Does IFRS 15 apply to IFRS for SMEs?

Asked by: Herminia Doyle  |  Last update: July 5, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (32 votes)

Is an entity preparing financial statements in terms of the IFRS for SMEs Standard required to apply IFRS 9, IFRS 15 and IFRS 16? No. IFRS 9, IFRS 15 and IFRS 16 which became effective during 2018 and 2019 are applicable to entities applying IFRS.

What does IFRS 15 not apply to?

IFRS 15 does not apply to wholly unperformed contracts where all parties have the enforceable right to end the contract without penalty. These contracts do not affect an entity's financial position until either party performs under the contract.

When to use IFRS vs IFRS for SMEs?

In terms of the Company's Act a company only needs to apply IFRS if the company is a state-owned company as defined by the Act or if the company is a public company listed on an exchange such as the JSE or AltX for example, all other companies are able to apply IFRS for SMEs.

What is the latest version of IFRS for SMEs?

The third edition of the IFRS for SMEs® Accounting Standard, issued in February 2025 and effective from January 2027, brings several key amendments compared to the second edition issued in 2015.

Who does IFRS for SMEs apply to?

All entities apart from public companies, state- owned companies and certain non-profit companies are allowed to apply the IFRS for SMEs. Profit companies, other than state owned or public companies, whose public interest score for the particular financial year is at least 350.

IFRS 15 Explained: 5-Step Model + Telecom Example + Free Journal Entry Template

38 related questions found

Can a subsidiary whose parent uses full IFRS use IFRS for SMEs if the subsidiary itself is not publicly accountable?

A subsidiary that is part of a consolidated group that uses full IFRSs is not prohibited from using the IFRS for SMEs in its individual financial statements, provided that the subsidiary itself does not have public accountability.

What did IFRS 15 replace?

IFRS 15 replaces IAS 11, IAS 18, IFRIC 13, IFRIC 15, IFRIC 18 and SIC‑31. IFRS 15 provides a comprehensive framework for recognising revenue from contracts with customers.

What is the difference between IFRS 19 and IFRS for SME?

Agenda reference: 30D

25. Unlike IFRS 19, which is a disclosure-only Standard, the IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard is a stand-alone Standard that includes recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure requirements.

Does IFRS 18 apply to SMEs?

Adopting IFRS 18 offers SMEs an opportunity to improve financial transparency and enhance comparability, leading to easier access to investment and funding.

Which accounting treatment is not allowable under IFRS for SMEs?

In addition, there are certain accounting treatments that are not allowable under the SMEs Standard. Examples of these disallowable treatments are the revaluation model for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, and proportionate consolidation for investments in jointly controlled entities.

What are the 4 pillars of IFRS?

The four pillars of IFRS S1 and S2 are governance, strategy, risk management and metrics and targets.

Does IFRS 16 apply to small companies?

Under IFRS 16 Leases, companies are required to report all leases with terms longer than 12 months on their balance sheets, with some exceptions, and disclose more details about their lease obligations. Even for small businesses with a limited lease portfolio, managing the impacts of this standard can be difficult.

Which of the following is an exception for application of IFRS 15?

Lease contracts and insurance contracts are exceptions to the application of IFRS 15.

What is IFRS 15 in nutshell?

IFRS 15 introduces a unified Five-Step Model for revenue recognition, replacing a myriad of previous guidelines and interpretations. It emphasizes performance obligations, transaction price allocation, and enhanced disclosure requirements, offering a more consistent and detailed approach to revenue recognition.

Is ASC 606 the same as IFRS 15?

ASC 606 vs. IFRS 15. ASC 606 applies to all entities that enter into contracts with customers, while IFRS 15 applies to all entities that have customer contracts, except for contracts in the scope of IFRS 17 insurance contracts.

What is the main difference between full IFRS and IFRS for SMEs?

IFRS allows for the recognition of internally generated intangible assets where certain conditions are met. IFRS for SMEs does not allow for the recognition of these intangible assets. Borrowing costs under IFRS for SMEs are expensed as opposed to IFRS which requires them to be capitalised where applicable.

What is the main reason for using IFRS for SMEs instead of full IFRS?

The IFRS for SMEs has simplifications that reflect the needs of users of SMEs' financial statements and cost-benefit considerations. Compared with full IFRSs, it is less complex in a number of ways: Topics not relevant to SMEs are omitted.

Is Lifo allowed under IFRS?

LIFO in Accounting Standards

Under IFRS and ASPE, the use of the last-in, first-out method is prohibited. However, under GAAP, the use of Last-In First-Out is permitted. The inventory valuation method is prohibited under IFRS and ASPE due to potential distortions on a company's profitability and financial statements.

Who does IFRS 15 apply to?

IFRS 15 prescribes the accounting for revenue from sales of goods and rendering of services to a customer. The standard applies only to revenue that arises from a contract with a customer.

Why doesn't the US use IFRS?

Declaring (and rightfully so) that their main goal is to protect US investors' interests, the SEC notes that IFRS lacks consistent application, allows too much leeway with judgment, and is underdeveloped in many specific areas, for which the US GAAP has detailed and accepted guidance and established practice ( ...

Is IFRS 15 difficult to understand?

IFRS 15 'Revenues from Contracts with Customers' provides comprehensive guidance on accounting for revenue recognition. Nonetheless, there are some aspects of IFRS 15 that are complex and can pose practical challenges for reporting entities to apply and implement effectively.

When was IFRS for SMEs revised?

The third edition of the IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard issued in February 2025 amended and revised sections of the IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard. An entity shall apply the amended and revised sections for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2027.

What is the difference between PFRS for SME and full PFRS?

In this PFRS for SMEs, many of the principles in full Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS) for recognizing and measuring assets, liabilities, income and expenses have been simplified, topics that are not relevant to small and medium entities (SMEs) have been omitted, and the required disclosures have been ...

What is principal vs agent in IFRS for SMEs?

Under IFRS 15, the focus is on which party controls a promised good or service before it is transferred to the end customer. If your company has control, you're the principal. If you're simply arranging for another party to provide the good or service, you're the agent.