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IFRS for SMEs Module 19: Business Combinations and Goodwill

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IFRS for SMEs Module 19 explains how an entity should account for a transaction in which one business obtains control over another business.

The Module supports Section 19 of the IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard, Third Edition, issued in February 2025, and focuses on business combinations and goodwill.

What Is a Business Combination?

A business combination occurs when one entity obtains control over another business, usually through an acquisition.

Examples include:

  • Acquiring 100% of another company; or

  • Acquiring sufficient shares to control the company’s decision-making.

A business combination is not simply the purchase of individual assets, such as equipment. The acquirer obtains an entire business, including its people, processes, customers and risks.

The Acquisition Method

Module 19 applies the acquisition method, which can be understood through four main steps.

1. Identify the Acquirer

The first step is to determine which entity is actually obtaining control and is therefore the acquirer.

2. Determine the Acquisition Date

The acquisition date is the date on which the acquirer obtains control over the business acquired.

3. Identify and Measure What Has Been Acquired

The acquirer identifies the acquiree’s identifiable assets and liabilities, such as:

  • Buildings;

  • Inventory; and

  • Loans and other obligations.

These items are measured at their fair values in accordance with the applicable requirements.

4. Calculate Goodwill or a Bargain Purchase Gain

The acquirer compares:

  • The consideration transferred; with

  • The fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired.

The difference may result in:

  • Goodwill; or

  • A gain from a bargain purchase.

What Is Goodwill?

Goodwill is an intangible value that cannot be physically touched or separately identified in the same way as a building or item of inventory.

It may represent value arising from:

  • Brand reputation;

  • Loyal customers;

  • Skilled employees; and

  • A favourable business location.

In simple terms:

Goodwill is the additional amount paid because the acquired business is worth more as a whole than the fair value of its identifiable assets and liabilities.

How Is Goodwill Treated After the Acquisition?

Under IFRS for SMEs:

  • Goodwill is treated as having a finite useful life;

  • It is amortised over that useful life; and

  • It is tested for impairment when there are indicators that it may have lost value.

This approach is simpler than the requirements under full IFRS and is designed to be more practical for small and medium-sized entities.

Disclosure Requirements

Module 19 requires entities to provide information that helps users understand the transaction, including:

  • What business was acquired;

  • The amount of consideration transferred;

  • How goodwill was calculated; and

  • The significant judgements made in accounting for the transaction.

Clear disclosures help financial statement users understand what actually happened in the business combination.

Practical Guidance for Accountants

Accountants should:

  • First determine whether the transaction is a business combination or merely an asset purchase;

  • Carefully identify the true acquirer, as this may require significant judgement;

  • Apply fair value measurements carefully and realistically;

  • Document the assumptions used to determine goodwill and its useful life;

  • Remember that goodwill must be amortised; and

  • Ensure that the disclosures are as clear as the accounting figures.

If the transaction can be clearly explained to a non-accountant, the accounting analysis is more likely to reflect its true substance.

IFRS for SMEs 第 19 模块：企业合并与商誉

IFRS for SMEs 第 19 模块说明，当一家企业取得另一家企业的控制权时，应如何进行会计处理。

该模块支持 2025 年 2 月发布的 IFRS for SMEs 第三版第 19 节，主要涵盖企业合并及商誉的会计处理。

什么是企业合并？

当一家企业取得另一项业务的控制权时，就可能构成企业合并，通常是通过收购实现。

例如：

  • 收购另一家公司的 100% 股权；或

  • 收购足够的股份，从而取得对该公司的决策控制权。

企业合并并不是简单地购买个别资产，例如设备。收购方取得的是一个完整运作中的企业，包括其员工、流程、客户及所承担的风险。

收购法

第 19 模块采用收购法（Acquisition Method），可以通过以下四个主要步骤理解。

1. 确定收购方

首先，必须确定哪一家企业实际取得控制权，并因此成为收购方。

2. 确定收购日

收购日是收购方取得被收购业务控制权的日期。

3. 识别及计量所取得的项目

收购方必须识别被收购企业的可辨认资产及负债，例如：

  • 建筑物；

  • 存货；以及

  • 贷款及其他义务。

这些项目应按照适用的会计要求，以公允价值进行计量。

4. 计算商誉或议价购买收益

收购方需要比较：

  • 已转让的对价；以及

  • 所取得可辨认净资产的公允价值。

两者之间的差额可能产生：

  • 商誉；或

  • 议价购买收益。

什么是商誉？

商誉是一种无法触摸的无形价值，不能像建筑物或存货那样直接单独辨认。

商誉可能反映以下因素所产生的价值：

  • 品牌声誉；

  • 忠实客户；

  • 技术熟练的员工；以及

  • 有利的经营地点。

简单来说：

商誉是收购方额外支付的金额，因为被收购企业作为一个整体的价值，高于其可辨认资产与负债的公允价值。

收购后如何处理商誉？

根据 IFRS for SMEs：

  • 商誉被视为具有有限的使用年限；

  • 商誉应在其使用年限内进行摊销；以及

  • 如果出现商誉可能已经减值的迹象，就必须进行减值测试。

这项处理方式比完整 IFRS 的要求更为简化，也更适合中小型企业实际应用。

披露要求

第 19 模块要求企业提供相关资料，帮助财务报表使用者了解这项交易，包括：

  • 收购了什么业务；

  • 已转让的对价金额；

  • 商誉如何计算；以及

  • 处理这项交易时所作出的重大判断。

清晰的披露能够帮助财务报表使用者了解企业合并中实际发生的情况。

给会计人员的实务建议

会计人员应当：

  • 先判断该交易究竟属于企业合并，还是单纯的资产收购；

  • 仔细识别真正的收购方，因为这可能需要重大专业判断；

  • 谨慎且合理地进行公允价值计量；

  • 书面记录确定商誉及其使用年限时所采用的假设；

  • 记住商誉必须进行摊销；以及

  • 确保披露内容与会计数字一样清晰。

如果一项交易能够清楚地向非会计人员解释，其会计分析通常也更有可能真实反映交易的经济实质。