The Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) is the Australian Government agency responsible for developing, issuing and maintaining accounting standards.
Accounting standards set out the required accounting treatment for particular types of transactions and events.
There are also accounting interpretations which specify the requirements of standards in relation to particular transactions or events. These accounting requirements affect the preparation and presentation of a charity’s financial statements.
Recent changes to accounting standards
Changed disclosure requirements for not-for-profits preparing Special Purpose Financial Statements (SPFS) took effect for annual reporting periods ending on or after 30 June 2020.
More information on the changes and their implications is available on the Australian Accounting Standards Board website. This includes a high level summary to aid understanding of these new disclosure requirements (required by AASB 2019-4).
In addition, the following accounting standards took effect for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019:
The introduction of these standards meant that the revenue and income recognition contained in AASB 1004 Contributions and AASB 118 Revenue are no longer applicable.
Charities and not-for-profits should also note amendments to AASB 9 Financial instruments and AASB 16 Leases
The ACNC has developed general guidance on how some of the changed standards may affect common aspects of charities' accounting.
The AASB regularly issues exposure drafts and consultation papers as part of their consultative process before making a new Australian standard or amending an existing standard.
It also has a project to clarify and simplify the Australian Financial Reporting Framework for not-for-profits. Visit the AASB website to view any exposure drafts or consultation papers, and to participate in their consultative processes.