International Differences in IFRS Policy Choice

Accounting and Business Research, Forthcoming 2010

38 Pages Posted: 4 Sep 2009

See all articles by Erlend Kvaal

Erlend Kvaal

BI Norwegian Business School

Christopher William Nobes

University of London - Royal Holloway College

Date Written: September 2, 2009

Abstract

Building on literature that suggests motives and opportunities for national versions of IFRS practice, we examine whether there are systematic differences in IFRS accounting policies between countries. Using information from the annual reports of companies in the blue chip indices of the largest five stock markets that use IFRS, we reject a null hypothesis that IFRS practice is the same across countries. For 16 accounting policy issues, we find instead significant evidence that pre-IFRS national practice continues where this is allowed within IFRS. By this, we document the existence of national patterns of accounting within IFRS. We also point out some policy implications that arise from our findings.

Keywords: accounting policies, IFRS, international differences

JEL Classification: M10

Suggested Citation

Kvaal, Erlend and Nobes, Christopher William, International Differences in IFRS Policy Choice (September 2, 2009). Accounting and Business Research, Forthcoming 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1466693

Erlend Kvaal

BI Norwegian Business School ( email )

Department of Accounting, Auditing and Law
NO - 0442 Oslo
Norway

Christopher William Nobes (Contact Author)

University of London - Royal Holloway College ( email )

School of Management
Royal Holloway
Egham, TW20 0EX
United Kingdom

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