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What are the differences between HKFRS, HKFRS-Private entity, and HKFRS-SMEs?




The differences between HKFRS, HKFRS-Private entity, and HKFRS-SMEs are as follows:


HKFRS (Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards):

  • HKFRS consists of 41 distinct accounting standards, 15 financial reporting standards, and several interpretations.

  • It applies to general purpose financial statements of all profit-oriented entities engaged in commercial, financial, and similar activities.

  • HKFRS requires the preparation of financial statements that give a true and fair view of the entity's financial position, performance, and cash flows.

  • It includes topics such as presentation of financial statements, inventories, statement of cash flows, income taxes, etc.


HKFRS-Private entity:

  • HKFRS for Private Entities is a set of accounting standards issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) for Hong Kong companies that do not have public accountability.

  • It eliminates some accounting treatments permitted under full HKFRSs, removes topics and disclosure requirements not generally relevant to private entities, and simplifies requirements for recognition and measurement.

  • It allows private entities to prepare financial statements on a simplified historical cost basis, without fair value measurement or deferred tax.

  • The disclosure notes in the financial statements of private entities contain less information compared to full financial statements prepared under HKFRS.


HKFRS-SMEs (Financial Reporting Standards for SMEs):

  • The HKICPA has issued the SME Financial Reporting Framework (SME-FRF) and the Financial Reporting Standard (SME-FRS) specifically for qualifying small and medium-sized entities (SMEs).

  • SME-FRS is a simplified accounting standard based on HKFRS, tailored to the needs of SMEs.

  • It consists of 22 accounting standards covering topics such as presentation of financial statements, accounting policies, leases, etc.

  • Topics such as interim financial reporting, segment reporting, business review, etc. have been omitted in SME-FRS.

  • SMEs can qualify for reporting exemptions under SME-FRF and SME-FRS if they meet certain criteria, such as obtaining shareholder approval and not engaging in certain types of business activities.

  • Financial statements prepared under SME-FRF and SME-FRS are exempt from the requirement to give a true and fair view and are prepared on a simplified historical cost basis without fair value measurement or deferred tax.

  • The disclosure notes in the financial statements of SMEs contain less information compared to full financial statements prepared under HKFRS.



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