The following should be considered by preparers of Financial Statements
- Perform risk assessment procedures and assess the impact of COVID-19 on the entity and the financial report
- Assessment whether the impact of COVID-19 is material to the entity?
- Whether it has a financial impact on the entity?
Examples of direct financial impact:
- Asset impairment / changes in assumptions for impairment testing
- Changes in the useful life of assets
- Change in FV of assets or NRV of inventory
- Changes in ECL for loans and other financial assets
- Increased costs and/or reduced demand for products and services affecting impairment calculations and / or requiring recognition of provisions
- Potential provisions and contingent liabilities arising from fines and penalties
- Uncertainty that cast significant doubt on the ability to continue as going concern (unknown duration of the impact)
Indirect financial impact:
- Customers, suppliers, financiers or investments in other entities leading to impairments, increased costs or reduced revenues
- Whether sufficient and appropriate disclosures is included in the financial statements?
- Consideration of events after the reporting date (subsequent events) and where these events or conditions should be accounted for as an adjusting or non-adjusting event.
- Assessment whether the entity is considered to be a going concern in the foreseeable future by considering the impact of COVID-19 and relevant future information on the entity and its operations for at least, but not limited to, twelve months after reporting date.
It is important that TCWG, CEO’s, CFO’s and preparers of the Annual Financial Statements discuss and assess the impact of COVID-19 at an early stage of the financial reporting process.
