An entity should disclose the nature and extent of impairment losses recognized during the reporting period in a comprehensive and transparent manner to provide users of financial statements with relevant information about the financial impact of impairments on the entity's assets. The disclosure requirements for impairment losses are outlined in various accounting standards, such as International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
To begin with, an entity should disclose the accounting policy adopted for recognizing and measuring impairment losses. This includes providing a clear explanation of the criteria used to determine whether an asset is impaired, such as significant decline in the asset's
fair value, physical damage, obsolescence, or changes in legal or economic factors. The entity should also disclose the methods and assumptions used to estimate the recoverable amount of impaired assets, including discount rates, cash flow projections, and other relevant factors.
Furthermore, an entity should disclose the carrying amount of each class of impaired assets at the beginning and end of the reporting period. This allows users to understand the magnitude of impairment losses incurred during the period and assess the impact on the entity's financial position. The disclosure should also include any impairment losses recognized during the period, separately identifying impairment losses related to individual assets or groups of assets.
In addition to the carrying amounts and impairment losses, an entity should disclose any reversals of impairment losses recognized in prior periods. This information is important as it indicates changes in the recoverability of impaired assets and provides insights into the entity's ability to generate future economic benefits from those assets.
Moreover, an entity should disclose any significant judgments and estimates made in determining impairment losses. This includes disclosing key assumptions used in estimating the recoverable amount, such as expected future cash flows, growth rates, and discount rates. By providing this information, users can assess the reasonableness of management's judgments and evaluate the potential impact of changes in these assumptions on future impairment losses.
Additionally, an entity should disclose any impairment losses recognized on financial assets measured at fair value through
profit or loss. This includes disclosing the fair value of impaired financial assets, the reasons for impairment, and any subsequent changes in fair value. This information is crucial for users to understand the impact of impairment on the entity's financial performance and
risk profile.
Furthermore, an entity should disclose any impairment losses recognized on non-financial assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, intangible assets, and goodwill. This includes providing details on the nature of impaired assets, the reasons for impairment, and any subsequent changes in their carrying amounts. Additionally, if an entity has recognized impairment losses on goodwill, it should disclose the cash-generating units to which the goodwill is allocated and provide a reconciliation of the carrying amount of goodwill.
Lastly, an entity should disclose any impairment losses recognized on investments in associates or joint ventures accounted for using the equity method. This includes disclosing the carrying amount of the investment before and after impairment, the reasons for impairment, and any subsequent changes in the carrying amount.
In conclusion, an entity should disclose the nature and extent of impairment losses recognized during the reporting period by providing comprehensive information about the accounting policies, measurement methods, carrying amounts, reversals, significant judgments and estimates, and details of impaired assets. Such disclosures enhance
transparency and enable users of financial statements to assess the financial impact of impairments on an entity's performance, financial position, and risk profile.