Embracing

change.
Shaping
futures.
Strategic Business Reporting
Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2
 Contents

Introduction 3

Question 3 4

> Observations on the requirements 4

> Notes on Candidate one’s answer to Q3 5

> Notes on Candidate two’s answer to Q3 6

Question 4 7

> Observations on the requirements 7

> Notes on Candidate one’s answer to Q4 8

> Notes on Candidate two’s answer to Q4 9

December 2018 exam marked answers 10

> Question 3 candidate one 10

> Question 3 candidate two 13

> Question 4 candidate one 16

> Question 4 candidate two 18

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 2

Introduction
This article has been written to complement Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part One
and to give further insight into how the marking team award marks in this exam.
This article has been based on extracts from student The questions will require judgement to be applied to
answers to questions 3 and 4 of the December 2018 exam complex reporting scenarios, with insight into numbers
and explains the thinking behind how the marks were and an appreciation of the perspective of stakeholders.
awarded. The examining team has explained that this The marked answers should help students and tutors
section of the SBR exam tests the specific skills and qualities understand what is required to achieve a pass in
that accountants are required to have in the workplace. questions of this type.
To support your reading of this article, you should refer
to the Strategic Business Reporting exam from the
December 2018 session. Click the link here.
What is required
to achieve a pass.

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 3

Question 3
Question 3 uses a very common style of requirement, Observations on the requirements
namely to “advise the directors” on the accounting The 25 marks were split between three separate issues:
treatment of some specific transactions. You are asked
to refer to relevant standards, and parts of the question Part (a) for 7 marks asked for advice on:
also refer to the Conceptual Framework and its proposed (i) whether the Conceptual Framework affects the
revision. The examining team has emphasised that the valuation of inventories;
Conceptual Framework is a core area of the syllabus, and
when this exam was sat, the revision of the Framework was (ii) how to calculate the net realisable value of the coal
one of the current issues within the scope of the exam. inventory, including the low quality coal
Part (b) for 8 marks asked for advice on:
Required: Advise the directors of Fill on how the how to treat the reconditioning costs and whether the
above transactions should be dealt with in its financial decline in the price of coal is an impairment indicator
statements with reference to relevant IFRS Standards
Part (c) for 10 marks asked for advice on:
and the Conceptual Framework and its proposed
revision where indicated. Whether the proposed revision to the Conceptual
(25 marks) Framework will affect the decision as to whether
Fill controls the mine, and
whether the acquisition of the interest would be
considered a business combination under
International Financial Reporting Standards.
The Conceptual In this style of requirement, marks are normally awarded
Framework is a core on the basis of one mark for each relevant and well
explained point, but as shown in the marking scheme, a
area of the syllabus large proportion of the marks are allocated to application
to the scenario. Good answers to these requirements
would take a broad approach, always being aware that
more than one accounting standard may have relevance.
The ability to select relevant technical points is key, as
is the ability to link these to the facts in the scenario. As
you will see when you look at the marked answers in this
article, it is not possible to achieve a pass mark in these
questions by simply listing out all that you can remember
about a particular accounting standard.

A large proportion of the

marks are allocated to
application to the scenario.

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 4

Notes on candidate one’s answer to Q3
Follow this link to see candidate one’s answer to Q3
No marks have been given
View it here for simply listing out all of
the impairment indicators
Note 1 mentioned in the standard.
Mark given for stating the basic rule that is relevant –
despite the incorrect number for the standard.
Note 6
Note 2 Mark given for explanation of the impairment review that
No marks given for reproducing information from the would follow the identification of an impairment indicator,
scenario with no value added. as applied to the mining equipment.

Note 3 Note 7
The mark has been given here for the attempt to use Mark given for applying the definition of value in use to
some of the scenario information, ie the 20% reduction the coal in the scenario.
to explain how the NRV would be calculated (although
Note 8
other parts of the explanation are clearly incorrect).
Mark given for partially correct analysis of current
Note 4 relationship.
Mark given for application of the “obligation” principle
Note 9
to the scenario.
Two marks given for the correct explanation that the 72%
Note 5 ownership does not give control, and the conclusion that
Mark for correct application of IAS 36 to the scenario. this means that the transaction would not lead to the mine
Note no marks have been given for simply listing out all being fully consolidated by Fill.
of the impairment indicators mentioned in the standard. The mark for candidate one for Q3 is 9/25.

TOTAL:

9/25

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 5

Notes on candidate two’s answer to Q3
Follow this link to see candidate two’s answer to Q3 Note 7
Two marks given in total for referring to a relevant
View it here technical point about impairment indicators and correctly
applying it to the scenario. No additional mark given in
final paragraph of answer to (b) as nothing of substance
Note 1 has been added. “PAG” is a marking abbreviation which
1. Two marks awarded in part (a)(i) for means “point already given” (in relation to identifying a
potential impairment indicator).
§§ The attempt to say something relevant about the
Conceptual Framework Note 8
A mark has been allocated to this paragraph for its
§§ explaining that it is IAS 2 rather than the Conceptual explanation of control.
Framework that sets out the basic valuation rules
for inventories Note 9
A mark has been given for the attempt to address the
Note 2 point in the scenario about the directors wishing advice
A further mark awarded for taking the definition of NRV on whether the revised Conceptual Framework will affect
and clearly applying it to the coal in the scenario. This is a decisions around control.
good example of how to demonstrate application.
Note 10
Note 3 No mark awarded here as it is not relevant to talk about
No mark given here as this paragraph does not make a 50% as the control threshold in this scenario. The decision
point relevant to the accounting issue. It sounds more about whether control exists is based on factors other than
like financial management advice. It is not clear whether the ownership percentage.
the answer is arguing that the NRV is the spot rate or the
Note 11
future rate.
A mark given for the correct conclusion re the 72%
Note 4 threshold.
This point is not relevant (and the unwinding of discount
Note 12
on an asset would not be an expense).
A mark given for correctly identifying that the relationship
Note 5 is joint control.
Two marks given in total for referring to a relevant
Note 13
technical point about provisions and correctly applying it
No further marks awarded as the answer goes on to
to the scenario.
describe full consolidation, which does not align with
Note 6 “joint control”.
Three marks given in total for referring to relevant The mark for candidate two for Q3 is 14/25.
technical points from IAS16 and correctly applying these
to the scenario.
TOTAL:

14/25

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 6

Question 4
This highlights how the examining team takes a holistic Part (b)
view of business reporting, covering non-financial as well
as financial aspects. Another feature of the SBR exam is Required:
that you will have to consider aspects of reports from the
With reference to the above information, explain to
perspective of stakeholders.
the investor, the nature of accounting for taxation
in financial statements.
Note: Your answer should explain the tax reconciliation,
discuss the implications of current and future tax rates,
You will have to consider and provide an explanation of accounting for deferred
aspects of reports from the taxation in accordance with relevant IFRS Standards.
(14 marks)
perspective of stakeholders.
Professional marks will be awarded in question 4(b)
for clarity and quality of discussion. (2 marks)
Observations on the requirements
Part (a) This requirement asked you to explain accounting for
This part focused on the Management Commentary, taxation to an investor. The scenario included the disclosure
identified in the syllabus as a current issue that is within note analysing the tax charge, as well as some additional
the scope of the exam. The importance of the Conceptual information. Two professional marks were available, as will
Framework in the SBR exam is also underlined by the be the case in the section B question that deals with any
fact that it appears again in this question, requiring a aspect of analysis and communication with stakeholders.
discussion of the qualitative characteristics in the context
The marking scheme splits the 14 technical marks over the
of the management commentary.
various issues, weighted towards the aspects covered in
most detail in the scenario, so 5 marks for explaining the
Required: deferred tax aspects, 4 marks for explaining the items in
(i) Discuss briefly the arguments for and against the reconciliation, 3 marks for explaining the effect and
issuing the IFRS Practice Statement Management relevance of the various tax rates mentioned, and 2 marks
Commentary as a non-binding framework or as an for explaining why taxable and accounting profits are
IFRS Standard. (4 marks) different. The most effective way to pass this requirement
(ii) Discuss how the qualitative characteristics of would be to use the “clues” in the requirement and the
understandability, relevance and comparability scenario and try to find one or two things to say about
should be applied to the preparation of the each of these aspects, rather than spending too much
management commentary. (5 marks) time on one single aspect.
In deciding whether to award the full two professional
marks, markers would consider whether the answer
Although this requirement is not based on a scenario,
showed consideration of the investor, and what would be
it is not asking for a simple repetition of rote learned
relevant to them, as well as the general clarity, logic and
knowledge. In the first part of the requirement, the
professionalism of the answer.
marks are awarded for “arguments for and against” the
statement being non-binding or a standard. The key to
gaining marks here is to take time to think of some pros
and cons, rather than to write out everything you may have
learned about the Management Commentary.
Clarity, logic and
In the second part of this requirement the marking scheme
professionalism.
allocates three marks to a discussion of the characteristics,
but to gain the other two marks you had to apply these
to the Management Commentary.

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 7

Notes on candidate one’s answer to Q4
Follow this link to see candidate one’s answer to Q4 Note 4
Mark awarded although the link to the points in the
View it here scenario about the company’s history of losses has not
been developed. More marks would have been available
for this so this is a missed opportunity.
Note 1
Two marks given for these points that demonstrate some Note 5
application to the requirement, identifying problems with The final three marks are awarded for making correct
the guidance being non-binding. technical points that are relevant and make use of the
scenario.
Note 2
A mark has been awarded for each of the points about Note 6
the qualitative characteristics, as each shows at least an No professional marks were awarded. The answer lacks
attempt to apply these to the Management Commentary. clarity as a variety of technical points are made with little
logic to their order. Also, there is no attempt made to
Note 3 address the investor perspective of the question.
Shows some relevant understanding of how the group
The mark for candidate one for Q4 is 10/25.
tax charge is calculated.

TOTAL:

10/25

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 8

Notes on candidate two’s answer to Q4
Follow this link to see candidate two’s answer to Q4 Note 6
No marks given for copying question information with no
View it here further value added.

Note 7
Note 1 Mark given for attempt to explain impact of changing tax
The answer does partly address the requirement, linking rates in future.
some basic knowledge to the requirement for “arguments
Note 8
for and against”, so as the points have been applied in
Two marks given for some basic description of deferred
this way, two marks are given.
tax, but capped at two due to lack of application to
Note 2 question. The “MAX” annotations show where this cap
Credit has been given for all three points here, again due has been applied. There is always a limit to the number of
to the fact that an attempt has been made to apply the marks that can be given for pure rote learned knowledge.
points to the Management Commentary.
Note 9
Note 3 Mark given for application of knowledge to scenario.
Two marks awarded here as points are being made that
Note 10
are relevant to explaining the information to the investor.
One professional mark given as the answer shows some
Note 4 clarity of argument and presentation, but would need to
Mark given here as there is some application apparent in demonstrate more consideration of the “stakeholder”
reference to foreign subsidiaries. perspective to get the full two marks.
The mark for candidate two for Q4 is 15/25.
Note 5
Two separate marks awarded to this paragraph as there
is an attempt to explain two separate entries in the
TOTAL:
reconciliation.

15/25

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 9

 Marks
December 2018 exam marked answers
Notes
Question 3 – Candidate one
Q3 (a)(i)
The Conceptual Framework for financial accounting does not affect
0
the valuation of inventory.

IAS12 Inventory - inventory is valued at the lower of cost and net

1 Note 1
realisable value.

(a)(ii)
30 November 20x6 - low carbon content - low quality
0 Note 2
3 year forecast g price of coal to be 20% less than the current spot price

Calculate the net realisable value:

1. Cost of removing coal from mine

2. Multiply x 3 years to get forecast price

3. Apply 20% reduction in price

4. O
 nce price for coal is generated, the price for 1 Note 3
the lower carbon content coal can be generated.

TOTAL – Part (a):

2/7

Relevant notes

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 10

 Marks
Notes
Q3 (b)
Under IFRS, a liability exists where an obligation arises.

In Fill however, we can see that there is no legal obligation to

maintain the mining equipment and so the proposition by the directors
1 Note 4
should be disregarded.

However, if these costs are material to Fill then it is possible to create

0
a provision. However without knowing the materiality of these costs it
cannot be advised.
0
However, the essential maintenance costs may be, again on the materiality.

IAS 36 Impairment of assets lists indications of assets, for example:

1. Decreases in the asset’s market value
2. Adverse changes in the technological, market or economic environment
3. Obsolescence or damage
4. Reduction in usage.

The decline in the price of the coal is an impairment indicator, 1 Note 5

because it indicates an adverse change in the market for the coal.

Fill should then perform an impairment review, to work out whether the
carrying value of the mining equipment is more than its recoverable
1 Note 6
amount. Recoverable amount is the higher of:
- - Fair value less costs to sell, and
- - Value in use

Value in use is the future cash flows from use of the asset 1 Note 7
(estimated future sales of coal, discounted to present value).

TOTAL – Part (b):

4/8

Relevant notes

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 11

 Marks
Notes
Q3 (c)
Under IFRS 3 Business Combinations any acquisitions must be reported by
the Standards.

The current share hold of Fill of the coal mine, of 28% gives rise to an
influence. This arises where a shareholding is above 20%, but below 50%, 1 Note 8
and so although there is influence, there is no control.

However, the additional purchase of the 24% will give Fill a 52% ownership
which might indicate control in some situations, but there is an operating
agreement in place which requires 72% ownership prior to the approval of 1
any major decisions.
Note 9
As Fill does not have control of the mine, it would not need to produce 1
consolidated financial statements for itself and the coal mine.

TOTAL – Part (c):

3/10

TOTAL
Q3:

9/25

Relevant notes

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 12

 Marks
Question 3 – Candidate two
Notes

Q3 (a)(i) Conceptual Framework and valuation of inventories

The Conceptual Framework has a chapter on Measurement.
This describes various measurement methods, including
1
historic cost, current cost and realisable value.
Note 1
The valuation of inventory is set out in IAS 2 Inventories, so the
Conceptual Framework does not apply. The basic rule in IAS 2 is that
1
Inventory should be held at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

(a)(ii)
Net realisable value is the expected sales value less any costs to sell
so to calculate the NRV of the coal now we would need to know the
current spot rate and use this to value the coal less any costs needed 1 Note 2
to get the coal ready to sell and to deliver it to customers.
Fill would want to fix the NRV of the lower quality coal now based
on the spot rate and take out a future that fixes the guaranteed price
of the coal probably at a slightly lower rate than the current spot 0 Note 3
rate. This would guarantee the NRV of the coal in three years time.
The time value of money should be accounted for by using a suitable
discount rate to get the present value of the future C/F and then at
each year end for 3 years unwind the discount expense through P/L 0 Note 4
Finance Costs.

TOTAL – Part (a):

3/7

Relevant notes

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 13

 Marks
Notes
Q3 (b)
A provision should be made when it is virtually certain that an
outflow of economic resource from the entity will take place and it
1
can be reliably measured.
In this scenario it would not be correct to make a provision for the
1 Note 5
reconditioning cost because there is no obligation to do the work.
IAS 16 Property Plant and Equipment states that where an asset
has a significant component with a shorter life or where periodic
inspection and overhaul is required, this component should be
1
depreciated over the period up to the overhaul.

So, instead of the whole cost of the mining equipment being

written off over the same useful life, $3 million should be written
1
off over two years.
Then when the reconditioning work is done, the costs of the
reconditioning should be debited to the cost of the equipment
1 Note 6
and written off over the period to the next reconditioning.

An impairment indicator is something that could suggest the value

of the asset has declined. Examples are:
-- Decline in market value
1
-- Obsolescence of product through technical advances
The decline in the price of coal could potentially be an indicator
1
of impairment.
Note 7
The asset should be tested if an impairment indicator is present but
without knowing more about the volatility of coals sales prices it is PAG
difficult to say if this definitely is an indicator or not.

TOTAL – Part (b):

7/8

Relevant notes

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 14

 Marks
Notes
Q3 (c)
Control is generally assumed to exist if one party has a 50%
or more holding in an entity.
The would normally give them the highest number of voting
rights within the entity which then gives them power of decisions
made over dividend payments which in turn gives them control 1 Note 8

over the returns made to them by the parent entity i.e.control

of the board.
The revised Conceptual Framework uses a similar definition of control
1 Note 9
to IFRS 10 so this will not change whether or not control exists.
If Fill acquire an additional 24% this will take their holding
above the 50% threshold to 52% which would suggest they do
0 Note 10
then have control because they have substantially the largest
holding of the entity.
However it would not take them over the 72% consensus needed as
1 Note 11
per the operating agreement regarding the major decision making.
This is a joint control relation so the % holding is irrelevant unless
1 Note 12
the operating agreement is amended.
The additional acquisition would be classified as a step acquisition.
Whereby an entity acquire another in stages, perhaps to reduce the
0
risk exposure or due to insufficient funds at the time.
In this scenario Fill will go from having an associate to subsidiary,
Associate would be one line in P&L (equity accounting) for Fill 0 Note 13
share of Associate’s Profits and showing the value of the investment
in the SOFP.
When subsidiary consolidation must take place. This means adding
all of the entities’ assets and liability together on SOFP and
0
working out the Goodwill and Non Controlling Interest.

TOTAL – Part (c):

4/10
TOTAL
Q3:

14/25

Relevant notes

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 15

 Marks
Question 4 – Candidate one
Notes

Q4 (a)(i)
With there not being a binding framework this may mean that different
companies may produce the commentaries differently which may mean it 1
may be difficult to compare.

Also the company may not produce the report the same year on year so
the comparison may be difficult. With the comparison being difficult this 1 Note 1
may mean the user may not be able to understand.

The management may only provide information which it considers

0
favourable.

(a)(ii)
The management commentary should be produced on the same basis every
year so comparability can be obtained when reviewing previous versions 1
and future versions.

The information should be relevant when the commentary is produced. 1 Note 2

This means it will help the users to make informed decisions.

The information in the commentary should be in a layout and language a normal

1
person can understand, not filled with large amounts of technical information.

TOTAL – Part (a):

5/9

Relevant notes

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 16

 Marks
Notes
Q4 (b)
Firstly the tax charge is not based on the group but on the accounts of
the individual companies. This is shown by the notional charge at local tax
rate but the second item, difference in overseas tax rate brings the 1 Note 3
notional charge in line with the individual.

When tax is calculated it also gives rise to deferred tax. This can either
be an asset or liability. The reason for this is because the companies and 0
tax authorities use different rates.

When a company has a deferred tax asset these can only be applied if the 1 Note 4
company is making a profit or going to make a profit in the future.

Also there will be an adjustment to the tax charge to take into account 1
any under or over-estimate in the previous period.

With the proposed change to the tax rate in future periods the tax 1 Note 5
charges in future years financial statements will increase.

The $95m shown as current tax paid in the statement of cash flows is not
equal to the tax charge for the year because payments are not made at
the same time as the amounts are charged. The amount paid in the year 1
will have included some of last year’s tax charge and not all of this year’s
charge will have been paid.

Prof 0 Note 6

TOTAL – Part (b):

5/16

TOTAL
Q4:

10/25

Relevant notes

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 17

 Marks
Question 4 – Candidate two
Notes

Q4 (a)(i)
The practice statement should be an IFRS because:
Management Commentary is an important tool to help investors
determine the performance of a company and enhance their 1
understanding of the financial performance of a company.
However, the commentary can sometimes be biased and incomplete.
Important bits of information can be omitted and due to there being 1 Note 1
no real control over the commentary, users can be misled.

(a)(ii)
Management commentary can be a useful tool if it is of good
quality. The three characteristics to ensure this are:
Understandability - present information in a clear and concise 1
manner, using terminology the end user can understand.
Relevance – only include information the user needs and not too 1 Note 2
much information.
Comparability – year on year the commentary needs to link and
1
show a progressive picture of performance.

TOTAL – Part (a):

5/9

Relevant notes

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 18

 Marks
Notes
Q4 (b)
Taxation is calculated and recognised in the financial statements
1
using the accruals basis, and will include some estimates.
Holls Group is subject to tax audits which can change the tax paid so
that is one reason why the statement of cash flows showed tax paid of
1 Note 3
$95m and the tax charge for the year was $87m.
The tax reconciliation attempts to adjust the corporation tax
which is 22% of profit to include all the other elements within the
financial statements that affect tax. E.g The difference in overseas
1 Note 4
tax rates is only applicable during foreign exchange conversion and
consolidation of overseas subsidiaries.
There are some gains which are non-taxable and these have been
1
adjusted for. Also an impairment is not recognised by tax authorities
Note 5
and only exists in an entity’s books. Therefore this is added back
1
as well.
The current tax rate is 22% as at November 20X7.There will be a
0 Note 6
new tax rate of 25% applicable from January 20X8.
Holls has failed to make a disclosure informing investors of the
change in tax rates which will reduce Holls Group’s profit after tax 1 Note 7
most likely.
Deferred taxation arises when there is a difference between the
accounting treatment of an item and its tax treatment in accordance 1
with the relevant tax authority.
If there is a difference between the carrying value of an asset and
its tax base this creates a taxable temporary difference and wold be 1 Note 8
recognised on the statement of financial position.
If the carrying value is higher than the tax base it would be
MAX
recorded as s deferred tax liability.
If the carrying value is lower than the tax base it is a deferred MAX
tax asset.

Relevant notes

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 19

 Marks
Notes

The tax rate used for deferred tax is an estimate, based on rates
enacted by the year end. So the rate of 25% should be used as the 1 Note 9
legislation was approved on 12 November 20X7.
The current tax liability in the statement of financial position is
adjusted for the deferred tax liability/asset before reaching the 0
current tax payable in the statement of profit or loss.
Prof 1 Note 10

TOTAL – Part (b):

10/16

TOTAL
Q4:

15/25

Relevant notes

Read the mind of an SBR marker – Part 2 20

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