Reporting Standards (IFRS) could result in many charities breaching loan covenants with their banks.

Under current accounting rules social housing providers, universities and charities can adjust their accounts to recognise assets that have risen in value. According to a new PwC report this will no longer be allowed under new rules being considered for Public Benefit Entities (PBEs) and other private UK businesses.

While the introduciton of IFRS is generally accepted, the revaluation of assets issue - in particular for the impact on housing associations - is increasingly coming up as one thing that needs to change in the consultation process.

This situation could see the organisations break their banking covenants because the agreements are based on balance sheets showing the most up to-date value of those assets.

In particular the social housing and higher education sectors make extensive use of assets and have invested heavily in property projects.

In the future, such groups may only be allowed to hold those assets at cost as the Accounting Standards Board (ASB) works hard to make the rules governing unlisted UK companies more closely aligned to the international standards listed companies follow.

The ASB is preparing to release an exposure draft on a PBE standard, but the banking covenants issue remains on the table while the body seeks comment from businesses on its plans to harmonise UK accounting rules.

Matthew Hodge, a director at PwC said: “PwC welcomes the publication by the ASB of the draft standard, which recognises the unique accounting requirements of public benefit entities.

“However, there are clearly some key issues that these entities will have to face head-on if they want to keep honouring their banking agreements”, Hodge added: “It is vital PBEs take advice, because there are accounting options that may help avoid the need to renegotiate contracts with banks.”

The ASB has proposed a new three-tier accounting framework based on how publicly accountable the companies are.

The PBE standard will be drafted in compliance, but designed to act as a counterweight, with the second of these two tiers known as the FRSME.

Caron Bradshaw, chief executive of the Charity Finance Directors' Group (CFDG), said: "As it stands the FRSME [tier two under the new system] does not permit the revaluation of assets such as property and equipment, which could be an issue for some public benefit entities including charities.