Liabilities include long-term loans and debentures, short-
term loans, and bank overdrafts, payables, pension plans and
similar financial obligations. The scope of definition of
liabilities covers obligations whose financial amounts can or
cannot be established precisely. It therefore covers what is
usually described as provisions in some countries. Provisions
are liabilities, the amount of which cannot be established
precisely, or the occurrence of which is uncertain. In some
countries, provisions may not be used to adjust the value of
assets. In those countries, value adjustments on debtors are
referred to as write-downs. In other countries, write-downson
debtors are commonly referred to as provisions. Provisions
should be distinguished from reserves, which are amounts set
aside under equity for future use with respect to obligations
which may arise from probable or possible events.
A liability is recognized when it is reasonably certain that
a future reduction in economic benefit will result from the
settlement of the obligation.
EQUITY
Paid-in capital is treated differentl in many countries, in
some of which all amounts paid in by equity shareholders are
classified as paid-in and are not further categorized. In other
countries, paid-in capital is divisible into two types: that
relating to the par value of the shares offered for sale and that
relating to share premium or additional capital. In consolidated
balance sheets, the amount of equity should be given separately
for the shareholders of the parent enterprise and for other
shareholders.
Equity is a residual arising from the deducation of
liabilities from the assets of the reporting enterprise. Equity
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arises from two sources: that provided by shareholders ( for
example, paid-in capital) and that generated by the activities of
the enterprise (for example, earnings less distributions to
shareholders, unrealized surpluses).