Significant influence definition

What is Significant Influence?

Significant influence is the power to participate in the operating and financial policy decisions of an entity; it is not control over those policies. If an investor holds at least 20 percent of the voting power of an investee, the investor is presumed to have significant influence. The assumption of influence can be reversed through a clear demonstration to the contrary.

It is possible for an investor to not have significant influence, even with majority ownership of an investee. It is possible to lose significant influence over an investee even in the absence of a change in ownership. For example, an investee may become subject to the control of a court, regulator, or government, or loss of significant influence may be the result of a contractual agreement.

An investing entity is usually required to use the equity method of accounting for an investment when the investor can exercise significant influence over the financial and operating policies of the investee.

Related AccountingTools Course

International Accounting

Evidence of Significant Influence

Normally, any of the following situations are considered to be evidence of significant influence:

  • Board of directors representation

  • Management personnel swapping or sharing

  • Material transactions with the investee

  • Policy-making participation

  • Technical information exchanges