Confirm the applicable reporting framework before modelling begins
HKICPA explains that “HKFRS Accounting Standards” include Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards, Hong Kong Accounting Standards and related Interpretations. Hong Kong also has the HKFRS for Private Entities Accounting Standard and the SME Financial Reporting Framework and Standard for qualifying entities. The applicable framework depends on the reporting entity and circumstances.
Initial scoping should therefore say more than “IFRS valuation.” Confirm the framework actually adopted, the specific standard, valuation date, reporting date, measurement objective, unit of account, comparative information and any transition arrangements.
HKFRS requirements that commonly involve valuation
Fair value measurement
Defines fair value, principal or most advantageous market, market-participant assumptions, valuation techniques, input hierarchy and disclosures.
Business combinations
Purchase price allocation may involve identifiable intangible assets, contingent consideration, deferred tax and goodwill.
Impairment of assets
Value in use and fair value less costs of disposal involve cash-generating units, forecasts, discount rates, terminal growth and budget consistency.
Share-based payment
Options and awards may require models reflecting exercise price, volatility, expected life, dividends, vesting and market conditions.
Financial instruments
Unquoted equity, derivatives, convertibles and expected credit losses may require fair-value, probability, option-pricing or credit models.
Employee benefits
Long service payment and other defined-benefit obligations may involve demographic, salary-growth, turnover and discount assumptions.
Accounting knowledge can improve auditor-review efficiency
Hong Kong’s Accounting and Financial Reporting Council has highlighted common valuation-related audit deficiencies, including inadequate assessment of a management expert’s competence, capabilities and objectivity; insufficient testing of significant assumptions; and failures to assess whether recoverable amounts complied with the definitions in HKAS 36.
A valuer with strong accounting knowledge—or a qualified accountant on the team—can usually address the unit of account, cash-flow basis, tax effects, carrying-amount reconciliation, disclosures and audit-evidence needs earlier, reducing late rework.
Prepare for auditor review from the beginning
- Confirm the valuation date, reporting date, applicable standard and relevant requirement
- Define the subject, unit of account, basis of value and methods
- Reconcile management forecasts to board-approved budgets and accounting records
- Record the source and date of comparable companies, transactions, discount rates and other market inputs
- Agree sensitivities, disclosures and material valuation uncertainty in advance
- Define auditor questions, update rounds and support period in the fee proposal
Questions to ask the valuer
- Has the team handled review under the relevant HKFRS and by an auditor’s valuation specialist?
- Who will answer the auditor’s technical questions?
- How are significant assumptions reconciled to budgets, accounting records and external market data?
- Does the fee include reasonable review questions, model updates and final-report changes?
- How will additional work be assessed if the accounting treatment or valuation date changes?
Primary references
- HKICPA — financial reporting standards and frameworks
- HKICPA — Members’ Handbook Volume II
- HKFRS for Private Entities Information Centre
- AFRC — common valuation-related audit deficiencies