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Chapter 2:
Acquisition method
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Acquisition method
2.1
Chapter overview
The Standards require the application of the acquisition method to all business
combinations. This chapter outlines the steps in applying the acquisition method,
including the accounting for assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and the
recognition of gains and losses in a business combination (e.g., bargain purchases,
step acquisitions).
The Standards are mostly converged, but some differences remain between U.S. GAAP
and IFRS pertaining to: (1) the definitions of control, (2) recognition of certain assets
and liabilities based on the reliably measurable criterion, (3) accounting for acquired
contingencies, and (4) accounting for the noncontrolling interest. In addition, the
interaction of other U.S. GAAP and IFRS standards may cause differences in, for
example, the classification of contingent consideration, the recognition and
measurement of share-based payment awards, and deferred taxes. The Boards have
established a single source of guidance on fair value measurements and a converged
definition of fair value. See Chapter 7 for more information on the fair value
standards.
Active and recently completed FASB and IASB projects may result in amendments to
existing guidance. These possible amendments may impact the guidance in this
chapter.
In addition to the projects highlighted in Chapter 1, possible amendments also
include:
The Boards projects on financial instruments are intended to address the

classification and measurement, impairment of financial instruments, and hedge
accounting. In November 2013, the IASB issued a final standard on hedge
accounting and amendments to IFRS 9. The timing for exposure of the remaining
financial instrument standards is uncertain at this time.
The key takeaways from this chapter are:
Assets and liabilities of the acquiree are recorded at fair value with
limited exceptions. The acquiring company recognises and measures (at fair
value in most cases) 100 percent of the assets and liabilities of the acquiree even if
less than 100 percent of the acquiree was obtained. The acquirers intended use
does not affect the fair value measurement of the acquirees assets. Goodwill is
recognised and measured as a residual.
For U.S. GAAP companies, the noncontrolling interest, if there is any, is recorded
at fair value. Goodwill includes amounts related to both the controlling and
noncontrolling interests.
IFRS companies may choose to measure the noncontrolling interest at (1) its fair
value, resulting in the measurement of 100 percent of the acquired net assets at
fair value and goodwill relating to the controlling and noncontrolling interests; or
(2) at its proportionate share of the acquirees identifiable net assets, resulting in
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the measurement of 100 percent of the identifiable net assets at fair value and the
measurement of goodwill for only the controlling interest.
The fair value of the consideration transferred, including any equity

securities, is determined on the acquisition date. Consideration
transferred includes: the acquisition date fair values of the assets transferred by
the acquirer, the liabilities incurred by the acquirer to former owners of the
acquiree, and the equity interests issued by the acquirer. The measurement date
for consideration transferred is the acquisition date (the date control is obtained),
which is generally the closing date.
Certain contingencies assumed in a business combination are

recorded at fair value on the acquisition date. Under U.S. GAAP, assets
acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from
contingencies should be recognised at fair value on the acquisition date if fair
value can be determined during the measurement period. Otherwise, companies
generally should account for acquired contingencies in accordance with ASC 450,
Contingencies.
IFRS 3 requires the recognition of contingent liabilities (i.e., present obligations)
on the acquisition date at fair value if they are reliably measurable, irrespective of
whether the obligations are probable. IFRS 3 does not allow for the recognition of
contingent assets.
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Contingent consideration is recognised and measured on the

acquisition date. Contingent consideration is classified as an asset, liability, or
equity and measured at fair value on the acquisition date. In the postcombination
period, contingent consideration classified as an asset or liability is remeasured to
fair value each reporting period, with changes generally included in earnings
[profit or loss]. Contingent consideration classified as equity is not remeasured in
the postcombination period.
Acquisition and restructuring costs are accounted for separately from

the business combination. Acquisition-related costs are not included as part
of the consideration transferred, but rather expensed as incurred. Restructuring
costs an acquirer expects to incur but is not obligated to incur at the acquisition
date are not liabilities assumed as part of the business combination.
Business combinations may trigger the recognition of gains and

losses. Any previously held equity interest in the acquiree in a business
combination is remeasured to fair value, and any gain or loss is recognised in
earnings [profit or loss] at the acquisition date. A bargain purchase always results
in the recognition of a gain on the acquisition date.
Measurement period adjustments require retroactive adjustment of

prior periods. If adjustments to the initial acquisition accounting are recorded
during the measurement period, the acquirer should revise prior period financial
information when it is reissued in subsequent financial statements.
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2.2
The acquisition method

The Standards provide the following principle with regard to the application of the
acquisition method:
ASC 805-10-25-1, ASC 805-10-05-4 and IFRS 3.4, 5
An entity shall account for each business combination by applying the acquisition
method.
Applying the acquisition method requires all of the following steps:
a.
Identifying the acquirer;
b. Determining the acquisition date;

c.
Recognizing and measuring the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities

assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree; and
d. Recognizing and measuring goodwill or a gain from a bargain purchase.

Each of the above will be discussed in detail in this chapter.
Specific issues surrounding the application of the acquisition method for partial and
step acquisitions and the recognition and measurement of the noncontrolling
interest are discussed in Chapter 6.
2.3
Identifying the acquirer

The Standards provide the following principle with regard to identifying the
acquirer:
ASC 805-10-25-4 and IFRS 3.6
For each business combination, one of the combining entities shall be identified as the
acquirer.
Application of the above principle requires one of the parties in a business
combination to be identified as the acquirer for accounting purposes. The process of
identifying the acquirer begins with the determination of the party that obtains
control based on the guidance in the consolidation standards. Those standards are
ASC 810-10 for U.S. GAAP and IFRS 10 for IFRS (collectively, the NCI Standards).
IAS 27 (2008), the IASBs previous consolidation standard, may still be applicable to
certain entities. See BCG 1.6.2 for further information on guidance of IFRS 10.
For U.S. GAAP, the general rule is the party that directly or indirectly holds greater
than 50 percent of the voting shares has control [ASC 810-10-15-8]. If a Variable
Interest Entity (VIE) that is a business is consolidated using the VIE subsections of
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ASC 810-10, the party that consolidates the VIE (i.e., primary beneficiary) is identified
as the acquirer. See BCG 2.11 for further information.
For IFRS, a party that has power over the investee; exposure, or rights, to variable
returns from its involvement in the investee; and the ability to use that power over the
investee to affect the amount of the investors returns has control (IFRS 10.7). See
BCG 1.6.2 for further information on IFRS 10.
If the accounting acquirer is not apparent when considering the guidance in the NCI
Standards, the following additional guidance is provided in the Standards to assist in
the identification of the acquirer:
The entity that transfers cash or other assets, or incurs liabilities to effect a
business combination is generally identified as the acquirer [ASC 805-10-55-11;
IFRS 3.B14].
The entity that issues equity interests is usually the acquirer in a business
combination that primarily involves the exchange of equity interests. However, it is
sometimes not clear which party is the acquirer if a business combination is effected
through the exchange of equity interests. In these situations, the acquirer for
accounting purposes may not be the legal acquirer (i.e., the entity that issues its equity
interest to effect the business combination). Business combinations in which the legal
acquirer is not the accounting acquirer are commonly referred to as reverse
acquisitions. See BCG 2.10 for further information. All pertinent facts and
circumstances should be considered in determining the acquirer in a business
combination that primarily involves the exchange of equity interests. The Standards
provide the following additional factors:
Excerpts from ASC 805-10-55-12 and IFRS 3.B15
a.
The relative voting rights in the combined entity after the business
combinationThe acquirer usually is the combining entity whose owners as a
group retain or receive the largest portion of the voting rights in the combined
entity. In determining which group of owners retains or receives the largest
portion of voting rights, an entity shall consider the existence of any unusual or
special voting arrangements and options, warrants, or convertible securities.
The weight of this factor generally increases as the portion of the voting rights held by
the majority becomes more significant (e.g., split of 75 percent and 25 percent may be
more determinative than a split of 51 percent and 49 percent).
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b. The existence of a large minority voting interest in the combined entity if no
other owner or organized group of owners has a significant voting interestThe
acquirer usually is the combining entity whose single owner or organized group of
owners holds the largest minority voting interest in the combined entity.
The existence of a party with a large minority voting interest may be a factor in
determining the acquirer. For example, a newly combined entitys ownership includes
a single investor with a 40 percent ownership, while the remaining 60 percent
ownership is held by a widely dispersed group. The single investor that owns the 40
percent ownership in the combined entity is considered a large minority voting
interest.
c.
The composition of the governing body of the combined entityThe acquirer

usually is the combining entity whose owners have the ability to elect or appoint
or to remove a majority of the members of the governing body of the combined
entity.
Consideration should be given to the initial composition of the board and whether the
composition of the board is subject to change within a short period of time after the
acquisition date. Assessing the significance of this factor in the identification of the
acquirer would include an understanding of which combining entity has the ability to
impact the composition of the board. These include, among other things, the terms of
the current members serving on the governing body, the process for replacing current
members, and the committees or individuals that have a role in selecting new
members for the governing body.
d. The composition of the senior management of the combined entityThe acquirer
usually is the combining entity whose former management dominates the
management of the combined entity.
Consideration should be given to the number of executive positions, the roles and
responsibilities associated with each position, and the existence and terms of any
employment contracts. The seniority of the various management positions should be
given greater weight over the actual number of senior management positions in the
determination of the composition of senior management.
e.
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The terms of the exchange of equity interestsThe acquirer usually is the

combining entity that pays a premium over the precombination fair value of the
equity interests of the other combining entity or entities.
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This factor is not limited to situations where the equity securities exchanged are
traded in a public market. In situations where either or both securities are not publicly
traded, the reliability of the fair value measure of the privately held equity securities
should be considered prior to assessing whether an entity paid a premium over the
precombination fair value of the other combining entity or entities.
Other factors to consider in determining the acquirer include:
2.3.1
The combining entity whose relative size is significantly larger than the other
combining entity or entities usually is the acquirer. Assessing relative size may
include an understanding of the combining entities assets, revenues, or earnings
[profit] [ASC 805-10-55-13; IFRS 3.B16].
An acquirer should be identified in a business combination involving more than

two entities. The identification of the acquirer should consider which entity
initiated the business combination, the relative size of the combining entities, and
any other pertinent information [ASC 805-10-55-14; IFRS 3.B17].
A new entity formed to effect a business combination is not necessarily the

acquirer. One of the existing combining entities should be determined to be the
acquirer in a business combination involving the issuance of equity interests by a
newly formed entity (Newco). However, a Newco that transfers cash or other
assets, or that incurs liabilities as consideration may be deemed to be the
accounting acquirer in certain situations [ASC 805-10-55-15; IFRS 3.B18]. See
BCG 2.3.1 for further information on Newcos.
New entity formed to effect a business combination

It is not uncommon for a company to use a Newco (newly formed entity) in a business
combination. A Newco may be used in a business combination for legal, tax, or other
business purposes.
A Newco may be determined to be the acquirer in certain situations if the Newco is
considered to be substantive (i.e., when the Newco is not disregarded for accounting
purposes). This determination is based on the facts and circumstances and is highly
subjective. A Newcos formation, ownership, and activities prior to the business
combination should be considered and may provide evidence as to whether a Newco is
substantive. For example, a Newco that has assets, liabilities, or operating activities
may be determined to be substantive. Neither U.S. GAAP nor IFRS provides guidance
on this determination.
A Newco that is established solely to issue equity interests to effect a business
combination generally will not be substantive and should normally be looked
through to determine the acquirer. Therefore, in this case, if a Newco issues equity
interests to effect a business combination, one of the existing entities or businesses
shall be identified as the acquirer [ASC 805-10-55-15; IFRS 3.B18].
For U.S. GAAP companies, see BCG 13 for further information on pushdown
accounting for certain Newco transactions.
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Examples 2-1 and 2-2 illustrate how to determine whether a Newco is the acquirer.
EXAMPLE 2-1
Newco is determined to be the acquirer
A Newco is formed by various unrelated investors for the purpose of acquiring a
business. Newco issues equity to the investors for cash. Using the cash received,
Newco purchases 100 percent of the equity of a company.
Analysis
Newco is identified as the accounting acquirer. Newco, itself, obtained control of a
business and is not controlled by the former shareholders of the acquired company. In
addition, Newco independently raised the necessary cash to fund the acquisition.
Based on these facts, Newco is considered to be substantive and is identified as the
accounting acquirer.
EXAMPLE 2-2
Newco is determined not to be the acquirer
A Newco is formed by Company A to effect the combination of Company A and
Company B. Newco issues 100 percent of its equity interests to the owners of the
combining companies in exchange for all of their outstanding equity interests.
Analysis
The transaction is, in substance, no different than a transaction where one of the
combining entities directly acquires the other [FAS 141(R).B100; IFRS 3.BC100].
Newco is not considered substantive in this situation and is disregarded for
accounting purposes. Therefore, Newco is not identified as the accounting acquirer;
rather, one of the other combining entities shall be determined to be the acquirer.
2.3.2
Other considerations in identifying the acquirer

The Standards provide general guidance for identifying the acquirer. Certain
circumstances can complicate the identification of the acquirer. For example:
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Acquisitions involving companies with common [ordinary]

shareholders: The effect of common ownership (but not common control)
among the shareholders of the combining entities should be considered in the
identification of the accounting acquirer. The analysis of the relative voting rights
in a business combination involving entities with common shareholders should
consider the former shareholder groups of the combining entities and not the
individual owners that are common to the combining entities. The former
shareholder group that retains or receives the largest portion of the voting rights
in the combined entity would be the accounting acquirer, absent the consideration
of any of the other factors provided in the Standards.
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Options, warrants, and convertible instruments: Options, warrants, and

convertible instruments assumed or exchanged in a business combination are
considered in the determination of the accounting acquirer if the holders of these
instruments are viewed to be essentially the same as common shareholders.
Options, warrants, and convertible instruments that are in the money and are
vested, exercisable, or convertible may be included in the determination of the
relative voting rights in the combined entity.
Debt holders that receive common shares: Debt holders that receive
common shares in a business combination should be considered in the
determination of the accounting acquirer if the debt holders are viewed to have
attributes similar to common shareholders prior to the acquisition. The holders of
debt that is exchanged for shares in a business combination may be included in
the determination of the relative voting rights in the combined entity if the debt is
convertible and in the money prior to the acquisition.
Examples 2-3 and 2-4 illustrate the impact on the determination of relative voting
rights in the combined entity if debt holders receive common shares in a business
combination.
EXAMPLE 2-3
Debt holders that exchange their interest for common shares that do not impact the
determination of relative voting rights
Company A acquires Company B in a business combination by exchanging equity
interests. Company B has nonconvertible debt that Company A does not wish to
assume in the acquisition. Company A reaches an agreement with Company Bs
nonconvertible debt holders to extinguish the debt for Company As common shares.
The nonconvertible debt holders hold no other financial interests in Company B.
Analysis
The extinguishment of the debt is a separate transaction from the business
combination. The determination of relative voting rights in the combined entity would
not include the equity interests received by Company Bs nonconvertible debt holders.
Prior to the business combination, Company Bs nonconvertible debt holders do not
have attributes similar to other shareholders. The debt holders have no voting rights
and have a different economic interest in Company B compared to Company Bs
shareholders before the business combination.
EXAMPLE 2-4
Debt holders that exchange their interest for common shares that impact the
determination of relative voting rights
Company A acquires Company B in a business combination by exchanging equity
interests. Company B has convertible debt. The conversion feature is deep in the
money and the underlying fair value of the convertible debt is primarily based on the
common shares into which the debt may be converted. Company A does not wish to
assume the convertible debt in the acquisition. Company A reaches an agreement with
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Company Bs convertible debt holders to exchange the convertible debt for Company
As common shares.
Analysis
The determination of relative voting rights in the combined entity would include the
equity interests received by Company Bs convertible debt holders. Prior to the
business combination, these debt holders have attributes similar to common
shareholders. The debt holders have voting rights that can be exercised by converting
the debt into common shares, and the underlying fair value of the debt is primarily
based on the common shares into which the debt may be converted. This would
indicate that the convertible debt holders have a similar economic interest in
Company B compared to Company Bs common shareholders prior to the business
combination.
2.4
Determining the acquisition date

The Standards provide the following principle with regard to determining the
acquisition date:
Excerpts from ASC 805-10-25-6 and IFRS 3.8
The acquirer shall identify the acquisition date, which is the date on which it obtains
control of the acquiree.
The acquisition date is the date on which the acquirer obtains control of the
acquiree, which is generally the closing date. However, if control of the acquiree
transfers to the acquirer through a written agreement, the acquisition date can be
before or after the closing date. All pertinent facts and circumstances surrounding a
business combination should be considered in assessing when the acquirer has
obtained control of the acquiree [ASC 805-10-25-7; IFRS 3.9].
2.4.1
Determining the acquisition date for a business combination achieved

without the transfer of consideration
An acquirer may obtain control through a transaction or event without the purchase of
a controlling ownership interest (i.e., a business combination achieved without the
transfer of consideration). The acquisition date for these business combinations is the
date control is obtained through the other transaction or event. This situation may
arise, for example, if an investee enters into a share buy-back arrangement with
certain investors and, as a result, control of the investee changes. In this example, the
acquisition date should be the date on which the share repurchase (and cancellation)
occurs, resulting in an investor obtaining control over the investee.
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2.5
Recognising and measuring the identifiable

assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any
noncontrolling interest in the acquiree
The Standards provide the following recognition principle for assets acquired,
liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree:
As of the acquisition date, the acquirer shall recognise, separately from goodwill, the
identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in
the acquiree. Recognition of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed is
subject to the conditions specified in paragraphs 805-20-25-2 through 25-3. [IFRS
3.11 and 12].
An acquirer should recognise the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities
assumed on the acquisition date if they meet the definitions of assets and liabilities in
FASB Concepts Statement No. 6, Elements of Financial Statements (CON 6) for U.S.
GAAP, and the Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial
Statements for IFRS. For example, costs that an acquirer expects to incur but is not
obligated to incur at the acquisition date (e.g., restructuring costs) are not liabilities
assumed [ASC 805-20-25-2; IFRS 3.11]. An acquirer may also recognise assets and
liabilities that are not recognised by the acquiree in its financial statements prior to
the acquisition date, due to differences between the recognition principles in a
business combination and other U.S. GAAP or IFRS. This can result in the recognition
of intangible assets in a business combination, such as a brand name or customer
relationship, which the acquiree would not recognise in its financial statements
because these intangible assets were internally generated [ASC 805-20-25-4; IFRS
3.13].
Certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with a business
combination may not be considered part of the assets and liabilities exchanged in the
business combination and will be recognised as separate transactions in accordance
with other U.S. GAAP or IFRS [ASC 805-20-25-3; IFRS 3.12].
The Standards provide the following principle with regard to the measurement of
assets acquired and liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the
acquiree:
Excerpt from ASC 805-20-30-1
The acquirer shall measure the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed,
and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at their acquisition-date fair values.
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Excerpt from IFRS 3

18. The acquirer shall measure the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities
assumed at their acquisition-date fair values.
19. For each business combination, the acquirer shall measure any noncontrolling
interest in the acquiree either at fair value or at the noncontrolling interests
proportionate share of the acquirees identifiable net assets.
The measurement of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed is at fair
value, with limited exceptions as provided for in the Standards. For U.S. GAAP, fair
value is based on the definition in ASC 820-10-20 as the price that would be received
from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction
between market-participants [ASC Glossary]. For IFRS, the definition of fair value
is the amount that an asset could be exchanged or a liability settled between
knowledgeable, willing parties in an arms length transaction [IFRS 3.A]. See Chapter
7 for a discussion of the valuation techniques and issues related to the fair value
measurement of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
The following table provides a summary of the exceptions to the recognition and fair
value measurement principles in the Standards, along with references to where these
exceptions are discussed in this chapter.
Summary of exceptions to the recognition and fair value measurement
principles
Measurement principle
Recognition and measurement

principles
Reacquired rights (BCG 2.5.6)
Assets held-for-sale (BCG 2.5.9)
Share-based payment awards (BCG

2.6.3.1)
Income taxes (BCG 2.5.8)
Employee benefits (BCG 2.5.10)
Contingencies (BCG 2.5.13)
Indemnification assets (BCG 2.5.14)
The recognition and measurement of particular assets acquired and liabilities

assumed are discussed in BCG 2.5.1 through BCG 2.5.19.2.
2.5.1
Assets that the acquirer does not intend to use

An acquirer, for competitive or other reasons, may not use an acquired asset or may
intend to use the asset in a way that is not its highest and best use (i.e., different from
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the way other market-participants would use the asset). The Standards specify that
the intended use of an asset by the acquirer does not affect its fair value [ASC 805 2030-6; IFRS 3.B43]. See BCG 4.5 for further information on the subsequent
measurement of assets that the acquirer does not intend to use.
2.5.1.1
Defensive intangible assets

A company may acquire intangible assets in a business combination that it has no
intention to actively use but intends to hold (lock up) to prevent others from obtaining
access to them (defensive intangible assets). Defensive intangible assets may
include assets that the entity will never actively use, as well as assets that will be
actively used by the entity only during a transition period. In either case, the company
will lock up the defensive intangible assets to prevent others from obtaining access to
them for a period longer than the period of active use. Examples of defensive
intangible assets include brand names and trademarks. A company should utilise
market-participant assumptions, not acquirer-specific assumptions, in determining
the fair value of defensive intangible assets.
Determining the useful life of defensive intangible assets can be challenging. The
value of defensive intangible assets will likely diminish over a period of time as a
result of the lack of market exposure or competitive environment or other factors.
Therefore, the immediate write-off of defensive intangible assets would not be
appropriate. It would also be rare for such assets to have an indefinite life. See BCG
4.5, BCG 10.4, and BCG 12.4.2.5 for further information on the initial and subsequent
measurement of defensive intangible assets.
2.5.2
Asset valuation allowances

Separate valuation allowances are not recognised for acquired assets that are
measured at fair value, as any uncertainties about future cash flows are included in
their fair value measurement [ASC 805-20-30-4; IFRS 3.B41]. This precludes the
separate recognition of an allowance for doubtful accounts or an allowance for loan
losses. Companies may need to separately track contractual receivables and any
valuation losses to comply with certain disclosure and other regulatory requirements
in industries such as financial services. In the reporting period during which the
business combination occurs, the acquirer should disclose the fair value of the
acquired receivables, their gross contractual amounts and an estimate of cash flows
not expected to be collected [ASC 805-20-50-1(b); IFRS 3.B64(h)].
The use of a separate valuation allowance is permitted for assets that are not
measured at fair value on the acquisition date (e.g., certain indemnification assets).
Consequently, for U.S. GAAP companies, a valuation allowance for deferred income
tax assets is allowed.
2.5.3
Inventory
Acquired inventory can be in the form of finished goods, work in progress, and raw
materials. The Standards require that inventory be measured at its fair value on the
acquisition date. Ordinarily, the amount recognised for inventory at fair value by the
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acquirer will be higher than the amount recognised by the acquiree before the
business combination. See BCG 7 for further information on valuation methods.
2.5.4
Contracts
Contracts (e.g., leases, sales contracts, supply contracts) assumed in a business
combination may give rise to assets or liabilities. An intangible asset or liability may
be recognised for contract terms that are favourable or unfavourable compared to
current market transactions, or related to identifiable economic benefits for contract
terms that are at market. See Chapter 4 for further discussion of the accounting for
contract-related intangible assets.
2.5.4.1
Loss contracts
A loss [onerous] contract occurs if the unavoidable costs of meeting the
obligations under a contract exceed the expected future economic benefits to be
received [ASC 805-10-55-21; IFRS 3.B52]. However, unprofitable operations of an
acquired business do not necessarily indicate that the contracts of the acquired
business are loss [onerous] contracts.
A loss [onerous] contract should be recognised as a liability at fair value if the contract
is a loss [onerous] contract to the acquiree at the acquisition date. An acquirer should
have support for certain key assumptions, such as market price and the unavoidable
costs to fulfil the contract (e.g., manufacturing costs, service costs), if a liability for a
loss [onerous] contract is recognised. For example, Company A acquires Company B
in a business combination. Company B is contractually obligated to fulfil a previous
fixed-price contract to produce a fixed number of components for one of its
customers. However, Company Bs unavoidable costs to manufacture the component
exceed the sales price in the contract. As a result, Company B has incurred losses on
the sale of this product and the combined entity is expected to continue to do so in the
future. Company Bs contract is considered a loss [onerous] contract that is assumed
by Company A in the acquisition. Therefore, Company A would record a liability for
the loss [onerous] contract assumed in the business combination.
When measuring a loss [onerous] contract, an acquirer should consider whether the
amount to be recognised should be adjusted for any intangible assets or liabilities
already recognised for contract terms that are favourable or unfavourable compared
to current market terms. A contract assumed in a business combination that becomes
a loss [onerous] contract as a result of the acquirers actions or intentions should be
recognised through earnings [profit or loss] in the postcombination period based on
the applicable framework in U.S. GAAP or IFRS.
2.5.5
Intangible assets
All identifiable intangible assets that are acquired in a business combination should be
recognised at fair value on the acquisition date. Identifiable intangible assets are
recognised separately if they arise from contractual or other legal rights or if they are
separable (i.e., capable of being sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged
separately from the entity). See Chapter 4 for guidance on the recognition and
measurement of intangible assets.
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2.5.6
Reacquired rights
An acquirer may reacquire a right that it had previously granted to the acquiree to use
one or more of the acquirers recognised or unrecognised assets. Examples of such
rights include a right to use the acquirers trade name under a franchise agreement or
a right to use the acquirers technology under a technology licensing agreement. Such
reacquired rights generally are identifiable intangible assets that the acquirer
separately recognises from goodwill [ASC 805-20-25-14; IFRS 3.B35]. The
reacquisition must be evaluated separately to determine if a gain or loss on the
settlement should be recognised. See BCG 2.7.3.1 for further information.
Understanding the facts and circumstances, including those surrounding the original
relationship between the parties prior to the business combination, is necessary to
determine whether the reacquired right constitutes an identifiable intangible asset.
Some considerations include:
How was the original relationship structured and accounted for? What was the
intent of both parties at inception?
Was the original relationship an outright sale with immediate revenue

recognition, or was deferred revenue recorded as a result? Was an up-front, onetime payment made, or was the payment stream ongoing? Was the original
relationship an arms-length transaction, or was the original transaction set up to
benefit a majority-owned subsidiary or joint venture entity with off-market
terms?
Was the original relationship created through a capital transaction, or was it

created through an operating (executory) arrangement? Did it result in the ability
or right to resell some tangible or intangible rights?
Has there been any enhanced or incremental value to the acquirer since the
original transaction?
Is the reacquired right exclusive or nonexclusive?
Contracts giving rise to reacquired rights that include a royalty or other type of
payment provision should be assessed for contract terms that are favourable or
unfavourable when compared to pricing for current market transactions. A settlement
gain or loss should be recognised and measured at the acquisition date for any
favourable or unfavourable contract terms identified [ASC 805-20-25-15; IFRS
3.B36]. A settlement gain or loss related to a reacquired right should be measured
consistently with the guidance for the settlement of preexisting relationships. See
BCG 2.7.3.1 for further information. The amount of any settlement gain or loss should
not impact the measurement of the fair value of any intangible asset related to the
reacquired right.
The acquisition of a reacquired right may be accompanied by the acquisition of other
intangibles that should be recognised separately from both the reacquired right and
goodwill. For example, a company grants a franchise to a franchisee to develop a
business in a particular country. The franchise agreement includes the right to use the
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companys trade name and proprietary technology. After a few years, the company
decides to reacquire the franchise in a business combination for an amount greater
than the fair value of a new franchise right. The excess of the value transferred over
the franchise right is an indicator that other intangibles, such as customer
relationships, customer contracts, and additional technology, could have been
acquired along with the reacquired right.
2.5.6.1
Determining the value and useful life of reacquired rights

Reacquired rights are identified as an exception to the fair value measurement
principle, because the value recognised for reacquired rights is not based on marketparticipant assumptions. The value of a reacquired right is determined based on the
estimated cash flows over the remaining contractual life, even if market-participants
would reflect expected renewals in their measurement of that right [ASC 805-20-3020; IFRS 3.29]. The basis for this measurement exception is that a contractual right
acquired from a third party is not the same as a reacquired right [FAS 141(R).B309;
IFRS 3.BC309]. Because a reacquired right is no longer a contract with a third party,
an acquirer that controls a reacquired right could assume indefinite renewals of its
contractual term, effectively making the reacquired right an indefinite-lived intangible
asset.
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including any reacquired rights, should be
measured using a valuation technique that considers cash flows after payment of a
royalty rate to the acquirer for the right that is being reacquired because the acquiring
entity is already entitled to this royalty. The amount of consideration that the acquirer
would be willing to pay for the acquiree is based on the cash flows that the acquiree is
able to generate above and beyond the royalty rate that the acquirer is already entitled
to under the agreement.
The Boards concluded that a right reacquired from an acquiree in substance has a
finite life (i.e., the contract term); a renewal of the contractual term after the business
combination is not part of what was acquired in the business combination [FAS
141(R).B308; IFRS 3.BC308].
Therefore, consistent with the measurement of the acquisition date value of
reacquired rights, the useful life over which the reacquired right is amortised in the
postcombination period should be based on the remaining contractual term without
consideration of any contractual renewals. In the event of a reissuance of the
reacquired right to a third party in the postcombination period, any remaining
unamortised amount related to the reacquired right should be included in the
determination of any gain or loss upon reissuance [ASC 805-20-35-2; IFRS 3.55].
In some cases, the reacquired right may not have any contractual renewals and the
remaining contractual life may not be clear, such as with a perpetual franchise right.
An assessment should be made as to whether the reacquired right is an indefinitelived intangible asset that would not be amortised, but subject to periodic
impairment testing. If it is determined that the reacquired right is not an indefinitelived intangible asset, then the reacquired right should be amortised over its economic
useful life. See Chapter 10 for guidance on identifying the useful life of an intangible
asset.
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Example 2-5 illustrates the recognition and measurement of a reacquired right in a

business combination.
EXAMPLE 2-5
Recognition and measurement of a reacquired right
Company A owns and operates a chain of retail coffee stores. Company A also licenses
the use of its trade name to unrelated third parties through franchise agreements,
typically for renewable five-year terms. In addition to on-going fees for cooperative
advertising, these franchise agreements require the franchisee to pay Company A an
up-front fee and an on-going percentage of revenue for continued use of the trade
name.
Company B is a franchisee with the exclusive right to use Company As trade name
and operate coffee stores in a specific market. Pursuant to its franchise agreement,
Company B pays to Company A a royalty rate equal to 6% of revenue. Company B does
not have the ability to transfer or assign the franchise right without the express
permission of Company A.
Company A acquires Company B for cash consideration. Company B has three years
remaining on the initial five-year term of its franchise agreement with Company A as
of the acquisition date. There is no unfavourable/favourable element of the contract.
Analysis
Company A will recognise a separate intangible asset at the acquisition date related to
the reacquired franchise right, which will be amortised over the remaining three-year
period. The value ascribed to the reacquired franchise right under the acquisition
method should exclude the value of potential renewals. The royalty payments under
the franchise agreement should not be used to value the reacquired right, as Company
A already owns the trade name and is entitled to the royalty payments under the
franchise agreement. Instead, Company As valuation of the reacquired right should
consider Company Bs applicable net cash flows after payment of the 6% royalty. In
addition to the reacquired franchise rights, other assets acquired and liabilities
assumed by Company A should also be measured using a valuation technique that
considers Company Bs cash flows after payment of the royalty rate to Company A.
2.5.7
Property, plant, and equipment

Property, plant, and equipment acquired in a business combination should be
recognised and measured at fair value. Accumulated depreciation of the acquiree is
not carried forward in a business combination. See BCG 7.7.2 for further information
on the measurement of property, plant, and equipment.
2.5.7.1
Government grants
Assets acquired with funding from a government grant should be recognised at fair
value without regard to the government grant. Similarly, if the government grant
provides an ongoing right to receive future benefits, that right should be measured at
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its acquisition date fair value and separately recognised. For a government grant to be
recognised as an asset, the grant should be uniquely available to the acquirer and not
dependent on future actions. The terms of the government grant should be evaluated
to determine whether there are on-going conditions or requirements that would
indicate that a liability exists. If a liability exists, the liability should be recognised at
its fair value on the acquisition date.
2.5.7.2
Consideration of decommissioning and site restoration costs

An acquirer may obtain long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, that
upon retirement require the acquirer to dismantle or remove the assets and restore
the site on which it is located (i.e., retirement obligations). If a retirement obligation
exists, it must be recognised at fair value (using market-participant assumptions),
which may be different than the amount recognised by the acquiree. If the fair value of
the asset is based on a quoted market price, and that market price implicitly includes
the costs that will be incurred in retiring the asset, then the fair value of the asset
retirement obligation will need to be added back to the net fair value of the asset.
For example, a nuclear power plant is acquired in a business combination. The
acquirer determines that a retirement obligation of CU100 million (fair value)
associated with the power plant exists. The appraiser has included the expected cash
outflows of the retirement obligation in the cash flow model, establishing the value of
the plant at CU500 million. That is, the appraised value of the power plant would be
CU100 million higher if the retirement obligation is disregarded. The acquirer would
record the power plant at its fair value of CU600 million and a liability of CU100
million for the retirement obligation.
2.5.8
Income taxes
Income taxes are identified as an exception to the recognition and fair value
measurement principles. The acquirer should record all deferred tax assets,
liabilities, and valuation allowances (U.S. GAAP) of the acquiree that are related to
any temporary differences, tax carryforwards, and uncertain tax positions in
accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (ASC 740) or IAS 12, Income Taxes (IAS 12),
[ASC 805-740-25-2 and ASC 805-740-30-1; IFRS 3.24,25].
Deferred tax liabilities are not recognised for nontax-deductible goodwill under
U.S. GAAP or IFRS. However, deferred tax liabilities should be recognised for
differences between the book and tax basis of indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Subsequent changes to deferred tax assets, liabilities, valuation allowances, or
liabilities for any income tax uncertainties of the acquiree will impact income tax
expense in the postcombination period unless the change is determined to be a
measurement period adjustment. See BCG 2.9 for further information on
measurement period adjustments.
Adjustments or changes to the acquirers deferred tax assets or liabilities as a result of
a business combination should be reflected in earnings [profit or loss] or, if
specifically permitted, charged to equity in the period subsequent to the acquisition.
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See BCG 5 for further information on the recognition of income taxes and other tax
issues.
2.5.9
Recognition of assets held-for-sale

Assets held-for-sale are an exception to the fair value measurement principle,
because they are measured at fair value less costs to sell (FVLCTS). A long-lived
asset [noncurrent asset] or group of assets (disposal group) may be classified and
measured as assets held-for-sale at the acquisition date if, from the acquirers
perspective, the classification criteria of the following have been met: ASC 360-10,
Property, Plant, and Equipment (ASC 360-10), for U.S. GAAP, and IFRS 5, Noncurrent Assets Held-for-sale and Discontinued Operations (IFRS 5), for IFRS.
ASC 360-10-45-12 and IFRS 5 provide specific criteria which, if met, would require
the acquirer to present newly-acquired assets as assets held-for-sale. The criteria
require a plan to dispose of the assets within a year and that it be probable [highly
probable] that the acquirer will meet the other held-for-sale criteria within a short
period of time after the acquisition date (usually within three months). The other
criteria include (1) management having the authority to approve an action commits to
sell the assets; (2) assets are available for immediate sale in their present condition,
subject only to sales terms that are usual and customary; (3) an active programme to
locate a buyer and actions to complete the sale are initiated; (4) assets are being
actively marketed; and (5) it is unlikely there will be significant changes to, or
withdrawal from, the plan to sell the assets [ASC 360-10-45-9; IFRS 5.7-8]. If the
criteria are not met, those assets should not be classified as assets held-for-sale until
all applicable criteria have been met. See BCG 10 for further information on
accounting for assets held-for-sale under U.S. GAAP.
2.5.10
Employee benefit plans

Employee benefit plans are an exception to the recognition and fair value
measurement principles. Employee benefit plan obligations are recognised and
measured in accordance with the guidance in applicable U.S. GAAP and IFRS, rather
than at fair value [ASC 805-20-25-22; IFRS 3.26]. Applicable guidance under U.S.
GAAP and IFRS includes:
ASC 420, Exit or Disposal Cost (ASC 420)
ASC 710, CompensationGeneral (ASC 710)
ASC 712, CompensationNonretirement Postemployment Benefits (ASC 712)
ASC 715, CompensationRetirement Benefits (ASC 715) [805-20-25-23 through

25-26]
IAS 19, Employee Benefits (IAS 19) [IFRS 3.26]
For companies applying U.S. GAAP, an acquirer should recognise an asset or liability
on the acquisition date for the funded status of any single-employer defined-benefit
plan sponsored by the acquiree that the acquirer will assume as part of a business
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combination. These plans include defined-benefit pension plans and other

postretirement and postemployment benefit plans. The funded status is measured as
the difference between the projected benefit obligation and the fair value of the plan
assets. ASC 805 amends ASC 715 to require that when measuring the funded status of
these plans, the acquirer exclude the effects of expected amendments, curtailments, or
terminations that the acquirer has no obligation to make in connection with the
business combination. However, the measurement of the projected benefit obligation
(pensions) or accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (postretirement benefits
other than pensions) and the fair value of the plan assets on the acquisition date
should reflect any other necessary changes in discount rates or other assumptions
based on the acquirers assessment of relevant future events [ASC 805-20-25-23, ASC
805-20-25-25, and ASC 805-20-30-15]. As a result, acquiree balances for
unrecognised prior service costs, actuarial gains or losses, or any remaining transition
obligations should not be carried forward on the acquisition date.
For U.S. GAAP under ASC 712, some employers may apply the recognition and
measurement guidance in ASC 715 to nonretirement postemployment benefit plans
(e.g., severance arrangements). In these situations, the ASC 712 plans of an acquiree
should be accounted for by the acquirer in a manner similar to the accounting for ASC
715 plans in a business combination.
For multiemployer plans, ASC 805 clarifies that the acquirer recognises a withdrawal
liability on the acquisition date under ASC 450 if it is probable at that date that the
acquirer will withdraw from a multiemployer plan in which the acquiree participates
[ASC 805-20-25-23]. The FASB acknowledged that the provisions for single-employer
and multiemployer plans are not necessarily consistent [FAS 141(R).B298].
For IFRS, if a business combination involves the assumption of defined-benefit
pension plans or other similar postretirement benefit plans, the acquirer should use
the present value of the defined-benefit obligations less the fair value of any plan
assets to determine the net employee benefit assets or liabilities to be recognised.
Similar to U.S. GAAP, acquiree balances should not be carried forward on the
acquisition date.
If there is a net employee-benefit asset, it is recognised only to the extent that it will be
available to the acquirer in the form of refunds from the plan or a reduction in future
contributions [IAS 19.64(b); IFRIC 14].
Settlements or curtailments are recognised in the measurement of the plans benefit
obligations only if the settlement or curtailment event has occurred by the acquisition
date [IAS 19.110]. A settlement occurs when an entity enters into a transaction that
eliminates all further legal or constructive obligation for all or part of the benefits
provided under a defined-benefit plan [IAS 19.111]. A curtailment occurs when an
entity is demonstrably committed to make a material reduction in the number of
employees covered by a plan, amends a defined-benefit plans terms such that a
material element of future service by current employees will no longer qualify for
benefits or will qualify only for reduced benefits [IAS 19.111]. Consistent with the
guidance in IAS 19, it would not be appropriate to recognise a settlement or
curtailment on the basis that it was probable. That is, expected settlements or
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curtailments by the acquirer of the acquirees plans would not be recognised until the
relevant requirements in IAS 19 are met.
Question 2-1
Can modifications to defined benefit pension plans be included as part of the
acquisition accounting in a business combination if the modifications are written into
the acquisition agreement as an obligation of the acquirer?
PwC response
The Standards generally require employee compensation costs for future services,
including pension costs, to be recognised in earnings [profit or loss] in the
postcombination period. Modifications to defined benefit pension plans are usually
done for the benefit of the acquirer. A transaction that primarily benefits the acquirer
is likely to be a separate transaction. Additionally, modifications to a defined benefit
pension plan would typically relate to future services of the employees. It is not
appropriate to analogize this situation to the exception in the Standards dealing with
share-based compensation arrangements. That exception allows the acquirer to
include a portion of the fair value based measure of replacement share-based payment
awards as consideration in acquisition accounting through an obligation created by a
provision written into the acquisition agreement. Such an exception should not be
applied to modifications to defined benefit pension plans under the scenario
described.
ASC 805-10-55-18 [IFRS 3.B50] provides further interpretive guidance of factors to
consider when evaluating what is part of a business combination, such as the reason
for the transaction, who initiated the transaction and the timing of the transaction.
See BCG 3.2 for further information on accounting for compensation arrangements.
2.5.11
Payables and debt

An acquirees payables and debt assumed by the acquirer are recognised at fair value
in a business combination. Short-term payables may be recorded based on their
settlement amounts in most situations since settlement amounts would be expected to
approximate fair value. However, the measurement of debt at fair value may result in
an amount different from what was recognised by the acquiree before the business
combination. See Chapter 7 for further discussion of the measurement of debt at fair
value.
Question 2-2
How should unamortized deferred financing costs of the acquiree be accounted for in
a business combination?
PwC response
Debt legally assumed by the acquirer in the acquisition should be recorded at fair
value, and any existing deferred financing costs would be eliminated. The accounting
treatment of the deferred financing costs in the financial statements of the acquiree
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requires careful consideration, particularly when debt is extinguished in connection

with the transaction.
2.5.12
Guarantees
All guarantees assumed in a business combination are recognised at fair value. Under
U.S. GAAP, the acquiree may not have recognised all of its guarantees under ASC 460,
Guarantees (ASC 460), as a result of the standards transition requirements, which
applied prospectively to guarantees issued or modified after 31 December 2002. The
transition provision does not apply to business combinations occurring after 31
December 2002 since all assumed guarantees are considered new arrangements for
the acquirer. Under ASC 460, an acquirer would relieve the guarantee liability
through earnings [profit or loss] using a systematic and rational manner as it is
released from risk unless the guarantee is not subject to the recognition provisions of
ASC 460 [ASC 460-10-25-1].
IFRS companies would follow IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and
Measurement (IAS 39), which requires guarantees to be subsequently accounted for
(unless they are measured at fair value with changes in fair value reported through
profit or loss, if permitted) at the higher of the amount determined in accordance with
IAS 37, and the amount initially recognised less, when appropriate, amortisation
recognised in accordance with IAS 18, Revenue (IAS 18).
2.5.13
Contingencies
Contingencies are existing conditions, situations, or sets of circumstances resulting in
uncertainty about a possible gain or loss that will be resolved if one or more future
events occur or fail to occur. The following is a summary of the accounting for
acquired contingencies under the Standards.
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Summary of accounting for contingencies

U.S. GAAP
Assets and liabilities
Initial accounting
(acquisition date):
Record at fair value if the acquisition date fair value

can be determined during the measurement period.
If the acquisition date fair value cannot be determined
during the measurement period, the asset or liability
should be recognised at the acquisition date if both of
the following criteria are met:
Information available before the end of the

measurement period indicates that it is probable
that an asset existed or a liability had been
incurred at the acquisition date. It is implicit in
this condition that it must be probable at the
acquisition date that one or more future events
confirming the existence of the asset or liability
will occur.
The amount of the asset or liability can be

reasonably estimated.
The above recognition criteria should be applied using

guidance provided in ASC 450 for the application of
the similar criteria in ASC 450-20-25-2.
If the above criteria are not met using information
that is available during the measurement period about
facts and circumstances that existed as of the
acquisition date, the acquirer should not recognise an
asset or liability at the acquisition date.
Subsequent accounting
(postcombination):
If recognised at fair value on the acquisition date, the

acquirer should develop a systematic and rational
basis for subsequently measuring and accounting for
assets and liabilities arising from contingencies
depending on their nature.
If recorded under ASC 450 on the acquisition date,
continue to follow the guidance in ASC 450.
If the acquirer does not recognise an asset or liability
at the acquisition date because none of the recognition
criteria are met, the acquirer should account for such
assets or liabilities in accordance with other GAAP,
including ASC 450, as appropriate.
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Summary of accounting for contingencies

IFRS
Liabilities only
Initial accounting
(acquisition date):
Record at fair value if it meets the definition of a

present obligation and is reliably measurable.
Recognised regardless of whether it is probable that
an outflow of resources will be required to settle the
obligation.
Subsequent accounting
(postcombination):
2.5.13.1
Recognised at the higher of (1) best estimate or

(2) acquisition date fair value less amortisation at the
end of each reporting period, with changes in value
included in profit or loss until settled.
Initial recognition and measurementU.S. GAAP

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from
contingencies will be recognised at fair value at the acquisition date if fair value can be
determined during the measurement period.
An acquirer often will have sufficient information to determine the fair value of
warranty obligations assumed in a business combination. Generally, an acquirer also
has sufficient information to determine the fair value of other contractual
contingencies assumed in a business combination, such as penalty provisions in a
leasing agreement. In contrast, the fair value of most legal contingencies assumed in a
business combination is not likely to be determinable.
If the acquisition date fair value of such assets acquired or liabilities assumed cannot
be determined during the measurement period, the asset or liability should be
recognised at the acquisition date if both of the following criteria are met:
Information available before the end of the measurement period indicates that it
is probable that an asset existed or a liability had been incurred at the acquisition
date. It is implicit in this condition that it must be probable at the acquisition date
that one or more future events confirming the existence of the asset or liability
will occur.
The amount of asset or liability can be reasonably estimated.
The above recognition criteria should be applied using guidance provided in ASC 450
for the application of the similar criteria in ASC 450-20-25-2.
If the above criteria are not met based on information that is available during the
measurement period about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition
date, the acquirer cannot recognise an asset or liability at the acquisition date. In
periods after the acquisition date, the acquirer should account for such assets or
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liabilities in accordance with other GAAP, including ASC 450, as appropriate.

Contingent assets generally do not meet the ASC 450 recognition criteria.
2.5.13.2
Subsequent measurementU.S. GAAP

The acquirer should develop a systematic and rational approach for subsequently
measuring and accounting for assets and liabilities arising from contingencies that
may have been recognised at fair value on the date of acquisition. The approach
should be consistent with the nature of the asset or liability. For example, the method
developed for the subsequent accounting for warranty obligations may be similar to
methods that have been used in practice to subsequently account for guarantees that
are initially recognised at fair value under ASC 460-10-35-2. Judgment is required to
determine the method for subsequently accounting for assets and liabilities arising
from contingencies. However, it would not be appropriate to recognise an acquired
contingency at fair value on the acquisition date and then in the immediate
subsequent period value the acquired contingency in accordance with ASC 450, with a
resulting gain or loss for the difference. In addition, subsequently measuring an
acquired asset or liability at fair value is not considered to be a systematic or rational
approach, unless required by other GAAP.
Companies will need to develop policies for transitioning from the initial fair value
measurement of assets or liabilities arising from contingencies on the acquisition date
to subsequent measurement and accounting at amounts other than fair value, in
accordance with other GAAP.
Examples 2-6 to 2-8 illustrate the recognition and measurement of acquired
contingencies under three scenarios.
EXAMPLE 2-6
Recognition and measurement of a warranty obligationfair value can be determined
on the acquisition date
On 30 June 20X4, Company A purchases all of Company Bs outstanding equity
shares for cash. Company Bs products include a standard three-year warranty. An
active market does not exist for the transfer of the warranty obligation or similar
warranty obligations. Company A expects that the majority of the warranty
expenditures associated with products sold in the last three years will be incurred in
the remainder of 20X4 and in 20X5 and that all will be incurred by the end of 20X6.
Based on Company Bs historical experience with the products in question and
Company As own experience with similar products, Company A estimates the
potential undiscounted amount of all future payments that it could be required to
make under the warranty arrangements.
Analysis
Company A has the ability to estimate the expenditures associated with the warranty
obligation assumed from Company B as well as the period over which those
expenditures will be incurred. Company A would generally conclude that the fair value
of the liability arising from the warranty obligation can be determined at the
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acquisition date and would determine the fair value of the liability to be recognised at
the acquisition date by applying a valuation technique prescribed by ASC 820. In the
postcombination period, Company A would subsequently account for and measure the
warranty obligation using a systematic and rational approach. A consideration in
developing such an approach is Company As historical experience and the expected
value of claims in each period as compared to the total expected claims over the entire
period.
EXAMPLE 2-7
Recognition and measurement of a litigation related contingencyfair value cannot be
determined on the acquisition date
In a business combination, Company C assumes a contingency of Company D related
to employee litigation. Based upon discovery proceedings to date and advice from its
legal counsel, Company C believes that it is reasonably possible that Company D is
legally responsible and will be required to pay damages. Neither Company C nor
Company D have had previous experience in dealing with this type of employee
litigation, and Company Cs attorney has advised that results in this type of case can
vary significantly depending on the specific facts and circumstances of the case. An
active market does not exist to transfer the potential liability arising from this type of
lawsuit to a third party. Company C has concluded that on the acquisition date, and at
the end of the measurement period, adequate information is not available to
determine the fair value of the lawsuit.
Analysis
A contingent liability for the employee litigation is not recognised at fair value on the
acquisition date. Company C would not record a liability by analogy to ASC 450-2025-2, because it has determined that an unfavourable outcome is reasonably possible,
but not probable. Therefore, Company C would recognise a liability in the
postcombination period when the recognition and measurement criteria in ASC 450
are met.
EXAMPLE 2-8
Recognition and measurement of a litigation related contingencydecision to settle
on the acquisition date
Assume the same fact pattern in Example 2-7 above, except that Company C has
decided to pay CU1 million to settle the liability on the acquisition date to avoid
damage to its brand or further costs associated with the allocation of resources and
time to defend the case in the future.
Analysis
Company C would record the liability on the acquisition date at CU1 million. Company
Cs decision to pay a settlement amount indicates that it is now probable that
Company C has incurred a liability on the acquisition date and that the amount of the
liability can be reasonably estimated in accordance with ASC 450.
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2.5.13.3
Contingent liabilitiesIFRS
Contingent liabilities are either possible or present obligations as defined in IAS 37.
Possible obligations are obligations that arise from past events whose existence will be
confirmed only by the occurrence or nonoccurrence of one or more uncertain future
events not wholly within the control of any entity [IFRS 3.22]. Present obligations are
legal or constructive obligations that result from a past event [IFRS 3.22].
An acquirer recognises at fair value on the acquisition date all contingent liabilities
assumed that are present obligations that also are reliably measurable [IFRS 3.23].
Contingent assets and possible obligations assumed are not recognised by the acquirer
on the acquisition date.
In the reporting periods subsequent to the acquisition date, contingencies recognised
at the acquisition date are measured at the higher of (1) the amount that would be
recognised under IAS 37 (i.e., best estimate) or (2) the amount initially recorded less
cumulative amortisation recognised in accordance with IAS 18 [IFRS 3.56].
2.5.14
Indemnification assets
Indemnification assets are an exception to the recognition and fair value
measurement principles because indemnification assets are recognised and measured
differently than other contingent assets. Indemnification assets (sometimes referred
to as seller indemnifications) may be recognised if the seller contractually
indemnifies, in whole or in part, the buyer for a particular uncertainty, such as a
contingent liability or an uncertain tax position.
The recognition and measurement of an indemnification asset is based on the related
indemnified item. That is, the acquirer should recognise an indemnification asset at
the same time that it recognises the indemnified item, measured on the same basis as
the indemnified item, subject to collectibility or contractual limitations on the
indemnified amount. Therefore, if the indemnification relates to an asset or a liability
that is recognised at the acquisition date and measured at its acquisition date fair
value, the acquirer should recognise the indemnification asset at its acquisition date
fair value on the acquisition date. If an indemnification asset is measured at fair value,
a separate valuation allowance is not necessary because its fair value measurement
will reflect any uncertainties in future cash flows resulting from collectibility
considerations [ASC 805-20-30-18; IFRS 3.27]. Indemnification assets recognised on
the acquisition date (or at the same time as the indemnified item) continue to be
measured on the same basis as the related indemnified item subject to collectibility
and contractual limitations on the indemnified amount until they are collected, sold,
cancelled, or expire in the postcombination period [ASC 805-20-35-4, ASC 805-2040-3; IFRS 3.57].
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Question 2-3
How should a buyer account for an indemnification from the seller when the
indemnified item has not met the criteria to be recognised on the acquisition date?
PwC response
The Standards state that an indemnification asset should be recognised at the same
time as the indemnified item. Therefore, if the indemnified item has not met the
recognition criteria as of the acquisition date, an indemnification asset should not be
recognised. If the indemnified item is recognised subsequent to the acquisition, the
indemnification asset would then also be recognised on the same basis as the
indemnified item subject to managements assessment of the collectibility of the
indemnification asset and any contractual limitations on the indemnified amount.
This accounting would be applicable even if the indemnified item is recognised
outside of the measurement period.
Question 2-4
Does an indemnification arrangement need to be specified in the acquisition
agreement to achieve indemnification accounting?
PwC response
Indemnification accounting can still apply even if the indemnification arrangement is
the subject of a separate agreement. Indemnification accounting applies as long as the
arrangement is entered into on the acquisition date, is an agreement reached between
the acquirer and seller, and relates to a specific contingency or uncertainty of the
acquired business, or is in connection with the business combination.
Question 2-5
Should acquisition consideration held in escrow for the sellers satisfaction of general
representation and warranties be accounted for as an indemnification asset?
PwC response
General representations and warranties would not typically relate to any contingency
or uncertainty related to a specific asset or liability of the acquired business.
Therefore, in most cases, the amounts held in escrow for the sellers satisfaction of
general representations and warranties would not be accounted for as an
indemnification asset.
EXAMPLE 2-9
Recognition and measurement of an indemnification asset
As part of an acquisition, the seller provides an indemnification to the acquirer for
potential losses from an environmental matter related to the acquiree. The contractual
terms of the seller indemnification provide for the reimbursement of any losses
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Acquisition method
greater than CU100 million. There are no issues surrounding the collectibility of the
arrangement from the seller. A contingent liability of CU110 million is recognised by
the acquirer on the acquisition date using similar criteria to ASC 450-20-25-2 because
the fair value of the contingent liability could not be determined during the
measurement period. At the next reporting period, the amount recognised for the
environmental liability is increased to CU115 million based on new information.
Analysis
The seller indemnification should be considered an indemnification asset and should
be recognised and measured on a similar basis as the related environmental
contingency. On the acquisition date, an indemnification asset of CU10 million
(CU110CU100), is recognised. At the next reporting period after the acquisition date,
the indemnification asset is increased to CU15 million (CU115 less CU100), with the
CU5 million adjustment offsetting the earnings [profit or loss] impact of the CU5
million increase in the contingent liability.
2.5.15
Recognition of liabilities related to restructurings or exit activities

Liabilities related to restructurings or exit activities of the acquiree should only be
recognised at the acquisition date if they are preexisting liabilities of the acquiree and
were not incurred for the benefit of the acquirer. Absent these conditions, including a
plan for restructuring or exit activities in the purchase agreement does not create an
obligation for accounting purposes to be assumed by the acquirer at the acquisition
date. Liabilities and the related expense for restructurings or exit activities that are
not preexisting liabilities of the acquiree should be recognised through earnings
[profit or loss] in the postcombination period when all applicable criteria of ASC 420
or IAS 37 have been met [ASC 805-20-25-2; IFRS 3.11]. Liabilities related to
restructuring or exit activities that were recorded by the acquiree after negotiations to
sell the company began should be assessed to determine whether such restructurings
or exit activities were done in contemplation of the acquisition for the benefit of the
acquirer. If the restructuring activities was done for the benefit of the acquirer, the
acquirer should account for the restructuring activities as a separate transaction.
Refer to ASC 805-10-55-18 and IFRS 3.B50 paragraph B50 of IFRS 3 for more
guidance on separate transactions.
Examples 2-10 and 2-11 illustrate the recognition and measurement of liabilities
related to restructuring or exit activities.
EXAMPLE 2-10
Restructuring efforts of the acquiree vs. restructuring efforts of the acquirer
On the acquisition date, an acquiree has an existing liability/obligation related to a
restructuring that was initiated one year before the business combination was
contemplated. In addition, in connection with the acquisition, the acquirer identified
several operating locations to close and selected employees of the acquiree to
terminate to realise certain anticipated synergies from combining operations in the
postcombination period. Six months after the acquisition date, the obligation for this
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restructuring action is recognised, as the recognition criteria under ASC 420 and IAS
37 are met.
Analysis
The acquirer would account for the two restructurings as follows:
Restructuring initiated by the acquiree: The acquirer would recognise the

previously recorded restructuring liability at fair value as part of the business
combination, since it is an obligation of the acquiree at the acquisition date.
Restructuring initiated by the acquirer: The acquirer would recognise the effect of
the restructuring in earnings [profit or loss] in the postcombination period, rather
than as part of the business combination. Since the restructuring is not an
obligation at the acquisition date, the restructuring does not meet the definition of
a liability and is not a liability assumed in the business combination.
EXAMPLE 2-11
Sellers reimbursement of acquirers postcombination restructuring costs
The sale and purchase agreement for a business combination contains a provision for
the seller to reimburse the acquirer for certain qualifying costs of restructuring the
acquiree during the postcombination period. Although it is probable that qualifying
restructuring costs will be incurred by the acquirer, there is no liability for
restructuring that meets the recognition criteria at the combination date.
Analysis
The reimbursement right is a separate arrangement and not part of the business
combination because the restructuring action was initiated by the acquirer for the
future economic benefit of the combined entity. The purchase price for the business
must be allocated (on a reasonable basis such as relative fair value) to the amount
paid for the acquiree and the amount paid for the reimbursement right. The
reimbursement right should be recognised as an asset on the acquisition date with
cash receipts from the seller recognised as settlements. The acquirer should expense
postcombination restructuring costs in its postcombination consolidated financial
statements.
2.5.16
Deferred or unearned revenue

The acquirer recognises a liability related to deferred revenue only to the extent that
the deferred revenue represents an obligation assumed by the acquirer (i.e., obligation
to provide goods, services, or the right to use an asset or some other concession or
consideration given to a customer). The liability related to deferred revenue should be
based on the fair value of the obligation on the acquisition date, which may differ from
the amount previously recognised by the acquiree. See BCG 7.7.7 for further
information on deferred or unearned revenue.
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2.5.17
Deferred charges arising from leases

The balance sheet of an acquiree before the acquisition date may include deferred rent
related to an operating lease. The recognition of deferred rent is the result of the
existing accounting guidance to generally recognise lease income (lessor) or expense
(lessee) on a straight-line basis if lease terms include increasing or escalating lease
payments [ASC 840-20-25-2; IAS 17.33]. The acquirer should not recognise the
acquirees deferred rent using the acquisition method because it does not meet the
definition of an asset or liability. The acquirer may record deferred rent starting from
the acquisition date in the postcombination period based on the terms of the assumed
lease.
Example 2-12 illustrates the recognition of deferred rent in a business combination.
EXAMPLE 2-12
Recognition of deferred rent
On the acquisition date, Company A assumes an acquirees operating lease. The
acquiree is the lessee. The terms of the lease are:
Four-year lease term
Lease payments are:

o
Year 1: CU100
Year 2: CU200
Year 3: CU300
Year 4: CU400
On the acquisition date, the lease had a remaining contractual life of two years, and
the acquiree had recognised a CU2001 liability for deferred rent. For the purpose of
this example, other identifiable intangible assets and liabilities related to the
operating lease are ignored.
Analysis
Company A does not recognise any amounts related to the acquirees deferred rent
liability on the acquisition date. However, the terms of the acquirees lease will give
rise to deferred rent in the postcombination period. Company A will record a deferred
rent liability of CU502 at the end of the first year after the acquisition.
Deferred rent of the acquiree: straight-line expense of CU500 (((CU100 + CU200 + CU300 + CU400) / 4)
x 2 years) less cash payments of CU300 (CU100 + CU200) = CU200.
2 Deferred rent of the acquirer: straight-line expense of CU350 (((CU300 + CU400) / 2) x 1 year) less cash
payments of CU300 (year 3 of lease) = CU50.
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Although deferred rent of the acquiree is not recognised in a business combination,

the acquirer may recognise an intangible asset or liability related to the lease,
depending on its nature or terms. See Chapter 4 for additional guidance on the
accounting for leases in a business combination.
2.5.18
Classifying or designating identifiable assets and liabilities

The Standards provide the following principle with regard to classifying or designating
the identifiable net assets acquired:
At the acquisition date, the acquirer shall classify or designate the identifiable assets
acquired and liabilities assumed as necessary to subsequently apply other GAAP
[IFRSs subsequently]. The acquirer shall make those classifications or designations on
the basis of the contractual terms, economic conditions, its operating or accounting
policies, and other pertinent conditions as they exist at the acquisition date.
The acquirer must classify or designate identifiable assets acquired, liabilities
assumed, and other arrangements on the acquisition date, as necessary, to apply the
appropriate accounting in the postcombination period. The classification or
designation should be based on all pertinent factors, such as contractual terms,
economic conditions, and the acquirers operating or accounting policies, as of the
acquisition date [ASC 805-20-25-6; IFRS 3.15]. The acquirers designation or
classification of an asset or liability may result in accounting different from the
historical accounting used by the acquiree. For example:
Classifying assets held-for-sale: As discussed in BCG 2.5.9, the classification

of assets held-for-sale is based on whether the acquirer has met, or will meet, all
of the necessary criteria.
Classifying investments as trading, available for sale, or held to

maturity: Investment securities are classified based on the acquirers investment
strategies and intent in accordance with ASC 320, InvestmentsDebt and Equity
Securities (ASC 320), or IAS 39 [ASC 805-20-25-7; IFRS 3.16].
Reevaluation of the acquirees contracts: The identification of embedded

derivatives and the determination of whether they should be recognised
separately from the contract is based on the facts and circumstances existing on
the acquisition date [ASC 805-20-25-7; IFRS 3.16].
Designation and redesignation of the acquirees precombination

hedging relationships: The decision to apply hedge accounting is based on the
acquirers intent and the terms and value of the derivative instruments to be used
as hedges on the acquisition date [ASC 805-20-25-7; IFRS 3.16].
See BCG 2.5.18.1 for further information on the classification or designation of

derivatives on the acquisition date.
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The Standards provide two exceptions to the classification or designation principle:
Classification of leases as operating or capital [finance] in accordance with ASC

840, and IAS 17.
Classification of contracts as an insurance or reinsurance contract or a deposit

contract within the scope of ASC 944, Financial ServicesInsurance (ASC 944),
and IFRS 4, Insurance Contracts (IFRS 4). See BCG 13 for further information.
The classification of these contracts is based on either the contractual terms and other
factors at contract inception or the date (which could be the acquisition date) that a
modification of these contracts triggered a change in their classification in accordance
with the applicable U.S. GAAP or IFRS [ASC 805-20-25-8; IFRS 3.17].
2.5.18.1
Financial instrumentsclassification or designation of financial

instruments and hedging relationships
An acquiree may have a variety of financial instruments that meet the definition of a
derivative instrument. The type and purpose of these instruments will typically
depend on the nature of the acquirees business activities and risk management
practices. These financial instruments may have been (1) scoped out of ASC 815,
Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815), or IAS 39, (2) used in hedging relationships, (3)
used in an economic hedging relationship, or (4) used in trading operations.
Generally, the pre-acquisition accounting for the acquirees financial instruments is
not relevant to the postcombination accounting by the acquirer. Several issues could
arise with respect to an acquirees financial instruments and hedging relationships
and the subsequent accounting by the acquiring entity. The key issues are summarised
below:
PwC
Reevaluation of the acquirees contracts: All contracts and arrangements of

the acquiree need to be reevaluated at the acquisition date to determine if any
contracts are derivatives or contain embedded derivatives that need to be
separated and accounted for as financial instruments. This includes reviewing
contracts that qualify for the normal purchases and sales exception and
documenting the basis for making such an election. The determination is made
based on the facts and circumstances at the date of the acquisition.
Designation and redesignation of the acquirees precombination

hedging relationships: To obtain hedge accounting for the acquirees
precombination hedging relationships, the acquirer will need to designate hedging
relationships anew and prepare new contemporaneous documentation for each.
The derivative instrument may not match the newly designated hedged item as
closely as it does the acquirees item.
Potential inability to apply the short-cut methodU.S. GAAP: Previous

hedging relationships may not be eligible for the short-cut method because, upon
redesignation of the hedging relationship, the derivative instrument will likely
have a fair value other than zero (positive or negative) on the acquisition date,
which will prevent the hedge from qualifying for the short-cut method.
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Acquisition method
2.5.19
Long-term construction contracts

An acquiree may have long-term construction contracts that are in process on the
acquisition date. These contracts should be recognised at fair value, as defined in ASC
820 [IFRS 13] as. Under ASC 820 [IFRS 13], the price that would be paid (received) to
transfer the obligations (rights) to a market-participant should be utilised to measure
the contracts at fair value. The fair value of acquired long-term construction contracts
is not impacted by the acquirees method of accounting for the contracts before the
acquisition or the acquirers planned accounting methodology in the postcombination
period (i.e., the fair value is determined using market-participant assumptions).
Subsequent to the acquisition, the acquirer should account for the acquired contracts
in accordance with ASC 605-35, Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts
(ASC 605-35) [IAS 11, Construction Contracts (IAS 11)]. For U.S. GAAP companies,
the method chosen by the acquirer under ASC 605-35 is not an accounting policy
election and should be determined based on the facts and circumstances of each
contract. Intangible assets and liabilities may also arise from acquired contracts. See
Chapter 4 for further discussion of the accounting for contract-related intangible
assets.
2.5.19.1
Percentage of completion method

In applying ASC 605-35 [IAS 11], the estimate of the acquired contracts percentage of
completion used to recognise revenue and costs should be based upon the acquirers
estimate of the remaining effort required after the acquisition date to complete the
contract. Contract-related intangible assets or liabilities recognised in the business
combination should be amortised over the remaining term of the contract after
acquisition.
2.5.19.2
Completed contract methodU.S. GAAP only

ASC 605-35 requires billings and costs to be accumulated on the balance sheet while
the contract is in progress. Once the project is complete, or substantially complete, the
revenue and costs of revenue should be recognised. Upon the completion of the
project, revenue recognised should equal total billings after the acquisition less the
amortisation of the intangible contract asset (or liability). Costs recognised upon
contract completion (costs of revenues) should equal costs incurred in the
postcombination period. The intangible asset that arises as a result of the delayed
revenue and costs of revenue should generally not be amortised until the project is
completed. IFRS does not allow for the use of the completed contract method.
2.6
Recognising and measuring goodwill or a

gain from a bargain purchase
This section will discuss the computation of goodwill, which continues to be measured
as a residual. The computation of bargain purchase gains is discussed in BCG 2.6.2.
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2.6.1
Goodwill
Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other
assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and
separately recognised [ASC 805-10-20; IFRS 3.A]. The amount of goodwill recognised
is also impacted by measurement differences resulting from certain assets and
liabilities not being recorded at fair value (e.g., income taxes, employee benefits).
The Standards provide the following principle to measure goodwill:
The acquirer shall recognise goodwill as of the acquisition date, measured as the
excess of (a) over (b):
a.
The aggregate of the following:

1.
The consideration transferred measured in accordance with this Section

[IFRS], which generally requires acquisition-date fair value ([see] paragraph
805-30-30-7 [37])
2. The fair value [amount] of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree

[measured in accordance with this IFRS; and]
3. In a business combination achieved in stages [(see paragraphs 41 and 42)],
the acquisition-date fair value of the acquirers previously held equity interest
in the acquiree.
b. The net of the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the
liabilities assumed measured in accordance with this Topic [IFRS].
Goodwill acquired in a business combination is recognised as an asset and is not

amortised. Instead, goodwill is subject to annual impairment tests, or more
frequently, if there is an indication of impairment, based on the guidance in ASC 350,
IntangiblesGoodwill and Other (ASC 350), and IAS 36, Impairment of Assets (IAS
36). See Chapters 10 and 11 for a discussion of goodwill impairment testing for U.S.
GAAP and IFRS companies, respectively.
If the amount calculated under this approach is negative, a bargain purchase may
have occurred.
2.6.2
Bargain purchase
Bargain purchases occur if the acquisition date amounts of the identifiable net assets
acquired, excluding goodwill, exceed the sum of (1) the value of consideration
transferred, (2) the value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, and (3) the
fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree. The Standards
require the recognition of a gain for a bargain purchase [ASC 805-30-25-2; IFRS
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3.34]. The Boards believe that a bargain purchase represents an economic gain, which
should be immediately recognised by the acquirer in earnings [profit or loss] [FAS
141(R).B372; IFRS 3.BC372].
If a bargain purchase is initially identified, the acquirer should reassess whether all of
the assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been identified and recognised,
including any additional assets and liabilities not previously identified or recognised
in the acquisition accounting. Once completed, the acquirer should review the
procedures used to measure the following items:
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, if any
Acquirers previously held equity interest in the acquiree, if any
Consideration transferred [ASC 805-30-30-5; IFRS 3.36]
The objective of reviewing the above items is to ensure that the measurements used to
determine a bargain purchase gain reflect all available information as of the
acquisition date [ASC 805-30-30-6; IFRS 3.36]. If after this review, a bargain
purchase is still indicated, it should be recognised in earnings [profit or loss] and
attributed to the acquirer [ASC 805-30-25-2; IFRS 3.34]. A bargain purchase gain is
not recognised as an extraordinary item. The Standards require disclosure of (1) the
amount of the gain, (2) the line item where the gain is recognised, and (3) a
description of the reasons why the transaction resulted in a bargain purchase gain
[ASC 805-30-50-1; IFRS 3.B64(n)].
For example, Company A acquires 100 percent of Company B for CU150 million in
cash. The preliminary fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired is CU160
million. After assessing whether all the identifiable net assets have been identified and
recognised and reviewing the measurement of (1) those identifiable net assets, and (2)
the consideration transferred, Company A adjusted the value of the identifiable net
assets acquired to CU155 million. Company A, as part of the acquisition accounting,
should recognise a CU5 million bargain purchase gain (CU155CU150), which is the
amount that the acquisition date amounts of the identifiable net assets acquired
exceeds the consideration transferred.
2.6.3
Measuring and recognising consideration transferred

Consideration transferred is generally measured at fair value. 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 of the acquiree (except for the
measurement of share-based payment awards, see BCG 2.6.3.1). Examples of
consideration transferred include cash, other assets, contingent consideration, a
subsidiary or a business of the acquirer transferred to the seller, common or preferred
equity instruments, options, warrants, and member interests of mutual entities [ASC
805-30-30-7; IFRS 3.37].
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There may be circumstances where the consideration exchanged in a business

combination is only equity interests and the value of the acquirees equity interests are
more reliably measurable than the value of the acquirers equity interest. This may
occur when a private company acquires a public company with a quoted and reliable
market price. If so, the acquirer shall determine the amount of goodwill by using the
acquisition date fair value of the acquirees equity interests instead of the acquisition
date fair value of the equity interests transferred [ASC 805-30-30-2; IFRS 3.33].
In a business combination that does not involve the transfer of consideration, the fair
value of the acquirers interest in the acquiree (determined by using valuation
techniques) should be used in the measurement of goodwill [ASC 805-30-30-3; IFRS
3.33]. See Chapter 7 for a discussion of valuation techniques.
2.6.3.1
Share-based payment awards

An acquirer may exchange its share-based payment awards for awards held by
employees of the acquiree. All or a portion of the value of the share-based payment
awards may be included in the measurement of consideration transferred, depending
upon the various terms and provisions of the awards. Share-based payment awards
are identified as a measurement exception because these awards are measured in
accordance with ASC 718, CompensationStock Compensation (ASC 718), for U.S.
GAAP, and IFRS 2, Share-Based Payment (IFRS 2) for IFRS. Recognition and
measurement of share-based payments is discussed further in Chapter 3.
2.6.3.2
Consideration transferred includes other assets and liabilities of the

acquirer
Other assets (e.g., nonmonetary assets) and liabilities of the acquirer may be
transferred as part of the purchase consideration in some business combinations. If
other assets or liabilities of the acquirer are part of the consideration transferred, the
difference between the fair value and the carrying value of these other assets or
liabilities is typically recognised as a gain or loss in the financial statements of the
acquirer at the date of acquisition. However, sometimes the transferred assets or
liabilities remain within the combined entity after the business combination (e.g.,
because the assets or liabilities were transferred to the acquiree rather than to its
former owners), and the acquirer, therefore, retains control of them. In that situation,
the acquirer shall measure those transferred assets and liabilities at their carrying
amounts immediately before the acquisition date and shall not recognise a gain or
loss in earnings [profit or loss] on assets or liabilities it controls before and after the
business combination [ASC 805-30-30-8; IFRS 3.38].
2.6.4
Contingent consideration
Contingent consideration generally represents an obligation of the acquirer to transfer
additional assets or equity interests to the selling shareholders if future events occur
or conditions are met [ASC 805-10-20; IFRS 3.A]. Contingent consideration can also
take the form of a right of the acquirer to the return of previously transferred assets or
equity interests from the sellers of the acquired business. It is often used to enable the
buyer and seller to agree on the terms of a business combination, even though the
ultimate value of the business has not been determined. Any payments made or shares
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transferred to the sellers of the acquired business should be evaluated to determine

whether they should be accounted for separately from the business combination.
Contingent consideration that is paid to sellers that remain employed and linked to
future services is generally considered compensation cost and recorded in the
postcombination period. See BCG 2.6.4.4 and BCG 3 for further information on
compensation arrangements.
2.6.4.1
Contingent considerationU.S. GAAP

Contingent consideration is recognised and measured at fair value as of the
acquisition date [ASC 805-30-25-5]. An acquirers contingent right to receive a return
of some consideration paid (i.e., contingently returnable consideration) is recognised
as an asset and measured at fair value [ASC 805-30-25-5, ASC 805-30-25-7].
An acquirers obligation to pay contingent consideration should be classified as a
liability or in shareholders equity in accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing
Liabilities from Equity (ASC 480), ASC 815, or other applicable U.S. GAAP [ASC 80530-25-6]. A contingent consideration arrangement may be a freestanding instrument
or an embedded feature within another arrangement.
The accounting for contingent consideration in the postcombination period is
impacted by its classification as an asset, liability, or equity, which is determined
based on the nature of the instrument. Excluding adjustments to contingent
consideration that qualify as measurement period adjustments (see BCG 2.9),
accounting for contingent consideration in the postcombination period is as follows:
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Contingent consideration classified as an asset or liability: Contingent

consideration classified as either an asset or liability is measured initially and
subsequently at each reporting date at fair value. Changes in the fair value of
contingent consideration are recognised in earnings until the contingent
consideration arrangement is resolved.
Contingent consideration classified as equity: Equity-classified contingent

consideration is measured initially at fair value on the acquisition date and is not
remeasured subsequent to initial recognition. Settlement of the equity-classified
contingent consideration is accounted for within equity. In other words, the initial
value recognised for an equity-classified contingent consideration arrangement on
the acquisition date is not adjusted, even if the fair value of the arrangement on
the settlement date is different [ASC 805-30-35-1]. There may be situations where
contingent consideration is settled by issuing an entitys own equity securities, but
the arrangement is accounted for as a liability. These situations include
arrangements that are settled with a variable number of an acquirers equity
shares and that create (1) a fixed obligation known at inception, (2) an obligation,
the amount of which varies inversely to changes in the fair value of the acquirers
equity shares, or (3) an obligation, the amount of which varies based on
something other than the fair value of the acquirers equity shares. For example, a
fixed monetary amount to be settled in a variable number of shares determined by
reference to the share price on the settlement date would be a liability. See BCG
7.7.6 for further information regarding the measurement of share-settled
contingent consideration.
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Question 2-6
Should acquisition consideration held in escrow for the sellers satisfaction of general
representation and warranties be accounted for as contingent consideration?
PwC response
Contingent consideration is defined in ASC 805-10-20 [IFRS 3] as an obligation of the
acquirer to transfer additional assets or equity interests to the former owners of an
acquiree as part of the exchange for control of the acquiree if specified future events
occur or conditions are met. As such, payments for the settlement of consideration
based on facts and circumstances that existed on the acquisition date would not meet
this definition. Absent evidence to the contrary, general representations and
warranties would be expected to be valid as of the acquisition date. Therefore, in most
cases, the amounts held in escrow should be included in the acquisition accounting as
part of the consideration transferred by the acquirer. In addition, an acquirer should
carefully evaluate the legal terms of the escrow arrangement to determine whether it
should present the amounts held in escrow as an asset on its balance sheet.
Question 2-7
Should consideration that will be transferred or received based on changes in working
capital be considered contingent consideration?
PwC reponse
A working capital adjustment is typically included in a purchase and sale agreement as
a means of agreeing on the amount of working capital that existed (and was acquired)
on the acquisition date. Similar to general representation and warranty provisions, the
subsequent determination of working capital that existed on the acquisition date does
not relate to future events or conditions (i.e., events occurring or conditions being met
after the acquisition date) and therefore is not contingent consideration. Accordingly,
payments or receipts for changes in provisional amounts for working capital would be
recognised as an adjustment of consideration transferred by the acquirer in its
acquisition accounting.
Determining classification of contingent consideration arrangements
between liabilities and equityU.S. GAAP
A contingent consideration arrangement that is required to be settled in cash or other
assets should be classified as a liability. A contingent consideration arrangement that
is required to be (or at the issuers option can be) settled in shares is classified as a
liability or as equity. Determining the classification of a contingent consideration
arrangement that is expected to be settled in an entitys own shares as a liability or
equity at the acquisition date can be complex and will require analysis of the facts and
circumstances of each transaction. A company should determine the appropriate
classification of a contingent consideration arrangement only after it has evaluated the
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criteria in ASC 480, ASC 815-40,1 and ASC 815-40-15.2 The accounting guidance
described below is not meant to establish a hierarchy or specific steps in the decision
making process. All appropriate authoritative guidance should be considered in
determining the classification of a contingent consideration arrangement.
A financial instrument in the scope of ASC 480 should be classified as a liability.
Financial instruments in the scope of ASC 480 are:
Mandatorily redeemable financial instruments
Obligations to repurchase the issuers equity shares by transferring assets
Obligations to issue a variable number of shares that meet certain criteria
As it relates to the third point, an obligation to issue a variable number of shares

relates to a financial instrument that embodies an unconditional obligation, or a
financial instrument other than an outstanding share that embodies a conditional
obligation, that the issuer must or may settle by issuing a variable number of its equity
shares, if, at inception, the monetary value of the obligation is based solely or
predominantly3 on any of the following:
A fixed monetary amount known at inception, for example, a payable settleable

with a variable number of the issuers equity shares
Variations in something other than the fair value of the issuers equity shares, for
example, a financial instrument indexed to the S&P 500 and settleable with a
variable number of the issuers equity shares
Variations inversely related to changes in the fair value of the issuers equity
shares, for example, a written put option that could be net share settled
If a financial instrument is not classified as a liability under ASC 480, it is not

automatically classified in shareholders equity. The financial instrument may be
classified as a liability under other U.S. GAAP, such as the guidance in ASC 815, which
applies to both freestanding instruments and certain embedded features. If the
arrangement is in the scope of ASC 815, it would be considered a derivative
instrument and classified as a liability. The arrangement would have the
characteristics of a derivative instrument if it (1) has one or more underlyings and
notional amounts, (2) has an initial investment that is less by more than a nominal
amount4 than the initial net investment that would be required to acquire the asset
2-40
Originally EITF 00-19.
Originally EITF 07-5.
Our view is that predominantly may be interpreted as either a threshold equivalent to more likely than
not or may be interpreted as a relatively high threshold, provided that once a position is adopted by an
entity, the position is applied consistently across all instruments and from period to period.
The FASB did not provide guidance on what constitutes an initial investment that is less by more than a
nominal amount. In practice, however, an initial net investment equal to or less than 90 to 95 percent of
the amount that would be exchanged to acquire the asset or incur the obligation would generally satisfy
the initial net investment criterion for inclusion as a derivative in the scope of ASC 815. We believe many
contingent consideration arrangements would satisfy this criterion.
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Acquisition method
and (3) can be settled net by means outside the contract such that it is readily
convertible to cash (or its terms implicitly or explicitly require or permit net
settlement).
Many equity-settled arrangements are in the scope of ASC 815; however, there are
exceptions. The primary exception that would impact contingent consideration
arrangements is found in ASC 815-10-15-74, which states that arrangements that are
both (1) indexed to an entitys own shares and (2) classified in shareholders equity in
the entitys financial statements are not considered derivative instruments and would
not be classified as a liability. ASC 815-40-15 provides guidance for determining
whether an instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to an entitys own shares.
ASC 815-40 provides guidance for determining whether the instrument (or embedded
feature), if indexed to an entitys own shares, should be classified in shareholders
equity.
Determining whether an instrument is indexed to an entitys own shares
In determining whether the instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to an
entitys own shares, ASC 815-40-15 requires an entity to apply a two-step approach.
The first step relates to the evaluation of the arrangements contingent exercise
provision. An exercise contingency is a provision that entitles an entity (or
counterparty) to exercise an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature)
based on changes in the underlying, including the occurrence (or nonoccurrence) of
an event. Provisions that permit, accelerate, extend, or eliminate the entitys (or the
counterpartys) ability to exercise an instrument are examples of contingent exercise
provisions. The second step relates to the evaluation of the arrangements settlement
provisions.
Under the first step of ASC 815-40-15, if the exercise contingency is based on (a) an
observable market, other than the market for the entitys own shares, or (b) an
observable index, other than one measured solely by reference to the entitys own
operations (e.g., revenue, EBITDA), then the presence of the exercise contingency
precludes an instrument (or embedded feature) from being considered indexed to an
entitys own shares.
For example, an exercise contingency based on the price of gold exceeding a certain
price over a two-year period would not be considered indexed to the entitys own
shares because the price of gold is an observable market, other than the market for the
entitys own shares. Another example would be an exercise contingency based on the
S&P 500 increasing 500 points within any given calendar year for a three-year period.
This arrangement would not be considered indexed to the entitys own shares because
the S&P 500 is an observable index other than an index calculated solely by reference
to the entitys own operations.
Under the second step of ASC 815-40-15, if the settlement amount equals the
difference between the fair value of a fixed number of the entitys equity shares and a
fixed monetary amount (or a fixed amount of a debt instrument issued by the entity),
then the instrument (or embedded feature) would be considered indexed to an entitys
own shares. The settlement amount is not fixed if the terms of the instrument (or
embedded feature) allow for any potential adjustments, regardless of the probability
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Acquisition method
of the adjustment being made or whether the entity can control the adjustments. If the
instruments exercise price or the number of shares used to calculate the settlement
amount are not fixed, the instrument (or embedded feature) would still be considered
indexed to an entitys own shares if the only variables that could affect the settlement
amount are variables that are typically used to determine the fair value of a fixed-forfixed forward or option on equity shares. The fair value inputs of a fixed-for-fixed
forward or option on equity shares may include the entitys share price, the exercise
price of the instrument, the term of the instrument, expected dividends or other
dilutive activities, costs to borrow shares, interest rates, share price volatility, the
entitys credit spread, and the ability to maintain a standard hedge position in the
underlying shares. If the settlement amount incorporates variables other than those
used to determine the fair value of a fixed-for-fixed forward or option on equity
shares, or if the instrument (or embedded feature) contains a leverage factor that
increases the exposure to an otherwise acceptable additional variable in a manner that
is inconsistent with a fixed-for-fixed forward or option on equity shares, then the
instrument (or embedded feature) would not be considered indexed to the entitys
own shares.
Settlement adjustments designed to protect a holders position from being diluted will
generally not prevent an instrument (or embedded feature) from being considered
indexed to the entitys own stock provided the adjustments are limited to the effect
that the dilutive event has on the shares underlying the instrument. Adjustments for
events such as the occurrence of a stock split, rights offering, dividend, or a spin-off
would typically be inputs to the fair value of a fixed-for-fixed forward or option on
equity shares.
In most contingent consideration arrangements, the exercise contingency and
settlement provisions are likely based on the acquired entitys postcombination
performance and not that of the combined entity as a whole. U.S. GAAP does not
preclude an instrument from being indexed to the parents own stock if the
instruments payoff is based, in whole or in part, on the stock of a consolidated
subsidiary and that subsidiary is a substantive entity. Similarlyy, an index measured
solely by reference to an entitys own operations can be based on the operations of a
consolidated subsidiary of the entity.
For arrangements that include more than one performance target, it must be
determined whether the unit of account is the overall contract or separate contracts
for each performance target within that overall contract. To be assessed as separate
contracts, each performance target must be readily separable and independent of each
other and relate to different risk exposures. The determination of whether the
arrangement is separable is made without regard to how the applicable legal
agreements document the arrangement (i.e., separate legal agreements entered into at
the same time as the acquisition would not necessarily be accounted for as separate
contracts). If separable, the contracts for each performance target may then
individually result in the delivery of a fixed number of shares and as a result be
classified as equity (if all other applicable criteria has been met). Otherwise, the
arrangement must be viewed as one contract that results in the delivery of a variable
number of shares because the number of shares that will be delivered depends upon
which performance target is met. Unless the performance targets are inputs into the
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fair value of a fixed-for-fixed forward or an option on equity shares (which generally

would not be the case), equity classification would be precluded.
Determining whether an instrument indexed to an entitys own shares
should be classified in shareholders equity
ASC 815-40-25 provides guidance for determining whether an instrument (or
embedded feature), if indexed to an entitys own shares (and not within the scope of
ASC 480), should be classified in shareholders equity. The criteria for equity
classification require that:
The arrangement permit settlement in unregistered shares, or if the delivery of

shares at settlement are registered at the inception of the agreement, that there
are no further timely filing or registration requirements of the issuer
The arrangement contain an explicit limit on the number of shares to be delivered
The entity has a sufficient number of authorised and unissued shares available to
settle the arrangement
The arrangement not provide the counterparty with rights that rank higher than
existing shareholders
The arrangement not contain any requirements to post collateral at any point for
any reason
The arrangement not contain any restricted cash payments to the counterparty in
the event the entity fails to make timely filings with the SEC
The arrangement not contain any cash settled top-off or make-whole provisions
All of the above noted criteria that are relevant to the instrument must be met before
the arrangement could meet the criteria to be classified in shareholders equity.
A contingent consideration arrangement that meets the criteria in ASC 815-40-15 and
ASC 815-40-25 would be classified as equity at the acquisition date (provided it is not
in the scope of ASC 480). In addition, the arrangement must be assessed at each
financial statement reporting date to determine whether equity classification remains
appropriate. If the arrangement no longer meets the criteria for equity classification, it
would be reclassified to a liability at its then current fair value.
In practice, equity classification is sometimes precluded because an entity does not
have a sufficient number of authorised and unissued shares available to settle its
potentially dilutive instruments. In determining whether a sufficient number of
authorised shares are available, the entity will need to consider all outstanding
potentially dilutive instruments (e.g., warrants, options, convertible instruments, and
contingent consideration arrangements). In a situation in which the issuance of a
contingent consideration arrangement in the current business combination results in
an insufficient number of authorised shares to settle all of the potentially dilutive
instruments, the contingent consideration arrangements and/or the other dilutive
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Acquisition method
instruments will require liability classification, depending on the companys policy for
allocating authorised shares to the dilutive instruments. Accordingly, the companys
policy (e.g., LIFO, FIFO, or proportionate) for determining which derivative
instruments or portions of derivative instruments, should be classified or reclassified
should there be an overall shortage of available shares will be critical to determining
whether the instant arrangement or a previously issued instrument should be
classified as a liability.
2.6.4.2
Contingent considerationIFRS
Contingent consideration is recognised and measured at fair value as of the
acquisition date [IFRS 3.39]. An acquirers contingent right to receive a return of
some consideration paid (i.e., contingently returnable consideration) is recognised as
an asset and measured at fair value [IFRS 3.40].
An acquirers obligation to pay contingent consideration should be classified as a
liability or equity based on the definition of an equity instrument and a financial
liability in IAS No. 32, Financial Instruments: Presentation (IAS 32) [IFRS 3.40]. An
equity instrument is a contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of
an entity after deducting all of its liabilities [IAS 32.11]. A financial liability is a
(1) contractual obligation to deliver cash or another financial instrument or exchange
financial assets or liabilities under conditions that are potentially unfavourable; or
(2) contract that will or may be settled in its own equity instruments and is a:
Nonderivative for which an entity is or may be obliged to deliver a variable

number of its own equity shares; or
Derivative that will or may be settled other than by exchange of a fixed amount of
cash or another financial asset for a fixed number of its own equity instruments
[IAS 32.11].
The accounting for contingent consideration in the postcombination period is

impacted by its classification as an asset, a liability, or equity. Excluding adjustments
to contingent consideration that qualify as measurement period adjustments (see BCG
2.9), accounting for contingent consideration in the postcombination period is as
follows:
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Contingent consideration classified as a liability or an asset: Contingent

consideration classified as either an asset or a liability (financial or nonfinancial)
should be remeasured to fair value at each reporting date and changes in fair
value should be included in profit or loss in accordance with IAS 39 or IFRS 9.
Contingent consideration classified as equity: Equity-classified contingent

consideration is measured initially at fair value on the acquisition date and is not
remeasured subsequent to initial recognition. Settlement of the equity-classified
contingent consideration is accounted for within equity. In other words, the initial
value recognised for an equity contingent consideration arrangement on the
acquisition date is not adjusted, even if the fair value of the arrangement on the
settlement date is different [IFRS 3.58].
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Acquisition method
Determining classification of contingent consideration arrangements

between liabilities and equityIFRS
A contingent consideration arrangement that is required to be settled in cash or other
assets should be classified as a liability. There may be situations where a contingent
consideration arrangement is settled with an entitys own equity shares, yet the
arrangement is accounted for as a liability (e.g., a fixed amount to be paid in a variable
number of shares). The classification of contingent consideration under IFRS is based
primarily on the following criteria:
Contingent consideration arrangements that will be settled in a fixed number of

the issuers equity instruments would be classified as equity. Otherwise, if the
arrangement results in the delivery of a variable number of shares, the
arrangement would be classified as a liability [IAS 32.16b].
For arrangements that include more than one performance target, it must be
determined whether the unit of account is the overall contract or separate
contracts for each performance target within that overall contract. To be assessed
as separate contracts, those performance targets must be readily separable and
independent of each other and relate to different risk exposures [IAS 39.AG29]. If
separable, these contracts may then individually result in the delivery of a fixed
number of shares and as a result be classified as equity. Otherwise, the
arrangement must be viewed as one contract that results in the delivery of a
variable number of shares (and would be classified as a liability) because the
number of shares that will be delivered depends upon which performance target is
met.
Equity classification is precluded for contingent consideration arrangements that

meet the definition of a derivative if the arrangement has a settlement choice (e.g.,
net share or net cash), even if it is the issuers exclusive choice [IAS 32.26].
Figure 2-1 illustrates the framework to determine the classification of contingent

consideration arrangements.
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Acquisition method
Figure 2-1
Contingent consideration classification
Step 1: right to receive a return

of some consideration?
Financial asset
Yes
No
Step 2: payment in cash or

another financial instrument?
No
Yes
Financial liability
Step 3: number of shares

based on a fixed value?
No
No
Step 4: overall arrangement
results in a variable number
of shares?
Yes
Step 5: multiple targets exist,

each with a fixed number of
own equity shares?
No
Yes
Equity
Must asses if each target can

be viewed as a separate
contract1
Judgment is required to determine whether the unit of account should be the overall contract or separate
contracts within the overall arrangement.
2.6.4.3
Classification of contingent consideration arrangementsU.S. GAAP

and IFRS examples
The examples below consider various contingent consideration arrangements and
provide analysis for determining the classification of contingent consideration
arrangements as a liability or as equity under U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The examples
assume Company A is a public company and would issue the same class of shares as
its publicly traded shares if the contingent performance measures are achieved. The
analyses below for nonpublic entities under U.S. GAAP would generally be the same,
except that most nonpublic companies would not have a means to net cash settle the
arrangement outside the contract since their shares are not readily convertible to
cash.5 Without net settlement, the arrangement would not be considered a derivative
within the scope of ASC 815. If an arrangement was not considered a derivative due to
5 However, our experience is that most contingent consideration arrangements involving nonpublic
companies include net settlement provisions within the contract.
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physical settlement terms or for any other reason, it would still need to be indexed to
the entitys own shares following the guidance in ASC 815-40-15 to be within the scope
of ASC 815-40. Only if the arrangement meets the conditions of ASC 815-40 can it be
equity classified. Finally, ASC 480-10-65 indefinitely defers the provisions of ASC 480
for nonpublic entities that issue certain mandatorily redeemable securities. However,
in most cases we would not expect nonpublic entities to meet the conditions necessary
to be able to apply this limited scope exception. For IFRS companies, the analysis in
the examples below would not differ, regardless of whether the fact pattern related to
public or private companies.
See Examples 2-13 through 2-18 for determining the initial classification of contingent
consideration arrangements executed in connection with a business combination.
EXAMPLE 2-13
Issuance of a fixed number of shares based on entitys performance
Company A, a publicly traded company, acquires Company B in a business
combination by issuing 1 million of Company As common shares to Company Bs
shareholders. Company A also agrees to issue 100,000 additional common shares to
the former shareholders of Company B if Company Bs revenues (as a wholly owned
subsidiary of Company A) exceed CU200 million during the one-year period following
the acquisition.
Company A has sufficient authorised and unissued shares available to settle the
arrangement after considering all other commitments. The contingent consideration
arrangement permits settlement in unregistered shares and meets all of the other
criteria required by ASC 815-40 for equity classification. The company has concluded
that the unit of account is the contract as a whole, since there is only one performance
target.
U.S. GAAP Analysis
The common shares of Company A that have been issued at the acquisition date are
recorded at fair value within equity. The contingent consideration arrangement is not
within the scope of ASC 480. That is, at inception, the arrangement will not result in
the issuance of a variable number of shares and the arrangement does not obligate
Company A to transfer cash or other assets to settle the arrangement.
The contingent consideration arrangement meets the characteristics of a derivative
because it (1) has one or more underlyings (Company Bs revenues and Company As
share price) and notional amount (100,000 common shares), (2) has an initial
investment that is less by more than a nominal amount than the initial net
investment that would be required to acquire the asset, and (3) can be settled net by
means outside the contract because the underlying shares are publicly traded with
sufficient float so that the shares are readily convertible to cash.
In determining whether the derivative instrument is in the scope of ASC 815, the
instrument must be evaluated to determine if it is subject to the exception in ASC 81510-15-74 (i.e., the arrangement is indexed to an entitys own shares and classified in
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shareholders equity). In making determining of whether the arrangement is

considered indexed to Company As own shares, the first step is to determine whether
the arrangement is based on an observable market, other than the market for the
issuers shares, or an observable index, other than an index calculated solely by
reference to the issuers operations. The exercise contingency (i.e., meeting the
revenue target) is based on an index calculated solely by reference to the operations
of the issuers consolidated subsidiary, so step one of ASC 815-40-15 does not preclude
the arrangement from being considered indexed to Company As own shares. In
performing step two of ASC 815-40-15, it has been determined that the settlement of
the arrangement is considered fixed-for-fixed, since the exercise price is fixed and the
number of shares is fixed (i.e., the settlement amount equals the difference between
the fair value of a fixed number of the entitys equity shares and a fixed monetary
amount).
Based on the analysis performed, the contingent consideration arrangement would be
classified as equity.
IFRS Analysis
The ordinary shares of Company A that have been issued at the acquisition date are
recorded at fair value within equity. Since the contingent consideration arrangement
would result in the issuance of a fixed number of equity shares of Company A, the
arrangement would be classified as equity under IAS 32.16.
EXAMPLE 2-14
Issuance of a variable number of shares based on entitys performancesingle
measurement period
Company A, a publicly traded company, purchases Company B in a business
the former shareholders of Company B if Company Bs revenues (as a wholly owned
subsidiary of Company A) equal or exceed CU200 million during the one-year period
following the acquisition. In addition, if Companys Bs revenues exceed CU200
million, Company A will issue an additional 1,000 shares for each CU2 million
increase in revenues in excess of CU200 million, not to exceed 100,000 additional
shares (i.e., 200,000 total shares for revenues of CU400 million or more).
criteria required by ASC 815-40 for equity classification.
U.S. GAAP Analysis
recorded at fair value within equity. The contingent consideration arrangement must
first be assessed to determine whether each of the performance targets represents a
separate contract. Since the number of Company A shares that could be issued under
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the arrangement is variable and relates to the same risk exposure (i.e., the number of
shares to be delivered will vary depending on which performance target is achieved in
the one-year period following the acquisition), the contingent consideration
arrangement would be considered one contractual arrangement. The arrangement
may be within the scope of ASC 480 since it is an obligation to issue a variable number
of shares and it appears to vary based on something other than the fair value of the
issuers equity shares (in this case, based on Company Bs revenues). A determination
would need to be made as to whether the arrangements monetary value at inception
is based solely or predominately on Company Bs revenues (versus Company As share
price), which, if so, would require liability classification. This determination would be
based on facts and circumstances, but generally the more substantive (i.e., difficult to
achieve) the revenue target the more likely the arrangement is based predominately
on the revenue target. If the arrangement is determined to be predominately based on
revenues, it would be considered a liability under ASC 480. However, even if the
settlement of the variable number of shares was based on revenues, but not
predominately, liability classification would still be required because the arrangement
would also not meet the second step of ASC 815-40-15 for equity classification. The
settlement amount of the contingent consideration arrangement incorporates
variables other than those used to determine the fair value of a fixed-for-fixed forward
or option on equity shares (i.e., one of the key variables to determine fair value for this
contingent consideration arrangement is Company Bs revenues). In other words, the
amount of revenues not only determines whether the exercise contingency is achieved,
but also adjusts the settlement amount after the exercise contingency is met.
Therefore, the contingent consideration arrangement would not be considered
indexed to Company As shares because the settlement provisions are affected by the
amount of revenues which is not an input in valuing a fixed-for-fixed equity award.
IFRS Analysis
separate contract. Since the number of Company As shares that could be issued under
the arrangement is variable and relates to the same risk exposure (i.e., the number of
shares to be delivered will vary depending on which performance target is achieved in
the one-year period following the acquisition), the contingent consideration
arrangement would be considered one contractual arrangement under IAS 39.AG29.
Since the arrangement will result in the issuance of a variable number of shares, it
should be classified as a liability in accordance with IAS 32.11.
EXAMPLE 2-15
Contingent consideration arrangement linked to the acquisition date fair value
shareholders. At the acquisition date, Company As share price is CU40 per share.
Company A also provides Company Bs former shareholders contingent consideration
whereby if the common shares of Company A are trading below CU40 per share one
year after the acquisition date, Company A will issue additional common shares to the
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former shareholders of Company B sufficient to make the current value of the

acquisition date consideration equal to CU40 million (i.e., the acquisition date fair
value of the consideration transferred). However, the number of shares that can be
issued under the arrangement cannot exceed 2 million shares.
U.S. GAAP Analysis
recorded at fair value within equity. The security price guarantee feature of the
contingent consideration arrangement should be assessed to determine whether it is a
freestanding feature or whether it is embedded within the shares issued in the
business combination. In this instance, the guarantee is a freestanding financial
instrument that was entered into in conjunction with the purchase agreement and is
legally detachable and separately exercisable. The guarantee arrangement is within
the scope of ASC 480 (ASC 480-10-25-14(c)) since, at inception, the guarantee
arrangement creates an obligation that Company A would be required to settle with a
variable number of Company As equity shares, the amount of which varies inversely
to changes in the fair value of Company As equity shares. For example, if Company
As share price decreases from CU40 per share to CU35 per share one year after the
acquisition date, the amount of the obligation would be CU5 million. Therefore, the
freestanding guarantee would be recorded as a liability at its fair value following the
guidance in ASC 805-30-25-6 and ASC 480-10-25-8. Further, changes in the liability
will be recognised in Company As earnings until the arrangement is resolved.
IFRS Analysis
recorded at fair value within equity. Since the guarantee feature of the contingent
consideration arrangement would result in the issuance of a variable number of equity
shares of Company A (i.e., the number of shares to be delivered will vary depending
on the issuers share price), this arrangement should be classified as a liability under
IAS 32.11.
EXAMPLE 2-16
Issuance of a variable number of shares based on issuers share price
Company A, a publicly traded company, purchases Company B in a business
shareholders. Company A also agrees to issue up to 100,000 additional common
shares to the former shareholders of Company B for increases in Company As share
price on the one-year anniversary of the acquisition date (Company As share price at
the acquisition date was CU40). The arrangement specifies that Company A will issue
50,000 additional shares if the share price is equal to or greater than CU45 but less
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than CU50 or 100,000 additional shares if the share price is equal to or greater than
CU50 on the one year anniversary of the acquisition date.
criteria required by ASC 815-40 for equity classification. Company A has concluded
that the unit of account is one contract with multiple performance targets.
U.S. GAAP Analysis
within the scope of ASC 480 since the obligation to issue a variable number of shares
is not based solely or predominantly on any one of the following: (a) a fixed monetary
amount known at inception, (b) variations in something other than the fair value of
the issuers equity shares, (c) variations inversely related to changes in the fair value of
the Companys equity shares and the arrangement does not obligate the Company to
transfer cash or other assets. Although the arrangement may be settled with a variable
number of shares, because the number of Company As (the issuers) common shares
are indexed directly to increases in its own share price, the arrangement would not
require liability classification under ASC 480-10-25-14(b).
The contingent consideration arrangement meets the three characteristics of a
derivative because it (1) has an underlying (Company As share price) and notional
amount (common shares of Company A), (2) has an initial investment that is less by
more than a nominal amount than the initial net investment that would be required
to acquire the asset and (3) can be settled net by means outside the contract because
the underlying shares are publicly traded with sufficient float so that the shares are
readily convertible to cash.
shareholders equity). In making the determination of whether the arrangement is
considered indexed to Company As own shares, the first step would be to determine
whether the arrangement is based on an observable market, other than the market for
the issuers shares, or an observable index, other than an index calculated solely by
reference to the issuers operations. In this case, since the number of shares used to
calculate the settlement amount is based upon Company As share price, step one does
not preclude the arrangement from being considered indexed to Company As own
shares. In performing step two under ASC 815-40-15, although settlement of the
number of shares is variable, the variable input to the settlement amount is Company
As share price, which is an input for valuing a fixed-for-fixed forward or option on
equity shares. Accordingly, the arrangement is considered indexed to Company As
own shares. The arrangement is for the issuance of common shares of Company A
which are classified as shareholders equity.
Based on the analysis performed, the contingent consideration arrangement would be
classified as equity.
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IFRS Analysis
recorded at fair value within equity. Since the number of Company As shares that
could be issued under the contingent consideration arrangement is variable (i.e.,
depends on the share price of Company A), the arrangement would be classified as a
liability under IAS 32.11.
EXAMPLE 2-17
Issuance of a fixed number of shares based on another entitys operations
the former shareholders of Company B if Company Bs operating revenues (as a
wholly owned subsidiary of Company A) exceed Company Xs (largest third party
competitor) operating revenues by CU1 million at the end of the one-year period
following the acquisition.
criteria required by ASC 815-40 for equity classification. Company A has concluded
that the unit of account is the contract as a whole since there is only one performance
target.
U.S. GAAP Analysis
within the scope of ASC 480. That is, at inception the arrangement will not result in
the issuance of a variable number of shares and the arrangement does not obligate the
Company to transfer cash or other assets to settle the arrangement.
because it (1) has one or more underlyings (Company Bs operating revenues and
Company As share price) and notional amount (100,000 common shares), (2) has an
initial investment that is less by more than a nominal amount than the initial net
shareholders equity). In making the determination of whether the arrangement is
considered indexed to Company As own shares, the first step would be to determine
whether the arrangement is based on an observable market, other than the market for
the issuers shares, or an observable index, other than an index calculated solely by
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reference to the issuers operations. The exercise contingency requires Company Bs

operating revenues to exceed Company Xs (largest third party competitor) operating
revenues by CU1 million at the end of the one-year period following the acquisition
and, therefore, is based on an index that is not calculated solely by reference to the
issuers operations (i.e., the index is a comparison to Company Xs revenues). This
precludes the arrangement from being considered indexed to Company As own
shares. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the second step of ASC 815-40-15.
Since the arrangement is not considered indexed to Company As own shares under
ASC 815-40-15, the arrangement is a liability and should be accounted for as a
derivative under the provisions of ASC 815-40.
IFRS Analysis
recorded at fair value within equity. Since the contingent consideration arrangement
would result in the issuance of a fixed number of Company As equity shares, the
arrangement would be classified as equity under IAS 32.16 as there is no contractual
obligation to deliver a variable number of shares.
EXAMPLE 2-18
Issuance of a variable number of shares based on entitys performancemultiple
measurement periods
shareholders. Company A also agrees to issue 100,000 common shares to the former
shareholders of Company B if Company Bs revenues (as a wholly owned subsidiary of
Company A) equal or exceed CU200 million during the one-year period following the
acquisition. Furthermore, Company A agrees to issue an additional 50,000 common
shares to the former shareholders of Company B if Company Bs revenues (as a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Company A) equal or exceed CU300 million during the
second one-year period following the acquisition. The achievement of the earn-outs
are independent of each other (i.e., outcomes could be zero, 50,000, 100,000 or
150,000 additional shares issued).
U.S. GAAP Analysis
separate contract. Since the year one and year two outcomes are independent and do
not relate to the same risk exposures (i.e., the number of shares to be delivered will
vary depending on performance targets achieved in independent one-year periods
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2-53
Acquisition method
following the acquisition), the arrangement would be treated as two separate contracts
that would each result in the delivery of a fixed number of shares, and not as a single
contract that would result in the delivery of a variable number of shares. As a result,
the arrangement is not within the scope of ASC 480. That is, at inception, the separate
arrangements will not result in the issuance of a variable number of shares and do not
obligate Company A to transfer cash or other assets to settle the arrangement.
because it (1) has one or more underlyings (Company Bs revenues and Company As
share price) and a notional amount (common shares of Company A), (2) has an initial
investment that is less by more than a nominal amount than the initial net
In determining whether the derivative instruments are in the scope of ASC 815, the
instruments must be evaluated to determine if they are subject to the exception in
ASC 815-10-15-74 (i.e., the arrangements are indexed to an entitys own shares and
classified in shareholders equity). In making the determination of whether the
independent arrangements are considered indexed to Company As own shares, the
first step would be to determine whether each separate, independent contract is based
on an observable market, other than the market for the issuers shares, or an
observable index, other than an index calculated solely by reference to the issuers
operations. The exercise contingency is not an observable market or index. The
exercise contingency (i.e., meeting the revenue target) is based on an index calculated
solely by reference to the operations of the issuers consolidated subsidiary, so step
one of ASC 815-40-15 does not preclude the arrangement from being considered
indexed to Company As own shares. In performing the second step of ASC 815-40-15,
it has been determined that the settlements for each separate, independent contract
would be considered fixed-for-fixed since the exercise price is fixed and the number of
shares is fixed (i.e., the settlement amounts are equal to the price of a fixed number of
equity shares). The arrangement is for the issuance of the common shares of Company
A, which are classified as shareholders equity.
Based on the analysis performed, each independent contract within the contingent
consideration arrangement would be classified as equity.1
IFRS Analysis
separate contract. Since the year one and year two arrangements are independent and
relate to different risk exposures under IAS 39.AG29, each performance target can be
viewed as a separate contract that would individually result in the issuance of a fixed
number of equity shares of Company A. Therefore, each individual contract within the
contingent consideration arrangement would be classified as equity under IAS 32.16
as there is no contractual obligation to deliver a variable number of shares.1
2-54
PwC
Acquisition method
1 Judgment is required to determine whether the unit of account should be the overall contract or separate
contracts within the overall arrangement. For instance, an arrangement to issue 100,000 shares if revenues
equal or exceed CU200 million in the one-year period following the acquisition or 110,000 shares if
revenues equal or exceed CU220 million in the one-year and one-month period following the acquisition
would likely be considered a single overall contract with multiple performance targets. That is, the
performance targets for both the one-year and the one-year and one-month periods are largely dependent
on achieving the revenue targets in the first year given the short duration of time (i.e., one month) that
elapses between the end of the first period and the end of the second period. If the arrangement (or multiple
performance targets) relates to the same risk exposure, the unit of account would be the overall contract
rather than two separate, independent contracts.
2.6.4.4
Contingent consideration arrangements requiring continued

employment
Certain contingent consideration arrangements may be tied to continued employment
of the acquirees employees or the selling shareholders. These arrangements are
recognised as compensation expense in the postcombination period. An acquirer
should consider the specific facts and circumstances of contingent consideration
arrangements with selling shareholders that have no requirement for continuing
employment in determining whether the payments represent part of the purchase
price or are separate transactions to be recognised as compensation expense in the
postcombination period. See Chapter 3 for additional discussion of compensation
arrangements.
2.6.4.5
Existing contingent consideration arrangements of an acquireeU.S.

GAAP
Contingent consideration arrangements of an acquiree assumed by the acquirer in a
business combination should be recognised initially at fair value and subsequently
measured in accordance with the guidance for contingent consideration under the
existing provisions of ASC 805 regardless of whether the acquiree had accounted for
its business combination using the guidance in ASC 805 or prior guidance (i.e., FAS
141). The subsequent acquisition does not change the nature of the contingent
consideration arrangement.
The fair value of a contingent consideration arrangement of an acquiree should be
determinable because (1) the existing contingent consideration arrangement is
inherently part of the economic consideration in the negotiations between the buyer
and the seller and (2) most contingent consideration obligations are financial
instruments for which fair value can be determined using current valuation
techniques.
2.6.4.6
Existing contingent consideration arrangement of an acquireeIFRS

Existing contingent payment arrangements of the acquiree are contingent
consideration under IFRS 3. Contingent consideration arrangements of the acquiree
would be liabilities (or in some instances, assets) of the acquired business. These
arrangements would almost always be established by contract and fall within the
scope of IAS 39 and be recognised at fair value on the acquisition date. The
subsequent accounting would be driven by the classification of the asset or liability
under IAS 39.
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Acquisition method
2.6.4.7
Effect of contingent equity issued in a business combination on earnings

per share
When contingent consideration arrangements are in the form of common shares
[ordinary shares], the shares are considered contingently issuable shares and may
need to be included in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share
(EPS) of the combined entity. The EPS guidance for contingently issuable shares is
included in ASC 260, Earnings per Share (ASC 260), paragraphs ASC 260-10-45-13
and ASC 260-10-45-48 through 45-57, and paragraphs 5257 of IAS 33, Earnings Per
Share (IAS 33). Contingently issuable shares (including shares placed in escrow) are
shares whose issuance is contingent upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, and
are considered outstanding and included in the computation of EPS as follows:
If all necessary conditions have been satisfied by the end of the period (the events
have occurred), those shares must be included in basic and diluted EPS as of the
date that such conditions were satisfied.
If all necessary conditions have not been satisfied by the end of the period, the
number of contingently issuable shares is excluded from basic EPS but may be
included in the calculation of diluted EPS. The number of contingently issuable
shares included in diluted EPS is based on the number of shares, if any, that
would be issuable if the end of the reporting period was the end of the contingency
period (e.g., the number of shares that would be issuable based on current period
earnings [profit or loss] or period-end market price), assuming the effect is
dilutive. These contingently issuable shares are included in the denominator of
diluted EPS as of the beginning of the period or as of the acquisition date, if later
[ASC 260-10-45-48 through 45-50; IAS 33.52].
Figure 2-2 provides guidance on the effect of certain types of contingencies on EPS if
all necessary conditions have not been satisfied by the end of the reporting period.
Figure 2-2
EPS guidance for specific types of contingencies
2-56
Earnings [profit]
contingency
The number of contingently issuable shares depends upon

meeting or maintaining a specified amount of earnings [profit
or loss]. The diluted EPS computation should include those
shares that would be issued under the conditions of the
contract based on the actual earnings [profit], if the end of the
reporting period was the end of the contingency period and
their effect is dilutive. Because the amount of earnings [profit]
may change in a future period, basic EPS should not include
such contingently issuable shares, because all necessary
conditions (i.e., end of the contingency period) have not been
satisfied [ASC 260-10-45-51; IAS 33.53].
Market price
contingency
The number of contingently issuable shares depends upon the

market price of the shares at a future date. The computation of
diluted EPS should reflect the number of shares that would be
PwC
Acquisition method
issued based on the current market price at the end of the

period being reported, if the end of the reporting period were
the end of the contingency period and their effect is dilutive. If
the condition is based on an average of market prices over
some period of time, the average should be used. Because the
market price may change in a future period, basic EPS should
not include such contingently issuable shares since all
necessary conditions (i.e., end of the contingency period) have
not been satisfied [ASC 260-10-45-52; IAS 33.54].
2.6.4.8
Both earnings
[profit] and
market price
contingency
If the number of shares contingently issuable depends on both

future earnings [profit] and future market prices of the shares,
the determination of the number of shares included in diluted
EPS must be based upon both conditionsthat is, earnings
[profit] to date and current market priceas they exist at the
end of the reporting period. Contingently issuable shares
should be included in diluted EPS if both conditions are met at
the end of the reporting period and the effect is dilutive.
Because the amount of earnings [profit] and the market price
may change in a future period, basic EPS should not include
such contingently issuable shares because all necessary
conditions (i.e., end of the contingency period) have not been
satisfied [ASC 260-10-45-53; IAS 33.55].
Other
performance
contingency
If the contingency is based on a condition other than earnings

[profit] or market price (e.g., opening a certain number of
retail stores), the contingent shares should be included in the
computation of diluted EPS, based on the current status of the
condition and the assumption that the current status will
remain unchanged until the end of the contingency period.
Until the condition has been satisfied and the number of
shares to be issued is no longer contingent, basic EPS should
not include such contingently issuable shares [ASC 260-10-4554; IAS 33.56].
Contingent considerationseller accounting

Entities may sell a business in a transaction that includes a contingent consideration
arrangement.
The seller should determine whether the arrangement meets the definition of a
derivative under U.S. GAAP. ASC 815-10-15-83 defines a derivative instrument as a
financial instrument or other contract with all of the following characteristics:
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Acquisition method
ASC 815-10-15-83
A derivative instrument is a financial instrument or other contract with all of the
following characteristics:
a.
Underlying, notional amount, payment provision. The contract has both of the
following terms, which determine the amount of the settlement or settlements,
and, in some cases, whether or not a settlement is required:
1.
One or more underlyings
2. One or more notional amounts or payment provisions or both.

b. Initial net investment. The contract 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.
c.
Net settlement. The contract can be settled net by any of the following means:
1.
Its terms implicitly or explicitly require or permit net settlement.
2. It can readily be settled net by a means outside the contract.

3. It provides for delivery of an asset that puts the recipient in a position not
substantially different from net settlement.
If the arrangement meets the definition of a derivative and does not qualify for a scope
exception in ASC 815-10-15, it should be recorded at fair value on the acquisition date
and subsequently adjusted to fair value each reporting period. It is important to note
that the FASB has acknowledged that most contingent consideration arrangements
are financial instruments and that many meet the definition of a derivative [FAS
141(R).B349]. However, in practice, contingent consideration arrangements where the
underlying is revenue, net income or EBITDA do qualify for the scope exception in
ASC 815-10-15-59 (unless the income measure is due predominantly to the movement
of the fair value of a portfolio of assets) and would therefore not be accounted for as
derivatives.
If the arrangement meets the definition of a derivative but qualifies for a scope
exception in ASC 815-10-15 or it does not meet the definition of a derivative, then the
seller should make an accounting policy election to either record the contingent
consideration portion of the arrangement at fair value at the transaction date, or
record the contingent consideration portion of the arrangement when the
consideration is determined to be realisable. If the seller elects to record the
contingent consideration portion of the arrangement at fair value at the transaction
date, the seller must also make an election with respect to the subsequent accounting.
The seller may elect the fair value option or account for it as an interest bearing
financial instrument.
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Acquisition method
Under IFRS, a contract to receive contingent consideration that gives the seller the
right to receive cash or other financial assets when the contingency is resolved meets
the definition of a financial asset. When the contingent consideration arrangement
meets the definition of a financial asset, it should be included as part of consideration
received and should be measured using one of the four measurement categories
specified in IAS 39 [IAS 32.11]. Determining the contingent consideration
arrangements classification will require judgment and will be based on the specific
facts and circumstances of each arrangement.
Example 2-19 provides an example of how to account for a contingent consideration
arrangement from a seller perspective.
EXAMPLE 2-19
Contingent considerationseller accounting
Company A sells its entire controlling stake in wholly owned Subsidiary B. The
proceeds of the sale include CU150 million in cash paid up front plus contingent
payments of 5% of revenue for the next 3 years. Net assets of Subsidiary B were
CU100 million. Company A has accounted for the contingent consideration
arrangement based on the following information:
PwC
The contingent consideration arrangement does not meet the criteria to be

accounted for as a derivative under ASC 815 or IAS 39.
For U.S. GAAP, the seller can make an accounting policy election to either record
the contingent consideration portion of the arrangement at fair value at the
transaction date or when the consideration is determined to be realisable. In this
example, Company A will account for the contingent consideration arrangement
at fair value at the transaction date.
The fair value of the contingent consideration proceeds as of the disposal date is
CU10 million (assessed based on expected sales over the next 3 years of CU70
million in year 1 with a 15% annual growth rate for years 2 and 3 and using a 10%
discount rate that does not change over the period of the arrangement).
At the end of year one, while revenue was equal to the projections for the year, it
was determined that the years two and three revenue growth rate would increase
to 30%.
For U.S. GAAP, Company A elects the fair value option for subsequent accounting.
For IFRS, the contingent consideration arrangement is considered an available for

sale debt asset.
Interest income is recognised using the effective interest method.
2-59
Acquisition method
Analysis
The following analysis evaluates how Company A should account for the contingent
proceeds (excluding the accounting for any tax effects of the transaction).
The journal entry to record the sale of Subsidiary B at the disposal date is as follows
(in millions):
Cash
Contingent considerationasset
CU150
CU10
Net assets
CU100
Gain on sale
CU60
Company A records the following journal entries at the end of year one. Similar
journal entries would be recorded for years two and three. For ease of illustration, this
example assumes that there is a 100% probability of the annual growth rates noted
above will be achieved (companies would have to consider multiple scenarios and
probability weight each scenario to determine the fair value).
The journal entry to record cash received from the contingent consideration
arrangement after year one is as follows (in millions):
Cash (A)
CU3.5
CU3.5
Under U.S. GAAP, the journal entry to record interest income and the remeasurement
of contingent consideration due to the change in growth rate expectation for year one
is as follows (in millions):
P&Lchanges in fair value (B)
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CU2.5
CU2.5
PwC
Acquisition method
Under IFRS, the journal entries to record interest income and the remeasurement of
contingent consideration due to the change in growth rate expectation are as follows
(in millions):
CU1.0
Interest income (C)
CU1.0
CU1.5
Gain (D)
CU1.5
Expected revenues at sale date (15% growth rate and 10% discount rate):
Revenue
5% of revenue
Present value
Year 1
CU70.0
CU3.5
CU3.2
Year 2
80.5
4.0
3.3
Year 3
92.6
4.6
3.5
CU12.1
CU10.0
Total
Expected revenues after year 1 (30% growth rate and 10% discount rate):
Revenue
5% of revenue
Present value
Year 2
CU91.0
CU4.6
CU4.1
Year 3
118.3
5.9
4.9
CU10.5
CU9.0
Total
A = CU70 x 5%
B = (CU10 x 10%) + (CU9 (10 3.5 + (CU10 x 10%)))
C = CU10 x 10%
D = CU9 (10 3.5 + 1.0)
If Company A had elected to record the contingent consideration portion of the

arrangement when the consideration is determined to be realisable under U.S. GAAP,
then Company A would not have recorded a contingent consideration asset at the
transaction date and any subsequent proceeds would not be recognised until the
contingent consideration asset was realisable.
Under IFRS, since the contingent consideration asset was classified as an availablefor-sale debt asset and there are no changes in the market discount rate during the
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Acquisition method
three years, fair value would not differ from amortised cost and therefore there is
nothing to recognise in OCI.
2.6.5
Noncontrolling interest
The noncontrolling interest is the portion of equity (net assets) in a subsidiary not
attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent [ASC 810-10-45-15; IFRS 10, Appendix
A]. Only financial instruments issued by a subsidiary that are classified as equity in
the subsidiarys financial statements for financial reporting purposes can be classified
as noncontrolling interest in the consolidated financial statements [ASC 810-1045-17]. A financial instrument that a subsidiary classifies as a liability is not a
noncontrolling interest in the consolidated financial statements. However, not all
financial instruments that are issued by a subsidiary and classified as equity will be
recognised as a noncontrolling interest within equity in consolidation. Certain
preferred shares, warrants, puts, calls, and options may not form part of
noncontrolling interest within equity in consolidation by the parent company. For
example, instruments indexed to a subsidiarys shares issued to investors do not
create NCI if those instruments do not meet the requirements for equity classification.
See PwCs accounting and financial reporting guide for Financing transactions (FG)
2.1 for the analysis of equity-linked instruments. See BCG 6.2 for further information
on the guidance to determine whether such instruments are considered
noncontrolling interests in consolidation.
For all U.S. GAAP companies, the noncontrolling interest is recognised and measured
at fair value on the acquisition date [ASC 805-20-30-1]. IFRS companies, on the other
hand, have the option of measuring the noncontrolling interest at fair value or at its
proportionate share of the recognised amount of the acquirees identifiable net assets
[IFRS 3.19]. This accounting choice may be made on a transaction-by-transaction
basis and does not require a company to make an accounting policy election. See
Chapter 6 for additional guidance on the accounting for the noncontrolling interest
and Chapter 7 for guidance on measuring the noncontrolling interest at fair value.
The accounting election related to the measurement of the noncontrolling interest in a
partial acquisition can impact the amount of goodwill recognised under IFRS.
However, goodwill is the same for a full or partial acquisition under U.S. GAAP.
Figure 2-3 provides a diagram showing the impact of the accounting election on the
measurement of goodwill.
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Acquisition method
Figure 2-3
Measurement of goodwill based on accounting election for the noncontrolling interest
under IFRS
Noncontrolling interest
measured at fair value
Noncontrolling interest measured
based on proportionate share
Controlling
interest
goodwill
Noncontrolling
interest
Controlling
and
noncontrolling
interest
goodwill
Consideration
transferred
Identifiable
net assets
Noncontrolling
interest
Consideration
transferred
Identifiable
net assets
Previously
held interests
Previously
held interests
Acquired
assets
2.6.5.1
Acquisition
value
Acquired
assets
Acquisition
value
Redeemable noncontrolling interestU.S. GAAP

U.S. GAAP public companies with securities that are redeemable upon the occurrence
of an event that is not solely within the control of the issuer are subject to the guidance
issued in ASC 480-10-S99-3A. U.S. GAAP public companies would continue to classify
these securities as mezzanine equity in the consolidated financial statements but still
consider these securities a noncontrolling interest. As a result, these securities would
be subject to the accretion requirements in ASC 480-10-S99-3A in addition to the
accounting guidance in ASC 810-10. However, companies should consider the SEC
staffs views in ASC 480-10-S99-3A regarding the interaction between that guidance
and ASC 810-10. The staffs views:
PwC
Clarify that ASC 480-10-S99-3A applies to the noncontrolling interests that are
redeemable or may become redeemable 1) at a fixed or determinable price on a
fixed or determinable date, 2) at the option of the holder, or 3) upon occurrence of
an event that is not solely within the control of the issuer. This may be a change in
practice for certain companies that previously did not accrete noncontrolling
interests that meet these criteria.
Provide guidance for the reclassification of securities to permanent equity if they

are no longer required to be classified as mezzanine equity under ASC 480-10S99-3A.
Require the measurement of any gains and losses in the deconsolidation of a

subsidiary to exclude any accretion included in the carrying amount of the
noncontrolling interest.
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Acquisition method
Provide guidance for the calculation of EPS if:

a. Preferred shares issued or guaranteed by the parent: Increases or
decreases in the carrying amount of the preferred shares should be treated in
the same manner as dividends on nonredeemable shares and should be
effected by charges against retained earnings or, in the absence of retained
earnings, by charges against additional paid-in capital. Increases or decreases
in the carrying amount of the preferred shares should reduce or increase
income available to common shareholders of the parent.
b. Preferred shares issued by the subsidiary: Increases or decreases in the
carrying amount of the preferred shares should be treated in the same
manner as dividends on nonredeemable shares and should be effected by
charges against retained earnings or, in the absence of retained earnings, by
charges against additional paid-in capital. Increases or decreases in the
carrying amount of the preferred shares should be attributed to the parent
and the noncontrolling interest in accordance with ASC 260-10-55-20 (i.e.,
attributed to the parent based on its holdings in the subsidiary).
c. Common shares: Increases or decreases in the carrying amount of the
common shares should be treated in the same manner as dividends on
nonredeemable shares and should be effected by charges against retained
earnings or, in the absence of retained earnings, by charges against additional
paid-in capital. If the adjustment to the carrying value of the common shares
is not fully considered in the attribution of net income to the parent and
noncontrolling interest under ASC 810-10-45, application of the two-class
method described in ASC 260-10-45-59A at the subsidiary level is necessary
to determine net income available to common shareholders of the parent. If
the adjustment to the carrying value of the common shares is fully considered
in the attribution of net income to the parent and noncontrolling interest
under ASC 810-10-45, application of the two-class method is unnecessary.
Generally the guidance in ASC 480-10-S99-3A was effective upon the adoption of ASC
810-10. Although technically not required for non-public entities, mezzanine equity
presentation of a redeemable noncontrolling interest is strongly encouraged. For
further discussion refer to PwCs accounting and financial reporting guide for
Financial statement presentation (FSP) 5.
Initial measurement
Upon issuance, redeemable equity securities are generally recorded at fair value. If the
securities are issued in conjunction with other non-derivative financial instruments,
such as debt or equity instruments, the sales proceeds from the issuance should be
allocated to each instrument based on their relative fair values.
Subsequent measurement
The objective in accounting for redeemable equity securities subsequent to issuance is
to report the securities at their redemption value no later than the date they become
redeemable by the holder.
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Acquisition method
A discount may arise from a redeemable equity security when it is issued:
On a stand-alone basis with a fair value less than its redemption value.
In conjunction with other securities, and the proceeds are allocated between the
redeemable equity security and the other securities issued.
A redeemable equity security recorded at an amount less than its redemption value
should be accreted to its redemption value in some cases. Accretion of a redeemable
equity security is recorded as a deemed dividend, which reduces retained earnings and
earnings available to common shareholders in calculating basic and diluted EPS.
If the equity security is currently redeemable (e.g., at the option of the holder), it
should be adjusted to its maximum redemption amount as of each reporting
period.
If the equity security is not currently redeemable and it is probable the instrument
will become redeemable, then it should be either (1) accreted to its redemption
value over the period from the date of issuance to the earliest redemption date or
(2) recognised immediately at its redemption value.
If the equity security is not currently redeemable (e.g., the contingency that
triggers the holders redemption right has not been met) and it is not probable
that it will become redeemable, subsequent adjustment is not necessary until
redemption is probable. The parent company should disclose why redemption of
the equity security is not probable.
A reduction in the carrying value of a redeemable equity security is appropriate only to

the extent the carrying value had previously been increased. Thus, if the redemption
price of an instrument decreases, it should not be adjusted below its initial carrying
value. An exception to this rule exists for redeemable securities that participate in the
earnings of the subsidiary. In that case, the adjustment to the carrying value is
determined after the attribution of net income or loss of the subsidiary pursuant to the
consolidation procedures in ASC 810.
EXAMPLE 2-20
Adjustment to the carrying value of redeemable equity securities
PwC
Parent Company A acquires 80% of the common shares of Subsidiary B from

Company Z. Company Z retains the remaining common shares (20%) in
Subsidiary B. As part of the acquisition, Parent Company A and Company Z enter
into an agreement that allows Company Z to put its equity interest in Subsidiary
B, in its entirety, to Parent Company A for CU100 million.
The fair value of the noncontrolling interest at the acquisition date is CU100
million.
Parent Company A concludes that the put option is embedded in the

noncontrolling interest (i.e., it is a puttable noncontrolling interest). As a result,
2-65
Acquisition method
the noncontrolling interest is recorded as mezzanine equity because the interest is

redeemable at the option of the minority shareholder.
The put option is immediately exercisable.
At the end of the first year, Subsidiary B records a net loss of CU50 million. The
amount of the net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest shares is CU50
million x 20% = CU10 million.
The redemption value of CU100 million does not change as a result of Subsidiary
B generating a net loss.
Analysis
Since the redemption value of the noncontrolling interest remains unchanged, the
CU10 million net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest shares should be
offset by a deemed dividend to the noncontrolling interest holder. The dividend is
deducted from earnings available to common shareholders in calculating Parent
Company As basic and diluted earnings per share.
2.6.6
Calls and puts related to the noncontrolling interest

The entity may have the right to purchase the noncontrolling interest (i.e., a call right)
or the noncontrolling interest holder may have the right to sell its interest (i.e., a put
right) to the entity. These rights to purchase or sell the noncontrolling interest may be
at a fixed or variable price, or at fair value, and may be exercisable on a fixed date or
any time at some point in the future. The existence of these rights impacts (1) whether
separate assets or liabilities should be recognised for these rights, (2) the classification
of any minority ownership as a liability or equity (including mezzanine equity under
U.S. GAAP), and (3) the amount of earnings [profit or loss] recognised in the financial
statements.
The complexity surrounding the accounting for call and put rights is due to the
difficulty in determining whether these rights are accounted for separately or as part
of the noncontrolling interest. An in-depth analysis of equity-linked instruments as
well as share repurchase contracts can be found in PwCs accounting and financial
reporting guide for Financing transactions (FG). This section provides an overview of
the accounting for options related to the noncontrolling interest with specific
references to relevant FG sections.
2.6.6.1
Calls and puts related to the noncontrolling interestU.S. GAAP

An instrument indexed to the stock of a consolidated subsidiary should be considered
indexed to its own stock (provided the subsidiary is a substantive entity) based on the
guidance in ASC 815-40-15-5C. This is the case whether an instrument that is
executed with a noncontrolling interest holder is entered into by the parent or by the
subsidiary. Therefore, the analysis to determine the appropriate accounting treatment
for an instrument issued by a parent indexed to the stock of a consolidated subsidiary
is similar to the analysis to determine the accounting treatment for an equity-linked
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Acquisition method
instrument on a companys own stock. FG 7 provides an overview of equity-linked

instruments.
Figure 2-4 illustrates the steps used to assess whether an instrument indexed to a
subsidiarys shares and executed with noncontrolling interest holders is embedded in
the noncontrolling interest or is a freestanding instrument.
Figure 2-4
Analysis of instruments indexed to a subsidiarys shares executed with noncontrolling
interest holders
Is the instrument (or embedded

component) freestanding or
embedded in the NCI?
Freestanding
Is the instrument within the

scope of ASC 480?
Yes
Apply the recognition and
measurement guidance in
ASC 480. Consider impact of
the instrument on the classification
of NCI shares
Embedded
Embedded component is not

within the scope of ASC 480.
Perform analysis of embedded
equity-linked components (FG 2.3)
and consider impact of the
embedded component on the
classification of NCI shares.
No
Perform analysis of embedded
equity-linked components
(FG 2.3) and consider impact of
the embedded component on the
classification of NCI shares.
Freestanding vs. embedded

To determine the appropriate accounting treatment of an instrument indexed to a
subsidiarys shares executed with a noncontrolling interest holder, it is necessary to
first determine whether the instrument is freestanding or embedded in the
noncontrolling interest. A freestanding financial instrument is defined as:
A financial instrument that meets either of the following conditions:
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It is entered into separately and apart from any of the entitys other financial
instruments or equity transactions.
It is entered into in conjunction with some other transaction and is legally

detachable and separately exercisable.
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Separately and apart

Factors to consider in determining whether an instrument is entered into separately
and apart from the transaction that created the noncontrolling interest include:
Whether the counterparty to the instrument is unrelated to the noncontrolling

interest holdera counterparty that is unrelated to the noncontrolling interest
holder would be an indicator that the instrument was entered into separately and
apart from the noncontrolling interest.
When the counterparty to the instrument is the noncontrolling interest holder, (1)
whether the instrument is documented separately from the transaction that gave
rise to the noncontrolling interest, and (2) the length of time between the creation
of the noncontrolling interest and the execution of the instrumentexecution with
the noncontrolling interest holder may occur separately and apart from the
noncontrolling interest if the instrument is separately documented (and there is
no linkage between the two instruments) and there is a reasonable period of time
between the transaction that created the noncontrolling interest and the execution
of the instrument.
Legally detachable and separately exercisable

Oftentimes an instrument indexed to a subsidiarys shares will be executed in
connection with the transaction that created the noncontrolling interest. Thus, in
determining whether the instrument is freestanding or embedded, the analysis
generally hinges on whether the instrument is legally detachable and separately
exercisable.
Figure 2-5 highlights indicators and considerations when determining whether an
instrument is legally detachable and separately exercisable from the noncontrolling
interest.
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Figure 2-5
Embedded vs. freestanding indicators
Indicates
freestanding
Indicates
embedded
Transferability
of either
(1) the shares
that represent
the NCI or (2)
the instrument
Shareholder and/or
purchase agreements
do not limit the
transfer of either
instrument (i.e., the
instrument can be
transferred while the
underlying shares are
retained)
Shareholder and/or
purchase agreements
do limit the transfer of
either instrument (i.e.,
the instrument cannot
be transferred without
the underlying shares)
Significant
indicator if
separately
transferable;
however, not a
significant
indicator if
shares/instrument
cannot be
separately
transferred as
stapled/attached
securities can still
be freestanding
Continued
existence of
the NCI after
the instrument
is settled
Instrument can be
settled while the NCI
remains outstanding
Once the instrument is

settled, the NCI is
subject to redemption
or is no longer
outstanding
Significant
indicator
Settlement
Instrument can be or
is required to be net
settled
Instrument can only

be settled on a gross
physical basis
Significant
indicator
Counterparty
If the parent is the

counterparty, then
from the perspective
of the NCI holder the
instrument could be
viewed as separate
from or attached to
the NCI
If the subsidiary is the

counterparty, then the
equity comprising the
NCI and the
instrument are with
the same
counterparty. From a
consolidated
perspective, a
subsidiarys equity is
also the parents
equity
Not a significant
freestanding
indicator
Indicator
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Considerations
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Indicator
Specific shares
Indicates
freestanding
Indicates
embedded
The shares that

represent the NCI to
be delivered upon
settlement of the
instrument are not
specifically identified
The shares that

represent the NCI to
be delivered upon
settlement of the
instrument are
specifically identified
Considerations
If the shares
issued by the
subsidiary are not
publicly traded,
this indicator is
less significant
because it may not
be possible for the
NCI holder to
obtain the issuers
shares in the open
market
Example 2-21 illustrates an example of an embedded put option.
EXAMPLE 2-21
Analysis of put right
Parent Company A acquires 80% of the common shares of Subsidiary B from
Company Z. Company Z retains the remaining common shares (20%) in Subsidiary B.
As part of the acquisition, Parent Company A and Company Z enter into an agreement
that allows Company Z to put its equity interest in Subsidiary B, in its entirety, to
Parent Company A at a fixed price on a specified date. The put option is nontransferrable and terminates if Company Z sells its Subsidiary B shares to a third
party.
Analysis
The put option is embedded in the noncontrolling interest recorded in Parent
Company As financial statements because it does not meet either of the conditions of
a freestanding financial instrument.
The put option was executed as part of the acquisition, therefore it was not
entered into separately and apart from the transaction that created the
The put option is not legally detachable and separately exercisable as it is nontransferrable and terminates if Company Z sells its shares.
Accounting for a freestanding instrument executed with noncontrolling

interest holders
A freestanding instrument should be accounted for on a separate basis. The
appropriate accounting treatment will be determined by the type of instrument and its
terms. The issuer should also consider what impact, if any, the freestanding
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instrument has on the parent companys accounting for the noncontrolling interest. In
many cases, the noncontrolling interest continues to be reported in the parent
companys financial statements based on the contractual terms of the shares that
represent the noncontrolling interest. In other cases, the noncontrolling interest is
derecognised and a liability is recognised even though the instrument indexed to the
subsidiarys shares is considered freestanding from the noncontrolling interest.
Figure 2-6 summarizes the parent companys accounting treatment for (1) various
instruments indexed to a subsidiarys shares and (2) noncontrolling interest.
Figure 2-6
Accounting impacts of freestanding derivatives on NCI shares
Freestanding derivative on
NCI shares
Accounting for the

instrument(s)
Written put option
Generally, a written put option

is recorded at fair value with
changes in fair value recorded
in earnings.
Recorded as a separate
component of equity.
Purchased call option
A purchased call option is

recorded at fair value with no
subsequent remeasurement if
the option meets the
requirements for equity
classification.
Accounting for NCI
A purchased call option is

recorded at fair value with
subsequent remeasurement in
earnings if the option does not
meet the requirement for equity
classification.
Forward-purchase for a
fixed number of shares for
cash
Generally, physically settled

forward-purchase contracts are
initially recorded at fair value.
If the amount to be paid and the
settlement date are fixed, the
liability should be accreted to
the settlement date payment
amount. If the amount to be
paid or the settlement date vary,
ASC 480 requires the
instrument to be remeasured
each reporting date.
The NCI is derecognised

and a liability is
recognised because it is
certain that the parent
will purchase the
remaining shares.
Subsequent remeasurement
should be recognised in interest
cost.
Collar comprised of a
purchased call option and a
written put option
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Generally, a collar is recorded at

fair value with changes in fair
value recorded in earnings
based on the guidance in ASC
480.
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Freestanding derivative on
NCI shares
Accounting for the

instrument(s)
Freestanding written put

and purchased call
Generally, a written put option

and a purchased call option are
accounted for separately unless
they are economically
equivalent to a forwardpurchase contract.
Accounting for NCI

See FG 2.4, 2.5, 10.2 and 10.3 for further discussion of the accounting treatment for
these instruments.
Combination of written put and purchased call options freestanding
from the noncontrolling interest
Generally, a written put option and a purchased call option are accounted for
separately; however, a written put option and a purchased call option with the same
exercise price and exercise dates are economically equivalent to a forward-purchase
contract. The accounting treatment of both (1) the instrument and (2) the
corresponding noncontrolling interest differ based on whether the options are
accounted for separately (i.e., as a written put option and a purchased call option) or
in combination (i.e., as a forward-purchase contract). Thus, a parent company should
determine whether a written put option and a purchased call option that are
freestanding from a noncontrolling interest are also freestanding from each other.
If the written put option and purchased call option with the same exercise price and
exercise dates are issued as a single instrument and are freestanding from the
noncontrolling interest, the single instrument is economically equivalent to a forwardpurchase contract and is recorded as an asset or liability at fair value with changes in
fair value recorded in earnings based on the guidance in ASC 480.
As discussed in ASC 480-10-25-15, a freestanding written put option that is accounted
for as a liability within the scope of ASC 480 should not be combined with a
freestanding purchased call option that is outside the scope of ASC 480. A written put
option is recorded as a liability at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in
earnings based on the guidance in ASC 480. A purchased call option may be recorded
as (1) equity, which is not remeasured, or (2) an asset recorded at fair value with
changes in fair value recorded in earnings depending on its terms (see FG 2.4 and
2.5).
Classification of an instrument embedded in a noncontrolling interest
Once the parent company determines that an instrument is embedded in a
noncontrolling interest, it should assess whether the agreement meets the
requirements to be accounted for separately from the host noncontrolling interest. FG
2.3 provides an analysis of embedded equity-linked components. Frequently,
embedded components in a noncontrolling interest are not required to be accounted
for as derivatives and thus are not accounted for separately.
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If a parent company determines that an embedded component should not be

accounted for separately, it should assess whether the embedded component has an
impact on the classification of and accounting for the noncontrolling interest shares.
Figure 2-7 summarizes the potential effect that various embedded components may
have on the classification of noncontrolling interest shares.
Figure 2-7
Impacts of embedded components on the classification of NCI
Embedded component
Impact on classification of NCI
Written put option
Typically, for public companies, the puttable shares will

result in classification as mezzanine equity.
See BCG 2.6.5.1 for a discussion of redeemable NCI.
Purchased call option
A purchased call option typically will not affect the

classification of the NCI shares.
Forward-purchase
A forward contract embedded in a NCI results in

mandatorily redeemable NCI shares. The parent
company should eliminate the NCI shares from equity
and recognize a liability for the mandatorily redeemable
shares.
See FG 4 for a discussion of mandatorily redeemable
shares.
Collar
The impact of a collar is generally determined by the

terms of the options. See written put option and
purchased call option discussions above.
Written put and

purchased call with the
same fixed exercise price
and exercise date
Based on the guidance in ASC 480-10-55-59 and 55-60,

the written put option and purchased call option should
be viewed on a combined basis with the NCI and
accounted for as a financing of the parents purchase of
the NCI.
The parent consolidates 100% of the subsidiary. The
instrument is recorded as a liability and accreted,
through interest cost, to the exercise price over the
period until settlement.
Written put and

purchased call with
floating exercise prices
A NCI with an embedded put and purchased call with a

floating exercise price is not considered a mandatorily
redeemable instrument under ASC 480. Therefore, the
NCI shares are contingently redeemable rather than
mandatorily redeemable and typically, for public
companies, the puttable shares will result in
classification as mezzanine equity.
See FG 4 for a discussion of contingently redeemable
securities.
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2.6.6.2
Calls and puts related to the noncontrolling interestIFRS

An acquirer may purchase a call option and/or write a put over a noncontrolling
interest in connection with the acquisition of a controlling interest in a business
combination. IFRS 3 does not provide guidance on how such contracts should be
accounted for in a business combination and there is also a lack of guidance when
such contracts are entered into by a parent subsequent to the business combination.
In determining the appropriate accounting treatment, IFRS 10, IAS 32 and IAS 39
need to be considered. The main accounting principles are as follows:
The ownership risks and rewards of the shares relating to the forward or option
should be analysed to determine whether they remain with the noncontrolling
interest or have transferred to the parent. The noncontrolling interest is
recognised to the extent the risks and rewards of ownership of those shares
remain with them.
Irrespective of whether the noncontrolling interest is recognised, a financial

liability (redemption liability) is recorded to reflect the forward or put option. All
subsequent changes to the liability are recognised in profit or loss. Where the risks
and rewards of ownership remain with the noncontrolling interest, the financial
liability recognised reduces the controlling interest equity. The noncontrolling
interest continues to be recognised and is allocated its share of profits and losses
in the normal way. Where significant risks and rewards of ownership reside with
the controlling interest, the financial liability recognised is offset against the
noncontrolling interest balance:
o
If the liability is greater than the noncontrolling interest (which will generally
be the case) the difference is debited to controlling interest equity. This is to
avoid the noncontrolling interest becoming negative.
If the liability is less than the noncontrolling interest, it is likely that the
noncontrolling interest has retained some residual rights, which might be, for
example, to future dividends. In this situation, the balance is shown as a
Dividends paid to the noncontrolling interest that do not reduce the

contracted future purchase price are deducted from the noncontrolling
interest carrying value. Profits and losses are allocated to the noncontrolling
interest to the extent it is necessary to cover the dividend payment so that the
noncontrolling interest does not become negative.
If the forward or put option states that dividend payments reduce the
contracted future purchase price, then the dividend amount should be
deducted from the redemption liability.
Analysis of contract terms

The terms of the forward and option contracts should be analysed to assess whether
they provide the parent with access to the economic benefits and risks associated with
the actual ownership of the shares during the contract period. The noncontrolling
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shareholder may have substantially retained the risks and rewards associated with the
continued ownership until such time as the contract is settled. Factors to consider in
making this assessment include, for example, the pricing of the forward contract or
options and whether share price movements during the contract period result in
benefits and losses being borne by the parent or by the noncontrolling shareholder.
Typically, forwards or options that will be settled with a transfer of the noncontrolling
interests shares for a fair value price do not result in a transfer of the risks and
rewards or ownership to the parent until the contract is settled. However, fixed price
forwards do result in a transfer of risks and rewards of ownership of the shares to the
parent from the date the contract is written. Written put options with a fixed exercise
price that are accompanied by a similarly priced call option, exercisable at the same
future date, are similar, in substance, to a fixed price forward. If symmetrical put and
call options exist, it is often virtually certain that either the parent or the
noncontrolling shareholder will exercise the option given it will be in one of their
economic interests to do so. If the share price falls below the fixed exercise price, the
noncontrolling shareholder will exercise the put option and sell the shares (that is, the
parent has retained the risks of decline in value during the option period). If the share
price increases above the fixed exercise price, the parent will exercise the call option
and buy the shares (that is, the parent has retained access to the benefits from
increases in value during the option period).
Accounting for option and forward contracts related to noncontrolling
interests
A noncontrolling interest is recognised in equity to the extent that the risks and
rewards of ownership substantially remain with the noncontrolling interest during the
contract period. Where all the risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the
parent, a noncontrolling interest is not recognised. If the forward or symmetrical put
and call options are entered into at the same time as the business combination and an
amount is recognised for noncontrolling interest, in accordance with IFRS 3, it is
recorded either at fair value or at its proportionate share of the fair value of
identifiable net assets of the subsidiary. If the contracts are entered into subsequent to
the date of the business combination, then the noncontrolling interest is derecognised
to the extent the risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the parent.
Evaluating whether the risk and rewards of ownership transfer to the parent or
remain with the noncontrolling interest is judgemental and requires consideration of
all contracts terms and conditions. There may also be circumstances when the
exercise price of the forward or symmetrical put and call options to acquire the
noncontrolling interest is based on a formula that is not akin to a fair value price.
These are complex situations, and determining where the risks and rewards of
ownership lie depends on the facts and circumstances.
An entity that enters into a contract that contains an obligation for the entity to deliver
cash or another financial asset in exchange for its own equity shares is a financial
liability [IAS 32.23]. This liability is recorded irrespective of whether that contract
meets the definition of an equity instrument. Under a forward contract, the entity has
an obligation to deliver cash or a financial asset, but an issue arises as to whether an
obligation exists for an entity that enters into a written put option over its own shares.
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The financial liability is recognised at the present value of the redemption amount and
accreted through finance charges in the income statement over the contract period up
to the final redemption amount. Any adjustments to the redemption amount are
recognised as finance charges in the income statement in accordance with IAS
39.AG8. The initial redemption liability is a reduction of parents equity if the risks
and rewards of ownership remain with the noncontrolling interest or a reduction of
noncontrolling interest equity if the risks and rewards of ownership transfer to the
parent. If the present value of the redemption amount exceeds the carrying value of
the noncontrolling interest, any excess is recorded against parents equity.
A noncontrolling interest may receive dividends during the period of the contract.
Dividends are deducted from the noncontrolling interest; however, if the dividend
amount exceeds the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest, then an allocation of
the entitys profits is made to bring the noncontrolling interest to zero. Dividends paid
should only reduce the redemption liability if the forward or put and call options
stipulate that such payments reduce the exercise price. Profits should be allocated to
the noncontrolling interest to the extent they retain risks and rewards of ownership.
If the contract is exercised, any noncontrolling interest equity is allocated to parent
equity. No adjustments are made to goodwill upon settlement of the contract. The
redemption liability is offset by the cash payment.
If the contract lapses unexercised where the risks and rewards of ownership have
transferred to the parent, a noncontrolling interest equity is reinstated. In substance,
the parent has sold those shares back to the noncontrolling interest and it is a
transaction with a noncontrolling interest. The noncontrolling interest equity amount
is reinstated at an amount equal to its share of the carrying values of the subsidiarys
net assets at the date of lapse plus the goodwill from the subsidiarys initial
acquisition. Any difference between the redemption liability and the noncontrolling
interest equity adjustment is recognised against the parents equity. No adjustments
are made to goodwill.
If the contract lapses unexercised where the risks and rewards of ownership remain
with the noncontrolling interest, then no adjustment is made to the carrying value of
the noncontrolling interest and the redemption liability is derecognised against the
parents equity.
2.6.7
Treatment of a previously held equity interest in an acquiree

The acquirer may hold an equity interest in the acquiree prior to a business
combination. The Boards concluded that, on the acquisition date, the acquirer
exchanges its status as an owner of an investment in the acquiree for a controlling
financial interest of the acquiree and the right to direct and manage its assets and
operations [FAS 141(R).B384; IFRS 3.BC384]. The Boards believe this change in
control of the previously held equity interest in the acquiree is an economic event that
triggers the remeasurement of the investment to fair value.
On the acquisition date, the acquirer recognises a gain or loss in earnings [profit or loss]
based on the remeasurement of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree to
fair value. If a previously held equity interest had been classified as an available-for-sale
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security under ASC 320 or IAS 39, prior adjustments to its fair value would have been
recognised in other comprehensive income [directly in equity]. In these situations, the
amount recognised in other comprehensive income [directly in equity] should be
reclassified and included in the calculation of any gain or loss for U.S. GAAP, or
recognised on the same basis that would be required if the acquirer had directly
disposed of the previously held equity interest for IFRS [ASC 805-10-25-10; IFRS 3.42].
The remeasurement of a previously held equity interest is more likely to result in the
recognition of gains, since companies are required to periodically evaluate their
investments for impairment. Example 2-22 illustrates the recognition and
measurement of a gain on a previously held equity interest in the acquiree in a
business combination.
EXAMPLE 2-22
Gain on a previously held equity interest in an acquiree
Company T (acquirer) previously held a 10% equity interest in Company U (acquiree)
with an original investment of CU6 million. Company T pays CU90 million in cash for
the remaining 90% interest outstanding. The 10% equity interest held in the acquiree
is classified as an available-for-sale security. On the acquisition date, the identifiable
net assets of the acquiree have a fair value of CU80 million, the 10% equity interest of
the acquiree has a fair value of CU10 million, and CU4 million of unrecognised gains
related to the previously held equity interest was recorded in other comprehensive
income [directly in equity].
Analysis
Excluding any income tax effects, Company T would record the following entry to
recognise a gain and the acquisition of Company U (in millions):
Identifiable net assets
Goodwill
Equityunrecognised gains
CU80
CU201
CU4
Cash
CU90
10% equity interest in acquiree
CU10
Gain
CU42
Goodwill: Fair value of consideration transferred, plus the fair value of the previously held equity interest in
acquiree, less identifiable net assets = (CU90 + CU10) CU80.
2
Gain: Fair value of previously held equity interest in acquiree, less carrying value of previously held equity
interest in acquiree, plus / less amount recognised in other comprehensive income [directly to equity] =
CU10 CU10 + CU4.
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2.6.8
Business combinations achieved without consideration transferred

Business combinations achieved without consideration transferred should also apply
the acquisition method. Business combinations can occur without the transfer of
consideration, as control may be obtained through means other than the purchase of
equity interests or net assets. As discussed in Chapter 1, business combinations that
do not involve a transfer of consideration include a share repurchase by an investee,
combinations by contract, and the lapse of minority veto rights.
In a business combination achieved by contract alone, the equity interests in the
acquiree held by parties other than the acquirer are the noncontrolling interest in the
acquirers financial statements. This could result in the noncontrolling interest being
equal to 100 percent of the acquirees equity if the acquirer holds no equity interests in
the acquiree after the business combination [ASC 805-10-25-12; IFRS 3.44].
2.7
Assessing what is part of a business

combination transaction
The Standards provide the following principle for determining what is part of a
business combination transaction:
The acquirer and the acquiree may have a preexisting relationship or other
arrangement before negotiations for the business combination began, or they may
enter into an arrangement during the negotiations that is separate from the business
combination. In either situation, the acquirer shall identify any amounts that are not
part of what the acquirer and the acquiree (or its former owners) exchanged in the
business combination, that is, [ie] amounts that are not part of the exchange for the
acquiree. The acquirer shall recognise as part of applying the acquisition method only
the consideration transferred for the acquiree and the assets acquired and liabilities
assumed in the exchange for the acquiree. Separate transactions shall be accounted
for in accordance with the relevant GAAP [IFRSs].
The transfer of consideration may be accompanied by other transactions in a business
combination. A transaction is likely to be recognised and accounted for separately
from a business combination if it is entered into by or on behalf of the acquirer and is
primarily for the benefit of the acquirer or the combined entity rather than that of the
acquiree or its former owners [ASC 805-10-25-21 through 25-22; IFRS 3.51].
Identifying those transactions that should be accounted for separately from the
acquisition can require significant judgment and analysis. The Standards provide
three factors to consider that are neither mutually exclusive nor individually
conclusive. Those factors are:
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a.
The reasons for the transactionUnderstanding the reasons why the parties to the
combination (the acquirer, the acquiree, and their owners, directors, managers,
and their agents) entered into a particular transaction or arrangement may
provide insight into whether it is part of the consideration transferred and the
assets acquired or liabilities assumed. For example, if a transaction is arranged
primarily for the benefit of the acquirer or the combined entity rather than
primarily for the benefit of the acquiree or its former owners before the
combination, that portion of the transaction price paid (and any related assets or
liabilities) is less likely to be part of the exchange for the acquiree. Accordingly,
the acquirer would account for that portion separately from the business
combination.
b. Who initiated the transactionUnderstanding who initiated the transaction may

also provide insight into whether it is part of the exchange for the acquiree. For
example, a transaction or other event that is initiated by the acquirer may be
entered into for the purpose of providing future economic benefits to the acquirer
or combined entity with little or no benefit received by the acquiree or its former
owners before the combination. On the other hand, a transaction or arrangement
initiated by the acquiree or its former owners is less likely to be for the benefit of
the acquirer or combined entity and more likely to be part of the business
combination transaction.
c.
The timing of the transactionThe timing of the transaction may also provide
insight into whether it is part of the exchange for the acquiree. For example, a
transaction between the acquirer and the acquiree that takes place during the
negotiations of the terms of a business combination may have been entered into in
contemplation of the business combination to provide future economic benefits to
the acquirer or the combined entity. If so, the acquiree or its former owners before
the business combination are likely to receive little or no benefit from the
transaction except for benefits they receive as part of the combined entity.
Transactions that are recognised separately from the business combination are
accounted for based on the applicable guidance in U.S. GAAP or IFRS. Specific
guidance is provided for the following transactions in connection with a business
combination:
Employee compensation arrangements
Reimbursement provided to the acquiree or former owners for paying the

acquirers acquisition costs
Settlement of preexisting relationships between the acquirer and acquiree [ASC

805-10-25-21; IFRS 3.52]
These types of transactions are discussed in the next sections of this chapter.
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2.7.1
Employee compensation arrangements

Employees of the acquiree may receive replacement awards or be provided with
other agreements that represent compensation for past services to the acquiree or
future services to the combined entity, or both. Employee compensation
arrangements should be reviewed to determine what amount, if any, is considered
part of the business combination and recognised as a component of consideration
transferred. Amounts that are not part of the consideration transferred are recognised
separately from a business combination and accounted for in accordance with the
applicable U.S. GAAP or IFRS. Additional guidance on the accounting for employee
compensation arrangements can be found in Chapter 3.
Examples 2-23 and 2-24 illustrate the accounting treatment for certain employee
compensation arrangements that are not recognised as a component of the
consideration transferred in a business combination.
EXAMPLE 2-23
Employee compensation arrangementsprefunded retention agreement
Company A acquires Subsidiary B from Company C for CU200 million. As part of the
transaction, Company A hires five employees of Subsidiary B who were deemed
critical to Subsidiary Bs business due to their knowledge and expertise. Also as part of
the transaction, Company C agreed to fund an escrow arrangement under which these
five individuals would receive a retention bonus aggregating CU15 million if they
remain employed by Company A for the three years following the acquisition. If any of
the five individuals terminate employment, they forfeit their bonus and these amounts
will revert to Company C.
Analysis
The retention arrangement represents compensation for postcombination services
rendered to Subsidiary B, even though it is funded by Company C. Accordingly, the
retention arrangement is a separate transaction from the business combination and
should be reflected as expense in Company As consolidated financial statements
during the three-year employment period to the extent paid to the employees in
accordance with ASC 805-10-25-20 [IFRS 3.51]. Therefore, Company A would allocate
the amount paid of CU200 million between prepaid compensation and consideration
transferred to acquire Subsidiary B.
EXAMPLE 2-24
Agreement conditioned upon a dual trigger consisting of change in control and
termination
Company D acquires Company E in a business combination. Company E has an
existing employment agreement in place with one of its key employees that states that
the employee will be paid CU1 million upon a change of control and termination of
employment within 18 months following the acquisition date (sometimes referred to
as a dual trigger). The employee receives the stated amount only if the employee is
subsequently terminated without cause or leaves for good reason as defined in the
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employment contract. At the date of the business combination, Company D had

determined it would not offer employment to the key employee of Company E,
effectively terminating employment on the acquisition date, and would pay CU1
million to the former employee of Company E.
Analysis
The termination payment to the employee is only incurred when both of the two
conditions outlined in the employment agreement are met (i.e., a change of control
and termination of employment). Since the decision to terminate the employee is out
of Company Es control, only one of the two conditions is met by Company E at the
acquisition date. Therefore, it would not be appropriate for Company E to record a
liability in connection with the effective termination of the key employee.
Company D should recognise CU1 million of expense in its postcombination period as
a transaction separate from the business combination. As noted above, the payment to
the employee is conditioned upon both a change in control of the acquiree and a
termination of employment by the acquirer. At the acquisition date, both conditions
were triggered. The decision by Company D was made for its own benefit and should
be recorded separately from the business combination [ASC 805-10-55-18; IFRS
3.B50]. Therefore, Company D would not record a liability in acquisition accounting
but instead would recognise the expense in the period after the business combination.
2.7.2
Reimbursement arrangements between the acquiree and the acquirer

for transaction costs incurred
Consistent with the guidance for acquisition costs (see BCG 2.7.5), acquisition costs
embedded in the consideration transferred should be accounted for separately from
the business combination. For example, consideration transferred by the acquirer that
includes amounts to reimburse the acquiree or its former owners for payments made
on behalf of the acquirer for its acquisition-related costs should be recognised
separately from the business combination. In contrast, costs incurred by an acquiree
to sell a business are not acquisition-related costs. Consideration transferred by the
acquirer that includes amounts to reimburse the acquiree for the acquirees costs
incurred to sell the business generally would be accounted for by the acquirer as part
of the consideration transferred.
2.7.3
Settlement of preexisting relationships between the acquirer and

acquiree
A preexisting relationship can be contractual (e.g., vendor and customer, licensor and
licensee) or it can be noncontractual (e.g., plaintiff and defendant) [ASC 805-10-5520; IFRS 3.B51]. The acquirer should identify any preexisting relationships to
determine which ones have been effectively settled. Typically, a preexisting
relationship will be effectively settled, since such a relationship becomes an
intercompany relationship upon the acquisition and is eliminated in the
postcombination financial statements. Reacquired rights, which also arise from
preexisting relationships, are discussed at BCG 2.5.6. The acquirer should recognise a
gain or loss if there is an effective settlement of a preexisting relationship [ASC 805-
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10-55-21; IFRS 3.B52]. When there is more than one contract or agreement between
the parties with a preexisting relationship or more than one preexisting relationship,
the settlement of each contract and each preexisting relationship should be assessed
separately.
Example 2-25 illustrates the settlement of a preexisting debtor/creditor relationship
between an acquirer and acquiree.
EXAMPLE 2-25
Settlement of a preexisting relationship recorded at current market rates
Company A has accounts payable of CU100 to Company B and Company B has
accounts receivable of CU100 from Company A. Both the recorded payable and
corresponding receivable approximate fair value. Company A acquires Company B for
CU2,000 in a business combination.
Analysis
As a result of the business combination, the preexisting relationship between
Company A and Company B is effectively settled. No gain or loss was recognised on
the settlement as the payable was effectively settled at the recorded amount. Company
A should reduce the consideration transferred for the acquisition by CU100 to account
for the effective settlement of the payable to Company B.
2.7.3.1
Calculating the gain or loss on settlement of preexisting relationships

The acquirer should recognise a gain or loss for the effective settlement of a
preexisting relationship. Settlement gains and losses from noncontractual
relationships should be measured at fair value on the acquisition date [ASC 805-1055-21; IFRS 3.B52].
Settlement gains and losses from contractual relationships should be measured as the
lesser of:
a.
The amount the contract terms are favourable or unfavourable (from the
acquirers perspective) compared to pricing for current market transactions for
the same or similar items. If the contract terms are favourable compared to
current market transactions, a settlement gain should be recognised. If the
contract terms are unfavourable compared to current market transactions, a
settlement loss should be recognised.
b. The amount of any stated settlement provisions in the contract available to the
counterparty to whom the contract is unfavourable [ASC 805-10-55-21; IFRS
3.B52]. The amount of any stated settlement provision (e.g., voluntary
termination) should be used to determine the settlement gain or loss. Provisions
that provide a remedy for events not within the control of the counterparty, such
as a change in control, bankruptcy, or liquidation, would generally not be
considered a settlement provision in determining settlement gains or losses.
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If (b) is less than (a), the difference is included as part of the business combination
[ASC 805-10-55-21; IFRS 3.B52]. If there is no stated settlement provision in the
contract, the settlement gain or loss is determined from the acquirers perspective
based on the favourable or unfavourable element of the contract.
If the acquirer has previously recognised an amount in the financial statements
related to a preexisting relationship, the settlement gain or loss related to the
preexisting relationship should be adjusted (i.e., increasing or decreasing any gain or
loss) for the amount previously recognised [ASC 805-10-55-21; IFRS 3.B52].
Examples 2-26 through 2-28 reflect the settlement accounting for certain preexisting
relationships in a business combination. The examples illustrate the accounting for
settlement of a noncontractual relationship, settlement of a contractual relationship
that includes a settlement provision, and settlement of a contractual relationship that
does not include a settlement provision. Additional examples are provided in the
Standards [ASC 805-10-55-30 through 55-33; IFRS 3.IE54-IE57].
EXAMPLE 2-26
Settlement loss with a liability previously recorded on a noncontractual relationship
Company A is a defendant in litigation relating to a patent infringement claim brought
by Company B. Company A pays CU50 million to acquire Company B and effectively
settles the lawsuit. The fair value of the settlement of the lawsuit is estimated to be
CU5 million, and Company A had previously recorded a CU3 million litigation liability
in its financial statements before the acquisition.
Analysis
Company A would record a settlement loss related to the litigation of CU2 million,
excluding the effect of income taxes. This represents the CU5 million fair value of the
settlement after adjusting for the CU3 million litigation liability previously recorded
by Company A. The acquisition of Company B and the effective settlement of the
litigation are recorded as separate transactions (in millions):
Litigation liability
CU3
Loss on settlement of lawsuit with Company B
CU2
Acquired net assets of Company B

Cash
CU45
CU50
If, however, Company A had previously recorded a liability greater than CU5 million,
then a settlement gain would be recognised for the difference between the liability
previously recorded and the fair value of the settlement.
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EXAMPLE 2-27
Settlement loss on a contractual relationship
Company C provides services to Company D. Since the inception of the contract, the
market price for these services has increased. The terms in the contract are
unfavourable compared to current market transactions for Company C in the amount
of CU10 million. The contract contains a settlement provision that allows Company C
to terminate the contract at any time for CU6 million. Company C acquires Company
D for CU100 million.
Analysis
Company C would recognise a settlement loss of CU6 million, excluding the effect of
income taxes.
A settlement loss of CU6 million is recognised because it is the lesser of the fair value of
the unfavourable contract terms (CU10 million) and the contractual settlement
provision (CU6 million). The CU100 million in cash paid by Company C is attributed as
CU6 million to settle the services contract and CU94 million to acquire Company D.
The CU4 million difference between the fair value of the unfavourable contract terms
and the contractual settlement provision is included as part of consideration
transferred for the business combination. The acquisition of Company D and the
effective settlement of the services contract would be recorded as follows (in millions):
Loss on settlement of services contract with Company D
Acquired net assets of Company D
Cash
CU6
CU94
CU100
EXAMPLE 2-28
Settlement loss on a contractual relationship when the contract is silent on the
amount of the settlement provision
Company E acquires Company F for CU100 million. Company E provides services to
Company F. Since the inception of the services contract, the market price for these
services has increased. The terms in the contract are unfavourable compared to
current market transactions for Company E in the amount of CU10 million. The
services contract is silent on a settlement provision in the event that either party
terminates the contract.
Analysis
Company E would recognise a CU10 million settlement loss, excluding the effect of
income taxes, for the unfavourable amount of the contract. The CU100 million that
Company E pays Company Fs shareholders is attributed CU10 million to settle the
preexisting relationship and CU90 million to acquire Company F. The acquisition of
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Company F and the effective settlement of the services contract would be recorded by
Company E as follows (in millions):
Loss on settlement of services contract with Company F
CU10
Acquired net assets of Company F
CU90
Cash
2.7.4
CU100
Settlement of debt
If the preexisting relationship effectively settled is a debt financing issued by the
acquirer to the acquiree, the guidance in ASC 470, Debt (ASC 470), and IAS 39 should
be applied. If debt is settled (extinguished) prior to maturity, the amount paid upon
reacquisition of debt may differ from the carrying amount of the debt at that time. An
extinguishment gain or loss is recognised in earnings [profit or loss] for the difference
between the reacquisition price (fair value or stated settlement amount) and the
carrying amount of the debt [ASC 470-50-40-2; IAS 39.41]. For example, if the
acquiree has an investment in debt securities of the acquirer with a fair value of CU110
million and the carrying amount of the acquirers debt is CU100 million, the acquirer
would recognise a settlement loss of CU10 million on the acquisition date (based on
the assumption that the debt was settled at CU110 million).
If the preexisting relationship effectively settled is a debt financing issued by the
acquiree to the acquirer, the acquirer effectively is settling a receivable and would
apply the Standards guidance for settling a preexisting relationship. See BCG 2.7.3.1
for further information.
2.7.5
Acquisition-related costs
An acquirer in a business combination typically incurs acquisition-related costs, such
as finders fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, other professional or consulting
fees; and general and administrative costs. Acquisition-related costs are considered
separate transactions and should not be included as part of the consideration
transferred but, rather, expensed as incurred or when the service is received [ASC
805-10-25-23; IFRS 3.53]. These costs are not considered part of the fair value of a
business and, by themselves, do not represent an asset. Acquisition-related costs
represent services that have been rendered to and consumed by the acquirer.
Costs related to the issuance of debt are capitalised and amortised into earnings
[profit or loss] over the term of the debt [ASC 835-30-45-1 through 45-4; IAS 39R.43;
IAS 39R.47]. Costs related to the issuance of equity reduce the proceeds received from
the issuance.
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Question 2-8
Are fees paid to an investment banker to handle the financing of the business
combination considered acquisition-related costs?
PwC response
Fees paid to an investment banker in connection with a business combination, when
the investment banker is also providing interim financing or underwriting services,
must be allocated between direct costs of the acquisition and those related to
financing or underwriting the business combination. For example, assume Company
A acquired Company B for 70 percent cash and the balance in preferred shares and
debt and Company A hired an investment banker to handle the financing and
underwriting services. The costs paid to the investment banker should be allocated
between those that related to financing or underwriting the business combination
(generally recorded as part of the cost of the debt or equity issuance) and all other
services that should be expensed as incurred.
Question 2-9
Should transaction costs incurred by the acquirer be reflected in the separate financial
statements of the acquiree in a business combination accounted for under ASC 805 ?
PwC response
Under U.S. GAAP, generally no. SAB Topic 1B (Questions 1-2) indicates that the
separate financial statements of a subsidiary should reflect any costs of its operations
that are incurred by the parent on its behalf. Acquisition-related costs incurred by the
acquirer in acquiring the acquiree (e.g., acquisition due diligence fees to assist in
determining the purchase price) generally would not benefit the acquiree nor
represent part of the acquirees operations and, therefore, would not be reflected as
expense in the separate financial statements of the acquiree.
2.7.6
Financial instruments entered into by the acquirer in contemplation of a

business combination
Financial instruments entered into by the acquirer to hedge certain risks in
contemplation of a business combination generally should be accounted for as
separate transactions apart from the business combination. These contracts are
generally not eligible for hedge accounting under U.S. GAAP and IFRS, even though
these contracts may effectively hedge various economic risks and exposures related to
the transaction. Hedge accounting for a firm commitment to acquire a business is
prohibited under ASC 815 and IAS 39, with the exception that IAS 39 does allow
companies to achieve hedge accounting for the foreign currency exchange risk
embedded in a firm commitment [ASC 815-20-25-12, ASC 815-20-25-43); IAS
39.AG98].
Hedges of other items in contemplation of a business combination (e.g., the forecasted
interest expense associated with debt to be issued to fund an acquisition or the
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forecasted sales associated with the potential acquiree) generally do not qualify for
hedge accounting and should be accounted for separately from the business
combination. While it may be argued that hedge accounting should be acceptable
theoretically, practically it may not be possible to achieve because a forecasted
transaction can qualify for hedge accounting under ASC 815 and IAS 39 only if it is
probable of occurrence. The ability to support an assertion that a business
combination is probable of occurrence and achieve hedge accounting for these types of
hedges will be rare given the number of conditions that typically must be met before
an acquisition can be consummated (e.g., satisfactory due diligence, no material
adverse changes/developments, shareholder votes, regulatory approval). Accordingly,
an evaluation of the specific facts and circumstances would be necessary if an entity
asserts that a forecasted acquisition is probable of occurrence.
2.8
Example of applying the acquisition method

Example 2-29 provides an example of the general application of the acquisition
method in a business combination.
EXAMPLE 2-29
Applying the acquisition method
Company A acquires all of the equity of Company B in a business combination. The
company applied the acquisition method based on the following information on the
acquisition date:
PwC
Company A pays CU100 million in cash to acquire all outstanding equity of

Company B.
Company A incurs CU15 million of expenses related to the acquisition. The

expenses incurred include legal, accounting, and other professional fees.
Company A agreed to pay CU6 million in cash if the acquirees first years
postcombination revenues are more than CU200 million. The fair value of this
contingent consideration arrangement at the acquisition date is CU2 million.
The fair value of tangible assets and assumed liabilities on the acquisition date is
CU70 million and CU35 million, respectively.
The fair value of identifiable intangible assets is CU25 million.
Company A intends to incur CU18 million of restructuring costs by severing

employees and closing various facilities of Company B shortly after the
acquisition.
There are no measurement period adjustments.
Company A obtains control of Company B on the closing date.
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Analysis
The following analysis excludes the accounting for any tax effects of the transaction.
Identifying the acquirer (BCG 2.3)
Company A is identified as the acquirer because it acquired all of Company Bs equity
interests for cash. The acquirer can be identified based on the guidance in ASC 810-10
and IFRS 10.
Determining the acquisition date (BCG 2.4)
The acquisition date is the closing date.
Recognising and measuring the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed,
and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree (BCG 2.5)
Company A recognises and measures all identifiable assets acquired and liabilities
assumed at the acquisition date. There is no noncontrolling interest because Company
A acquired all of the equity of Company B. Company A would record the acquired net
assets of Company B in the amount of CU60 million (CU95 million of assets less CU35
million of liabilities), excluding goodwill as follows (in millions):
Tangible assets
CU70
Intangible assets
CU25
Liabilities
CU35
Company A does not record any amounts related to its expected restructuring
activities as of the acquisition date because Company A did not meet the relevant U.S.
GAAP or IFRS criteria. The recognition of exit/restructuring costs is recognised in
postcombination periods.
Recognising and measuring goodwill or a gain from a bargain purchase
(BCG 2.6)
Acquisition costs are not part of the business combination and will be expensed as
incurred. Company A would make the following entry to expense acquisition cost as
incurred, excluding income tax effects (in millions):
Acquisition costs
Cash
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CU15
CU15
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The consideration transferred is CU102 million, which is calculated as follows (in

millions):
Cash
CU100
21
Contingent considerationliability
CU102
1
The contingent consideration liability will continue to be measured at fair value in the postcombination
period with changes in its value reflected in earnings [profit or loss].
The acquisition results in goodwill because the CU102 million consideration

transferred is in excess of the CU60 million identifiable net assets acquired, excluding
goodwill, of Company B. Goodwill resulting from the acquisition of Company B is
CU42 million and is measured, as follows (in millions):
Total consideration transferred
Less: acquired net assets of Company B
Goodwill to be recognised
2.9
CU102
(60)
CU42
Measurement period adjustments

The Standards provide the following principle for measurement period adjustments:
Excerpts from ASC 805-10-25-13, ASC 805-10-25-14 and IFRS 3.45
If the initial accounting for a business combination is incomplete by the end of the
reporting period in which the combination occurs, the acquirer shall report in its
financial statements provisional amounts for the items for which the accounting is
incomplete. During the measurement period, the acquirer shall retrospectively adjust
the provisional amounts recognised at the acquisition date to reflect new information
obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if
known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognised as of that
date.
During the measurement period, the acquirer also shall [shall also] recognise
additional assets or liabilities if new information is obtained about facts and
circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have
resulted in the recognition of those assets and liabilities as of that date. The
measurement period ends as soon as the acquirer receives the information it was
seeking about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date or learns
that more information is not obtainable. However, the measurement period shall not
exceed a year from the acquisition date.
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The acquirer has a period of time, referred to as the measurement period, to finalise
the accounting for a business combination. The measurement period provides
companies with a reasonable period of time to determine the value of:
The identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling

interest in the acquiree.
The consideration transferred for the acquiree or other amount used in measuring
goodwill (e.g., a business combination achieved without consideration
transferred).
The equity interest in the acquiree previously held by the acquirer.
The goodwill recognised or a bargain purchase gain [ASC 805-10-25-15; IFRS

3.46].
New information that gives rise to a measurement period adjustment should relate to
events or circumstances existing at the acquisition date. Factors to consider in
determining whether new information obtained gives rise to a measurement period
adjustment includes the timing of the receipt of new information and whether the
acquirer can identify a reason for the measurement period adjustment. Information
obtained shortly after the acquisition date is more likely to reflect facts and
circumstances existing at the acquisition date, as opposed to information received
several months later [ASC 805-10-30-2 through 30-3; IFRS 3.47].
If a measurement period adjustment is identified, the acquirer is required to recognise
the adjustment as part of its acquisition accounting. An acquirer increases or
decreases the provisional amounts of identifiable assets or liabilities by means of
increases or decreases in goodwill for measurement period adjustments. However,
new information obtained during the measurement period sometimes may result in
an adjustment to the provisional amounts of more than one asset or liability. In these
situations, an adjustment to goodwill resulting from a change to a provisional amount
may be offset, in whole or part, by another adjustment to goodwill from a
corresponding adjustment to a provisional amount of the other asset or liability [ASC
805-10-25-16; IFRS 3.48].
For example, the acquirer might have assumed a liability to pay damages related to an
accident in one of the acquirees facilities, part or all of which are covered by the
acquirees insurance policy. If the acquirer obtains new information during the
measurement period about the acquisition date fair value of that liability, the
adjustment to goodwill resulting from a change in the provisional amount recognised
for the liability would be offset,in whole or in part, by a corresponding adjustment to
goodwill resulting from a change in the provisional amount recognised for the claim
receivable from the insurer [ASC 805-10-25-16; IFRS 3.48].
Comparative prior period information included in subsequent financial statements is
revised to include the effect of the measurement period adjustment as if the
accounting for the business combination had been completed on the acquisition date.
The effects of a measurement period adjustment may cause changes in depreciation,
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amortisation, or other income or expense recognised in prior periods [ASC 805-10-2517; IFRS 3.49].
All changes that do not qualify as measurement period adjustments are included in
current period earnings [profit or loss].
After the measurement period ends, an acquirer should revise its accounting for the
business combination only to correct an error in accordance with ASC 250,
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (ASC 250), for U.S. GAAP, and IAS 8,
Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors (IAS 8), for IFRS
[ASC 805-10-25-19; IFRS 3.50].
Paragraphs ASC 805-10-55-27 through 55-29 and paragraphs IE51IE53 of IFRS 3
provide an example that illustrates the application of the measurement period
guidance where an appraisal is completed after the initial acquisition. Example 2-30
provides an example of the assessment of whether new information gives rise to a
measurement period adjustment.
EXAMPLE 2-30
Identifying measurement period adjustments
On 1 January 20X0, Company C acquires Company D. As part of the initial acquisition
accounting, Company C recognises CU50 million of goodwill and a CU5 million
intangible asset for the customer relationship related to Company Ds largest
customer. The useful life of the customer relationship is deemed to be four years. On
30 June 20X0, Company D obtains an independent appraisal of the acquisition date
fair value of the customer relationship intangible asset. Based on the appraisal, the
value of the customer relationship of Company Ds largest customer is determined to
be CU7 million, with a useful life of four years.
Analysis
The appraisal obtained by Company C in the postcombination period is new
information about facts and circumstances existing at the acquisition date. Company
C should recognise any difference between the appraisal and the initial acquisition
accounting as a measurement period adjustment. In the 30 June 20X0 financial
statements, Company D makes the following measurement period adjustments to
adjust the year-to-date financial information, excluding income tax effects (in
millions):
Customer relationship
CU2
Goodwill
CU2
To adjust for the increase in value of the customer relationship

Amortisation expense
Customer relationship
CU0.251
CU0.25
Incremental amortisation expense: amortisation expense based on appraised value, less amortisation
expense based on initial value = CU0.875 or 6 months / 48 total months x CU7 less CU0.625 or 6 months /
48 total months x CU5.
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To adjust the six-month amortisation expense to reflect the incremental value

assigned to the customer relationship
When subsequently presented, the financial statements for the quarter ended 31
March 20X0 should be adjusted to include the impact of the measurement period
adjustment. The results of operations would reflect the amortisation expense of the
intangible asset as if the adjustment had been recorded on the acquisition date.
2.10
Reverse acquisitions
Reverse acquisitions (reverse mergers) present unique accounting and reporting
considerations. Depending on the facts and circumstances, these transactions can be
asset acquisitions, capital transactions, or business combinations. See BCG 8.2.1.1
for further information on the accounting for when a new parent is created for an
existing entity or group of entities. A reverse acquisition that is a business
combination can occur only if the accounting acquiree meets the definition of a
business under the Standards. An entity that is a reporting entity, but not a legal
entity, could be considered the accounting acquirer in a reverse acquisition. Like other
business combinations, reverse acquisitions must be accounted for using the
acquisition method.
A reverse acquisition occurs if the entity that issues securities (the legal acquirer) is
identified as the acquiree for accounting purposes and the entity whose equity
interests are acquired (legal acquiree) is the acquirer for accounting purposes. For
example, a private company wishes to go public but wants to avoid the costs and time
associated with a public offering. The private company arranges to be legally acquired
by a publicly listed company that is a business. However, after the transaction, the
owners of the private company will have obtained control of the public company and
would be identified as the accounting acquirer under the Standards [ASC 805-40-052, ASC 805-40-25-1 and ASC 805-40-30-1; IFRS 3.B19]. In this case, the public
company would be the legal acquirer, but the private company would be the
accounting acquirer. The evaluation of the accounting acquirer should include a
qualitative and quantitative analysis of the factors. See BCG 2.3 for further
information. Figure 2-8 provides a diagram of a reverse acquisition.
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Figure 2-8
Diagram of a reverse acquisition
Legal acquirer/accounting acquiree
Legal acquirer
issues shares
Legal acquiree
gains control
Legal acquiree/accounting acquirer
The legal acquirer is the surviving legal entity in a reverse acquisition and continues to
issue financial statements. The financial statements are generally in the name of the
legal acquiree because the legal acquirer often adopts the name of the legal acquiree.
In the absence of a change in name, the financial statements remain labelled as those
of the surviving legal entity. Although the surviving legal entity may continue, the
financial reporting will reflect the accounting from the perspective of the accounting
acquirer, except for the legal capital, which is retroactively adjusted to reflect the
capital of the legal acquirer (accounting acquiree) [ASC 805-40-45-1; IFRS 3.B21].
2.10.1
Reverse acquisition (merger) involving a nonoperating public shell and

a private operating entity
The merger of a private operating entity into a nonoperating public shell corporation
with nominal net assets typically results in (1) the owners of the private entity gaining
control over the combined entity after the transaction, and (2) the shareholders of the
former public shell corporation continuing only as passive investors. This transaction
is usually not considered a business combination because the accounting acquiree, the
nonoperating public shell corporation, does not meet the definition of a business
under the Standards. Instead, these types of transactions are considered to be capital
transactions of the legal acquiree and are equivalent to the issuance of shares by the
private entity for the net monetary assets of the public shell corporation accompanied
by a recapitalisation.
Under U.S. GAAP, any excess of the fair value of the shares issued by the private entity
over the value of the net monetary assets of the public shell corporation is recognised
as a reduction to equity.
Under IFRS, any difference in the fair value of the shares issued by the private entity
over the value of the net monetary assets of the public shell corporation represents a
service, and the cost of the service should be recognised as an expense by the acquirer.
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2.10.2
Consideration transferred in a reverse acquisition

In a reverse acquisition, the accounting acquirer usually issues no consideration for
the acquiree. Instead, the accounting acquiree usually issues its equity shares to the
owners of the accounting acquirer. Accordingly, the acquisition date fair value of the
consideration transferred by the accounting acquirer for its interest in the accounting
acquiree is based on the number of equity interests the legal subsidiary would have
had to issue to give the owners of the legal parent the same percentage equity interest
in the combined entity that results from the reverse acquisition [ASC 805-40-30-2;
IFRS 3.B20].
In a reverse acquisition involving only the exchange of equity, the fair value of the
equity of the accounting acquiree may be used to measure consideration transferred if
the value of the accounting acquirees equity interests are more reliably measurable
than the value of the accounting acquirers equity interest. This may occur if a private
company acquires a public company with a quoted and reliable market price. If so, the
acquirer should determine the amount of goodwill by using the acquisition date fair
value of the accounting acquirees equity interests [ASC 805-30-30-2 through 30-3;
IFRS 3.33].
Example 2-31 illustrates the measurement of the consideration transferred in a
reverse acquisition.
EXAMPLE 2-31
Valuing consideration transferred in a reverse acquisition (adapted from ASC 805-4055-10 and IFRS 3.IE5)
Company B, a private company, acquires Company A, a public company, in a reverse
acquisition.
Immediately before the acquisition date:
Company A has 100 shares outstanding
Company B has 60 shares outstanding
On the acquisition date:
Company A issues 150 shares in exchange for Company Bs 60 shares
The shareholders of Company B own 60% (150/250) of the new combined entity
The shareholders of Company A own 40% (100/250) of the new combined entity
Market price of a share of Company A is CU16
Estimated fair value of a share of Company B is CU40
Analysis
The fair value of the consideration effectively transferred should be measured based
on the most reliable measure. Because Company B is a private company, the fair value
of Company As shares is likely more reliably measurable. The consideration
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effectively transferred of CU1600 is measured using the market price of Company As

shares (100 shares times CU16).
Otherwise, the fair value of the consideration effectively transferred would be
calculated using the amount of Company Bs shares that would have been issued to the
owners of Company A on the acquisition date to give Company A an equivalent
ownership interest in Company B as it has in the combined company. Company B
would have had to issue 40 shares1 to Company A shareholders, increasing Company
Bs outstanding shares to 100 shares. Consideration effectively transferred would be
CU1,600 (40 shares times the fair value of Company Bs shares of CU40).
1 Number of shares on which the consideration transferred is based: number of shares to be issued that will
give owners of accounting acquiree a percentage ownership interest equal to their ownership interest in the
combined entity = (60 shares / 60%) x 40%, or 40 shares.
2.10.3
Presentation of consolidated financial statements

The presentation of the financial statements represents the continuation of the legal
acquiree, except for the legal capital structure in a reverse acquisition [ASC 805-4045-1; IFRS 3.B21].Historical shareholders equity of the accounting acquirer (legal
acquiree) prior to the reverse acquisition is retrospectively adjusted (a
recapitalisation) for the equivalent number of shares received by the accounting
acquirer after giving effect to any difference in par value of the issuers and acquirers
stock with any such difference recognised in equity. Retained earnings (deficiency) of
the accounting acquirer are carried forward after the acquisition. Operations prior to
the merger are those of the accounting acquirer. Earnings per share for periods prior
to the merger are retrospectively adjusted to reflect the number of equivalent shares
received by the acquiring company.
The Standards provide the following financial statement presentation guidance for
reverse acquisitions:
Because the consolidated financial statements represent the continuation of the
financial statements of the legal subsidiary except for its capital structure, the
consolidated financial statements reflect all of the following:
a.
The assets and liabilities of the legal subsidiary (the accounting acquirer)
recognised and measured at their precombination carrying amounts.
b. The assets and liabilities of the legal parent (the accounting acquiree) recognised
and measured in accordance with the guidance in this Topic applicable to
business combinations [IFRS].
c.
PwC
The retained earnings and other equity balances of the legal subsidiary
(accounting acquirer) before the business combination.
2-95
Acquisition method
d. The amount recognised as issued equity interests in the consolidated financial

statements determined by adding the issued equity interest of the legal subsidiary
(the accounting acquirer) outstanding immediately before the business
combination to the fair value of the legal parent (accounting acquiree) determined
in accordance with the guidance in this Topic applicable to business combinations
[IFRS]. However, the equity structure (that is, [ie] the number and type of equity
interests issued) reflects the equity structure of the legal parent (the accounting
acquiree), including the equity interests the legal parent issued to effect the
combination. Accordingly, the equity structure of the legal subsidiary (the
accounting acquirer) is restated using the exchange ratio established in the
acquisition agreement to reflect the number of shares of the legal parent (the
accounting acquiree) issued in the reverse acquisition.
e.
The noncontrolling interests proportionate share of the legal subsidiarys

(accounting acquirers) precombination carrying amounts of retained earnings
and other equity interests as discussed in paragraphs 805-40-25-2 and 805-4030-3 [IFRS3.B23 and B24] and illustrated in Example 1, Case B (see paragraph
805-40-55-18).
Examples 2-32 and 2-33 illustrate the presentation of shareholders equity following a
reverse acquisition.
EXAMPLE 2-32
Presentation of shareholders equity immediately following a reverse acquisition
(adapted from ASC 805-40-55-13 and IFRS 3.IE7)
acquisition.
Shareholders equity immediately before the acquisition date:
Company A
(accounting
acquiree)
Company B
(accounting
acquirer)
Shareholders equity
Retained earnings
CU800
CU1,400
Issued equity
100 common shares
300
60 common shares
Total shareholders equity
2-96
600
CU1,100
CU2,000
PwC
Acquisition method
Company A issues 150 shares in exchange for Company Bs 60 shares
Fair value of consideration transferred is CU1,600
The shareholders of Company B own 60% (150/250) of the new combined entity
Analysis
The presentation of shareholders equity of the combined company on the acquisition
date is:
Combined company
Shareholders equity
Retained earnings
CU1,400
Issued equity
250 common shares
Total shareholders equity

1
2,200
CU3,600
Retained earnings is based on the retained earnings of Company B, which is the accounting acquirer.
The amount recognised for issued equity (i.e., common shares outstanding) is the sum of the value
recognised for issued equity interests of Company B immediately before the acquisition, plus the value of
the consideration transferred. CU2,200 = CU600 + CU1,600.
EXAMPLE 2-33
Restated presentation of shareholders equity following a reverse acquisition
acquisition. The transaction was consummated on 4/1/X2.
Company A has 100 shares outstanding (CU1 par)
Company A has total shareholders equity of CU125
Company B has 100 shares outstanding (CU2 par)
Company B has total shareholders equity of CU1,850
PwC
Company A issues 400 shares in exchange for 100% of Company B
2-97
Acquisition method
After the acquisition date:
The recapitalized entity has net income of CU300 for the period 4/1/X2 to
12/31/X2
Analysis
Shareholders equity (Company B) immediately before the acquisition date:
APIC1
Retained
earnings
Total
shareholders
equity
120
600
300
1,020
40
110
Shares at
par (CU2)
1/1/X1
Shares issued 7/1/X1
Net income
12/31/X1
160
710
40
190
Net income
250
250
550
1,420
230
200
200
900
750
1,850
Shares at
par (CU1)
APIC
Retained
earnings
Total
shareholders
equity
240
480
300
1,020
80
70
3/31/X2
1
150
200
APIC-Additional Paid in Capital
Restated shareholders at 12/31/X2:
1/1/X1
Net income
12/31/X1
320
550
80
150
Net income
3/31/X2
400
700
Recapitalization 4/1/X2
100
25
Net income
2-98
150
250
250
550
1,420
230
200
200
750
1,850
125
300
300
PwC
Acquisition method
Shares at
par (CU1)
500
12/31/X2
2.10.4
APIC
Retained
earnings
Total
shareholders
equity
725
1,050
2,275
Noncontrolling interest in a reverse acquisition

Some shareholders of the legal acquiree (accounting acquirer) may not participate in
the exchange transaction in a reverse acquisition. These shareholders will continue to
hold shares in the legal acquiree and will not exchange their shares for shares in the
legal acquirer (accounting acquiree). Because these shareholders hold an interest only
in the legal acquiree, they participate in the earnings [profit or loss] of only the legal
acquiree and not the earnings [profit or loss] of the combined entity [ASC 805-40-252; IFRS 3.B23]. As mentioned in the previous section, the legal acquirees assets and
liabilities are recognised at their precombination carrying values (i.e., not recognised
at fair value) on the acquisition date. These shareholders that will now become
noncontrolling interest holders were not owners of the accounting acquiree and do not
participate in earnings [profit or loss] generated in the accounting acquiree.
Therefore, in a reverse acquisition, the value of the noncontrolling interest is
recognised at its proportionate interest in the precombination carrying amounts of the
accounting acquirer [ASC 805-40-30-3; IFRS 3.B24].
Example 2-34 illustrates the measurement of a noncontrolling interest in a reverse
acquisition.
EXAMPLE 2-34
Measurement of noncontrolling interest (adapted from ASC 805-40-55-18 through
55-21 and IFRS 3.IE12)
acquisition.
Company A has 100 shares outstanding.
Company B has 60 shares outstanding.
Company Bs recognised net assets are CU2,000

PwC
Company A issues 140 shares in exchange for 56 shares of Company B.
The shareholders of Company B own 58.3% (140/240) of the new combined

entity.
Four shares of Company B remain outstanding.
2-99
Acquisition method
Analysis
The combined entity would recognise a noncontrolling interest related to the four
remaining outstanding shares of Company B. The value of the noncontrolling interest
should reflect the noncontrolling interests proportionate share in the precombination
carrying amounts of the net assets of Company B, or CU134. This is based on a 6.7%
ownership (4 shares / 60 issued shares) in Company B and Company Bs net assets of
CU2,000.
2.10.5
Computation of earnings per share in a reverse acquisition

In a reverse acquisition, the financial statements of the combined entity reflect the
capital structure (i.e., share capital, share premium and treasury capital) of the legal
acquirer (accounting acquiree), including the equity interests issued in connection
with the reverse acquisition. Consistent with this financial statement presentation, the
computation of EPS is also based on the capital structure of the legal acquirer.
The Standards provide the following guidance on EPS:
Excerpts from ASC 805-40-45-4, ASC 805-40-45-5 and IFRS 3.B26, B27
In calculating the weighted-average number of common [ordinary] shares outstanding
(the denominator of the earnings-per-share calculation) during the period in which
the reverse acquisition occurs:
a.
The number of common [ordinary] shares outstanding from the beginning of that
period to the acquisition date shall be computed on the basis of the weightedaverage number of common [ordinary] shares of the legal acquiree (accounting
acquirer) outstanding during the period multiplied by the exchange ratio
established in the merger agreement.
b. The number of common [ordinary] shares outstanding from the acquisition date
to the end of that period shall be the actual number of common [ordinary] shares
of the legal acquirer (the accounting acquiree) outstanding during that period.
The basic earnings per share for each comparative period before the acquisition date
presented in the consolidated financial statements following a reverse acquisition
shall be calculated by dividing (a) by (b):
a.
The income [profit or loss] of the legal acquiree attributable to common

[ordinary] shareholders in each of those periods
b. The legal acquirees historical weighted average number of common [ordinary]

shares outstanding multiplied by the exchange ratio established in the acquisition
agreement.
Example 2-35 illustrates the computation of EPS in a reverse acquisition.
2-100
PwC
Acquisition method
EXAMPLE 2-35
Computation of EPS (adapted from ASC 805-40-55-16 and IFRS 3.IE9)
acquisition on 30 September 20X6.
Company A has 100 shares outstanding
Company B has 60 shares outstanding
Company Bs outstanding shares (i.e., 60 shares) remained unchanged from 1

January 20X6 through the acquisition date
On 30 September 20X6, the acquisition date:
Company A issues 150 shares in exchange for Company Bs 60 shares. This is an

exchange ratio of 2.5 shares of Company A for 1 share of Company B
Earnings [profit] for the consolidated entity for the year ended 31 December 20X6
are CU800
Analysis
EPS for the year ended 31 December 20X6 is computed as follows:
Earnings [profit] for the year ended 31 December 20X6
CU800
Number of common shares outstanding of Company B
60
Exchange ratio
2.5
Number of shares outstanding from 1 January 20X6 through

30 September 20X6
150
Number of shares outstanding from acquisition date through

31 December 20X6
250
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding (150 shares x 9 / 12) + (250

shares x 3 / 12)
175
Earnings per share for year ended 31 December 20X6 (CU800 / 175 shares)
PwC
CU4.57
2-101
Acquisition method
2.11
Applying the acquisition method for variable

interest entities and special purpose
The guidance in ASC 805 is also applicable to the consolidation of VIEs that are
businesses when control is obtained under the VIE subsections of ASC 810-10. Even if
the entity is not considered a business, the VIE subsections of ASC 810-10 refers to the
guidance in ASC 805 for the recognition and measurement of assets and liabilities
(except for goodwill) when consolidating the VIE [ASC 810-10-30-1 through 30-6].
VIEs that are determined to be businesses must follow the disclosure requirements of
ASC 805 [ASC 810-10-50-3].
If the primary beneficiary of a VIE transfers assets or liabilities to the VIE at, after, or
shortly before the date that the entity becomes the primary beneficiary, the assets are
recognised at the same amounts at which the assets and liabilities would have been
measured if they had not been transferred (i.e., no gain or loss is recognised) [ASC
810-10-30-3].
Figure 2-9 provides the applicable guidance for the VIE subsections of ASC 810-10 in
connection with a business combination.
Figure 2-9
Variable interest entities and business combinations
Scenario
Application of ASC 805
Acquired group is a:
The consolidation of a VIE when control is

obtained is considered a business
combination. Apply the acquisition method
in ASC 805. In this situation, the date a VIE
must be consolidated should be used as the
acquisition date. The primary beneficiary,
the entity that consolidates the VIE, is
identified as the acquirer [ASC 805-10-25-5
through 25-6].
Variable interest entity

Business
Acquired group is a:
Variable interest entity
Not a business
2-102
The consolidation of the VIE is considered

an asset acquisition. Apply sections ASC
805-20-25, ASC 805-20-30, ASC 805-74025-2 and ASC 805-740-30-1 to recognise
and measure the VIEs assets and liabilities,
excluding goodwill, at fair value. The
difference between (1) the fair value of any
consideration transferred, the fair value of
the noncontrolling interest in the VIE, and
the reported amount of any previously held
equity interests in the VIE; and (2) the net
amount of the VIEs identifiable assets and
liabilities recognised and measured in
accordance with ASC 805 will be recognised
as a gain or loss. No goodwill is recognised
[ASC 810-10-30-3 through 30-6].
PwC
Acquisition method
Scenario
Application of ASC 805
Acquired group is:
Determine whether the acquired group is a

business. If it is a business, apply ASC 805.
If it is not a business, apply asset
acquisition accounting. See BCG 9 for
further information.
Not a variable interest entity
IFRS does not include the concept of VIEs. Prior to the adoption of IFRS 10, SIC 12
provided an interpretation of IAS 27 (2008). Special purpose entities (SPEs) are those
that are set up to achieve a narrow or specifically defined outcome, and it is often
difficult to change their activities [SIC 12.1]. An entity may have no ownership interest
in an SPE, but it may, in substance, control it. SIC 12 lists factors that may indicate
control. These are, in substance:
The SPEs activities are being conducted for the benefit of the entity.
The entity has substantive decision-making powers to realise benefits or it has

delegated the powers through an autopilot mechanism.
The entity has access to the majority of the rewards of the SPE and may, therefore,
be exposed to the majority of the risks.
The entity has the majority of ownership or residual risks so that it obtains the
majority of the rewards from the SPE.
An entity should apply IFRS 3 if it gains control of an SPE that is a business and
account for the transaction as a business combination. An entity that acquires control
over an SPE that is not a business and consolidates the SPE, accounts for the
transaction as an acquisition of assets in accordance with BCG 9.
IFRS 10 superseded SIC 12. There is no longer specific accounting guidance for special
purpose entities because IFRS 10 applies to all types of entities. The application of
IFRS 10 includes situations where control is gained through a contract (i.e., structured
entities). See BCG 1.6.2 for further information on IFRS 10.
2.12
Conforming accounting policies of the

acquiree to those of the acquirer
Absent justification for different accounting policies, the acquirees policies should be
conformed to those of the acquirer. Dissimilar operations or dissimilar assets or
transactions of the acquiree may provide justification for different accounting policies.
However, the presence of intercompany transfers or the use of common
manufacturing facilities or distribution systems are examples of circumstances that
would establish a presumption that the operations of the acquiree are similar to those
of the acquirer.
PwC
2-103
Acquisition method
The acquirer may want to change its policies to conform to those of the acquiree.
Conforming the acquirers accounting policies to those of the acquiree is a change in
accounting principle and the preferability requirements of ASC 250 and IAS 8 must be
considered.
2.13
Continuing transition requirements

U.S. GAAP and IFRS companies should generally apply the provisions of the
Standards prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date was
on or after the Standards effective date. Adjustments to most assets acquired and
liabilities assumed that arose from business combinations consummated prior to the
effective date of the Standards continue to be accounted for under previous U.S. GAAP
or IFRS. However, the Standards should be applied to certain income tax matters
(e.g., valuation allowance releases and changes to uncertain tax positions) that arose
from business combinations consummated prior to the effective date of the Standards
[ASC 805-10-65-1 (2009); IFRS 3.67]. These continuing transition considerations are
discussed in more detail below.
2.13.1
Income tax transition provisions

The release of a valuation allowance [initial recognition of acquired deferred tax
assets] that does not qualify as a measurement period adjustment is reflected in
income tax expense (or as a direct adjustment to equity as required by ASC 740 or IAS
12). The release of a valuation allowance [initial recognition of acquired deferred tax
assets] within the measurement period resulting from new information about facts
and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date is reflected first as an
adjustment to goodwill, then as a bargain purchase [ASC 805-740-45-2; IAS 12.68].
The acquirer must consider whether changes in the acquired deferred tax balances are
due to new information about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition
date or are due to events arising in the postcombination period. Discrete events or
circumstances that arise within the measurement period and that did not exist at the
acquisition date generally would not be recorded in acquisition accounting [ASC 80510-25-13; IFRS 3.45].
Unlike the general transition provisions of the Standards, whereby the guidance is
applied only to business combinations consummated after the effective date of the
Standards, the guidance related to the release of a valuation allowance (ASC 740) or
recognition of assets (IAS 12) subsequent to the date of acquisition also applies to
business combinations consummated prior to the effective date of the Standards [ASC
805-10-65-1 (2009); IFRS 3.67].
Measurement period adjustments to uncertain tax positions are recorded first as an
adjustment to goodwill, and then as a bargain purchase. Other adjustments are
recorded in earnings [profit or loss] directly impacting a companys income tax
expense and effective tax rate [ASC 805-740-45-4; IAS 12.68]. This guidance related
to adjustments to acquisition-related tax uncertainties also applies to business
combinations consummated prior to the effective date of the Standards [ASC 805-1065-1 (2009); IFRS 3.67]. Under IFRS, adjustments related to tax uncertainties
2-104
PwC
Acquisition method
recorded in a business combination that (1) were made within one year of the
acquisition date and (2) related to matters existing at the acquisition date, are
generally recorded as an adjustment to purchase accounting. Otherwise, adjustments
are recognised in the income statement.
Question 2-10:
How should excess tax-deductible goodwill from acquisitions made prior to the
effective date of ASC 805 be accounted for under U.S. GAAP?
PwC response
In general, when specific transition guidance is not provided, companies should
continue to follow the previous guidance for acquisitions consummated prior to the
adoption of ASC 805.
Under historical U.S. GAAP guidance,6 if tax-deductible goodwill exceeded book
goodwill as of the acquisition date, no deferred tax asset was recorded. The tax benefit
of the excess tax basis is recognised when it is realised on the tax return. ASC 805
amended the guidance for accounting for excess tax-deductible goodwill at the
acquisition date. However, no transition guidance was provided for accounting for
excess tax-deductible goodwill that arose in acquisitions consummated prior to the
effective date of ASC 805.
Therefore, companies should continue to follow the historical guidance for recording
the income tax benefit from amortising component-2 tax-deductible goodwill for
acquisitions consummated prior to the effective date of ASC 805. For those
acquisitions, the tax benefit from the component-2 tax-deductible goodwill is
recorded as the benefit is realised on the tax return, first as a reduction to goodwill
from the acquisition, second as a reduction to other noncurrent intangible assets
related to the acquisition, and third to reduce income tax expense.
2.13.1.1
Acquired tax benefits disclosure

IAS 12 requires the disclosure of the event or change in circumstances that caused the
recognition of a deferred tax benefit that was not initially recognised on the
acquisition date [IAS 12.81(k)].
Under ASC 740, prior to the adoption of the Standards, companies recorded the tax
benefit of excess tax-deductible goodwill over book goodwill when realised on the tax
return. That tax benefit was applied first to reduce to zero the goodwill related to that
acquisition, second to reduce to zero other noncurrent intangible assets related to that
acquisition, and third to reduce income tax expense. While the Standards are silent as
to the accounting treatment for excess tax-deductible goodwill upon transition,
current practice is for companies to apply the guidance that was in place at the time
the acquisition was completed. For acquisitions that took place prior to the adoption
5
PwC
FAS 109, par.263 prior to being amended by ASC 805-740.
2-105
Acquisition method
of the Standards, companies should continue to follow the previous guidance for
recording the income tax benefit for excess tax-deductible goodwill.5
For more discussion on the amendments to ASC 740 and IAS 12, and other income tax
accounting matters associated with a business combination, see BCG 5.7.
2.13.2
Exit activitiesU.S. GAAP

Previously, liabilities for exit activities planned in connection with a business
combination could be established under EITF Issue No. 95-3, Recognition of
Liabilities in Connection with a Purchase Business Combination (EITF 95-3), if
certain conditions were met. Subsequent reductions of such liabilities, if the liability
exceeded the ultimate cost expended, were usually recorded as adjustments to
goodwill, irrespective of when the adjustments were made.
EITF 95-3 was nullified with the issuance of ASC 805, and as a result, companies must
now account for any exit activities, whether or not arising in connection with a
business combination, using the guidance in ASC 420. Liabilities previously
established under EITF 95-3 will not be eliminated upon adoption of ASC 805 and
will continue to be accounted for under EITF 95-3 until settled. That is, any
subsequent reductions of excess restructuring liabilities related to prior business
combinations will usually be recorded to goodwill.
2.13.3
Tax benefits of equity-classified awards that ordinarily result in a tax

deductionU.S. GAAP
Prior to the adoption of ASC 805, entities were not permitted to recognise deferred tax
assets at the acquisition date for replacement share-based payment awards.
Instead, any tax deduction resulting from the exercise of the award was recognised as
an adjustment to the cost of the acquisition (usually as a reduction of goodwill) to the
extent of the fair value of the award recognised at the acquisition date.
Under ASC 805, a deferred tax asset is recorded at the acquisition date related to
the tax benefit derived from recording the fair value of nonqualified share-based
payment awards (i.e., awards that would typically result in a tax deduction) that are
issued as part of the consideration transferred for the acquiree. Upon settlement,
if the tax deduction received by the acquirer is greater than the sum of the fair value of
the award added to the purchase price plus the cumulative book compensation cost
recorded by the acquirer, the tax benefit related to the excess tax deduction (i.e.,
windfall) should be recorded as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital. If the tax
deduction received by the acquirer is less than the sum of the fair value of the award
added to the purchase price plus the cumulative book compensation cost recorded by
the acquirer, the resulting difference (i.e., shortfall) should be charged first to
additional paid-in capital, to the extent of the acquirers pool of windfall tax benefits.
Any remaining shortfall would be recognised in income tax expense. Windfalls and
shortfalls generated from replacement awards are included in the acquirers pool of
windfall tax benefits, similar to other awards granted by the acquirer. For business
combinations that close after the effective date of ASC 805, adjustments are no longer
made to goodwill for the subsequent income tax effects of replacement share-based
payment awards issued in an acquisition.
2-106
PwC
Acquisition method
For business combinations that closed prior to the effective date of ASC 805,
companies should continue to account for the realised tax benefits from replacement
share-based payment awards following their existing practices, which in most cases
will be in accordance with the guidance in EITF Issue No. 00-23, Issues Related to the
Accounting for Stock Compensation under APB Opinion No. 25 and FASB
Interpretation No. 44 (EITF 00-23), Issue 29.
2.13.4
Resolution of contingent consideration

Under FAS 141 and IFRS 3 (2004), the subsequent resolution of a contingent
consideration arrangement based on earnings [profit or loss] was considered
additional purchase consideration and usually gave rise to additional goodwill. Under
the Standards, however, resolution of a contingent consideration arrangement for an
amount different from that recorded in the purchase accounting is reflected in
earnings [profit or loss]. See BCG 2.6.4.1 and 2.6.4.2 for the accounting guidance
applicable to contingent consideration under U.S. GAAP and IFRS, respectively.
Contingent consideration recorded in acquisitions prior to the effective date of the
Standards should continue to follow the guidance of FAS 141 and IFRS 3 (2004) until
the contingent consideration is settled. That is, once settled, the amount of contingent
consideration should be accounted for as additional purchase price, even if settlement
is subsequent to the companys adoption of the Standards.
2.13.5
Contingent consideration of an acquiree

Under U.S. GAAP, a pre-existing contingent consideration arrangement of the
acquiree assumed in a business combination should be accounted for by the acquirer
in accordance with the guidance for contingent consideration arrangements in ASC
805-30-25-5. This guidance requires that contingent consideration be recognised as
part of the consideration transferred in a business combination and measured at its
acquisition date fair value. See BCG 2.6.4.1 for further information on the accounting
for contingent consideration in a business combination under U.S. GAAP.
In contrast to U.S. GAAP, a pre-existing contingent consideration arrangement of the
acquiree would be accounted for as an assumed liability (or in some instances, an
asset) of the acquired business under IFRS. As these arrangements would almost
always be established by a contract, they would fall within the scope of IAS 39 and be
recognised at fair value on the acquisition date. The IASB concluded that such preexisting arrangements would not constitute contingent consideration under IFRS 3
because the consideration does not arise from the current transaction between the
acquirer and the former owners of the acquiree.
PwC
2-107

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Chapter 2:

The Boards projects on financial instruments are intended to address the

The key takeaways from this chapter are:

The fair value of the consideration transferred, including any equity

Certain contingencies assumed in a business combination are

Contingent consideration is recognised and measured on the

Acquisition and restructuring costs are accounted for separately from

Business combinations may trigger the recognition of gains and

Measurement period adjustments require retroactive adjustment of

The acquisition method

Identifying the acquirer;

b. Determining the acquisition date;

Recognizing and measuring the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities

d. Recognizing and measuring goodwill or a gain from a bargain purchase.

Identifying the acquirer

Excerpts from ASC 805-10-55-12 and IFRS 3.B15

The composition of the governing body of the combined entityThe acquirer

The terms of the exchange of equity interestsThe acquirer usually is the

An acquirer should be identified in a business combination involving more than

A new entity formed to effect a business combination is not necessarily the

New entity formed to effect a business combination

Other considerations in identifying the acquirer

Acquisitions involving companies with common [ordinary]

Options, warrants, and convertible instruments: Options, warrants, and

Determining the acquisition date

Determining the acquisition date for a business combination achieved

Recognising and measuring the identifiable

Excerpt from IFRS 3

Recognition and measurement

Reacquired rights (BCG 2.5.6)

Assets held-for-sale (BCG 2.5.9)

Share-based payment awards (BCG

Income taxes (BCG 2.5.8)

Employee benefits (BCG 2.5.10)

Contingencies (BCG 2.5.13)

Indemnification assets (BCG 2.5.14)

The recognition and measurement of particular assets acquired and liabilities

Assets that the acquirer does not intend to use

Defensive intangible assets

Asset valuation allowances

Was the original relationship an outright sale with immediate revenue

Was the original relationship created through a capital transaction, or was it

Is the reacquired right exclusive or nonexclusive?

Determining the value and useful life of reacquired rights

Example 2-5 illustrates the recognition and measurement of a reacquired right in a

Property, plant, and equipment

Consideration of decommissioning and site restoration costs

Recognition of assets held-for-sale

Employee benefit plans

ASC 420, Exit or Disposal Cost (ASC 420)

ASC 710, CompensationGeneral (ASC 710)

ASC 712, CompensationNonretirement Postemployment Benefits (ASC 712)

ASC 715, CompensationRetirement Benefits (ASC 715) [805-20-25-23 through

IAS 19, Employee Benefits (IAS 19) [IFRS 3.26]

combination. These plans include defined-benefit pension plans and other

Payables and debt

requires careful consideration, particularly when debt is extinguished in connection

Summary of accounting for contingencies

Assets and liabilities