Expand
A distinct and separable operation’s functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operates. ASC 830-10-45-2 provides the definition of functional currency. This guidance refers to the functional currency of an entity but, as discussed in FX 2, the better term is distinct and separable operation, since that is the primary attribute of a reporting entity’s foreign entities.

ASC 830-10-45-2

The assets, liabilities, and operations of a foreign entity shall be measured using the functional currency of that entity. An entity’s functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates; normally, that is the currency of the environment in which an entity primarily generates and expends cash.

Often, the functional currency will be the currency of the country in which the distinct and separable operation is physically located. However, some distinct and separable operations operate in an economic environment different than that of their physical location. For example, if a US-based multinational oil and gas company that uses the US dollar as its reporting currency maintains a distinct and separable operating subsidiary in Northern Africa that sells all of its oil production in transactions denominated in the US dollar, the US dollar would be the functional currency of that operation. While the Northern African oil subsidiary is located outside the United States, it would not be considered a foreign entity under ASC 830, as its functional currency is the same as the reporting currency of the reporting entity. If the same US-based multinational used the Canadian dollar as its reporting currency, the Northern Africa subsidiary and the oil and gas operations located in the US would be considered foreign entities for purposes of applying ASC 830 because their functional currencies would be different than the reporting currency of the reporting entity.
When a distinct and separable operation transacts in multiple currencies, it should assess all relevant facts to determine its functional currency.
For purposes of determining functional currency, ASC 830-10-45-4 divides foreign operations into two broad classes. While this guidance uses the term foreign operations, it is equally applicable to any distinct and separable operation. As discussed in FX 1.2, ASC 830 was written assuming a two-tiered organization (i.e., parent and subsidiary). In most modern multinational organizations, there are often multiple layers (i.e., holding company, first-tier operating entity, second-tier operating entity). We believe the guidance in ASC 830-10-45-4 should be applied by analyzing the relationship between a distinct and separable operation and its immediate parent.

ASC 830-10-45-4

Multinational reporting entities may consist of entities operating in a number of economic environments and dealing in a number of foreign currencies. All foreign operations are not alike. To fulfill the objectives in paragraph 830-10-10-2, it is necessary to recognize at least two broad classes of foreign operations:

  1. In the first class are foreign operations that are relatively self-contained and integrated within a particular country or economic environment. The day-to-day operations are not dependent on the economic environment of the parent’s functional currency; the foreign operation primarily generates and expends foreign currency. The foreign currency net cash flows that it generates may be reinvested or converted and distributed to the parent. For this class, the foreign currency is the functional currency.
  2. In the second class are foreign operations that are primarily a direct and integral component or extension of the parent entity’s operations. Significant assets may be acquired from the parent entity or otherwise by expending dollars and, similarly, the sale of assets may generate dollars that are available to the parent. Financing is primarily by the parent or otherwise from dollar sources. In other words, the day-to-day operations are dependent on the economic environment of the parent’s currency, and the changes in the foreign entity’s individual assets and liabilities impact directly on the cash flows of the parent entity in the parent’s currency. For this class, the dollar is the functional currency.

Sometimes an operation will clearly align with one of these two classes; however, more often an operation will have characteristics of both classes. When an operation is clearly an extension of its parent, the operation’s functional currency is that of its parent. There may also be situations in which an operation is not considered distinct and separable and is also not clearly an extension of its immediate (legal) parent. In these situations, the operation may be considered an extension of another separate and distinct operation. For example, a sales entity located in Germany with an immediate US (legal) parent that services a distinct and separable operation in the United Kingdom (UK) may be considered an extension of the UK entity for purposes of determining its functional currency.
When an operation is not clearly an extension of its parent, management will need to consider the factors discussed in ASC 830-10-55-5 to determine the operation’s functional currency. This guidance provides a list of economic indicators that should be considered individually and collectively when determining a distinct and separable operation’s functional currency. ASC 830 does not weight or rank these indicators; however, in our experience, the sales price, sales market, and expense indicators are the most important factors in determining the primary economic environment in which a distinct and separable operation operates. Cash flows can also be an important indicator provided the cash flows are not merely an invoicing or settlement currency, but reflect the underlying transactions’ economics. Management should evaluate its specific facts and circumstances to determine which indicators are the most relevant to the distinct and separable operation and the economic environment in which it operates.

ASC 830-10-55-5

The following salient economic factors, and possibly others, should be considered both individually and collectively when determining the functional currency:

  1. Cash flow indicators, for example:
    1. Foreign currency. Cash flows related to the foreign entity’s individual assets and liabilities are primarily in the foreign currency and do not directly affect the parent entity’s cash flows.
    2. Parent’s currency. Cash flows related to the foreign entity’s individual assets and liabilities directly affect the parent’s cash flows currently and are readily available for remittance to the parent entity.
  2. Sales price indicators, for example:
    1. Foreign currency. Sales prices for the foreign entity’s products are not primarily responsive on a short-term basis to changes in exchange rates but are determined more by local competition or local government regulation.
    2. Parent’s currency. Sales prices for the foreign entity’s products are primarily responsive on a short-term basis to changes in exchange rates; for example, sales prices are determined more by worldwide competition or by international prices.
  3. Sales market indicators, for example:
    1. Foreign currency. There is an active local sales market for the foreign entity’s products, although there also might be significant amounts of exports.
    2. Parent’s currency. The sales market is mostly in the parent’s country or sales contracts are denominated in the parent’s currency.
  4. Expense indicators, for example:
    1. Foreign currency. Labor, materials, and other costs for the foreign entity’s products or services are primarily local costs, even though there also might be imports from other countries.
    2. Parent’s currency. Labor, materials, and other costs for the foreign entity’s products or services continually are primarily costs for components obtained from the country in which the parent entity is located.
  5. Financing indicators, for example:
    1. Foreign currency. Financing is primarily denominated in foreign currency, and funds generated by the foreign entity’s operations are sufficient to service existing and normally expected debt obligations.
    2. Parent’s Currency—Financing is primarily from the parent or other dollar-denominated obligations, or funds generated by the foreign entity’s operations are not sufficient to service existing and normally expected debt obligations without the infusion of additional funds from the parent entity. Infusion of additional funds from the parent entity for expansion is not a factor, provided funds generated by the foreign entity’s expanded operations are expected to be sufficient to service that additional financing.
  6. Intra-entity transactions and arrangements indicators, for example:
    1. Foreign currency. There is a low volume of intra-entity transactions and there is not an extensive interrelationship between the operations of the foreign entity and the parent entity. However, the foreign entity’s operations may rely on the parent’s or affiliates’ competitive advantages, such as patents and trademarks.
    2. Parent’s currency. There is a high volume of intra-entity transactions and there is an extensive interrelationship between the operations of the foreign entity and the parent entity. Additionally, the parent’s currency generally would be the functional currency if the foreign entity is a device or shell corporation for holding investments, obligations, intangible assets, and so forth, that could readily be carried on the parent’s or an affiliate’s books.

Given that an operation’s functional currency should not change frequently, the indicators in ASC 830-10-55-5 should be considered from the perspective of a distinct and separable operation’s long-term operations.
Question FX 3-1
How should the functional currency of a start-up operation be determined?
PwC response
The functional currency of a start-up operation should be a function of the economic environment the entity expects to operate in over the long-term. The currency of that long-term economic environment is the functional currency of a start-up operation, not the currency that is used to fund initial operations or the currency of its initial cash flows.
Example FX 3-1, Example FX 3-2, and Example FX 3-3 illustrate how to determine the functional currency of a foreign operation, sales office, and foreign manufacturing facility, respectively.
EXAMPLE FX 3-1
Determining the functional currency of a foreign operation
USA Corp is a US registrant that uses the US dollar (USD) as its reporting currency.
Britannia PLC is a consolidated subsidiary of USA Corp located in the United Kingdom. Consider the following facts regarding Britannia PLC:
  • Britannia PLC is a distinct and separable operation of USA Corp.
  • The local currency of Britannia PLC is the British pound sterling (GBP).
  • Britannia PLC manages USA Corp’s operations within the European market, including strategy, manufacturing, sales, logistics, billing and collections.
  • Customers of Britannia PLC are located across Europe, with the majority of its customers located in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy.
  • Sales are denominated in GBP and euros (EUR); sales prices are primarily driven by local competition.
  • Britannia PLC was originally funded by USA Corp with a capital contribution and a USD 100 million intercompany loan. It also has a third-party line of credit of GBP 20 million, which can be drawn in either GBP or EUR.
  • Cost of goods sold comprises 75% of Britannia PLC’s expenses. It purchases 50% of its raw materials from a USA Corp subsidiary in the United States in USD (at market prices) and 50% of its raw materials from third parties in EUR. Selling, general and administrative expenses comprise 25% of the subsidiary’s expenses and are denominated 50% in GBP and 50% in EUR.
Britannia PLC’s income statement is shown below. During the period presented, the average exchange rates are EUR 1 = USD 1.4, and GBP 1 = USD 1.7.
Income/ expense
Amount in currency in which income or expense is denominated
Exchange rate
Amount in USD
Sales
GBP 14,950,000
GBP 1 = USD 1.7
USD 25,415,000
EUR 53,957,000
EUR 1 = USD 1.4
USD 75,539,800
Total sales
USD 100,954,800
Cost of sales
USD 30,000,000
USD 30,000,000
EUR 21,435,000
EUR 1 = USD 1.4
USD 30,009,000
Selling, general and administrative expenses
GBP 5,885,000
GBP 1 = USD 1.7
USD 10,004,500
EUR 7,190,000
EUR 1 = USD 1.4
USD 10,066,000
Total expenses
USD 80,079,500
Operating profit
USD 20,875,300
Interest expense
USD 10,000,000
Earnings before taxes
USD 10,875,300
View table
What is the functional currency of Britannia PLC?
Analysis
Since Britannia PLC transacts in multiple currencies, management will need to assess the factors outlined in ASC 830-10-55-5 to determine the appropriate functional currency.
Indicator
Currency
Analysis
Cash flows
EUR, GBP
Operating cash flows are predominantly denominated in EUR (75% of sales and 50% of expenses)
Sales price
EUR, GBP
Local competition in the European sales market dictates the sales price; sales prices are negotiated in both EUR and GBP
Sales market
EUR, GBP
The predominant sales market is EUR denominated
Expenses
USD, EUR, GBP
Raw material purchases are denominated in USD and EUR; selling, general and administrative expenses are denominated in EUR and GBP
Financing
USD, EUR, GBP
A large intercompany loan is denominated in USD
Management considers the sales market, sales price, and related cash flows of the Britannia PLC to be the most significant economic indicators. They believe operating cash flows are a significant indicator in this case. Since operating cash flows are predominantly EUR denominated, the cash flow indicator strongly suggests the EUR is Britannia PLC’s functional currency. The sales market and sales price indicators also signal EUR as the functional currency. Expenses are split between USD and EUR.
The financing indicator points to USD. Management does not place significant weight on the financing indicator because the denomination of an intercompany loan can be easily changed. If significant weight were placed on the financing indicator, Britannia PLC’s functional currency could be easily influenced by USA Corp.
Based on this analysis, Britannia PLC’s functional currency is the EUR.
EXAMPLE FX 3-2
Determining the functional currency of a sales office
USA Corp is a US registrant that uses the US dollar as its reporting currency. Deutsche AG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of USA Corp located in Germany, which functions as the European sales office of USA Corp. Consider the following facts regarding Deutsche AG:
  • The local currency is EUR.
  • Deutsche AG manages USA Corp sales within the European market, including negotiating sales contracts with its European customers, coordinating delivery of products, as well as performing billing and collections. Products are produced in the US and shipped directly to customers in Europe.
  • Customers of the European sales office are located across Europe, with the majority of the customers located in Germany, France, and Italy.
  • Sales are in EUR; the sales price is primarily driven by local competition.
  • USA Corp finances Deutsche AG by reimbursing its expenses (which are mostly payroll and administration related) plus an additional 3% each month; the incremental 3% is used to pay the local taxing authority.
  • Deutsche AG’s assets consist mainly of office equipment, and the hardware and software necessary to execute the sales duties of the organization.
What is the functional currency of Deutsche AG?
Analysis
Deutsche AG is a direct and integral extension of USA Corp’s operations (i.e., it is not distinct and separable). Deutsche AG performs a European sales function that could just as easily be performed by USA Corp directly, and Deutsche AG cannot operate without financing from USA Corp. As a result, management concludes that the functional currency of Deutsche AG is USD, the functional currency of its immediate parent, USA Corp.

EXAMPLE FX 3-3
Determining the functional currency of a foreign manufacturing facility
USA Corp is a US registrant that uses the US dollar as its reporting currency. Mexico SA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of USA Corp located in Mexico, which functions as a manufacturing facility of USA Corp. Consider the following facts regarding Mexico SA:
  • USA Corp manufactures parts for one of its products at a facility in the United States. USA Corp packages the parts and ships them to Mexico SA for assembly.
  • Mexico SA has a manufacturing facility in Chihuahua, Mexico. This facility receives the parts from USA Corp. Employees of Mexico SA assemble the parts into the final product and test them to ensure that the quality of the product is up to USA Corp’s standards.
  • Mexico SA then ships the completed product back to USA Corp for sale to customers.
  • The local currency of Mexico SA is the Mexican Peso (MXN).
  • USA Corp funds the expenses of Mexico SA each month, plus a small margin.
What is the functional currency of Mexico SA?
Analysis
Mexico SA is a direct and integral extension of USA Corp’s operations; Mexico SA performs assembly that could just as easily be performed by USA Corp directly, and Mexico SA cannot operate without financing from USA Corp. Furthermore, Mexico SA’s expenses have a direct impact on USA Corp’s cash flows through the cost-plus reimbursement arrangement. As a result, the functional currency of Mexico SA is USD, the functional currency of its parent, USA Corp.

Question FX 3-2
Can a distinct and separable operation have more than one functional currency?
PwC response
No. A distinct and separable operation cannot have more than one functional currency. However, a single legal entity could comprise more than one distinct and separable operation, in which each has its own functional currency. See FX 2 for information on identifying distinct and separable operations.

3.2.1 Considerations for holding companies and other shell corporations

Holding companies and shell corporations are created for many reasons (e.g., tax, legal). ASC 830-10-55-5 provides guidance regarding the functional currency of a holding company or shell corporation that exists to engage in transactions that its parent company could just as easily engage in.

Excerpt from ASC 830-10-55-5(f)(2)

Additionally, the parent’s currency generally would be the functional currency if the foreign entity is a device or shell corporation for holding investments, obligations, intangible assets, and so forth, that could readily be carried on the parent’s or an affiliate’s books.

Generally, because a holding company or shell corporation is often considered an extension of the parent’s operations (i.e., it is not a distinct and separable operation), its functional currency is considered the functional currency of its immediate parent. In practice, a holding company or shell corporation could have a functional currency different from its immediate parent (e.g., the holding company could be a part of a foreign operation). In this situation, careful analysis and judgment is required to determine the appropriate functional currency of this type of entity. Management should consider the purpose of the entity and how the financial obligations of the entity will be satisfied, among the other relevant factors, to determine the functional currency of a holding company or shell corporation. In addition, a legal entity could be referred to as a holding company, but in fact may also have its own substantive operations. In this case, the entity may be considered a separate and distinct operation requiring its own functional currency.
Example FX 3-4 illustrates how to determine the functional currency of a holding company or shell corporation.
EXAMPLE FX 3-4
Determining the functional currency of a foreign shell corporation
USA Corp has the following organizational structure:
USA Corp is a US registrant that uses the US dollar as its reporting currency. Deutsche AG is a wholly-owned operating subsidiary of USA Corp located in Germany. USA Corp management has determined that Deutsche AG is a foreign entity and its functional currency is EUR.
Cayman Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deutsche AG located in the Cayman Islands. Its sole purpose is to hold US dollar-denominated investments (securities issued by an unaffiliated party) transferred from Deutsche AG.
What is the functional currency of Cayman Ltd?
Analysis
As stated in ASC 830-10-55-5(f)(2), the functional currency of a shell corporation is generally the functional currency of its immediate parent. In this case, Deutsche AG is the immediate parent and Cayman Ltd is merely a shell corporation designed to hold investments that could readily be carried on its immediate parent’s books; therefore, the functional currency of Cayman Ltd is the EUR, the functional currency of Deutsche AG.
Question FX 3-3
What is the functional currency of a holding company (with no immediate parent) established to access the US capital markets?
PwC response
Some foreign operating companies, often from China or Russia, establish a holding company in a jurisdiction such as the Cayman Islands for the sole purpose of accessing US capital markets. These holding companies are often the top companies in the legal structure with no parent entity above them. The holding company issues securities (e.g., debt, convertible debt, preferred equity, common equity) in the US capital markets and holds investments in operating companies. The sole purpose of the holding company is to serve as a financing vehicle to fund the operations of the operating companies and to serve as the listing company needed to access US capital markets.
Generally, financing proceeds are in US dollars. The ongoing cash flows of the holding company include administrative expenses related to the financing (legal and accounting costs, etc.), interest income, and interest expense. These are typically denominated in US dollars.
There are two views used in practice to determine the functional currency of this type of entity. Under the first view, the functional currency of the holding company is determined by an analysis of the functional currencies of its operating entities, based on the fact that the holding company’s sole purpose is to gain access to the US capital markets to fund those operating entities. Further, it is the operations of the operating entities that will ultimately be the source of repayment or returns for the securities issued by the holding company. This view is derived by analogy to ASC 830-10-45-4(b). Proponents of this view believe that the holding company is an extension of the operating entities and, based on the guidance in that subsection, should adopt the functional currency of those entities.
Under the second view, the holding company would determine its functional currency based on its own cash flows without considering the activities of the operating entities. Those who hold this view recognize that the sole purpose of the holding company is to fund the operations of its subsidiaries. However, they note that ASC 830 stipulates that a holding company should assume the functional currency of its parent. In this case, the holding company does not have a parent, and proponents of this view do not believe it is appropriate to look down to the entity’s subsidiaries’ operations.

PwC. All rights reserved. PwC refers to the US member firm or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates, and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details. This content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional advisors.

Expand Expand
Resize
Tools
Rcl
Add to favorites
Please ensure
that you select
Print Background (colors and images) when printing.
CONTINUE
PwC image modal

This content is copyright protected. It is for your own use only - do not redistribute. These materials were downloaded from PwC's Viewpoint (viewpoint.pwc.com) under license.

Warning 2

✕

Welcome to Viewpoint, the new platform that replaces Inform. Once you have viewed this piece of content, to ensure you can access the content most relevant to you, please confirm your territory.

Viewpoint allows you to save up to 25 favorites.

Consider removing one of your current favorites in order to to add a new one.

Go to favorites

Are you sure you would like to remove this page from your list?

Yes
You are already signed in on another browser or device.
Click Continue if you want to automatically close other logged in sessions and continue. If you want to manually check for other active logged in sessions first, please select Cancel to go back to the previous page.
Need some help? Contact us
signin option menu option suggested option contentmouse option displaycontent option contentpage option relatedlink option prevandafter option trending option searchicon option search option feedback option end slide
✕

Hello and welcome to Viewpoint

Your go-to resource for timely and relevant accounting, auditing, reporting and business insights. Follow along as we demonstrate how to use the site

Before we start.

Choose your preferred language below.