Medium1 markMultiple Choice
Preparing simple consolidated financial statementsConsolidationsFair Value AdjustmentsMTQ

ACCA · Question 46 · Preparing simple consolidated financial statements

Section B - Case 1: Group Consolidations

Scenario: On 1 January 20X5, Zenith Heavy Industries acquired 80% of the equity share capital of Apex Robotics for $2,500,000. At the date of acquisition, the fair value of Apex's net assets was $2,000,000. Zenith measures the Non-Controlling Interest (NCI) at fair value, which was $550,000 at the acquisition date. During the year ended 31 December 20X5, Zenith sold goods to Apex for $400,000 at a mark-up of 25%. Half of these goods remain in Apex's inventory at year-end. At 31 December 20X5, Zenith's retained earnings are $5,000,000. Apex's retained earnings were $1,000,000 at acquisition and $1,500,000 at year-end.

The fair value of Apex's net assets at acquisition ($2,000,000) included a property with a fair value $200,000 higher than its carrying amount in Apex's own books.

How does this $200,000 fair value adjustment affect the consolidated financial statements at the date of acquisition?

Answer options:

A.

It increases the net assets at acquisition, which increases the goodwill figure

B.

It increases the net assets at acquisition, which reduces the goodwill figure

C.

It is added directly to consolidated retained earnings

D.

It has no effect on the consolidated financial statements

How to approach this question

Understand the Goodwill formula: Consideration - Fair Value of Net Assets. If the fair value of net assets goes up, the resulting goodwill goes down.

Full Answer

B.It increases the net assets at acquisition, which reduces the goodwill figure✓ Correct
At acquisition, the subsidiary's assets must be consolidated at their fair value. The $200,000 uplift increases the fair value of net assets acquired. Since Goodwill = Consideration - Fair Value of Net Assets, a higher net asset figure results in a lower goodwill figure.

Common mistakes

Thinking that a fair value uplift increases goodwill.

Practice the full ACCA FA — Financial Accounting Practice Exam 1

65 questions · hints · full answers · grading

More questions from this exam