Easy2 marksMultiple Choice
IAS 10 Events after the Reporting PeriodIAS 10Events After Reporting PeriodSection B
This question is part of a case study — click to read the full scenario(Case 21)

Section B - Case 2

PharmaNova is a pharmaceutical company with a financial year end of 31 December 20X5.
On 15 December 20X5, a patient filed a lawsuit against PharmaNova for $2 million, claiming side effects from a drug. Legal counsel advises there is a 60% probability PharmaNova will lose the case and have to pay the full $2 million.
On 28 December 20X5, the board decided to close a research facility. A detailed formal plan was drawn up, but it was not communicated to the affected employees until 5 January 20X6. The estimated closure costs are $500,000.
On 10 January 20X6, a major wholesale customer went bankrupt. The customer owed PharmaNova $300,000 at 31 December 20X5.
On 1 February 20X6, PharmaNova decided to change its inventory valuation method from FIFO to Weighted Average to better reflect its business model.

Question:
How should PharmaNova account for the lawsuit in its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20X5?

ACCA · Question 23 · IAS 10 Events after the Reporting Period

Section B - Case 2

PharmaNova is a pharmaceutical company with a financial year end of 31 December 20X5.
On 15 December 20X5, a patient filed a lawsuit against PharmaNova for $2 million, claiming side effects from a drug. Legal counsel advises there is a 60% probability PharmaNova will lose the case and have to pay the full $2 million.
On 28 December 20X5, the board decided to close a research facility. A detailed formal plan was drawn up, but it was not communicated to the affected employees until 5 January 20X6. The estimated closure costs are $500,000.
On 10 January 20X6, a major wholesale customer went bankrupt. The customer owed PharmaNova $300,000 at 31 December 20X5.
On 1 February 20X6, PharmaNova decided to change its inventory valuation method from FIFO to Weighted Average to better reflect its business model.

Question:
How should the bankruptcy of the wholesale customer be treated in the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 20X5?

Answer options:

A.

As a non-adjusting event, requiring disclosure only.

B.

As an adjusting event, requiring the $300,000 receivable to be written off or impaired.

C.

It should be ignored as the event occurred in the 20X6 financial year.

D.

As a prior period error to be adjusted retrospectively.

How to approach this question

Determine if the event provides evidence of conditions that existed at the end of the reporting period (Adjusting) or conditions that arose after the reporting period (Non-adjusting).

Full Answer

B.As an adjusting event, requiring the $300,000 receivable to be written off or impaired.✓ Correct
IAS 10 Events after the Reporting Period distinguishes between adjusting and non-adjusting events. The bankruptcy of a customer after the reporting period usually confirms that the customer was already in financial distress at the reporting date. Therefore, it provides evidence of conditions that existed at the end of the reporting period. It is an adjusting event, and the receivables balance at 31 December 20X5 must be adjusted (impaired).

Common mistakes

Treating it as a non-adjusting event simply because the legal bankruptcy occurred after year-end.

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