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IFRS for SMEs Module 26: Accounting for Share-Based Payments

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IFRS for SMEs Module 26 explains how small and medium-sized entities should account for transactions in which goods or services are paid for using shares, share options or cash amounts linked to the entity’s share price, instead of—or in addition to—cash.

In simple terms:

When a business uses shares as a form of payment, how should the arrangement be recorded in the financial statements?

What Is a Share-Based Payment?

A share-based payment arises when a business:

  • Gives shares or share options to employees, consultants or other parties; or

  • Promises to pay cash based on the value of its shares,

in exchange for goods or services.

Examples include:

  • A start-up issuing shares to a consultant instead of paying cash; and

  • Employees receiving share options as part of their remuneration package.

Three Types of Share-Based Payment Transactions

1. Equity-Settled Transactions

The business provides its own shares or share options in exchange for goods or services.

No cash is paid to settle the arrangement.

Accounting effect:

  • Recognise an expense for the goods or services received; and

  • Recognise a corresponding increase in equity.

2. Cash-Settled Transactions

The business promises to pay cash, but the amount payable is linked to the entity’s share price or share value.

Accounting effect:

  • Recognise a liability; and

  • Remeasure the liability over time until settlement.

An example is a cash-settled share appreciation right.

3. Arrangements with a Choice of Settlement

The agreement allows the arrangement to be settled in cash or shares.

The accounting treatment depends on:

  • Who has the right to choose the method of settlement; and

  • The substance and terms of the arrangement.

How Are the Goods or Services Measured?

The basic principle is to measure the goods or services received.

The entity should:

  • Measure the fair value of the goods or services received if that value can be measured reliably; or

  • If the value of the goods or services cannot be measured reliably—which is common for employee services—measure the fair value of the shares or share options granted.

The related cost is generally recognised over the vesting period, which is the period during which employees or other recipients must provide services or satisfy specified conditions to earn the shares or options.

Fair Value and Valuation Judgement

Module 26 includes fair value requirements specifically relevant to share-based payment transactions.

This is particularly important for SMEs because their shares are often not publicly traded. As a result, valuation may require:

  • Estimates;

  • Professional judgement; and

  • Valuation models, including option-pricing models for share options.

The assumptions used in the valuation should be properly supported and documented.

Disclosure Requirements

SMEs should disclose in their financial statements:

  • The nature and terms of the share-based payment arrangements;

  • How fair value was measured; and

  • The expense or liability recognised during the reporting period.

These disclosures help users understand:

  • How employees, consultants and other parties are being compensated; and

  • How the arrangements affect profit, liabilities and equity.

Practical Guidance for Accountants

Accountants should:

  • Focus on the economic substance of the arrangement rather than its legal form;

  • Determine whether the arrangement is equity-settled, cash-settled or subject to a choice of settlement;

  • Support and document fair value estimates, particularly for unlisted SME shares;

  • Review vesting and service conditions carefully, as they affect when and how much expense is recognised;

  • Ensure that the required disclosures are complete; and

  • Stay updated on the requirements of the Third Edition of the IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard, issued in February 2025.

Module 26 does not encourage businesses to issue shares as payment. It ensures that whenever shares are used to pay for goods or services, the arrangement is reflected accurately and transparently in the financial statements.

IFRS for SMEs 第 26 模块：以股份为基础的支付

IFRS for SMEs 第 26 模块说明中小型企业在使用股份、股份期权，或与企业股价挂钩的现金金额来换取商品或服务时，应如何进行会计处理。

简单来说，它回答的是：

企业用股份付钱时，应该如何在财务报表中记录？

什么是以股份为基础的支付？

当企业：

  • 向员工、顾问或其他人士授予股份或股份期权；或

  • 承诺支付与企业股价或股份价值挂钩的现金，

以换取商品或服务时，就构成以股份为基础的支付。

常见例子包括：

  • 初创企业以股份换取顾问服务；以及

  • 员工的薪酬配套中包含股份期权。

三种以股份为基础的支付类型

1. 权益结算

企业以自身的股份或股份期权换取商品或服务。

企业不会以现金结算这项安排。

会计影响：

  • 确认所取得商品或服务的费用；以及

  • 同时确认相应的权益增加。

2. 现金结算

企业承诺支付现金，但应付金额与企业的股价或股份价值挂钩。

会计影响：

  • 确认一项负债；以及

  • 持续重新计量该负债，直至结算为止。

以现金结算的股份增值权，就是其中一个例子。

3. 可选择结算的安排

合同允许企业以现金或股份结算这项安排。

会计处理取决于：

  • 谁拥有选择结算方式的权利；以及

  • 相关安排的经济实质与具体条款。

商品或服务如何计量？

基本原则是：应当计量企业所收到的商品或服务。

企业应当：

  • 如果所收到商品或服务的公允价值能够可靠计量，就采用该公允价值；或

  • 如果商品或服务的价值无法可靠计量——这在员工服务中较为常见——则采用所授予股份或股份期权的公允价值。

相关成本通常在**归属期（Vesting Period）**内确认。归属期是指员工或其他收款方必须提供服务，或满足特定条件，才能取得股份或股份期权的期间。

公允价值与估值判断

第 26 模块包含专门适用于以股份为基础的支付交易的公允价值要求。

这对中小型企业尤其重要，因为中小型企业的股份往往没有在公开市场交易。因此，估值可能需要采用：

  • 估计；

  • 专业判断；以及

  • 估值模型，包括用于股份期权的期权定价模型。

企业必须对估值所采用的假设提供合理依据，并保留完整的书面记录。

披露要求

企业应在财务报表中披露：

  • 以股份为基础的支付安排的性质及条款；

  • 公允价值的计量方法；以及

  • 本报告期间确认的费用或负债金额。

这些披露有助于使用者了解：

  • 企业如何向员工、顾问及其他人士提供报酬；以及

  • 相关安排如何影响利润、负债及权益。

给会计人员的实务建议

会计人员应当：

  • 关注安排的经济实质，而不只是法律形式；

  • 判断安排属于权益结算、现金结算，还是可选择结算；

  • 为公允价值估计提供依据并保存记录，尤其是非上市中小企业股份的估值；

  • 仔细检讨归属条件及服务条件，因为这些条件会影响费用确认的时间及金额；

  • 确保相关披露完整；以及

  • 持续关注 2025 年 2 月发布的 IFRS for SMEs 会计准则第三版的相关要求。

第 26 模块并不是鼓励企业发行股份作为付款方式，而是确保企业一旦使用股份支付商品或服务，就必须在财务报表中真实、准确及透明地反映这项安排。