Abstract
The study focuses on the quality process of International Financial ReportingStandard (IFRS) on a developing economy, with particular reference to Nigeria.The research work is based on the data obtained from literature survey and archival sources in the context of the globalization of International Financial Reporting and the quality of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The primary source of data collection which consists of personal interview and questionnaire were used in gathering data from respondents. It was found that Nigeria has embraced IFRS in order to participate in the benefits it offers, including attracting foreign direct investment, reduction of the cost of doing business, and cross border listing. It was concluded that implementing IFRS Nigeria will face challenges including the development of a legal and regulatory framework, awareness campaign, and training of personnel. It was recommended among others that Nigeria should have their own version of IFRS if they can not adopt IFRS in full just as Argentina and England.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1Background to the Study
There are currently two main Schools of thought in the debate on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and accounting harmonization or convergence. The proponents argue that a single global set of accounting standards helps reduce information asymmetry, lowers the cost of capital, and increases capital flow across borders. The opponents argue that the characteristics of local business environments and institutional frameworks determine the form and contents of accounting standards. Thus, accounting standards in two countries need not be the same and the use of IFRS does not necessarily improve accounting quality (Khan & Mayes, 2009). Since more and more firms and countries have adopted IFRS or considered replacing their national standards with IFRS, in pace with the rapid development of economic globalization and the worldwide integration of capital markets since the 1990s, it is the right time to evaluate the impact of IFRS on accounting quality for the early adopters (firms and Countries) of IFRS.
With the collapse of US Energy giant (Enron), WorldCom, etc. the accounting profession came under sharp scrutiny. This led a disturbed and bewildered global public, questioning the accountant’s competence, integrity and the existence of standards in corporate governance. Countries that hitherto believed accounting standards were impermeable found out that to realize the full gains of cross border listing; no individual country can act alone in its financial reporting standards.
Convergence gives IFRS standards an authority and credibility that cannot be equated by any other set of standards. There is growing evidence that the world economics are more interconnected andsymbiotic than anyone can really understand. Judging from the global financial crisis, ii is obvious that nations that are truly desirous ofmoving forward are now aiming to flee their countries from the limits ofthe present system of financial reporting standards.
Adams (2006) noted that Nigeria is part of’ this globalization, inrecent times a number of Nigerian companies have raised capital form international stock markets; others have established significant presence in other jurisdictions. Also, a good number of Nigerian entities hold the securities of non-Nigerian issuers.
Therefore, for a better understanding and appreciation of the risks and, consequently, making decisions about the flow of’ economic capital, it makes sense that financial statements prepared in Nigeria use global financial reporting benchmarks. With these facts, the Federal Executive Council accepted the recommendation of the Committee on the Roadmap to the Adoption of IFRS in Nigeria that it will be in the interest of the Nigerian economy for reporting entities in Nigeria to adopt globally accepted, high- quality accounting standards by fully converging Nigerian a National Accounting Standards with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) (Blondal, 2004).