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National influence on the application of IFRS: Interpretations and accounting estimates by German and British accountants

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  • Wehrfritz, Martin
  • Haller, Axel

Abstract

International comparability of financial statements under IFRS can only be achieved if standards are interpreted and applied consistently across countries. However, the different institutional and cultural environments of various countries in which companies operate and in which individuals make accounting decisions suggest that application of IFRS may differ. Building on previous studies that found evidence for this in the area of explicit options under IFRS, we examine the use of discretion in interpretations and accounting estimates by surveying German and British accountants, asking them to account for identical cases under IFRS. The results of this test provide only some evidence for international differences in accountants' judgments. This suggests that the national environment might be less relevant in those fields of room for maneuver in the application of IFRS. However, we find considerable variability of responses within jurisdictions and therefore further conclude that differences in personal characteristics might be more important than cultural factors.

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  • Wehrfritz, Martin & Haller, Axel, 2014. "National influence on the application of IFRS: Interpretations and accounting estimates by German and British accountants," Advances in accounting, Elsevier, vol. 30(1), pages 196-208.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:advacc:v:30:y:2014:i:1:p:196-208
    DOI: 10.1016/j.adiac.2014.03.010
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    3. Katarzyna Kolesnik & Sylwia Silska-Gembka & Jerzy Gierusz, 2019. "The Interpretation of the Verbal Probability Expressions Used in The IFRS – The Differences Observed Between Polish and British Accounting Professionals," Journal of Accounting and Management Information Systems, Faculty of Accounting and Management Information Systems, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, vol. 18(1), pages 25-49, March.
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    6. Isabel Costa Lourenço & Raquel Sarquis & Manuel Castelo Branco & Nuno Magro, 2018. "International Differences in Accounting Practices Under IFRS and the Influence of the US," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 28(4), pages 468-481, December.

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