(ii) Business combinations and goodwill
The Atento Group applies the acquisition method to account for business combinations. The consideration transferred for the acquisition of a subsidiary is the fair value of the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed vis-à-vis the former owners of the acquire, and any equity instruments therein issued by the Atento Group. The consideration transferred includes the fair value of any asset or liability resulting from any contingent consideration.
Any contingent consideration to be transferred by the Atento Group is recognized at its fair value as of the acquisition date. Subsequent changes in the fair value of any contingent consideration deemed an asset or a liability are recognized in the statements of operations or as a change in other comprehensive income/(loss), in accordance with IAS 39, “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement”. Contingent consideration classified as equity is not remeasured, and any subsequent settlement thereof is also recognized in equity. Costs related to the acquisition are recognized as expenses in the year in which they are incurred.
Identifiable assets acquired and identifiable liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are initially measured at fair value as of the acquisition date.
Goodwill is initially measured as any excess of the total consideration paid over the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. If the fair value of the net assets acquired is greater than the aggregate consideration transferred, the difference is recognized in the statements of operations as a gain or bargain purchase. Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated to each cash-generating unit, or group of cash-generating units, that are expected to benefit from the synergies arising in the business combination. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or whrenever if there are certain events or changes in circumstances indicating potential impairment. The carrying amount of the assets allocated to each cash-generating unit is then compared with its recoverable amount, which is the greater of its value in use or fair value less costs to sell. Any impairment loss is immediately taken to the statements of operations, and may not be reversed (see Note 3h).