Proponents of IFRS argue that applying uniform accounting standards leads to comparable financial statements. While previous studies have illustrated that initial IFRS disclosure quality significantly varies upon IFRS adoption, there is little evidence whether disclosures become more comparable after IFRS adoption. Using hand-collected data on 18 disclosure items of European real estate firms over the period 2005 to 2010, we find that disclosures improve and become more comparable over time. Furthermore, our results suggest that an exogenous shock, such as the financial crisis, accelerates the process to better and more comparable disclosure practices. This process is more pronounced and faster for valuation-related than for general disclosures. These results are of interest in the debate whether a principles-based accounting framework such as IFRS can generate comparable information.
Research Paper (postgraduate) from the year 2008 in the subject Business economics - Banking, Stock Exchanges, Insurance, Accounting, grade: A, University of Amsterdam, language: English, abstract: Since January first, 2005, IFRS is mandatory for the financial reporting of all listed companies within the European Union. This is in order to increase comparability, improve transparency and increase the quality of financial reporting (EC Regulation No. 1606/2002). However, although it is the objective of the European Union to become more united, there are significant differences in the backgrounds of the European countries. This research analyzes cross-country differences in disclosure in the balance sheets of companies, based on the level of enforcement, the prior accounting system and the legal system. The sample consists of 170 companies from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. The variables are based on the recognition materiality concept and indicate the amount of detail in the disclosure in the balance sheets. The recognition materiality concept provides a limit below which disclosure is considered not material, based on the size and therefore is an indication for the amount of detail. The results indicate that the legal system has the strongest influence on the disclosure in balance sheets. Companies from common law countries provide significant more detailed balance sheet accounts in their annual reports, than companies from code law countries.
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are a set of accounting standards developed and maintained by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). They are designed to provide a common global language for financial reporting, ensuring that financial statements are comparable, transparent, and reliable across different jurisdictions and industries. Here's an overview of IFRS: Objective: The primary objective of IFRS is to provide a framework for the preparation and presentation of financial statements that provide useful information to users for making economic decisions. IFRS aims to enhance transparency, comparability, and reliability in financial reporting. Applicability: IFRS is used by many countries around the world as the basis for preparing financial statements of public companies. While some countries have adopted IFRS as their national accounting standards, others have converged their local standards with IFRS or permit the use of IFRS for listed companies. Additionally, multinational companies often use IFRS for their consolidated financial statements to ensure consistency across different jurisdictions. Principles-based Approach: IFRS adopts a principles-based approach to accounting standards, focusing on principles rather than detailed rules. This allows for flexibility in application and enables entities to provide relevant and reliable information that reflects the economic substance of transactions. Standard-setting Process: The IASB, an independent standard-setting body, is responsible for developing and issuing IFRS. The standard-setting process involves extensive consultation with stakeholders, including preparers, auditors, investors, regulators, and standard-setting bodies from different countries. The IASB also works closely with national standard-setters and accounting bodies to promote global convergence in financial reporting. Structure of IFRS: IFRS consists of a series of individual standards and interpretations, each addressing specific aspects of financial reporting. The main standards cover topics such as presentation of financial statements (IAS 1), revenue recognition (IFRS 15), leasing (IFRS 16), financial instruments (IFRS 9), and consolidation (IFRS 10). Additionally, there are interpretations (IFRIC) and framework documents that provide guidance on complex accounting issues. Continuous Development: IFRS is subject to continuous review and improvement to ensure its relevance and effectiveness in addressing emerging issues in financial reporting. The IASB regularly updates and issues new standards or amendments to existing standards in response to changes in business practices, economic environments, and regulatory requirements. Benefits of IFRS: The adoption of IFRS brings several benefits, including improved comparability of financial statements across jurisdictions, enhanced transparency and disclosure, increased investor confidence, and reduced costs for multinational companies operating in multiple jurisdictions. Overall, IFRS plays a crucial role in promoting high-quality financial reporting, facilitating global capital flows, and fostering economic growth and development by providing a common set of accounting standards that are recognized and accepted worldwide.
Seminar paper from the year 2011 in the subject Business economics - Accounting and Taxes, grade: 1, Stockholm School of Economics (Accounting Faculty), language: English, abstract: Diverging views on the attribute of „comparability. for financial reporting under IFRS Six guest lectures at Stockholm School of Economics passed by and one word left a permanent mark on my mind. With a high regularity and consensus the representatives of different interest groups involved in financial reporting mentioned „comparability., sometimes referred to as „consistency. or „continuity., as one particularly important attribute of good financial reporting. Heurlin (2011, p. 8/12), as an IASB member, stressed the need to acknowledge consistency in financial reporting, which he regards as a proxy for good financial reporting. Scheja (2011), in his auditor role, stated that PwC has a major focus in auditing on ensuring comparability of financial reporting, i.e. by preventing the usage of non-GAAP measures for earnings management. According to him, the attribute of relevance is mainly ensured by preparers. Also, Gerentz (2011) mentioned the term comparability twice; first, stating that NCC aims at preventing managerial opportunism in IR, and second, stressing the need for NCC to create peer comparability by educating analysts about their own “more correct IFRS interpretation”. Last, Malmqvist (2011), representing analysts, pointed out the importance that firms enable peer comparability, i.e. by providing comparable income statements without company-specific non-GAAP measures, where irregularities are explained in footnotes, and by using more comparable accounting methods. So, on this point: All united? As opposed to the otherwise often diverging opinions, all interest groups1 strikingly seem to be aligned that comparability constitutes good financial reporting. But do the involved interest groups really share one joint perception about the attribute „comparability. for financial reporting? In particular, is the IASB.s idea of comparability defined in the framework widely accepted in practice? Considering the different interests of involved groups, one might doubt that those groups really share a common understanding, opinion and rationale with regards to 'comparability'. This paper reflects upon the two questions by taking three explicit perspectives: (1) IASB, (2) preparers, and (3) analysts / investors.
This book, dedicated to Prof. Jacques Richard, is about the economic, political, social and even environmental consequences of setting accounting standards, with emphasis on those that are alleged to be precipitated by the adoption and implementation of IFRS. The authors offer their reasoned critiques of the effectiveness of IFRS in promoting genuine global comparability of financial reporting. The editors of this collection have invited authors from 17 countries, so that a great variety of accounting, auditing and regulatory cultures, and educational perspectives, is amply on display in their essays.
The globalization of financial markets worldwide has progressively pushed toward simultaneous globalization of accounting information. Thus, during the last 50 years, categories of preparers, users, and regulators have devoted their efforts to support the global comparability of financial reporting aiming at favoring the comparison of corporates’ financial performances at a cross-country level. In the same vein, IASB, national standard setters, and jurisdictions have participated in and given momentum to this process. At the same time, academic research has followed this process and tried to build a theoretical framework to address the related issues, to assess the impact on preparers, users, and regulators, while defining hindrances and obstacles to the comparability of financial reporting especially in an IFRS environment. In this context, this book reviews research studies on the comparability of financial reporting at a global level as well as highlights empirical analyses that demonstrate the extent to which global comparability has been achieved, and how it enhances value relevance of earnings across countries. It also looks at the cross-country investors’ perspectives by shaping the empirical analysis to provide further insights on the role of the "Big Four" auditing services in enhancing the comparability of earnings. The book provides an original contribution to the current debate about the comparability of financial reporting under IFRS and will be useful for researchers in the field.
International Accounting Standards (IAS) are a set of standards developed by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) to provide a common global framework for financial reporting. These standards are designed to ensure consistency, transparency, and comparability in financial reporting across different countries and industries. IAS cover various aspects of financial reporting, including the presentation of financial statements, recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, income, and expenses, as well as disclosure requirements. They are used by companies listed on stock exchanges worldwide and are particularly important for multinational corporations operating in multiple jurisdictions. The goal of harmonizing accounting standards globally is to facilitate cross-border investments, enhance transparency and accountability, and improve the quality and reliability of financial information for investors, creditors, and other stakeholders. IAS cover various aspects of financial reporting, including: Presentation of Financial Statements (IAS 1): This standard outlines the overall structure and content of financial statements, including the requirements for balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and statements of changes in equity. Recognition and Measurement of Assets, Liabilities, Income, and Expenses: Several IAS address the recognition, measurement, and presentation of specific types of assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. For example, IAS 16 covers property, plant, and equipment, while IAS 38 deals with intangible assets. Disclosure Requirements: IAS include requirements for disclosing certain information in financial statements to provide users with a better understanding of an entity's financial position, performance, and cash flows. Disclosure requirements cover areas such as accounting policies, significant accounting estimates, related party transactions, and contingencies. Consolidated Financial Statements (IAS 27 and IAS 28): These standards provide guidance on the preparation of consolidated financial statements when an entity controls one or more other entities or has significant influence over them. Financial Instruments (IAS 32, IAS 39, and IFRS 9): These standards address the recognition, measurement, and presentation of various types of financial instruments, including financial assets, financial liabilities, and derivatives. The adoption of International Accounting Standards, particularly International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), has become increasingly widespread globally. Many countries require or permit the use of IAS/IFRS for financial reporting by publicly traded companies, while others use them as a basis for developing their national accounting standards. Overall, the aim of International Accounting Standards is to enhance the quality, comparability, and transparency of financial reporting, thereby facilitating investment decisions, reducing information asymmetry, and promoting economic growth and stability on a global scale.
