...International Financial Reporting Standards Introduction: IFRS are a set of rules developed and issued by IASB (International Accounting Standards Board) which is an independent body based in London, England. These rules will apply uniformly to financial reporting by public entities worldwide. The adoption of IFRS is widespread around the world with 120 countries requiring public corporations to adapt IFRS. Accounting standards as we know are a modern development although its traces date back 500 years. They are very important in today’s world in which the ownership and control of firm are different. The Role of Accounting Standards: Accounting standards are very important for the smooth functioning of capital markets. The managers are better informed than outside parties about the data and performance of the firm. However the outside parties control the capital which they can provide to the firm provided they rest assured about the sound quality of financials of the firm so as to ensure the safety of their capital. The more the safety, the less will be the cost of capital to the firm as the creditors and third parties will demand less rate of return. So the managers need to adhere to accounting standards and get it audited by professional auditors so as to ensure the true and fair picture of business. Hence the accounting standards dictate the allocation of capital in complex capital markets and economies. Benefits of IFRS 3.1 Countries: Different accounting standards are adapted...
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...IFRS coming to India.......Get Ready!!! Hello Friends and a very warm Good Afternoon to all of you…I am Siddharth Jain from Indore and consider it a proud privilege to be given an opportunity to present my views on one of my favorite topics, a topic as hot as Sheela ki Jawani….the topic being IFRS-Opportunities & Challenges. “He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.” These famous words of Harold Wilson, a brilliant economist and a former British Prime Minister, are apt enough to demonstrate the significance of not only adopting a change…but adapting to it. International Financial Reporting Standards, The IFRS would be mandatory for Indian companies from 1st April 2011. All members and Future Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) need to be fully aware of the changes in the accounting standards to converge with IFRS and its implication on the financial reporting, Treasury Management, Business valuation, Commercial arrangements, Managerial compensation, Mergers and Acquisition…and I can go on & on. Are you Aware..? The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) are increasingly being recognised as Global Reporting Standards. More than 130 countries including European Union, Australia, New Zealand, China and Russia currently require or permit the use of IFRSs in their countries. Nations such as Canada & Japan, have announced their intention to adopt IFRSs...
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...Standards (IFRS); in virtually 100 countries, 12,000 corporations have opted to follow IFRS. As this standard is becoming globally accepted, the United States has been compelled to cooperate with IFRS. To portray the challenges involved, one large United States company, Clark Corporation, will be explored. At the close of the 2010 financial year, Clark Corporation’s external auditors strongly recommended that they prepare its financial statements using IFRS by January 1, 2012. However, Clark Corporation will encounter various challenges in migrating from depreciating the building under GAAP to IFRS. The component depreciation method is defined as “a method of calculating depreciation where separate items of a building with different useful lives are depreciated on different schedules” (Financial Dictionary, 2011). Although there are many benefits of the IFRS depreciation method, there are also numerous challenges that Clark Corporation will face from the gaps between current accounting practices and the new reporting system. One internal control challenge in migrating from the U.S. GAAP depreciation method to the IFRS depreciation method is the incompatibility between the systems. There are various internal controls in the U.S. GAAP reporting system that must be altered for the new reporting system, IFRS. First, the preventative controls in the U.S. GAAP system are effective to restrict the user from performing unauthorized actions but it may not be effective in the IFRS information...
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...perspective, what would be the likely overall effect of adopting IFRS on the company’s financial statements? From the consolidation perspective, the likely overall effect of adopting IFRS on the company’s financial statements would preserve and strengthen the company’s global financial competitiveness. Moreover, it will simplify the accounting and consolidation process significantly and reduce financial reporting costs. 2) What potential effect would arise if Klugen were to select the option under IFRS 3 to value non-controlling interest at the proportionate share of its subsidiaries’ net identifiable assets? For business combination, the buyer can control without buying all of the equity, the remaining , so-called the non-controlling, equity interests are measure either at fair value or at the non-controlling interests’ proportionate share of its subsidiaries’ net identifiable assets. Under IFRS 3, the potential effect would arise is that it will result in benefits for users by improving comparability and will increase the relevance of information provided. Moreover, it identifies and evaluates the main costs and benefits for users. 3) Do you believe that an impairment of goodwill would be more likely under IFRS or under U.S. GAAP? Why or why not? There is a difference in goodwill impairment measurement. Under U.S GAAP, two-step approach is used. It looks to the reporting unit. However, under IFRS, one-step approach is used. It is based on the value in use and it...
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...a. Financial process management and control is improved with automation. IFRS transition offers a classic opportunity to exploit the benefits of ERP. The inherent value of consolidated transaction management and reporting systems becomes clear in a financial data conversion process. The ledger and subledger systems (where core data resides and feeds the GAAP-based GL) are the sources of the data conversion process. In the same way that ERP efficiently consolidates large volumes of financial and operational data for management visibility and reporting, companies can leverage the ERP system to consolidate multi-GAAP reporting for IFRS conversion. b. Financial information management is improved with a streamlined global chart of accounts. Comprehensive financial data management that includes financial controls, transparent reporting, and audit and security management is embedded in ERP systems like Epicor. A globally standardized accounting regimen will reduce the time and resources required to provide manual conversions still seen today. Combined with the consolidated financial resources of ERP, a globally streamlined chart of accounts under IFRS c. Teams work together to efficiently achieve a common objective. Internal best practices developed over many years of project and program management are immediately valuable to the IFRS transition project. Costs escalate, time and again, when companies extensively outsource these competencies or abdicate internal program management...
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...Pros & Cons of GAAP and IFRS Convergence The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) was formed in an attempt to bring uniform accounting standards within international countries through its issuing of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Today, over 100 countries including Canada, India, and Japan have adopted these standards for financial reporting. The growth of multinational companies such as Coca Cola and the increasing desire of cross-border investing have made it apparent that the U.S.accounting standards known as the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) can no longer remain separate from IFRS. Under the request of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), FASB and IASB signed the Norwalk Agreement, which promised the convergence of GAAP and IFRS by as early as 2015. As a result, it appears that the importance of FASB will decline as IASB becomes the primary responsibility holders of the new merging accounting standards. What advantages and disadvantages can come of GAAP and IFRS integration? Once finalized, the convergence of GAAP and IFRS will create high quality financial reporting that will be uniform amongst companies both domestic and abroad. This will allow investors to interpret and compare financial statements from domestic and foreign countries according to the same accounting standards, which will enable them to make better investment decisions.As the ease...
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...customers and other key stakeholders in India and overseas. World Class peer standards for Financial Reporting The adoption of IFRS is expected to result in better quality of financial reporting due to consistent application of accounting principles and improvement in reliability of financial statements. This, in turn, will lead to increased trust and reliance placed by investors, analysts and other stakeholders. Superior financial reporting could be useful in convincing a firm’s present and potential employees of its financial soundness, so that as key users of firm’s accounting information they can trust the firm as a dependable employer. The rising use of pay for performance plans and the need for international tradability of employees stocks and stock options further underscore the need for respectable accounting rules. Harmonization with Global financial market Increasingly, Indian accountants and businessmen feel theneed for convergence with IFRS. Capital markets provide an important explanation for this change. Some Indian companies are already listed on overseas stock exchanges and many more will list in the future. Internationally acceptable accounting standards will then become the language of communication for Indian companies. Better access to and reduction in the cost of capital raised from global capital markets since IFRS are now accepted as a financial reporting framework for companies seeking to raise funds from most capital markets across the globe...
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...Accounting Principals Over the last decade, the world has become increasingly connected. Businesses are embracing opportunities abroad and gathering investors from a progressively growing international market. Globalization has given rise to a number of questions regarding multicultural business practice. It has also created a need for universal financial reporting that is consistent and useful to all of its users, international and domestic alike. Due to this growing concern, the International Accounting Standards Board was established and has created a code of standards to facilitate such financial reporting. IFRS is an acronym for International Financial Reporting Standards. IFRS are a set of accounting standards that will establish a uniform financial statement accounting standard across the world (AICPA, “What is IFRS”). These standards will create a consistency among financial statements, and will allow external uses better comparability from one entity to another, regardless of the entity’s country of origin. IFRS was developed by the International Accounting Standards Board, IASB, a London based organization established in 2001. The AICPA was a founder member of this board, and, while not in direct affiliation thereof, has established a website to educate individuals and businesses on IFRS (AICPA, “What is the IASB”). The cost of the United States converting to IFRS is under scrutiny, many believe the benefits would be less than the actual costs. In the short-run, the initial...
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...The Convergence of Accounting Standards The need for accounting standards and recordkeeping of financial statements became necessary as economic development became more complex and the rise capital markets became necessary to support economic growth. Financial information is the language businesses use to communicate their capabilities to potential investors, lenders and other users this information. However, for this information to be useful it needed to be reliable, relevant and comparable. These are some of the qualities used in the by the FASB and the IASB to create accounting standards. The FASB and the IASB are the two current bodies in charge of creating accounting standards. The FASB creates standards in the United States and the IASB creates international accounting standards accepted by many international economies. International standards became necessary as many national companies began to engage in international trade. The purpose of these standards was to increase harmonization of international accounting standards to support international economic growth by providing international investors with useful information. Both institutions have evolved throughout the years as financial transactions have become more complicated and new industries developed and evolve. The Financial Accounting Standard Board The FASB evolve from the APB (Accounting Principle Board) that evolved from the CAP (Committee on Accounting Procedures). These organizations developed accounting...
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...accounting profession and how I see them affecting me in the future with regards to IFRS companies submitting IFRS on US stock exchanges? Macdonald Felix Rusoto Muchemedzi Student Kaplan University As the Stock exchange affords different investors the opportunity to actively trade in the non-US companies and also provide an avenue for non-US companies to raise capital will the investment and accounting community be able to fully understand the information and make rational and informed decisions. In this discussion paper I will discuss the key requirement that participants should be financial bilingual to fully understand both sets of financial reports (IFRS and USGAAP) in order to be able to compare them, thus comparability is the main challenge facing the accounting profession and harmonization/convergence is a current and future requirement to ensure comparability, other factors will come into play as will be discussed later. My future has already started to be affected as I work in a US subsidiary in South Africa and we are required to provide USGAAP reconciliation from our IFRS financial reports and with greater convergence I strongly believe my work will be less as there will be no longer a need to be financially bilingual as there will be one set of financial reports. Literature review Both IFRS and USGAAP financial reporting standards are developed from the conceptual framework, hereafter IFRS conceptual framework referred to as CFW and the USGAAP conceptual framework...
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...Introduction The new IFRS 9 is going to replace the IAS-39 which was issued in March, 1999 which is about 11 years ago. Since 1999, the standard had been amended several times during 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2008. The standard became highly popular due to its complexity during the global financial crisis. There were many critisms about the IAS -39 like: 1. Fair Value accounting was said to have created cycles of accounting write downs and distressed selling of assets during the financial Crisis. 2. The application of IAS-39 impairment model for loan loss provisions results in delayed recognition of losses. 3. The over complexity of IAS-39 such as mined valuation models, multiple impairment approaches, complicated transfer rules and hedge accounting requirement. Due to the above mentioned criticisms the IASB received calls to reduce the complexity of the accounting standards from G-20, European Union and regulators and other stakeholders from around the world. Thus, the new IFRS 9 comes to light to replace IAS 39. What is IFRS 9? IFRS 9 replaces the multiple classification and measurement models in IAS 39 with a single model that has only two classification categories: a) Amortized cost b) Fair value. Classification under IFRS 9 is driven by the entity’s business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual characteristics of the financial assets. A financial asset...
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...Accounting Principals Over the last decade, the world has become increasingly connected. Businesses are embracing opportunities abroad and gathering investors from a progressively growing international market. Globalization has given rise to a number of questions regarding multicultural business practice. It has also created a need for universal financial reporting that is consistent and useful to all of its users, international and domestic alike. Due to this growing concern, the International Accounting Standards Board was established and has created a code of standards to facilitate such financial reporting. IFRS is an acronym for International Financial Reporting Standards. IFRS are a set of accounting standards that will establish a uniform financial statement accounting standard across the world (AICPA, “What is IFRS”). These standards will create a consistency among financial statements, and will allow external uses better comparability from one entity to another, regardless of the entity’s country of origin. IFRS was developed by the International Accounting Standards Board, IASB, a London based organization established in 2001. The AICPA was a founder member of this board, and, while not in direct affiliation thereof, has established a website to educate individuals and businesses on IFRS (AICPA, “What is the IASB”). The cost of the United States converting to IFRS is under scrutiny, many believe the benefits would be less than the actual costs. In the short-run, the initial...
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...In today’s turbulent economy we know that revenues are needed to keep the world operating. Revenues are a vital part of our economic system. Without generated sales of goods and services there would not be any revenue. As we all have heard in the news lately that the security exchange commission is planning on switching U.S. companies accounting principles to international financial reporting standards. What this mean is that we will no longer operate our business sector the way things use to be. IFRS and GAAP has gotten together to restructure the tradeoff between relevance and reliability in standard setting. This proposed switch has caused some controversy from many professions. For instance, some accountants now wonder will they need more training to continue taking care of their business clients. If so, who will have to take care of the cost? This paper will discuss the advantages and disadvantages to international financial reporting standards. However, both parties may have some similarities and differences. For example, international financial reporting standards define revenue has the gross inflow of economic benefits during the period arising in the course of ordinary activities when those inflows result in increases in equity, other than increases relating to contributions from equity participants. In contrast, U.S. standards do not use equity method dividends as revenue. International standards are much less specific with respect to recognition of...
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...September 2011 (updated January 2012) Effect analysis IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements and IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities In The IASB’s approach to effect analysis Before we issue new requirements, or make amendments to existing IFRSs, we consider the costs and benefits of what we are proposing. This includes an assessment of both the costs incurred by preparers of financial statements and the costs incurred by users of financial statements when information is not available. We also consider the comparative advantage that preparers have in developing information that users would otherwise have to develop themselves. What is the measurement bar for our assessment? We expect our standards to have economic effects, and we understand that those effects may be beneficial for some entities and detrimental to others. For example, a change in financial reporting requirements might affect the cost of capital for individual entities by changing the absolute or relative level of information asymmetry associated with those entities. We assess these associated costs and benefits by reference to the overall objective of financial reporting. We try to understand how the changes will contribute towards the development of a single set of high quality global accounting standards by improving the allocation of capital. We therefore also consider the benefit of better economic decision-making as a result of improved financial reporting. The boundaries of our assessment ...
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...Tax IFRS Readiness Series The uncertain future of LIFO* The uncertain future of LIFO This paper was authored by Christine Turgeon, a partner; Scott Rabinowitz, a director; Helen Poplock, a director; and Sean Pheils, a senior associate with PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Washington National Tax Services (WNTS) practice. For over 70 years, US taxpayers have been able to value the cost of their inventories using the last-in, first-out inventory method of accounting (LIFO). In general, to use LIFO for federal income tax purposes, taxpayers must also use LIFO for financial reporting purposes (herein referred to as the LIFO conformity requirement). The use of LIFO for financial reporting purposes is not permitted under International Financial Reporting Standards as promulgated by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS). As a result, a conversion from US generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to IFRS likely will eliminate a taxpayer’s ability to use LIFO for federal income tax purposes. Moreover, the fact that LIFO is not permissible under IFRS has led many policymakers to debate whether LIFO should be permitted for tax purposes, irrespective of IFRS conversion. As a result, Congress and the Obama Administration are considering a repeal of LIFO, while taxpayers and practitioners are defending the merits of LIFO as sound tax policy and are seeking an administrative exception to the LIFO conformity requirement. The transition from LIFO to an alternate inventory...
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