The accountant in preparation for the financial statement for the year 2013 realised an error in the determination of recoverable amounts in last year's financial statements.This error had it been detected in 2012 would have required the recognition of impairment losses amounting to £500 000.To comply with IAS 8 Accounting Policies,Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors,the accountant should:
A)make a prospective change to the 2013 figures, on the basis that he has made an error in 2012.
B)make a prospective change to the 2013 figures, on the basis that he is making a change to an estimate in 2012.
C)make a retrospective change to the 2013 figures, on the basis that that this is a change in accounting estimates.
D)make a retrospective change to the 2013 figures, on the basis that he has made an error in 2012.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The accountant realized an error in the determination of recoverable amounts in last year's financial statements. This error had it been detected in 2012 would have required the recognition of impairment losses amounting to £500 000. Therefore, to comply with IAS 8, the accountant should make a retrospective change to the 2013 figures, on the basis that he has made an error in 2012. As per IAS 8, a change in accounting estimate should be accounted for prospectively, whereas a correction of an error should be accounted for retrospectively.

The Accountant in Preparation for the Financial Statement for the Year