SOLUTIONS MANUAL
for
Advanced Financial
Accounting in
Canada
Canadian Edition
Nathalie Johnstone
Kristie Dewald
Cheryl Wilson
, Chapter 1
Introduction to Advanced Financial Accounting
Review Questions
1-1. Arguments for classification as a passive investment: Delta only owns 15% of the voting
shares of Epsilon. The remaining shares are held by one company, indicating that Delta
may not have influence.
Arguments for classification as an associate: Typically, a shareholding of 20% or more is
indicative of significant influence. However, this factor is not definitive. Other factors
should also be considered to determine whether or not significant influence exists. In this
case, Delta Corporation can elect one member of the board of directors, indicating that
there is some influence over the policies of Epsilon. Delta also possesses a patent that
Epsilon needs in its operations, which it allows Epsilon to use. This patent further indicates
that there is significant influence.
Conclusion: Based on the information provided, the investment in Epsilon should be
classified as an associate and Delta Corporation should use the equity method to account
for its investment.
1-2. IFRS 10 outlines the three criteria that must be present for control to exist. They are the
power criterion, return criterion, and the link between the two. The power criterion refers
to the ability of an investor to direct the relevant activities of the investee. The return
criterion refers to the risks and rewards associated with the earnings of the investee. The
link between the first two criteria is the ability to use its power to affect the earnings of the
investee.
1-3. Factors that should be considered in determining control include:
1. Voting rights along with convertible rights.
2. Right to choose key personnel, such as the board of directors or key management.
3. The right to veto key decision of the investee or right to force the investee to enter into a
specific transaction.
4. Material transactions with the investee.
5. Exchange of management or technology.
1-4. Factors used to determine if an investor has significant influence are presented in IAS 28:
1. Voting rights of 20% to less than 50% is usually considered enough to give the investor
significant influence.
2. Other factors to consider are:
- representation on the board of directors, but not enough to control the board
- ability to share in determining the policies of the investee
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,ISM for Johnstone/Dewald/Wilson, Advanced Financial Accounting in Canada, Canadian Edition
- material intercompany transactions
- exchange of management or technical information
1-5. IFRS 10 refers to the parent as an entity that controls another company, which is referred to
as the subsidiary. The parent-subsidiary relationship exists when one company controls
another entity.
1-5. Strategic investments are investments that are closely linked to the strategic goal of the
investor. Traditionally, these types of investments help the investor improve or meet its
organizational goals. There are three classifications for strategic investments: associates,
subsidiaries, and joint arrangements.
1-6. A joint arrangement is defined in IFRS 11 as an agreement between two or more investors
where they share control over an operation. There are two types of joint arrangements:
joint ventures and joint operations.
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, Chapter 1: Introduction to Advanced Financial Accounting
Case 1-3 Heavenly Hakka Inc., Nature’s Harvest, and Premier Inc.
Situation A – Heavenly Hakka Inc.
Objectives of Financial Reporting
Heavenly Hakka Inc. (HH) is a private company given that Vincent is its sole owner. Therefore,
with Vincent’s consent, HH can choose to use Accounting Standards for Private Enterprises
(ASPE) to report its investment in Szechwan Samosas Inc. (SSI).
Analysis of the Case Scenario and Appropriate Accounting Alternative(s)
HH, Ibrahim, and Venkat each own 1/3 of the shares of SSI. However, HH is entitled to 40% of
the profits of SS, given Vincent’s involvement. Lately, however, because of differences among
Vincent and the other two owners relating to expansion of the operations of SSI beyond Ontario,
Vincent has not been visiting the premises of SSI. The case is not clear on how this is going to
affect the profit-sharing agreement. Further, the case is also not clear on why HH is being
compensated for Vincent’s time spent on the operations of SSI via a larger share of the profits of
SSI instead of via a management fee. Any management fees paid by SSI to HH for Vincent’s
time would, for tax purposes, constitute an expense to SSI. Further, paying for Vincent’s time via
a management fee is a more accurate reflection of the underlying economic reality.
It is not clear from the facts of the case whether the three owners have joint control over SSI. The
incorporation documents and any other agreements that may exist between the three owners of
SSI have to be reviewed to obtain further details on this point. Nevertheless, the facts in the case
clearly indicate that HH does not possess sole control of SSI. While HH is the sole supplier of
the fillings that go into the samosas of SSI, that fact by itself is not indicative of control of SSI
by HH. At most, it indicates that HH has significant influence over SSI. Further, HH does not
have the power to direct the activities of SSI without the cooperation of the other two
shareholders. Thus, the facts in the case suggest that HH either has joint control over or can
significantly influence SSI.
Recently, however, differences have arisen among Vincent and the other two shareholders of
SSI. If incorporation documents or other agreements among the shareholders of SSI exist
evidencing joint control, such control will not be affected by the recent differences between the
shareholders. On the other hand, if such documents or agreements do not exist, the other two
shareholders could, based on their combined 2/3 ownership of SSI, theoretically join together to
prevent HH from having any influence over SSI. However, that seems unlikely given that HH is
the sole supplier of the fillings that go into the samosas of SSI. Thus, the recent differences
between the shareholders most probably will not affect any significant influence that HH has
over SSI.
Thus, HH should account for its investment in SSI either as a joint venture or as an investment
over which it has significant influence. If HH decides not to use International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRS), then it should use the equity basis to report its investment in SSI.
Alternatively, if HH opts to use ASPE, it can use the cost basis to report its investment in SSI.
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