Universal Registration Document - Fiscal 2024

Introduction

4.3 Working capital
4.3.1 Trade and other current operating assets
ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

Trade are initially recognized at the amount of consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring promised goods or services and are subsequently measured at amortized cost less impairment charges recognized in the income statement.

Trade and other receivables are impaired to reflect the expected credit losses, assessed using an impairment matrix (application of the simplified impairment model as provided for in IFRS 9 “Financial instruments”). This method consists of applying for each aging balance category a separate impairment rate based on historical credit losses adjusted, when necessary, to take into account prospective factors.

not-included AUGUST 31, 2024 AUGUST 31, 2023
(in million euros) GROSS AMOUNT IMPAIRMENT CARRYING AMOUNT GROSS AMOUNT IMPAIRMENT CARRYING AMOUNT
Advances to suppliers 15 15 12 12
Trade receivables 3,260 (115) 3,145 3,108 (107) 3,001
Other operating receivables 366 (3) 363 349 (9) 340
Prepaid expenses 178 178 211 211
Other receivables 1 1 2 (4) (2)
TOTAL TRADE AND OTHER CURRENT OPERATING ASSETS 3,820 (118) 3,702 3,682 (120) 3,562

The maturities of trade receivables as of August 31, 2024 and August 31, 2023 were as follows:

not-included AUGUST 31, 2024 AUGUST 31, 2023
(in million euros) GROSS AMOUNT IMPAIRMENT CARRYING AMOUNT GROSS AMOUNT IMPAIRMENT CARRYING AMOUNT
Less than 3 months past due 441 (10) 431 362 (5) 357
More than 3 months and less than 6 months past due 59 (11) 48 62 (11) 51
More than 6 months and less than 12 months past due 49 (16) 33 45 (23) 22
More than 12 months past due 79 (58) 21 56 (50) 6
TOTAL TRADE RECEIVABLES DUE 628 (95) 533 525 (89) 436
Total trade receivables not yet due 2,632 (20) 2,612 2,583 (18) 2,565
TOTAL TRADE RECEIVABLES 3,260 (115) 3,145 3,108 (107) 3,001

During the fiscal years presented, the Group was not affected by any significant change resulting from proven client failures. In addition, given the geographic dispersion of the Group’s activities and the wide range of client industries, there is no material concentration of risk in individual receivables due but not written down.

4.3.2 Trade and other payables
ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

Trade payables are classified as financial liabilities measured at amortized cost, as defined in IFRS 9 “Financial instruments”. Financial liabilities are recognized at their nominal amount, which represents a reasonable estimate of fair value in light of their short maturities.

Sodexo’s group has set up several reverse factoring programs in its main operating countries, which give its suppliers the opportunity of being paid in advance. In practice, these programs involve sales of trade receivables to a factor, organized by Sodexo. Relations between the parties concerned are governed by two totally separate contracts:

  • the Group signs a master agreement with the factor, pursuant to which it undertakes to pay on the scheduled due dates the invoices sold by its suppliers to the factor (which have been approved in advance). Each supplier is free to choose whether or not to sell each of its invoices;
  • the Group’s suppliers can, if they wish, sign a master agreement with the factor enabling them to sell their invoices before their scheduled due date, on terms that benefit from the Group’s credit rating.

Employee-related liabilities mainly include short-term employee benefits (see note 5.1).