INTRODUCTION
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are essential guidelines in the global accounting landscape, providing a unified framework for financial reporting. IFRS, which includes both International Accounting Standards (IAS) and IFRS, is designed to ensure consistency, transparency, and comparability of financial statements across the world.
KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN IAS AND IFRS
IAS represents the earlier version of the accounting standards, while IFRS is the more recent and widely adopted framework. IFRS offers more detailed requirements and covers a broader range of accounting issues, making it the preferred standard for financial reporting worldwide.
DEVELOPMENT OF IFRS
In Ghana, IFRS is a crucial part of the regulatory framework, complementing the Ghana Companies Code and the Ghana Stock Exchange listing rules. The consistency and comparability provided by IFRS are vital for entities operating in a global environment.
New IFRS standards are developed by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The development process, known as due process, involves contributions from interested parties around the world. This collaborative approach ensures that IFRS evolves in line with the changing needs of the global financial community.
Compliance with IFRS is mandatory for the preparation of financial statements by accountants worldwide. Noncompliance can lead to the disqualification of financial statements by external auditors, with significant repercussions for the entities involved.
EXAMPLES OF IAS AND IFRS
Here are some examples of IAS and IFRS highlighted:
INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (IAS):
IAS 1: PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (ISSUED IN 2007, TO BE SUPERSEDED BY IFRS 18 IN 2027)
Defines the overall requirements for financial statements, ensuring consistency in the presentation of financial reports, including their structure, components, and minimum disclosures.
IAS 2: INVENTORIES (ISSUED IN 2005)
Specifies the accounting treatment for inventories, providing guidance on determining cost, net realizable value, and the recognition of inventory as an expense.
IAS 7: STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (ISSUED IN 1992)
Requires the presentation of cash flow information classified into operating, investing, and financing activities, helping stakeholders assess a company’s liquidity, solvency, and financial flexibility.
IAS 8: ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES, AND ERRORS (ISSUED IN 2003)
Outlines the criteria for selecting and changing accounting policies, as well as the treatment of changes in accounting estimates and corrections of errors in financial statements.
IAS 10: EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD (ISSUED IN 2003)
Details the treatment of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are authorized for issue, distinguishing between adjusting and non-adjusting events.
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (IFRS):
IFRS 1: FIRST-TIME ADOPTION OF IFRS (ISSUED IN 2008)
Provides guidelines for entities adopting IFRS for the first time, ensuring that their financial statements are transparent, comparable, and compliant with IFRS standards from the transition date onward.
IFRS 2: SHARE-BASED PAYMENT (ISSUED IN 2004)
Specifies the financial reporting requirements for share-based payment transactions, requiring entities to recognize expenses related to stock options and other equity instruments granted to employees and others.
IFRS 3: BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (ISSUED IN 2008)
Establishes the principles for recognizing and measuring the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in a business combination, ensuring transparency and comparability.
IFRS 5: NON-CURRENT ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (ISSUED IN 2004)
Sets out the accounting treatment for non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations, focusing on the presentation and measurement to provide users with relevant information.
IFRS 10: CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (ISSUED IN 2011)
Outlines the requirements for preparing consolidated financial statements, including the definition of control and the treatment of subsidiaries, ensuring uniformity and transparency across group entities.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: IFRS SUSTAINABILITY DISCLOSURE STANDARDS
In June 2023, the IASB issued two new IFRS standards focused on sustainability:
IFRS S1: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DISCLOSURE OF SUSTAINABILITY-RELATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Mandates comprehensive disclosures of sustainability-related financial information, providing stakeholders with insights into how sustainability factors affect an entity’s financial position and performance.
IFRS S2: CLIMATE-RELATED DISCLOSURES
Requires detailed reporting on climate-related risks and opportunities, including their impact on financial statements, supporting the global push for transparency in sustainability and climate change mitigation efforts.
These standards on sustainability, applicable from January 1, 2024, mark a significant step forward in integrating sustainability into financial reporting, reflecting the growing importance of environmental and social considerations in global business.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants – Ghana (ICAG) has adopted these two new standards and has organized webinars on the Roadmap to Adoption and Implementation and how to conduct readiness assessment on 15th August 2024.
Entities are being encouraged to adopt early ( the early adoption period is from 2024 to 2026) or prepare for mandatory adoption, which starts in 2027. An entity can seek external help or consult for the adoption. An entity can also contact the ICAG for guidance.
The month of August 2024 has been set as the deadline for conducting a readiness assessment for early adoption by entities.
More information on these two new standards can be assessed on the ISSB KNOWLEDGE HUB and ACCA SUSTAINABILITY HUB.
CONCLUSION
IFRS provides essential guidelines for accountants to prepare general-purpose financial statements that meet global standards. Staying updated with the latest IFRS developments is crucial for accounting professionals to provide accurate assurance, prepare reports that adhere to international standards, and advance their professional development.
References
1. Deloitte’s IAS Plus Website
2. ICAG Study Text Paper 3.1 – Corporate Reporting
Leave a Reply