Beyond the GAAP - the monthly newsletter on financial and sustainability reporting
Each month, the newsletter Beyond the GAAP aims at keeping readers informed of financial and sustainability reporting developments.
Beyond the GAAP no.104 - October 2016
Improving the effectiveness of financial reporting is one of the IASB’s key focal areas for the coming years. Four projects fall under the theme of “Better communication”, including the Disclosure Initiative and a research project on the format of primary financial statements.
Beyond the GAAP no.103 - September 2016
The IASB’s update to its work plan on 23 September 2016 gives us a good idea of what is on the cards for IFRS over the next few months. In addition to the Insurance Contracts standard, which is scheduled for publication in March, and the Conceptual Framework (date not yet set), the next key milestones relate to research projects. Discussion Papers have been announced on business combinations under common control, dynamic risk management, financial instruments with characteristics of equity, and rate-regulated activities.
Beyond the GAAP no.102 - July-August 2016
The IASB’s major projects are drawing towards their conclusion. Since 2014, the IASB has published standards on revenue, financial instruments and leases, and it is expected to complete the Insurance Contracts project and the Conceptual Framework by the end of 2017.
Beyond the GAAP no.101 - June 2016
“You have been living in a bit of a building site for much of the last decade. However, the good news is that the majority of the structural work is now complete. The heating and plumbing systems are now in good shape.” With these words Hans Hoogervorst described his impression of the progress made in recent years at the start of the IFRS Foundation Conference in Zurich.
Beyond the GAAP no.99 - April 2016
The IASB’s publication of amendments to IFRS 15 on 12 April was followed, less than a month later, by the FASB’s publication of slightly different amendments to Topic 606.
Beyond the GAAP no.100 - May 2016
100th Beyond the GAAP!
Since the first edition in November 2006 we accompany you in the world of IFRSs.
Since the first edition in November 2006 we accompany you in the world of IFRSs.
Beyond the GAAP no.98 - March 2016

The IASB has published amendments to IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which will have the same effective date as the standard itself, i.e. 1 January 2015. They emerge from the discussions of the Transition Research Group (TRG), which was set up jointly by the IASB and FASB to work on issues relating to implementation of the standard.
Beyond the GAAP no.97 - February 2016
Just over a month after the IASB published IFRS 16 – Leases, the FASB has published its own, broadly equivalent, standard. There is still one major difference between the two frameworks, namely the timing of recognition of the total lease expense (the FASB has opted for straight-line recognition for operating leases). However, the rules are the same as regards the principle of recognition in the balance sheet, the definition of a lease, determining the lease term, and the accounting treatment of variable lease payments.
Beyond the GAAP no.96 - January 2016

The long-awaited (but not necessarily hoped-for) publication of IFRS 16 on 13 January was accompanied by a number of educational tools designed to facilitate understanding of the standard and of the issues at stake: Project Summary and Feedback Statement, Effects Analysis, Webcast, Video: Introducing the new Leases Standard, Investor Perspectives A New Lease of Life.
Beyond the GAAP no.95 - December 2015
As this issue goes to press, the IASB has just published the final version of the IFRS 16 – Leases standard. Originally scheduled for publication in time for Christmas, it turned out to be more of a New Year’s gift. Now it is finally here, issuers need to start preparing to recognise operating leases in the balance sheet from 2019 onwards.