A cash-generating unit (CGU) is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.
This definition is of importance in IAS 36 Impairment of assets:
The recoverable amount is calculated at the individual asset level. However, an asset seldom generates cashflows independently of other assets, and most assets are tested for impairment in groups of assets described as cash-generating units. A cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.
Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated to the acquirer’s CGUs that are expected to benefit from the business combination. However, the largest group of CGUs permitted for goodwill impairment testing is the lowest level of operating segment. Under IAS 36,Impairment of Assets, impairment testing of goodwill must be performed at a level no larger than an operating segment as defined in IFRS 8, Operating Segments.
However, complexity is created because IFRS 8 allows operating segments to be aggregated into a higher-level reportable operating segment if certain criteria are met. IAS 36 was not clear as to whether the highest level of aggregation of CGUs for goodwill allocation and impairment testing purposes was to be no larger than an operating segment before or after this aggregation.
To deal with this lack of clarity, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) has issued an amendment to IAS 36 to clarify that a CGU cannot be larger than an operating segment before aggregation. Entities should ensure their CGUs are aligned with their operating segments.
The recoverable amount of a CGU is the same as for an individual asset. The carrying amount of a CGU consists of assets directly and exclusively attributable to the CGU and an allocation of assets that are indirectly attributable on a reasonable and consistent basis to the CGU, including corporate assets and goodwill. Where goodwill has been allocated to a CGU and the entity disposes of an operation within that CGU, the goodwill attributable to the operation disposed of is included in the carrying amount of the operation when calculating the profit or loss on disposal.
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CGU – A restaurant or each table?
Identification of cash-generating units (Example 1 IAS 36)
Impairment indications
Cash-generating unit (CGU)
Cash-generating unit (CGU)
CGU – A restaurant or each table?
For example, the tables in a restaurant do not generate cash.
They do belong to a larger CGU though (the restaurant itself).
It is the restaurant that is then tested for impairment
The carrying amount of the CGU is made up of the carrying amounts of all the assets directly attributed to it.
Added to this will be assets that are not directly attributed such as head office and a portion of goodwill.
Identification of cash-generating units (Example 1 IAS 36)
The purpose of this example is:
- to indicate how cash-generating units are identified in various situations; and
- to highlight certain factors that an entity may consider in identifying the cash-generating unit to which an asset belongs.
A Retail store chain
Background
Store X belongs to a retail store chain M. X makes all its retail purchases through M’s purchasing centre. Pricing, marketing, advertising and human resources policies (except for hiring X’s cashiers and sales staff) are decided by M. M also owns five other stores in the same city as X (although in different neighbourhoods) and 20 other stores in other cities. All stores are managed in the same way as X. X and four other stores were purchased five years ago and goodwill was recognised.
What is the cash-generating unit for X (X’s cash-generating unit)?
Analysis
In identifying X’s cash-generating unit, an entity considers whether, for example:
- internal management reporting is organised to measure performance on a store-by-store basis; and
- the business is run on a store-by-store profit basis or on a region/city basis.
All M’s stores are in different neighbourhoods and probably have different customer bases. So, although X is managed at a corporate level, X generates cash inflows that are largely independent of those of M’s other stores. Therefore, it is likely that X is a cash-generating unit.
If X’s cash-generating unit represents the lowest level within M at which the goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes, M applies to that cash-generating unit the impairment test described in paragraph 90 of IAS 36. If information about the carrying amount of goodwill is not available and monitored for internal management purposes at the level of X’s cash-generating unit, M applies to that cash-generating unit the impairment test described in paragraph 88 of IAS 36.
B Plant for an intermediate step in a production process
Background
A significant raw material used for plant Y’s final production is an intermediate product bought from plant X of the same entity. X’s products are sold to Y at a transfer price that passes all margins to X. Eighty per cent of Y’s final production is sold to customers outside of the entity. Sixty per cent of X’s final production is sold to Y and the remaining 40 per cent is sold to customers outside of the entity. For each of the following cases, what are the cash-generating units for X and Y?
Case 1: X could sell the products it sells to Y in an active market. Internal transfer prices are higher than market prices.
Case 2: There is no active market for the products X sells to Y.
Analysis
Case 1
X could sell its products in an active market and, so, generate cash inflows that would be largely independent of the cash inflows from Y. Therefore, it is likely that X is a separate cash-generating unit, although part of its production is used by Y (see paragraph 70 of IAS 36).
It is likely that Y is also a separate cash-generating unit. Y sells 80 per cent of its products to customers outside of the entity. Therefore, its cash inflows can be regarded as largely independent.
Internal transfer prices do not reflect market prices for X’s output. Therefore, in determining value in use of both X and Y, the entity adjusts financial budgets/forecasts to reflect management’s best estimate of future prices that could be achieved in arm’s length transactions for those of X’s products that are used internally (see paragraph 70 of IAS 36).
Case 2
It is likely that the recoverable amount of each plant cannot be assessed independently of the recoverable amount of the other plant because:
- the majority of X’s production is used internally and could not be sold in an active market. So, cash inflows of X depend on demand for Y’s products. Therefore, X cannot be considered to generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those of Y.
- the two plants are managed together.
As a consequence, it is likely that X and Y together are the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent.
Impairment indications
At each reporting date, an entity should assess whether there is any indication that an asset may be impaired. According to the circ*mstances, impairment analysis should be performed at an asset level or at a cash-generating unit level.
IFRS 15 and cash generating units – Impairment hierarchy
Before an entity recognises an impairment loss for
- an asset recognised in respect of the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer for which the entity expected to recover those costs (IFRS 15 91) or
- an asset recognised for the costs incurred to fulfil a contract as per IFRS 15 95,
the entity shall first recognise any impairment loss for assets related to the contract that are recognised in accordance with another Standard (for example, IAS 2, IAS 16 and IAS 38). After applying the impairment test, an entity shall include the resulting carrying amount of these assets in the carrying amount of the cash-generating unit to which it belongs for the purpose of applying IAS 36 Impairment of Assets to that cash-generating unit.
IFRS 16 Onerous lease contracts and cash generating units – Change of provisioning (IAS 37) to impairment (IAS 36)
Before application of IFRs 16 Leases, many of the lease contracts for retail units have been classified as operating leases under IAS 17. To the extent these operating leases are onerous (i.e., the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it), a provision for onerous lease contracts is recognised under IAS 37.
Under IFRS 16, instead of recognising an onerous contract provision, an impairment loss is recognised for the right-of-use asset when the cash generating unit to which the right-of-use asset belongs is subject to an impairment charge.
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