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NO.
1.
2.
OBJECTIVES OF IFRS
CHARACTERISTICS OF IFRS
4.
11
5.
12
6.
GLOBAL CONVERGENCE
15
7.
CONVERGENCE IN INDIA
18
8.
26
9.
27
10.
29
11.
RELATED AMENDMENTS
30
12.
CONCLUSION
31
13.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
32
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are global accounting standards used by more
than 100 countries in the world. The International accounting standards Board (IASB), a private sector
body, develops and approves IFRS. The IASB replaced the International Accounting standards
Committee (IASC) in 2001.
I.F.R.S. represent sets of financial reporting standards issued by International Accounting
Standards Board (I.A.S.B.). This Board is independent standard setting body of International
Accounting Standards Committee Foundation (I.A.S.C.). In July 2005 IASC Foundation was formed. It
constitutes team of 22 trustees from various countries.
SCOPEOF IFRS
The term IFRS has both, a narrow and a broad meaning. Narrowly, IFRS refers to the new
numbered series of pronouncements that the IASB is issuing, as distinct from the IAS series issued
earlier. More broadly, IFRS refers to the entire body of IASB pronouncements, including standards
and interpretations.
Till date, IASB has issued 41 IAS and 9 IFRS. 33 SIC (Standing Interpretations Committee) are
also issued to provide guidance on some interpretation issues arising from IAS and IFRS.
2. OBJECTIVES OF IFRS
The objective of IFRS is to ensure that an entitys first financial statements, and its interim
financial reports contain high quality information which is :
1
2
3
Conceptual Framework for Financial Statements issued under IFRS is summed up below :
1
Stewardship :
Relevance :
The information provided in financial statements must be relevant to the decisions of users.
Information has the quality of relevance when it helps users to evaluate past, present or future events
or confirming, or correcting, their past evaluations.
2
Materiality:
Information is material if its omission or misstatement could influence the decisions of users.
Materiality depends on the size of the item or error judged in the particular circumstances of its
omission or misstatement. Materiality provides a cut-off point for relevance.
Reliability:
which it either purports to represents or could reasonably be expected to represent. Financial statements
are not free from bias if, by the selection or presentation of information, they are intended to
influence the making of decision or judgment in order to achieve a predetermined result or outcome.
The information should be complete, neutral and free from error. To be reliable, the information in
financial statements must be complete within the bounds of materiality and cost. An omission can
cause information to be false or misleading and thus unreliable and deficient in terms in terms of its
relevance.
4
Comparability :
Users must be able to compare the financial statements of an entity through time to identify
trends in its financial position and performance. Users must also be able to compare the financial
statements of different entities to evaluate their relative financial position, performance and cash
flows. The measurement and display of the financial effects of similar transactions and other events
and conditions must be carried out in a consistent way throughout an entity and over time for the
entity, and in a consistent way across entities. Users must be informed of the accounting policies
employed in the preparation of the financial statements, and of any changes in those policies and the
effects of such changes.
5
Timeliness :
To be relevant, financial information must be able to influence the economic decisions of users.
Timeliness involves providing the information within the decision time frame. If there is undue delay
in the reporting of information it may lose its relevance. Management may need to balance the
relative merits of timely reporting and the provision of reliable information. In achieving a balance
between relevance and reliability, the overriding consideration is how best to satisfy the needs of
users in making economic decisions.
6
benefits and costs is substantially a judge mental process. Furthermore, the costs are not necessarily
borne by those users who enjoy the benefits, and often the benefits of the information are enjoyed
by a broad range of external users. Financial reporting information helps capital providers make better
decisions, which results in more efficient functioning of capital markets and a lower cost of capital
for the economy as a whole.
First-time
Adoption
of
International
Financial
Standards.
IFRS 2
Share-based Payment
IFRS 3
Business Combinations
IFRS 4
Insurance Contracts
IFRS 5
IFRS 6
IFRS 7
IFRS 8
Operating Segments
IFRS 9
Financial Instruments
Reporting
Issue Date :
IFRS 1 (First Time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards) was issued in June
2003.
Application :
It applies to an entity whose first IFRS financial statement are for a period beginning on or
after 1 January 2004. It applies when an entity adopts IFRSs for the first by an explicit statement
of compliance with IFRSs. Most companies apply IFRS 1 when they move from local accounting
standards to international accounting standards.
Definitions :
a First IFRS reporting period - the latest reporting period covered by first IFRS financial
statement.
b First time adopter an entity that presents first IFRS financial statements in which an
c
Objective :
The objective of this IFRS is to ensure that an entitys first IFRS financial statements, and
its interim financial reports for part of the period covered by those financial statements, contain
high quality information that :
a Is transparent for users and comparable over all periods presented;
b Provides a suitable starting point for accounting in accordance with International Financial
c
Opening BS :
An entity shall prepare and present an opening IFRS statement of Financial position at the date
of transaction to IFRSs. This is the starting point for its accounting in accordance with IFRSs.
Accounting Policies :
An entity shall use the same accounting policies in its opening IFRS statement of financial
position and throughout all periods presented in its first IFRS financial statements. In general, those
accounting policies shall comply with each IFRS effective at the end of its first IFRS reporting
period. For example, if an entity adopts IFRS for the financial year ending on 31 st March, 2012, then
it should apply the accounting policies in effect as at 31 st March, 2012 for all the comparative
periods.
7
Steps :
In general, the IFRS requires an entity to do the following in the opening IFRS statement of
financial position that it prepares as a starting point for its accounting under IFRSs :
a
Include all assets and liabilities that the IFRS require (e.g. assets held under finance lease
IFRS (e.g. preferred shares with fixed maturity as debt rather than equity);
d Measure all assets and liabilities by applying IFRS (e.g. at cost, fair value or a discounted
e
8
amount); and
Adjust the difference due to above steps in the reserves (e.g. revaluation reserve).
Exemption :
The IFRS grants 10 limited exemptions from these requirements in specified areas where the
cost of complying with them would be likely to exceed the benefits to users of financial statements.
9
Prohibitions :
The IFRS also makes 4 prohibitions regarding retrospective application of IFRS in some areas.
Hindsight should not be used to revise estimates. The estimates made under previous local standards
can be revised only to correct objectives errors.
10 Disclosures :
The IFRS requires disclosures that explain the effects of transition from previous standards to
IFRS on the entitys reported financial position, financial performance and cash flows. The first IFRS
Financial Statement should include a reconciliation of :
i
ii
Equity and
Net profit, from previous GAAP to IFRS.
6. GLOBAL CONVERGENCE
NEED :
Each country has its own set of rules, regulations and reporting standards. When a company
decides to raise capital from the foreign markets, the rules and regulations of that foreign country will
apply. The final accounts in rupees need to be translated in foreign currency in order to be acceptable
to foreign investors.
If an Indian Company wishes to raise capital in the U.S., its final accounts based on Indian
Accounting Standards need to be re worked as per the U.S.A. accounting standards in order to be
acceptable to U.S. investors. The two SETS of accounts local and global must be comparable.
International analysts and investors would like to compare financial statements based on similar
accounting standards. There is a strong need to bring about uniformity, comparability, transparency and
adaptability in financial statements. Multiplicity of accounting standards around the world creates
confusion, encourages errors and facilitates fraud.
The financial statements will not be useful if accounting for the same events and information
produces different financial statements due to adoption of different sets of accounting standards. The
cure for these ills is to have a single set of high quality global standards. The convergence is very
much essential also for companies whose shares are listed in both domestic and foreign stock
exchange.
Precise : In precise terms, converge means to design and maintain national accounting standards
in a way that financial statements prepared in accordance with national accounting standards
draw unreserved statement of compliance with IFRS.
Exceptions : However, this does not imply that financial statements comply with IFRS only
when IFRS are adopted word by word. The IASB accepts that adding disclosure requirements
or removing optional treatments does not crates non compliance with IFRS. Indeed, the IASB
aims to remove optional treatments from IFRS. This makes it clear that if a country wants to
add a disclosure that is considered necessary in the local environment, or removes an optional
treatment, this will not amount to non compliance with IFRS. Thus, convergence with IFRS
means adoption of IFRS with the above exceptions, where necessary.
Entities : For a country to be IFRS compliant, it is not necessary that IFRS are applied to all
entities of different sizes and of different public interests. Even the IASB recognizes that IFRS
are suitable for publicity accountable entities. The IASB has, therefore, recently issued a
separate set of IFRS for Small and Medium sized Entities (SME).
CHALLENGES :
The process of convergence faces the following challenges :
a
b
c
d
e
Preparing financial statements under IFRS poses a great challenge to the accountants.
Cultural, legal and political differences may cause difficulties in convergence.
Reconciliation and restatement of financial statements is costly.
There are disagreements in some countries with the requirements of certain specific IFRS.
Some IFRS are complicated in nature.
EXTENT :
IFRS are used in many parts of the world, including the European union, Australia, South Africa
and Russia. More than 100 countries have required or permitted the use of IFRS since 2001 and the
number is excepted to increase to 150 by 2011.
The Group of 20 leader countries (G20) reaffirmed their commitment to global convergence in
accounting standards in a meeting held at Pittsburgh (United States) in September 2009, calling on
international accounting bodies to complete their convergence project by June 2011.
Some of the major countries that are seeking to converge with IFRS by 2011 include Canada,
Korea, India and Brazil.
7. CONVERGENCE IN INDIA
NEEDS :
In the era of globalization, India cannot ignore the developments taking place worldwide.
High quality financial reporting is essential for a global capital market. A few Indian companies
are already listed on overseas stock exchanges and many more are in the process of getting
themselves listed. Also, the recent acquisitions of foreign companies by Indian companies makes a
stronger case for adoption of IFRS.
At present, the Accounting Standards Board (ASB) of the Inst. of C.A. of India (ICAI)
formulates the Accounting Standards (AS) based on IFRS. However, these standards remain
sensitive to local conditions, including the legal and economic environment. AS issued by ICAI
depart from the corresponding IFRS in order to ensure consistency with legal, regulatory and
economic environment of India.
ROLE OF ICAI :
Convergence with IFRS would require several changes in Indian laws and decision processes.
In India, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is on way towards convergence of
its Accounting Standards (AS) with global reporting standards. The ICAI, being a member of the
International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), studies the IFRS and tries to integrate them, to the
extent possible, in the light of the laws, customs, practices and business environment.
Recognizing the growing need of full convergence of Indian Accounting Standards with IFRS,
the ICAI has constituted a Group to interact with government and regulatory authorities. This
group has constituted separate core groups to identify inconsistencies between IFRS and various
relevant acts. IFRS Task Force has also been formed to examine various issues involved in the
convergence process. The Task Force has proposed for adoption of IFRS, in phased manner, for
listed entities and public interest entities form accounting periods commencing on or after April
1,2011.
IFRS CATEGORIES:
The ICAI has also classified IFRS into four broad categories as part of its convergence strategy,
which can be detailed as follows :
1
First category describes IFRS which can be adopted immediately or in the immediate future in
view of no or minor differences (for example construction contracts, borrowing costs,
inventories ).
Second category includes IFRS which may require some time to reach a level of technical
preparedness by the industry and professionals, keeping in view the existing economic
Till date 41 IAS have been issued, but 12 have been withdrawn, As on date 29 IAS are in
force.
IND AS 101 First-time adoption of Indian Accounting Standards
IND AS 102 Share based Payment
IND AS 103 Business Combinations
IND AS 104 Insurance Contracts
IND AS 105 Non -current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued operations
IND AS 106 Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources
IND AS 107 Financial Instruments : Disclosures
IND AS 108 Operating Segments
IND AS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements
IND AS 2 Inventories
IND AS 7 Statement of Cash Flows
IND AS
Indian Accounting Standards notified in the Companies (Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006 :
These are the standards used, at present, by Indian Companies under the
Companies Act, 1956. Companies not falling within the threshold limits prescribed for IFRS
compliance in the respective phases shall continue to use these standard in the preparation and
presentation of financial statements.
Opening Balance
sheet as per
converged
accounting
standards 1
Insurance Companies
April 1,2012
April 1,2013
Banking
Companies
Urban Co-
operative Banks
(UCB)
April 1,2013
Optional
Optional
Companies
(NBFC) 2
April 1,2013
Companies whether listed or not, which have a not worth
in excess of Rs.1,000 crores
Listed
April 1,2014
Rs.500 crores
April 1,2014
Optional
Other
(Phase 1)
Companies whether listed or not, which have net worth in April 1,2013
Companies 2
(Phase 2)
Listed companies which have a net worth not exceeding April 1,2014
Rs.500 crores
(Phase 3)
Rs.500
crores
and
whose
shares
or
other
Optional
The opening balance sheets shall have to be converted as per converged Accounting Standards
as on the said date.
For NBFCs and companies whose financial year commences on any date other than April 1,
the conversion of the opening balance sheet will be on the financial year commencing on a
date immediately following April 1 of the relevant year.
Latest Status :
MCA convened a meeting of Core Group in September 2012 to consider the revised
road map. ICAI has been requested to suggest new road map considering the status of the IFRS
developments by the IASB.
The revised roadmap to be suggested to MCA is under consideration of the Council
of the ICAI and is excepted to be finalized shortly. Implementation date will be greatly dependent on
the completion of the current projects by IASB. Regulators for the Insurance Companies and banks
have indicated that they will await the finalization of IFRA 4 and IFRS 9
capital is required. Majority of world stock exchange require financial information prepared under
IFRS.
Change to IFRS will enable Indian companies to have access to international capital markets
sets of financial statements (one under IFRS and another under Indian Accounting Standards). It will
also reduce audit fees and higher rate of interest.
financial reporting platform for the Indian as well as foreign components / branches. This will eliminate
the need for multiple reports and significant adjustments for preparing Consolidated financial statements
or filing financial statements in different stock exchanges.
5
New opportunities :
IFRS will open up many opportunities in the services sector. With accountants trained in IFRS,
India can act as the accountant for the global community.
As IFRS emphasizes fair value, it will provide jobs to professionals, including accountants,
valuers and actuaries. It will help the BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) concerns in India.
IFRS IN INDIA
There are several practical challenges in adoption of and full compliance with IFRS in India.
1
Several laws and regulations governing financial accounting and reporting in India need to be
amended.
There are certain sections of the Companies Act that over ride the provisions of IFRS.
There is a shortage of professionals with practical IFRS conversion experience and therefore
many companies will have to depend on external advisors and their auditors.
There is an urgent need to build adequate IFRS skills among the Indian accounting
professionals to manage the conversion
Convergence with IFRS will also require significant changes from the tax authorities [Central
Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) ] on treatment of various accounting transactions.
CONCLUSION
The decision by ICAI to coverage with IFRS is a path-breaking decision. It is likely to provide
the various new opportunities in Indian companies.
In Indian GAAP, business combinations, with few exceptions, are recorded at costs and not at
fair values of net assets taken over. Purchases consideration paid for intangible assets not recorded in
the vendors books is usually not reflected separately in the financial statement; instead the amount
gets added to good will.
IFRS will open of many opportunities in service sector. With accountants trends in IFRS, India
can act as the accountant for the global community. IFRS provide job to professional, including
accountants, valuears and actuaries. It will also help to BPO.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
There have been many good books on IFRS written over the years. Some of those that have inspired the
writing of this are listed & Internet sites are given below:-
www.wikipedia.co.in