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A new financial reporting standard would force companies around the world to add around $ 3tn of leasing commitments to their balance sheets , thereby significantly increasing the debt that must be reported by the airlines , retailers , maritime companies and hotels . At present , these industries lease property and services over long periods of time , but under current account standards , do not have to include them in yearly reports of assets and liabilities . Furthermore , the new standards could affect some groups ' banking practices and debt - based agreements with lenders . Regulators have pushed for these new rules as they will " provide much - needed transparency on companies ' lease assets and liabilities , meaning that off - balance - sheet lease financing is no longer lurking in the shadows " , says International Accounting Standards Board 's Jan Hoogervorst .