Methods of Accounting for Amalgamations

There are two main methods of accounting for amalgamations.

  • Pooling of interests Method: Under this method, the assets, liabilities and reserves of the transferor company are recorded by the transferee company at their existing carrying amounts. If, at the time of the amalgamation, the transferor and the transferee companies have conflicting accounting policies, a uniform set of accounting policies is adopted following the amalgamation. The effects on the financial statements of any changes in accounting policies are reported in accordance with AS 5.
  • Purchase Method: Under the purchase method, the transferee company accounts for the amalgamation either
    • By incorporating the assets and liabilities at their existing carrying amounts or
    • By allocating the consideration to individual identifiable assets and liabilities of the transferor company on the basis of their fair values at the date of amalgamation. The identifiable assets and liabilities may include assets and liabilities not recorded in the financial statements of the transferor company.

Consideration for the amalgamation means the aggregate of the shares and other securities issued and the payment made in the form of cash or other assets by the transferee company to the shareholders of the transferor company.

Many amalgamations recognise that adjustments may have to be made to the consideration in the light of one or more future events. When the additional payment is probable and can reasonably be estimated at the date of amalgamation, it is included in the calculation of the consideration. In all other cases, the adjustment is recognised as soon as the amount is determinable [AS 4].

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