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IASB issues Practice Statement 2 Making Materiality Judgements and publishes Exposure Draft Definition of Material

International Accounting Standards Board responds to companies’ call for help with materiality in financial statements

The International Accounting Standards Board (Board) has today issued guidance on how to make materiality judgements. The publication encourages companies to apply judgement instead of using IFRS requirements as a checklist, so that financial statements focus on the information that is useful to investors. The Board is also consulting separately on proposed clarifications to the definition of 'material' information in financial statements.

The concept of materiality is important in the preparation of financial statements, because it helps companies determine which information to include in and exclude from their reports. Companies make materiality judgements not only when deciding what information to disclose and how to present it but also when making decisions about recognition and measurement.

Definition of 'material' information

The Board has also today published for public comment proposed amendments to the definition of 'material'. The Exposure Draft Definition of Material proposes minor amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors to clarify the definition and improve understanding of the current requirements.

The Board is seeking comments on the Exposure Draft by 15 January 2018.


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