Revenue Recognition from Rendering of Services

In general, IAS 18, Revenue states that revenue is recognized when it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity and these benefits can be measured reliably.

How this standard regulates the revenue recognition particularly from rendering of services ?

Paragraph 20 of IAS 18 states that when the outcome of a transaction involving the rendering of services can be estimated reliably, revenue associated with the transaction shall be recognized by reference to the stage of completion of the transaction at the end of the reporting period.

The outcome of a transaction can be estimated reliably when all the following conditions are satisfied :

1. the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;
2. it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity;
3. the stage of completion of the transaction at the end of the reporting period can be measured reliably; and
4. the costs incurred for the transaction and the costs to complete the transaction can be measured reliably

The recognition of revenue by reference to the stage of completion of a transaction is often referred to as the percentage of completion method. Under this method, revenue is recognized in the accounting periods in which the services are rendered. The recognition of revenue on this basis provides useful information on the extent of service activity and performance during a period.

While, paragraph 22 states that revenue is recognized only when it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity. However, when an uncertainty arises about the collectibility of an amount already included in revenue, the uncollectible amount, or the amount in respect of which recovery has ceased to be probable, is recognized as an expense, rather than as an adjustment of the amount of revenue originally recognized.

Regarding the requirement of the existence of reliable estimation as stated in para. 20, further, para. 23 states that an entity is generally able to make reliable estimates after it has agreed to the following with the other parties to the transaction :

1. each party’s enforceable rights regarding the service to be provided and received by the parties;
2. the consideration to be exchanged; and
3. the manner and terms of settlement

The stage of completion of a transaction may be determined by a variety of methods. An entity uses the method that measures reliably the services performed. Depending on the nature of the transaction, the methods may include :

1. surveys of work performed;
2. services performed to date as a percentage of total services to be performed; or
3. the proportion that costs incurred to date bear to the estimated total costs of the transaction.

For practical purposes, when services are performed by an indeterminate number of acts over a specified period of time, revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the specified period unless there is evidence that some other method better represents the stage of completion. When a specific act is much more significant than any other acts, the recognition of revenue is postponed until the significant act is executed (Hrd).