8.6 IFRS/ASPE Key Differences
There is no doubt that accounting for investments is complex, given the presence of two accounting standards that have identified eight separate categories for IFRS and ASPE as shown in the Classifications chart at the beginning of this chapter.
Below is a decision map for the various equity investment categories:
| Std | Description | Corporate Planning | Purpose | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFRS | If voting shares ownership is greater than 50% | Strategic | Control | Full consolidation |
| If voting shares ownership is between 20% and 50% | Strategic | Associate | Equity method | |
| If equity investment is less than 20% | Non-strategic | For trading purposes (FVNI) | FVNI – fair value – net income | |
| If equity investment is less than 20% | Non-strategic | To collect dividends and also to sell (FVOCI) | Fair value – OCI without recycling (equities) | |
| ASPE | If voting shares ownership is greater than 50% | Strategic | Subsidiary | Choice of consolidation, equity method, or cost method |
| If voting shares ownership is between 20% and 50% | Strategic | Significant influence | Choice of equity method or cost method, or fair value (if market exists) – net income | |
| If equity investment is less than 20% | Non-strategic | Short-term trading | FVNI – fair value – net income | |
| If equity investment is less than 20% | Non-strategic | All other equities | Cost |
