Question:
Rogers Communications Inc. is a diversified Canadian communications and media company engaged in three primary lines of business: Wireless, Cable, and Media. The following is part of Rogers’ revenue recognition policy note in its 2019 financial statements:
Rogers’ balance sheet included a current liability of $224 million at December 31, 2019, called Contract Liabilities. Contract liabilities represent payment in advance of services and include subscriber deposits, deposits related to Toronto Blue Jays ticket sales, and amounts received from subscribers related to services and subscriptions to be provided in future periods.
Instructions
a. When does Rogers recognize its revenue from installation services for Cable subscribers?
b. When should Rogers record unearned revenue from its subscription services? When should it record unearned revenue for its Blue Jays home game admission revenue?
c. If Rogers (inappropriately) recorded these unearned revenues as revenue when the cash was received in advance, what would be the effect on the company’s financial position? (Use the basic accounting equation and explain what elements would be overstated or understated.)
Transcribed Image Text:
ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS INC.
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2019
NOTE 5: REVENUE
ACCOUNTING POLICY
Contracts with customers
We record revenue from contracts with customers in accordance with the five steps in IFRS
15, Revenue from contracts with customers as follows:
1. identify the contract with a customer;
2. identify the performance obligations in the contract;
3. determine the transaction price, which is the total consideration provided by the customer;
4. allocate the transaction price among the performance obligations in the contract based on
their relative fair values; and
5. recognize revenue when the relevant criteria are met for each performance obligation.
Many of our products and services are sold in bundled arrangements (e.g., wireless devices
and voice and data services). Items in these arrangements are accounted for as separate
performance obligations if the item meets the definition of a distinct good or service. We also
determine whether a customer can modify their contract within predefined terms such that
we are not able to enforce the transaction price agreed to, but can only contractually enforce
a lower amount. In situations such as these, we allocate revenue between performance
obligations using the minimum enforceable rights and obligations and any excess amount is
recognized as revenue as it is earned.
Revenue for each performance obligation is recognized either over time (e.g., services) or at
a point in time (e.g., equipment). For performance obligations satisfied over time, revenue
is recognized as the services are provided. These services are typically provided, and thus
revenue is typically recognized, on a monthly basis. Revenue for performance obligations
satisfied at a point in time is recognized when control of the item (or service) transfers to
the customer. Typically, this is when the customer activates the goods (e.g., in the case of a
wireless device) or has physical possession of the goods (e.g., other equipment).
The table below summarizes the nature of the various performance obligations in our
contracts with customers and when we recognize performance on those obligations.