University Report: Accounting for Leases and AASB (IFRS 16)

This report assesses the impact of the new lease standard AASB/IFRS 16 on reporting entities listed on the Australian stock exchange, specifically Harvey Norman Holdings and Myer Holdings Group, both from the retail sector. The analysis reveals significant changes in accounting processes due to the adoption of the standard. The report examines how the accounting treatment for leases has changed after the implementation of AASB 16, which replaced the previous standard AASB 117. The introduction of IFRS 16 has brought revolutionary changes in lease accounting, impacting entities across all industries, particularly the retail sector due to its considerable use of rented premises. The report details the impact on financial statements, including balance sheets and income statements, by recognizing assets as right-of-use and liabilities, affecting the balance sheet and operating costs. It also summarizes the lease values of the companies as stated in their financial reports and identifies the short and long-term impacts of the changes to lease reporting.

Running head: ACCOUNTING FOR LEASES- THE IMPACT OF AASB (IFRS 16)
Accounting for leases- The impact of AASB (IFRS 16)
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

ACCOUNTING FOR LEASES- THE IMPACT OF AASB (IFRS 16)
Executive summary:
The report is prepared to assess the impact of the new lease standard AASB/IFRS 16 on the
reporting entities listed on the Australian stock exchange. For the assessment of the impact of
such standard, two entities from the retail sector have been chosen named Harvey Norman
Holdings and Myer Holdings Group. It is ascertained from the analysis of the facts about the
adoption of the standard that the reporting entities would be identifying significant changes in
their accounting process. Nonetheless, such standard intends to serve the users of the
financial statements by making the information transparent by the disclosure of the lease
contracts and those as operating lease on the balance sheet.

ACCOUNTING FOR LEASES- THE IMPACT OF AASB (IFRS 16)
Table of Contents
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................2
Discussion:.................................................................................................................................3
Impact of the lease arrangements on the financial report by demonstrating financial and
operating lease:...........................................................................................................................3
Summarizing the lease values of company as stated in their financial reports:.........................4
Identifying the impact of the accounting rules for lease on two entities:..................................5
Determining the short term and long term impact of the changes to lease reporting:...............8
Conclusion:................................................................................................................................8
References list:.........................................................................................................................10

ACCOUNTING FOR LEASES- THE IMPACT OF AASB (IFRS 16)
Introduction:
The paper is developed to demonstrate an insight into lease accounting in relation to
two well-known retailers of Australia that is Myer Holdings Limited and Harvey Norman
Holdings limited. Major changes brought by the introduction of new lease standard has been
examined and how the accounting treatment for lease has changed after the implementation
of new lease standard AASB 16 is outlined in the report. It is believed that the former
accounting standard did not reflect the economic reality as many of the operating lease are
not recorded in the balance sheet. Due to this, off balance sheet liabilities considerably higher
than the liabilities reported on the balance sheet. Harvey Norman and Myer are Australian
based retailer with the former engaged in the retailing of bedding, furniture, electronic
products and latter operates the departmental stores. The existing accounting requirements
under the former lease standard that is AASB 117 has been replaced by the new lease
standard AASB 16 which is implemented and has been effective from July 1st, 2019 (Hladika
and Valenta 2018). These two entities under discussion have not adopted a single accounting
lease model that do not classify between the financial and operating lease.
Discussion:
Impact of the lease arrangements on the financial report by demonstrating financial
and operating lease:
The assessment of the impact of the new lease standard IFRS 16 on the financial
statement of the companies is identified in this section. Introduction of IFRS 16 has brought a
revolutionary changes in the world of lease accounting as the entities across all the industries
would be impacted by it. With the continuous evolvement in the landscape of retail,
unexpected vacancies is being faced by the commercial establishment and malls in areas of
high traffic. The concept of recognizing the asset as right to use is introduced under the new

ACCOUNTING FOR LEASES- THE IMPACT OF AASB (IFRS 16)
standard and this calls for the evaluation of the assets for impairment. New standard offers a
detail guidance for assessing the contract containing service or lease. IFRS 16 is likely to
impact the retail industry the most given the considerable use of rented premises for the
stores. Many of the leases of retail companies is classified as operating lease and no impact is
identified on the balance sheet under the previous lease standard. Such type of leases are in
the form of IT equipment, leases, premises that often has variable rentals due to contingent
rentals and adjustments (Aasb.gov.au 2020). With the split of the expense between operating
and finance cost, the new standard does not only impact the balance sheet but also the
operating cost.
The financial statements of the retailers would be significantly impacted by the
changes introduced by IFRS 16 because the retail business has largest volume of operating
leases. Profile of lease expenses is changed every year and the balance sheet recognizing
almost all the leases. It is important for the retailers to account for the new extensions and
agreements and consider the impact of existing long dates lease as the pre-existing leases
would be impacted by the new standard (Morales and Zamora 2018). Changes in accounting
of lease would impact the financial report because of changes in the income statement and
balance sheet. The balance sheet of the company recognizes all the leases as lease liability
and corresponding as the “right to use assets”. Recognition of lease expenses in the income
statement changes in terms of timing of recognition of cost in each lease year and
presentation of the statement (Giner and Pardo 2018).
Summarizing the lease values of company as stated in their financial reports:
Harvey Norman Holding limited is a retail icon and the company operates under the
three brand names Domayne, Harvey Norman and Joyce Mayne. The principal activities of
Harvey Norman Holdings involves franchise, retail, digital enterprise and property and offers

ACCOUNTING FOR LEASES- THE IMPACT OF AASB (IFRS 16)
its customers with an unparalleled retail experience. The company owns and operated ninety
branded stores and boosting the position as global retailer. Diversity in offerings and great
strengths and effectively operating across array of products offerings makes it difficult for
other company to compete with Harvey Norman. The company being a lessee is required to
recognize the right of use asset representing the lease liability and right to use the underlying
assets. Harvey Norman has reported a total amount of operating lease liabilities of $ 693554
in year 2019 compared to $ 689219 in year 2018. Minimum lease receivable is recorded at $
306991 and $ 337341 in year 2019 and 2018 respectively. In addition to this, present value of
lease payment is 3564 and 4265 in year 2019 and 2018 (harveynormanholdings.com.au
2020).
Myer holdings is one of the largest departmental store group of Australia that
prioritizes customer in every decision making process. That is the decisions are taken by the
company in the best interest of the shareholders and customers. Offer of company’s
merchandise include the categories of product such as children wear, menswear, electrical
good, home ware and beauty. Majority of operations of Myer are in Australia and it
encompasses the departmental stores and the online business forming significant assets that
helps in delivering strong growth. Financial year 2019 has recorded a minimum lease
payment of $ 225965 compared to $ 229075 in year 2018. Total amount of rental expense
relating to operating lease is $ 228268 in year 2019 and $ 231787 in year 2018. In addition to
this, company also maintained a provision to support current and non-current onerous lease of
amount of $ 4806 and $ 3499 in year 2019. The commitment of organization in relation to
minimum lease payment for the operating lease is $ 2,427,902 and $ 2,537,556 for 2019 and
2018 for year 2019 and 2018 respectively (investor.myer.com.au 2020). The company has
recognized the right of use assets to account for the operating lease under the new accounting
standard for lease.

ACCOUNTING FOR LEASES- THE IMPACT OF AASB (IFRS 16)
Identifying the impact of the accounting rules for lease on two entities:
For the measurement and identification of lease arrangements, Harvey Norman has
adopted the new accounting standard AASB 16 with effect from 1st July, 2019. Under this
standard, the company has recognized all the lease assets and liabilities that has a term of 12
months and unless the value of assets is low. The right of use assets is also recognized by the
lessee under the new standard and representing the rights to be used as leased liability and
underlying assets long with the future lease payments present value. As permitted under the
new standard, an approach of modified retrospective is applied by the consolidated entity and
the cumulative impact of the application would result in identifying the adjustment to the
retained earnings opening balance at 1st July, 2019. Measurement of the right of use assets on
transition is done at the carrying value and at the same time incremental borrowing rate is
used to arrive at the discounted value of the assets. Under the lease, measurement of lease
liability is done at future payables net present value including the renewal period options.
Therefore, it is identified that the adoption of AASB 16 would result in recognizing the right
of assets use and meeting the investment property definition (Cpaaustralia.com.au 2020).
New standard is expected to impact the consolidated balance sheet by lease liability
recognition between $ 585 and $ 635 million and right of use assets recognition between $
585 and $ 635 million (harveynormanholdings.com.au 2020). In addition to this, the amount
currently recorded in the balance sheet and this include the deferred lease liabilities is
reclassified and derecognized.
The income statement of Harvey Norman would replace the lease expense by the
interest expense on lease liability, right of use assets and right of use assets fair value

ACCOUNTING FOR LEASES- THE IMPACT OF AASB (IFRS 16)
movements. Furthermore, there would be a decrease between $ 9 and $ 12 million of the
estimated impact of profit figures reported after tax and this does not exclude the impact of
right of use (ROU) assets fair value movement for the year ending 30th June, 2020. However,
on the initial application of the standard, there might be material difference between the
estimated and the actual identified impact. Such difference might be due to exemptions of
recognition, practical expedients application and changes to the areas of material judgement.
Estimated impact on transition by Harvey Norman on its balance sheet:
(Source: harveynormanholdings.com.au 2020)
The new accounting standard for Myer Holdings limited would be effective for the
period ending 25th July, 2020 and the application of the new standard would be done by
adopting the approach of modified retrospective. Except for the low value of ROU and short
term leases for twelve months, AASB 16 would result the group in recognizing the lease
liability and ROU assets. The interest expense charged on lease liability and charging o
depreciation of ROU assets would be separately recognized (Magli et al. 2018). This in turn
for most of the leases would result in recognizing the expenses front loaded pattern. For the
period ending 25th July, 2020, recognition of the different between lease liability and ROU
assets after making adjustment for the deferred tax amount is done by adjusting the
accumulated losses opening balance.
The group is required to make significant judgement when determining the term of
lease, impairment of ROU assets and lease liability calculation by choosing an appropriate

ACCOUNTING FOR LEASES- THE IMPACT OF AASB (IFRS 16)
rate of discount. For reporting and accounting under the new standard, group has established
control and procedures and has implemented a system of IT for reporting and collating lease
data along with applying the lease payment using appropriate rate of discount. Furthermore, it
is reported by the group that there would be significant impact on the cash flow classification
relating to lease contracts, on the income statement and liabilities and on the reported assets
value. Moreover, a number of key measures such as cash flow from operating and financing
activities and earnings before interest and tax along with the measures of alternative
performance by the group is impacted by the adoption of the standard (investor.myer.com.au
2020).
Estimated impact on transition by Myer Holdings on its balance sheet:
(Source: investor.myer.com.au 2020)
Determining the short term and long term impact of the changes to lease reporting:
The reporting requirements of the financial reporting of the entities would change due
to the adoption of IFRS 16. AASB 16 would create a significant short term impact on the low
value assets and short term leases and it is important for the entities anticipating the
transactions of capital market after or before the effective date of lease standards should
account for the leverage ratios (Peprníčková 2018). It has been identified that the exemption

ACCOUNTING FOR LEASES- THE IMPACT OF AASB (IFRS 16)
from the short term lease and low value assets would benefit most of the entities. There
would not be any negative impact on the free cash flow as charging deprecation because it
represents a non-cash item. Short term impacts can be assessed from the valuation of leased
liabilities and assets and bringing in shift in the values recorded in the balance sheet and
income statement of the company. On other hand, long term impact of the new standard
would be identified in terms of significant changes in the financial metrics such as return on
invested capital gearing ratio. There will be an increase in the net debt with the equity value
remaining same and thereby increasing the enterprise value of the companies. The long term
impact would be identified in the valuation of discounted cash flow as it would be more
sensitive to errors, complex and presumably would result in changing the equity valuation
(Colares et al. 2018).
Conclusion:
The paper discussing the impact of accounting standard on two reporting entities of
Australia identifies that the adoption of IFRS/AASB 16 would considerably impacts the
accounting treatment relating to lease and would witness several changes to the accounts on
transition. The adoption of single lease accounting model would eliminate the distinction
between operating and financial lease and make all the leases accountable and more
transparent to the users of the financial statements of the entity. The flaws of the off balance
sheet liabilities is technically addressed under the new standard and it would contribute in
enhancing the transparency by disclosing the actual amount of the lease liabilities which was
earlier reported as operating lease in the off balance sheet and allocation of capital would
improve. However, impact can also be identified on the financial metrics of the entities
accordingly.

ACCOUNTING FOR LEASES- THE IMPACT OF AASB (IFRS 16)
References list:
Aasb.gov.au., 2020. [online] Available at:
https://www.aasb.gov.au/admin/file/content105/c9/AASB16_02-16.pdf [Accessed 7 Apr.
2020].
Colares, A.C.V., Gomes, A.P.M., de Lima Bueno, L.C. and Pinheiro, L.E.T., 2018.
EFFECTS OF THE ADOPTION OF IFRS 16 IN THE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS OF
RENTAL ENTITIES. Revista De Gestao, Financas E Contabilidade, 8(2), pp.46-66.
Cpaaustralia.com.au., 2020. [online] Available at:
https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/-/media/corporate/allfiles/document/professional-
resources/reporting/implementing-aasb-16-leases-report.pdf?
la=en&rev=5472e7493bb442958583f9d17a81bfe9 [Accessed 7 Apr. 2020].
Giner, B. and Pardo, F., 2018. The Value Relevance of Operating Lease Liabilities:
Economic Effects of IFRS 16. Australian Accounting Review, 28(4), pp.496-511.
Harvey Norman Holdings., 2020. Reports & Announcements — Harvey Norman Holdings.
[online] Available at: http://www.harveynormanholdings.com.au/reports-announcements-1
[Accessed 7 Apr. 2020].

ACCOUNTING FOR LEASES- THE IMPACT OF AASB (IFRS 16)
Hladika, M. and Valenta, I., 2018. Analysis of the effects of applying the new IFRS 16
Leases on the financial statements. Economic and Social Development: Book of Proceedings,
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Investor.myer.com.au., 2020. Myer Investor and Media Centre. [online] Available at:
http://investor.myer.com.au/Investor-Centre/ [Accessed 7 Apr. 2020].
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Peprníčková, M., 2018. What Are the Origins of New Leasing Conceptual Models and How
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Pwc.com.au., 2020. [online] Available at:
https://www.pwc.com.au/assurance/ifrs/assets/new-leasing-standard-and-retailers.pdf
[Accessed 7 Apr. 2020].
Pwc.in., 2020. [online] Available at: https://www.pwc.in/assets/pdfs/services/accounting-
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ACCOUNTING FOR LEASES- THE IMPACT OF AASB (IFRS 16)
Segal, M. and Naik, G., 2019. The expected impact of the implementation of International
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