Recognition of revenue
Recognition, as defined in the IASB Framework, means incorporating an item that meets the definition of revenue (above) in the income statement when it meets the following criteria:
it is probable that any future economic benefit associated with the item of revenue will flow to the entity, and the amount of revenue can be measured with reliability
IAS 18 provides guidance for recognising the following specific categories of revenue:
Sale of goods
Revenue arising from the sale of goods should be recognised when all of the following criteria have been satisfied: [IAS 18.14]
the seller has transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership the seller retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold the amount of revenue can be measured reliably it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the seller, and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably
Rendering of services
For revenue arising from the rendering of services, provided that all of the following criteria are met, revenue should be recognised by reference to the stage of completion of the transaction at the balance sheet date (the percentage-of-completion method): [IAS 18.20]
the amount of revenue can be measured reliably; it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the seller; the stage of completion at the balance sheet date can be measured reliably; and the costs incurred, or to be incurred, in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.
When the above criteria are not met, revenue arising from the rendering of services should be recognised only to the extent of the expenses recognised that are recoverable (a "cost-recovery approach". [IAS 18.26]
Interest, royalties, and dividends
For interest, royalties and dividends, provided that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the enterprise and the amount of revenue can be measured reliably, revenue should be recognised as follows: [IAS 18.29-30]
interest: using the effective interest method as set out in IAS 39 royalties: on an accruals basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant agreement dividends: when the shareholder's right to receive payment is established
Disclosure [IAS 18.35]
accounting policy for recognising revenue amount of each of the following types of revenue:
sale of goods rendering of services interest royalties dividends within each of the above categories, the amount of revenue from exchanges of goods or services
Implementation guidance
Appendix A to IAS 18 provides illustrative examples of how the above principles apply to certain transactions.