Perceptions on the impact of the financial crisis on impairment reviews of Maltese listed companies

Abstract

This study examines the different opinions regarding the way local impairment reviews have been impacted by the recent financial crisis in terms of the amount charged, their implementation and the decisions that have come about due to these modifications. Various factors forming part of the impairment calculation have been affected by the current circumstances. To name a few, interest rates have declined substantially, earnings have dropped, market values have also dropped and valuation techniques are being questioned. Auditors stressed the need for re-assessing the way calculations of impairment are carried out, due to the uncertainty in the global economy, but the recent financial crisis has not caused any substantial changes in the latest impairment reviews. On the other hand, the effects of the recession were not as severe in Malta as abroad, so the need for impairment in Malta may not have risen to the same degree. Nevertheless, it would be in every company's best interest to give greater importance to impairment of assets, as the accuracy of impairment calculations is harder to achieve in these turbulent times.