According to IPSAS 19 “Provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets”, a
contingent asset is a possible asset that arises from past events and whose existence will be
confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not
wholly within the control of the entity.
The generating elements of contingent assets are usually unplanned or unexpected events
that are not wholly within the control of the entity and give rise to the possibility of an inflow of
economic benefits or service potential to the entity.
Given the meanings of assets and liabilities, “reflecting them in financial statements takes
into account the current value of the attached economic flows” (Georgescu, 2005)
Thus, the accounting treatment of contingent assets depends on the probability of future
economic benefits. If the flow of economic benefits:
a) is not probable – no asset is recognized and there is no presentation of additional
information;
b) is probable, but uncertain – no asset is recognized, but additional information is
presented;
c) is certain – that asset is no longer contingent and its recognition becomes appropriate
(Ulea, 2007).
To ensure the principle of prudence, which considers economic deficits as being probable,
but not future surpluses, the contingent assets are not recognized in financial statements. This could
lead to recognizing incomes that may never be realized. In the event that achieving an income is
certain, the associated asset is no longer contingent and its recognition becomes appropriate.