Financial statements portray the financial effects of transactions and other events by grouping them into broad classes according to their economic characteristics. These broad classes are termed the elements of financial statements.
The elements directly related to financial position (balance sheet) are: [F 4.4]
Assets Liabilities Equity
The elements directly related to performance (income statement) are: [F 4.25]
Income Expenses
The cash flow statement reflects both income statement elements and some changes in balance sheet elements.
Definitions of the elements relating to financial position
Asset. An asset is a resource controlled by the entity as a result of past events and from which future economic benefits are expected to flow to the entity. [F 4.4(a)] Liability. A liability is a present obligation of the entity arising from past events, the settlement of which is expected to result in an outflow from the entity of resources embodying economic benefits. [F 4.4(b)] Equity. Equity is the residual interest in the assets of the entity after deducting all its liabilities. [F 4.4(c)]
Definitions of the elements relating to performance
Income. Income is increases in economic benefits during the accounting period in the form of inflows or enhancements of assets or decreases of liabilities that result in increases in equity, other than those relating to contributions from equity participants. [F 4.25(a)] Expense. Expenses are decreases in economic benefits during the accounting period in the form of outflows or depletions of assets or incurrences of liabilities that result in decreases in equity, other than those relating to distributions to equity participants. [F 4.25(b)]
The definition of income encompasses both revenue and gains. Revenue arises in the course of the ordinary activities of an entity and is referred to by a variety of different names including sales, fees, interest, dividends, royalties and rent. Gains represent other items that meet the definition of income and may, or may not, arise in the course of the ordinary activities of an entity. Gains represent increases in economic benefits and as such are no different in nature from revenue. Hence, they are not regarded as constituting a separate element in the IFRS Framework. [F 4.29 and F 4.30]
The definition of expenses encompasses losses as well as those expenses that arise in the course of the ordinary activities of the entity. Expenses that arise in the course of the ordinary activities of the entity include, for example, cost of sales, wages and depreciation. They usually take the form of an outflow or depletion of assets such as cash and cash equivalents, inventory, property, plant and equipment. Losses represent other items that meet the definition of expenses and may, or may not, arise in the course of the ordinary activities of the entity. Losses represent decreases in economic benefits and as such they are no different in nature from other expenses. Hence, they are not regarded as a separate element in this Framework. [F 4.33 and F 4.34]
