What are Contingent Assets?

A contingent liability is dependent on the outcome of an uncertain future event. A contingent liability is recorded in the records of accounting if the contingency is estimated in probability. Hence, a that future intent liability is recorded in the balance sheet as a form of a footnote. Now assume that a lawsuit liability is possible but not probable and the dollar amount is estimated to be $2 million. Under these circumstances, the company discloses the contingent liability in the footnotes of the financial statements.

These are commonly found in financial statements and are used to reflect the UNCERTAINTY of an asset’s future value. Banks are required to have a specific percentage of capital reserves on hand, depending on the total of risk-weighted assets (RWAs). These assets, which are typically loans, have various risk weightings applied to them. For example, a bank’s mortgage portfolio might receive a 50% weighting, meaning the bank—in a negative scenario—should have enough capital that’s valued at 50% of the outstanding mortgage loans. As a result of the financial crisis of 2008 and the Great Recession, regulations were implemented requiring bank stress tests to be performed to test how a bank might handle various negative contingencies. The stress tests project how much a bank would lose—if a negative economic event occurred—to determine if the bank has enough capital or funds set aside to survive the event.

IAS 37 — Changes in decommissioning, restoration, and similar liabilities

The asset is no longer contingent, since cash has been received, so the award is recognized in the income statement and balance sheet. Contingent Assets are possible assets or potential economic benefits because they do not currently exist but may arise in the near future. The shift from possible assets to real assets for the entity is dependent on the occurrence or non-occurrence of future events which are not under its control. Several financial statements tend to follow certain accounting concepts and principles. However, there are some cases where relevant and important information is not present in some of the statements and that is due to some of these accounting principles and concepts. Here in the notes about contingent assets, we are going to figure out some of the details that students need to know about in the chapter.

The lawsuits which are pending and also the product warranties are the common contingent liability examples as their outcomes are not quite certain. The accounting rules for recording this contingent liability vary depending on the estimated dollar which amounts to the liability and is the likelihood of the event that is occurring. The accounting rules ensure that the financial statement readers will receive sufficient information. The key principle established by the Standard is that a provision should be recognised only when there is a liability i.e. a present obligation resulting from past events. Contingent assets are possible assets whose existence will be confirmed by the occurrence or non-occurrence of uncertain future events that are not wholly within the control of the entity.

Understanding Contingent Assets

In these notes for contingent assets and liabilities, we are going to discuss both of these topics so that students can have an idea about the chapter and can score good marks in the examinations. The standard approach to handling these assets and liabilities is to deal with them at the end of each accounting period. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule, such as when a provision needs protection until it comes into force or when it is linked to a subsequent event such as an acquisition or merger.

• The potential value of this patent would be considered a contingent asset until the patent is approved and the company is able to start generating revenue from it.
• Based on this same example, Company XYZ would need to disclose a potential contingent liability in its notes and then later record it in its accounts, should it lose the lawsuit and be ordered to pay damages.
• IAS stands for International Accounting Standard and according to that, there is a specific outline of the treatment provided to contingent liabilities and contingent assets too.

Contingent assets are not recognized, but they are disclosed when it is more likely than not that an inflow of benefits will occur. However, when the inflow of benefits is virtually certain an asset is recognized in the statement of financial position because that asset is no longer considered to be contingent. Contingent assets are not recognised, but they are disclosed when it is more likely than not that an inflow of benefits will occur. However, when the inflow of benefits is virtually certain an asset is recognised in the statement of financial position, because that asset is no longer considered to be contingent.

Contingent Assets Example

This accrual account permits the firm to immediately post an expense without the need for a quick cash payment. If they lose the case then the debit is applied to the accrued account and the cash is credited and is reduced to 3 million. Let’s say as an example, Bank XYZ has $3 million in retained earnings and $4 million in shareholders’ equity, meaning the total tier-1 capital is $7 million. Since the capital requirement is 6%, the bank is considered well-capitalized when compared to the minimum requirement. Although contingencies can be prepared for, the nature and scope of such negative events are typically unknowable in advance.

A home inspection contingency is a provision that allows the buyer to have the home inspected before purchasing it. Depending on the results of the inspection, the buyer can either back out of the sale or negotiate on the repairs. Contingency theory is an approach to management that suggests the best way to run an organization is dependent, or contingent, on that particular situation. In other words, a specific management style can work well in one company and fail completely in another one.

Contingent Assets vs. Contingent Liabilities

The accrual account permits the firm to immediately post an expense without the need for an immediate cash payment. If the lawsuit results in a loss, a debit is applied to the accrued account (deduction) and cash is credited (reduced) by $2 million. The ‘not-to-prejudice‘ exception in IAS 37.92 applies to contingent assets as well. See also this discussion about financial calculator what happens when already recognised contingent asset becomes probable only. Contingent assets and contingent liabilities are dealt with in IAS 37, except for assets and liabilities covered by another standard, as listed in paragraph IAS 37.5. Contingent assets should be regularly assessed to ensure that they are properly disclosed in the financial statements.

A company that effectively communicates how negative events are to be navigated and responded to is less likely to suffer reputation damage. A contingency is a potential occurrence of a negative event in the future, such as an economic recession, natural disaster, fraudulent activity, terrorist attack, or a pandemic. In 2020, businesses were hit with the coronavirus pandemic forcing many employees to have to work remotely. However, for some businesses, working remotely wasn’t an option, which led to the implementation of enhanced safety measures for employees and customers to prevent the spread of the virus. Let us suppose that Unreal Pvt Ltd. files a case of patent violation on Real Pvt.

IAS plus

The work plan includes all projects undertaken by the IFRS Foundation Trustees, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and the IFRS Interpretations Committee. Public consultations are a key part of all our projects and are indicated on the work plan. Our Standards are developed by our two standard-setting boards, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). Once the litigation is announced in favour of the Developer by the court, this will be recognized as an asset in the balance sheet of the Developer. To recover the incremental cost incurred, the Developer filed litigation against the Authority for reimbursement of 5 million.

Now, the former can’t recognize this as a contingent asset even if it is sure to win and the amount can be estimated. Only when the lawsuit is settled and a sure amount is to be received at a specific time can this be recognized in the books of Unreal Pvt Ltd. as a Contingent Asset. Contingent assets are ruled under the conservatism principle, which is an accounting practice that states that uncertain events and outcomes should be reported in a manner that results in the lowest potential profit. In other words, companies are discouraged from inflating expectations and are generally advised to utilize the lowest estimated asset valuation.

A contingent liability is a specific type of liability, which may occur depending on the result of an uncertain future event. The contingent liability is then recorded if the contingency is likely the amount of the liability will be reasonably estimated by it. The contingent liability may be acknowledged in a footnote on the financial statements unless both the conditions are not met.

Contingent liabilities are also important for potential lenders to a company, who will take these liabilities into account when deciding on their lending terms. Business leaders should also be aware of contingent liabilities, because they should be considered when making strategic decisions about a company’s future. A provision is measured at the amount that the entity would rationally pay to settle the obligation at the end of the reporting period or to transfer it to a third party at that time. When it comes to the contingent assets definition, students can refer to the notes. With our notes, students can have all the details that they want to have in the first place. With help of our notes, students can know the meaning of contingent assets in the best way.

On account of the delay in handing over of land, an excess cost of 5 million was incurred by the Developer. A company involved in a lawsuit that expects to receive compensation has a contingent asset because the outcome of the case is not yet known and the dollar amount is yet to be determined. The provisions are the amount that a company has estimated it will need to pay or receive later. Provisions are different types of assets and liabilities that have been recognized by law. They can be distinguished as assets that come from outside the company and disadvantages, which arise from within the company.

The capital, called Tier-1 capital, can include equity shares or shareholders’ equity and retained earnings, which is accumulated savings of prior years’ profits. Although there are various components that go into the tier-capital ratio requirement, the ratio has to be at least 6% of the total of risk-weighted assets. Once you have viewed this piece of content, to ensure you can access the content most relevant to you, please confirm your territory. The ‘not-to-prejudice‘ exception in IAS 37.92 applies to contingent liabilities as well. On 26 June 2023 the ISSB issued its inaugural standards—IFRS S1 and IFRS S2—ushering in a new era of sustainability-related disclosures in capital markets worldwide. A contingency fee for a lawyer is the amount of money they receive as payment only if the case is won.

A contingent liability is not recognised in the statement of financial position. According to Accounting Standard 29, the contingent asset will not be disclosed while making the financial statements and that is due to the existence of the concept of prudence in accounting. However, when it comes to the approving authorities, they are allowed to make such mentions of the contingent liabilities and the contingent assets. However, the contingent asset disclosure can be made in the reports in the cases mentioned below.