Introduction to Hong Kong Accounting Standard

As the world becomes increasingly globalized, more people are engaged in the world of business than ever before. As a direct result, it has become largely recognized that it is essential for there to be general consensus on how businesses recognize and present their financial information. Accounting standards help address this issue as they offer a minimum level of transparency and understanding in how businesses recognise and present their financial information. It is now expected that all countries maintain accounting standards that provide just that – Hong Kong is no exception. In this article, we will explore what Hong Kong’s financial reporting standards are, the scope of its influence, and what SME owners should consider

1. What are the Hong Kong Accounting Standards (“HKAS”)?
The HKAS are the rules that govern the treatment of Hong Kong financial transactions and are known locally, as the Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards (“HKFRS”). These standards serve as the fundamental principles of how companies, operating in Hong Kong, can remain compliant with their local accounting obligations.

Having been structured around the International Financial Reporting Standards, the HKAS helps ensure minimum disclosure levels for financial transactions. They are there to help recognize, measure, present disclosure requirements for general purpose financial statements. In summary, HKAS provides an overview for what is considered an “true and fair” financial statement.

2. What is the Scope of the HKAS?
According to the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“HKICPA”), the HKAS are designed to apply to general purpose financial statements and other financial reporting of all profit-oriented entities.

Profit oriented entities include those that are engaged in commercial, financial and similar activities. The HKAS are not designed to apply to non-profit activities in the private sector, public sector or government.

3. What do the Hong Kong accounting standards consist of?
HKFRS has 15 financial reporting standards, 41 distinct accounting standards, as well as several other interpretations. Every standard relates to a specific topic and can range from inventory, financial statements, income taxes, cash flow statements and more.

4. Main Principles of HKAS
Accrual Basis of Accounting
Hong Kong’s accounting system is unique in that Hong Kong companies will use the accrual basis of accounting – however, cash flow statements are an exception. This means that the effects of transactions and events that result in material accounting changes, should be recognized when they occur.

Financial statements prepared on this basis, inform users not only of past transactions involving the payment and receipt of cash, but also of obligations to pay cash in the future and of resources that represent cash to be received in the future.

HKAS 1: Presentation of Financial Statements
HKAS1 specifies the overall requirements when presenting financial statements, and offers guidelines for their structure and minimum disclosure requirements in regards to its contents.

To summarize HKAS 1:

HKAS 2: Inventories
HKAS 2 sets out how inventory should be treated from an accounting perspective. In Hong Kong, the main criteria is that inventories are to be recognized as an asset and at cost and that these assets should be carried forward until the related revenues are recognized.

HKAS 18: Revenue
HKAS 18 clarifies how revenue should be treated when it arises from certain types of transactions and events.

For a complete set of the HKFRS, please refer to HKICPA’s HKFRS handbook.

5. HKFRS for SMEs
The HKICPA has also issued a reporting framework designed with SMEs in mind. These are known as the SME Financial Reporting Framework (“SME-FRF”) and the Financial Reporting Standard (“SME-FRS”). These standards were introduced to simplify the financial reporting procedure for SMEs.

SMEs Qualifying for Reporting Exemptions in Hong Kong
A company incorporated in Hong Kong qualifies for reporting under SME-FRF and SME-FRS if it satisfies the following reporting exemption criteria:

Hong Kong companies that are limited by guarantee, and private companies may qualify for the optional reporting exemptions. SMEs cannot qualify for the reporting exemptions if:

Under SME-FRF and SME-FRS, Hong Kong companies are exempt from the requirement to give a true and fair view of their financial transactions. With simplified financial statements, SMEs:

Conclusion
As accounting standards are used to provide a general understanding of how a business is fairing, understanding your local accounting standards and following them is essential. By not following these standards, a business is at risk of not properly presenting it to their stakeholders. For questions about how HKAS will impact your business, please contact accounting firm Fastlane Group for assistance!