Preview

Challenges in Adoption of Ifrs in Nigeria

Best Essays
Open Document
Open Document
3444 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Challenges in Adoption of Ifrs in Nigeria
JORIND (9)1 June, 2011. ISSN 1596-8303. www.transcampus.org/journals. www.ajol.info/journals/jorind

THE CHALLENGES OF ADOPTING INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING SYSTEM IN NIGERIA Anthony O. Garuba Department of Accounting and Finance, Western Delta University, Oghara, and Pat Donwa Department of Accounting, University of Benin, Benin City E-mail: anthonygaruba@yahoo.com Abstract Nigeria is going to adopt International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) from 1st January 2012. Globalization and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has reduced the world to a global village. This has given rise to the continuous integration of the world economy and capital markets which has in turn given rise to increase in the interdependence of international financial markets. As a result of this, there is increased mobility of capital across boundaries of the globe. Therefore, in order to ensure and sustain investors’ confidence in the capital market, the issue of corporate governance has now been brought to the front burner because that is the only way corporate financial reporting can be seen to be transparent. However, to operate in the global financial markets there is the urgent need for a uniform global financial reporting, hence most countries have embraced IFRS either by adoption, adaptation or convergence. It is therefore, the intention of this paper to critically examine the adoption of IFRS, its challenges and to proffer solutions that would ensure seamless transition in Nigeria. Keywords: Investors, international standards, globalization and financial statements.

Introduction The move towards developing an acceptable global high-quality financial reporting standards started in 1973 when the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) was formed by 16 professional accounting bodies from Canada, United States of America, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Netherlands, Australia, Mexico and Japan. The IASC was reorganized into the International Accounting



References: Adam, M. (2009). Nigerian Banks: The Challenges of Adopting International Financial Reporting Standards, Zenith Economic Quarterly Vol.4 No2( April, Pp 17-26). Azobi, C. (2010). Preparation of Financial Statements: Challenges of Adopting IFRS and IPSAS. Being paper presented at ICAN Interactive Session for Accountants in Education(Lagos, March 8) International Federation of Accountants (2004). Challenges and success in implementing International Financial Standards: Achieving Convergence to IFRSs and ISAs. New York. Izedonmi, F. (2010). Preparation of Financial Statements: challenges of Adopting IFRS and IPSAS. Being paper presented at ICAN Interactive Session for Accountants in Education(Lagos, March 8) Mongiello, M. (2009). international Financial Reporting. Download Free Textbooks at BOOKBOON.Com. Standard and Poor (2007). IFRS Beyond Transition. CreditWeek, Vol.27, No.5, 31st January. Umoru, H. and Ismail, S. (2010). Nigeria To Adopt International Financial Reporting in January 2012. Vanguard. 6th September, p26. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (2008). Practical Implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards: Lessons Learned. New York. Walther, L.M. and Skousen, C.J. (2009). Using Accounting Information . 319

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    The globalization of markets over the past 50 years has led to the demand for increasingly comparable financial statements across countries. In response to this demand, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) was formed with the purpose of developing a set of high quality global accounting standards. Although a majority of developed markets have adopted the international standards, the United States has not. One reason for the delay in adoption is that many of the standards are very similar. However, there are also several key differences between the two. Presently, the United States Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the IASB have committed to work together to develop future standards jointly (FASB, 2011). Nonetheless, the key differences will have to be resolved and many believe the FASB will ultimately adopt international standards completely. This report seeks to discuss the US situation on the adoption of IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards, as prescribed by IASB) and the possible effect of adoption on non-public businesses and the public?…

    • 1356 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    Financial Reporting

    • 4348 Words
    • 18 Pages

    Greuning, HV, Scott, D & Terblanche,S. (2011) International financial reporting standards: a practical guide. 6th ed. Washington, DC: World Bank.…

    • 4348 Words
    • 18 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    This research project will inform the reader of the difference between the United States accounting standards and International accounting standards. The United States uses the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) to issue financial reporting procedures. The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). There are proposals for the United States to adopt the International standards. Financial reporting procedures are debated about the United States using the Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP) or following the global procedures. This project will also examine, compare, and contrast this debate.…

    • 1751 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    The IASB and the US FASB have been working together since 2002 to achieve convergence of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and US generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). A common set of high quality global standards remains a priority of both the IASB and the FASB. The boards shared objective of developing high quality, common accounting standards for use in the world’s capital markets. Both boards believe that a…

    • 1444 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Better Essays

    IFRS Vs US GAAp

    • 1493 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The International Financial Reporting Standards are issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. These set of accounting standards are international in more than 110 countries and the state how certain transactions and other events should be reported in the preparation of financial statements. This set of standards’ purpose is to make international comparisons easier. This is not an easy task, though, because there is already set rules in every country.…

    • 1493 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the last decade, various countries around the globe have shifted towards a uniform accounting standards or the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The main motive behind this movement is to come up with a global language for accounting which will be comparable and understandable beyond the borders of a nation. As of today about 120 countries require IFRS for domestically listed companies, although only about 90 countries have fully conformed to IFRS . While some argue that it is necessary to have a system of accounting that is clear and transparent to global investors and companies, some others are skeptic about it being efficient. Furthermore, some feel that the costs of implementing IFRS can be too high and hence uniform…

    • 796 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The history begins with the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) that was formed in 2001 following the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC). The International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) was responsible for issuing many of the accounting pronouncements called the International Accounting Standards (IAS). IASB also issued many accounting pronouncements called International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and adopted the IAS guidelines. The IASB was form for the purpose of achieving two objectives. First, to create and publish accounting standards that would be used in presentations of financial statements promoting their acceptance and observance globally and second, to work towards the improvement and synchronization of accounting standards, regulations and procedures relating to the preparation of financial statements.…

    • 1402 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    FASB. (2010). International Convergence of Accounting Standards—A Brief History. Available: http://www.fasb.org/cs/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=FASB%2FPage%2FSectionPage&cid=1176156304264#The_1960s. Last accessed 17th March 2013…

    • 15628 Words
    • 63 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Margerison, J. (2005) The International Accounting Standards –What 's it all about? '; Nottingham University Business School.…

    • 2721 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Susanne Fritz and Christina Lämmle. (2003). The International Harmonisation Process of Accounting Standards . . 1 (1), 12-19.…

    • 1544 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Fasb Convergence

    • 388 Words
    • 2 Pages

    “The FASB’s mission is to establish and improve standards of financial accounting and reporting for the guidance and education of the public, including issuers, auditors, and users of financial information”(Schroeder et al., 2011, p. 9). The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) which is an independent private sector body; was formed in 1973 for the purpose of simplifying the process of international business’s financial reporting and to harmonize and coordinate the countries engaged in setting accounting standards. “The goal of the FASB’s Short term International Convergence Project is to remove a variety of individual differences between U.S. GAAP and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) that are not within the scope of other major projects”(Schroeder et al., 2011, p.…

    • 388 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The talk of convergence between the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has been ongoing since 2002. Since 2002 there have been objections by accounting professionals opposing the convergence. At this point, the naysayers seem to be victorious. The total adoption of IFRS by the United States has been shelved for the time being, but here is still a responsibility for US CPAs to keep abreast with IFRS updates. This is “based on a proposed timetable the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) developed, acceptance of IFRS in the U.S. could come as early as 2015, so understanding the standards is critically important to management accountants, auditors, financial analysts, corporate executives, and others involved with financial reporting.” (Smith, 2012)…

    • 693 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Melville, A. (2011). International Financial Reporting, A Practical Guide 3rd Edition., Prentice Hall Pearson Education Limited, Edinburgh Gate, Harlow Essex CM20 2JE, England…

    • 1845 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Carmona, S. & Trombetta, B. (2008). On the global acceptance of IAS/IFRS accounting standards: The logic and implications of the principles-based system. Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, 27(6), 455-461…

    • 2324 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    Over the past 35 years financial regulators worldwide have proposed and worked toward establishing an international standard of financial reporting. The need for such a standard has never been disputed but how to adopt has been the question. More than 100 countries have already adopted or converged with IFRS. The United States is still using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). James Turley, chairman and CEO of Earnest and Young states, ”In the last 18 months, we relearned how globally connected we all have become… It is absolutely imperative to have one global standard”. (cited in Money Management Executive, 2009). Examining the progress of establishing IFRS as the global standard requires the study of its history, convergence and adoption level of other countries and confirmation of need.…

    • 1900 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Best Essays