Leases are ‘capitalised’ by
recognising the present value of the lease payments
and showing them either as lease assets (right-of-use
assets) or together with property, plant and equipment.
If lease payments are made over time, a company
also recognises a financial liability representing its
obligation to make future lease payments.
The most significant effect of the new requirements in
IFRS 16 will be an increase in lease assets and financial
liabilities. Accordingly, for companies with material
off balance sheet leases, there will be a change to key
financial metrics derived from the company’s assets and
liabilities (for example, leverage ratios).