13. Significant accounting policies and notes on accounts
Company overview
During August 2009, the holding Company incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary in Brazil. Infosys Tecnologia do Brasil Ltda (Infosys Brasil) provides end-to-end business solutions that leverage technology, thereby enabling its clients to enhance business performance. The Company’s operations are to provide solutions that span the entire software lifecycle encompassing technical consulting, design, development, re-engineering, maintenance, systems integration, package evaluation and implementation, testing and infrastructure management services. In addition, the Company also offers business process management services.
13.1. Significant accounting policies
13.1.1. Basis of preparation of the financial statements
These financial statements as at and the year ended December 31, 2010 have been prepared under the historical cost convention on the accrual basis except for certain financial instruments which have been measured at fair values. Accounting policies have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these financial statements.
13.1.2. Use of estimates
The preparation of the financial statements requires the Management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions. These estimates, judgments and assumptions affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Accounting estimates could change from period to period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Appropriate changes in estimates are made as the Management becomes aware of changes in circumstances surrounding the estimates. Changes in estimates are reflected in the financial statements in the period in which changes are made and, if material, their effects are disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
13.1.3. Revenue recognition
The Company derives revenues primarily from software development and related services, from business process management services and from the licensing of software products. Arrangements with customers for software development and related services are either on a fixed-price, fixed-timeframe or on a time-and-material basis.
Revenue on time-and-material contracts are recognized as the related services are performed and revenue from the end of the last billing to the Balance Sheet date is recognized as unbilled revenues. Revenue from fixed-price, fixed-timeframe contracts is recognized as per the percentage-of-completion method. Efforts expended have been used to measure progress towards completion as there is a direct relationship between input and productivity. Provisions for estimated losses, if any, on uncompleted contracts are recorded in the period in which such losses become probable based on the current contract estimates. Costs and earnings in excess of billings are classified as unbilled revenue while billings in excess of costs and earnings are classified as unearned revenue. Maintenance revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the underlying maintenance arrangement.
Advances received for services and products are reported as client deposits until all conditions for revenue recognition are met.
The Company accounts for volume discounts and pricing incentives to customers as a reduction of revenue based on the ratable allocation of the discounts / incentives amount to each of the underlying revenue transaction that results in progress by the customer towards earning the discount / incentive. Also, when the level of discount varies with increases in levels of revenue transactions, the Company recognizes the liability based on its estimate of the customer’s future purchases. If it is probable that the criteria for the discount will not be met, or if the amount thereof cannot be estimated reliably, then discount is not recognized until the payment is probable and the amount can be estimated reliably. The Company recognizes changes in the estimated amount of obligations for discounts in the period in which the change occurs. The discounts are passed on to the customer either as direct payments or as a reduction of payments due from the customer. The Company presents revenues net of value-added taxes.
13.1.4. Provisions and contingent liabilities
A provision is recognized if, as a result of a past event, the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation that can be estimated reliably, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. Provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability.
13.1.5. Post-sales client support and warranties
The Company provides its clients with a fixed-period warranty for corrections of errors and telephone support on all its fixed-price, fixed-timeframe contracts. Costs associated with such support services are accrued at the time when related revenues are recorded and included in cost of sales. The Company estimates such costs based on historical experience and the estimates are reviewed annually for any material changes in assumptions.
13.1.6. Fixed assets, intangible assets and capital work-in-progress
Fixed assets are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and impairments, if any. Direct costs are capitalized until fixed assets are ready for use. Capital work-in-progress comprises outstanding advances paid to acquire fixed assets, and the cost of fixed assets that are not yet ready for their intended use at the reporting date. Intangible assets are recorded at the consideration paid for acquisition of such assets and are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment.
13.1.7. Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation on fixed assets is provided on the straight-line method over the useful lives of assets estimated by the Management. Depreciation for assets purchased / sold during a period is proportionately charged. Individual low cost assets (acquired for less than R 5,000/-) are depreciated over a period of one year from the date of acquisition. Intangible assets are amortized over their respective individual estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis, commencing from the date the asset is available to the Company for its use. The Management estimates the useful lives for the other fixed assets as follows :
Plant and machinery |
5 years |
Computer equipment |
2 – 5 years |
Furniture and fixtures |
5 years |
Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each reporting date.
13.1.8. Foreign currency transactions
Foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities are translated into the relevant functional currency at exchange rates in effect at the Balance Sheet date. The gains or losses resulting from such translations are included in net profit. Non-monetary assets and non-monetary liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and measured at fair value are translated at the exchange rate prevalent at the date when the fair value was determined. Non-monetary assets and non-monetary liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and measured at historical cost are translated at the exchange rate prevalent at the date of transaction
Transaction gains or losses realized upon settlement of foreign currency transactions are included in determining net profit for the period in which the transaction is settled. Revenue, expense and cash-flow items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the relevant functional currencies using the exchange rate in effect on the date of the transaction.
13.1.9. Compensated absences
The employees of the Company are entitled to compensated absences which are both accumulating and non-accumulating in nature. The expected cost of accumulating compensated absences is determined by actuarial valuation based on the additional amount expected to be paid as a result of the unused entitlement that has accumulated at the Balance Sheet date. Expense on non-accumulating compensated absences is recognized in the period in which the absences occur.
13.1.10. Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash and cash on deposit with banks and corporations.
13.1.11. Leases
Lease payments under operating leases are recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis in the Profit and Loss account over the lease term.
13.1.12. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing the net profit attributable to the equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of equity shares outstanding during the period.