2 Summary of significant accounting policies

The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP"). The Company applies the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standard Codification ("ASC") 946-10, Financial Services - Investment Companies (formerly the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide for Investment Companies) (the "Guide"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.

(a) Principles of consolidation

These consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Fund"). Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Fund and deconsolidated from the date that control ceases. Inter-company transactions between group companies are eliminated upon consolidation.

The Company uses wholly and partially owned special purpose vehicles ("SPVs") to hold and transact in certain investments. The Company's policy is to consolidate, as appropriate, those SPVs in which the Company has control over significant operating, financial or investing decisions of the entity.

Except when an operating company provides services to the Company, investment in an operating company is carried at fair value (refer to Note 2(c) below for fair value measurement).

(b) Use of estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires the Fund's management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported value of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as at 31 December 2011 and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the year then ended. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements are disclosed in Note 2(m).

(c) Investments

The Fund holds investment securities which are unlisted and have limited marketability. The Fund also engages in secured lending transactions consisting of repurchase agreements and other secured borrowings.

(i) Recognition and derecognition

Regular purchase and sale of investments are accounted for on the trade date, the date the trade is executed. Costs used in determining realized gains and losses on the disposal of investments are based on the specific identification method for unlisted or unquoted investments. Cost includes legal and due diligence fees associated with the acquisition of investments.

Transfer of investments is accounted for as a sale when the Fund has relinquished control over the transferred assets. Any realized gains and losses from investments are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations.

(ii) Fair value measurement

The Fund is an investment company under the Guide. As a result, the Fund records and re-measures its investments on the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statement of operations.

Fair value is the amount that would be received to dispose of the investments in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, i.e. the exit price. Fair value of investments is determined by the Valuation Committee of the Fund, which is established by the Investment Manager and the Board of Directors.

The fair value of unlisted or unquoted securities are based on the Fund's valuation models, including earnings multiples (based on the budgeted earnings or historical earnings of the issuer and earnings multiples of comparable listed companies) and discounted cash flows. The Valuation Committee also considers the relevant developments since acquisition of the investments, the original transaction price, recent transactions in the same or similar instruments, completed third-party transactions in comparable instruments, reliable indicative offers from potential buyers and rights in connection with realization. It adjusts the model as necessary for factors such as non-maintainable earnings, tax risk, growth stage, and cash traps. Cross-checks of primary techniques are made against other secondary valuation techniques.

In determining fair valuation of certain unlisted securities, the Valuation Committee uses as reference valuations made by independent valuers which rely on the financial data of investees and on estimates made by the management of the investee companies as to the effect of future developments. The independent valuers also assist in the selection of valuation techniques and models. Loans receivable are recorded at fair value in accordance with the guidance set forth in Note 4, and the valuation techniques applied usually takes into account the estimated future cash flows, liquidity, credit, market and interest rate factors. However, there are inherent limitations in any valuation technique due to the lack of observable inputs. Estimated fair value may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a readily available market for such investments existed and these differences could be material to the financial statements. Additional information about the level of market observability associated with investments carried at fair value are disclosed in Note 4 below.

(d) Other receivables and payables

Other receivables and payables are initially measured at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost.

(e) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash represents cash at banks and does not include restricted cash such as fixed deposits pledged as security for the bank loans. Cash equivalents are defined as short-term, highly liquid investments which mature within three months or less of the date of purchase.

(f) Restricted cash

The Fund classifies cash that is restricted for specific purposes and is unavailable for general use as restricted cash.

(g) Bank loans

Bank loans are initially recognized at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred and subsequently stated at amortized cost. Any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations over the period of the borrowing using the effective interest method.

(h) Share capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Where any group company purchases the Company's equity share capital, the consideration paid is deducted from equity until the shares are cancelled or reissued. Where such ordinary shares are subsequently reissued, any consideration received is included in equity.

(i) Foreign currency translation

The books and records of the Fund are maintained in United States Dollars ("US$"), which is also the functional currency. Assets and liabilities, both monetary and non-monetary, denominated in foreign currencies are translated into US$ at year-end exchange rates, while income and expenses are translated at the exchange rates in effect during the year.

Gains and losses attributed to changes in the value of foreign currencies for investments, cash balances and other assets and liabilities are reported as foreign exchange gain and loss.

(j) Taxation

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed in jurisdictions in which it invests and operates. Such taxes are generally based on income and gains earned. Taxes are accrued on investment income, realized gains, and unrealized gains, as appropriate, when the income and gains are earned. The Fund accrues for liabilities relating to uncertain tax positions only when such liabilities are probable and can be reasonably estimated in accordance with the authoritative guidance contained in ASC 740 Income Taxes (formerly, FASB Interpretation No.48, accounting for uncertainty in Income Taxes) described in Note 10.

The Fund files tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the jurisdictions in which it operates. The Fund uses the asset and liability method to provide income taxes on all transactions recorded in the consolidated financial statements. This method requires that income taxes reflect the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between carrying amounts of assets or liabilities for book and tax purposes. Accordingly, a deferred tax asset or liability for each temporary difference is determined based on the tax rates that the Fund expects to be in effect when the underlying items of income and expense are realized.

(k) Recognition of income and expenses

Interest income on bank balances is accrued as earned using the effective interest method.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date and is recorded net of withholding taxes where applicable.

Consulting income is recognized in accounting period in which the services are rendered.

Expenses are recorded on an accrual basis. Provision of deferred expenses are made as if the investments are liquidated and realised at value stated as the year-end.

(l) Subsequent events

The Fund discloses events that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. See Note 16, Subsequent Events, for further discussion.

(m) Critical accounting estimate and assumptions

Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are addressed below.

(i) Fair value of investments

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