Objective
IAS 21 prescribes the accounting treatment for transactions in foreign currencies and foreign operations, ensuring that financial statements reflect the effects of changes in exchange rates.
The standard helps users understand the impact of currency fluctuations on an entity’s financial position and performance.
🧾 1. Key Definitions
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Functional Currency | The currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. |
| Presentation Currency | The currency in which the financial statements are presented (may be different from functional currency). |
| Foreign Currency Transaction | Transaction denominated in a currency other than the entity’s functional currency. |
| Exchange Rate | The rate at which one currency can be exchanged for another. |
⚙️ 2. Determining Functional Currency
Factors to consider:
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Currency that mainly influences sales prices
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Currency that mainly influences labor, materials, and other costs
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Currency in which financing is obtained
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Currency in which cash is generated and maintained
Functional currency is not necessarily the same as the country’s currency.
🔄 3. Foreign Currency Transactions
A. Initial Recognition
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Record at spot rate on the transaction date.
Example 1:
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Purchase inventory from Europe for €10,000
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Functional currency = USD
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Spot rate on purchase date = $1.2/€
Journal Entry:
B. Reporting at Balance Sheet Date
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Monetary items (cash, receivables, payables) → retranslated at closing rate
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Non-monetary items (inventory at cost, PPE at historical cost) → not retranslated if measured at historical cost; if measured at fair value → retranslate at closing rate
Example 2:
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Accounts payable = €10,000
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Closing rate = $1.3/€
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Adjusting entry:
C. Recognition of Exchange Differences
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Profit or loss for monetary items
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OCI for certain non-monetary items measured at FVOCI
Example 3:
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Cash of €5,000 received; initial rate $1.2/€ → $6,000
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Closing rate $1.25/€ → $6,250
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Exchange gain = $250 recognized in P/L
🌐 4. Translation of Foreign Operations
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Foreign subsidiary with different functional currency:
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Assets and liabilities → translated at closing rate
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Income and expenses → translated at average rate for the period
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Exchange differences → recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) and accumulated in Foreign Currency Translation Reserve (FCTR)
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Example 4:
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Subsidiary functional currency = EUR, parent currency = USD
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Assets = €1,000,000; closing rate = $1.2 → $1,200,000
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Net income = €50,000; average rate = $1.25 → $62,500
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Exchange differences accumulated in OCI
🧩 5. Disposal of Foreign Operation
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On sale of a foreign subsidiary, the cumulative exchange differences in OCI are reclassified to profit or loss.
Example 5:
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FCTR balance = $20,000
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Subsidiary sold → $20,000 recognized in P/L as gain/loss on disposal
📊 6. Summary Table – Foreign Currency Accounting
| Item | Measurement | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction at date | Spot rate | Purchase €10,000 at $1.2 → $12,000 |
| Monetary items at year-end | Closing rate | Accounts payable €10,000 → $13,000 |
| Non-monetary items (cost) | Historical cost | PPE €50,000 at $1.2 → $60,000 |
| Income & expenses | Average rate | Revenue €20,000 → $25,000 |
| Subsidiary translation | Assets & liabilities: closing; Income: avg rate; Exchange differences: OCI | Assets €1,000,000 → $1,200,000; Income €50,000 → $62,500 |
🎯 7. Key Points
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Identify functional currency correctly – determines all measurement.
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Monetary vs non-monetary items: monetary items are retranslated; non-monetary at cost remain unchanged.
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Exchange differences → P/L for transactions, OCI for translation of foreign operations.
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Disclosure: functional currency, exchange rates used, and translation method.
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Ensures financial statements reflect impact of currency fluctuations.