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Consolidation

What is consolidation?

Consolidation combines the accounts of a parent and its subsidiaries into one set of accounts for the group, as if it were a single company. The work is to put every company’s figures on one chart of accounts, translate other currencies, remove what the companies owe or sell each other, and show the outside owners’ share.

4 posts14 glossary terms

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  1. Consolidating companies that use different accounting systems

    One group chart of accounts, mapped once, whatever each company keeps its books in. What a trial balance needs, what to check before loading it, and what changes each month.

    6 min read

All consolidation posts

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Acquisition date
The date on which a parent obtains control of another company. The new subsidiary's results are included in the group accounts from this date.
Associate
A company over which an investor has significant influence but not control, usually shown by holding 20 percent or more of the votes. It is included in the group accounts by the equity method.
Bargain purchase
An acquisition where the fair value of the net assets acquired is higher than the price paid. After the acquirer checks its figures, the excess is recognised as a gain in profit or loss.
Control
Power over a company, exposure to its variable returns, and the ability to use that power to affect those returns. Control makes the company a subsidiary and brings it into the consolidation.
Deconsolidation
Removing a subsidiary from the group accounts from the date the parent loses control, with a gain or loss recognised on the disposal.
Equity method
A way of including an associate or joint venture: the investment starts at cost and is adjusted each period for the investor's share of the investee's profit or loss and other changes in its net assets.
Fair value adjustment
An adjustment made on consolidation to bring a subsidiary's identifiable assets and liabilities to fair value at the acquisition date.
Goodwill
The amount by which the price paid for an acquisition, together with any non-controlling interest and any previously held stake, exceeds the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired.

Questions about consolidation

When must a company prepare consolidated financial statements?

A company that controls one or more other entities presents

What is the difference between control and significant influence?

Control is power over a company, exposure to its returns and

Do all the companies in a group need the same accounting system?

No. Each company can keep its books in the system it prefers

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