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IAS 37 – Constructive obligation enquiries

Forums › Ask ACCA Tutor Forums › Ask the Tutor ACCA SBR Exams › IAS 37 – Constructive obligation enquiries

  • This topic has 5 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 5 years ago by Stephen Widberg.
Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • Author
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  • June 8, 2020 at 10:56 am #573205
    Vu
    Member
    • Topics: 46
    • Replies: 87
    • ☆☆

    I understand that under IAS37, the provision may result from constructive obligation or legal obligation. However, I am unclear regarding the constructive obligation.

    What I understand that constructive obligation is the practical requirements, for example: You sell the iphone, you must incurred the warranty expenses and therefore should make the provision for this warranty expense.

    What is other examples of constructive obligation except for warranty? Does the repairment cost should be provided as in practice, the machine would be subject to reduction in capacity after long years of use.

    June 8, 2020 at 3:07 pm #573220
    Stephen Widberg
    Keymaster
    • Topics: 16
    • Replies: 3409
    • ☆☆☆☆☆

    Legal obligation – if company offers a warranty because it is required to do by law

    Constructive obligation – if a company offers to repair your phone even though not obliged to

    In the UK, there’s a shop called Marks and Spencer – if I buy a shirt there, I can take back it back within 30 days even if it’s not faulty – they aren’t obliged to but, they do because they are a nice company – it’s just that (using the words from IAS 37) the company has a PAST PRACTICE of giving refunds creating a VALID EXPECTATION for the customer.

    June 9, 2020 at 3:49 am #573243
    Vu
    Member
    • Topics: 46
    • Replies: 87
    • ☆☆

    @stephenwidberg said:
    Legal obligation – if company offers a warranty because it is required to do by law

    Constructive obligation – if a company offers to repair your phone even though not obliged to

    In the UK, there’s a shop called Marks and Spencer – if I buy a shirt there, I can take back it back within 30 days even if it’s not faulty – they aren’t obliged to but, they do because they are a nice company – it’s just that (using the words from IAS 37) the company has a PAST PRACTICE of giving refunds creating a VALID EXPECTATION for the customer.

    Dear Sir,

    I just think that your mentioned cases, as there exists the right of return, IFRS15 would be applied rather than IAS37. I understand that at the time you buy the shirt, the company would recognize the revenue:

    Dr. Cash/Cr. Revenue: 7,000 (for example) with the total revenue of sales of the shirts in month.

    And if the Company has evidence that 10% of the sale would be returned, they will record:

    Dr. Revenue: 700
    Cr. Refund liability: 700

    Is my understanding is correct?

    June 9, 2020 at 6:08 am #573251
    Stephen Widberg
    Keymaster
    • Topics: 16
    • Replies: 3409
    • ☆☆☆☆☆

    The standards have the same effect – the concept is the same – it is a constructive obligation – liability if relatively certain, provision if less certain

    June 9, 2020 at 8:51 am #573260
    Vu
    Member
    • Topics: 46
    • Replies: 87
    • ☆☆

    @stephenwidberg said:
    The standards have the same effect – the concept is the same – it is a constructive obligation – liability if relatively certain, provision if less certain

    I understand properly. Thank you very much

    June 10, 2020 at 5:22 pm #573401
    Stephen Widberg
    Keymaster
    • Topics: 16
    • Replies: 3409
    • ☆☆☆☆☆

    My pleasure

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Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • The topic ‘IAS 37 – Constructive obligation enquiries’ is closed to new replies.

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