either the FIFO or the weighted average
cost formula. LIFO is not permitted. Management
exercises judgement to ensure that the method
chosen to allocate costs to stocks provides the
fairest possible approximation to cost. The same
cost formula is used for all inventories that have a
similar nature and use to the entity.
The cost of inventories used is determined by

using the FIFO, the LIFO, the weighted average
cost formula or any other similar method. The
same cost formula is used for all inventories
that have a similar nature and use to the entity.
An entity may use techniques for measuring the

cost of inventories if the results approximate cost.
Accepted techniques are:
standard cost method;
retail method; and
most recent purchase price.
Inventories are measured at purchase price

or production cost. In practice, standard cost
method is also applied.
For joint products, the cost of the raw materials is

allocated between the products on a rational and
consistent basis.
Not specified in the Accounting Law. IFRS can

be used as a benchmark.
By-products (when immaterial) are measured at selling

price less costs to complete and sell. This amount is
then deducted from the cost of the main product.
Inventories
46PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Subsequent to their initial recognition, inventories

should be measured at the lower of cost and net
realisable value.
Subsequent to their initial recognition,

inventories are valued at lower of cost or market
value. A value adjustment is recorded when the
purchase price or production cost is higher than
the market value. These value adjustments are
not continued if the reasons for which the value
Inventories
Where items of inventory are not ordinarily

interchangeable, or where goods or services are
produced and segregated for specific contracts,
their costs should be individually identified.
These items should be considered individually,
as to compare the total net realisable value of
such items with the total cost would result in an
unacceptable setting off of foreseeable losses
against unrealised profits.
However, when there are large numbers of items
of inventory that are ordinarily interchangeable
(fungible items), separate identification of costs
would not be appropriate. In such cases, FIFO
or weighted average cost method may be used.
As stated above, IAS 2 prohibits the use of LIFO
method.
Raw materials and consumables which are

constantly being replaced and the overall value
of which is of secondary importance to the
undertaking may be shown at a fixed quantity
and value, if the quantity, value and composition
thereof do not vary materially.
Fair value can be used. This option should
be abandoned with the next Accounting Law
update.
Inventories are valued individually or by
category either on the basis of weighted
average prices, or the FIFO method, the LIFO
method, or any other similar method.
Exceptional value adjustments are allowed
where these are necessary on the basis of
a reasonable commercial assessment, to
prevent that the valuation of those items needs
to be modified in the near future because of
fluctuations in value.
Disclosure
IAS 2 requires a large series of disclosures,

including: the cost formula used, the amount of
inventories measured at selling price less cost
to sell, the amount of inventories recognised as
expense during the year, the amount of writedown as well as the amount of reversal of any
write-down including the circumstances or
events that led to the reversal of the write-down,
inventories pledged, etc. The standard gives also
guidance regarding the classes in which many
types of inventories can be included.
The notes to the annual accounts must include

the valuation methods applied to the various
items and the methods employed in calculating
the value adjustments. In addition, if inventories
are subject to exceptional value adjustments,
the amount of the adjustments and the reasons
for making them must be disclosed in the notes
Moreover, in the event that borrowing costs are
included in the production cost, the inclusion of
such costs must be disclosed.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP

Scope and standard
The applicable standard is IAS36 - Impairment of

Assets.
Nearly all assets (current and non-current) are
subject to an impairment test to ensure that they
are not overstated on balance sheets.
The Accounting Law foresees in article 55 (1) c)

and 61 that value adjustments must be made
in respect of fixed and current assets when
necessary.
However, depending on the measurement rules

for each different type of assets under the relevant
standard, it might be that some assets are not
needed to be tested for impairment, because
the measurement rules applicable are already
encompassing any impairment in profit or loss
account. This is the case, for example, for the
investment properties carried at fair value (refer to
section Investment property).
This section treats the impairment of assets which
are not included in the list detailed below:
financial assets (refer to section Financial
assets);
deferred tax assets (refer to section Deferred
taxes);
employee benefit assets (refer to section
Employee benefits);
inventories (refer to section Inventories);
non-current assets classified as held for sale in
accordance with IFRS 5 - Non-current Assets
Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (refer
to section Non-current assets held for sale and
discontinued operations);
deferred acquisition costs (refer to section
Consolidated financial statements);
biological assets carried at fair value less
estimated costs to sell; and
intangibles arising from contractual rights under
insurance contracts.
Definitions
An impairment loss is the amount by which the

carrying amount of an asset or a cash-generating
unit exceeds its recoverable amount.
Recoverable amount is defined as the higher of the
assets fair value less costs to sell and its value in use.
Fair value less costs to sell is the amount
obtainable from a sale of an asset in an arms
length transaction between knowledgeable, willing
parties, less costs of disposal.
The value in use is defined as the present value of
the future cash flows expected to be derived from
an asset or cash-generating unit.
A cash-generating unit (CGU) is the smallest
identifiable group of assets that generates cash
inflows that are largely independent of the cash
inflows from other assets or groups of assets.
48PwC Luxembourg
A value adjustment is the amount by which the

carrying value exceeds another lower value
attributed to them.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP

Recognition
The basic principle of impairment is that an asset

may not be carried on the balance sheet at above
its recoverable amount. All assets subject to the
impairment guidance are tested for impairment
where there is an indication that the asset may be
impaired.
IAS 36 requires all assets in its scope to be tested
for impairment where there is an impairment
indicator.
An entity should assess at each reporting date
whether there is any indication that an asset may
be impaired. If any indication exists, the entity
should estimate the assets recoverable amount.
The recoverable amount should be compared with
the assets carrying value and, if an impairment
loss has arisen, it should be recognised in the
income statement immediately.
For fixed assets, a value adjustment is

recognised in the profit and loss account only if
it is considered durable by the management.
For current assets, the impairment loss is
recognised immediately in the profit and loss
account.
Exceptional value adjustments are allowed
where these are necessary on the basis of a
reasonable commercial assessment to prevent
that the valuation of those items needs to
be modified in the near future because of
fluctuations in value.
The assessment shall be done at each balance
sheet date.
In assessing whether there is any indication

that an asset may be impaired, an entity should
consider external sources of information (decline
in the assets market value, adverse changes
in technological, market, economic or legal
environment, etc.), internal sources of information
(obsolescence or physical damage of the asset,
deterioration in the assets performance, etc.) or
other types of information (e.g. actual net cash
outflows worse than initially budgeted).
Other indicators may be apparent that are
relevant to a business particular circumstances.
For example, changes in tax regulations, the
impact of publicity over brand names, a change
in the proposed use of an asset, an impairment
recognised by an associate or the entrance of
a new competitor to the market may require the
recoverable amount of an entitys assets to be
investigated.
Certain assets (goodwill, indefinite lived intangible
assets and intangible assets that are not yet
available for use) are also tested for impairment
annually even if there is no impairment indicator.
In conclusion, impairment on asset or CGU is
recognised when its carrying amount exceeds it
recoverable amount.
An impairment loss is recognised immediately
in profit or loss unless the asset is carried at
revaluated amount in accordance with another
standard. In this case, the impairment loss is
treated as a revaluation decrease in accordance
with that other standard.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP

An impairment loss on a non-revalued asset
is recognised in profit or loss. However, an
impairment loss on a revalued asset is recognised
in other comprehensive income to the extent that
the impairment loss does not exceed the amount
in the revaluation surplus for that same asset. Such
an impairment loss on a revalued asset reduces
the revaluation surplus for that asset.
Measurement
The impairment to be booked is the excess of the

carrying amount over the recoverable amount.
The value adjustment to be accounted for is the

excess of the carrying amount over the lower
value attributed to the asset.
Recoverable amount reflects the greatest value

of an asset in terms of the cash flows that can be
derived from it, either by selling it or by continuing
to use it in the business.
Where the recoverable amount cannot be
estimated for individual assets, it should be
estimated for groups of assets that generate cash
flows that are largely independent of each other.
These are referred to as CGUs.
Measurement Value in use
Value in use requires management to estimate the

future cash flows to be derived from the asset and
discount them using a pre-tax market rate that
reflects current assessments of the time value of
money and the risks specific to the asset. Future
cash flows are estimated for the asset in its current
condition. Cash inflows or outflows from financing
activities and income tax receipts or payments are
not included.

Measurement Fair value less

costs to sell
When performing the impairment test of an asset

(or CGU), the entity estimates the fair value less
costs to sell based on a hierarchy of reliability of
evidence:
a price in a binding sale agreement in an arms
length or market price in an active market, less
costs of disposal;
best available information to reflect the amount
that an entity could obtain at the reporting date
from disposal of the asset in an arms length
transaction between knowledgeable, willing
parties, less costs of disposal. Outcome of
recent transactions for similar assets within the
same industry need to be considered.

It is not always necessary to calculate both

measures when performing an impairment review.
If an assets fair value less costs to sell or its
value in use exceeds the assets carrying amount,
the asset is not impaired and there is no need to
estimate the other amount.
50PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP

Measurement Allocation of
goodwill
Goodwill acquired in a business combination

is allocated to the CGUs that are expected to
benefit from the synergies of the combination. IAS
36 includes comprehensive guidance on how to
allocate goodwill under several circumstances.
Goodwill is tested for impairment at the lowest
level at which it is monitored by management.
CGUs may be grouped for testing, but the
grouping cannot be higher than an operating
segment. Refer to section Segment reporting for
details on operating segment.
Goodwill is amortised over five years unless

management can justify a longer useful life. In
addition, goodwill is reviewed for impairment
annually.
Measurement Reversal of
value adjustments
At each reporting date after recognition of the

impairment loss, an entity assesses whether there
is any indication that an impairment loss may have
decreased or may no longer exist. The impairment
loss is reversed if the recoverable amount of
an asset (or CGU) exceeds its carrying amount.
The amount of the reversal is subject to certain
limitations. Goodwill impairment can never be
reversed. In addition, IAS 36 includes more detailed
guidance and distinction of reversal of impairment
for an individual asset, a CGU and a goodwill.
Value adjustments are not continued if the

reasons for which the value adjustments were
made have ceased to apply.
A reversal of an impairment loss for an asset other

than goodwill shall be recognised immediately
in profit or loss, unless the asset is carried at
revalued amount in accordance with another IFRS
(for example, the revaluation model in IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment).
A reversal of a value adjustment is recognised

in the profit and loss account.
Goodwill impairment can be reversed under

LuxGAAP.
A reversal of an impairment loss on a revalued

asset is recognised in other comprehensive
income and increases the revaluation surplus
for that asset. However, to the extent that an
impairment loss on the same revalued asset was
previously recognised in profit or loss, a reversal
of that impairment loss is also recognised in profit
or loss.
Disclosure
There are exhaustive disclosures regarding the

impairment of assets, among these, the followings:
details about impairment losses and
reversals impacting profit or loss and other
comprehensive income (when reversals relate to
assets revalued through reserves);
movements in assets impaired, writes off,
impairment reversals;
details about the assumptions, estimations
and methods used to compute the recoverable
amount; and
details about CGU and about methods to
allocate goodwill to cash-generating units as
well as reasons for the unallocated goodwill, if
applicable.
The amounts of value adjustments must be

disclosed separately in the notes to the annual
accounts.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP

Scope and standard
The applicable standard is IFRS 5 - Non-current

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.
Definitions
A non-current asset is classified as held for sale

if its carrying amount will be recovered principally
through a sale transaction rather than through
continuing use.
Non-current assets held for sale and

discontinued operations are not defined by the
Accounting Law.
A disposal group is a group of assets to be

disposed of, by sale or otherwise, together as
a group in a single transaction, and liabilities
directly associated with those assets that will be
transferred in the transaction. The group includes
goodwill acquired in a business combination
if the group is a cash-generating unit to which
goodwill has been allocated in accordance with the
requirements of IAS 36 - Impairment of Assets or if
it is an operation within such a cash-generating unit.
A discontinued operation is a component of an
entity (operations and cash flows that can be
clearly distinguished operationally and for financial
reporting) that either has been disposed of or is
classified as held for sale and:
represents a separate major line of business or
geographical area of operations;
is part of a single coordinated plan to dispose
of a separate major line of business or
geographical area of operations; or
is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view
to resale.
Recognition
In order for the recognition criteria to be met, the

asset (or disposal group) must be available for
immediate sale in its present condition subject only
to terms that are usual and customary for sales of
such assets (or disposal groups) and its sale must
be highly probable.
Specific criteria must be met to demonstrate that
the sale is highly probable.
The IFRS classifies an operation as discontinued
at the date the operation meets the criteria to be
classified as held for sale or when the entity has
disposed of the operation.
52PwC Luxembourg
Not specified in the Accounting Law. The

recognition criteria to be considered as held
for sale is the management intention to sell the
asset.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP

Measurement
Once classified as held for sale, the asset is

measured at the lower of its carrying amount and
fair value less costs to sell with any loss being
recognised in the income statement. These assets
are not depreciated or amortised during the selling
period.
Not specified in the Accounting Law. The asset

held for sale shall be impaired if the market
value is lower than the carrying amount.
Presentation
An entity shall present a non-current asset

classified as held for sale and the assets of
a disposal group classified as held for sale
separately from other assets in the statement
of financial position. The liabilities of a disposal
group classified as held for sale shall be presented
separately from other liabilities in the statement of
financial position. Those assets and liabilities shall
not be offset and presented as a single amount.
There is no requirement to reclassify assets as

held for sale. Assets held for sale remain in the
fixed assets if they were classified initially as
fixed assets.
For discontinued operations, an entity shall present

a single amount in the statement of comprehensive
income comprising the total of:
the post-tax profit or loss of discontinued
operations; and
the post-tax gain or loss recognised on the
measurement to fair value less costs to sell or on
the disposal of the assets or disposal group(s)
constituting the discontinued operation.
The net cash flows attributable to the operating,
investing and financing activities of discontinued
operations are presented separately in the
statement of cash flows.
Disclosure
For discontinued operations, an entity shall

disclose the following information in the notes
in the period in which a non-current asset (or
disposal group) has been either classified as held
for sale or sold:
a description of the non-current asset (or
disposal group);
a description of the facts and circumstances of
the sale, or leading to the expected disposal,
and the expected manner and timing of that
disposal;
the gain or loss recognised and, if not separately
presented in the statement of comprehensive
income, the caption in the statement of
comprehensive income that includes that gain
or loss;
if applicable, the reportable segment in which
the non-current asset (or disposal group) is
presented in accordance with IFRS 8 Operating Segments.
No specific disclosure required by the

Accounting Law.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
The applicable standards are IAS 39 - Financial

Instruments: Recognition and Measurement and
IFRS7 - Financial Instruments: Disclosure.
Financial assets are covered by the following

articles of the Accounting Law: 34; 39; 41; 55;
58; 61; 64bis; 64ter; 64quater; 64quinquies and
65.
Financial assets
Scope and standard
They do not apply to the following financial assets:

interests in subsidiaries, associates and joint
ventures;
leases;
employee benefits;
insurance contracts;
contracts for contingent consideration in a
business combination;
certain loan commitments;
contracts in business combinations.
For the purpose of this publication, derivatives are
covered in a separate section Derivatives and
hedge accounting.
For the purpose of this publication, derivatives

are covered in a separate section Derivatives
and hedge accounting.
Shares in affiliated undertakings and in
undertakings with which the company is linked
by virtue of participating interests are covered
in the section Investment in subsidiaries,
associates and jointly controlled entities in
separate financial statements.
Own shares or own corporate units are covered
in the section Equity.
Under this section, the term financial asset is
used for:
amounts owed by affiliated undertakings;
amounts owed by undertakings with
which the company is linked by virtue of
participating interests;
securities held as fixed assets;
loans and claims held as fixed assets;
other transferable securities;
claims resulting from sales and the provision
of services/trade debtors;
other receivables; and
cash at bank, cash in postal cheque
accounts, cheques and cash in hand.
54PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
A financial instrument is a contract that gives rise

to a financial asset of one entity and a financial
liability or equity instrument of another entity.
There is no precise definition of financial assets.

The Accounting Law distinguishes between
financial fixed assets, transferable securities
(disclosed as current assets) and derivatives.
Financial assets
Definitions
A financial asset is any asset that is:

cash;
an equity instrument of another entity;
a contractual right:
- to receive cash or another financial asset from
another entity; or
- to exchange financial assets or financial
liabilities with another entity under conditions
that are potentially favourable to the entity; or
a contract that will or may be settled in the
entitys own equity instruments and:
- under which the entity is or may be obliged to
receive a variable number of the entitys own
equity instruments; or
- that will or may be settled other than by
the exchange of a fixed amount of cash or
another financial asset for a fixed number of
the entitys own equity instruments. For this
purpose, the entitys own equity instruments
do not include instruments that are
themselves contracts for the future receipt or
delivery of the entitys own equity instruments.
In addition, some financial instruments are listed

in the article 64bis of the Accounting Law.
The Accounting Law sets as follows the
components of the financial fixed assets:
shares in affiliated undertakings;
shares in undertakings with which the
company is linked by virtue of participating
interests;
securities held as fixed assets;
loans and claims held as fixed assets; and
own shares or own corporate units.
The Accounting Law sets as follows the
components of the transferable securities:
shares in affiliated undertakings and in
undertakings with which the company is
linked by virtue of participating interests;
own shares or own corporate units; and
other transferable securities.
Cash and cash equivalent include cash at bank,
cash in postal cheque accounts, cheques and
cash in hand.
Debtors are not classified as financial assets
under LuxGAAP. To ensure comparability of the
accounting treatment of debtors between IFRS
and LuxGAAAP, debtors are covered in this
section. Debtors include:
participating interests; and
other receivables.
Transaction costs are costs that are incremental

and directly attributable to the acquisition, issue or
disposal of a financial asset.
The purchase price include direct expenses

(equivalent to transaction costs under IFRS).
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
IAS 39 has four categories of financial assets:
There are no such categories of financial assets

in the Accounting Law.
Financial assets
Definitions Categories of
financial assets
A financial asset at fair value through profit or

loss is a financial asset that meets either of the
following conditions:
it is classified as held for trading. A financial
asset is classified as held for trading if:
- it is acquired principally for the purpose of
selling or repurchasing it in the near term;
- on initial recognition, it is part of a portfolio of
identified financial assets that are managed
together and for which there is evidence of
a recent actual pattern of short-term profittaking; or
- it is a derivative (except for derivatives
designated as effective hedging instrument);
or
upon initial recognition it is designated by the
entity at fair value through profit or loss; an
entity may use this designation if the contract
contains at least one embedded derivative
or when doing so results in more relevant
information, because either:
- it eliminates or significantly reduces a
measurement or recognition inconsistency
(sometimes referred to as an accounting
mismatch); or
- a group of financial assets, financial liabilities
or both is managed and its performance is
evaluated on a fair value basis, in accordance
with a documented risk management or
investment strategy.
Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial
assets with fixed or determinable payments that
are not quoted in an active market, other than:
those that the entity intends to sell
immediatelyor in the near term, which shall be
classified as held for trading, and those that the
entity upon initial recognition designates as at
fair value through profit or loss;
those that the entity upon initial recognition
designates as available-for-sale; or
those for which the holder may not recover
substantially all of its initial investment, other
than because of credit deterioration, which shall
be classified as available-for-sale.
Held to maturity investments are non-derivative
financial assets quoted on an active market with
fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturity,
that an entity has the positive intention and ability
to hold to maturity.
Available-for-sale financial assets are financial
assets not classified in one of the three categories
described above.
56PwC Luxembourg
Financial assets that intend to serve the activity

of the company on a long-term basis (i.e. more
than 12months) are classified as financial fixed
assets. Otherwise, they shall be considered as
current assets.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Reclassification
Financial assets may be reclassified between

categories, albeit with conditions. More
specifically, debt instruments may be reclassified
from held for trading or available-for-sale into loans
and receivables, if the debt instrument meets the
definition of loans and receivables and the entity
has the intent and ability to hold the instrument
for the foreseeable future. Also, a financial
asset can be transferred from held for trading to
available-for-sale but only in rare circumstances.
Reclassification is prohibited for instruments where
the fair value option is elected. Reclassifications
from the held to maturity category as a result of a
change of intent or ability are treated as sales and,
other than in exceptional circumstances, result in
the whole category being tainted.
Assets are reclassified in the balance sheet

according to their remaining maturity (more or
less than one year).
Recognition
A financial instrument is recognised only when the

entity becomes a party to its contractual provision.
Financial assets and trade debtors are

recognised when the entity has the legal
ownership. The recognition of financial assets
and trade debtors shall also be based on the
substance over form principle.
Financial assets
The terms contacts and contractual refer to

an agreement between two or more parties that
has clear economic consequences that the parties
have little, if any, discretion to avoid, usually
because the agreement is enforceable by law.
Contracts defining financial instruments may take
a variety of forms and need not be in writing.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Derecognition
An entity only derecognises a financial asset when:

the rights to the cash flows from the assets have
expired or are settled;
the entity has transferred substantially all the
risks and rewards of ownership of the financial
asset; or
the entity has retained some significant risks
and rewards but has transferred control of the
asset to another party. In this case, the asset
is derecognised, and any rights and obligation
created or retained are recognised. In addition,
IFRS includes additional guidance on passthrough arrangements, continuing involvement
and some other relevant aspects relating to
transfer of a financial asset.
Financial assets and trade debtors are

derecognised when the entity loses the legal
ownership and when the risks and/or rewards of
ownership are transferred to another party.
Initial measurement
The classification of financial assets will impact the

initial and subsequent measurement.
The classification of financial assets as current

or fixed assets will impact the valuation option
but not the initial measurement.
Financial assets
At initial recognition, financial assets are measured

at fair value, which is normally the fair value of
the consideration given. Transaction costs are
included in the initial measurement of all financial
assets except for fair value through profit or loss
category. Transaction costs include fees and
commissions paid to agents, advisers, brokers
and dealers, levies by regulatory agencies and
securities exchanges, and transfer taxes and
duties. They are recorded as part of the initial
measurement of the asset if they are incremental
and directly attributable to the transaction.
Subsequent measurement Financial instruments classified as held for trading
and the ones designated as at fair value through
profit or loss are measured at fair value with
changes in fair value recorded in profit or loss.
Held to maturity investments and loans and
receivables are measured at amortised cost.
Available-for-sale investments are valued at
fair value with all gains and losses arising from
changes in fair value recognised directly in other
comprehensive income except:
for debt instrument classified as available-forsale, the interest is calculated using the effective
interest method and is recognised in profit or
loss. Dividends on an available-for-sale equity
instrument are recognised in profit or loss when
the entitys right to receive payment is
established;
for foreign exchange gains and losses on
monetary financial assets are recognised in
profit or loss;
for impairment losses that are recognised in
profit or loss (refer to subsection Impairment of
financial assets). Reversals of impairment
of a debt instrument are also recognised in profit
or loss, but reversals of impairment on equity
instruments are not recognised in profit or loss
but in equity, as revaluation gains.
58PwC Luxembourg
Financial assets and debtors are initially

recorded at purchase price/nominal value
(loans, claims and debtors) including the
expenses incidental thereto.
Financial fixed assets can be measured at cost

less permanent value reduction, at lower of cost
or market value or at fair value when applicable.
Transferable securities and debtors classified as
current assets are measured at lower of cost or
market value or at fair value when applicable.
Valuation at purchase price/nominal value
less impairment
In the case of durable depreciation in value,
value adjustments are made in respect of fixed
assets, so that they are valued at the lower
sheet date. These value adjustments are not
continued if the reasons for which the value
Valuation at the lower of cost or market
value
Assets valued at the lower of cost or market
value shall be subject to value adjustments with
a view to showing them at the lower of cost or
market value.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Investments in equity securities unquoted in

an active market, whose fair value cannot be
measured reliably, are measured at cost less
impairment.
Fair value option

According to the Accounting Law, the financial
assets of trading portfolio are eligible to fair
value under certain conditions.
Financial assets
Fair value option under LuxGAAP shall not

apply to:
non-derivative financial instruments held to
maturity;
loans and receivables originated by the
company and not held for trading purposes;
and
other financial instruments which such
special characteristics that, according
to what is generally accepted, should be
accounted for differently from other financial
instruments.
However, assets that are not qualifying for fair
value according to LuxGAAP may apply fair
value by reference to IFRS.
Subsequent measurement The amortised cost of a financial asset is the
Amortised cost
amount at which the financial asset is measured at
initial recognition minus principal repayments, plus
or minus the cumulative amortisation using the
effective interest method of any difference between
that initial amount and the maturity amount,
and minus any reduction (directly or through the
use of an allowance account) for impairment or
uncollectibility.
Amortised cost is not foreseen by the

Accounting Law.
The effective interest method is a method of

calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset
or a financial liability (or group of financial assets
or financial liabilities) and of allocating the interest
income or interest expense over the relevant
period. The effective interest rate is the rate that
exactly discounts estimated future cash payments
or receipts through the expected life of the
financial instrument or, when appropriate, a shorter
period to the net carrying amount of the financial
asset or financial liability. When calculating the
effective interest rate, an entity shall estimate
cash flows considering all contractual terms of the
financial instrument (for example, prepayment, call
and similar options) but shall not consider future
credit losses.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Financial assets
Subsequent measurement IFRS 13 - Fair Value Measurement defines fair
Fair value
value as the price that would be received to sell
an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly
transaction between market participants at the
measurement date.
The fair value shall be determined by reference

to:
a market value, for those financial
instruments for which a reliable market can
readily be identified; where a market value is
not readily identifiable for an instrument but
can be identified for its components or for a
similar instrument, the market value may be
derived from that of its components or of the
similar instrument; or
a value resulting from generally accepted
valuation models and techniques, for those
instruments for which a reliable market
cannot be readily identified; such valuation
models and techniques shall ensure a
reasonable approximation of the market
value.
At each year end closing, the change in fair
value is recorded in the profit and loss account.
However, such change may be included directly
in an equity account, in a fair value reserve,
where the change in the value relates to an
available-for-sale asset other than a derivative
financial instrument.
The change in fair value shall be included
directly in an equity account where the
instrument accounted for is an hedging
instrument under a system of hedge accounting
and when the change in value relates to an
exchange difference arising on a monetary
item that forms part of an undertakings net
investment in a foreign entity.
Impairment of financial
assets
Assets measured at cost
or amortised cost
At the end of each reporting period, financial

assets measured at cost or amortised cost are
reviewed for objective evidence of impairment.
Impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss
immediately. If the objective evidence reverses in a
subsequent period, impairment losses are reversed
in the profit or loss of subsequent periods.
The impairment loss is the difference between
the assets carrying amount and the present value
of estimated future cash flows discounted at the
financial assets original effective interest rate.
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For financial assets measured at cost less

impairment, a value adjustment is recorded
where the market value (securities)/recovery
value (loans) is lower than the purchase
price (securities)/nominal value (loans). The
depreciation shall be durable.
The value adjustment is reversed if the reasons
for which it was made have ceased to apply.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Financial assets
Assets classified at fair value through profit or loss
Impairment of financial
assets Assets measured are not tested for impairment as any decrease
in value, even if due to an impairment, is already
at fair value
incompassed in profit or loss.
Financial assets and debtors valued at fair value

are not tested for impairment as any decrease
in value, even if due to an impairment, is already
recorded.
When a decline in the fair value of an available-forsale financial asset has been recognised directly in
other comprehensive income and there is objective
evidence that the asset is impaired, the cumulative
loss that had been recognised directly in other
comprehensive income shall be reclassified from
equity to profit or loss.
The amount of cumulative loss that is recycled
to profit or loss is the difference between the
acquisition cost (net of any principal repayment
and amortisation) and current fair value, less any
impairment loss on that financial asset previously
recognised in profit or loss. Any portion of the
cumulative net loss that is attributable to foreign
currency changes on that asset that had been
recognised in equity is also recognised in profit
or loss. Subsequent losses, including any portion
attributable to foreign currency changes, are
also recognised in profit or loss until the asset is
derecognised.
If the circumstances change in a subsequent
period such that the fair value of the availablefor-sale financial instrument increases, then the
treatment required by IAS39 for reversals of
impairment losses on available-for-sale debt
instruments is different from those on available-forsale equity instruments as noted below:
for debt instruments (monetary assets), reversal
of past impairment losses shall be recorded
through profit or loss;
for equity investments (non-monetary assets),
past impairment losses recognised in profit
or loss shall not be reversed through profit or
loss. This means that subsequent increases in
fair value including those that have the effect
of reversing earlier impairment losses are all
recognised in equity.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
IFRS 7 applies to all risks arising from all financial

instruments. It requires comprehensive disclosure
of the significance of financial instruments for
an entitys financial position and performance as
well as qualitative and quantitative information
about exposure to risks arising from financial
instruments, including specified minimum
disclosures about credit risk, liquidity risk
and market risk. The qualitative disclosures
describe the managements objectives, policies
and processes for managing those risks. The
quantitative disclosures provide information about
the extent to which the entity is exposed to risk,
based on information provided internally to the
entitys key management personnel.
The following captions must disclose separately

the amounts becoming due and payable within
one year from the amounts becoming due and
payable after more than one year:
amounts owed by undertakings with which
the company is linked by virtue of
participating interests; and
other receivables.
Financial assets
Disclosure
Credit Risk
Disclosures regarding credit risk include
information relating to collateral and other credit
enhancements available. This also covers the
nature and carrying amount of assets obtainedas
collateral. If non-financial assets are obtained that
are not readily convertible to cash and the entity
does not plan to use them in its operations, the
policy for disposing of such assets is disclosed.
There are specific disclosures relating to impaired
or past due assets and assets that would be
either past due or impaired absent a renegotiation
of terms. A financial asset is past due when a
counterparty has failed to make a payment when
contractually due. IFRS 7 also requires disclosures
on credit quality of fully performing assets. Risk
concentration disclosure shall be presented as
well.
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Small-sized entities (refer to size criteria

regulatory framework) may draw up their
balance sheet in the form of an abridged
balance sheet showing in total for all captions
above listed the amounts becoming due
and payable within one year and the amounts
becoming due and payable after more than one
year.
Movements in financial fixed assets shall be
If fixed assets are the subject of exceptional
value adjustments for taxation purposes alone,
for making them shall be indicated in the notes
Where financial fixed assets are carried at an
amount in excess of their fair value and where
no impairment is booked, the management shall
disclose the fair value in the notes to the
annual accounts as well as the reasons for not
reducing the book value, including the nature
of the evidence that the book value will be
recovered.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Market Risk
A sensitivity analysis for each component of
market risk (currency, interest rate and other price
risk) to which an entity is exposed should be given.
This should illustrate how reasonably possible
changes in the relevant risk variable would impact
profit or loss and equity. The assumptions used in
the analysis should be disclosed, and any changes
in assumptions since the last period and the
reasons for those changes should be given.
Fair value option

Where valuation at fair value of financial
instruments has been applied, the notes to the
for each category of financial instruments, the
fair value, the movements of fair value
booked directly in the profit and loss account,
as well as the movements on the fair value
reserve; and
a table describing the movements in the fair
value reserve during the year.
Financial assets
Liquidity Risk
For the disclosures regarding liquidity risk, refer to
section Financial liabilities.
Fair Value
Each class of financial instruments that is
measured at fair value in the financial statements
is categorised into one level of the hierarchy,
determined on the basis of the lowest level input
that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The three levels of the hierarchy are:
level1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active
markets for identical assets or liabilities;
level2: Inputs other than quoted prices included
within level 1 that are observable for the asset or
liability, either directly (that is, prices) or indirectly
(that is, derived from prices); and
level3: Inputs for the asset or liability that are
not based on observable market data.
For the financial assets that are not qualifying

for fair value according to LuxGAAP and that
apply fair value by reference to IFRS, IFRS
disclosure requirements relating to the valuation
of financial instruments apply.
The position in the hierarchy also drives a series of

additional disclosures, namely:
significant transfers during the period between
levels one and two of the fair value hierarchy;
a reconciliation of movements in the level 3
balance, from the beginning to the end of the
period. The reconciliation should include gains
and losses, transfers in and out of level 3,
purchases, sales and settlements;
analyses of the gains and losses recognised on
financial instruments within level 3, including
where in the statement of comprehensive
income they are recognised; and
sensitivity analysis of the assumptions applied
to level 3 measurements.
Offsetting of financial instruments
Refer to section Statement of financial position balance sheet described in the Presentation of
financial statements.
Recent developments IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

The IASB has broken down IFRS 9 the project of IAS 39
replacement into three distinct stages: classification and
measurement, impairment and hedging. The IASB has decided
that each phase can be early adopted separately, as soon as
each one is completed. On the contrary, EU has decided to
endorse the standard only as a whole, all the phases at once,
when IFRS 9 is entirely completed.
Status and timetable
Phase 1: Classification and measurement
IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments was published in November
2009 and contained requirements for financial assets (see
below). Requirements for financial liabilities were added to
IFRS 9 in October 2010 (refer to section Financial liabilities
for further details).
On 28 November 2012, the IASB issued an Exposure Draft
Classification and Measurement: Limited Amendments to
IFRS9 (Proposed amendments to IFRS 9 (2010)). The related
comment period ends on 28 March 2013.
Phase 2: Impairment
For the second phase of the financial instruments project, a
separate re-Exposure Draft has been issued on 7 March 2013.
The IASB model is designed to recognise credit losses on a
more timely basis. Expected credit losses are recognised on all
financial instruments within the scope of this proposal from
when they are originated or purchased.
Full lifetime expected credit losses are recognised when a
financial instrument deteriorates significantly in credit quality.
This is a significantly lower threshold than under the incurred
loss model today which in practice has resulted in provisioning
only when financial assets are close to default.
The publication of the final standard is not expected before
2014.
Phase 3: Hedging
On 7September2012, the IASB posted a draft of the
forthcoming general hedge accounting requirements that
will be added to IFRS9. The final standard is targeted to be
published in the second quarter of 2013 (refer to section
Derivatives and hedge accounting for further details).
Regarding macro-hedge accounting, the discussion paper is
targeted for the first half of 2013.
Endorsement
Endorsement is expected not earlier than 1 January 2015, the
currently planned effective date of the standard.
IFRS 9 - Financial assets
Classification under IFRS 9 is driven by the entitys business
model for managing the financial assets and the contractual
characteristics of the financial assets.
A financial asset is measured at amortised cost if two criteria
are met:
the objective of the business model is to hold the financial
asset to collect the contractual cash flows; and
the contractual cash flows under the instrument solely
represent payments of principal and interest. If the last
criteria is met, it means that the instruments pass the
contractual cash flow characteristics assessment.
The Board has clarified the primary objective of hold to
collect by providing additional application guidance on the
types of business activities and the frequency, volume and
nature of sales that would allow assets to qualify for amortised
cost measurement. For example, the Exposure Draft clarifies
that sales due to deterioration in credit quality would not
conflict with the objective of holding to collect cash flows. In
addition, where an entity has a portfolio with assets that it
would only sell in a stress case scenario and where that stress
case is expected to be infrequent, then that would also be
consistent with the amortised cost business model.
If a financial asset is not measured at amortised cost, it will be
measured at fair value. Normally, the changes in fair value are
recorded in profit or loss, falling within the fair value through
profit or loss category, except if the instrument is elected
and meets the conditions for the fair value through other
comprehensive income classification.
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Equity instruments
IFRS 9 classification principles indicate that all
equity investments should be measured at fair value.
However, management has an option to present in other
comprehensive income unrealised and realised fair
value gains and losses on equity investments that are not
held for trading. Such designation is available on initial
recognition on an instrument by instrument basis and is
irrevocable. There is no subsequent recycling of fair value
gains and losses to profit or loss; however, dividends from
such investments will continue to be recognised in profit
or loss; IFRS 9 removes the cost exemption for unquoted
equities and derivatives on unquoted equities but provides
guidance on when cost may be an appropriate estimate of
fair value.
Debt instruments
A fair value through other comprehensive income
measurement category for eligible debt instruments is
proposed in the Exposure Draft dated November2012. A
debt instrument would be measured at fair value through
other comprehensive income only if it passes the solely
payments of principal and interest test and is held in a
business model that is managed both in order to collect
contractual cash flows and for sale. A debt instrument
measured at fair value through other comprehensive
income will have the same impairment and interest income
recognition as financial assets measured at amortised cost.
Also, the cumulative fair value gain or loss recognised
in other comprehensive income will be recycled from
other comprehensive income to profit or loss when these
financial assets are derecognised.
It is expected that debt instruments backing insurance
contracts may fall into this category and will therefore
have a consistent measurement with insurance liabilities
under the proposals being discussed in the IASBs
Insurance project.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
The applicable standards are IAS 32 - Financial

Instruments: Presentation and IAS 39 - Financial
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.
Financial liabilities are covered by the following

articles of the Accounting Law: 34; 63; 64bis;
64ter; 64quater; 64quinquies and 65.
It does not apply to the following financial

liabilities:
leases;
employee benefits;
insurance contracts;
contracts for contingent consideration in a
business combination;
certain loan commitments;
contracts in business combinations; and
own use commodity contracts.
For the purpose of this publication, derivatives

are covered by section Derivatives and hedge
accounting.
A financial liability is any liability that is:

a contractual obligation to deliver cash or
another financial asset to another entity; or
a contractual obligation to exchange financial
assets or financial liabilities with another
entity under conditions that are potentially
unfavourable to the entity; or
a contract that will or may be settled in the
entitys own equity instruments and is:
- a non-derivative for which the entity is or may
be obliged to deliver a variable number of the
entitys own equity instruments; or
- a derivative that will or may be settled other
than by the exchange of a fixed amount of
cash or another financial asset for a fixed
number of the entitys own equity instruments.
No specific definition in the Accounting Law.
Scope and standard
Definitions
Financial liabilities are included within the

subordinated and non-subordinated debts.
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences

a residual interest in the assets of an entity after
deducting all of its liabilities.
Definitions Categories of
financial liabilities
Recognition
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Like financial assets, a financial liability can be

classified as at fair value through profit or loss only
if it meets either of the following conditions:
upon initial recognition, it is designated by the
entity at fair value through profit or loss (refer to
section Financial assets for fair value options
conditions); or
it is classified as held for trading.
Financial liabilities are classified according to

their nature:
bonds;
amounts owed to credit institutions;
payments received on account of orders
insofar as they are not shown separately as
deductions of inventories;
debts to trade creditors;
bills of exchange payable;
amounts owed to affiliated undertakings;
amounts owed to undertakings with which
the company is linked by virtue of
tax and social security debts; and
other creditors.
Under IAS 39, an entity is required to recognise a

financial liability on its balance sheet when, and
only when, it becomes a party to the instruments
contractual provisions.
There is no precise definition of financial liability

in the Accounting Law. IFRS can be used as
a benchmark except for the difference made
between equity and liability classification.
IAS 39 has two defined categories of financial

liabilities:
financial liabilities at fair value through profit or
loss; and
other financial liabilities (measured at amortised
cost).
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
A financial liability (trading or other) is removed

from the balance sheet when it is extinguished,
that is when the obligation is discharged, cancelled
or expired. This condition is met when the debtor
either:
discharges the liability (or part of it) by paying
the creditor, normally with cash, other financial
assets, goods or services; or
is legally released from primary responsibility for
the liability (or part of it) either by process of law
or by the creditor.
A financial liability is derecognised when

the obligation specified in the contract is
discharged, cancelled, settled or expired; or the
primary responsibility for the liability is legally
transferred to another party.
Derecognition
Entities frequently negotiate with lenders to

restructure their existing debt obligations. In the
case of a substantial modification of the terms
of an existing financial liability, this should be
accounted for as an extinguishment of the original
financial liability besides the recognition of a new
financial liability.
The terms are substantially different if the
discounted present value of the cash flows under
the new terms, including any fees paid net of any
fees received and discounted using the original
effective interest rate, is at least 10% different from
the discounted present value of the remaining cash
flows of the original financial liability.
Initial measurement
The classification of financial liabilities will impact

the initial and subsequent measurement.
When a financial liability is recognised initially, an
entity shall measure it at its fair value plus, in the
case of a financial liability not at fair value through
profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly
attributable to the issue of the financial liability.
Financial liabilities are recorded at their

reimbursement value. Where the amount
repayable on creditors exceeds the amount
received, the difference may be shown as an
asset and shown separately in the balance
sheet or in the notes to the annual accounts.
The amount of the difference must be written
off by reasonable yearly amounts (based
on an actuarial or linear method) and must
be completely written off no later than the
repayment date of the debt. Alternatively, the
difference is booked in the profit and loss
account upon issuance.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Financial liabilities are measured at amortised

cost or fair value through profit or loss. For details
on fair value and amortised cost, refer to section
Financial assets.
Financial liabilities can be measured as follows:

under the historical cost convention:
reimbursement value of the instrument;
under LuxGAAP with fair value option: the
company may use fair value to measure
financial instrument liabilities. Financial
instrument liabilities can only be valued at fair
value if and only if they are:
- held as part of a trading portfolio; or
- derivative financial instruments;
alternatively, liabilities financial instruments,
which cannot be fair valued as per the
paragraph above, can follow IFRS fair
valuation policy.
Other financial liabilities
Amortised cost
After initial recognition, an entity should measure

financial liabilities, other than those classified at
fair value through profit or loss, at amortised cost
using the effective interest method as described in
the Financial assets section.
Amortised cost is not contemplated under

LuxGAAP.
Financial liabilities at fair value
through profit or loss
After initial recognition, financial liabilities falling

within this category (including liabilities held to
trading and derivative liabilities not designated as
hedging instruments) are measured at fair value.
At each year end closing, the change in fair

value is recorded in the profit and loss account.
However, such change may be included directly
in an equity account, in a fair value reserve,
where the change in the value relates to an
available-for-sale asset other than a derivative
financial instrument.
A change in a financial liabilitys fair value classified

in this category that is not part of a hedging
relationship should be recognised in the profit or
loss for the period.
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The change of fair value shall be included

directly in an equity account where the
instrument accounted for is an hedging
instrument under a system of hedge accounting
and when the change in value relates to an
exchange difference arising on a monetary
item that forms part of an undertakings net
investment in a foreign entity.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Split accounting is used for convertible

instruments where the conversion is a fixed
amount of cash for a fixed number of shares if
the conversion option is the choice of the holder.
The proceeds are allocated between the two
components, the equity conversion rights are
recognised in equity and the liability is recognised
at fair value calculated by discounting at a market
rate for a non-convertible similar debt. Certain
embedded derivatives may have to be bifurcated.
One example is when there is an early repayment
option to be made at an amount significantly
different to the amortised cost carrying amount of
the entire instrument at early redemption date.
No specific definition but accounting principles

follow the legal form. Convertible bonds are
classified in full as liabilities until they are
converted.
Convertible bond
If the conversion option is the choice of the

issuer, then the instrument as a whole is an equity
instrument.
Refer to section Equity, subsection
Classification debt vs equity for further details.
Disclosure
For general disclosures related to financial

instruments, refer to section Financial assets.
LuxGAAP disclosures are not so detailed as

IFRS and are limited to the following ones.
One of the main disclosures regarding financial

liabilities relates to the liquidity risks. Management
shall describe how liquidity risk is managed and
give quantitative details in a liquidity table. The
table shall contain all the future undiscounted cash
flows from financial liabilities, presented separated
into time buckets when they are contractually due
to be paid. The number of time buckets is not
defined. So, the entity should use its judgement to
decide what is relevant for its business.

In case a financial debt is booked according
to historical cost convention, disclosures are
required such as rights related to convertible
bonds, detail of maturity over five years, detail
of debts secured by collateral on assets.
Fair value option

When the LuxGAAP fair value option is used,
following disclosures are required in the notes
to the annual accounts:
reserve; and
a table describing the movements on the fair
value reserve during the financial year.
Fair value by reference to IFRS
For the financial liabilities that apply fair
value by reference to IFRS, IFRS disclosure
requirements relating to the valuation of
financial instruments apply.
Recent developments IFRS 9 - Financial

liabilities
The IASB has updated IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments to
include guidance on financial liabilities and derecognition of
financial instruments (refer to Recent developments IFRS9
- Financial Instruments in the section Financial assets for
information on other aspects of IFRS9, including effective
date and endorsement). The accounting and presentation for
financial liabilities and for derecognising financial instruments
has been relocated from IAS 39 - Financial Instruments:
Recognition and Measurement, without change, except for
financial liabilities that are designated at fair value through
profit or loss.
Key provisions
The requirements in IAS 39 regarding the classification and
measurement of financial liabilities have been retained,
including the related application and implementation
guidance. This means that there continue to be two
measurement categories for financial liabilities: fair value
through profit or loss and amortised cost. The criteria for
designating a financial liability at fair value through profit or
loss also remain unchanged.
Entities are still required to separate derivatives embedded in
financial liabilities where they are not closely related to the
host contract. The separated embedded derivative continues
to be measured at fair value through profit or loss, and the
residual debt host continues to be measured at amortised
cost. The existing application guidance relating to embedded
derivatives has also been included in IFRS 9; it will also
continue to apply to derivatives embedded in non financial
items, for example, foreign currency derivatives embedded in
purchase and sales contracts.
The requirements in IAS 39 for determining when financial
instruments are derecognised from the balance sheet have also
been relocated to IFRS 9 without change.
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New measurement guidance

Under the new standard, entities with financial liabilities
designated at fair value through profit or loss recognise
directly in other comprehensive income changes in the fair
value due to changes in the liabilitys credit risk. There is no
subsequent recycling of the amounts in other comprehensive
income to profit or loss, but accumulated gains or losses may
be transferred within equity.
However, if presenting the change in fair value attributable to
the credit risk of the liability in other comprehensive income
would create an accounting mismatch in profit or loss, all fair
value movements are recognised in profit or loss. An entity
is required to determine whether an accounting mismatch is
created when the financial liability is first recognised, and this
determination is not reassessed. The mismatch must arise due
to an economic relationship between the financial liability
and a financial asset that results in the liabilitys credit risk
being offset by a change in the fair value of the asset. Financial
liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value
through profit or loss (as distinct from those that the entity
has designated at fair value through profit or loss), including
financial guarantees and loan commitments measured at fair
value through profit or loss, will continue to have all fair value
movement recognised in profit or loss. Derivatives such as
foreign currency forwards and interest rate swaps, or entitys
own liabilities that it holds in its trading portfolio, continue to
have all fair value movements recognised in profit or loss.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Scope and standard
The applicable standards are the followings:

IAS1 - Presentation of Financial Statements;
IAS 32 - Financial Instruments: Presentation;
IAS39 - Financial Instruments: Recognition and
Measurement; and
IFRS 7 - Financial Instruments: Disclosures.
Equity is covered by the following articles: 265*; 37 (2); 49-2*; 49-8*; 55; 65 (1) 3, 4, 5 and
68 (3).
Definitions
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences

a residual interest in the assets of an entity after
deducting all of its liabilities.
No definition as per the Accounting Law.

Classification depends on the legal form of the
instrument.
A puttable instrument is a financial instrument that

gives the holder the right to put the instrument
back to the issuer for cash or another financial
asset or is automatically put back to the issuer on
the occurrence of an uncertain future event or the
death or retirement of the instrument holder.
The Accounting Law categorised the

components of the equity as follows:
subscribed capital;
share premium and similar premiums;
revaluation reserves;
reserves;
result brought forward;
result for the financial year;
interim dividends;
capital investment subsidies; and
temporary not taxable gains.
An instrument is classified as equity when it does

not contain an obligation to transfer economic
resources.
The classification in equity or liability is based

on the legal features of the instrument at the
time of recognition. There is no split between
equity and debt for hybrid instruments.
Equity
Recognition Classification
debt vs. equity
For instruments settled in cash, if the cash

payments are discretionary that is, the issuer
has the ability to avoid making a payment - then
the instrument, or that feature of the instrument
is equity. The entity has discretion over cash
payments when it has no contractual obligation
or mandatory cash flows to pay. This is the key
feature of equity.
Regarding the instruments that are settled in
own equity shares, only a contract to deliver a
fixed number of shares or to exchange a fixed
amount of cash for a fixed number of shares is an
equity instrument. Such an exchange is a forward
sale of own shares, which is therefore an equity
transaction. This is generally known as the fixed
for fixed requirement.
Fixed for fixed requirement can be broken and
the instrument is still to be classified as equity
only in very limited circumstances like anti-dilution
clauses.
Preferred shares that are not redeemable, or that
are redeemable solely at the option of the issuer,
and for which distributions are at the discretion of
the issuer, are classified as equity. Preferred shares
requiring the issuer to redeem for a fixed
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Equity
or determinable amount at a fixed or determinable
future date and for which distributions are not
at the discretion of the issuer are classified as
liabilities. However, if dividends are discretionary,
the instrument is treated as a compound
instrument with a debt and equity component.
Preferred shares where the holder has the option
of redemption and for which distributions are not
at the discretion of the issuer are also classified
as liabilities; in addition there is an embedded
put option that may have to be accounted for
separately.
Only derivative contracts that result in the delivery
of a fixed amount of cash, or other financial
asset for a fixed number of an entitys own equity
instruments, are classified as equity instruments.
All other derivatives on the entitys own equity
are accounted for as derivatives. Puttable
instruments at fair value may be recognised as
equity instruments under certain strict conditions,
including the fact that these instruments must
be the most subordinated class of financial
instruments issued by the entity.
As an exception to the definition of financial
liabilities, a puttable instrument that meets the
definition of a financial liability is classified as
an equity instrument if it has all the features and
meets all the following specific conditions:
the instrument must be in the most subordinated
class of instruments;
all the instruments in that class must have
identical features;
the holder of the put should receive a prorata
share of net assets at liquidation;
the total cash flows of the puttable instrument
must be substantially based on net earnings or
changes in fair value of the entity or changes in
recognised net assets as presented under IFRS;
the instrument has a residual return that is not
fixed or restricted; and
apart from the put option of the holder, there
must be no other liability feature.
Initial measurement
Equity instruments are measured at the fair value

of the consideration received or receivable, net of
direct issue costs.
Shares are accounted for at their nominal value

or their accounting par value.
The subscribed capital unpaid is recognised as
an asset.
There is no subsequent remeasurement of the

equity.
Dividends on ordinary equity shares are recorded
when they are authorised by the shareholders.
72PwC Luxembourg
Similar to IFRS.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
An entity shall disclose information that enable

users of financial statements to evaluate
objectives, policies and processes for managing
capital.
The notes to the annual accounts must at

least set out the following information on the
subscribed capital:
the number and the nominal value or, in the
absence of a nominal value, the accounting
par value of the shares subscribed for during
the financial year within the limits of an
authorised capital;
where there is more than one class of shares,
absence of a nominal value, the accounting
par value of each class; and
the existence of any founders shares,
convertible bonds or similar securities or
rights, with an indication of their number and
the rights they confer. Small-sized companies
The Luxembourg regulatory framework) are
exempted to disclose this latest information,
unless they issue securities which are
admitted to official trading on a regulated
market of any Member State of the European
Union.
Equity
Disclosure
IAS 1 requires qualitative disclosure about how an

entity manages capital, quantitative data about
what the entity regards as capital, whether the
entity has complied with any external capital
requirements such as loan covenants. Indeed,
capital as defined by IAS1 may encompass other
elements which are not included in the entitys
equity but are considered as quasi-permanent in
nature (e.g. subordinated long-term debt). A key
requirement is that if a company has breached
an externally imposed capital requirement,
consequences of such non-compliance have to be
disclosed.
Loan covenants are an example of an externally
imposed capital requirement. Mandatory is only to
disclose the consequences of the breach in case
there is a breach. If there is no breach, an entity
would not need to disclose exactly what those
loan covenants are; the focus is on what the entity
regards as capital, and how its management of
that capital is affected by any externally imposed
requirements.
Own shares
If an entity re-acquires its own equity instruments,

those instruments (treasury shares) shall be
deducted from equity. No gain or loss shall be
recognised in profit or loss on the purchase,
sale, issue or cancellation of an entitys own
equity instruments. Such treasury shares may
be acquired and held by the entity or by other
members of the consolidated group. Consideration
paid or received shall be recognised directly in
equity.
Own shares and own corporate units have to be

disclosed as an asset for their acquisition price.
A non-distributable reserve has to be set-up
for an amount corresponding to the acquisition
price or, in case of redeemable shares, to the
nominal value or accounting par value of those
shares.
Own shares are subject to impairment test.
In case of purchase of own shares, the following
disclosure shall be included in the management
report (or in the notes to the annual accounts in
absence of such report):
the reasons for acquisitions made during the
financial year;
absence of nominal value, the accounting par
value of the shares acquired and disposed of
during the financial year and the proportion
of the subscribed capital they represent;
in the case of acquisition or disposal for
value, the consideration for the shares; and
the number and nominal value or, in the
absence of nominal value, the accounting
par value of all the shares acquired and held
in the companys portfolio as well as the
proportion of the subscribed capital which
they represent.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP

Scope and standard
The applicable standard is IAS 39 - Financial

Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.
Derivatives are covered by the following articles:

64bis; 64ter; 64quater; 64sexies and 64septies.
Definitions
A financial instrument is a contract that gives rise

to a financial asset of one entity and a financial
liability or equity instrument of another entity.
There is no definition of a derivative in

LuxGAAP. The IFRS definition can be used as a
reference.
A derivative is a financial instrument:

whose value changes in response to the change
in a specified interest rate, financial instrument
price, commodity price, foreign exchange rate,
index of prices or rates, credit rating or credit
index, or other analogue specific variable
(sometimes called the underlying);
that requires no initial net investment or an
initial net investment that is smaller than would
be required for other types of contracts that
would be expected to have a similar response to
changes in market factors; and
that is settled at a future date.
An embedded derivative is a component of
a hybrid instrument that also includes a non
derivative host contract with the effect that some
of the cash flows of the hybrid instrument vary in a
way similar to a stand-alone derivative.
An embedded derivative causes some or all of
the cash flows that otherwise would be required
by the contract to be modified according to a
specified interest rate, financial instrument price,
commodity price, foreign exchange rate, index
of prices or rates, credit rating or credit index, or
other variable, provided in the case of a nonfinancial variable that the variable is not specific to
a party to the contract. Variation of the cash flows
over the contracts term is a critical indicator of the
presence of one or more embedded derivatives.
74PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
A derivative follows the recognition rules of

any financial instrument under IAS 39, i.e. are
recognised only when the entity becomes a party
to its contractual provision. Refer to section
Financial assets.
A derivative follows the recognition rules of

any financial instrument, i.e. are recognised
only when the entity becomes a party to its
contractual provision. Derivative acquired for
no consideration has to be disclosed as an offbalance sheet item.

Recognition
Embedded derivative should be separated from

the host contract and accounted for as a derivative
if all of the following three conditions are met:
the economic characteristics and risks of the
embedded derivative are not closely related to
the economic characteristics and risks of the
host contract;
a separate instrument with the same terms
as the embedded derivative would meet the
definition of a derivative; and
the hybrid instrument is not measured at fair
value with changes in fair value recognised in
profit or loss.
Initial measurement
All derivatives are initially recognised at fair value.
Derivatives follow the measurement rules

of financial instrument. They are initially
recognised at cost (asset) or reimbursement
value (liability).
Derivatives classified as held for trading are

measured at fair value through profit or loss.
General rules for financial instruments apply.
Derivatives which are designated as hedging

instruments under a hedge accounting relationship
follow the hedge accounting rules described
hereunder.
However, a derivative liability that is linked to and
must be settled by delivery of an unquoted equity
instrument whose fair value cannot reliably be
measured should be measured at cost.
For asset derivatives, there are three possible

options: cost less impairment, lower of cost or
market value or fair value.
For liability derivatives, accounting policy
applied can be reimbursement value or fair
value option. When the underlying contract is
not recorded in the balance sheet, the company
has to account for a provision if needed.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP

Hedge accounting
76PwC Luxembourg
Hedging is the process of using a financial

instrument (usually a derivative) to mitigate all
or some of the risk of a hedged item. Hedge
accounting changes the timing of recognition of
gains and losses on either the hedged item or the
hedging instrument so that both are recognised
in profit or loss in the same accounting period in
order to record the economic substance of the
combination of the hedged item and its instrument.
Hedge accounting is not defined under

LuxGAAP. Refer to IFRS for guidance.
To qualify for hedge accounting, an entity must:

formally designate and document a hedge
relationship between a qualifying hedging
instrument and a qualifying hedged item at the
inception of the hedge; and
both at inception and on an ongoing basis,
demonstrate that the hedge is highly effective,
i.e. in a range of 80% - 125%.
No such requirement in the Accounting Law.
IAS 39 requires documentation of a hedging

relationship at inception. This documentation
includes the hedged item and hedging instrument,
the risk management objective, the strategy for
undertaking the hedge and the efficiency test
performed both prospectively and retrospectively.
No such requirement in the Accounting Law.
IAS 39 permits three types of hedging relationship:

cash flow hedges;
fair value hedges; and
hedges of a net investment in a foreign
operation.
Not specified in the Accounting Law. Same

types of hedging relationship than in IFRS are
permitted under LuxGAAP.
IAS 39 restricts the risks or portions in a financial

instrument that can be hedged based on a
principal that those risks or portions must be
separately identifiable components of the financial
instrument, and changes in the cash flows or fair
value of the entire financial instrument arising from
changes in the designated risks and portions
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP

must be reliably measurable. A broader array of
risks is therefore eligible for hedging under IAS
39 (for example, equity price risk and one-sided
risks). IAS 39 allows a group of similar items to be
designated as a hedged item.
IAS 39 permits hedging instruments to be:
derivatives that are not net written options; it is
permitted to separately designate the intrinsic
value of an option or the spot component of a
forward contract; and
non-derivative assets or liabilities when used as
a hedge of foreign currency risk.
The entity is required to perform quantitative

retrospective and prospective effectiveness tests
at least once per reporting period. A specific
method for testing effectiveness is not defined, but
the entity documents its chosen method as part of
the hedging documentation.
Where an entity designates a cash flow hedge
hedging relationship and it complies with the
conditions above, it recognises in profit or loss any
excess of the fair value of the hedging instrument
over the change in the fair value of the expected
cash flows (hedge ineffectiveness). The effective part
is recognised in other comprehensive income. The
amount recognised in other comprehensive income
is recognised in profit or loss when the hedged item
affects profit or loss or when the hedging relationship
ends. IAS 39 specifies that the amounts recognised
in other comprehensive income are based on
cumulative changes in the fair value of the hedging
instrument and hedged risk.
In the case of a fair value hedge:
the gain or loss from remeasuring the hedging
instrument at fair value (for a derivative hedging
instrument) or the foreign currency component
of its carrying amount measured in accordance
with IAS21 - The Effects of Changes in Foreign
Exchange Rates (for a non-derivative hedging
instrument) should be recognised in profit or
loss; and
the gain or loss on the hedged item attributable
to the hedged risk adjusts the carrying amount
of the hedged item and is recognised in profit
or loss. This applies even if the hedged item
is an available-for-sale financial asset or if it is
otherwise measured at cost.

For hedging instruments following the lower
of cost or market value accounting policy, the
unrealised losses and realised gains and losses
are accounted through the profit and loss
account.
For hedging instruments following fair value
accounting policy, the adjustment in fair value
has to be accounted for in the profit and loss
account if the fair value adjustment of the
hedged item is recorded in the profit and loss.
In case of cash flow hedged and hedge of a net
investment in a foreign entity, the variation has
to be recorded in the revaluation reserve.
The Accounting Law does not foresee how to
account for the hedged items neither during
the period of hedging nor when the underlying
transaction is settled.
Hedge accounting is discontinued when:

the hedging instrument expires, is sold or
terminated;
the hedge no longer meets the criteria for
hedgeaccounting; or
the entity revokes the designation.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP

Disclosure Derivatives
Refer to sections Financial assets and Financial

liabilities.

For each class of derivatives that are not fair
valued, the fair value and the nature of the
instruments shall be disclosed in the notes to
the annual accounts.
Fair value option
When using fair value accounting, the notes to
the annual accounts shall include:
fair value, the movements of fair value booked
directly in the profit and loss account as well
as the movements on the fair value reserve;
for each class of derivative financial
instruments, indication of the volume and
nature of the instruments, and in particular,
the main modalities and conditions likely
to impact the amount, timetable and the
certainty of future cash flows; and
Disclosure Hedge accounting The entity shall disclose the following separately for
each type of hedge relationship (i.e. fair value hedges,
cash flow hedges and hedges of net investments in
foreign operations):
a description of each type of hedge;
a description of the financial instruments
designated as hedging instruments and their fair
values at the reporting date; and
the nature of the risks being hedged.
For cash flow hedges, the entity shall disclose:
the periods when the cash flows are expected to
occur and when they are expected to affect profit
or loss;
a description of any forecast transaction for which
hedge accounting had previously been used, but
which is no longer expected to occur;
the amount that was recognised in equity during
the period;
the amount that was removed from equity and
included in profit or loss for the period, showing the
amount included in each line item in the income
statement; and
the amount that was removed from equity during
the period and included in the initial cost or other
carrying amount of a non-financial asset or nonfinancial liability whose acquisition or incurrence
was a hedged highly probable forecast transaction.
78PwC Luxembourg
The entity shall disclose separately:

in fair value hedges, gains or losses:
- on the hedging instrument; and
- on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk;
the ineffectiveness recognised in profit or loss that
arises from cash flow hedges; and
the ineffectiveness recognised in profit or loss that
arises from hedges of net investments in foreign
operations.
For each class of derivatives that are not fair

valued, the fair value and the nature of the
instruments shall be disclosed.
When using fair value accounting, the notes to
the annual accounts shall include:
booked directly in the profit and loss account
reserve;
for each class of derivative financial
instruments, indication of the volume and
nature of the instruments, and in particular,
the main modalities and conditions likely
to impact the amount, timetable and the
certainty of future cash flows; and
Recent developments IFRS9 - Final draft

on hedge accounting
On 7 September 2012, the IASB posted a final draft of the
forthcoming general hedge accounting requirements that
will be added to IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments. The hedge
accounting standard is targeted to be published in the first
half of 2013. EU endorsement is expected not earlier than 1
January 2015, the current planned effective date of completion
of IFRS 9 (refer to Recent developments IFRS9 - Financial
Instruments in the section Financial assets for information
on other aspects of IFRS9).
The rules on hedge accounting in IAS 39 - Financial
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement have frustrated
many preparers, as the requirements have not been well linked
with common risk management practices. The detailed rules
have at times made achieving hedge accounting impossible or
very costly, even when the hedge has been an economically
rational risk management strategy. Users have also found the
current distinction between achieving hedge accounting or not
as meaningless. They have often struggled to fully understand
an entitys risk management activities based on its application
of the hedge accounting rules. The IASB is addressing several
of these concerns in this third phase of its efforts to replace IAS
39 with IFRS 9.
Hedge effectiveness tests and eligibility for hedge
accounting
The final draft proposes relaxing the requirements for hedge
effectiveness assessment and consequently the eligibility for
hedge accounting. Under IAS 39 today, the hedge must both
be expected to be highly effective (a prospective test) and
be demonstrated to have actually been highly effective (a
retrospective test) with highly effective defined as a bright
line quantitative test of 80-125%. The final draft replaces this
with a requirement for the hedge to be designated so as to be
neutral and unbiased, and in a way that minimises expected
ineffectiveness. This could be demonstrated qualitatively or
quantitatively, depending on the characteristics of the hedge.
For example, in a simple hedge where all the critical terms
match, a qualitative test might be sufficient. On the other
hand, in highly complex hedging strategies, some type of
quantitative analysis such as that required under current
rules would need to be performed. The 80-125% bright line
rule would be removed. However, hedge ineffectiveness must
still be measured and reported in profit or loss.
Hedged items
A number of changes are proposed to the rules for determining
what can be designated as a hedged item. The proposed
changes primarily remove restrictions that today prevent some
economically rational hedging strategies from qualifying for
hedge accounting. For example, the Exposure Draft proposes
that risk components can be designated for non-financial
hedged items provided the risk component is separately
identifiable and measurable. This is good news for entities
that hedge non-financial items for a commodity price risk that
is only a component of the overall price risk of the item, as it
is likely to result in more hedges of such items qualifying for
hedge accounting.
In addition, the final draft would make the hedging of groups
of items more flexible, although it does not cover macro
hedging. This will be the subject of a separate Exposure
Draft. Treasurers commonly group similar risk exposures and
hedge only the net position (for example, the net of forecast
purchases and sales in a foreign currency). Under IAS 39 today,
such a net position cannot be designated as the hedged item.
The final draft proposes that this be permitted if it is consistent
with an entitys risk management strategy. However, if the
hedged net positions consist of forecasted transactions, all
hedged transactions have to relate to the same period.
Hedging instruments
The final draft relaxes the rules on using purchased options
and non-derivative financial instruments as hedging
instruments. For example, under the current hedging rules,
the time value of purchased options is recognised on markto-market basis in net income, which can create significant
volatility in profit or loss. In contrast, the final draft views a
purchased option as similar to an insurance contract such that
the initial time value (that is generally the premium paid)
will be recognised in profit or loss, either over the period of
the hedge if the hedge is time related, or when the hedged
transaction affects profit or loss if the hedge is transaction
related. Any changes in the options fair value associated with
time value will only be recognised in other comprehensive
income. This should result in less volatility in profit or loss for
these types of hedges.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Scope and standard
The standard applicable is IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and

Contingent Assets.
Provisions are covered by the following articles:

34; 38; 44; 51; 64 and 65 (1) 7.
Definitions
A provision is a liability of uncertain timing or

amount.
Provisions include:
provisions for pensions and similar
obligations;
provisions for taxation; and
other provisions.
A liability is a present obligation of the entity

arising from past events, the settlement of
which is expected to result in an outflow from
the entity of resources embodying economic
benefits.
A contingent liability is:
a possible obligation that arises from
past events and whose existence will be
confirmed only by the occurrence or nonoccurrence of one or more uncertain future
events not wholly within the control of the
entity; or
a present obligation that arises from past
events but is not recognised because:
- it is not probable that an outflow of
resources embodying economic benefits
will be required to settle the obligation; or
- the amount of the obligation cannot be
measured with sufficient reliability.
Provisions are intended to cover losses or debts,

the nature of which is clearly defined and which,
at the date of the balance sheet, are either likely
to be incurred or certain to be incurred but
uncertain as to their amount or as to the date on
which they will arise.
Provisions may also be created in order to cover
charges which have their origin in the financial
year under review or in a previous financial year,
the nature of which is clearly defined and which,
at the date of the balance sheet, are either likely
to be incurred or certain to be incurred but
uncertain as to their amount or as to the date on
which they will arise. Provisions may not be used
to adjust the value of assets.
A contingent asset is a possible asset that

arises from past events and whose existence
will be confirmed only by the occurrence or
non-occurrence of one or more uncertain
future events not wholly within the entitys
control.
Recognition
A provision is recognised when:

the entity has a present obligation to
transfer economic benefits as a result of
past events;
it is probable (more likely than not) that
such a transfer will be required to settle the
obligation; and
a reliable estimate of the amount of the
obligation can be made.
A present obligation arises from an obligating
event. It may take the form of either a legal
obligation or a constructive obligation. An
obligating event leaves the entity no realistic
alternative to settle the obligation created by
the event. If the entity can avoid the future
expenditure by its future actions, it has no
present obligation and a provision is not
recognised.
80PwC Luxembourg
Based on the prudence principle, companies

are required to take into account all foreseeable
liabilities and potential losses. It is also allowed
to recognise provisions for future costs.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
A present obligation exists only when

the entity is demonstrably committed
to the restructuring. An entity is usually
demonstrably committed when there is a
legal obligation or when the entity has a
detailed formal plan for the restructuring.
No specific guidance under LuxGAAP. General

conditions apply. In practice, similar to IFRS
but less restrictive: management approval
and commitment to the restructuring plan are
sufficient.

Recognition Restructuring
provision
The entity must be unable to withdraw

because it has started to implement the plan
or announced its main features to those
affected (constructive obligation). A current
provision is unlikely to be justified if there will
be a delay before the restructuring begins or
the restructuring will take an unreasonably
long time to complete.
Recognition Onerous contract
IFRS requires recognition of an onerous loss

for executory contracts if the unavoidable
costs of meeting the obligations under the
contract exceed the economic benefits
expected to be received under it. The
present obligation under the contract must
be recognised and measured as a provision.
Provisions are recognised when a contract
becomes onerous regardless of whether the
entity has ceased using the rights under the
contract.

General conditions apply. In practice, similar to
IFRS. Provisions must be recorded to cover all
potential losses (onerous contracts).
Recognition Contingent assets
Contingent assets are not recognised in the

financial statements because this may result
in the recognition of income that may never
be realised. If the inflow of economic benefits
is probable, the entity should disclose
a description of the contingent asset.
However, when the realisation of income is
virtually certain, then the related asset is not
a contingent asset, and its recognition is
appropriate.
Not defined in the Accounting Law.
Recognition Contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities are disclosed in the

notes unless the probability of outflows is
remote.
All commitments by way of guarantee of any

kind must, if there is no obligation to show
them as liabilities, be clearly set out in the notes
to the annual accounts, a distinction being
made between the various types of guarantees
provided for by the Accounting Law and specific
disclosure being made of any collateral granted
on assets (such as guarantees, future rent
payments, orders of equipment, pensions, etc.).
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Recognition Decommissioning,
restoration and similar liabilities
(asset retirement obligations)
The present value of the costs of dismantling,

removing or restoring as a result of a legal
or constructive obligation is recognised
as a liability and the corresponding cost
capitalised as part of the related property,
plant or equipment (refer to section Property,
plant and equipment). An obligation arises
either when the item is acquired or as a result
of using the item during a particular period for
purposes other than to produce inventories
during that period. The accounting for
changes in the measurement of the liability
is different for the cost and the revaluation
model.
Not defined in the Accounting Law.
Measurement
The amount recognised as a provision is the

best estimate of the amount required to settle
the obligation at the reporting date. Where
material, the amount of the provision is the
present value of the amount expected to be
required to settle the obligation.
No specific guidance on measurement in the

Accounting Law. The amount recognised as
a provision is the best estimate of the amount
required to settle the obligation at the reporting
date. The only specification in the Accounting
Law is that a provision shall not exceed in
amount the sums which are necessary.
Where there is a continuous range of possible

outcomes and each point in that range is as
likely as any other, the midpoint of the range
is used.
Disclosure
For each class of provision, an entity shall

disclose:
the carrying amount at the beginning and
end of the period;
additional provisions made in the period,
including increases to existing provisions;
amounts used (i.e. incurred and charged
against the provision) during the period;
unused amounts reversed during the
period; and
the increase during the period in the
discounted amount arising from the
passage of time and the effect of any
change in the discount rate. Comparative
information is not required.
As an exception to the general rules,
comparative figures are not required for these
disclosures.
82PwC Luxembourg
The provisions shown in the balance sheet

under Other Provisions must be disclosed
in the notes to the annual accounts if they are
material. The same applies to taxes recorded as
provision.
The total amount of any financial commitments
that are not included in the balance sheet
must be set out in the notes to the annual
accounts insofar as this information is of
assistance in assessing the financial position.
Any commitments concerning pensions and
commitments existing in respect of affiliated
undertakings must be shown separately.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP

An entity shall disclose the following for each
class of provision:
a brief description of the nature of the
obligation and the expected timing of any
resulting outflows of economic benefits;
an indication of the uncertainties about
the amount or timing of those outflows.
Where necessary to provide adequate
information, an entity shall disclose the
major assumptions made concerning future
events; and
the amount of any expected
reimbursement, stating the amount of any
asset that has been recognised for that
expected reimbursement.
Unless the possibility of any outflow in
settlement is remote, an entity shall disclose
for each class of contingent liability at the
end of the reporting period a brief description
of the nature of the contingent liability and,
where practicable:
an estimate of its financial effect;
an indication of the uncertainties relating to
the amount or timing of any outflow; and
the possibility of any reimbursement.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
The applicable standard is IAS 19 Employee

Benefits.
Staff expenses are covered by the following

articles: 34; 46 and 65.
Employee benefits
Scope and standard
IAS 19 applies to all types of employee benefits

(except for share-based payments, refer to section
Share-based payment), including:
short-term benefits payable during employment;
long-term benefits payable during employment;
termination benefits payable upon termination of
employment; and
post-employment benefits.
Benefits may be settled by payments (or the
provision of goods or services) made either directly
to the employees, ex-employees, to their spouses,
children or other dependants or to others, such as
insurance undertakings.
These benefits may be set up by employers,
insurance companies, the government or other
institutions such as employer associations.
Definitions
Short-term employee benefits represent employee

benefits (other than termination and equity
compensation) due within 12months after the
employee rendered the related service. Examples
include: salaries, social security contributions, paid
sick leave, paid annual leave, bonuses, etc. and
non-monetary benefits (medical care, car, etc.).
Post-employment benefits represent employee
benefits (other than termination and equity
compensation) payable after the completion of
service. It includes retirement benefits, such as
pensions, and other post-employment benefits,
such as post-employment life insurance and postemployment health care.
Defined contribution plans are post-employment
benefit plans under which an entity pays fixed
contributions into a separate entity (a fund) and will
have no legal or constructive obligation to pay further
contributions if the fund does not hold sufficient
assets to pay all employee benefits relating to
employee service in the current and prior periods.
Define benefit plans are post-employment benefit
plans under which employers obligation is to provide
the agreed amount of benefits to current and former
employees. The benefits are typically based on such
factors as age, length of service and compensation.
The actuarial risks and investment risks are retained
by the employer. If actuarial or investment experience
is different than expected, an employers obligation
may increase or decrease through remeasurements.
84PwC Luxembourg
There is no precise definition in the Accounting

Law. Reference to IFRS definitions can be used.
Staff expenses includes the following:
wages and salaries;
social security costs;
supplementary pension costs; and
miscellaneous social security costs.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Employee benefits
Defined benefit plans may be unfunded, or they
may be wholly or partly funded. A funded plan
is one where contributions from an entity, and
sometimes its employees, are paid into a fund that
is legally separate from the entity and from which
the employee benefits are paid.
Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability
(asset) comprise:
actuarial gains and losses;
the return on plan assets, excluding amounts
included in net interest on the net defined benefit
liability (asset); and
any change in the effect of the asset ceiling,
excluding amounts included in net interest on
the net defined benefit liability (asset).
Actuarial gains and losses are:
past experience adjustments, i.e. the effects
of differences between the previous actuarial
assumptions and what has actually occurred;
and
the effects of changes in actuarial assumptions
about future.
Past-service cost is the increase in the present
value of the defined benefit obligation for
employee service in prior periods resulting in the
current period from the introduction of or changes
to post-employment benefits or other long-term
employee benefits contracts. Past-service costs
may be either positive or negative.
A curtailment occurs when an entity reduces
significantly the number of employees, a
curtailment gives rise to a past-service cost.
Other long-term employee benefits include longservice leave, jubilee or other long-service benefits,
long-term disability benefits, bonus if payable after
12months, etc.
Termination benefits are benefits payable to
employees upon termination of their employment.
Termination can occur either voluntarily or
involuntarily.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
The standard requires an entity to recognise:

a liability when an employee has provided
service in exchange for employee benefits to be
paid in the future; and
an expense when the enterprise consumes the
economic benefit arising from service provided
by an employee in exchange for employee
benefits.
The recognition of the employment benefits as

liability and as expenses follows the same rules
as IFRS.
Termination benefits are recognised once a

detailed formal plan is prepared and has been
communicated to the relevant employees or their
representatives.
Termination benefits are not specified in

the Accounting Law. In practice, the rules
for provision apply. Termination benefits
are recognised once a detail formal plan is
prepared and has been duly approved by the
management.
Past-service costs are recognised in the period of

a plan amendment.
Past-service costs are recognised immediately

in the profit and loss account.
Curtailment gains/losses are accounted for as

past-service costs.
Curtailment gains/losses are not specified in

the Accounting Law. IFRS can be used as a
benchmark.
Expense is represented by the undiscounted

amount of benefits payable during the accounting
period. Any amount unpaid is a liability, any excess
paid is an asset.

Accounting for defined contribution plan is

Measurement Postemployment benefits Defined determined by the amounts to be contributed
by the entity for the current period. For example,
contribution plan
if monthly payments are required, the company
should recognise an expense equal to these 12
monthly contributions. In the event that only 11
monthly payments have been made, an accrual will
be required. If the company has paid in advance, a
prepayment will be needed to reduce the expense.

Employee benefits
Recognition
Measurement Short-term
employee benefits
Obligations are measured on an undiscounted basis,

except where they do not fall due within 12 months
of the employee rendering the service. The amount
recognised as an expense shall be disclosed.
Accounting for defined benefit plan involves the
Measurement Postemployment benefits Defined following steps:
the use of actuarial techniques and assumptions
benefit plan
to make reliable estimates of the amount of
benefits earned by employee in return for
services rendered in current and prior periods;
the determination of the present value of the
defined benefit obligation and current service
cost using the projected unit credit method; this
method sees each period of service as giving
rise to an additional unit of benefit entitlement
and measures each unit separately to build up
the final obligation;
86PwC Luxembourg

Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Employee benefits
the determination of the net interest by
multiplying the discount rate to the net defined
benefit obligation (asset), both as determined at
the beginning of the period taking into account
any changes in the period due to contributions
and benefit payments;
the calculation of the fair value of the plan
assets (if any);
the determination of the actual return on plan
assets; the difference between the actual
return and expected return computed within
net interest mentioned above is part of the
remeasurements, the one resulting from changes
in assumptions on plan assets;
the determination of the amount of actuarial
gains and losses and past-service costs that
shall be recognised on the defined benefit
obligation; this is that part of remeasurements
resulting from changes in assumptions on
defined benefit obligations; and
it is established whether a settlement has
occurred.
The liability in the balance sheet comprises the
defined benefit obligation less the plan assets.
The amount recognised in an employers profit or

loss comprise:
current service cost;
net interest cost;
past-service costs recognised in full immediately
(since 1 January 2013); and
the effect of any settlement.
Remeasurements are recognised in full

immediately in the other comprehensive income
(since 1 January 2013).
Gains and losses are fully recognised in the

profit and loss account.
Actuarial gains and losses are part of the

remeasurements.
Actuarial gains and losses arise from unexpected
increases or decreases in the defined benefit
obligation, including the effects of changes in
assumptions. For example, actuarial gains and
losses will result from unexpected high or low
rates of employee turnover, early retirements,
or mortality; unexpected changes in salaries or
medical costs; and changes in the discount rate.
Remeasurements include also differences between
the expected and the actual return on plan assets.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Employee benefits
Measurement Other long-term The measurement of other long-term employee
employee benefits
benefits is not usually subject to the same
degree of uncertainty as the measurement of
post-employment benefits. These benefits are
seldom funded whereas pensions or postemployment healthcare usually are. Furthermore,
the introduction of, or changes to, other long-term
employee benefits rarely causes a material amount
of past-service cost.
Not specified. IFRS principles are acceptable

under LuxGAAP.
Measurement Termination
benefits
Termination benefits are recognised in the profit

and loss account when the plan is prepared and
approved by the management.
Termination benefits shall be remeasured through

profit or loss based on the number of employees
expected to accept the offer.
Where benefits fall due more than 12 months
after the balance sheet date, the amount of the
obligation shall be discounted.
88PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
IAS 19 does not require any specific disclosures of

short-term and other long-term benefits.
No specific disclosures required by the

Accounting Law. True and fair view principle
must be met so any information useful for
investors should be disclosed.
Employee benefits
Disclosure
If there is uncertainty about the number of

employees who will accept termination benefits, a
contingent liability should be disclosed.
The only specific disclosure required by IAS 19 in
respect of defined contribution plans is the amount
recognised as an expense in the period.
Disclosures specific to defined benefit plan
includes:
a general description of the plans;
the principal actuarial assumptions including
discount rates, expected rates of return on
plan assets, expected rates of salary increases,
medical cost trend rates, and any other material
assumptions such as mortality;
the expense recognised for the period in the
statement of comprehensive income;
the amounts recognised in the balance sheet
should be reconciled to the present value of the
defined benefit obligation less the fair value of
the plan assets and past-service cost;
a reconciliation of opening and closing balances
of the present value of the defined benefit
obligations showing separately, if applicable,
current service cost, interest cost, contributions
by plan participants, actuarial gains and losses,
exchange differences, benefits paid, pastservice cost and any effects of a business
combination or settlement;
a reconciliation of opening and closing balances
of the fair value of plan assets (if any) showing
separately, if applicable, expected return on plan
assets, remeasurements, exchange differences,
contributions by the employer and plan
participants, benefits paid and any effects of a
business combination or settlement;
an explanation on how involvement in defined
benefit plans affect future entitys cash flows
regarding timing, amount and uncertainty; and
information about the maturity profile of the
benefit obligation.
The notes to the annual accounts must at least

set out the amount of the emoluments granted
in respect of the financial year to the members
of the management and the supervisory bodies
in that capacity and any commitments arising
or entered into in respect of retirement pensions
for former members of those bodies. This
information must be given as a total for each
category.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
The applicable standard is IFRS 2 - Share-based

Payment.
The Accounting Law does not deal with sharebased payment as such. The only requirement
is covered by article 65 (1) 12.
Share-based payment
Scope and standard
Share-based payment transactions include equitysettled and cash-settled share-based payments.

Definitions
Share-based payments encompass all

arrangements where an entity purchases goods
or services in exchange for the issue of equity
instruments (including shares or share options), or
cash payments based on the price (or value) of the
equity instruments of the entity or another group
entity.
There is no definition in the Accounting Law.

Share-based payment transactions include
equity-settled and cash-settled share-based
payments in the frame of incentive plans,
notably stock option plans or share plans.
Share-based payment transactions include:

equity-settled share-based payment
transactions (entity receives goods or services
as consideration for its own equity instruments
or the entity has no obligation to settle the
share-based payment transaction);
cash-settled share-based payment transactions
(entity acquires goods or services by incurring
liabilities, but amount is based on the price (or
value) of the equity instruments of the entity or
another group entity); and
choice of settlement, where arrangements
provide either the entity or the counterparty with
a choice of settlement in cash or equity.
Recognition
An entity recognises the goods or services in a

share-based payment transaction when it obtains
the goods or receives the services.
Stock option plans are only recognised in

balance sheet when issued for a consideration.
Therefore in most cases, options are not
accounted for on the balance sheet as they are
usually granted for free to the employees.
The accounting treatment of the share award
plans is the same as for stock option plans.
Measurement Equity-settled
share-based transactions
Transactions are initially measured at fair value of

the goods or services received. If the entity cannot
estimate reliably these fair values, which is deemed
always to be the case for transactions with
employees, the transactions are initially measured
at the fair value of the equity instruments granted,
ignoring any service or non-market vesting
conditions or reload features.
Subsequently, as any other equity instrument,
equity-settled share-based transactions are not
remeasured.
90PwC Luxembourg
No specific guidance. Options settled in

newly issued shares only impact equity for
the exercise price of the options. For options
settled in existing shares, the difference
between the cost of shares to deliver and the
consideration to be paid by the option holder is
booked as provision. This spread is amortised
over the vesting period of the options for plans
remunerating the employees future services.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Measurement Cash-settled
share-based transaction
Cash-settled share-based payment transactions

are measured at the fair value of the liability. Until
the liability is settled, the fair value of the liability is
remeasured at each reporting date and at the date
of final settlement, with any changes in fair value
recognised in profit or loss.
A provision based on the spread between

the exercise price of the option and the cost
at closing date of the shares to deliver is
accounted for. As for equity-settled plans, if
this remuneration is for consideration of future
services, the spread is amortised over the
vesting period.
Measurement Settlement
choice
Awards that offer the counterparty the choice of

settlement in equity instruments or settlement
in cash should be bifurcated and treated as a
compound instrument.
For awards that offer the counterparty the

choice of settlement in equity instruments or
settlement in cash, the prudence principle shall
be applied and a provision might be required.
If the entity may choose the method of settlement,

it should determine whether, in substance, it has
created an obligation to settle in cash. This may be
for example if:
the choice of settlement in equity instruments
has no commercial substance (for example,
because the entity is prohibited from issuing
shares);
the entity has a past practice or stated policy of
settling in cash; or
the entity generally settles in cash whenever the
counterparty requests it.
If the entity may choose the method of

settlement, the accounting treatment
depends on the settlement foreseen by the
management.
Share-based payment
If obligation to settle in cash does exist, the entity

accounts for transaction as a cash-settled sharebased payment. Otherwise, the transaction is
treated as an equity-settled share-based payment.
Disclosure
The disclosures required have the purpose of

enabling the users of the financial statements to
understand the nature and extent of share-based
payment arrangements that existed during the
period.
Each share-based payment shall be disclosed

in the notes to the annual accounts detailing
the rights they confer. In addition, disclosure is
required for share-based payment granted to
management and supervisory bodies.
The description of the share-based payment, the

weighted exercise prices of the share options by
different type of groups, as well as information
about the options outstanding at year end (e.g.
the remaining contractual life) are examples of
disclosures required. There are also other specific
disclosures required with the purpose to enable
users of the financial statements to understand
how the fair value of the goods or services
received, or the fair value of the equity instruments
granted during the period was determined. In
addition, the entity shall disclose information
that enable users of the financial statements to
understand the effect of share-based payment
transactions on the entitys profit or loss for the
period and on its financial.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Scope and standard
The applicable standard is IAS 12 - Income Taxes.
Deferred taxes are covered by the articles 65 (1)

11 and 332 (4)*.
Definitions
Deferred tax represents the amounts of income

taxes payable (potentially recoverable) in future
in respect of taxable (deductible) temporary
differences (and the carry-forward of unused
tax losses and tax credits) between the carrying
amount and related tax basis.
The deferred taxes are not clearly defined in the

Accounting Law.
The tax base of an asset is the amount that will be

deductible for tax purposes against any taxable
economic benefits that will flow to an entity when it
recovers the carrying amount of the asset. If those
economic benefits will not be taxable, the tax base
of the asset is equal to its carrying amount.
Not defined. IFRS can be used as a benchmark.
The tax base of a liability is its carrying amount,

less any amount that will be deductible for tax
purposes in respect of that liability in future
periods. In the case of revenue which is received in
advance, the tax base of the resulting liability is its
carrying amount, less any amount of the revenue
that will not be taxable in future periods.
Temporary differences are differences between

the tax basis of an asset or liability and its carrying
amount in the financial statements that will result in
a taxable or deductible amount when the carrying
amount of the asset or liability is recovered or settled.
A deferred tax liability shall be recognised for

all taxable temporary differences, except to the
extent that the deferred tax liability arises from the
exemptions mentioned below.
Deferred tax may result from the discrepancies

between the individuals commercial balance
sheet and the individuals tax balance sheet.
Generally, in Luxembourg, there is no deferred
tax recognised in the stand-alone accounts
as the tax balance sheet is linked to the
commercial balance sheet.
Deferred taxes
Recognition
A deferred tax liability is recognised in the

consolidated balance sheet with a charge in
the consolidated profit and loss account as the
consolidation result is not the sum of the results
of the companies included in the consolidated
accounts as different valuation rules might
be applied than in loacl accounts and as
intercompany transactions are eliminated in the
A deferred tax asset shall be recognised for all
deductible temporary differences, unless the
deferred tax asset arises from the exemptions
mentioned below, to the extent that it is probable
that taxable profit will be available against which
the deductible temporary difference can be
utilised.
92PwC Luxembourg
No guidance. IFRS can be used as a

benchmark. However, following the prudence
principle, deferred tax assets are recognised up
to the amount of deferred tax liabilities.
Deferred tax assets are recognised for the
preparation of the consolidated accounts when
it is probable that an actual tax charge will arise
within the foreseeable future for one of the
undertakings included in the consolidation.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Deferred taxes
Exceptions are:
non-deductible goodwill (which is not deductible
for tax purposes) and negative goodwill;
initial recognition of an asset or liability in a
transaction that:
- is not a business combination; and
- affects neither accounting profit nor taxable
profit at the time of the transaction; and
investment in subsidiaries, branches and
associates, and interests in joint ventures,
where:
- the parent, investor or venturer is able to
control the timing of the reversal of the
temporary difference; and
- it is probable that the temporary difference will
not reverse in the foreseeable future.
Other amounts that do not have a tax
consequence (commonly referred to as permanent
differences) exist and depend on the tax rules and
jurisdiction of the entity. The concept of valuation
allowance is not applicable as a deferred tax is
only recognised to the extent that it is probable
that there will be sufficient future taxable profit to
enable recovery of the deferred tax asset.
Recognition Review of
deferred tax assets
The carrying amount of the deferred tax asset is

reviewed at each reporting date and is reduced
when it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable
profit will be available to allow recovery of the
deferred tax asset. This reduction is reversed when
subsequently it becomes probable that sufficient
taxable profit will be available.
Current and deferred tax is recognised in profit of

Recognition Recognition
directly in other comprehensive loss, except to the extent that the tax arises from a
business transaction or a transaction or event that
income
is recognised in the same or other period in other
comprehensive income.
When the company choose to recognise at fair

value through equity, the deferred taxes due to
adjustment of fair value of financial instruments
and/or other categories of assets which can be
classified in a revaluation reserve account shall
be accounted in the same caption. When the
recognition is at fair value through profit and loss,
the deferred tax charge/income shall be recorded
in the profit and loss account in counterpart of
the related deferred tax liability/asset.
Recognition Business
combinations acquisitions
Step-up of acquired assets/liabilities to fair value

originate the recognition of a deferred tax unless
the tax base of the asset is also stepped up.
Previously unrecognised tax losses of the acquirer
originate the recognition of a deferred tax asset if
the recognition criteria for the deferred tax asset are
met as a result of the acquisition. Offsetting credit is
recorded in income statement, not goodwill.
Tax losses of the acquiree follow similar
requirements as for the acquirer, except the
offsetting credit, which is recorded against goodwill.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Deferred taxes
Previously tax losses of the acquirer that existed
at the date of acquisition originate the recognition
of a deferred tax asset that reduces goodwill and
then reduces tax expense. There is no time limit for
recognition of this deferred tax asset.
Recognition Specific
applications
While not specifically addressed within IFRS, an

entity reflects the tax consequences that follow
from the manner in which it expects, at the
statement of financial position date, to be paid to
(recovered from) the taxation authorities. The tax
position is measured using either an expected
value approach or a single best estimate of the
most likely outcome. The cumulative probability
model is not permitted under IFRS.
Not specified in the Accounting Law
Recognition Share-based
compensation
If a tax deduction exceeds cumulative share-based

compensation expense, deferred tax calculations
based on the excess deduction are recorded
directly in equity. If the tax deduction is less than
or equal to cumulative share-based compensation
expense, deferred taxes arising are recorded in
income statement. The unit of accounting is an
individual award. If changes in the stock price
impact the future tax deduction, the measurement
of the deferred tax asset is based on the current
stock price.
Measurement
IAS12 requires deferred tax to be measured at the

tax rates that are expected to apply to the period
when the asset is realised or the liability is settled,
based on tax rates and laws that have been
enacted or substantively enacted by the balance
sheet date.
No guidance. IFRS can be used as a

benchmark.
In some jurisdictions, the manner in which an entity

recovers/settles the carrying amount of an asset/
liability may affect either or both of:
the tax rate applicable when the entity recovers/
settles the carrying amount of the asset/liability;
and
the tax base of the asset/liability. In such cases,
an entity measures deferred tax liabilities and
deferred tax assets using the tax rate and the
tax base that are consistent with the expected
manner of recovery or settlement. Rate used
is the applicable rate for expected manner
of recovery, it means that it is dependent
on whether asset is to be used or sold or a
combination of these.
For investment properties carried under the
fair value model (refer to section Investment
property), there is a rebuttable presumption of
recovery through sale.
IAS12 prohibits discounting of deferred tax assets
and liabilities to reflect the time value of money.
94PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Offset of deferred tax assets and liabilities is

permitted only when the entity has a legally
enforceable right to offset, and the balance relates
to tax levied by the same authority.
Deferred tax liabilities are recorded in the

caption Provisions for taxation. Not defined
for deferred tax assets but they are generally
classified in the caption Debtors Other
receivables.
Deferred taxes
Disclosure
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified

net as non-current on the statement of financial
position, with supplemental note disclosure for
the components of the temporary differences,
and amounts expected to be recovered within 12
months and more than 12 months of the statement
of financial position date.
The notes to the annual accounts must set out

the difference between the tax charged for the
financial year and for earlier financial years and
the amount of tax already paid or payable in
respect of those years, to the extent that this
difference is material for purposes of future
taxation.
Reconciliation of actual and expected tax expense

is required calculated by applying the applicable
tax rates to accounting profit, disclosing also
the basis on which the applicable tax rates are
calculated.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Investment in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities in separate financial statements
Scope and standard
The applicable standard is IAS 27 Consolidated

and Separate Financial Statements.
Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint

ventures are covered by the following articles
of the Accounting Law: 34; 39; 41; 55; 58; 61;
64bis; 64ter; 64quater; 64quinquies and 65.
Definitions
Refer to the various subsections of section

Consolidation and business combinations.
Refer to the various subsections of section

Consolidation and business combinations.
Recognition
A subsidiary is recognised when the entity has

control over the subsidiary. Meaning of control
is detailed in the section Consolidated financial
statements.
A subsidiary is recognised when the entity has

control over the subsidiary while an associate
is recognised when the entity has significant
influence over it.
An associate is recognised when the entity has

significant influence over it.
Joint operation is recognised when parties that
have joint control of the arrangement have rights to
the assets and obligations for the liabilities relating
to the arrangements.
When joint control is obtained, jointly controlled

undertakings are recognised.
Joint venture is recognised when the parties that

jointly control the arrangement have rights to the
net assets of the arrangement.
Initial measurement
Subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled

entities are initially recognised at cost which is
normally the fair value of the considerations paid
by the purchaser.
There is a policy choice to include transaction
costs as part of the initial measurement or to
expense these costs in profit or loss.
Subsidiaries and participating interests are

initially recorded at purchase price or net equity.
Two accounting treatments are possible to
record these assets under the net equity
method:
they are recorded at cost and the difference
between the proportion of capital plus
reserves and the cost is disclosed in the
notes to the annual accounts;
they are recorded at the amount
corresponding to the proportion of the capital
and reserves owned. If the positive difference
calculated is not attributable to a category of
assets or liabilities, it is then accounted for as
goodwill and amortised over a period of five
years maximum or more provided that the
period of amortisation does not exceed the
useful economic life of the asset.
The purchase price or the net equity includes
all expenses incidental thereto like transaction
costs.
96PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Accounting for subsidiaries, associates and joint

ventures in the separate financial statements is
either at cost or at fair value in accordance with
Measurement (refer to section Financial assets).
The accounting policy chosen shall be disclosed in
the notes to the financial statements and shall be
applied consistently.
Accounting for joint operations is the same in the
separate financial statements and in consolidated
financial statements and it is described in the
section Investments in joint arrangements.
Subsequently, investment in subsidiaries, associates

and jointly controlled entities can be measured at
cost less permanent value reduction, lower of cost
or market value, net equity or fair value.
Valuation at purchase price
Investment in subsidiaries, associates and jointly
controlled undertakings remain valued at purchase
price including the expenses incidental thereto.
In the case of durable depreciation in value,
value adjustments are made in respect of
financial fixed assets, so that they are valued at
the lower figure to be attributed to them at the
balance sheet date. These value adjustments are
not continued if the reasons for which the value
Valuation at the lower of cost or market value
Investment in subsidiaries, associates and
jointly controlled undertakings are valued at the
lower of purchase price including the expenses
incidental thereto or the market value.
Market value corresponds to:
the last available quote on the valuation day
for securities listed on a stock exchange or
traded on another regulated market; or
the probable market estimated with due care
and in good faith, without set off of individual
gains and losses in value, for unlisted securities
or securities that are not traded on another
regulated market, for securities listed on a stock
exchange or traded on another regulated market
where the latest quote is not representative.
The value adjustment is not continued if the reasons
for which it was made have ceased to apply.
Net equity method
At each balance sheet date, the proportion of the
net result attributable to the subsidiaries and to
the participating interests can be recorded:
in the profit and loss account; or
in a revaluation reserve not available for
distribution.
Fair value option
According to art.64bis (4), interests in
subsidiaries, associated undertakings and joint
ventures can not be valued at fair value.
By way of derogation to the above mentioned
article, these assets can be valued at fair value
if permitted under IFRS. So if applicable, refer
to IFRS guidance and disclosure requirements.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Disclosure
When a parent, in accordance with IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements, elects not to
prepare consolidated financial statements and
instead prepares separate financial statements, it
shall disclose in those separate financial statements:
the fact that the financial statements are
separate financial statements, that the
exemption from consolidation has been used,
the name and principal place of business (and
country of incorporation, if different) of the entity
whose consolidated financial statements that
comply with IFRS have been produced for public
use and the address where those consolidated
financial statements are obtainable;
a list of significant investments in subsidiaries,
joint ventures and associates, including:
- the name of those investees;
- the principal place of business (and country of
incorporation, if different) of those investees;
and
- its proportion of the ownership interest (and its
proportion of the voting rights, if different) held
in those investees; and
a description of the method used to account for
the investments listed above.
When a parent (other than a parent covered by
the above paragraph) or an investor with joint
control of, or significant influence over, an investee
prepares separate financial statements, the parent
or investor shall identify the financial statements
prepared in accordance with IFRS to which they
relate.
Shares in affiliated undertakings and

participating interests in which the company
holds at least 20% of the share capital, shall be
described in the notes to the annual accounts,
and in particular, in relation to the following:
the name and registered office of each of the
undertakings;
the proportion of capital held; and
the amount of capital and reserves and the
profit and loss for the latest financial year
of the undertaking concerned for which the
accounts have been approved.
The information above prescribed may be
included in a separate statement filed with
the register of commerce and companies; this
accounts.
These information may be omitted when they
are negligible as regards to the true and fair
view, or when its nature is such that it would be
seriously prejudicial to any of the undertakings.
The information concerning capital and reserves
and the profit and loss may be omitted when
the undertaking does not publish its balance
sheet and less than 50% of its capital is held,
directly or indirectly, by the company; or when
the undertaking is included in consolidated
accounts; or when the parent company
discloses these rights in its annual accounts or
in its consolidated accounts.
Where the company has unlimited liability on
its undertaking, the name, registered office and
legal form of the latest shall be disclosed in the
98PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
The parent or investor shall also disclose in its
separate financial statements:
the fact that the statements are separate
financial statements and the reasons why those
statements are prepared if not required by law;
a list of significant investments in subsidiaries,
joint ventures and associates, including:
- the name of those investees;
- the principal place of business (and country of
incorporation, if different) of those investees;
- its proportion of the ownership interest (and its
proportion of the voting rights, if different) held
in those investees; and
a description of the method used to account for
the investments listed above.
In addition, movements in financial fixed assets

shall be disclosed in the notes to the annual
accounts.
If financial fixed assets are valued according
to purchase price less durable impairment
and its fair value is below acquisition price but
no impairment is booked, the management
shall disclose the fair value in the notes to the
annual accounts as well as the reasons for not
reducing the book value, including the nature
of the evidence that the book value will be
recovered.
If fixed assets are the subject of exceptional
value adjustments for taxation purposes alone,
for making them shall be indicated in the notes
When the amortisation of the goodwill exceeds
five years, this fact shall be disclosed in the
notes to the annual accounts with the reasons
therefore.
100PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
The applicable standards are IAS 18 - Revenue

and IAS 11 - Construction Contracts.
Revenue recognition is covered by the following

articles: 46; 48; 51 (1) c); 64bis and 65 (1) 8, 14.
Revenue recognition
Scope and standard
Those standards capture revenue transactions

within four broad categories:
sale of goods;
rendering of services;
others use of an entitys assets (yielding
interest, royalties, etc.); and
construction contracts.
Definitions
Income is increases in economic benefits during

the reporting period in the form of inflows or
enhancements of assets; or decreases in liabilities
that result in increases in equity, other than those
relating to contributions from equity investors. Income
is defined in the Conceptual Framework as including
revenues and gains. Revenue is income that arises in
the course of an entitys ordinary activities. It is referred
to by a variety of terms including sales, fees, interest,
dividends, royalties and rent.
A construction contract is a contract specifically
negotiated for the construction of an asset or a
combination of assets that are closely interrelated or
interdependent in terms of their design, technology
and function or their ultimate purpose or use.
No specific definition of income in the

Accounting Law. In practice, it includes
revenues and realised gains. Unrealised gains
can be accounted for financial instruments and
for some other categories of assets when using
the fair value option.
The net turnover shall comprise the amounts
derived from the sale of products and
the provision of services falling within the
companys ordinary activities, after deductions
of sales and rebates and of value added tax and
other taxes directly linked to the turnover.
Retentions are amounts of progress billings that

are not paid until the satisfaction of conditions
specified in the contract for the payment of such
amounts or until defects have been rectified.
Progress billings are amounts billed for work
performed on a contract whether or not they have
been paid by the customer. Advances are amounts
received by the contractor before the related work
is performed.
Recognition
The standard on revenue recognition describes

specific criteria for the sale of goods, the rendering
of services and interest, royalties and dividends.
The revenue recognition criteria common to each
of these are the probability that the economic
benefits associated with the transaction will flow to
the entity, and that the revenue and costs can be
measured reliably.
All income relating to the current year must be

accounted for whether or not paid.
Recognition Sale of goods
In addition to the general revenue recognition

criteria above, revenue from the sale of goods is
recognised when:
the entity has transferred to the buyer the
significant risks and rewards of ownership of
goods; and
the entity retains neither continuing managerial
involvement nor effective control over the goods
sold.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Recognition Rendering of
services
Service transactions are accounted for under

the percentage of completion method when
the outcome of a transaction can be reliably
estimated. Revenue may be recognised on a
straight-line basis if the services are performed by
an indeterminate number of acts over a specified
period of time. When the outcome of a service
transaction cannot be estimated reliably, revenue
is only recognised to the extent of recoverable
expenses incurred. Recognition of revenue may
have to be deferred in instances where a specific
act is more significant than any other acts and
recognised when the significant act is executed.
Not specified in the Accounting Law but in

practice, service transactions are accounted
for under the percentage of completion method
or the completed contract method. Under
the percentage of completion method, costs
allocated to the contract and incurred before
the close of the financial year are compared
to the total estimated costs of the completed
contract. That percentage of completion is
applied to the gross revenue from the contract
to determine the amount to be recorded. Under
the completed contract method, revenue,
expenses, and gross profit is deferred until
the completion of the contract. If work on a
contract remains incomplete at the end of the
financial year, no revenue, expenses, and profit
on that contract is recognised in the current
year on the profit and loss account; all costs
are accumulated in respective balance sheet
accounts. However for both methods, expected
loss should be recognised fully and immediately
due to prudence principle. The method applied
should be described in the notes to the annual
accounts.
Recognition Financial fee

income
IAS 18 (appendix) considers 3 types of financial fee

income:
commissions which are an integral part of the
effective yield of a financial instrument, such as
loan commitment fees when the credit is drawn.
These commissions are part of interest income,
which is accrued on the basis of the effective
interest method;
commissions which are earned when services
are rendered, such as credit maintenance fees or
custodian fees; and
commissions which are earned upon execution
of a significant act, such as arrangement fees.
These are immediately recognised as income when

the significant act is rendered and the entity has no
further obligation to service an asset or to provide
other services.
Recognition Interest
Interest shall be recognised using the effective

interest method.
Interest revenue is recognised on an accrual

basis.
For details regarding the effective interest method,

refer to section Financial assets.
The effective interest method can be used as an

alternative.
Revenue recognition
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Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Recognition Royalties
Royalties shall be recognised on an accrual basis

in accordance with the substance of the relevant
agreement.
Royalties are recognised on an accrual basis.
Recognition Dividends
Dividends are recognised when the shareholders

right to receive payment is established.
Dividends are recognised when the

shareholders right to receive payment is
established.
Recognition Agreements for

the construction of real estate
An entity that undertakes the construction of real

estate and that enters into an agreement with
one or more buyers accounts for the agreement
as a sale of services using the percentage of
completion method if:
the buyer is able to specify the major structural
elements of the design of the real estate before
construction begins and/or specify major
structural changes once construction is in
progress; or
the buyer acquires and supplies construction
materials and the entity provides only
construction services.
Not specified in the Accounting Law. Operation

can be accounted for under the percentage of
completion method or the completed contract
method.
Recognition Construction
contracts
When the outcome of a construction contract

can be estimated reliably, contract revenue and
contract costs associated with the construction
contract shall be recognised as revenue and
expenses respectively by reference to the stage
of completion of the contract activity at the end
of the reporting period. An expected loss shall be
recognised immediately in full.
Not specified in the Accounting Law. These

contracts can be accounted for under the
percentage of completion construction
contracts method or the completed contract
method.
Revenue recognition
When the outcome of the construction contract

cannot be estimated reliably:
revenue shall be recognised only to the extent of
contract costs incurred that it is probable to be
recovered; and
contract costs shall be recognised as an
expense in the period in which they are incurred.
Recognition Warranty and
When the products selling price includes an
product maintenance contracts identifiable component for subsequent servicing,
the latter is deferred and recognised over the
warranty period.
Similar to IFRS. Provisions for probable

warranties costs need to be recognised.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Recognition Barter
transactions
A barter arrangement exists when two companies

enter into a non-cash transaction to exchange
goods or services. Under IFRS, revenue may
generally be recognised on the exchange of
dissimilar goods and services if the amount of
revenue can be measured reliably. The transaction
must be measured at the fair value of goods or
services received; however, where the fair value
of goods or services received cannot be reliably
measured, the fair value of the goods and services
given up is used. The fair value of advertising
received or provided in a barter transaction is
generally measured by reference to equivalent
non-barter transactions.
Not specified in the Accounting Law. LuxGAAP

does not make a distinction between
exchanges of similar and dissimilar goods
or services. However, there are twopossible
options that can be used at initial recognition:
the acquisition value of goods or services
received by exchange equals the book value
of the goods or services exchanged; or
the acquisition value of goods or services
received by exchange equals the fair value of
the goods or services exchanged.
Recognition Multiple element

arrangements
The revenue recognition criteria are usually applied

separately to each transaction. However, in certain
circumstances, it is necessary to separate a
transaction into identifiable components in order
to reflect the substance of the transaction. Two
or more transactions may need to be grouped
together if they are linked in such a way that the
whole commercial effect cannot be understood
without reference to the series of transactions as
a whole.
Measurement
Measurement of revenue at the fair value of the

consideration received or receivable is required.

Disclosure
A wide series of disclosure is required, especially

on areas like contracts and work in progress.
The notes to the annual accounts must at

least set out the net turnover broken down by
categories of activity, and into geographical
markets insofar as, taking account of the
manner in which the sale of products and
the provision of services falling within
the undertakings ordinary activities are
organised, these categories and markets differ
substantially from one to another.
Revenue recognition
An entity shall disclose:

the amount of contract revenue recognised as
revenue in the period;
the methods used to determine the contract
revenue recognised in the period; and
the methods used to determine the stage of
completion of contracts in progress.
An entity shall disclose each of the following for
contracts in progress at the end of the reporting
period:
the aggregate amount of costs incurred and
recognised profits (less recognised losses) to
date;
the amount of advances received; and
the amount of retentions.
Additional specific presentation and disclosure is
required regarding the retentions, progress billings
and advances.
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Additionally information must be given

concerning the income in respect of the
financial year which is receivable after the
end of the financial year and are shown under
Debtors, when such income is material.
Recent developments Exposure Draft,

Revenue Recognition
This Exposure Draft proposes a new revenue standard that will
replace IAS 11 - Construction Contracts and IAS 18 - Revenue.
The proposal is a single model for the recognition of revenue
that should apply to all contracts with customers, identifying
obligations to perform. There are also proposed changes to the
measurement of revenue with contingent fees and credit risk
being taken into account.
The IASB and FASB (together the boards) reached a number
of decisions regarding their project on revenue recognition.
The boards addressed two fundamental issues: identifying
separate performance obligations and determining when
control over goods or services is transferred. The boards also
reached decisions on other key areas.
Identifying separate performance obligations
A key step in the revenue recognition model is identifying
the separate performance obligations in a contract. The
boards agreed to clarify the principle for identifying separate
performance obligations and refine the criteria for identifying
when goods or services are distinct. An entity will account for a
promised good or service (or a bundle of goods or services) as
a separate performance obligation if it:
could be distinct (the customer can benefit from the good
or service either on its own or together with other resources
readily available to the customer); and
is distinct based on the substance of the contract (not highly
dependent on or interrelated with other promised goods or
services in the contract).
Performance obligations satisfied over time
The boards clarified the criteria to determine when a
performance obligation is satisfied over time. The guidance
was refined to better address service contracts. The indicators
of when an asset has no alternative use and when the entity
has a right to payment for performance to date were also
refined.
Transfer of goods and services
An entity would recognise revenue when (or as) it satisfies a
performance obligation by transferring a promised good or
service to a customer.
Presentation of the effects of credit risk

Impairment as a result of credit risk is presented as a separate
line item adjacent to revenue. Both the initial impairment
assessment and any subsequent changes in the estimate
are recorded in this line item, such that the cash ultimately
received from the customer equals the sum of the two line
items if the contract does not have a significant financing
component.
Contract cost
An entity would recognise as an asset the incremental costs of
obtaining a contract if the entity expects to recover those costs.
Onerous performance obligations
An entity recognises a loss for a performance obligation that is
satisfied over a period greater than one year if the performance
obligation is onerous. A performance obligation is onerous
if the lower of the cost to settle or fulfil the performance
obligation exceeds the transaction price allocated to that
performance obligation.
Reasonably assured constraint
Revenue is only recognised to the extent that the entity is
reasonably assured to be entitled to the consideration.
Warranties
Only warranties that provide a service in addition to quality
assurance should be accounted for as a separate performance
obligation. Warranties for quality assurance should be
accounted for as a cost accrual similar to current guidance.
Contract combination
Interrelated contracts should be combined. Contracts might be
interrelated if they are entered into at or near the same time,
with the same party (or related parties), and if one or more of
the following criteria are met:
the contracts are negotiated as a package with a single
commercial objective;
the amount of consideration to be paid in one contract
depends on the price or performance of the other contract;
or
the goods or services promised in the contracts (or some
goods or services promised in the contracts) are a single
performance obligation.
Timetable
The boards timeline indicates issuance of a final standard in
the second quarter of 2013. The final standard is expected to
have an effective date no earlier than 2015 and will have to be
endorsed by the EU.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Scope and standard
The applicable guidance is given by the

Conceptual Framework.
Expenses are not specifically defined in the

Accounting Law.
Definitions
Expenses are decreases in economic benefits

during the reporting period in the form of outflows,
depletions of assets or incurrences of liabilities
that result in decreases in equity, other than those
relating to distributions to equity investors.
Expenses are not specifically defined in the

Accounting Law.
Recognition
The recognition of expenses results directly

from the recognition and measurement of assets
and liabilities. Expenses are recognised in the
statement of comprehensive income when a
decrease in future economic benefits related to
a decrease in an asset or an outflow of future
economic benefits due to increase of a liability has
arisen that can be measured reliably.
Expenses are recognised when incurred or

when probable. Interest expense is recognised
on an accrual basis.
Expenses recognition
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The effective interest method can be used as an

alternative.
Consolidation and business combinations
Consolidations
and business combinations
Recent developments Consolidation

standards
In 2012, the IASB released IFRS 10, IFRS 11, IFRS 12 and has
amended IAS 27 and IAS 28, this project being known under
pack of five.
IFRS 10 - Consolidated Financial Statements is introducing
new guidance on control and consolidation. Before issuance
of IFRS 10, the applicable standards for consolidated financial
statements were IAS 27 - Consolidated and Separate Financial
Statements and SIC 12 - Consolidation Special Purpose
Entities. After application of IFRS 10, IAS 27 continues to exist,
but under the new name of: Separate Financial Statements
and with the scope reduced accordingly.
IFRS 11 - Joint Arrangements focuses on the rights and
obligations of the arrangement, rather than its legal form. IAS
31 - Interests in Joint Ventures will be fully replaced by IFRS
11. Changes in the definitions have reduced the types of
joint arrangements to two: joint operations and joint ventures.
The concept of joint venture had a broader meaning under
IAS 31 compared to IFRS 11; the equivalent category under
IFRS 11 is joint arrangement. Under IFRS 11, the concept
of joint venture is narrower becoming a subclass within
the joint arrangement concept; it is comparable to the
concept of jointly controlled entities under IAS 31 in terms
of comprehensiveness. Proportional consolidation of joint
ventures is no longer allowed.
The IASB issued a new version of IAS 28 - Investments in
Associates and Joint Ventures, now includes the requirements
for joint ventures, as well as associates, to be equity accounted
following the issue of IFRS 11.
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IFRS 12 - Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities is a new

and comprehensive standard on disclosure requirements
for all forms of interests in other entities, including joint
arrangements, associates, special purpose vehicles and other
off-balance sheet vehicles.
The new standards as issued by the IASB are effective for
annual periods beginning on or after 1January2013. The
EU has endorsed the standards in December2012 with an
effective date for annual periods beginning on or after 1
January 2014; early application is permitted.
In conclusion, for the annual periods starting on
1January2013 or earlier, Luxembourg entities can apply the
old version of IAS27 - Consolidated and Separate Financial
Statements, SIC12 - Consolidation Special Purpose Entities,
IAS 28 - Investments in Associates and IAS 31 - Interests in
Joint Ventures or can early adopt the entire pack of five.
Since two versions of the IFRS are applicable in 2013, they are
both presented in this section.
On 31 October 2012, the IASB has issued an amendment to
IFRS 10 in order to provide an exception to the consolidation
requirement for entities that meet the definition of an
investment entity. The amendment is effective 1January2014
with early adoption permitted. However, this amendment
is not yet endorsed by the EU at the date of this publication.
Endorsement is expected before year end 2013. Consequently,
Luxembourg entities cannot currently apply the amendment.
Further details on this amendment are given in the section
Recent developments Amendment to IFRS 10 - Investment
Entities.
Consolidations and business combinations
Subject
IFRS (IAS 27/SIC 12)
IFRS (IFRS 10)
LuxGAAP

Scope and standard
The applicable standard is IAS

27 - Consolidated and Separate
Financial Statements and SIC12Consolidation Special Purpose
Entities.
The applicable standard is IFRS

10 - Consolidated Financial
Statements.
The consolidation is covered

by articles 309* to 344* of the
Company Law. The valuation rules
are defined by the Accounting
Law.
Definitions
A subsidiary is an entity, including

an unincorporated entity such as
a partnership that is controlled by
another entity (known as the parent).
Subsidiary is defined as being an

entity that is controlled by another
entity.
A subsidiary is not defined in the

Commercial Law. A subsidiary is
a company that is controlled by
the entity.
A parent is an entity that has one

or more subsidiaries.
A parent is defined as being an

entity that controls one or more
entities.
A parent is an entity that has one

or more subsidiaries.
A group is a parent and all its

subsidiaries.
The definitions of a group and

non-controlling interest are similar
to IAS 27.
A group is a parent and all its

subsidiaries.
Non-controlling interest is the equity

in a subsidiary not attributable,
directly or indirectly, to a parent.
Non-controlling interest is the equity

in a subsidiary not attributable,
directly or indirectly, to a parent.
Requirement to prepare
consolidated financial
statements

are the financial statements of
a group presented as those of a
single economic entity.

a group in which the assets,
liabilities, equity, income, expenses
and cash flows of the parent and
its subsidiaries are presented as
those of a single economic entity.

a group presented as those of a
single economic entity.
Parent entities prepare consolidated

financial statements that include all
subsidiaries. An exemption applies
to a parent entity when all of the
following conditions apply:
it is itself a wholly-owned
subsidiary, or is a partially-owned
subsidiary and its other owners
(including those not entitled to
vote) have been informed about
and do not object to the parent
not presenting consolidated
financial statements;
the parents debt or equity
securities are not publicly
traded and the parent is not in
the process of issuing securities
in public security markets; and
the ultimate or any intermediate
parent of the parent produces
consolidated financial
statements available for public
use that comply with IFRS.
Similar to IAS 27.
LuxGAAP requires the preparation

of consolidated financial statements
for all companies as defined in the
Company Law, if the undertaking:
has a majority of shareholders or
voting rights in another
undertaking; or
has the right to appoint or remove
a majority of the management
or supervisory body of another
undertaking and is at the same
time a shareholder in or member
of that undertaking; or
is a shareholder in or member of
another undertaking and controls
alone a majority of the voting
rights, pursuant to an agreement
with other shareholders.
Exemptions exist under certain
conditions for:
small-sized groups3.
This exemption shall not apply to
3 A group is categorised as a small-sized group when the parent company does not, on a consolidated basis, exceed the limits of two of the three criteria set out below during two
consecutive years:

- total balance sheet: 17.5m euros;

- net turnover: 35m euros;

- average number of full-time staff: 250.
Subject
IFRS (IFRS 10)
LuxGAAP

those companies where one of
the companies to be consolidated
is a company whose securities are
admitted to official trading on a
regulated market of any Member
State of the European Union.
financial holding companies
under certain conditions;
subsidiaries of a parent company
preparing consolidated accounts
and incorporated in one of the
Member States of the European
Union. In that case, consolidated
financial statements of the
parent must be published in
Luxembourg. This exemption
shall not apply to the companies
whose securities are admitted
to official trading on a regulated
market of any Member State of
the European Union; or
subsidiaries of a parent in a
foreign country outside the
European Union that prepares
consolidated accounts in
accordance with the Luxembourg
Company Law or in an
equivalent manner. In that case,
consolidated financial statements
of the parent must be published
in Luxembourg. This exemption
shall not apply to the companies
whose securities are admitted
to official trading on a regulated
market of any Member State of
the European Union.
Consolidation scope

shall include all subsidiaries of the
parent.
A subsidiary is not excluded from
consolidation because its business
activities are dissimilar from those of
the other entities within the group.
Relevant information is provided by
consolidating such subsidiaries and
disclosing additional information
in the consolidated financial
statements about the different
business activities of subsidiaries.
For example, the disclosures
required by IFRS 8 - Operating
Segments help to explain the
significance of different business
activities within the group.
110PwC Luxembourg
Parent entities which meet the

definition of investment entity shall
not consolidate their subsidiaries
but instead, shall account for
them at fair value through profit
or loss (refer to section Recent
developments Amendment to
IFRS 10 - Investment Entities).
All other terms are similar to IAS 27.
All subsidiaries are consolidated.

However, exclusions exist for
subsidiaries:
that are not material;
for which information cannot be
obtained without disproportionate
expenses or delay;
for which restrictions on
ownership rights exist; and
that are held for resale in the near
future. Specific rules applied to
venture capital or private equity
companies willing to use the held
for resale exclusion (Accounting
Standard Committee, CNC
recommendation 2-1). The
exclusion is applicable when the
following conditions are met:
- the parent company is a
Luxembourg commercial
companyowned by one ormore
sophisticated investors;
Subject
IFRS (IFRS 10)
LuxGAAP

Consolidation scope
A subsidiary that meets, on

acquisition, the criteria to be
classified as held for sale (refer to
section Non-current assets held for
sale and discontinued operations),
applies the presentation for
assets held for sale (i.e. separate
presentation of assets and liabilities
to be disposed of) rather than
normal line by line consolidation
presentation.
- its sole purpose is to invest in

venture capital to realise a gain
on the subsequent sale of its
investment;
- the Board of directors/
managers formally defined,
ex-ante, the exit strategy of
its investment in a written
document communicated tothe
investors. The exit strategy
must be planned over a middle
term period(threetoeightyears);
- the parent company invests in
order to provide to its investors
a return on investment
according to the risk taken;
- where the investment(s) is (are)
not recorded in the balance
sheet at the fair value, the
parent company must disclose
this fair value in the notes tothe
annual accounts; and
- any event, any warranty or any
uncertainty that may have a
significant impact on the going
concern, on the cash position,
or on the liquidity or on the
solvency must be properly
disclosed in the notes to the
annual accounts.
A subsidiary is not excluded from

consolidation simply because
the investor is a venture capital
organisation, mutual fund, unit trust
or similar entity.
Concept of control
IAS 27 focuses on the concept

of control in determining whether
a parent-subsidiary relationship
exists. Control is the power to
govern the financial and operating
policies of an entity so as to obtain
benefits from its activities. Control
is presumed to exist when a
parent owns, directly or indirectly,
50 percent of the voting power.
IFRS specifically requires potential
voting rights to be considered in
assessing whether an entity has
the power to govern the financial
and operating policies of another
entity. Instruments that are currently
exercisable or convertible are
included in the assessment, with
no requirement to assess whether
exercise is economically reasonable
(provided such rights have
economic substance).
The key principle in the new

standard is that control exists, and
consolidation is required, only if
the investor possesses all of the
following three elements:
power over the investee;
has exposure to variable returns
from its involvement with the
investee; and
has the ability to use its power
over the investee to affect its
returns.
IFRS 10 provides guidance on the
following issues when determining
who has control assessment of the
purpose and design of an investee:
nature of rights, whether
substantive or merely protective
in nature;
impact of exposure to variable
returns;
Control is presumed to exist when:

the parent has the majority of
the shareholders or unitholders
voting rights in another
undertaking;
the parent has the right to appoint
or revoke the majority of the
members of the administrative,
managerial or supervisory body
of another undertaking and is at
the same time a shareholder in or
unitholder of that undertaking; or
the parent is a shareholder in
or member of an undertaking,
and controls alone, pursuant
to an agreement with other
shareholders in (or unitholders of)
that undertaking, the majority of
shareholders or unitholders
voting rights in that undertaking.
Subject
IFRS (IFRS 10)
LuxGAAP
assessment of voting rights and

potential voting rights;
whether an investor is a principal
or an agent when exercising its
controlling power;
relationships between investors
and how they affect control; and
existence of power over specified
assets only. IFRS10 links power
and returns by introducing an
additional requirement that the
investor is capable of wielding
that power to influence its
exposure to variable returns.
The voting rights and the rights

of appointment and removal
as described above shall be
understood as direct or indirect
rights.

Concept of control
Control also exists when a parent

owns half or less of the voting
power, but has legal or contractual
rights to control the majority of the
entitys voting power or Board of
directors. In rare circumstances, a
parent could also have control over
an entity where it holds less than
50 percent of the voting rights of an
entity and lacks legal or contractual
rights by which to control the
majority of the entitys voting power
or Board of directors (de facto
control).
When assessing power, it shall be

assessed:
what are the relevant activities
of the entity? i.e. which activities
most significantly affect returns;
how are decisions about these
relevant activities made? and
do the investors rights provide
the investor the current ability to
direct those relevant activities?
Thereafter it shall be assessed

whether the investor has exposure
to variable returns.
Finally, it shall be considered
the link between the power and
returns. This involves assessing
principal-agent relationships.
Regarding the ability to direct
relevant activities, this arises from
the investors rights. Investors
rights can be substantive and
protective. IFRS 10 requires that
only substantive rights should be
considered in assessing power.
Protective rights are not considered.
An investor must have the practical
ability to exercise those rights in
order for them to be substantive.
Recognition
112PwC Luxembourg
A subsidiary is recognised when

the parent obtains control over it.
Similar to IAS 27.
A subsidiary is recognised when

the entity has control over it.
Subject
IFRS (IFRS 10)
LuxGAAP
Voting rights may not always

have a significant effect on an
investees returns. For example,
voting rights might relate to
administrative tasks only and
contractual arrangements might
dictate how the investee should
carry out its activities.
If the group is controlling an entity

without owning any shares in its
capital, that entity will not be part
of the consolidation scope.

Special purpose entities
(SPE)
An entity may be created to

accomplish a narrow and welldefined objective (e.g. to effect a
lease, research and development
activities or a securitisation of
financial assets). Such a special
purpose entity may take the form
of a corporation, trust, partnership
or unincorporated entity.
Special purpose entities are
consolidated when the substance
of the relationship indicates that an
entity controls the SPE. Indicators
of control are as follows:
the SPE conducts its activities
on behalf of the entity;
the entity has the decision-making
power to obtain themmajority of
the benefits of the SPE;
the entity has other rights
to obtain the majority of the
benefits of the SPE; or
the entity has the majority of
the residual or ownership risks
of the SPE or its assets.
Post-employment benefit plans or
other long-term employee benefit
plans to which IAS 19 - Employee
Benefits applies are excluded from
this rule. The guidance applies to
activities regardless of whether they
are conducted by a legal entity.
Special purpose
entities Involvement
and decisions made
at the investees
inception as part of its
design
Matter not specifically and directly

addressed by SIC 12.
Where such arrangements

are in place, these entities are
described as structured entities.
All substantive powers in such
entities may appear to have
been surrendered to contracts
that impose rigid control over
the entities activities. None of
the parties may appear to have
power. However, entities may
be indirectly controlled by one
of the parties involved. This is
a highly judgmental area and a
detailed analysis of the control
criteria is enquired. IFRS 10
provides the following guidance
where the operations of an entity
are dictated by contractual
arrangements.
A key concept of understanding

the application of IFRS 10 in
terms of assessing the purpose
and design of an entity is
that an entity must consider
the involvement of various
participants in the design of the
investee at its inception. Such
involvement, by an investor, is not
sufficient to demonstrate control.
However, participants who were
involved in the design may have
the opportunity to obtain powerful
rights and therefore this may
be an indicator of power and
ultimately control.
Not applicable under LuxGAAP as

the entity is not consolidated.
Decisions made at the investees

inception should be evaluated to
determine whether the transaction
terms provide any participant
with rights that are sufficient to
constitute power.
Subject
IFRS (IFRS 10)
LuxGAAP
A structured entity is often

governed not only by its
constitution documents, but by
contracts that bind the structured
entity to its original purpose.
These include call rights, put
rights, liquidation rights, or
other contractual arrangements
that may provide investors with
power. When these contractual
arrangements involve activities
that are closely related to the
investee, these are considered
relevant activities.


Special purpose
entities Contractual
arrangements
established at
investees inception

This is true even if the activities

do not occur within the structured
entity itself, but occurs in another
entity rights to direct relevant
activities that arise upon the
occurrence of certain events.
IFRS 10 states that it is necessary
to consider decision rights that
take effect only when particular
circumstances arise or events
occur. An investor with these
rights can have power even if
those circumstances have not yet
arisen.
Special purpose
entities Commitment
to ensure that investee
operates as designed

An explicit or implicit commitment

by an investor to ensure that an
investee continues to operate as
designed may increase exposure to
variability of returns and heighten
the likelihood of control. However,
on its own, this factor is insufficient
to demonstrate power or prevent
other parties from having power.

Uniform accounting
policies

are prepared using uniform
accounting policies for all entities
in a group.
Similar to IAS 27.
Similar to IFRS, valuation rules for

consolidated companies should
be the same as for the parent
entity. Where there are special
circumstances, different policies
may be used with disclosure
of the distinctive features and
the effect in the notes to the
Reporting periods
The consolidated financial

statements of the parent and the
subsidiaries are usually drawn
up at the same reporting date.
However, the consolidation of
subsidiaries accounts can be
drawn up at a different reporting
Similar to IAS 27.
Consolidated accounts must be

drawn up as at the same date as
the annual accounts of the parent
company.
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However, consolidated accounts

may be drawn up as at another
date in order to take account
Subject
IFRS (IFRS 10)
LuxGAAP

Reporting periods
of the balance sheet dates of

the largest number or the most
important undertakings included
in the consolidation.
date provided the difference

between the reporting dates of
the subsidiaries is not more than
three months. Adjustments are
made for significant transactions
that occur in the gap period.
Where use is made of this

derogation, the following points
need to be respected:
the use of another closing date
than the year end of the parent
company needs to be properly
consolidated accounts; and
important events occurred
in the interim period have to
be recorded or disclosed in
the notes to the consolidated
accounts for companies
whose year end is before the
consolidated accounts year end.
The annual accounts of all the
companies included in the
consolidation must be established
maximum three months before
the consolidated balance sheet
date. If they are established
more than three months before
the consolidated balance sheet
date, the undertakings shall be
consolidated on the basis of
interim accounts established at the
consolidated balance sheet date
Transactions with
minority shareholders,
partial disposals and
loss of control
The adoption of the economic

entity model, which treats all
providers of equity capital as the
entitys shareholders, even when
they are not shareholders in the
parent company, is mandatory.
Consequently, partial disposal of
an interest in a subsidiary without
losing control does not result in a
gain or loss but in an increase or
decrease in equity.
Purchase of non-controlling
interests is treated as a treasury
transaction and accounted for in
equity with no effect on existing
goodwill.
A partial disposal of an interest in
a subsidiary in which the parent
loses control but retains an
interest triggers recognition of a
gain or loss on the entire interest.
A gain or loss on the disposal is
recorded and the new investment
is recognised at fair value.
Similar to IAS 27.
No specific guidance in the

Accounting Law. In LuxGAAP,
partial disposal of an interest in a
subsidiary without losing control
does not result in a gain or loss
but in an increase or decrease in
equity.
Purchase of non-controlling
interests is not specifically treated
under LuxGAAP. IFRS can be
used as a benchmark.
A partial disposal of an interest in

a subsidiary in which the parent
loses control but retains an
interest triggers recognition of a
gain or loss for the disposal part.
Recent developments Amendment to

IFRS 10 - Investment Entities
On 31 October 2012, the IASB has issued an amendment to
IFRS 10 in order to provide an exception to the consolidation
requirement for entities that meet the definition of an
investment entity. The amendment is effective 1 January 2014
with early adoption permitted. However, this amendment was
not yet endorsed by EU. Endorsement is expected to take place
before end of 2013. Consequently, Luxembourg entities cannot
apply the amendment until the endorsement date.
Many funds and similar entities will be exempted from
consolidating controlled investees as a result of IASB issuing
amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 - Disclosure of Interests in
Other Entities and IAS 27 - Separate Financial Statements.
These amendments will particularly benefit funds, as those
that qualify will be able to fair value controlled investments,
rather than having to consolidate them.
The amendment to IFRS 10 defines an investment entity and
introduces an exception to consolidation. The amendments to
IFRS 12 introduce disclosures that an investment entity needs
to make.
Definition of an investment entity
First it shall be assessed whether the entity meets the
investment entity definition. An investment entity is an entity
that:
obtains funds from one or more investors for the purpose of
providing those investor(s) with investment management
services;
commits to its investor(s) that its business purpose is to
invest funds solely for returns from capital appreciation,
investment income or both; and
measures and evaluates the performance of substantially all
of its investments on a fair value basis.
In addition, there is a set of typical characteristics that shall be
taken into consideration. The characteristics are:
holding more than one investment;
having more than one investor;
having investors that are not entitys related parties; and
having ownership interests in the form of equity or similar
interests.
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The absence of one or more of these typical characteristics

does not prevent the entity from qualifying as an investment
entity but it is needed to determine why it is an investment
entity even though it does not meet at least one of the typical
characteristics; disclosures shall be given in the notes.
An entity will not be disqualified from being an investment
entity where it also carries out any of the following activities:
providing investment-related services to third parties and to
its investors, even when substantial;
providing management services and financial support to its
investees, but only when these do not represent a separate
substantial business activity and are carried out with the
objective of maximising the investment return from the
entitys investees.
Accounting by an investment entity and disclosures
Instead of consolidating the entitys subsidiaries, these are
accounted for at fair value through profit or loss. The only
exception is for subsidiaries providing services that are
related to the entitys investment activity, which should be
consolidated.
IFRS 12 requires additional disclosures, including:
the fact the entity is an investment entity;
information about significant judgments and assumptions it
has made in determining that it is an investment entity, and
specifically where the entity does not have one or more of
the typical characteristics of an investment entity;
details of subsidiaries that have not been consolidated
(name, place of business, ownership interests held);
details of the relationship and certain transactions between
the investment entity and the subsidiary (e.g. restrictions
on transfer of funds, commitments, support arrangements,
contractual arrangements); and
information where an entity becomes, or ceases to be, an
investment entity.
Accounting by a non-investment entity parent for
investments of an investment entity subsidiary
The concerned entity might be an investment entity but its
parent might not be an investment entity. A non-investment
entity parent is required to consolidate line by line all entities
it controls including those controlled through an investment
entity.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
The applicable standard is IAS 28 - Investments in

Associates.
Investments in associates are covered by

article336*.
Scope and standard
Venture capital organisations and mutual funds are

exempted to apply IAS28 for the investments in
associates and can designate those investments at
fair value through profit or loss in accordance with
Measurement (refer to section Financial assets).
Definitions
An associate is an entity over which the investor

has significant influence - that is, the power to
participate in, but not control or jointly control,
an associates financial and operating policies.
Participation by an investor in the entitys financial
and operating policies via representation on the
entitys Board demonstrates significant influence.
A 20% or more interest by an investor in an entitys
voting rights leads to a presumption of significant
influence.
Similar to IFRS.
Cost model
Not permitted except in separate financial

statements.
Not permitted except in separate financial

statements.
Equity method
Initial recognition is at cost. Cost is not defined in

IAS 28. In other standards, it is defined as including
transaction costs, except in IFRS3 - Business
Combinations which requires transaction costs in a
business combination to be expensed. Entities have
therefore a policy choice: to expense transactions
costs or to include them in the cost of investment.
Initial recognition is at purchase price or at the

net equity of the associate. The purchase price
shall be calculated by adding to the price paid
the expenses incidental thereto.
On acquisition of the investment, the acquirer

accounts for the difference between cost of
investment and the investors share of the net
asset at fair value as goodwill. The goodwill is
included in the carrying amount of the investment.
If the purchase price is used, the difference

between that value and the amount
corresponding to the proportion of capital
and reserves represented by the participating
interest shall be disclosed separately in the
notes to the consolidated accounts. That
difference shall be calculated as at the date as
at which that method is used for the first time.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Subsequently, the investor remeasures its

investment in the associate adding to the cost:
the share of post-transaction profits and losses
through the statement of comprehensive income;
the share of charge in the associates equity
through equity; and
the share of the associates other
comprehensive income through other
comprehensive income. The amount of
(dividend) distribution received from the
associate is accounted for as a decrease in
the value of the investment in the associate
on the balance sheet. Losses that reduce the
investment to below zero are applied against any
long-term interests that, in substance, form part
of the investors net investment in the associate
for example, preference shares and long-term
receivables and loans. Lossesrecognised in
excess of the investors investment in ordinary
shares applied to the other components in
reverse order of priority in a winding up. Further
losses are provided for as a liability only to the
extent that the investor has incurred legal or
constructive obligations to make payments on
behalf of the associate.
For subsequent measurement, the book value or

the amount corresponding to the proportion of
the associated undertakings capital and reserves
shall be increased or reduced by the amount of
any variation which has taken place during the
financial year in the proportion of the associated
undertakings capital and reserves represented
by that participating interest; it shall be reduced
by the amount of the dividends relating to the
participating interest. Moreover, the Accounting
Law requires the disclosure of goodwill separately
in the notes to the consolidated accounts.
Information about the name and proportion of the
interest in the associate must be presented in the
notes to the consolidated accounts.
If the investor has objective evidence of one of the

indicators of impairment set out in IAS39 - Financial
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement
for example, significant financial difficulty the
investment is tested for impairment as prescribed
under IAS36 - Impairment of Assets. The entire
carrying amount of the investment is tested by
comparing its recoverable amount (higher of
value in use and fair value less costs to sell) with
its carrying amount. In the estimation of future
cash flows for value in use, the investor may use
either its share of future net cash flows expected
to be generated by the investment (including the
cash flows from its operations) together with the
proceeds on ultimate disposal of the investment or
the cash flows expected to arise from dividends to
be received from the associate together with the
proceeds on ultimate disposal of the investment.
Not required in LuxGAAP.
Impairment
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If the net equity method is used, the difference

between the amount corresponding to the
proportion of the associated undertakings capital
and reserves represented by the participating
interest and the book value shall be disclosed
separately in the consolidated balance sheet or
in the notes to the consolidated accounts. That
difference shall be calculated as at the date at
which that method is used for the first time.
Subject
IFRS (IAS 31)
IFRS (IFRS 11)
LuxGAAP
The applicable standard is IAS 31 Interests in Joint Ventures.
The applicable standard is IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements.
Jointly controlled undertakings

are covered by article 335*.
Venture capital organisations and

mutual funds are exempted to
apply IAS31 for the investments
in joint ventures and can
designate those investments
at fair value through profit
or loss in accordance with
IAS39 - Financial Instruments:
Recognition and Measurement
(refer to section Financial
assets).
The Board decided to maintain the

option that permits venture capital
organisations and mutual funds
to measure their interests in joint
ventures at fair value through profit
or loss in accordance with IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, but clarified
that this is an exemption from the
requirement to measure interests
in joint ventures using the equity
method, rather than an exception
to the scope of IFRS 11 for joint
ventures in which these entities
have interests.
A joint venture is defined as a

contractual arrangement whereby
two or more parties (the venturers)
undertake an economic activity
that is subject to joint control.
A joint arrangement is defined as

an arrangement of which two or
more parties have joint control.

Scope and standard
Definitions
Joint control is the contractually

agreed sharing of control over an
economic activity; it exists only
when the strategic financial and
operating decisions relating to
the activity require the unanimous
consent of the parties sharing the
control.
All joint arrangements have a

contractual arrangement that:
binds the parties; and
provides two or more of those
parties with joint control of the
arrangement.
There is no definition in the

Commercial Law. Jointly
controlled undertaking is an
undertaking whereby two or
more parties jointly control the
undertaking.
Joint control is the contractually

agreed sharing of control of an
arrangement, which exists only
when decisions about the relevant
activities require the unanimous
control.
The contractual arrangement is
usually established in writing in
the form of a contract between
the parties; it can also take the
form of a documented discussion,
although this is unusual.
Subject
IFRS (IAS 31)
IFRS (IFRS 11)
LuxGAAP

Joint control can also be established
through local legislation, other
statutory mechanisms or as part
of the governing rules of the entity,
either individually or in conjunction
with other contractual agreements
between the parties. Joint control is
a key definition under the standard.
It is defined as the contractually
agreed sharing of control of an
arrangement, which exists only
when decisions about the relevant
activities require the unanimous
control. Joint control and control
are mutually exclusive. At least two
parties must have joint control,
and this must be a contractually
agreed sharing of control requiring
unanimous consent over activities
that significantly affect returns of
arrangement.
Types of joint
ventures (IAS 31)/joint
arrangements (IFRS 11)
IAS 31 distinguishes between

three types of joint ventures:
jointly controlled entities
the arrangement is carried
on through a separate entity
(company or partnership);
jointly controlled operations
each venturer uses its own
assets for a specific project;
and
jointly controlled assets a
project is carried on with assets
that are jointly owned.
The standard distinguishes

between two types of joint
arrangements:
joint operations; and
joint ventures.
Joint operation is a joint
arrangement whereby the
parties that have joint control
of the arrangement have rights
to the assets and obligations
for the liabilities relating to the
arrangement.
Joint venture is a joint
arrangement whereby the
parties that joint control of the
arrangement have rights to the
net assets of the arrangement.
For example, the contractual
arrangement only gives the
parties rights to a share of the
net outcome generated by the
economic activity.
The distinction between the two
types of arrangements is not
driven by the legal form.
120PwC Luxembourg
No distinction is made in the

Company Law.
Subject
IFRS (IAS 31)
IFRS (IFRS 11)
LuxGAAP
In consolidated financial
statements, joint ventures are
accounted for in accordance with
the equity method (refer to section
Investments in associates).
A jointly controlled entity can be

either proportionally consolidated
or equity accounted in the

Accounting for jointly
controlled entities
(IAS 31)/for joint
ventures (IFRS11)
A venture shall account for all of

its interests in jointly controlled
entities using one of the following:
proportionate consolidation
method; or
equity method.
Proportionate consolidation
requires the venturers share of
the assets, liabilities, income and
expenses to be combined on
a line by line basis with similar
items in the venturers financial
statements, or reported as a
separate line item in the venturers
financial statements.
Gains and losses on contribution
or sales of assets to a joint
venture by a venturer are
recognised to the same extent as
that of the interests of the other
venturers provided the assets
are retained by the joint venture
and significant risks and rewards
of ownership of the contributed
assets have been transferred.
The venture recognises the full
amount of any loss when there is
evidence of impairment loss from
the contribution or sale.
Accounting for joint

operations
Requirements are similar to

jointly controlled entities without
an incorporated structure. A
venturer recognises in its financial
statements:
the assets that it controls;
the liabilities it incurs;
the expenses it incurs; and
its share of income from the
sale of goods or services by the
joint venture.
Joint operators recognise their

interest in the direct rights and
obligations of the arrangement,
and their share of those assets,
liabilities and transactions
incurred jointly.
Not specified in the Company

Law. IFRS can be used as a
benchmark.
Accounting for jointly

controlled assets
(IAS 31)
A venturer accounts for its share

of the jointly controlled assets and
any liabilities it has incurred.
Not applicable.
Not specified in the Company

Law. IFRS can be used as a
benchmark.
Subject
IFRS (IAS 31)
IFRS (IFRS 11)
LuxGAAP
IFRS 12 - Disclosure of Interests

in Other Entities shall be applied
by an entity that has an interest in
any of the following:
subsidiaries;
joint arrangements (i.e. joint
operations or joint ventures);
associates; and
unconsolidated structured
entities.
In addition to the disclosures

required for the stand-alone
accounts, the following additional
disclosures are required by the
Commercial Law:
the names and registered
offices of the undertakings
included in the consolidation,
as well as those excluded from
the consolidation;
the proportion of the capital
and the pourcentage of
the voting rights held in
undertakings included in
the consolidation, as well
as those excluded from the
consolidation;
offices of undertakings not
included in the consolidation in
which an undertaking included
in the consolidation exercises
a significant influence and the
proportion of their capital held
by undertakings included in the
consolidation;
offices of undertakings
proportionally consolidated,
the factors on which joint
arrangement is based and the
proportion of their capital held
by undertakings included in the
consolidation; and
the name and registered office
of each of the undertakings in
which undertakings included in
the consolidation hold at least
20% of the capital, showing the
proportion of the capital held,
the amount of the capital and
reserves, and the profit and loss
for the latest financial year of
the undertakings concerned.
This information may be
omitted where it is of negligible
importance with respect to
the true and fair view. The
information concerning capital
and reserves and the profit and
loss may also be omitted where
the undertaking concerned
does not publish its balance
sheet and where less than
50% of its capital is held by the
undertakings included in the
consolidation.

Disclosures
The following disclosures are

required by IAS 27 - Consolidated
and Separate Financial Statements
to be given in the groups
consolidated financial statements:
the nature of the relationship
between a parent and its
subsidiary when the parent
does not own, directly or
indirectly through subsidiaries,
more than 50% of the
subsidiarys voting power;
in a situation where a parent and
its subsidiaries own, directly or
indirectly more than 50% of the
voting or potential voting power
of an investee and does not
consolidate the entity, why that
does not constitute control;
a supplemental schedule
that shows the effects that
transactions with the noncontrolling interests have on the
equity attributable to the parent
for each period that an income
statement is presented;
if an entity loses control of a
subsidiary, it should disclose
the total amount of gain or
loss recognised through sale
or through other means. If
control is lost, but there is a
retained investment, the entity
should disclose the amount
of gain or loss related to the
fair value remeasurement of
that retained non-controlling
equity investment in the former
subsidiary separately from the
total gain or loss recognised.
Entities must also disclose the
line item in the statement of
comprehensive income where
the gain or loss is recognised.
The following disclosures are
required by IAS 28 - Investments in
Associates regarding an associate:
the fair value of investments in
associates for which there are
published price quotations;
summarised financial
information of associates,
including the aggregated
amounts of assets, liabilities,
revenues and profit or loss;
122PwC Luxembourg
IFRS 12 does not apply to:

post-employment benefit plans
or other long-term employee
benefit plans;
an entitys separate financial
statements; however, if an
entity prepares separate
financial statements as its only
financial statements, it shall
present disclosures related to
its interests in unconsolidated
structured entities;
an interest held by an entity
that participates in, but does
not have joint control of, a joint
arrangement unless that interest
results in significant influence
over the arrangement or is an
interest in a structured entity.
An entity should disclose the
following:
significant judgments and
assumptions it has made in
determining the nature of its
interest in another entity or
arrangement; and
information about its interests in
subsidiaries and unconsolidated
structured entities.
In particular, an entity should
disclose significant judgments
and assumptions made in
determining that:
it holds more than half of the
voting rights of another entity
where it does not have control;
it holds less than half of the
voting rights of another entity
where it has control; and
it is an agent or a principal.
Regarding interest in subsidiaries,
it shall be disclosed:
the groups composition;
Subject
IFRS (IAS 31)
IFRS (IFRS 11)
LuxGAAP
the interest that non-controlling

interests have in the groups
activities and cash flows;
the nature and extent of
significant restrictions on its
ability to access or use assets,
and settle liabilities, of the
group;
the nature of, and changes
in, the risks associated with
its interests in consolidated
structured entities;
the consequences of changes
in its ownership interest in a
subsidiary that do not result in a
loss of control; and
the consequences of losing
control of a subsidiary during
the reporting period.
The above mentioned disclosures

may be omitted when their
nature is such that they would be
seriously prejudicial to any of the
undertakings concerned by these
provisions. Any such omission
must be disclosed in the notes to
the accounts.

the reasons why the
presumption that an investor
does not have significant
influence is overcome if the
investor holds, directly or
indirectly through subsidiaries,
less than 20 per cent of the
voting or potential voting power
of the investee but concludes
that it has significant influence;
the reasons why the
presumption that an investor
has significant influence is
overcome if the investor holds,
directly or indirectly through
subsidiaries, 20 per cent or
more of the voting or potential
voting power of the investee
but concludes that it does not
have significant influence; and
summarised financial information
of associates, either individually
or in groups, that are not
accounted for using the equity
method, including the amounts
of total assets, total liabilities,
revenues and profit or loss.
IAS 31 - Interests in Joint
Venture requires that a venturer
shall disclose the aggregate
amount of the following
contingent liabilities, unless the
probability of loss is remote,
separately from the amount of
other contingent liabilities:
any contingent liabilities that
the venturer has incurred in
relation to its interests in joint
ventures and its share in each
of the contingent liabilities
which have been incurred jointly
with other venturers;
its share of the contingent
liabilities of the joint ventures
themselves for which it is
contingently liable; and
those contingent liabilities that
arise because the venturer
is contingently liable for the
liabilities of the other venturers
of a joint venture.
IFRS 12 requires the following

additional disclosures for each of
an entitys subsidiaries that have
material non-controlling interests:
the subsidiarys name;
its principal place of business
(and country of incorporation if
different);
the proportion of ownership
interests held by non-controlling
interests;
the proportion of voting
rights held by non-controlling
interests, if different from
the proportion of ownership
interests held;
the profit or loss allocated to
non-controlling interests of the
subsidiary during the reporting
period;
the accumulated noncontrolling interests of the
subsidiary at the end of the
reporting period; and
summarised financial
information about the
subsidiary.
When the parent company use

the derogation to draw up its
consolidated accounts at an
another date than the one used
to draw up its annual accounts,
the use of this derogation shall
be disclosed in the notes to the
consolidated accounts together
with the reasons thereof. In
addition, account must be
taken or disclosure made of
important events concerning
the assets and liabilities, the
financial position or the profit
and loss of an undertaking
included in a consolidation which
have occurred between the
undertakings balance sheet date
and the consolidated balance
sheet date.
Assets and liabilities included in
the consolidated accounts shall
be valued according to uniform
methods and in accordance with
the valuation rules as defined
in the Accounting Law. The
parent company which draws up
consolidated accounts must apply
the same methods of valuation as
in its annual accounts. However,
other methods of valuation
complying with the valuation rules
defined in the Accounting Law
may be used. Where use is made
of this derogation, the fact shall
be disclosed in the notes to the
with the reasons thereof.
Subject
IFRS (IAS 31)
IFRS (IFRS 11)
LuxGAAP
In accordance with IFRS10 Consolidated Financial

Statements, an investment entity
is required to apply the exception
to consolidation and instead
account for its investment in a
subsidiary at fair value through
profit or loss.
Where assets and liabilities

included in consolidated accounts
have been valued by undertakings
by methods differing from those
used for the consolidation, they
must be revalued in accordance
with the methods used for the
consolidation, unless the results
of such revaluation are not
material for the purposes of the
true and fair view. Departures
from this principle shall be
permitted in exceptional cases.
Such departures shall be
with the reasons therefor.

A venturer shall disclose the
aggregate amount of the following
commitments in respect of its
interests in joint ventures separately
from other commitments:
any capital commitments
of the venturer in relation to
its interests in joint ventures
and its share in the capital
commitments that have been
incurred jointly with other
venturers;
its share of the capital
commitments of the joint
ventures themselves.
Both IAS 27 and IAS 28 are
requiring the following disclosures:
the subsidiarys/the associates
reporting date where its
financial statements used in the
consolidation/in applying equity
method are non-coterminous
with those of the parent/
investor or are for a different
reporting period, and the reason
for using a different reporting
date or period; and
the nature and extent of any
significant restrictions (for
example, that result from
borrowing arrangements or
regulatory requirements) on the
subsidiarys/associates ability
to transfer funds to its parent/
investor in the form of cash
dividends or to repay loans or
advances.
IAS 28 and IAS 31 do not apply to
the accounting for associates and
respectively to the investments in
jointly controlled entities held by
venture capital organisations or
mutual funds, unit trusts and similar
entities including investment linked
insurance funds when the entities
use the fair value option in IAS 39 Financial Instruments Recognition
and Measurement to account for
their interests in jointly controlled
entities. However, the disclosure
requirements mentioned above
are required in addition to the
disclosure requirements ofIFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures.
124PwC Luxembourg
An entity shall disclose

information that enables users
of its financial statements to
evaluate:
the nature, extent and financial
effects of its interests in joint
arrangements and associates,
including the nature and
effects of its contractual
relationship with the other
investors with joint control of, or
significant influence over, joint
arrangements and associates;
and
the nature of, and changes in,
the risks associated with its
interests in joint ventures and
associates.
An entity shall disclose
information that enables users of
its financial statements to:
understand the nature and
extent of its interests in
unconsolidated structured
entities; and
evaluate the nature of,
and changes in, the risks
associated with its interests
in unconsolidated structured
entities.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
The applicable standard is IFRS 3 - Business

Combinations.
Scope and standard
Combinations including entities or businesses

under common control or formation of a joint
venture are excluded from the scope.
Definitions
A business is defined as an integrated set of

activities and assets that is capable of being
conducted and managed for the purpose of
providing a return in the form of dividends, lower
costs, increased share prices or other economic
benefits to investors. A business generally
consists of inputs, processes applied to those
inputs, and resulting outputs that are, or will be,
used to generate revenues. If goodwill is present
in a transferred set of activities and assets, the
transferred set is presumed to be a business. If
a group of acquired assets is not accompanied
by any associated processes and outputs, the
acquired group is not a business and shall be
recognised as a group of assets.
Not defined as such in the Accounting Law.
Acquisition date
The acquisition date corresponds to the date

at which the acquirer obtains control over the
acquiree.
Not specified. IFRS may be used as a benchmark.

In practice, the acquisition date corresponds to the
date of exercising control together with a transfer
of ownership.
Identification of the acquirer
All business combinations within the scope of IFRS

3 are accounted for as acquisitions and purchase
method of accounting applies. The acquirer is
the combining entity that obtains control of the
acquiree. Guidance in IAS27 - Consolidated and
Separate Financial Statements shall be used. In
some business combinations, the acquirer is the
entity whose entity interests have been acquired,
and the issuing entity is the acquiree (reverse
acquisitions). In reverse acquisitions, consolidated
financial statements are issued under the name
of the legal parent but described in the notes as
a continuation of the legal subsidiarys financial
statements.
Purchase accounting
The fair value of acquired assets and liabilities

(with some exceptions) is compared to the fair
value of the consideration to determine goodwill.
IFRS3 defines negative goodwill as bargain
purchase. In addition, the step-based accounting
for a business combination includes an additional
step that consists of reamesuring the previously
held equity interest in the acquiree at its fair
value at the acquisition date. Gains or losses are
recorded in profit or loss.
The fair value of acquired assets and liabilities is

compared to the fair value of the consideration
to determine goodwill. This comparison is done
at the time of the first consolidation. In this case,
the difference between consideration paid and
the balance sheet items is allocated to the extent
possible. Alternatively, the comparison can be
done at the time of acquisition of the subsidiary
using the fair value of the assets and liabilities at
that time. The remaining difference is the goodwill.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Consideration transferred
Consideration transferred is the sum of the

acquisition date fair values of the assets
transferred, the liabilities incurred by the acquirer
to the former owners of the acquiree and the equity
interests issued by the acquirer to the former
owners. It shall include all forms of consideration
(transferred) such as cash, other assets, business
or subsidiaries of the acquirer, deferred and
contingent considerations, equity instruments,
options, warrants and replacement share-based
awards. IFRS 3 lists some elements that shall be
excluded from the consideration transferred, such
as payments made at the time of acquisition for
transaction costs and costs to issue debt or equity,
settlement of pre-existing relationships (except for
the case described below), remuneration for future
employee services or transactions for paying the
acquirers acquisition in costs. These elements
shall be expensed as incurred.
Not specifically addressed by the Accounting

Law. In practice, transaction costs are included
in the acquisition cost so that they may be
recognised as part of the initial goodwill. There
is no guidance on contingent consideration or
other consideration transferred so that IFRS
treatment may be used as a benchmark.
Recognition and measurement

of identifiable assets and
liabilities acquired
IFRS requires separate recognition, by the

acquirer, of the acquirees identifiable assets,
liabilities and contingent liabilities that existed
at the date of acquisition. These assets and
liabilities are recognised at fair value at the date
of acquisition. Specific criteria apply to the
recognition of intangible assets and restructuring
provisions. Some exceptions to these recognition
and measurement rules also apply to contingent
liabilities (recognised at fair value although not
meeting all recognition criteria for liabilities),
income taxes (measured in accordance with IAS12
- Income Taxes), employee benefits (measured
in accordance with IAS19 - Employee Benefits),
indemnification assets (recognised by the acquirer
at the same time and on the same basis as the
indemnified item is recognised as a liability of the
acquiree), re-acquired rights previously granted
to the acquiree to use an asset such as franchise
agreements (measured based on market rates and
conditions at the acquisition date), share-based
payment awards of the acquiree (measured in
accordance with IFRS2 - Share-based Payment)
and assets held for sale (measured in accordance
with IFRS5 - Non-current Assets Held for
Sale and Discontinued Operations). Contracts
should be re-assessed for conditions existing at
acquisition date except for insurance and leases
for which classification is made on the basis of
the contractual terms and other factors at the
inception of the contract.
Not specified in LuxGAAP. IFRS can be used as

a benchmark.
126PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Restructuring provisions
The acquirer may recognise restructuring provisions

as part of the acquired liabilities only if the acquiree
has at the acquisition date an existing liability for
a restructuring recognised in accordance with the
guidance for provisions. In addition, IFRS3 includes
further guidance that a restructuring plan conditional
on the completion of the business combination is
not recognised in the accounting of the acquisition.
These expenses are recognised post-acquisition.
Non-controlling interests
Where an investor acquires less than 100% of

a subsidiary, the non-controlling interests in an
acquiree that are present ownership interests and
entitle their holders to a proportionate share of the
entitys net assets in the event of liquidation are
measured at either fair value or at the proportionate
share in the net identifiable assets of the acquiree.
Where an investor acquires less than 100% of a

company, the minority interests in a subsidiary
that entitle their holders to a proportionate
share of the entitys net assets in the event of
liquidation are measured at the proportionate
share in the net identifiable assets of the
subsidiary.
Goodwill
Goodwill is recognised at cost and not amortised

but reviewed for impairment annually, and when
indicators of impairment arise.
Goodwill can be either treated as an intangible

asset and then amortised through profit and
loss or directly deducted from the reserves.
Amortisation is over five years unless
management can justify a longer useful life.
Impairment
As stated in the section Impairment of nonfinancial assets, the impairment to be booked

is the excess of the carrying amount of the
respective assets over its recoverable amount.
In addition to the annual amortisation, goodwill

is reviewed for impairment annually.
The recoverable amount cannot be estimated

individually for the goodwill; therefore it should be
estimated for groups of assets that generate cash
flows that are largely independent of each other. These
are referred to as cash-generating units (CGUs).
Goodwill acquired in a business combination is
allocated to the CGUs that are expected to benefit
from the synergies of the combination. IAS 36 Impairment of Assets includes comprehensive
guidance on how to allocate goodwill under several
circumstances. Goodwill is tested for impairment
at the lowest level at which it is monitored by
management. CGUs may be grouped for testing,
but the grouping cannot be higher than an operating
segment as defined in IFRS 8 - Operating Segments
(before aggregation). Refer to section Segment
reporting for details on operating segment).
Negative goodwill (gain or
bargain purchase)
If any excess of fair value over the purchase price

arises, the acquirer reassesses the identification
and measurement of the acquirees identifiable
assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities and the
measurement of the cost of the combination. Any
excess remaining after reassessment is recognised
immediately in the income statement.
Negative goodwill is recognised in the profit

and loss account if it corresponds to the
expectation of unfavourable future results of the
relevant undertaking, to costs that could incur
or to a realised gain. Otherwise, it is recorded in
the equity.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Subsequent adjustments to
assets and liabilities
Adjustments against goodwill to the provisional

fair values recognised at acquisition are permitted
provided those adjustments are made within 12
months of the acquisition date. Adjustments made
after 12 months are recognised in the income
statement.
No adjustment foreseen by the Accounting Law.

If the price is adjusted, it is accounted for as a
correction of error.
achieved in stages
When a business combination is achieved in

stages, the acquirer remeasures its previously
held interests in the acquiree at its fair value at the
date control is obtained, recognising a resulting
gain or loss in profit or loss. The prior interest held
is deemed to be part of the consideration paid in
exchange for the controlling interest.
When the acquisition is done in two or more

stages, the set-off between the acquisition
price and the proportion of capital and reserves
acquired is done at the date on which the
undertaking becomes a subsidiary.
Disclosure
IFRS3 requires extensive disclosures about

business combinations effected during a period.
The main disclosures are:
names and descriptions of the acquirees;
the acquisition date;
the percentage of voting equity instruments
acquired;
the primary reasons for the business
combination and a description of how the
acquirer obtained control of the acquire;
the qualitative descriptions of the factors
comprising goodwill; and
the total amount of goodwill expected to be tax
deductible.
No specific disclosure required for acquisition

of the year.
For each business combination of the period (or

in aggregate for business combinations that are
individually immaterial but collectively material), the
main disclosures are:
grossamount of goodwill and accumulated
impairment losses at the beginning of the period;
additional goodwill recognised during the period;
goodwill included in a disposal group classified
as held for sale in accordance with IFRS
5 - Non-current Assets Held for Sale and
Discontinued Operations;
goodwill derecognised during the period;
impairment losses recognised during the period;
net exchange difference;
any other changes in the carrying amount; and
gross amount of goodwill and accumulated
impairment at the end of the period.
128PwC Luxembourg
Disclosure is required if the information is

relevant to understand the financial situation of
the group.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
The standard applicable is IFRS 13 - Fair Value

Measurement.
Fair value is covered by the articles 64 bis to 64

septies.
Fair value
Scope and standard
The guidance in IFRS 13 does not apply to

transactions within the scope of IFRS2 - Sharebased Payment, or IAS17 - Leases, or to certain
other measurements that are required by other
standards and are similar to, but are not, fair value
(for example, value in use in IAS 36 - Impairment
of Assets).
Definitions
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell

an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly
transaction between market participants at the
measurement date (exit price).
The fair value is not defined under LuxGAAP.
The fair value of a liability therefore reflects nonperformance risk (that is, own credit risk).
Measurement Principal or
most advantageous market
A fair value measurement assumes that the

transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability
takes place in the principal market for the asset
or liability or, in the absence of a principal market,
in the most advantageous market for the asset or
liability.
The principal market is the market with the
greatest volume and level of activity for the asset
or liability that can be accessed by the entity.
The fair value shall be determined by reference

to:
a market value, for those financial
instruments for which a reliable market can
readily be identified; where a market value is
not readily identifiable for an instrument but
can be identified for its components or for a
similar instrument, the market value may be
derived from that of its components or of the
similar instrument; or
a value resulting from generally accepted
valuation models and techniques, for those
instruments for which a reliable market
cannot be readily identified; such valuation
models and techniques shall ensure a
reasonable approximation of the market
value.
Measurement Market
participant assumptions
Fair value is measured using the same

assumptions and taking into account the same
characteristics of the asset or liability as market
participants would. Fair value is a market-based,
not entity-specific measurement.
Not defined in LuxGAAP.
Measurement Highest and

best use
For non-financial assets only, fair value is

determined based on the highest and best use of
the asset as determined by market participants.
Not forseen in LuxGAAP.
Measurement Bid and ask

prices
The use of bid prices for asset positions and ask

prices for liability positions is permitted if those
prices are most representative of fair value in the
circumstances, but it is not required.
Not foreseen in LuxGAAP. IFRS can be used as

a benchmark.
130PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Fair value measurements are categorised into a

three level hierarchy, based on the type of inputs to
the valuation techniques used, as follows:
level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active
markets for items identical to the asset or liability
being measured. Consistent with current IFRS,
if there is a quoted price in an active market
(that is, a level 1 input), an entity uses that price
without adjustment when measuring fair value;
level 2 inputs are other observable inputs; and
level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs, but that
nevertheless must be developed to reflect the
assumptions that market participants would use
when determining an appropriate price for the
asset or liability.
No fair value hierarchy under LuxGAAP.
Fair value
Measurement Fair value
hierarchy
Each fair value measurement is categorised based

on the lowest level input that is significant to it.
Disclosure
The guidance includes enhanced disclosure

requirements that could result in significantly more
work for reporting entities. These requirements are
similar to those in IFRS 7 - Financial Instruments:
Disclosures, but apply to all assets and liabilities
measured at fair value, not just financial ones.
The required disclosures include:
information about the hierarchy level into which
fair value measurements fall;
transfers between levels 1 and 2;
methods and inputs to the fair value
measurements and changes in valuation
techniques; and
additional disclosures for level 3 measurements
that include a reconciliation of opening and
closing balances, quantitative information about
unobservable inputs and assumptions used, a
description of the valuation processes in place,
and qualitative discussion about the sensitivity
of recurring level 3 measurements.
Where valuation at fair value of financial

instruments has been applied, the notes to the
models and valuation techniques used, in the
cases where fair value was determined so;
for each category of financial instruments,
the fair value, the movements of fair value
reserve; and
a table describing the movements in the fair
value reserve during the period.
For the financial assets that are not qualifying
for fair value according to LuxGAAP and that
apply fair value by reference to IFRS, IFRS
disclosure requirements relating to the valuation
of financial instruments apply.
Recent developments Fair value

under IFRS
IFRS 13 - Fair Value Measurement defines fair value,
provides guidance related to its measurement and lists
the disclosures that shall be included in the financial
statements in relation to fair value. It is not within the
scope of IFRS 13 to state when it is required for fair
value to be used. For this information, users shall refer to
each relevant standard. For example, regarding items of
property, plant and equipment the users shall refer to IAS
16 - Property, Plant and Equipment, regarding financial
instruments the users shall refer to IAS 39 - Financial
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. These
standards include information about when the fair value
may or shall be used in relation to the respective items.
132PwC Luxembourg
IFRS 13 is effective from 1 January 2013, early application

is permitted and has been endorsed by EU in December
2012.
IFRS 13 consolidates fair value measurement guidance
from across various IFRSs into a single standard (IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment, IAS 38 - Intangible
Assets, IAS 39 - Financial Instruments: Recognition and
Measurement, IAS 40 - Investment Property, IAS 41 Agriculture, IFRS 3 - Business Combinations, IFRS 5 - Noncurrent Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations).
Disclosures are comprehensive and include the ones
related to fair value hierarchy currently within IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures. Refer to section
Financial assets, sub-section Disclosure.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Scope and standard
The applicable standard is IAS 21 - The Effects of

Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates.
The Accounting Law does not cover exchange

translation rules.
Definitions
Functional currency is defined as the currency of

the primary economic environment in which an
entity operates.
Functional currency is not defined by the

Accounting Law. Presentation of financial
statements currency is generally established
based on the currency in which the share
capital is expressed. Another currency can be
chosen.
IFRS provides a list of primary and secondary

indicators to consider when determining functional
currency. If the indicators are mixed and the
functional currency is not obvious, management
should use its judgement to determine the
functional currency that most faithfully represents
the economic results of the entitys operations.
This is driven by the currency of the economic
that determines the pricing of transactions (not the
currency in which transactions are denominated)
and the currency that most influences labour,
material, and other costs of providing goods and
services. Additional evidence (secondary in priority)
may be provided from the currency in which funds
from financing activities are generated or receipts
from operating activities are usually retained,
as well as the nature of activities and extent of
transactions between the foreign operation and the
reporting entity.
The presentation currency is the currency in which
the financial statements are presented.
Reporting for foreign currency A foreign currency transaction is expressed in the
transactions into the functional functional currency using the exchange rate at the
transaction date.
currency
Foreign currency balances representing cash or
amounts to be received or paid in cash (monetary
items) are reported at the end of the reporting
period using the exchange rate on that date.
Non-monetary balances that are not remeasured
at fair value and are denominated in a foreign
currency are expressed in the functional currency
using the exchange rate at the transaction date.
Where a non-monetary item is remeasured at fair
value in the financial statements, the exchange
rate at the date when fair value was determined is
used.
Income statement amounts are translated using
historical rates of exchange as at date of the
transactions or at the average rate for the period
as a practical alternative.
There is no rule defined in the Accounting Law

for the translation of items denominated in
foreign currency.
Translation of transactions denominated in
foreign currency is converted at the exchange
rate prevailing on the date of the transaction.
Short-term/monetary items are translated at
the closing rate. Realised gains and losses are
recorded in the profit and loss account together
with unrealised losses. Unrealised gains are
either ignored or recorded in the regularisation
account. Long-term/monetary items remain at
the historical rate.
Non-monetary/long-term items at fair value are
reported using the exchange rate that existed
when the fair value was determined. The
variation of exchange rate is generally recorded
with the fair value adjustment.
Where there is an economic link between an
asset and a liability, these can be valued in total
according to the method described above.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP

Exchange gains and losses arising from an entitys
own foreign currency transactions are reported
as part of the profit or loss for the year. When a
gain or loss on a non-monetary item is recognised
directly in equity, any exchange component of that
gain or loss is recognised directly in equity. Any
changes in fair value that are recognised directly in
equity through the statement of changes in equity
also include any related foreign exchange element.
Translation from the functional
currency into presentation
currency
Assets and liabilities are translated from the

functional currency to the presentation currency at
the closing rate at the end of the reporting period.
The income statement is translated at exchange
rates at the dates of the transactions or at the
average rate if that approximates the actual rates.
Not applicable in LuxGAAP.
All resulting exchange differences are recognised

in other comprehensive income and accumulate in
a currency translation reserve in an equity.
The appropriate amount of cumulative translation
difference relating to a foreign operation is
transferred to the income statement on disposal
of a foreign operation and included in the
profit or loss on sale. For a partial disposal, the
proportionate share of the related cumulative
translation difference is included in the gain or
loss.
Disclosure
As per IAS 21, an entity shall disclose:

the amount of exchange differences recognised
in profit or loss except for those arising on
financial instruments measured at fair value
through profit or loss in accordance with
IAS39- Financial Instruments: Recognition and
Measurements; and
net exchange differences recognised in other
comprehensive income and accumulated
in a separate component of equity, and a
reconciliation of the amount of such exchange
differences at the beginning and end of the
period.
When the presentation currency is different from
the functional currency, that fact shall be stated,
together with disclosure of the functional currency
and the reason for using a different presentation
currency.
When there is a change in the functional currency
of either the reporting entity or a significant foreign
operation, that fact and the reason for the change
in functional currency shall be disclosed.
134PwC Luxembourg
The accounting policy relating to foreign

exchange translations shall be disclosed in the
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
The applicable standard is IAS 33 - Earnings Per

Share (EPS).
Presentation of earnings per share is not

required by the Accounting Law.
Earnings per share

Scope and standard
Earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders

are therefore determined by deducting from net
income the earnings attributable to holders of
more senior equity instruments.
An entity whose ordinary shares are listed on a
recognised stock exchange or are otherwise publicly
traded is required to disclose both basic and diluted
EPS with equal prominence in its separate or
individual financial statements, or in its consolidated
financial statements if it is a parent. Furthermore,
entities that file or are in the process of filing financial
statements with a securities commission or other
regulatory body for the purposes of issuing ordinary
shares (that is, not a private placement) are also
required to comply with IAS 33.
Definitions
Earnings per share is a ratio that is widely used by

financial analysts, investors and others to gauge
an entitys profitability and to value its shares. EPS
is normally calculated in the context of ordinary
shares of the entity.
Not applicable.
Basic and diluted EPS
Basic EPS is calculated by dividing the profit

or loss for the period attributable to the equity
holders of the parent by the weighted average
number of ordinary shares outstanding (including
adjustments for bonus and rights issues).
Not applicable.
Where an entity issues new shares by way of a

bonus issue or stock dividend during a period,
the effect is to increase only the number of shares
outstanding after the issue. There is no effect on
earnings as there is no flow of funds as a result
of the issue. Consequently, the shares should be
treated as outstanding as if the issue had occurred
at the beginning of the earliest period reported.
Diluted EPS is calculated by adjusting the profit or
loss and the weighted average number of ordinary
shares by taking into account the conversion of
any dilutive potential ordinary shares. Potential
ordinary shares are those financial instruments and
contracts that may result in issuing ordinary shares
such as convertible bonds and options (including
employee share options). Potential ordinary shares
should be included in the calculation of diluted
EPS for the period in which they were outstanding.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Basic and diluted EPS for both continuing and total

operations are presented with equal prominence in
the statement of comprehensive income or in the
separate income statement where one is presented
for each class of ordinary shares. Separate EPS
figures for discontinued operations are disclosed in
the same statements or in the notes.
Not applicable.
Earnings per share

Disclosure
136PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Scope and standard
The applicable standard is IAS 24 - Related Party

Disclosures.
Related party transactions are covered by the

following articles: 65 (1) 7, 7bis, 12, 13, 14.
Definitions
Related party relationships are generally

determined by reference to the control or indirect
control of one party by another or by the existence
of joint control or significant influence by one party
over another.
Related parties are defined in LuxGAAP by

reference to IFRS.
Related parties include:

parents;
subsidiaries;
fellow subsidiaries;
associates of the entity and other members of
the group;
joint ventures of the entity and other members of
the group;
members of key management personnel of
the entity or of a parent of the entity (and close
members of their families);
persons with control, joint control or significant
influence over the entity (and close members of
their families); and
post-employment benefit plans.
Finance providers are not related parties simply
because of their normal dealings with the entity.
Disclosure
IAS24 requires entities to disclose transactions

with related parties. The objective of the
disclosures required is to ensure that users of
financial statements are made aware of the
extent to which the financial position and results
of operations may have been influenced by the
existence of related parties.
Disclosures on related parties are limited to the

significant transactions not concluded under
normal conditions and to certain transactions
with management and supervisory bodies.
Transactions between group members held
entirely are out of scope for the disclosure
requirements.
Certain disclosures are always required, regardless

of whether transactions between the parties have
taken place. These include the existence of the
related party relationship, the name of the related
party and the name of the ultimate controlling
party. There are some exemptions from disclosure
available for certain subsidiaries and transactions
under IFRS.
Possible modification contemplated by draft bill

n6376: exemption extended to medium-sized
non-listed entities not organised as an S.A.
Management discloses the name of the entitys

parent and, if different, the ultimate controlling
party (which could be a person). Relationships
between a parent and its subsidiaries are
disclosed irrespective of whether there have been
transactions with them.
All entities except small-sized non-listed entities

The Luxembourg regulatory framework) not
organised as an S.A. shall disclose:
the nature of the transaction;
the nature of the relation;
the amount of the transaction; and
all other information needed to better assess
the financial situation of the company.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Where there have been related party transactions

during the period, management discloses the
nature of the relationship and information about
the transactions and outstanding balances
including commitments necessary for users to
understand the potential impact of the relationship
on the financial statements.
Moreover, disclosure on the following related

parties shall also be disclosed:
receivables/payables from/to subsidiaries
and associates;
income and expenses from subsidiaries and
associates;
financial commitments; and
amount of the emoluments, advances and
loans granted to management personnel
and commitments arising or entered into in
respect of retirement pensions for former
members of the management, as well as
indication of interest rates, main conditions
and the amounts which may have been
repaid, as well the commitments entered into
on their behalf by way of guarantees of any
kind (given as a total for each category).

Disclosure
Disclosure is made by category of related party

and by major type of transaction. Items of a
similar nature may be disclosed in aggregate,
except when separate disclosure is necessary for
an understanding of the effects of related party
transactions on the entitys financial statements.
Management only discloses that related party
transactions were made on terms equivalent to
those that prevail in arms length transactions if
such terms can be substantiated.
An entity is exempt from the disclosure of
transactions (and outstanding balances) with a
related party that is either a government that has
control, joint control or significant influence over
the entity, or is another entity that is under the
control, joint control or significant influence of the
same government as the entity. Where the entity
applies the exemption, it discloses the name of the
government and the nature of its relationship with
the entity. It also discloses the nature and amount
of each individually significant transaction and the
qualitative or quantitative extent of any collectively
significant transactions.
138PwC Luxembourg
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
The applicable standard is IFRS8 - Operating

Segments.
Segment reporting is covered by the following

articles: 65 and 67 (2).
The standard is mandatory only for entities whose

equity or debt instruments are publicly traded (or
that are in the process of issuing equity or debt
instruments in a public market).
The segmentation is only applicable to the

turnover.
Segment reporting
Scope and standard
IFRS 8 aligns the identification and reporting of

operating segments with internal management
reporting. Segment reporting under IFRS 8 should
highlight the information and measures that
management believes are important and are used
to make key decisions. It should also provide a
better link between the financial statements and
the information reported in management accounts.
IFRS requirements are reflected below.
Definitions
An operating segment is a component of an entity:

that engages in business activities from which it
may earn revenues and incur expenses;
whose operating results are regularly reviewed
by the entitys Chief Operating Decision Maker
(CODM) to make decisions about resources
to be allocated to the segment and assess its
performance; and
for which discrete financial information is
available.
There is no definition of a segment in the

Accounting Law.
The CODM is a function and not necessarily a

person. That function is to allocate resources to,
and assess the performance of, the operating
segments. It is likely to vary from entity to entity
it may be the chief executive officer, the chief
operating officer, the senior management team
or the Board of directors. The title or titles of the
person(s) identified as CODM is not relevant, as
long as it is the person(s) responsible for making
strategic decisions about the entitys segments.
Identification of segments
There are four key steps to identify the operating

segments. Entities will need to:
identify the CODM;
identify their business activities (which may not
necessarily earn revenue or incur expenses);
determine whether discrete financial information
is available for the business activities; and
determine whether that information is regularly
reviewed by the CODM.
Not specified by the Accounting Law, but

segments shall be done by activities and
geographical markets to the extent that these
markets differ substantially from one to another.
Not all operating segments need to be separately

reported. Operating segments are only required
to be reportable if they exceed quantitative
thresholds (such as 10% of the combined revenue
of all operating segments).
Two or more operating segments may be
combined as a single reportable segment under
specific conditions.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Segment reporting
After determining the reportable segments, the
entity should ensure that the total external revenue
attributable to those reportable segments is at
least 75% of the entitys total revenue.
When the 75% threshold is not met, additional
reportable segments should be identified (even
if they do not meet the 10% thresholds), until at
least 75% of the entitys total external revenue is
included in its reportable segments.
Disclosure
140PwC Luxembourg
The following information is required to be

disclosed:
factors used to identify the reportable segments;
types of product/service from which each
reportable segment derives its revenue;
a measure of profit or loss and total assets;
a number of specific disclosures, such as
revenues from external customers if they are
included in segment profit or loss and presented
regularly to the CODM;
explanation of the measurement of the segment
disclosures;
the basis of accounting for transactions between
reportable segments;
the nature of differences between the
measurements of segment disclosures and
comparable items in the entitys financial report
(for example, accounting policy differences and
asymmetrical allocations);
totals of segment revenue, segment profit or
loss, segment assets and segment liabilities
and any other material segment items to
corresponding totals within the financial
statements;
revenues from external customers for each
product and service, or each group of similar
products and services;
revenues from external customers attributed to
the entitys country of domicile and attributed
to all foreign countries from which the entity
derives revenues;
revenues from external customers attributed to
an individual foreign country, if material;
non-current assets (other than financial
instruments, deferred tax assets, postemployment benefit assets, and rights arising
under insurance contracts) located in the entitys
country of domicile and in all foreign countries in
which the entity holds assets;
non-current assets in an individual foreign
country, if material; and
extent of reliance on major customers, including
details if any customers revenue is greater than
10% of the entitys revenue.
The Accounting Law only requires disclosures

of the net turnover by categories of activities
and under geographical markets, to the extent
that these markets differ substantially from
one to another. Small-sized and medium-sized
companies (refer to size criteria mentioned
in the section The Luxembourg regulatory
framework) are exempt from this requirement.
Subject
IFRS
LuxGAAP
Scope and standard
The applicable standard is IAS10 - Events After

the Reporting Period.
Post balance sheet events are covered by

articles51 and 68.
Adjusting events after the

statement of financial position
date
Adjusting events that occur after the statement

of financial position date are defined as events
that provide additional evidence of conditions that
existed at the statement of financial position date
and materially affect the amounts included. The
amounts recognised in the financial statements
are adjusted to reflect adjusting events after the
statement of financial position date.
All liabilities which have arisen in the course

of the financial year or in a previous financial
year have to be taken into account, even if
the liabilities become apparent only between
the date of the balance sheet and the date on
which it is drawn up.
Non-adjusting events after the

statement of financial position
date
Non-adjusting events that occurred after the

statement of financial position date are defined
as events that are indicative of conditions that
arose after the statement of financial position
date. The nature and estimated financial effects of
such events are disclosed to prevent the financial
statements being misleading.
Not defined in the Accounting Law, but the

practice is similar to IFRS. Non-adjusting post
balance sheet events have to be described in
the managements report and in the notes to the
annual accounts.
Announcement of a dividend
relating to the financial year
just ended
This is a non-adjusting event.
Similar to IFRS. Annual accounts are presented

before profit allocation. Profit allocation is
disclosed in a separate statement which is filed
with the annual accounts.
Post balance sheet events
In addition, companies have the option to

take into account all foreseeable liabilities
and potential losses which have arisen in
the financial year concerned or in a previous
financial year, even if the liabilities or losses
become apparent only between the date of the
balance sheet and the date on which it is drawn
up.
Your contacts
142PwC Luxembourg
Marc Minet
Partner, IFRS Leader
+352 49 48 48 6113
marc.minet@lu.pwc.com
Anne-Sophie Preud'homme
LuxGAAP Accounting Partner
+352 49 48 48 5788
anne.sophie.preudhomme@lu.pwc.com
Fabrice Goffin
IFRS Banking Partner
+352 49 48 48 5735
fabrice.goffin@lu.pwc.com
Vronique Tinel
LuxGAAP Accounting Partner
+352 49 48 48 5704
veronique.tinel@lu.pwc.com
Notes
www.pwc.lu
PwC Luxembourg (www.pwc.lu) is the largest professional services firm in Luxembourg with 2,200 people employed from 57 different countries. It provides audit,
tax and advisory services including management consulting, transaction, financing and regulatory advice to a wide variety of clients from local and middle market
entrepreneurs to large multinational companies operating from Luxembourg and the Greater Region. It helps its clients create value they are looking for by giving
comfort to the capital markets and providing advice through an industry focused approach.
The global PwC network is the largest provider of professional services in audit, tax and advisory. Were a network of independent firms in 158 countries and employ
more than 180,000 people. Tell us what matters to you and find out more by visiting us at www.pwc.com and www.pwc.lu.
2013 PricewaterhouseCoopers, Socit cooprative. All rights reserved. In this document, PwC Luxembourg refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers, Socit
cooprative (Luxembourg) which is a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited (PwC IL), each member firm of which is a separate and
independent Luxembourg
legal entity. PwC IL cannot be held liable in any way for the acts or omissions of its member firms.
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How to use this publication

The Luxembourg regulatory framework

Presentation of financial statements

Assets, liabilities and equity

Intangible assets other than goodwill, formation expenses

Property, plant and equipment

Capitalisation of borrowing costs

Impairment of non-financial assets

Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations

Derivatives and hedge accounting

Provisions and contingency

Investment in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled

Revenue and expenses

Consolidation and business combinations

Investments in joint arrangements

Other accounting and reporting topics

Foreign currency translation

Earnings per share

Related party transactions

Post balance sheet events

Similarities and differences A comparison of IFRS and Luxembourg GAAP 1

The law of 10 December 2010 modifying

We hope you will find this guide of

These changes lead to the possibility of

How to use this publication

No summary publication can encompass

Abbreviated references are provided to

Where applicable, a summary of recent

Abbreviated references are also provided

When applying the individual

This publication takes account of

Similarities and differences A comparison of IFRS and Luxembourg GAAP 3

The Luxembourg regulatory framework

The Luxembourg regulatory framework

Fair value option

Similarities and differences A comparison of IFRS and Luxembourg GAAP 5

The Luxembourg regulatory framework

Similarities and differences A comparison of IFRS and Luxembourg GAAP 7

The principal qualitative characteristics that

There is no definition of the qualitative

[Art. 26 (2) & (3); 29(6) and 51 (1) b) to f)]

There are five reporting elements in the

LuxGAAP has the same five reporting elements

Assets are resources controlled by an entity as a

Historical cost is the main accounting

Historical cost is also the main accounting

[Art. 52; 62; 64bis; 64ter and 64sexies]

IFRS includes a specific standard on how a

There is no specific guidance on first-time

Similarities and differences A comparison of IFRS and Luxembourg GAAP 9

Presentation of financial statements

Presentation of financial statements

Scope and standard

The applicable standard is IAS 1 - Presentation

The presentation of annual accounts is covered

Entities should make an explicit and unreserved

The annual accounts shall be drawn up clearly

The financial statements are composed of: