Accounting for financial assets that are debt instruments

A financial asset that is a debt instrument will be subsequently accounted for using amortized cost if it meets two simple tests. These two tests are the business model test and the cash flow test.

The business model test is met where the purpose is to hold the asset to collect the contractual cash flows (rather than to sell it prior to maturity to realize its fair value changes). The cash flow test will be met when the contractual terms of the asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely receipts of either the principal or interest. These tests are designed to ensure that the fair value of the asset is irrelevant, as even if interest rates fall – causing the fair value to raise – then the asset will still be passively held to receive interest and capital and not be sold on.

However, even if the asset meets the two tests there is still a fair value option to designate it as FVTPL if doing so eliminates or significantly reduces a measurement or recognition inconsistency (an 'accounting mismatch') that would otherwise arise from measuring assets or liabilities or recognizing the gains and losses on them on different bases. An example of where it is appropriate to use the fair value option and, thus, avoid an accounting mismatch is where an entity holds a financial asset that is debt and that carries a fixed rate of interest, but is then hedged with an interest rate swap that swaps the fixed rates for floating rates. The interest swap is a financial instrument that would be held at FVTPL and so, accordingly, the financial asset classified as debt also needs to be at FVTPL to ensure that the gains and losses arising from both instruments are naturally paired in income and, thus, reflect the substance of the hedge. If the financial asset classified as debt was accounted for at amortized cost, then this would create the accounting mismatch. All other financial assets that are debt instruments must be measured at FVTPL.

Accounting for financial assets that are equity instruments (eg investments in equity shares)

Equity investments have to be measured at fair value in the statement of financial position. As with financial assets that are debt instruments, the default position for equity investments is that the gains and losses arising are recognized in income (FVTPL). However, there is an election that equity investments can at inception be irrevocably classified and accounted as FVTOCI, so that gains and losses arising are recognized in other comprehensive income, thus creating an equity reserve, while dividend income is still recognized in income. Such an election cannot be made if the equity investment is acquired for trading. On disposal of an equity investment accounted for as FVTOCI, the gain or loss to be recognized in income is the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value. Gains or losses previously recognized in other comprehensive income cannot be recycled to income as part of the gain on disposal.

Reclassification of financial assets

As we have seen once an equity investment has been classified as FVTOCI this is irrevocable so it cannot then be reclassified. Nor can a financial asset be reclassified where the fair value option has been exercised. However if, and only if the entity's business model objective for its financial assets changes so its previous model assessment would no longer apply then other financial assets can be reclassified between FVTPL and amortized cost, or vice versa. Any reclassification is done prospectively from the reclassification date without restating any previously recognized gains, losses, or interest.