Managing the Transition to IFRS-Based Financial Reporting

The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) have already been adopted in Europe, and plans are in place to transition to IFRS reporting in the UK, India, Japan, and other major economies. The US is deliberating the nature of its convergence with IFRS and US entities will need to understand the implications of transition. This means all finance managers and financial controllers will be responsible, not only for understanding IFRS, but for making the transition and dealing with implications. Managing the Transition to IFRS-Based Financial Reporting is a one-stop resource for navigating this major change. Case studies and project management advice help move smoothly from GAAP to IFRS principles and requirements.

Managing the Transition to IFRS-Based Financial Reporting is the only book on the market that focuses on both the accounting and non-accounting implications of IFRS transition. This complete approach will guide you from the history and conceptual basis of IFRS through each stage of the transition process, ensuring expert change management and fluid communication from start to finish.

• Takes a holistic approach, covering non-accounting implications like educating and communicating IFRS requirements
• Provides case studies to illustrate best practices for moving to the new international standards
• Provides a framework for planning and executing the entire IFRS transition project

With nearly two decades of financial training experience, author Lisa Weaver is imminently qualified to deliver clear, concise, and understandable content. In addition, the reference material and other resources in Managing the Transition to IFRS-Based Financial Reporting will help you simplify the transition and take advantage of all the benefits IFRS reporting confers.

List of Tables vii

List of Figures ix

List of Case Studies xi

Foreword xiii

Preface xv

Disclaimer xvii

Acknowledgements xix

About the Author xxi

Introduction xxiii

I: Understanding the Framework of Performing a Transition to IFRS-based Financial Reporting 1

1 International Financial Reporting in Context 3

2 The Conceptual Framework of IFRS, Accounting Policies and the Presentation of Financial Statements 25

3 IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of IFRS 43

II: Planning and Implementing a Transition Project 67

4 Establishing the IFRS Transition Project 69

5 Assessing the Accounting Impacts of IFRS Transition 105

6 Wider Transitional Issues – Systems, Internal Audit and the Audit Committee, and Commercial Implications 129

7 Training, Communication and Change Management 163

III: The Way Forward – Developments in Selected Countries 187

8 The Transition to New UK GAAP 189

9 The Way Forward – The Move Towards IFRS in the US and Selected Other Countries 207

Appendix 1: IASB Standards 223

Appendix 2: Useful Reference Material and Further Reading 225

Appendix 3: Summary of IFRS Transition Planning Considerations 229

Bibliography 231

Index 237

LISA WEAVER, is a professionally qualified accountant and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. After working in audit for several years, she moved into training and education and has lectured on financial reporting, audit and governance topics in the UK and Ireland, the Caribbean, and in Hong Kong and China. She is currently a Teaching Fellow in Accounting at Aston Business School, part of Aston University in the UK.

A complete guide to understanding and managing the transition to IFRS

Following the lead of the EU, companies in the UK and other countries around the world will be required to move to IFRS-based financial reporting over the next few years. While there are numerous resources available dealing with IFRS requirements and accounting principles, this is the first book to provide a comprehensive guide to planning and implementing a transition that also covers the wider commercial implications, and puts the transition into a project management context.

Written by a leading educator and trainer in financial reporting, Managing the Transition to IFRS-based Financial Reporting largely avoids highly technical financial reporting concepts and instead focuses on the practical points that need to be considered when preparing to adopt IFRS.

Part One of the book provides an overview of the framework of a transition to IFRS, as well as a discussion on the international harmonisation of financial reporting. Part Two provides practical guidance on planning and implementing an IFRS transition, including accounting considerations and wider transitional issues. Part Three looks ahead to the impact of transitions to IFRS by companies in the US, Japan and the BRIC nations, and includes coverage of the transition to the new UK GAAP.

A truly comprehensive guide, this book covers the practical implications of the transition at all levels of a company, a topic that is very important but often overlooked by those both teaching and learning about the subject.