Substance and Form Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards and Financial Statement Comparability: Evidence from South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 2150017
Author(s):  
Christelle Smith ◽  
Elmar R. Venter ◽  
Madeleine Stiglingh
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
International Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Global Increase ◽  
Incremental Increase

We investigate whether the comparability of financial statements changes after a switch from International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in substance (i.e., content of IFRS) to IFRS in both substance and form (i.e., IFRS as issued by the IASB). While the substance of the accounting standards remains the same, form is added to the adoption in that it is now formally referred to as “IFRS as issued by the IASB.” We use data from South Africa, a country whose local generally accepted accounting practices (GAAP) was the same, word-for-word, as IFRS prior to the adoption of IFRS as issued by the IASB in 2005. We compare South African firms with firms in other countries, divided into two groups: mandatory IFRS adopters and non-adopters. We find evidence of increased comparability of financial statements of South African firms with both adopters and non-adopters. Furthermore, we find a global increase in the comparability of firms’ financial statements, consistent with market changes unrelated to IFRS adoption. However, an incremental increase in the comparability of financial statements of South African firms with the adoption of IFRS relative to non-adopting firms is consistent with benefits from South Africa’s addition of form to its existing in-substance adoption of IFRS. This increased comparability is also consistent with the benefits observed in the accounting amounts of firms from other adopting countries becoming more comparable with those of South African firms.

scholarly journals An assessment of the challenges of adopting and implementing IFRSS for SMEs in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sikhwari Rudzani ◽  
Manda David Charles
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
International Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Accounting Profession ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Vhembe District

The purpose of this study is to assess the challenges faced by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in adopting and implementing International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for SMEs in South Africa. There is a perception that, although SMEs are required to use IFRS for SMEs in South Africa, many of these entities are finding it difficult to adopt or implement the IFRS for various reasons including lack of the necessary expertise. The objective of the study is to establish, empirically, the reasons and, subsequently, to determine the attributing causes of the problem, if that was the case. The study is based on a sample of randomly selected number of SMEs in Vhembe district, Thohoyandou, Limpopo province, South Africa. The study findings show that many SMEs in Vhembe District (67%) have adopted IFRS for SMEs in various forms and degree, but, generally, SMEs still find challenges in implementation due to lack of resources. For compliance purposes, however, even those SMEs which have not substantially implemented the IFRS for SMEs are expected to prepare their financial statements by referring to the guidelines. Consequently, this raises a problem when comparing financial performance of various SMEs whose financial statements are prepared using different approaches. The study findings serve as a reminder to the accounting profession about the challenges that SMEs face when they attempt to adopt IFRS for SMEs

Composition and characteristics of the financial statements elements in accordance with IFRS

2020 ◽  
pp. 36-42
Author(s):  
Mohammad Tariq Jassim
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
International Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
International Accounting ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Qualitative Characteristics

In a market economy, the role of International Financial Reporting Standards is increasing. In order to understand their significance in modern conditions it seems necessary to consider the peculiarities of evolution of IFRS formation. The article reflects actual issues concerning the role and significance of International Accounting and Reporting Standards in modern conditions. The author has defined the necessity of applying International Accounting and Reporting Standards by Russian companies. The article highlights the main elements and users of financial statements prepared on the basis of IFRS, and analyzes the similarities and differences that exist in the formation of financial statements, based on the requirements of IFRS and RAS. The main qualitative characteristics of financial statements are considered in detail. Based on the results of the research, the author has identified current trends in the transition to international financial reporting standards.

Research of Estimated Liabilities During the Audit of Accounting (Financial) Statements

Auditor ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 33-39
Author(s):  
N. Loseva
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
International Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards

The article discusses the estimated liabilities, their study and assessment in accordance with the provisions of Russian accounting standards (RAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

scholarly journals The Suitability of the Jordanian Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises to the Requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 242
Author(s):  
Rand AL-Hussamee ◽  
Mahmoud Nassar
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
International Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards

The aim of this study is to identify the suitability of Jordanian Small and Medium Sized Enterprises environment with the requirements of Financial Reporting Standards specific to them in the presentation of financial statements and explanations. Furthermore, to identify the constraints small and medium sized enterprises face when applying their own Financial Reporting Standards. In order to achieve objectives of the study, a questionnaire was designed to collect the necessary data; they were distributed to auditors licensed to practice the auditing profession in Jordan, the study sample consisted of 135 licensed auditors. The study concluded based on statistical tests that small and medium sized enterprises correspond to the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards specific to them in the presentation of financial statements. Also that the environment of small and medium sized enterprises correspond to the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards specific to them in the presentation of explanations to the financial statements.

scholarly journals Financial statements of banking institutions under IFRS as the main element of accounting

2020 ◽  
pp. 38-40
Author(s):  
Liubov SHEVCHENKO ◽  
Maryna Trokhymivna SHENDRYHORENKO ◽  
Vitaliia LIADSKA
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
International Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Main Element ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Important Indicator ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Banking Institutions ◽  
National Bank

The paper consider the stage of preparation, functions and essence of the financial statements of banking institutions, as well as its purpose. It is established that a necessary condition for the operation of each bank is a unique accounting system. The most important indicator that reflects the activities of banking institutions and financial institutions, as well as information of internal and external users for financial decisions is the financial report. Effective bank management depends on the integrity, reliability and reliability of the information provided. The financial statements of each bank reflect the results of activities for the light period. The bank must prepare financial statements in accordance with the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards and regulations of the National Bank of Ukraine and submit statistical reports on operations, liquidation, solvency, guidance and information. The effective functioning of the bank depends on various factors affecting its financial stability. All bank operations are exposed to risks, so customers, investors and their partners need certain guarantees of return on investment in banks. Especially important in modern conditions is the openness of all market participants, especially credit institutions. This is achieved by complete financial information about their activities. Notice of financial statements, which gives the participant a complete picture of financial stations, the results of its activities at the moment and in the future. Such information is easy to compare with the reporting data of foreign counterparties. The preparation of such reports should be regulated and enshrined in the legislation of Ukraine. However, now we have some discrepancies in the reporting of banks for IFRS in the requirements of the NBU and the requirements of the IFRS Committee. The paper examines the features of the financial statements, which are present banking institution, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards Reporting (IFRS) and requirements of the National Bank of Ukraine, differences between these requirements, as well as the benefits of the transition on IFRS for the banking sector and enterprises of Ukraine as a whole together with the problems of implementation in the Ukrainian banking system of International Financial Reporting Standards. The approach to the implementation of IFRS in banking institutions will ensure the creation of a new level of trust in potential partners, as well as attract foreign investment and loans, which will help solve national banking problems.

scholarly journals The influence of culture on disclosures in financial statements prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (101 (157)) ◽  
pp. 111-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerzy Gierusz ◽  
Katarzyna Koleśnik
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Comparative Studies ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
International Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Consolidated Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Financial Disclosures ◽  
The Impact

The primary objective of this article is to investigate the impact of culture (as measured by Hofstede) on disclosures in financial statements prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by firms from different countries. The sample comprises 2011−2013 consolidated financial statements of stock companies (excluding banks, insurance, and other financial institutions) from four countries repre- senting different cultural areas: the United Kingdom (Anglo), Germany (Germanic), Poland (Central Eastern Europe; CEE) and Kuwait (Arab). The research material came from 312 annual consolidated financial statements from 104 companies. The results reveal that cultural values have a significant impact on financial disclosures even after the use of IFRS. The paper is one of the few comparative studies attempting to assess the effects of culture on financial disclosures in Western Europe countries, CEE countries and Arab countries. Most of the international comparative studies in this research area have neglected CEE and Arab countries.

How Does Local Adoption of IFRS for Those Countries That Modified IFRS by Design, Impair Comparability with Countries That Have Not Adapted IFRS?

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 59-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Felski
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Reporting Environment ◽  
Proper Translation

ABSTRACT Global adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is thought to increase financial statement reliability and comparability. Although IFRS is required or allowed in over 130 nations, some countries modify IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). This study is designed to closely examine each country that modifies IFRS in an effort to determine whether these modifications impair financial statement comparability. First is that countries lack the resources to implement the newest version of IFRS or ensure proper translation of the standards. Second is that countries make specific changes to allow IFRS to better meet the needs of their financial reporting environment. I categorize the first set of countries as default countries and the second set as design countries. The study results in several interesting and useful contributions. First, I develop a new typology for future IFRS research that includes not only the locally adopted category, but also the default and design categories. Second, the details of how countries modify IFRS make it clear that differences can exist in financial statements prepared in different countries both using IFRS. The users must be careful to understand how comparability may be impacted by these modifications.

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