BP 2015 Annual Report Download - page 116

1. Significant accounting policies, judgements, estimates and assumptions – continued
liability and are charged directly against income. Capitalized leased assets are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or
the lease term.
Operating lease payments are recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Financial assets
Financial assets are recognized initially at fair value, normally being the transaction price plus, in the case of financial assets not at fair value through
profit or loss, directly attributable transaction costs. The subsequent measurement of financial assets depends on their classification, as follows:
Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables are carried at amortized cost using the effective interest method if the time value of money is significant. Gains and losses are
recognized in income when the loans and receivables are derecognized or impaired, as well as through the amortization process. This category of
financial assets includes trade and other receivables. Cash equivalents are short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known
amounts of cash, are subject to insignificant risk of changes in value and have a maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition.
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are carried on the balance sheet at fair value with gains or losses recognized in the income
statement. Derivatives, other than those designated as effective hedging instruments, are classified as held for trading and are included in this
category.
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments in an effective hedge
These derivatives are carried on the balance sheet at fair value. The treatment of gains and losses arising from revaluation is described below in the
accounting policy for derivative financial instruments and hedging activities.
Held-to-maturity financial assets
Held-to-maturity financial assets are measured at amortized cost, using the effective interest method, less any impairment.
Available-for-sale financial assets
Available-for-sale financial assets are measured at fair value, with gains or losses recognized within other comprehensive income, except for
impairment losses, and, for available-for-sale debt instruments, foreign exchange gains or losses, interest recognized using the effective interest
method, and any changes in fair value arising from revised estimates of future cash flows, which are recognized in profit or loss.
Impairment of loans and receivables
The group assesses at each balance sheet date whether a financial asset or group of financial assets is impaired. If there is objective evidence that an
impairment loss on loans and receivables carried at amortized cost has been incurred, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between
the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate. The
carrying amount of the asset is reduced, with the amount of the loss recognized in the income statement.
Significant estimate or judgement: recoverability of trade receivables
Judgements are required in assessing the recoverability of overdue trade receivables and determining whether a provision against those receivables
is required. Factors considered include the credit rating of the counterparty, the amount and timing of anticipated future payments and any possible
actions that can be taken to mitigate the risk of non-payment. See Note 28 for information on overdue receivables.
Financial liabilities
The measurement of financial liabilities depends on their classification, as follows:
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are carried on the balance sheet at fair value with gains or losses recognized in the income
statement. Derivatives, other than those designated as effective hedging instruments, are classified as held for trading and are included in this
category.
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments in an effective hedge
These derivatives are carried on the balance sheet at fair value. The treatment of gains and losses arising from revaluation is described below in the
accounting policy for derivative financial instruments and hedging activities.
Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost
All other financial liabilities are initially recognized at fair value, net of transaction costs. For interest-bearing loans and borrowings this is the fair value of
the proceeds received net of issue costs associated with the borrowing.
After initial recognition, other financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Amortizedcostis
calculated by taking into account any issue costs and any discount or premium on settlement. Gains and losses arising on the repurchase, settlement
or cancellation of liabilities are recognized in interest and other income and finance costs respectively.
This category of financial liabilities includes trade and other payables and finance debt, except finance debt designated in a fair value hedge relationship.
Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities
The group uses derivative financial instruments to manage certain exposures to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and
commodity prices, as well as for trading purposes. These derivative financial instruments are recognized initially at fair value on the date on which a
derivative contract is entered into and subsequently remeasured at fair value. Derivatives are carried as assets when the fair value is positive and as
liabilities when the fair value is negative.
Contracts to buy or sell a non-financial item (for example, oil, oil products, gas or power) that can be settled net in cash, with the exception of contracts
that were entered into and continue to be held for the purpose of the receipt or delivery of a non-financial item in accordance with the group’s
expected purchase, sale or usage requirements, are accounted for as financial instruments. Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of
derivatives that are not designated as effective hedging instruments are recognized in the income statement.
If, at inception of a contract, the valuation cannot be supported by observable market data, any gain or loss determined by the valuation methodology is
not recognized in the income statement but is deferred on the balance sheet and is commonly known as ‘day-one gain or loss’. This deferred gain or
loss is recognized in the income statement over the life of the contract until substantially all the remaining contract term can be valued using
observable market data at which point any remaining deferred gain or loss is recognized in the income statement. Changes in valuation subsequent to
the initial valuation are recognized immediately through the income statement.
112 BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2015