Appendix A — Differences Between U.S. GAAP and IFRS Accounting Standards
While the guidance in U.S. GAAP and IFRS® Accounting Standards on
segment reporting is substantially converged, some differences remain. The table
below summarizes those differences on the basis of a comparison of authoritative
literature under U.S. GAAP and IFRS Accounting Standards; it does not necessarily
include interpretations of such literature.
Subject | U.S. GAAP | IFRS Accounting Standards |
---|---|---|
ASC 280 | IFRS 8 | |
Entity-wide
disclosures of long-lived
assets by
geography | Long-lived assets within the entity-wide
disclosures do not include intangible
assets. See further discussion in Section 5.5.3. | Under IFRS Accounting Standards, noncurrent assets are defined as assets that do
not meet the definition of a current asset. Therefore, they
would include intangible assets. In addition, paragraphs BC56 and BC57 of
IFRS 8 indicate that there is no requirement
to include a subtotal for tangible noncurrent
assets in the disclosure of segment assets
(although an entity may choose to include
the subtotal). Paragraph BC60 of IFRS 8
indicates that this is different from the
guidance in ASC 280. |
Segment liabilities | Disclosure of segment liabilities is
permitted but not required. | Disclosure of segment liabilities is required if
such information is regularly provided to the
CODM. |
Entities with a matrix
form of organization | Operating segments are identified on
the basis of products and services. | Operating segments are identified on the
basis of the “core principle,” regardless of
the form of organization used. The core
principle, as stated in paragraphs 1 and 20
of IFRS 8, is that operating segments must
be identified in a manner that enables users
of the financial statements “to evaluate
the nature and financial effects of the
business activities in which [the entity]
engages and the economic environments
in which it operates.” Management will
therefore be required to exercise judgment
in determining which of the bases of
segmentation satisfies this objective. |