Schedules to the financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2011


14. Significant accounting policies and notes on accounts

Company overview

Infosys BPO (Poland) Sp.Z.o.o is a leading provider of business process management services to organizations that outsource their business processes. Infosys BPO (Poland) Sp.Z.o.o is a majority-owned and controlled subsidiary of Infosys BPO Limited. The Company leverages the benefits of service delivery globalization, process redesign and technology and thus drives efficiency and cost effectiveness into clients’ business processes and thereby improves their competitive position by managing their business processes in addition to providing increased value.

14.1. Significant accounting policies

14.1.1. Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with Indian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) under the historical cost convention on the accrual basis except for certain financial instruments which are measured at fair values. GAAP comprises mandatory accounting standards as prescribed by the Companies (Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006, the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 and guidelines issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Accounting policies have been consistently applied except where a newly issued accounting standard is initially adopted or a revision to an existing accounting standard requires a change in the accounting policy hitherto in use.

14.1.2. Use of estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported balances of assets and liabilities and disclosures relating to contingent liabilities as at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of income and expenses during the period. Examples of such estimates include computation of percentage of completion which requires the Company to estimate the efforts expended to date as a proportion of the total efforts to be expended, provisions for doubtful debts, future obligations under employee retirement benefit plans, income taxes, post-sales customer support and the useful lives of fixed assets and intangible assets.

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 financial statements.

14.1.3. Revenue recognition

The Company derives its revenues primarily from business process management services, on both the time-and-material and fixed-price, fixed-time frame basis and unit-priced basis. Revenue on time-and-material contracts is recognized as the related services are rendered. Revenue from fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, where there is no uncertainty as to measurement and collectability of consideration, is recognized as per the proportionate-completion method. Revenues from unit-priced contracts are recognized as transactions and are processed based on objective measures of output. When the Company receives advances for its services, such amounts are reflected as advance received from clients until all conditions for revenue recognition are met. Cost and earnings in excess of billings are classified as unbilled revenue while billing in excess of cost and earnings is classified as deferred revenue. Provision for estimated losses, if any, on uncompleted contracts are recorded in the year in which such losses become probable based on the current estimates. The Group presents revenues net of service taxes and value added taxes in its Profit and Loss account.

The Company accounts for volume discounts and pricing incentives to customers as a reduction of revenue based on the ratable allocation of the discount/incentive amount to each of the underlying revenue transactions that result in progress by the customer towards earning the discount/incentive. Also when the level of discount varies with increase 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. The Company recognizes changes in the estimated amount of obligation for discount using a cumulative catch-up approach. The discounts are passed on to the customer either as direct payments or as a reduction of payments due from the customer.

14.1.4. Provisions

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.

14.1.5. Foreign currency transactions

Foreign-currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates in effect at the Balance Sheet date. The gains or losses resulting from such translations are included in the Profit and Loss account. 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.

Revenue, expense and cash-flow items denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the exchange rate in effect on the date of the 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.

14.1.6. Income taxes

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred income tax. Income tax expense is recognized in net profit except to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in equity, in which case it is recognized in other comprehensive income. Current income tax for current and prior periods is recognized at the amount expected to be paid to or recovered from the tax authorities, using the tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the Balance Sheet date.

14.1.7. 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.

14.1.8. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash and cash on deposit with banks and corporations. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a remaining maturity at the date of purchase of three months or less and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash to be cash equivalents.

14.1.9. Leases

Lease under which the Company assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. Such assets acquired are capitalized at fair value of the asset or present value of the minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease, whichever is lower. 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.

14.1.10. Fixed assets

Fixed assets are stated at cost, after reducing accumulated depreciation and impairment upto the date of the Balance Sheet. Direct costs are capitalized until the assets are ready for use and include financing costs relating to any borrowing attributable to acquisition or construction of those fixed assets which necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use. Capital work-in-progress includes the cost of fixed assets that are not yet ready for their intended use and advances paid to acquire fixed assets before the Balance Sheet date. Intangible assets are recorded at the consideration paid for acquisition of such assets and are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment. Goodwill on amalgamation is tested periodically for impairment.

14.1.11. Depreciation

Depreciation on fixed assets is determined using the straight-line method based on useful lives of assets as estimated by the Group. Depreciation for assets purchased/sold during the year is proportionately charged. Individual assets costing Rupee Symbol5,000 or less are depreciated within a year of acquisition. Leasehold improvements are written off over the lower of the remaining period of lease or the life of the asset. Leasehold land is amortized over the lease period. Intangible assets are amortized over their useful life on a straight line basis commencing from the date the asset is available to the Group for its use. Management estimates the useful lives for the various fixed assets as follows :

 

Buildings

15 years

Computer equipment

2 years

Plant and machinery

5 years

Furniture and fixtures

5 years

Vehicles

5 years

14.1.12. 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 absences is determined by actuarial valuation based on the additional amount expected to be paid out 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.