Balance SheetIntermediate📖 8 min read

Due to Related Parties Current

Short-Term Amounts Owed to Related Entities or Individuals

Classification
Current Liabilities
Related Parties
Parents, subs, JVs, executives, major owners
Typical Items
Short-term loans, advances, trade balances
Interest
Often below-market or zero
Disclosure
Mandatory detail (IAS 24 / ASC 850)

Due to Related Parties Current represents short-term obligations (due within 12 months or the operating cycle) owed by the company to related parties, such as parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, joint ventures, key management personnel, or significant shareholders. These arise from transactions like loans, advances, goods/services provided, or operational support, and are classified as current liabilities.

Table of Contents

Definition and Nature

Due to Related Parties Current are balances the company owes to related parties with expected settlement within one year. Related parties include entities/individuals with control, joint control, significant influence, or key management roles.

These often carry non-arm's-length terms (e.g., favorable interest rates or extended repayment), requiring heightened disclosure.

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Current vs. non-current split based on contractual or expected repayment timing.

Common Examples

  • Short-term loans or overdrafts from parent/subsidiary
  • Trade payables to affiliates for goods/services
  • Accrued expenses owed to key management (bonuses, fees)
  • Advances received from joint ventures
  • Current portion of longer intercompany loans
  • Unpaid dividends or distributions to related owners

Prevalent in group structures with centralized cash management or private/family-owned businesses.

Accounting and Disclosure

Treatment:

  • At carrying amount (amortized cost if loan)
  • Impute interest if below-market (except certain intragroup under IFRS)
  • Classify current if due/repaid within 12 months
  • Extensive footnote disclosure: counterparty, terms, amounts, interest

IAS 24/ASC 850 require full transparency to highlight potential conflicts.

Balance Sheet Presentation

Under current liabilities as:

  • 'Due to Related Parties Current'
  • 'Current Amounts Due to Related Parties'
  • 'Related Party Payables - Current'
  • Sometimes in 'Other Current Liabilities' with separate note

Often netted with 'Due from Related Parties' only if legal right of offset.

Reasons for These Balances

  • Efficient group funding (cheaper than external debt)
  • Operational support between entities
  • Cash pooling or treasury centralization
  • Tax planning or profit allocation
  • Owner/manager advances in private firms

Analytical Implications

These balances signal:

  • Reliance on related party support (liquidity risk if withdrawn)
  • Potential favorable terms (subsidized financing)
  • Governance risks (conflicts of interest)
  • Transfer pricing scrutiny by tax authorities
  • Standalone viability vs. group dependence
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Large/growing current balances may indicate short-term funding pressure or upstreaming to parent.

Key Takeaways

1

Due to Related Parties Current are short-term obligations to related entities/individuals.

2

Often internal, flexible financing with non-market terms.

3

Due within 12 months → current classification.

4

Require detailed disclosure due to conflict potential.

5

Can reduce external borrowing costs but highlight group dependence.

6

Review terms and counterparties in footnotes for risk assessment.

Related Terms

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