Accounting for Singapore Airlines Limited’s mandatory convertible bonds

The issue of whether a financial instrument should be accounted for as a debt or equity has always been an area where accountants are required to interpret the relevant accounting standards and make the necessary judgments. Given evidence of increasing capitalization of compound financial instruments, a type of hybrid securities, on various stock exchanges, it has become more important to understand the accounting of such financial instruments. We base this case on the issuance of mandatory convertible bonds by Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA) to raise funds. This case provides an opportunity for you to examine the accounting issues surrounding the issuance of such financial instruments.