NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Year ended 31 December 2023 3 MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these financial statements, and have been applied consistently by the Group, except as explained in Note 2.5, which addresses changes in material accounting policies. 3.1 Basis of consolidation Business combinations The Group accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method when the acquired set of activities and assets meets the definition of a business and control is transferred to the Group. In determining whether a particular set of activities and assets is a business, the Group assesses whether the set of assets and activities acquired includes, at a minimum, an input and substantive process and whether the acquired set has the ability to produce outputs. The Group has an option to apply a ‘concentration test’ that permits a simplified assessment of whether an acquired set of activities and assets is not a business. The optional concentration test is met if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets. The consideration transferred in the acquisition is generally measured at fair value, as are the identifiable net assets acquired. Any goodwill that arises is tested annually for impairment. Any gain on a bargain purchase is recognised in Statement of Total Return immediately. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred, except if related to the issue of debt or equity securities. The consideration transferred does not include amounts related to the settlement of pre-existing relationships. Such amounts are generally recognised in the Statement of Total Return. Any contingent consideration payable is recognised at fair value at the date of acquisition and included in the consideration transferred. If the contingent consideration that meets the definition of a financial instrument is classified as equity, it is not remeasured and settlement is accounted for within equity. Otherwise, other contingent consideration is remeasured at fair value at each reporting date and subsequent changes to the fair value of the contingent consideration are recognised in the Statement of Total Return. NCI are measured at the NCI’s proportionate share of the recognised amounts of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets, at the date of acquisition. Changes in the Group’s interest in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions. Subsidiaries Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases. The accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed when necessary to align them with the policies adopted by the Group. Losses applicable to NCI in a subsidiary are allocated to the NCI even if doing so causes the NCI to have a deficit balance. Loss of control When the Group loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognises the assets and liabilities of the subsidiary, and any related NCI and other components of equity. Any resulting gain or loss is recognised in the Statement of Total Return. Any interest retained in the former subsidiary is measured at fair value when control is lost. ANNUAL REPORT 2023 191 Other Information Overview Leadership Performance Framework
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