abbr.
indicated air speed
| Dictionary: IAS |
| 5min Related Video: International Financial Reporting Standards |
| Investment Dictionary: International Accounting Standards - IAS |
An older set of standards stating how particular types of transactions and other events should be reflected in financial statements. In the past, international accounting standards (IAS) were issued by the Board of the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC).
Since 2001, the new set of standards has been known as the international financial reporting standards (IFRS) and has been issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
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IASC has no authority to require compliance with its accounting standards. However, many countries require the financial statements of publicly-traded companies to be prepared in accordance with IAS.
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| Accounting Dictionary: International Accounting Standards (IAS) |
A set of international accounting and reporting standards that will help to harmonize company financial information, improve the transparency of accounting, and ensure that investors receive more accurate and consistent reports. Statements of International Accounting Standards issued by the Board of the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) between 1973 and 2001 are designated International Accounting Standards. The International Accounting Standards Board (Iasb) announed in April 2001 that its accounting standards would be designated International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Also in April 2001, the IASB announced that it would adopt all of the International Accounting Standards issued by the IASC.
| Business Encyclopedia: International Accounting Standards |
Comparable, transparent, and reliable financial information is fundamental for the smooth functioning of capital markets. In the global arena, the need for comparable standards of financial reporting has become paramount because of the dramatic growth in the number, reach, and size of multinational corporations, foreign direct investments, cross-border purchases and sales of securities, as well as the number of foreign securities listings on the stock exchanges. However, because of the social, economic, legal, and cultural differences among countries, the accounting standards and practices in different countries vary widely. The credibility of financial reports becomes questionable if similar transactions are accounted for differently in different countries.
To improve the comparability of financial statements, harmonization of accounting standards is advocated. Harmonization strives to increase comparability between accounting principles by setting limits on the alternatives allowed for similar transactions. Harmonization differs from standardization in that the latter allows no room for alternatives even in cases where economic realities differ.
The international accounting standards resulting from harmonization efforts create important benefits. Investors and analysts benefit from enhanced comparability of financial statements. Multinational corporations benefit from not having to prepare different reports for different countries in which they operate. Stock exchanges benefit from the growth in the listings and volume of securities transactions. The international standards also benefit developing or other countries that do not have a national standard-setting body or do not want to spend scarce resources to undertake the full process of preparing accounting standards.
The most important driving force in the development of international accounting standards is the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC), an independent private-sector body formed in 1973. The broad objective of the IASC is to further harmonization of accounting practices through the formulation of accounting standards and to promote their worldwide acceptance.
One hundred and forty-three professional accounting organizations in one hundred and four countries are IASC members. The IASC Board, presently consisting of sixteen member organizations, is responsible for establishing accounting and disclosure standards. The board follows due process in setting accounting standards, thus allowing for a great deal of consultation and discussion and ensuring that all interested parties can express their views at several points in the standard-setting process. The final standard requires approval by at least twelve member organizations.
On May 24, 2000, a new structure for IASC was approved unanimously by its membership. Under the new structure, IASC will be established as an independent organization that will have two main bodies, the Trustees and the Board. The Trustees will appoint the board members, exercise oversight and raise the funds needed, whereas the board will have sole responsibility for setting accounting standards. It is expected that the new structure would come into effect on January 1, 2001.
The IASC has issued forty International Accounting Standards (IASs) to date covering a range of topics, such as inventories, depreciation, research and development costs, income taxes, segment reporting, leases, business combinations, investments, earnings per share, interim financial reporting, intangible assets, employee benefits, impairment of assets, and financial instruments. It has also issued a Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements that sets forth the concepts underlying the preparation and presentation of financial statements for external users.
International Accounting Standards initially tended to be too broad, allowing many alternative accounting treatments to accommodate country differences. This was a serious weakness in achieving the objective of comparability. To gain acceptability of its standards, in 1989 the IASC undertook a project (called the Comparability Project) aimed at enhancing comparability of financial statements by reducing the alternative treatments. An important part of this effort was its work plan to produce a comprehensive core set of high-quality Standards (Core Standards project). The IASC has completed its Core Standards project, and the revised standards are a significant improvement over the earlier ones.
IASC standards are not mandatory. However, the acceptability of IASs has been on the rise, with an increasing number of companies stating that they prepare financial reports in accordance with IASs. Many countries endorse IASs as their own standards with or without modifications, and many stock exchanges accept IASs for cross-border listing purposes. For example, the Arab Society of Certified Accountants, comprising twenty-two Arab nations, has signed a declaration supporting IASs as the national accounting standards in all its member countries. Some European countries are developing legislation to allow not only foreign but also domestic companies to use IASs in their consolidated financial statements.
In the United States as of mid-2000, IASs are not an acceptable basis for financial statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Although the SEC has expressed support for the IASC's objective of developing accounting standards for financial statements used in cross-border offering, it has also stated that such standards must be comprehensive, possess high quality, and be subject to rigorous interpretation and application. The SEC is under increasing pressure to make U.S. capital markets more accessible to non-U.S. issuers.
Internationally, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), an organization comprised of securities regulators from more than eighty countries, as of mid-2000 is considering the endorsement of IASs for cross-border capital raising and listing purposes in all global markets.
Many other organizations also play an important role in the march toward international accounting standards. Among the more important are those discussed below.
IFAC. The International Federation of Accountants is a worldwide association formed in 1977 to develop the accounting profession, harmonize its auditing practices, and reduce differences in the requirements to qualify as a professional accountant in its member countries. It currently has a membership of one hundred and forty-three national professional organizations in one hundred and four countries representing more than 2 million accountants. The IFAC issues International Standards on Auditing (ISA) aimed at harmonizing auditing practices globally. The IFAC Council also appoints country representatives on the IASC Board (thirteen in total).
UN. Several organizations within the United Nations have been involved in international accounting standards. Its Group of Experts prepared a four-part report in 1976, "International Standards of Accounting and Reporting for Transnational Corporations." The report listed financial and nonfinancial items that should be disclosed by multinational corporations to host governments. More recently, it has worked to promote the harmonization of accounting standards by discussing and supporting best practices in a variety of areas, including environmental disclosures.
OECD. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development formed in 1960 currently has twenty-nine of the world's developed, industrialized countries as its members. A valuable contribution of the OECD is its surveys of accounting practices in member countries and its assessment of the diversity or conformity of such practices. Its Working Group on Accounting Standards supports efforts by regional, national, and international bodies promoting accounting harmonization. In 1998, the OECD issued "Principles of Corporate Governance" that support the development of high-quality, internationally recognized standards that can serve to improve the comparability of information between countries.
EU. The European Union, the powerful regional alliance of fifteen nations, aims to bring about a common market that allows free mobility of people, capital, and goods among member countries. To promote the cross-country economic integration, the EU has made significant progress in the harmonization of laws and regulations. Its Commission (European Commission) establishes standardization and harmonization of corporate and accounting rules through the issuance of Directives. Directives incorporate uniform rules (to be implemented exactly in all member states), minimum rules (which may be strengthened by individual governments), and alternative rules (which members can choose from). Directives are mandatory in that each member country has the obligation to incorporate them into its respective national law. However, each country is free to choose the form and method of implementation and also to add or delete options.
The Fourth and Seventh Directives deal exclusively with accounting issues. The Fourth Directive, adopted in 1978, covers financial statements, their contents, method of presentation, valuation methods, and disclosure of information. The Seventh Directive, adopted in 1983, requires worldwide consolidated financial statements regardless of the location of the parent company. Given the large variety of alternatives for consolidation permitted in member countries prior to its issuance, the Seventh Directive is regarded as a major development toward harmonization. The European Commission announced in 1995 its decision to rely heavily on IASC to produce results that meet the needs of capital markets. It is also investigating the possibility of requiring all member states to require listed companies to report under IASs.
NAFTA. The North American Free Trade Agreement was formed in 1993 among Canada, Mexico, and the United States to create a common market. It will phase out duties on most goods and services and promote free movement of professionals, including accountants, among the three countries. There are projects under way to analyze the similarities and differences between financial reporting and accounting standards of the member countries of NAFTA.
Other organizations. Some regional organizations—such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Community of Sovereign States, Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Baltic Council, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants (CAPA), and Nordic Federation of Accountants (NFA)—have made efforts toward harmonizing accounting and disclosure standards. G4—a group of standard-setting bodies in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, has also started playing an important role in the harmonization of international accounting standards.
The process of harmonizing international accounting standards has come a long way on a path that has been far from smooth. While some critics still doubt the need and feasibility of such standards, it is becoming increasingly clear that the question is not whether but when the Inter national Accounting Standards will be required and followed by business and other entities worldwide. The likely endorsement by the IOSCO and SEC will make that time sooner rather than later.
(See also: International Federation of Accountants)
Bibliography
International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC). http://www.iasc.org.uk. (April 2000).
McGregor, Warren. (1999). "An Insider's View of the Current State and Future Direction of International Accounting Standard Setting." Accounting Horizons June: 159-168.
Pactor, Paul. (1998). "International Accounting Standards: The World's Standards by 2002." The CPA Journal July: 14-21.
Saudagardan, Shahrokh. (2001). International Accounting: A User Perspective. Cincinnati, OH: South-Western College Publishing.
Zeff, Stephen A. (1998). "The IASC's Core Standards: What Will the SEC Do?" Journal of Financial Statement Analysis Fall: 67-78.
[Article by: MAHENDRA GUJARATHI]
| Abbreviations: IAS |
| Meaning | Category |
| I Am Sick | Internet->Chat |
| IEEE Industry Applications Society Annual Meeting | Academic & Science->IEEE |
| Iasi, Romania | Regional->Airport Codes |
| Ideas Action And Success | Community->Educational |
| Immediate Access Storage | Computing->General |
| Increased Attack Speed | Governmental->Military |
| Independent Art Structures | Community->Media |
| Indian Administrative Service | Governmental |
| Indian Administrative Studies | Academic & Science->Universities |
| Indian Administrative System | Governmental |
| Indicated Airspeed | Governmental->Transportation |
| Inertial Active Suspension | Academic & Science->Chemistry |
| Inertial Active System | Governmental->NASA |
| Inmate Assignment System | Community->Law |
| Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, France | Governmental->NASA |
| Intelligence Analysis System | Governmental->Military |
| International Accounting Standards | Business->Accounting |
| International Approval Services | Business->International Business |
| International Armaments Strategy | Governmental->Military |
| International Association of Sufism | Business->Professional Organizations |
| International Aviculturists Society | Medical->Veterinary |
| Internet Addiction Syndrome | Internet |
| Internet Authentication Server | Computing->Networking |
| Internet Authentication Service | Internet |
| Irish Association for Suicidology | Community->Non-Profit Organizations |
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| Wikipedia: International Financial Reporting Standards |
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are Standards,[1] Interpretations and the Framework[2][3] adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
Many of the standards forming part of IFRS are known by the older name of International Accounting Standards (IAS). IAS were issued between 1973 and 2001 by the Board of the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC). On 1 April 2001, the new IASB took over from the IASC the responsibility for setting International Accounting Standards. During its first meeting the new Board adopted existing IAS and SICs. The IASB has continued to develop standards calling the new standards IFRS.
IFRS are considered a "principles based" set of standards in that they establish broad rules as well as dictating specific treatments.
International Financial Reporting Standards comprise:
There is also a Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements which describes the principles underlying IFRS...
IAS 8 Par. 11
"In making the judgement described in paragraph 10, management shall refer to, and consider the applicability of, the following sources in descending order:
(a) the requirements and guidance in Standards and Interpretations dealing with similar and related issues; and
(b) the definitions, recognition criteria and measurement concepts for assets, liabilities, income and expenses in the Framework."
The Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements states basic principles for IFRS.
The IASB states:
In the absence of a Standard or an Interpretation that specifically applies to a transaction, management must use its judgement in developing and applying an accounting policy that results in information that is relevant and reliable. In making that judgement, IAS 8.11 requires management to consider the definitions, recognition criteria, and measurement concepts for assets, liabilities, income, and expenses in the Framework. This elevation of the importance of the Framework was added in the 2003 revisions to IAS 8.[4]
A framework is the foundation of accounting standards. The framework states that the objective of financial statements is to provide information about the financial position, performance and changes in the financial position of an entity that is useful to a wide range of users in making economic decisions, and to provide the current financial status of the entity to its shareholders and public in general.
The underlying assumptions used in IFRS are:
The Framework describes the qualitative characteristics of financial statements as having
The financial position of an enterprise is primarily provided in a balance sheet. The elements of a balance sheet or the elements that measure the financial position are as follows:
1. Asset: An asset is a resource controlled by the enterprise as a result of past events, and from which future economic benefits are expected to flow to the enterprise.
2. Liability: A liability is a present obligation of the enterprise arising from the past events, the settlement of which is expected to result in an outflow from the enterprise' resources, i.e., assets.
3. Equity: Equity is the residual interest in the assets of the enterprise after deducting all the liabilities. Equity is also known as owner's equity.
The financial performance of an enterprise is primarily provided in an income statement or profit and loss account. The elements of an income statement or the elements that measure the financial performance are as follows:
4. Revenues: increases in economic benefit during an accounting period in the form of inflows or enhancements of assets, or decrease of liabilities that result in increases in equity. However, it does not include the contributions made by the equity participants, i.e., proprietor, partners and shareholders.
5. Expenses: decreases in economic benefits during an accounting period in the form of outflows, or depletions of assets or incurrences of liabilities that result in decreases in equity.
An item is recognized in the financial statements when:
Par. 99. Measurement is the process of determining the monetary amounts at which the elements of the financial statements are to be recognised and carried in the balance sheet and income statement. This involves the selection of the particular basis of measurement.
Par. 100. A number of different measurement bases are employed to different degrees and in varying combinations in financial statements. They include the following:
(a) Historical cost. Assets are recorded at the amount of cash or cash equivalents paid or the fair value of the consideration given to acquire them at the time of their acquisition. Liabilities are recorded at the amount of proceeds received in exchange for the obligation, or in some circumstances (for example, income taxes), at the amounts of cash or cash equivalents expected to be paid to satisfy the liability in the normal course of business.
(b) Current cost. Assets are carried at the amount of cash or cash equivalents that would have to be paid if the same or an equivalent asset was acquired currently. Liabilities are carried at the undiscounted amount of cash or cash equivalents that would be required to settle the obligation currently.
(c) Realisable (settlement) value. Assets are carried at the amount of cash or cash equivalents that could currently be obtained by selling the asset in an orderly disposal. Liabilities are carried at their settlement values; that is, the undiscounted amounts of cash or cash equivalents expected to be paid to satisfy the liabilities in the normal course of business.
(d) Present value. Assets are carried at the present discounted value of the future net cash inflows that the item is expected to generate in the normal course of business. Liabilities are carried at the present discounted value of the future net cash outflows that are expected to be required to settle the liabilities in the normal course of business.
Par. 101. The measurement basis most commonly adopted by entities in preparing their financial statements is historical cost. This is usually combined with other measurement bases. For example, inventories are usually carried at the lower of cost and net realisable value, marketable securities may be carried at market value and pension liabilities are carried at their present value. Furthermore, some entities use the current cost basis as a response to the inability of the historical cost accounting model to deal with the effects of changing prices of non-monetary assets.[5]
Par. 102. A financial concept of capital is adopted by most entities in preparing their financial statements. Under a financial concept of capital, such as invested money or invested purchasing power, capital is synonymous with the net assets or equity of the entity. Under a physical concept of capital, such as operating capability, capital is regarded as the productive capacity of the entity based on, for example, units of output per day.
Par. 103. The selection of the appropriate concept of capital by an entity should be based on the needs of the users of its financial statements. Thus, a financial concept of capital should be adopted if the users of financial statements are primarily concerned with the maintenance of nominal invested capital or the purchasing power of invested capital. If, however, the main concern of users is with the operating capability of the entity, a physical concept of capital should be used. The concept chosen indicates the goal to be attained in determining profit, even though there may be some measurement difficulties in making the concept operational.[7]
Par. 104. The concepts of capital in paragraph 102 give rise to the following concepts of capital maintenance:
(a) Financial capital maintenance. Under this concept a profit is earned only if the financial (or money) amount of the net assets at the end of the period exceeds the financial (or money) amount of net assets at the beginning of the period, after excluding any distributions to, and contributions from, owners during the period. Financial capital maintenance can be measured in either Nominal monetary units or units of constant purchasing power.
(b) Physical capital maintenance. Under this concept a profit is earned only if the physical productive capacity (or operating capability) of the entity (or the resources or funds needed to achieve that capacity) at the end of the period exceeds the physical productive capacity at the beginning of the period, after excluding any distributions to, and contributions from, owners during the period.
Par. 105. The concept of capital maintenance is concerned with how an entity defines the capital that it seeks to maintain. It provides the linkage between the concepts of capital and the concepts of profit because it provides the point of reference by which profit is measured; it is a prerequisite for distinguishing between an entity’s return on capital and its return of capital; only inflows of assets in excess of amounts needed to maintain capital may be regarded as profit and therefore as a return on capital. Hence, profit is the residual amount that remains after expenses (including capital maintenance adjustments, where appropriate) have been deducted from income. If expenses exceed income the residual amount is a loss.
Par. 106. The physical capital maintenance concept requires the adoption of the current cost basis of measurement. The financial capital maintenance concept, however, does not require the use of a particular basis of measurement. Selection of the basis under this concept is dependent on the type of financial capital that the entity is seeking to maintain.
Par. 107. The principal difference between the two concepts of capital maintenance is the treatment of the effects of changes in the prices of assets and liabilities of the entity. In general terms, an entity has maintained its capital if it has as much capital at the end of the period as it had at the beginning of the period. Any amount over and above that required to maintain the capital at the beginning of the period is profit.
Par. 108. Under the concept of financial capital maintenance where capital is defined in terms of nominal monetary units, profit represents the increase in nominal money capital over the period. Thus, increases in the prices of assets held over the period, conventionally referred to as holding gains, are, conceptually, profits. They may not be recognised as such, however, until the assets are disposed of in an exchange transaction. When the concept of financial capital maintenance is defined in terms of constant purchasing power units, profit represents the increase in invested purchasing power over the period. Thus, only that part of the increase in the prices of assets that exceeds the increase in the general level of prices is regarded as profit. The rest of the increase is treated as a capital maintenance adjustment and, hence, as part of equity.
Par. 109. Under the concept of physical capital maintenance when capital is defined in terms of the physical productive capacity, profit represents the increase in that capital over the period. All price changes affecting the assets and liabilities of the entity are viewed as changes in the measurement of the physical productive capacity of the entity; hence, they are treated as capital maintenance adjustments that are part of equity and not as profit.
Par. 110. The selection of the measurement bases and concept of capital maintenance will determine the accounting model used in the preparation of the financial statements. Different accounting models exhibit different degrees of relevance and reliability and, as in other areas, management must seek a balance between relevance and reliability. This Framework is applicable to a range of accounting models and provides guidance on preparing and presenting the financial statements constructed under the chosen model. At the present time, it is not the intention of the Board of IASC to prescribe a particular model other than in exceptional circumstances, such as for those entities reporting in the currency of a hyperinflationary economy. This intention will, however, be reviewed in the light of world developments.[8]
IFRS financial statements consist of (IAS1.8)
Comparative information is provided for the previous reporting period (IAS 1.36). An entity preparing IFRS accounts for the first time must apply IFRS in full for the current and comparative period although there are transitional exemptions (IFRS1.7).
On 6 September 2007, the IASB issued a revised IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements. The main changes from the previous version are to require that an entity must:
The revised IAS 1 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009. Early adoption is permitted.
The IASB publishes a work plan setting out projects in progress[9]. Much of its work is directed at convergence with US GAAP.
IFRS are used in many parts of the world, including the European Union, Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia, Pakistan, GCC countries, Russia, South Africa, Singapore and Turkey. As of 27 August 2008, more than 113 countries around the world, including all of Europe, currently require or permit IFRS reporting. Approximately 85 of those countries require IFRS reporting for all domestic, listed companies.[10]
For a current overview see IAS PLUS's list of all countries that have adopted IFRS.
The Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) has issued 'Australian equivalents to IFRS' (A-IFRS), numbering IFRS standards as AASB 1-8 and IAS standards as AASB 101 - 141. Australian equivalents to SIC and IFRIC Interpretations have also been issued, along with a number of 'domestic' standards and interpretations. These pronouncements replaced previous Australian generally accepted accounting principles with effect from annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2005 (i.e. 30 June 2006 was the first report prepared under IFRS-equivalent standards for June year ends). To this end, Australia, along with Europe and a few other countries, was one of the initial adopters of IFRS for domestic purposes.
The AASB has made certain amendments to the IASB pronouncements in making A-IFRS, however these generally have the effect of eliminating an option under IFRS, introducing additional disclosures or implementing requirements for not-for-profit entities, rather than departing from IFRS for Australian entities. Accordingly, for-profit entities that prepare financial statements in accordance with A-IFRS are able to make an unreserved statement of compliance with IFRS.
The AASB continues to mirror changes made by the IASB as local pronouncements. In addition, over recent years, the AASB has issued so-called 'Amending Standards' to reverse some of the initial changes made to the IFRS text for local terminology differences, to reinstate options and eliminate some Australian-specific disclosure. There are some calls for Australia to simply adopt IFRS without 'Australianising' them and this has resulted in the AASB itself looking at alternative ways of adopting IFRS in Australia.
The use of IFRS will be required for Canadian publicly accountable profit-oriented enterprises for financial periods beginning on or after 1 January 2011. This includes public companies and other “profit-oriented enterprises that are responsible to large or diverse groups of shareholders.”[11]
All listed EU companies have been required to use IFRS since 2005.
In order to be approved for use in the EU, standards must be endorsed by the Accounting Regulatory Committee (ARC), which includes representatives of member state governments and is advised by a group of accounting experts known as the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group. As a result IFRS as applied in the EU may differ from that used elsewhere.
Parts of the standard IAS 39: Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement were not originally approved by the ARC. IAS 39 was subsequently amended, removing the option to record financial liabilities at fair value, and the ARC approved the amended version. The IASB is working with the EU to find an acceptable way to remove a remaining anomaly in respect of hedge accounting.
The government of Russia has been implementing a program to harmonize its national accounting standards with IFRS since 1998. Since then twenty new accounting standards were issued by the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation aiming to align accounting practices with IFRS. Despite these efforts essential differences between national accounting standards and IFRS remain. Since 2004 all commercial banks have been obliged to prepare financial statements in accordance with both national accounting standards and IFRS. Full transition to IFRS is delayed and is expected to take place from 2011.
Turkish Accounting Standards Board translated IFRS into Turkish in 2006. Since 2006 Turkish companies listed in Istanbul Stock Exchange are required to prepare IFRS reports.
Starting in 2005, Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards (HKFRS) are identical to International Financial Reporting Standards. While Hong Kong had adopted many of the earlier IAS as Hong Kong standards, some had not been adopted, including IAS 32 and IAS 39. And all of the December 2003 improvements and new and revised IFRS issued in 2004 and 2005 will take effect in Hong Kong beginning in 2005.
Implementing Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards: The challenge for 2005 (August 2005) sets out a summary of each standard and interpretation, the key changes it makes to accounting in Hong Kong, the most significant implications of its adoption, and related anticipated future developments. There is one Hong Kong standard and several Hong Kong interpretations that do not have counterparts in IFRS. Also there are several minor wording differences between HKFRS and IFRS. [12]
In Singapore the Accounting Standards Committee (ASC) is in charge of standard setting. Singapore closely models its Financial Reporting Standards (FRS) according to the IFRS, with appropriate changes made to suit the Singapore context. Before a standard is enacted, consultations with the IASB are made to ensure consistency of core principles [13].
In 2002 at a meeting in Norwalk, Connecticut, the IASB and the US Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) agreed to harmonize their agenda and work towards reducing differences between IFRS and US GAAP (the Norwalk agreement). In February 2006 FASB and IASB issued a Memorandum of Understanding including a program of topics on which the two bodies will seek to achieve convergence by 2008.
US companies registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission must file financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP. Until 2007, foreign private issuers were required to file financial statements prepared either (a) under US GAAP or (b) in accordance with local accounting principles or IFRS with a footnote reconciling from local principles or IFRS to US GAAP. This reconciliation imposed extra expense on companies which are listed on exchanges both in the US and another country. From 2008, foreign private issuers are additionally permitted to file financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB without reconciliation to US GAAP.[14] There is broad expectation among U.S. companies that the SEC will move to allow or require them to use IFRS in the near future and a growing acceptance of that scenario, according to Controllers' Leadership Roundtable survey data.[15]
In August 2008, the SEC announced a timetable that would allow some companies to report under IFRS as soon as 2010 and require it of all companies by 2014.[16]
The SEC received over 220 comment letters from a diverse group of constituents on its timetable. Some of the key points included: - The ultimate goal must be the worldwide use of a single set of high quality financial reporting standards - Most respondents support continuation of the convergence process - Users prefer a principles-based accounting framework that includes application of sound professional judgment coupled with clear and transparent disclosures about the economic substance of the transaction, the reasons for reaching that conclusion, and the related accounting for the transaction. - Acknowledgment that the expected costs of IFRS adoption will be significant but the anticipated costs of not adopting will be much more significant to the U.S. Capital Markets - A clear commitment and adoption date is needed, regardless whether it is 2014, 2015 or 2016 (i.e., a “date certain”) Recommendation to require only one prior year comparative [17]
Mary Schapiro, SEC Chair, provided an update on the SEC’s proposed roadmap during a meeting of the International Accounting Standards Committee Foundation (IASCF) on 6 July 2009. The SEC is continuing its detailed analysis of all comment letters and will readdress this issue in Fall 2009. [18]
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced that IFRS will be mandatory in India for financial statements for the periods beginning on or after 1 April, 2011. This will be done by revising existing accounting standards to make them compatible with IFRS.
Reserve Bank of India has stated that financial statements of banks need to be IFRS-compliant for periods beginning on or after 1 April, 2011.
The Accounting Standards Board of Japan has agreed to resolve all inconsistencies between the current JP-GAAP and IFRS wholly by 2011. [19]
The following IFRS statements are currently issued:
implementing IFRS, especially using SAP solutions
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