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Non-controlling interest

Non-controlling interest is the portion of a subsidiary's equity not owned by the parent, presented separately within equity on the consolidated balance sheet and allocated its share of the group's profit each period.

ByHoang TruongUpdated

FrameworkConsolidation

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A subsidiary with €500,000 of net assets is fully consolidated into the group accounts, because control — not percentage ownership — determines consolidation scope. Of that €500,000, the parent's 80% stake accounts for €400,000, while the remaining 20%, €100,000, belongs to outside shareholders and is shown separately as non-controlling interest within group equity.

Where it fits
SubjectFinancial AccountingAdvancedTopicThe Accounting Equation & Its ElementsAdvancedTopicThe Financial StatementsAdvanced

The formula

LaTeX
NCI=pNCI×FV of Identifiable Net Assets\text{NCI} = p_{\text{NCI}} \times \text{FV of Identifiable Net Assets}

Variables

Non-controlling ownership percentage at acquisition date (decimal)
Fair value of the subsidiary's identifiable assets less liabilities at acquisition ()

Proportionate share method; the alternative full goodwill method measures NCI at its own fair value, producing a higher NCI balance and higher goodwill.

Check yourself

PracticeCORE

Capella Group consolidates its only subsidiary, in which it holds a 70% interest. In the consolidated financial statements, how is the non-controlling interest (the remaining 30%) presented on the consolidated balance sheet?

Select an answer to check your understanding.