It has come to ICAI’s attention that there have been misleading and confusing media reports that Ind AS 115, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, (issued by MCA vide notification dated March 28, 2018) permits only Completed Contract Method of accounting for real estate companies. We have come across statements like,“revenue in case of real estate transactions can be booked only after the project is completed and the customer has taken possession of the unit (house/flat)”. These kind of reports may lead to misinterpretation of the principles laid down in the Standard.

In view of the above, the ICAI would like to clarify that the Ind AS 115 does allow recognition of revenue using Percentage of Completion Method (POCM) and has explicit and specific requirements to recognise revenue, where performance obligation is satisfied over a period of time. It may be noted that paragraphs 35-37 of Ind AS 115 explicitly permit recognition of revenue using POCM,where the performance obligation is satisfied over time. Paragraph 35 Ind AS 115 provides as follows:

“Performance obligations satisfied over time

35 An entity transfers control of a good or service over time and, therefore, satisfies a performance obligation and recognises revenue over time, if one of the following criteria is met:
(a) the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the entity’s performance as the entity performs (see paragraphs B3–B4);
(b) the entity’s performance creates or enhances an asset (for example, work in progress) that the customer controls as the asset is created or enhanced (see paragraph B5); or
(c) the entity’s performance does not create an asset with an alternative use to the entity (see paragraph 36) and the entity has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date (see paragraph 37).”

It may be noted that Paragraph 35(b) & (c) of Ind AS 115 are intended to address situations of real estate sector. In view of the above, recognition of revenue as the construction progresses is possible considering the prevalent long established legal system/jurisprudence in India, and facts and circumstances of individual case/contract.