Provision Regarding Goodwill in various Accounting Standards

Accounting standards prescribe specific rules for the recognition, measurement, treatment, and impairment of goodwill to ensure uniformity and transparency in financial reporting. The major provisions relating to goodwill under different accounting standards are explained below.

1. AS 14 – Accounting for Amalgamations (Indian GAAP)

AS 14 governs the treatment of goodwill arising from amalgamations. Goodwill arises only when the amalgamation is in the nature of purchase and the purchase consideration exceeds the net value of assets acquired. Such goodwill is recorded as an asset in the balance sheet. AS 14 recommends that goodwill should be amortised over a reasonable period, normally not exceeding five years, unless a longer period is justified. If the purchase consideration is less than net assets, the difference is treated as capital reserve, not goodwill.

2. AS 26 – Intangible Assets

AS 26 deals with accounting for intangible assets, including goodwill. It clearly states that internally generated goodwill is not recognised because its cost cannot be measured reliably. Only purchased goodwill can be recognised as an asset. AS 26 requires goodwill to be amortised systematically over its useful life. If the useful life cannot be estimated reliably, it should not exceed ten years. The standard also emphasizes periodic review to assess impairment, ensuring that goodwill is not overstated.

3. AS 10 (Revised) – Property, Plant and Equipment

AS 10 (Revised) does not directly prescribe accounting treatment for goodwill but provides important clarification. It states that goodwill is not a tangible asset and therefore cannot be classified as property, plant, or equipment. Any expenditure that leads to internally generated goodwill cannot be capitalised. This reinforces the principle that goodwill is an intangible asset, governed by AS 26 or AS 14. The standard indirectly supports conservative accounting by preventing improper capitalization of goodwill-related expenditure.

4. Ind AS 103 – Business Combinations

Ind AS 103 provides comprehensive guidance on goodwill arising from business combinations. Goodwill is recognised as the excess of consideration transferred over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired. Unlike AS 14, Ind AS 103 prohibits amortisation of goodwill. Instead, goodwill is subject to annual impairment testing. If the consideration is less than net assets, it results in a bargain purchase gain, which is recognised in profit or loss after reassessment, ensuring fair value-based accounting.

5. Ind AS 36 – Impairment of Assets

Ind AS 36 specifically governs the impairment testing of goodwill. Goodwill acquired in a business combination must be allocated to one or more cash-generating units (CGUs). The standard requires goodwill to be tested for impairment at least annually, irrespective of whether there is any indication of impairment. If the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount, an impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss. Importantly, impairment losses on goodwill cannot be reversed, ensuring prudence.

6. IAS 38 – Intangible Assets (International Standard)

IAS 38 lays down international principles for accounting for intangible assets, including goodwill. It strictly prohibits recognition of internally generated goodwill due to measurement uncertainty. Purchased goodwill is recognised only when it arises from a business combination under IFRS. IAS 38 clarifies that goodwill cannot be separated or sold independently and therefore does not permit subsequent revaluation. This standard ensures that goodwill reflects future economic benefits without overstating asset values.

7. IFRS 3 – Business Combinations

IFRS 3 governs the recognition and measurement of goodwill at the international level. It defines goodwill as the future economic benefits arising from assets that are not individually identifiable. IFRS 3 disallows amortisation of goodwill, adopting an impairment-only model. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment under IAS 36. Any bargain purchase is recognised immediately as income in profit or loss. These provisions promote transparency and fair valuation in global financial reporting.

8. Comparative and Conceptual Overview

Traditional Indian Accounting Standards (AS) permit amortisation of goodwill, while Ind AS and IFRS prohibit amortisation and require impairment testing. All standards uniformly disallow recognition of internally generated goodwill. The shift from amortisation to impairment reflects a move toward fair value and economic substance over conservative cost-based accounting. This evolution improves the relevance of financial statements by ensuring goodwill represents real future benefits rather than arbitrary write-offs.