Amalgamation classification: merger or purchase determines accounting method and treatment of reserves and goodwill. The Standard differentiates amalgamations as either an amalgamation in the nature of merger-accounted for by the pooling of interests method with preservation of assets, liabilities and reserves at carrying amounts-or an amalgamation in the nature of purchase-accounted for by the purchase method with allocation of consideration to identifiable assets and liabilities at fair value, non statutory reserves losing identity, recognition of excess consideration as goodwill (amortised systematically, ordinarily within five years) and specified treatment for statutory reserves.