Treatment of Marketing / Brand Spend

What are the options surrounding treatment of marketing costs in advance of specific events

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We have some marketing / brand events which have been incurred with regards to content / shoots etc. that happen prior to the event they relate.  Under FRS102 would it be reasonable to defer the expenditure out of the accounts until the time the campaign actually launchs.  There is a definate correlation between the launch and sales which would I feel lend itself to matching the cost and income to the same period (less than one month). Thanks.

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By WhichTyler
08th Nov 2019 12:51

It's not quite clear what your question is?

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By kjones1986
08th Nov 2019 13:04

So essentially costs have been incurred in September and October which relate to a event that will launch in mid November and cease in December. When the marketing event is launched it will result in a clear increase in sales during the period the campaign is live. Would it therefore be reasonable to match the costs incurred with the month(s) that the campaign is running or should the costs just be expensed as incurred? Thanks

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Replying to kjones1986:
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By Accountant A
08th Nov 2019 13:57

kjones1986 wrote:

So essentially costs have been incurred in September and October which relate to a event that will launch in mid November and cease in December. When the marketing event is launched it will result in a clear increase in sales during the period the campaign is live. Would it therefore be reasonable to match the costs incurred with the month(s) that the campaign is running or should the costs just be expensed as incurred? Thanks

If your accountant is happy with that, go for it.

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By paul.benny
09th Nov 2019 15:58

It's only potentially a big deal if you're deferring the spend across a year end. Even then I'd have no problem treating the costs as prepaid until the product launch event as you describe.

For management accounts you can do (more or less) what you like as long as the users are clear about what is being reported.

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