Definition
Money Measurement Concept in accounting, also known as Measurability Concept, means that only transactions and events that are capable of being measured in monetary terms are recognized in the financial statements.
Explanation
All transactions and events recorded in the financial statements must be reduced to a unit of monetary currency. Where it is not possible to assign a reliable monetary value to a transaction or event, it shall not be recorded in the financial statements.
However, any material transactions and events that are not recorded for failing to meet the measurability criteria might need be disclosed in the supplementary notes of financial statements to assist the users in gaining a better understanding of the financial performance and position of the entity.
Recognition Criteria
The recognition criteria defined by IASB and FASB require that the elements of financial statements (i.e. assets, liabilities, income and expense) must only be recognized in the financial statements if its cost or value can be measured with sufficient reliability. Therefore, an entity shall not recognize an element of financial statement unless a reliable value can be assigned to it.
In many cases however the preparers of financial statements are unable to arrive at a precise amount to be recognized in the financial statements and must resort to the use of reasonable estimates in arriving at an approximate value. The use of reasonable estimates is a very important component in the preparation of financial statements and as long as forming estimates do not involve a high degree of subjectivity and uncertainty they do not undermine the reliability of financial information.
Where a significant element of financial statement is not recognized because of the inability to measure its monetary value with sufficient reliability, it may be disclosed in the supplementary notes of financial statements to enhance the users’ understandability and completeness of the presented financial information.
Examples of Application
- Skills and competence of employees cannot be attributed an objective monetary value and should therefore not be recognized as assets in the balance sheet. However, those transactions related to employees that can be measured reliably such as salaries expense and pension obligations are recognized in the financial statements.
- Where it is not possible to measure reliably the amount of settlement of a legal claim against the company, no liability is recognized in the financial statements. Instead, the nature and circumstances surrounding the lawsuit are disclosed in the supplementary notes to the financial statements if considered material.
- IAS 38 Intangible Assets and ASC 350 Intangibles – Goodwill and Other require that internally generated goodwill shall not be recognized as an asset in the balance sheet. This is due to the difficulty in identifying and measuring the cost of internally generated goodwill as distinct from the cost of running the day to day operations of the business.
However, IFRS 3 Business Combinations and ASC 805 Business Combinations permit purchased goodwill to be recognized as an asset in the financial statements since the cost of purchased goodwill is usually determinable objectively as the amount of consideration paid in excess of the value of other identifiable assets of the acquired business.
Quiz
How much do you know about money measurement principle?
Take the free quiz below and find out!
Question
ABC United is a professional football club. Which of the following transactions and events may be recognized in the financial statements of ABC United?
The estimated fair value of the Club's football players taking into account the skill level, experience and form of individual players.
Incorrect.
The skills, experience and talent of football players should not be recognized by ABC United since any attempt to place a monetary value on them would be highly subjective and therefore not capable of being measured reliably.
Staff costs comprising of wages, salaries and similar expenses of ABC United employees.
Correct.
Staff costs such as wages and salaries must be recognized as expense as the amount of such costs is easily determinable.
Government sponsored technical training and assistance provided to employees of ABC United free of charge.
Incorrect.
IAS 20 Accounting for Government Grants specifically prohibits recognition of all forms of government assistance that cannot reasonably have a monetary value placed upon them.
The cost of acquisition of player rights by ABC United.
Correct.
Cost of acquisition of player rights must be recognized as an intangible asset by ABC United as the amount of cost can be determined reliably.
