View source for International Financial Reporting Standards

{{short description|Technical standard}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Accounting |expanded=al}}
'''International Financial Reporting Standards''' ('''IFRS''') are [[accounting standard]]s issued by the [[IFRS Foundation]] and the [[International Accounting Standards Board]] (IASB).<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Posner|first=Elliot|date=2010-10-01|title=Sequence as explanation: The international politics of accounting standards|journal= Review of International Political Economy|volume=17|issue=4|pages=639–664|doi=10.1080/09692291003723748|s2cid=153508571|issn=0969-2290}}</ref> They constitute a standardised way of describing a company's financial performance and position so that company [[financial statements]] are understandable and comparable across international boundaries.<ref>{{cite web|author=IASB|url=https://www.ifrs.org/about-us/who-we-are/#about-us |title=Who we are|access-date=2019-09-13}}</ref> They are particularly relevant for companies with publicly listed shares or securities.

IFRS have replaced many different national accounting standards around the world but have not replaced the separate accounting standards in the United States, where [[Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (United States)|US GAAP]] is applied.

==History==

The [[International Accounting Standards Committee]] (IASC) was established in June 1973 by accountancy bodies representing ten countries. It devised and published International Accounting Standards (IAS), interpretations and a conceptual framework. These were looked to by many national accounting standard-setters in developing national standards.<ref>{{cite web|author=Deloitte |url=https://www.iasplus.com/en/resources/ifrsf/history/resource25
|title=International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) |access-date=2019-07-29}}</ref>

In 2001, the [[International Accounting Standards Board]] (IASB) replaced the IASC with a remit to bring about convergence between national accounting standards through the development of global accounting standards. During its first meeting the new Board adopted existing IAS and Standing Interpretations Committee standards (SICs). The IASB has continued to develop standards, calling the new standards "International Financial Reporting Standards" (IFRS).<ref>{{cite web|author=IASB |url=https://www.ifrs.org/about-us/who-we-are/#history |title=Who we are, history |access-date=2019-07-29}}</ref>

In 2002, the [[European Union]] (EU) agreed that, from 1 January 2005, International Financial Reporting Standards would apply for the consolidated accounts of EU-listed companies, bringing about the introduction of IFRS to many large entities. Other countries have since followed the lead of the EU.

In 2021, on the occasion of COP26 of the [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change]] in Glasgow, the IFRS Foundation announced the formation of the new International Sustainability Standards Board, ISSB.<ref>{{cite web|author=IFRS Foundation |url=https://www.ifrs.org/news-and-events/news/2021/11/ifrs-foundation-announces-issb-consolidation-with-cdsb-vrf-publication-of-prototypes/
|title=IFRS Foundation announces International Sustainability Standards Board, consolidation with CDSB and VRF, and publication of prototype disclosure requirements |access-date=2021-11-15}}</ref>

==Adoption==
IFRS Standards are required or permitted in 132 jurisdictions across the world, including major countries and territories such as [[Australia]], [[Brazil]], [[Canada]], [[Chile]], the [[European Union]], [[Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf|GCC countries]], [[Hong Kong]], [[India]], [[Israel]], [[Malaysia]], [[Pakistan]], [[Philippines]], [[Russia]],  [[Singapore]], [[South Africa]], [[South Korea]], [[Taiwan]], and [[Turkey]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Use of IFRS by jurisdiction |url=https://www.iasplus.com/en/resources/ifrs-topics/use-of-ifrs |website=IAS Plus |publisher=Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited |access-date=11 June 2023}}</ref>

To assess progress towards the goal of a single set of global accounting standards, the IFRS Foundation has developed and posted profiles of the use of IFRS Standards in individual jurisdictions. These are based on information from various sources, with the starting point being the responses provided by standard-setting and other relevant bodies to a survey that the IFRS Foundation conducted. As of August 2019, profiles are completed for 166 jurisdictions, with 166 jurisdictions requiring the use of IFRS Standards.<ref name="Profiles of the IFRS Foundation">[http://www.ifrs.org/use-around-the-world/use-of-ifrs-standards-by-jurisdiction/ Profiles of the IFRS Foundation]</ref>

Due to the difficulty of maintaining up-to-date information in individual jurisdictions, three sources of information on current worldwide IFRS adoption are recommended:
* IFRS Foundation profiles page<ref name="Profiles of the IFRS Foundation"/>
* [[The World Bank]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/rosc |title=World Bank Reports on the Observance of Standards and Codes |access-date=30 July 2019 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806115708/https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/rosc |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[International Federation of Accountants]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ifac.org/about-ifac/membership/member-organizations-and-country-profiles |title=IFAC Member Organizations and Country Profiles |access-date=30 July 2019 |archive-date=10 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810054955/https://www.ifac.org/about-ifac/membership/member-organizations-and-country-profiles |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[Ray J. Ball]] described the expectation by the European Union and others that IFRS adoption worldwide would be beneficial to investors and other users of financial statements, by reducing the costs of comparing investment opportunities and increasing the quality of information.<ref name=Ball2006/> Companies are also expected to benefit, as investors will be more willing to provide financing. Companies that have high levels of international activities are among the group that would benefit from a switch to IFRS Standards. Companies that are involved in foreign activities and investing benefit from the switch due to the increased comparability of a set accounting standard.<ref>Bradshaw, M., ''et al'' (2010). Response to the SEC's Proposed Rule- Roadmap for the Potential Use of Financial Statements Prepared in Accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by U.S. Issuers. ''Accounting Horizons''(24)1</ref> However, Ray J. Ball has expressed some scepticism of the overall cost of the international standard; he argues that the enforcement of the standards could be lax, and the regional differences in accounting could become obscured behind a label. He also expressed concerns about the fair value emphasis of IFRS and the influence of accountants from non-[[common-law]] regions, where losses have been recognised in a less timely manner.<ref name=Ball2006>Ball R. (2006). [https://www.academia.edu/2480000/International_Financial_Reporting_Standards_IFRS_pros_and_cons_for_investors ''Accounting and Business Research'']</ref>

==US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles==
{{see also|Convergence of accounting standards#United States}}
[[Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (United States)|US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles]], commonly called US GAAP, remains separate from IFRS.  The [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|Securities Exchange Committee (SEC)]] requires the use of US GAAP by domestic companies with listed securities and does not permit them to use IFRS; US GAAP is also used by some companies in Japan and the rest of the world.

In 2002 IASB and the [[Financial Accounting Standards Board]] (FASB), the body supporting US GAAP, announced a programme known as the [[Norwalk Agreement]] that aimed at eliminating differences between IFRS and US GAAP.<ref>{{cite web|author=FASB|url=https://www.fasb.org/intl/convergence_iasb.shtml|title=Convergence with the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB)|access-date=2019-07-31|archive-date=31 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731160358/https://www.fasb.org/intl/convergence_iasb.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2012 the SEC announced that it expected separate US GAAP to continue for the foreseeable future but sought to encourage further work to align the two standards.<ref>{{cite web|author=PwC|url= https://www.pwc.com/us/en/cfodirect/issues/ifrs-adoption-convergence.html|title=IFRS in the US|work= PwC|access-date=2019-07-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=SEC|url=https://www.sec.gov/news/statement/white-2016-01-05.html |title= A U.S. Imperative: High-Quality, Globally Accepted Accounting Standards|access-date=2019-07-31}}</ref>

IFRS is sometimes described as principles-based, as opposed to a rules-based approach in US GAAP; in US GAAP there is more instruction in the application of standards to specific examples and industries.<ref>{{cite web|author=AICPA|url=https://www.ifrs.com/overview/General/differences.html|title=Is IFRS That Different From U.S. GAAP?|access-date=2019-07-31|archive-date=31 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731160345/https://www.ifrs.com/overview/General/differences.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting==

The Conceptual Framework serves as a tool for the IASB to develop standards. It does not override the requirements of individual IFRSs. Some companies may use the Framework as a reference for selecting their accounting policies in the absence of specific IFRS requirements.<ref>{{cite web |author= KPMG |url= https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2018/03/revised-conceptual-framework-290318.html |title= Conceptual Framework – The new foundation for IFRS |date= 2018-03-29 |access-date= 2019-08-27 |archive-date= 27 August 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190827161506/https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2018/03/revised-conceptual-framework-290318.html |url-status= dead }}</ref>

===Objective of financial statements===

The Conceptual Framework states that the primary purpose of financial information is to be useful to existing and potential investors, lenders and other creditors when making decisions about the financing of the entity and exercising rights to vote on, or otherwise influence, management's actions that affect the use of the entity's economic resources.<ref>{{cite web|author=Mazars|url=https://mazarsledger.com/key-features-of-the-new-ifrs-conceptual-framework/|title=Key Features of the New IFRS Conceptual Framework|date=2018-06-25|access-date=2019-08-29|archive-date=29 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829174646/https://mazarsledger.com/key-features-of-the-new-ifrs-conceptual-framework/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Users base their expectations of returns on their assessment of:
*The amount, timing and uncertainty of future net cash inflows to the entity;
*Management's stewardship of the entity's resources.

===Qualitative characteristics of financial information ===

The Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting defines the fundamental qualitative characteristics of financial information to be:<ref>{{cite web|author=Deloitte|url=https://www.iasplus.com/en/standards/other/framework |title=Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting 2018 |access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref>
* Relevance; and 
* Faithful representation

The Framework also describes the following enhancing 
qualitative characteristics:
* Comparability
* Verifiability
* Timeliness
* Understandability

===Elements of financial statements===

The Conceptual Framework defines the elements of financial statements to be:<ref>International Accounting Standards Board (2010). Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting, paragraph 4</ref>

* '''[[Asset]]''': A present economic resource controlled by the entity as a result of past events which are expected to generate future economic benefits.
* '''[[Liability (financial accounting)|Liability]]''': A present obligation of the entity to transfer an economic resource as a result of past events.
* '''[[Equity (finance)|Equity]]''': The residual interest in the assets of the entity after deducting all its liabilities.
* '''[[Income]]''': 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 (for example owners, partners or shareholders).
* '''[[Expense]]s''': Decreases in assets, or increases in liabilities, that result in decreases in equity. However, these do not include the distributions made to the equity participants.
* '''Other changes in economic resources and claims''': Contributions from holders of equity and distributions to them.

===Recognition of elements of financial statements===

An item is recognized in the financial statements when:<ref>[http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/bnstandards/en/2013/conceptualframework.pdf Paragraph 4.38 of the Conceptual Framework of IFRS ]</ref>
* it is probable that future economic benefit will flow to or from an entity.
* the resource can be reliably measured

In some cases specific standards add additional conditions before recognition is possible or prohibit recognition altogether.

An example is the recognition of internally generated brands, [[Nameplate (publishing)|mastheads]], publishing titles, customer lists and items similar in substance, for which recognition is prohibited by IAS 38.<ref>[http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/bnstandards/en/2013/ias38.pdf Paragraph 63 of the IFRS standard IAS 38]</ref> In addition research and development expenses can only be recognised as an intangible asset if they cross the threshold of being classified as 'development cost'.<ref>[http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/bnstandards/en/2013/ias38.pdf Paragraphs 54 and 57 of the IFRS standard IAS 38]</ref>

Whilst the standard on provisions, IAS 37, prohibits the recognition of a provision for contingent liabilities,<ref>[http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/bnstandards/en/2013/ias37.pdf Paragraph 27 of the IFRS standard IAS 37]</ref> this prohibition is not applicable to the accounting for contingent liabilities in a business combination. In that case the acquirer shall recognise a contingent liability even if it is not probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required.<ref>[http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/bnstandards/en/2013/ifrs3.pdf Paragraph 23 of the IFRS standard IFRS 3]</ref>

===Concepts of capital and capital maintenance===

Concepts of capital maintenance are important as only income earned in excess of amounts needed to maintain capital may be regarded as profit. The Conceptual Framework describes the following concepts of capital maintenance:<ref>{{cite web|author=IASB staff paper|url=https://www.aasb.gov.au/admin/file/content102/c3/M131_11.8_IASB_Conceptual_Framework_Capital_Maintenance_10J(a).pdf |title=Draft discussion paper: Capital maintenance|date=April 2013|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref>
 
*Financial capital maintenance. Under this concept a profit is earned only if the financial 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; 
*Physical capital maintenance. Under this concept a profit is earned only if the physical productive capacity (or operating capacity) 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 period, after excluding any distributions to, and contributions from owners during the period.

Most entities adopt a financial concept of capital maintenance. However, the Conceptual Framework does not prescribe any model of capital maintenance.

==Requirements==

===Presentation of financial statements===
IFRS financial statements consist of:<ref>International Accounting Standards Board (2007). IAS1, Presentation of Financial Statements, paragraph 10</ref>
* a [[statement of financial position]] (balance sheet)
* a [[statement of comprehensive income]].  This may be presented as a single statement or with a separate [[income statement|statement of profit and loss]] and a statement of other comprehensive income.
* a [[statement of changes in equity]]
* a [[statement of cash flows]]
* notes, including a summary of the significant accounting policies.

Comparative information is required for the prior reporting period.

===General features===

The following are the general features of IFRS:
* Fair presentation and compliance with IFRS: Fair presentation requires the faithful representation of the effects of the transactions, other events and conditions in accordance with the definitions and recognition criteria for assets, liabilities, income and expenses set out in the Framework of IFRS.<ref>[http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/bnstandards/en/2013/ias1.pdf Paragraph 15 of the standard IAS 1]</ref> 
*[[Going concern]]: Financial statements are present on a going concern basis unless management either intends to liquidate the entity or to cease trading, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.<ref>[http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/bnstandards/en/2013/ias1.pdf Paragraph 25 of the standard IAS 1]</ref>
*[[Accrual method|Accrual basis of accounting]]: An entity shall recognise items as assets, liabilities, equity, income and expenses when they satisfy the definition and recognition criteria for those elements in the Framework of IFRS.<ref>[http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/bnstandards/en/2013/ias1.pdf Paragraph 28 of the standard IAS 1]</ref>
*[[Materiality (auditing)|Materiality]] and aggregation: Every material class of similar items has to be presented separately. Items that are of a dissimilar nature or function shall be presented separately unless they are immaterial.<ref>[http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/bnstandards/en/2013/ias1.pdf Paragraph 29 of the standard IAS 1]</ref>
*[[Offset (law)|Offsetting]]: Offsetting is generally forbidden in IFRS.<ref>[http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/bnstandards/en/2013/ias1.pdf Paragraph 32 of the standard IAS 1]</ref> However certain standards require offsetting when specific conditions are satisfied (such as in case of the accounting for defined benefit liabilities in IAS 19<ref>[http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/bnstandards/en/2013/ias19.pdf Paragraph 57, 63 of the standard IAS 19]</ref> and the net presentation of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets in IAS 12<ref>[http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/bnstandards/en/2013/ias12.pdf Paragraph 71 of the standard IAS 12]</ref>).
* Frequency of reporting: IFRS requires that at least annually a complete set of financial statements is presented.<ref>[http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/bnstandards/en/2013/ias1.pdf Paragraph 36 of the standard IAS 1]</ref> However listed companies generally also publish interim financial statements (for which the accounting is fully IFRS compliant) for which the presentation is in accordance with IAS 34 ''Interim Financing Reporting''.  
* Comparative information: IFRS requires entities to present comparative information in respect of the preceding period for all amounts reported in the current period's financial statements. In addition comparative information shall also be provided for narrative and descriptive information if it is relevant to understanding the current period's financial statements.<ref>[http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/bnstandards/en/2013/ias1.pdf Paragraph 38 of the standard IAS 1]</ref> The standard IAS 1 also requires an additional statement of financial position (also called a third balance sheet) when an entity applies an accounting policy retrospectively or makes a retrospective restatement of items in its financial statements, or when it reclassifies items in its financial statements. This for example occurred with the adoption of the revised standard IAS 19 (as of 1 January 2013) or when the new consolidation standards IFRS 10-11-12 were adopted (as of 1 January 2013 or 2014 for companies in the European Union).<ref>[http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/bnstandards/en/2013/ias1.pdf Paragraph 10f of the standard IAS 1]</ref>
* Consistency of presentation: IFRS requires that the presentation and classification of items in the financial statements is retained from one period to the next unless: {{Ordered list|list-style-type=lower-alpha and

| it is apparent, following a significant change in the nature of the entity's operations or a review of its financial statements, that another presentation or classification would be more appropriate having regard to the criteria for the selection and application of accounting policies in IAS 8; or
| an IFRS standard requires a change.}}

===Cash flow statements===

Cash flow statements in IFRS are presented as follows:<ref>International Accounting Standards Board (2016). IAS 7, Statement of Cash Flows</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Deloitte|url=https://www.iasplus.com/en/standards/ias/ias7 |title=IAS 7 – Statement of Cash|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref>

* '''Operating cash flows''': the principal revenue-producing activities of the entity and are generally calculated by applying the indirect method, whereby profit or loss is adjusted for the effects of transaction of a non-cash nature, any deferrals or accruals of past or future cash receipts or payments, and items of income or expense associated with investing or financing cash flows.
* '''Investing cash flows''': the acquisition and disposal of long-term assets and other investments not included in cash equivalents. These represent the extent to which expenditures have been made for resources intended to generate future income and cash flows. Only expenditures that result in a recognised asset in the statement of financial position are eligible for classification as investing activities.
* '''Financing cash flows''': activities that result in changes in the size and composition of the contributed equity and borrowings of the entity. These are important because they are useful in predicting claims on future cash flows by providers of capital to the entity.

==Criticisms==

In 2012, staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a report setting out observations on a potential adoption of IFRS in the United States. This included the following criticisms:<ref>{{cite web|author=SEC staff|url=https://www.sec.gov/spotlight/globalaccountingstandards/ifrs-work-plan-final-report.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.sec.gov/spotlight/globalaccountingstandards/ifrs-work-plan-final-report.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Work Plan for the Consideration of Incorporating International Financial Reporting Standards into the Financial Reporting System for U.S. Issuers|date=2012-07-13|access-date=2019-08-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Emily Chasan, Wall Street Journal|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/cfo/2012/07/13/sec-staff-offers-127-pages-of-reasons-not-to-adopt-ifrs/|title=SEC Staff Offers 127 Pages of Reasons Not to Adopt IFRS|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=2012-07-13|access-date=2019-08-21}}</ref>

*that it would be expensive for companies to move to compliance with IFRS;
*that the IASB had reliance on funding from large accounting firms which might jeopardise its actual or perceived independence;
*that the process of convergence of IFRS with US GAAP had not made progress in some areas;
*that the valuation of inventory under Last In First Out (LIFO) remains common in the United States, where it has some tax advantages, but would be prohibited under IFRS;
*that IFRS is not comprehensive in its coverage.

IASB staff have responded to these observations and concluded that there were no insurmountable obstacles for the adoption of IFRS by the United States.<ref>{{cite web|author=IASB |url=https://www.ifrs.org/-/media/feature/groups/trustees/analysis-of-sec-final-staff-report.pdf?la=en |title=Analysis of SEC Final Staff Report |date=2012-10-22|access-date=2019-08-21}}</ref>

In 2013 IASB member Philippe Danjou listed ten common criticisms of IFRS. He sought to counter these, describing them as misconceptions:<ref>{{cite web|author=Deloitte |url=https://www.iasplus.com/en-us/news/2013/02/danjou-misperceptions-paper |title=Philippe Danjou answers 10 misconceptions about IFRS|date=2013-02-06|access-date=2019-08-21}}</ref>
*IFRS practise a generalized "fair value".
*IFRS are intended to reflect the global financial value of the company.
*IFRS deny the concept of accounting conservatism.
*IFRS give prominence to economic reality over legal form.
*Directors can not make heads or tails of IFRS financial statements.
*IFRS financial statements do not reflect the business model.
*Financial instruments are stated at "full fair value", thereby maximizing earnings volatility.  The "fair value" is always defined as "market value" even when markets are illiquid. 
*The treatment of business combinations is irrational. 
*IFRSs create accounting volatility that does not reflect the economic reality.

Charles Lee, a professor of accounting at [[Stanford Graduate School of Business]], has also criticised the use of fair values in financial reporting.<ref>{{cite web|author=Charles Lee|url=https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/charles-lee-why-fair-value-accounting-isnt-fair |title=Why fair value isn't fair |date=2013-02-06|access-date=2019-08-21}}</ref>

In 2019, H. David Sherman and S. David Young criticised the current state of financial reporting under IFRS and US GAAP:<ref>{{cite journal |author=Sherman |first=H. David |last2=Young |first2=S. David |date=2016-07-01 |title=Where financial reporting still fall short |url=https://hbr.org/2016/07/where-financial-reporting-still-falls-short |journal=Harvard Business Review |access-date=2019-08-21}}</ref>
*Convergence of reporting standards has stalled.  IFRS is not consistently applied; 
*Alternative methods of revenue recognition make it difficult to interpret reported results; 
*Many companies are using unofficial measures, for example [[Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization|earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation]] (EBITDA), whether to get around a deficiency in the format in accounting standards or potentially to mislead users;
*Companies can control decisions on expenditure to manage results.

== Differences between IFRS and GAAP ==
There are two frameworks that investors and accountants recognize on a global scale: International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and [[Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (United States)|U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles]] (GAAP).<ref>{{Cite web |title=GAAP vs. IFRS: What's the Difference? |url=https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/011315/what-difference-between-gaap-and-ifrs.asp |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Investopedia |language=en}}</ref> They both serve to ensure transparency and consistency in financial statements. However, they take a vastly different approach to recognizing revenues, reporting leases, and recording inventory. IFRS is followed in over 140 countries, and the system is more principle-based as it gives businesses flexibility in applying standards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFRS - Why global accounting standards? |url=https://www.ifrs.org/use-around-the-world/why-global-accounting-standards/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=www.ifrs.org}}</ref> GAAP on the other hand, is used almost exclusively in the United States and is governed by the [[Financial Accounting Standards Board]] (FASB). This system is rule-based and much stricter, and it provides industry-specific guidelines. These differences don’t just affect accountants, they also impact how businesses operate and how investors interpret financial performance.

Take two companies for example, one in the U.S. and one in Europe, both selling software subscriptions. Even though they operate the same way, they report their revenues differently, due to the divide between IFRS and GAAP. Both companies follow a five-step model under [[IFRS 15]] and GAAP (ASC 606),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Complying with ASC 606 and IFRS 15 |url=https://certinia.com/learn/revenue-recognition/complying-with-asc-606-and-ifrs-15/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Certinia |language=en-US}}</ref> but GAAP includes extra layers of industry-specific guidance for sectors such as real estate, software, and financial services.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://fasb.org/page/PageContent?pageId=/projects/recentlycompleted/revenue-recognition-summary.html |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=fasb.org}}</ref> This means that a software company in the U.S. might have detailed, step-by-step rules enforcing revenue from subscriptions. In contrast, international companies using IFRS have more flexibility in applying general principles. For companies operating both frameworks, this can lead to confusion when reporting revenue across different financial statements.

=== Lease accounting ===
Lease accounting is another crucial part representing the different approaches that IFRS and GAAP take. For [[IFRS 16]], every lease must be recorded on the balance sheet and classified as a right-to-use asset with a corresponding liability.<ref>{{Cite web |last=PricewaterhouseCoopers |title=IFRS 16 Leases expands the balance sheet |url=https://www.pwc.ch/en/insights/disclose/24/ifrs-16-leases-standard-expands-the-balance-sheet.html |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=PwC |language=en-ch}}</ref> However, GAAP (ASC842) maintains two types of leases: one on the balance sheet and operating leases, which are generally not recorded on the balance sheet.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fasb.org/page/PageContent?pageId=/projects/recentlycompleted/leases-topic-842lessorsleases-with-variable-lease-payments--postissuance-summary.html&isstaticpage=true |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=www.fasb.org}}</ref> While this approach allows U.S. companies to hide some lease obligations, critics like H. David Sherman and S. David Young argue that it complicates financial comparisons, especially for global investors trying to assess companies’ liabilities.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-07-01 |title=Where Financial Reporting Still Falls Short |url=https://hbr.org/2016/07/where-financial-reporting-still-falls-short |access-date=2025-02-27 |work=Harvard Business Review |language=en |issn=0017-8012}}</ref>

=== Inventory valuation ===
Another divergence is inventory valuation. IFRS and GAAP differ in their models, [[FIFO and LIFO accounting|Last In First Out]] (LIFO) and [[First In First Out]] (FIFO). This is primarily a difference in accounting-based calculations, which can significantly impact results during fluctuating inventory costs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Does Inventory Accounting Differ Between GAAP and IFRS? |url=https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/052015/how-does-inventory-accounting-differ-between-gaap-and-ifrs.asp |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Investopedia |language=en}}</ref> IFRS adopts the FIFO method, while GAAP utilizes the LIFO method. The LIFO method can provide tax savings during periods of inflation since it results in lower reported profits. However, the inconsistency between the two strategies might cause inconvenience for companies trying to use a standardized rule to value themselves, as using different calculation methods may not always be an apples-to-apples comparison.

=== Economic opportunities ===
For businesses, the divergence in the two methods isn't just differences in number or technical detail, as they also have real-world consequences. Multinational corporations adjusting in both IFRS and GAAP jurisdictions must maintain separate financial reports, showing the inconvenience in the process. For investors, transparency and accuracy in the decision-making process might be disrupted by discrepancies in revenue timing, asset valuation, and lease obligations to get a clear picture of financial health. Despite ongoing efforts to harmonize the two systems, significant gaps remain, and full convergence may never happen. For now, understanding these variations is crucial, not just for accountants but for anyone making investment decisions in a global economy.<ref>U.S. Department of the Treasury. (2017). ''A financial system that creates economic opportunities: Capital markets''. U.S. Department of the Treasury. <nowiki>https://home.treasury.gov/sites/default/files/2018-03/A-Financial-System-Capital-Markets-FINAL-FINAL.pdf</nowiki></ref>

==Economic effects==
Many researchers have studied the effects of IFRS adoption, but results are unclear. For example, one study<ref name="DaskeHail2013">{{cite journal|last1=Daske|first1=Holger|last2=Hail|first2=Luzi|last3=Leuz|first3=Christian|last4=Verdi|first4=Rodrigo|title=Adopting a Label: Heterogeneity in the Economic Consequences Around IAS/IFRS Adoptions|journal=Journal of Accounting Research|volume=51|issue=3|year=2013|pages=495–547|issn=0021-8456|doi=10.1111/1475-679X.12005|hdl=1721.1/88143|hdl-access=free}}</ref> used data from 26 countries to study the economic consequences of mandatory IFRS adoption. It showed that, on average, even though market liquidity increases around the time IFRS is introduced, it is unclear whether IFRS mandate adoption is the sole reason for observed market effects. Firms' reporting incentives, law enforcement, and increased comparability of financial reports can also explain the effects.
The adoption of IFRS in the European Union is a special case because it is an element of wider reforms aiming to consolidate the economies of member countries. One study reports positive market effects for companies adopting IFRS, but these positive effects occurred even before the transition took place.<ref name="Klimczak2011">{{cite journal |last1=Klimczak |first1=Karol |title=Market reaction to mandatory IFRS adoption: evidence from Poland |journal=Accounting & Management Information Systems / Contabilitate Si Informatica de Gestiune |date=2011 |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=228–248 |url=https://econpapers.repec.org/article/amijournl/v_3a10_3ay_3a2011_3ai_3a2_3ap_3a228-248.htm}}</ref> Another study looked at the development of the stock market in Poland; it found positive effects associated with Poland joining the EU but no specific effect attributable to its adoption of IFRS.<ref name="DobijaKlimczak2010">{{cite journal|last1=Dobija|first1=Dorota|last2=Klimczak|first2=Karol Marek|title=Development of accounting in Poland: Market efficiency and the value relevance of reported earnings|journal=The International Journal of Accounting|volume=45|issue=3|year=2010|pages=356–374|issn=0020-7063|doi=10.1016/j.intacc.2010.06.010|s2cid=155043665}}</ref> Interestingly, member states maintain a large degree of independence in setting national accounting standards for companies that prefer to stay local.<ref name="André2017">{{cite journal|last1=André|first1=Paul|title=The Role and Current Status of IFRS in the Completion of National Accounting Rules – Evidence from European Countries|journal= Accounting in Europe|volume=14|issue=1–2|year=2017|pages=1–12|issn=1744-9480|doi=10.1080/17449480.2017.1319965|s2cid=157333221}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of International Financial Reporting Standards]]
* [[Chinese accounting standards]]
* [[Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (Canada)]]
* [[French generally accepted accounting principles|Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (France)]]
* [[Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (UK)]]
* [[Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (United States)]]
* [[Indian Accounting Standards]]
* [[International Public Sector Accounting Standards]]
* [[Nepal Financial Reporting Standards]]
* [[Philosophy of accounting]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Library resources box}}

* International Accounting Standards Board (2007): ''International Financial Reporting Standards 2007 (including International Accounting Standards (IAS(tm)) and Interpretations as of 1 January 2007)'', LexisNexis, {{ISBN|1-4224-1813-8}}
* Original texts of IAS/IFRS, SIC and IFRIC adopted by the Commission of the European Communities and published in Official Journal of the European Union https://web.archive.org/web/20061020223959/http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/accounting/ias_en.htm#adopted-commission
* Case studies of [https://web.archive.org/web/20080404115922/http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Page.asp?intItemID=4355&lang=1 IFRS implementation] in [http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/c2isard33a1_en.pdf Brazil] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704052944/http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/c2isard33a1_en.pdf |date=4 July 2010 }}, [http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/c2isard33a2_en.pdf Germany] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704053024/http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/c2isard33a2_en.pdf |date=4 July 2010 }}, [http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/c2isard33a3_en.pdf India], [http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/c2isard33a4_en.pdf Jamaica] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704053006/http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/c2isard33a4_en.pdf |date=4 July 2010 }}, [http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/c2isard33a5_en.pdf Kenya] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331213837/http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/c2isard33a5_en.pdf |date=31 March 2010 }}, [http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/c2isard38_en.pdf Pakistan], [http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/c2isard39_en.pdf South Africa] and [http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/c2isard40_en.pdf Turkey]. Prepared by the United Nations Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR).
* Wiley Guide to Fair Value Under IFRS [http://ca.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470477083.html], [[John Wiley & Sons]].
* Perramon, J., & Amat, O. (2006). [http://repositori.upf.edu/bitstream/handle/10230/658/975.pdf?sequence=1 IFRS introduction and its effect on listed companies in Spain]. Economics Working Papers 975, Department of Economics and Business, Universitat Pompeu Fabra. ''Available at SSRN 1002516''.

==External links==
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* [https://www.ifrs.org/ IFRS Foundation]
* [https://www.ifrs.org/groups/international-accounting-standards-board/ International Accounting Standards Board]
** [https://web.archive.org/web/19970522055936/http://www.iasb.org/ The International Accounting Standards Board] – (Archive) Free access to all IFRS standards, news and status of projects in progress
* [http://www.pwc.com/ifrs PwC IFRS page] with news and downloadable documents
* [http://www.icaew.com/index.cfm/route/112935/icaew_ga/en/Technical_amp_Business_Topics/Topics/Accounting_and_corporate_reporting/International_Financial_Reporting_Standards_IFRS The latest IFRS news and resources from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)]
* [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/JOHtml.do?uri=OJ:L:2003:261:SOM:EN:HTML Initial publication of the International Accounting Standards in the Official Journal of the European Union PB L 261 13-10-2003]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060701153800/http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l26040.htm Directorate Internal Market of the European Union on the implementation of the IAS in the European Union]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121015074952/http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_GB/uk/industries/financial-services/sector-focus/capital-markets/2c557501a5b91210VgnVCM200000bb42f00aRCRD.htm Deloitte: An Overview of International Financial Reporting Standards]
* [http://www.ifrs.com/ The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) in partnership with its marketing and technology subsidiary, CPA2Biz, has developed the IFRS.com web site.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929110906/https://www.ifrs.com/ |date=29 September 2019 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080820034229/http://www.rsmrichter.com/ifrs.aspx RSM Richter IFRS page] with news and downloadable documents related to IFRS Conversions in Canada
*[https://www.sec.gov/rules/proposed/33-8397.htm U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission] Proposal for First-Time Application of International Financial Reporting Standards by Foreign private issuers registered with the SEC
* [http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/ECAEXT/EXTCENFINREPREF/0,,contentMDK:22577649~pagePK:64168445~piPK:64168309~theSitePK:4152118,00.html IFRS for SMEs]  Presented by Michael Wells, Director of the IFRS Education Initiative at the IASC Foundation
* [http://www.pwc.com/us/en/issues/ifrs-reporting/country-adoption/index.jhtml Pricewaterhousecoopers's map of countries that apply IFRS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829180145/http://www.pwc.com/us/en/issues/ifrs-reporting/country-adoption/index.jhtml |date=29 August 2012 }}
* [http://www.ey.com/IN/en/Issues/IFRS EY IFRS page]{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }} with insights on IFRS Standards
* [https://rsmus.com/insights/financial-reporting/us-gaap-vs-ifrs-comparisons-series.html U.S. GAAP vs. IFRS comparisons] from [[RSM US]]
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