Is this the end of intangibles? Re-framing the challenge of accounting for intangible assets

Alan Teixeira

Chapter 8 in Handbook on Intangibles, 2026, pp 152-172 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and its predecessor, the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC), have been developing separate requirements for intangible assets for over 30 years. During that time, respondents have stressed that intangibles have becoming increasingly important to entities and that their requirements do not reflect that importance. Yet, since its establishment, the IASB appears to have been reluctant to reconsider its requirements, which bias against the recognition of assets. This chapter documents the process that led to the current requirements of accounting for intangible assets and highlights inconsistencies with the IASB’s Conceptual Framework (Framework). Fundamentally, it suggests that focusing on whether an asset is tangible, or intangible, is an unhelpful distraction. The IASB could develop general requirements for the recognition and subsequent measurement of assets that focus on rights. Intangibility is unlikely to be important for determining the recognition and measurement requirements but could be helpful in guiding the classification and disaggregation of expenses and assets.

Keywords: IFRS; Intangible assets; Conceptual framework (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035306367
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