FAR 02 - Conceptual Framework For Financial Reporting
FAR 02 - Conceptual Framework For Financial Reporting
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Basic Concepts
Definition and Background
The Conceptual Framework is a summary of the terms and concepts that underlie the preparation and presentation
of financial statements.
The Conceptual Framework is concerned with general purpose financial statements, including consolidated
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financial statements. Special purpose reports are outside the scope of the framework.
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Underlying Theme
The underlying theme of the framework is decision usefulness or Usefulness of information in making economic
decision.
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Purposes
Basic Purpose: To serve as a guide in developing future PFRSs and as a guide in resolving accounting issues not
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directly addressed by existing PFRS.
Specific Purposes:
1. To assist
(a) in developing future PFRSs and reviewing existing
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PFRSs.
FRSC (b) in promoting harmonization of regulations, accounting
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standards and procedures relating to the presentation of
FS.
Preparers of FS in applying PFRSs.
Users of FS in interpreting the information in FS.
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2. To provide information to those who are interested with the work of FRSC.
Authoritative Status of the Conceptual Framework
(a) The Conceptual Framework is not a Philippine Financial Reporting Standard (PFRS) and hence does not define
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standard for any particular measurement or disclosure issue. Thus, nothing in the Conceptual Framework overrides
any specific Philippine Financial Reporting Standard.
(b) In case where there is a conflict, the requirements of the Philippine Financial Reporting Standards shall prevail over
the Conceptual Framework.
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(c) In the absence of a standard or an interpretation that specifically applies to a transaction, management shall
consider the applicability of the Conceptual Framework in developing and applying an accounting policy that results
in information that is relevant and reliable.
Underlying Assumptions
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Accounting assumptions or accounting postulates are the basic notions or fundamental premises on which the
accounting process is based.
Stated Underlying Assumption?
List of Underlying Assumptions
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(074) 665 6774 0916 840 0661 [email protected] MAY 2021 CPA REVIEW SEASON
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b) Accrual Principle
Accrual principle addresses the recognition of income and expenses as against the cash basis principle. Under this
principle, income is recognized when earned rather than when received and expense is recognized when incurred
rather than when paid.
c) Accounting Entity Concept
Under this concept, the entity is viewed separately from its owners. Accordingly, the personal transactions of the
owners among themselves or with other entities are not recorded in the entity’s accounting records.
d) Time Period Principle
According to the going concern principle, the operation of the business is viewed indefinitely. That was the
foundation of the time period principle. Under this principle, the life of the entity is divided into series of reporting
periods. An accounting period is usually 12 months and may either be a calendar year or a fiscal year.
e) Monetary Unit Principle
Under this principle, accounting information should be stated in a common measurement basis to be useful, which
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is in the Philippines it is peso. Also, this concept assumes that the purchasing power of the peso is regarded as
constant.
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Scope of the Conceptual Framework
Chapter 1: Objective of Financial Reporting (The Foundation of the CF)
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Users of financial information
Users of financial information is classified into primary and other users. Primary users include potential and existing
investors, lenders and other creditors. They are considered as primary users since they are the primary providers of
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resources to the entity. Other users include employees, customers, government and their agencies and public.
Summary of users and their needs or concerns on the financial statements
User Concern(s)
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(a) Risk and return of investment
Investors
(b) Ability to pay dividends
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Lenders and other creditors Liquidity and solvency
Employees Stability and profitability
Customers Continuity
Government Regulatory
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Public Various
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investors, lenders and other creditors in making decisions about providing resources to the entity".
Specific objectives
A. To provide information useful in making decisions about providing resources to the entity.
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B. To provide information useful in assessing the prospects of future net cash flows to the entity.
C. To provide information about entity resources, claims and changes in resources and claims.
Limitations of financial reporting
(a) General purpose financial reports do not and cannot provide all of the information that existing and potential
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3) What is materiality?
It is the omission or misstatement of information causing to influence the decision of the users.
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Accordingly, the framework and PFRSs do not specify a uniform quantitative threshold for materiality, thus,
materiality is purely based on judgment. In the exercise of judgment in determining materiality, the following
factors may be considered: (a) Relative size of the item in relation to the total of the group to which the item
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belongs; (b) Nature of the item.
Faithful representation means that the information provides a true, correct and complete depiction of the economic
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phenomena that it purports to represent. Simply stated, faithful representation means that the descriptions and
figures match what really existed or happened. Also, faithful representation means that the actual effects of the
transactions shall be properly accounted for and reported in the financial statements. To be a perfectly faithful
representation, a depiction should have three ingredients, namely:
a)
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Completeness – all information necessary for users to understand the phenomena depicted is
provided, whether in words or in numbers.
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b) Neutrality - means that the financial statements should not be prepared so as to favour one party to the
detriment of another party. A neutral depiction is "without bias" in the selection or presentation of financial
information.
c) Free from error - in this context, free from error does not mean perfectly accurate in all respects. Free
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from error means there are no errors or omissions in the description of the phenomenon, and the process used to
produce the reported information has been selected and applied with no errors in the process.
TAKE NOTE:
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1) Substance over form and conservatism are not ingredients of faithful representation and are specific aspect
only.
2) If there is a conflict between substance and form, the economic substance of the transaction shall prevail
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over the legal form. Examples of situation where substance over form is applied: (a) accounting for non-interest
bearing notes receivable/payable; (b) finance lease accounting.
3) The Conceptual Framework did not include conservatism or prudence as an aspect of faithful
representation because to do so would be inconsistent with neutrality. Under conservatism, when
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alternatives exist, the alternative which has the least effect on equity shall be chosen.
Enhancing Qualitative Characteristics
- are the qualities of information that enhances its usefulness. These characteristics address the form or
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Information is comparable if it helps users identify similarities and differences between different sets of information
that are provided by:
a) a single entity but different periods (intra-comparability); or
b) different entities in a single period (inter-comparability).
Although related, consistency and comparability are not the same. Comparability is the goal while consistency is
the means of achieving the goal.
Understandability requires that financial information must be comprehensible or intelligible if it is to be useful but
complex matters cannot be eliminated. Because of this, the framework requires the users to have a reasonable
knowledge of business and economic activities and must review and analyze the information diligently.
Timeliness means having information available to decision makers in time to influence their decisions. In other
words, timeliness requires that financial information must be available or communicated early enough when a
decision is to be made. Relevant information may lose its relevance if there is undue delay in its reporting.
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3) Other Statements and Notes
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Reporting Period of Financial Statements
Financial statements are prepared for a specified period of time or the reporting period. Financial statements also
provide comparative information for at least ONE PRECEDING REPORTING PERIOD.
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Reporting Entity
Reporting entity is an entity who must or chooses to prepare the financial statements and is NOT necessarily a
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legal entity.
As a result, we have a few types of financial statements:
a) Consolidated – a parent and subsidiaries report as a single reporting entity.
b) Unconsolidated or Individual – a parent alone provides reports.
c)
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Combined – reporting entity comprises two or more entities not linked by parent-subsidiary relationship
Chapter 4: Elements of Financial Statements
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The elements of financial statements refer to the quantitative information shown in the statement of financial
position and statement of comprehensive income, namely: Assets, Liabilities, Equity, Income and Expense. These
elements are classified into:
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Liability Expense
Equity
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Assets – a present economic resource controlled by the entity as a result of a past event. An economic resource is
a right that has the potential to produce economic benefits.
The essential characteristics of an asset are:
a) The asset is controlled by the entity.
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Chapter 5: Recognition and Derecognition
Recognition is a term which means the process of reporting an asset, liability, income or expense on the face of the
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financial statements of an entity
Recognition criteria:
a) It meets the definition of an asset, liability, equity or expense and
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b) Recognizing it would provide useful information
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The recognition of an item may not provide useful information if:
a) It is uncertain whether an asset or liability exists
b) An asset or liability exists but the probability of an inflow or outflow of economic benefits is low.
NOTE:
a)
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The recognition criteria above apply to assets, liabilities, income and expense. There is no Equity
Recognition Principle / Criteria because it is a residual interest.
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b) The expense recognition principle is the application of the matching principle. Accordingly, the
matching principle requires that those costs and expenses incurred in earning a revenue should be
reported in the same period.
c) Expenses are incurred in conformity with the three applications of the matching principle, namely:
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c.1) Cause and effect association - the cause and effect association principle means that "the
expense is recognized when the revenue is already recognized" on the basis of a presumed direct
association of the expense with specific revenue. This is actually the "strict matching concept". Examples:
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losses.
Derecognition is the OPPOSITE of recognition. It is the removal of a previously recognized asset or liability from the
entity’s statement of financial position.
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Derecognition occurs when the item no longer meet the definition of an asset or liability, such as when the entity
control of all or part of the asset or no longer has a present obligation for all or part of the liability.
(a) derecognizes the assets or liabilities that have expired or have been consumed, collected, fulfilled or
transferred and recognized any resulting income and expenses.
(b) continues to recognize any assets or liabilities retained after the derecognition.
NOTE: Derecognition is NOT appropriate if the entity retains substantial control of a transferred asset.
Chapter 6: Measurement
Measurement is the process of determining the monetary amounts at which the elements of the financial
statements are to be recognized and carried in the statement of financial position and income statement.
The Framework acknowledges that a variety of measurement bases are used today to different degrees and in
varying combinations in financial statements including:
Historical cost – This measurement is based on the transaction price at the time of recognition of the element. The
historical cost of an asset is the consideration paid to acquire the asset plus transaction costs. The historical cost of
a liability is the consideration received to incur the liability minus transaction costs.
Current value – It measures the element updated to reflect the conditions at the measurement date. Current value
measurement bases include the following:
(1) Fair Value – is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly
transaction between market participants. Fair value is not an entity specific measurement.
(2) Value in use is the present value of the cash flows or other economic benefits, that an entity expects to derive
from the use of an asset and from its ultimate disposal. Fulfilment value is the present value of the cash or
other economic resources that an entity expects to be obliged to transfer as it fulfils a liability.
NOTE: Value in use and fulfilment value DO NOT include transaction costs in acquiring an asset or incurring the
liability but include transactions costs expected to be incurred on the ultimate disposal of the asset or fulfilment of
the liability.
(3) Current cost of an asset is the cost of an equivalent asset at the measurement date, comprising the
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consideration that would be paid at the measurement date plus transaction costs that would be incurred on
that date. Current cost of liability is the consideration that would be received for an equivalent liability at the
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measurement date minus transaction costs that would be incurred on that date.
NOTE: Current cost and historical cost are ENTRY VALUES while value in use, fulfilment value and fair value are
EXIT VALUES.
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The framework points out that it can be appropriate to measure some components of equity directly but it is not
possible to measure total equity directly.
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Chapter 7: Presentation and Disclosure
Information about assets, liabilities, equity, income and expenses is communicated through presentation and
disclosure in the financial statements.
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Effective communication makes information more useful. Effective communication requires:
(1) Focusing on presentation and disclosure objectives and principles rather than on rules.
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(2) Classifying information by grouping similar items and separating dissimilar items.
(3) Aggregating information in a manner that it is not obscured either by excessive detail or by excessive
summarization.
NOTE: Classification refers to the sorting of assets liabilities, equity, income or expenses with similar nature,
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function and measurement basis for presentation and disclosure purposes. Aggregation is the adding together of
assets, liabilities, equity, income or expenses that have shared characteristics and are included in the same
classification.
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The "capital maintenance approach" or net assets approach means that net income occurs only after the capital
used from the beginning of the period is maintained.
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Under the financial capital concept, net income occurs "when the financial or nominal amount of the net assets at
the end of the year exceeds the financial or nominal amount of the net assets at the beginning of the period, after
excluding distributions to and contributions by owners during the period."
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Under the physical capital concept, net income occurs "when the physical productive capital of the entity at the end
of the year exceeds the physical productive capital at the beginning of the period, also after excluding distributions
to and contributions from owners during the period."
Most of the problem solving questions regarding capital maintenance approach is based on financial capital. With
such, the template below might be of help in answering.
Net changes in equity xxx
Less: Additional investment by owners (xxx)
Add: Withdrawals and distributions to owners xxx
Comprehensive income xxx
Less: Other comprehensive income (xxx)
Add: Other comprehensive loss xxx
Profit or Loss / Net Income xxx
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Increase -
Decrease +
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Liability:
Increase -
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Decrease +
Contra-liability:
Increase +
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Decrease -
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DISCUSSION EXERCISES
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Statement 1: Conceptual framework applies in the preparation and presentation of general purpose financial
statement geared toward the specific needs of wide range of users.
Statement 2: Conceptual framework is an integral part of Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS) and
applies specifically to not-for-profit entities.
A. Only the first statement is true. C. Both statements are true.
B. Only the second statement is true. D. Both statements are false.
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3. Which of the below presentation of information is correct regarding the purpose of Conceptual Framework?
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I. Assist USERS of Financial Statements – in forming opinion
II. Assist PREPARERS of Financial Statements – in applying PFRSs
III. Assist FRSC – in reviewing existing standards
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A. I only D. II and III
B. II only E. None from A, B, C and D
C. I and III
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4. Under the New Conceptual Framework, are the following considered as the underlying assumption under the
Framework?
A. B. C. D. E.
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Periodicity Assumption Yes No Yes No Yes
Accrual Basis of Accounting No Yes No No Yes
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Monetary Unit Assumption No No Yes No Yes
5. Which of the following is not an implication of the going concern assumption?
A. The historical cost principle is credible.
B. Depreciation and amortization policies are justifiable and appropriate.
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C. The current and noncurrent classification of assets and liabilities is justifiable and significant.
D. Amortizing research and development costs over several periods is justifiable and appropriate.
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D. About the continuance of an entity especially when they have a long-term involvement with or are dependent
on the entity.
7. Which of the above statement(s) is (are) incorrect?
I. The Framework notes that other parties may find general purpose financial reports useful. However, they are
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not considered primary users and general purpose financial reports are not primarily directed to them.
II. The providers of risk capital and their advisers are concerned with the risk inherent in, and return provided by,
their investments.
A. I only C. Both I and II
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C. Information is comparable if it is prepared and presented consistently,
D. Comparability and consistency are interrelated but they are not the same. Comparability is the goal while
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consistency is the means.
12. Which of the following is incorrect regarding the reporting entity?
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S1: The reporting is always a legal entity.
S2: If the financial statements are prepared to include only two subsidiaries only without the parent, the financial
statements would be referred to as combined financial statements.
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A. True, false C. False, false
B. False, true D. True, true
13. In accordance with Conceptual Framework, which of the following is expressly stated as an element of financial
statements?
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I. Gains III. Income
II. Revenue IV. Equity
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A. II only D. III and IV
B. III only E. I, II,III and IV
C. IV only
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C. The obligation to pay interest on a five-year note payable that was issued the last day of the current year.
D. The obligation to distribute an entitys own shares next year as a result of a stock dividend declared near the
end of the current year.
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15. An item that meets the definition of an element shall be recognized when
I It is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to or from the entity.
II The item has a cost or value that can be measured with reliability.
A. I only C. Either I or II
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18. Recognizing a financial statement element requires measuring it in monetary terms. Which of the following
statements is incorrect regarding measurement?
A. The Conceptual Framework only describes measurement bases used in financial reporting but does not
specify how a particular financial statement element should be measured – this is addressed by the
standards.
B. The Conceptual Framework broadly classifies the measurement bases used in financial reporting into two,
namely, historical cost and current value.
C. Measurement uncertainty will always cause the non-recognition of a financial statement element.
D. Measuring a financial statement element often requires estimation.
19. Effective communication makes information more useful. Effective communication requires all of the following
except:
A. Focusing on presentation and disclosure objectives and principles rather than focusing on rules.
B. Classifying information in a manner that groups similar items and separates dissimilar items.
C. Aggregating information in such a way that it is not obscured either by unnecessary detail or by excessive
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aggregation.
D. Using standardized descriptions, a.k.a. “boilerplate’, rather than entity-specific information.
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20. Under this concept, a profit is earned only if the financial (or money amount of the net assets at the end of the
period exceeds the financial or money) amount of net assets at the beginning of the period, after excluding any
distributions to, and contributions from, owners during the period. It can be measured in either nominal monetary
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units or units of constant purchasing power.
A. Concept of capital C. Financial capital maintenance concept
B. Concept of capital maintenance D. Physical capital maintenance concept
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21. Statement 1: The underlying theme of Conceptual Framework is preparation of financial statements.
Statement 2: Conceptual Framework is intended to assist auditors in applying the standards in the preparation of
financial statements.
A. Only the first statement is true.
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B. Only the second statement is true. D. Both statements are false.
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22. Evaluate whether the following statements are true or false:
I. The characteristic that is demonstrated when a high degree of consensus can be secured among
independent measurers using the same measurement methods is neutrality.
II. Physical substance and ownership is a requirement to meet the definition of an asset.
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III. An item that has probable economic consequence and can be measured reliably may not be recognized
in the financial statements.
A. B. C. D. E.
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STRAIGHT PROBLEMS
1. ABRA COMPANY reported that the following changes in account balances during the current year:
Increase
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Assets 8,900,000
Liabilities 2,700,000
Share capital 6,000,000
Share premium 600,000
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Except for a P1,300,000 dividend payment and the years earnings, there were no changes in retained earnings for
the year. What is the net income for the current year?
2. The following information shows the changes in the account balances of VISAYAS INC. during 20x1.
Increase (Decrease)
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Cash 260,000
Accounts receivable (2,288,000)
Allowance for bad debts (312,000)
Inventory 2,080,000
Investment in associate 1,820,000
property, plant and equipment 2,860,000
Accumulated depreciation 1,040,000
Accounts payable 2,340,000
Bonds payable (1,820,000)
Discount on bonds payable (390,000)
Share capital 2,340,000
Share premium 260,000
Revaluation surplus 2,340,000
Treasury shares 208,000
Cash dividends declared during 20x1 amounted to P260,000, share dividends declared amounted to P520,000, and
appropriations of retained earnings for the retirement of bonds amounted to P130,000. How much is the profit (loss)
for the year?
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