White Ltd has been negotiating with Cloud Ltd for several months, and agreements have finally been reached for the two companies to combine. In considering the accounting for the combined entities, management realises that, in applying AASB 3/IFRS 3, an acquirer must be identified. However, there is debate among the accounting staff as to which entity is the acquirer. Required

1. What factors/indicators should management consider in determining which entity is the acquirer?

2. Why is it necessary to identify an acquirer? In particular, what differences in accounting would arise if White Ltd or Cloud Ltd were identified as the acquirer?