您的AI财务准则专家
Understanding Explicit vs. Implicit Promises in Contracts: Key Elements of a Contractual Agreement
Promises in a contract to transfer a good or service can be implicit or explicit. Which one of the following statements is correct? Promises may be implied by an entity’s customary business practices, published policies or specific statements. These promises are identifiable at contract inception if a valid expectation is created that a good or service will be transferred. To set up a contract with a new customer GoTele Inc. needs to complete various administrative tasks. Given the administrative tasks are required to set up the contracts they must be considered as part of the promises in the contract. Shiny Cars Ltd. run an advertising campaign stating that customers that buy a car in June will get two years of free servicing, however the free servicing is not specified in any contract. Therefore the free servicing is not a promise in the contract. As a marketing incentive With A Paddle Inc. offers a free paddle and coiled ankle leash to all customers buying a stand-up paddle board in the month of April. Given the free accessories are a marketing incentive they are not promises in the contract.

The correct statement is: "Promises may be implied by an entity’s customary business practices, published policies or specific statements. These promises are identifiable at contract inception if a valid expectation is created that a good or service will be transferred."

According to IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, a contract may include both explicit and implicit promises. Implicit promises can arise from an entity's customary business practices, published policies, or specific statements, and these can be identified at the start of the contract if they create a valid expectation that a good or service will be transferred to the customer. In the context of the given statements, this means that Shiny Cars Ltd.'s advertising campaign, even though it is not specified in any contract, creates a valid expectation of a promised service (free two years of servicing for June buyers), and thus would be considered a promise in the contract. The administrative tasks for setting up a contract with GoTele Inc. are not promises in the contract, as they are not goods or services transferred to the customer. Similarly, the free paddle and coiled ankle leash offered by With A Paddle Inc. could also be seen as an implicit promise in the contract, as it is a good being offered to customers who meet certain conditions (buying a stand-up paddle board in April).