scholarly journals The Message Conveyed By IFRS-Compliant Information: A South African Perspective

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1041
Author(s):  
Pieter Van der Zwan ◽  
Nico Van der Merwe
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Financial Information ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Accounting Practitioners ◽  
African Perspective

South African companies must prepare financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or other reporting standards modelled on IFRS. Literature suggests that the complexity of IFRS, which stems from detailed rules-based principles in these standards, may harm the ability of users of financial statements to understand financial information in a meaningful way. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate whether selected users and preparers of financial statements in South Africa interpret selected IFRS-compliant information prepared in accordance with rules-based principles in the manner intended by the standard-setters. The results of the study, which are based on data gathered by administering a questionnaire that contained selected IFRS-compliant note disclosures to accounting practitioners, accountancy students, and non-accountants in business, suggest that the participants of the study did not understand such IFRS-compliant information as intended by the standard-setters. Additional disclosure, the adoption of a simplified accounting framework for Small and Medium-sized Entities (SMEs) and the use of an output-based continuing professional education (CPE) system are identified as areas that warrant further research to overcome the threats posed by rules-based principles in IFRS.

scholarly journals A critical analysis of the contents of the IFRS for SMEs - a South African perspective

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Petrus Schutte ◽  
Pieter Buys
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Accounting Practitioners ◽  
African Perspective ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Different Levels

The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) was developed to address the reporting needs of SMEs worldwide. Furthermore, SMEs from different parts of the world are exposed to different conditions and environments. Although the IFRS for SMEs was not intended for a specific user group,the majority of the respondents to the Exposure Draft on IFRS for SMEs were from Europe and other developed countries while only limited respondents from Africa and developing countries were involved.  This study considered the relevance of the contents of the IFRS for SMEs in the South African environment based on user requirements. Since SMEs do not necessarily have functional accounting departments and because they rely on external accountants to compile financial statements, we included accounting practitioners and trainee accountants from the SME sector in our survey. As a result we classified the contents of the IFRS for SMEs, from a South African perspective, into different levels of importance or relevance.

scholarly journals Reliability of Financial Information from the Perspective of Benford’s Law

Entropy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 557
Author(s):  
Ionel Jianu ◽  
Iulia Jianu
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Capital Market ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Information ◽  
Benford’S Law ◽  
Professional Judgment ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Benford's Law ◽  
Before And After

This study investigates the conformity to Benford’s Law of the information disclosed in financial statements. Using the first digit test of Benford’s Law, the study analyses the reliability of financial information provided by listed companies on an emerging capital market before and after the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The results of the study confirm the increase of reliability on the information disclosed in the financial statements after IFRS implementation. The study contributes to the existing literature by bringing new insights into the types of financial information that do not comply with Benford’s Law such as the amounts determined by estimates or by applying professional judgment.

scholarly journals Accounting practitioners’ views on the proposed “Micro GAAP”: A South African perspective

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hentie A. Van Wyk ◽  
Cobus Rossouw
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
The South ◽  
Reporting Framework ◽  
Accounting Practitioners ◽  
African Perspective

Even though the IFRS for SMEs does provide some relief in respect of the financial reporting burden for non-public entities, there still seems to be a need for an even lower level of financial reporting. In recent years South Africa embarked upon the development of a financial reporting framework for non-public entities and various versions of this so-called micro GAAP have been issued. However, the Accounting Practices Board raised some concerns about the then proposed micro GAAP. This article highlights the South African accounting practitioners’ views from different professional bodies on micro GAAP. They generally believe that micro GAAP will represent fair presentation and that the financial statements prepared under micro GAAP can still be regarded as general purpose financial statements. Furthermore, the majority of accounting practitioners believe that there is a definite need for a third tier of financial reporting in South Africa and indicated their preference of which entities may apply micro GAAP. Legal backing of micro GAAP is also considered appropriate by the practitioners.

scholarly journals Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Ghana and the Quality of Financial Statement Disclosures

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Kwame Agyei-Mensah
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Firm Size ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Information ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards

According to the IASB's IFRS framework, qualitative characteristics are the attributes that make the information provided in financial statements useful to others. This study was conducted to investigate the quality of financial reports before and after adopting IFRSs in Ghana, and also the influence of firm-specific characteristics which include firm size, profitability, debt equity ratio, liquidity and audit firm size on the quality of financial information disclosed by firms listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange.The research was conducted through detailed analysis of the pre-official adoption period, (2006) and post adoption period, (2008) financial statements of the listed firms.  Descriptive analysis was performed to provide the background statistics of the variables examined.  This was followed by regression analysis which forms the main data analysis.  The results of the quality of financial information disclosure mean of 76.80% (pre adoption) and 87.09% (post adoption) for the two years indicate that the quality of financial reports has improved significantly after adopting IFRSs. The study thus confirms that the implementation of IFRSs generally reinforce accounting disclosure quality.  It also indicates listed firms' overwhelming compliance with the IASB's IFRS Framework.The results of the multiple regression analysis show that company size, represented by net assets and Auditor type were found to be associated at a statistically significant level with the quality of financial information disclosed.  With the improvement in the quality of the financial reports after adopting IFRS users are assured of useful information for financial decision-making.Keywords: Quality of financial reports' disclosure, Firm-specific characteristics, International Financial Reporting Standards, Mandatory disclosure, Ghana. JEL Classifications: M40, M41, M48

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.

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).

Approaches to the Organization of International Accounting in Russian Enterprises

TEM Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 249-258
Author(s):  
Ekaterina V. Surkova ◽  
Galina A. Skachko ◽  
Larisa K. Nikandrova ◽  
Maria M. Starkova ◽  
Nina F. Sakharova
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Information ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Optimal Method ◽  
Accounting Standard ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Selection Of

The article discusses current issues of transformation of accounting information in accordance with international financial reporting standards (IFRS). This study is primarily aimed at developing approaches that determine the need for Russian enterprises to provide accounting information comparable at the international level. The authors analyze methods of transferring data from the Russian Accounting Standard (RAS) to IFRS. The methods used to form financial statements in accordance with IFRS are discussed. The issues of the application of these methods, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, are discussed. The author's approach to the selection of the optimal method of transformation is proposed taking into account the individual needs of organizations.

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