IFRS XBRL cross ref COA

The IASB does not publish an "IFRS chart of accounts".

Companies may use any chart of accounts provided it is consistent with published recognition guidance (link: eifrs.ifrs.org).

This chart has been designed to be consistent with this guidance.

While users may delete unnecessary / add additional sub-accounts, they are advised to keep its general structure intact.

eXtensible Business Reporting Language is a reporting language.

It is not a chart of accounts.

The chart of accounts presented here includes XBRL cross references to ease the drafting of XBRL taged financial reports.

Some items necessary for accounting do not have a defined (link: ifrs.org) XBRL counterpart. These items are labled "_Extension" and presented in a different color to avoid confusion.

IFRS XBRL is also viewable online (link: corefiling.com).

For example, a company with petty cash and two bank accounts, would add:

Account Title	Account #
Assets	1
---	---
Cash And Cash Equivalents	1.9
Cash	1.9.1
Petty cash	1.9.1.1
Cash in bank	1.9.1.2
Cash in bank, account one	1.9.1.2.1
Cash in bank, account two	1.9.1.2.2
---	---

A company with customers (i.e. customer # 123, customer # 234, customer number # 345), would add:

Account Title	Account #
Assets	1
---	---
Receivables	1.8
Trade Receivables	1.8.1
Customer 123	1.8.1.123
Customer 234	1.8.1.234
Customer 345	1.8.1.345
---	---

In addition to permanent accounts, temporary accounts for individual receivables (i.e invoice # 00321, invoice # 00332, invoice # 00358), may also be added:

Account Title	Account #
Assets	1
---	---
Receivables	1.8
Trade Receivables	1.8.1
Customer 123	1.8.1.123
Invoice 00321	1.8.1.123-00321
Invoice 00321	1.8.1.123-00332
Invoice 00321	1.8.1.123-00358
---	---

As the current / non-current status of an item is a reporting rather than recognition issue, incorporating the current / non-current distinction into the account structure not only adds unnecessary complexity, but can lead to unnecessary item reclassification.

For example, a company can acquire an available-for-sale financial instrument with the intention of holding it for less than 12 months then, during the holding period, change its intention.

Nevertheless, as some companies prefer a chart of accounts that makes this distinction, a current / non-current chart of accounts is available to subscribers.

IFRS requires nature of expense disclosure, and permits both function and nature of expense reporting.

From an accounting perspective, a nature based account structure yields superior operational results.

For a more detailed example see: Nature of expense, function of expense.

For example, if accounts were organized by function, the result will resemble:

---	---
Expenses Classified By Function	5.2
Cost Of Sales	5.2.1
Emloyee benefits	5.2.1.1
Wages	5.2.1.1.1
Salaries	5.2.1.1.2
---	---
Selling, General And Administrative	5.2.2
Emloyee benefits	5.2.2.1
Wages	5.2.2.1.1
Salaries	5.2.2.1.2
Commissions	5.2.2.1.3
---	---

When accounts are initially organized by nature, the result can resemble:

	Account		Department
---	---		---
Expenses Classified By Nature	5.1
Employee Benefits	5.1.3
Production department	5.1.3	-	5.2.1
Sales department	5.1.3	-	5.2.2.1
Administrative department	5.1.3	-	5.2.2.2
---	---

Also note, while it would be possible to add a digit for country of domicile, subsidiary, segment, reporting unit etc., in practice it is more practical for each such entity to maintain separate accounts, which are then consolidated:

	Country		Account		Department
---			---
Employee Benefits - UK	1	-	5.1.3
Production department - UK	1	-	5.1.3	-	5.2.1
Sales department - UK	1	-	5.1.3	-	5.2.2.1
Administrative department - UK	1	-	5.1.3	-	5.2.2.2
---			---
Employee Benefits - France	2	-	5.1.3
Production department - France	2	-	5.1.3	-	5.2.1
Sales department - France	2	-	5.1.3	-	5.2.2.1
Administrative department - France	2	-	5.1.3	-	5.2.2.2
---			---