IFRS in India

Overview of IFRS in India

If we talk about the current scenario of IFRS in India, many Indian companies are adopting IFRS not only because they are just expanding their business across the globe but also because they are looking for a unique and standardized reporting system that will help them to provide a true and fair financial picture of the organization. However, different countries have their own IFRS accounting systems and disclosure policies, like the US has its US GAAP system, and companies in the US need to be mandatory to follow these standards while doing reporting. Similarly, Indian Companies need to follow Indian GAAP with respect to the same accounting treatments. These different Reporting methods may create confusion amongst the investors or stakeholders of a company while taking an investment decision. If the reporting or disclosure policies of the financial statement are based on unique and globally accepted standards, then it will enable the organization to deliver fair and trustworthy financial information to its stakeholders. This is one of the major answers to “Why companies are adopting IFRS?”

What does it mean?

IFRS stands for “International Financial Reporting Standards” It is a unique, high-quality, easily understandable global accounting standards. It is also known as a “principles-based” set of standards that are easy to understand and apply.

• IASB (International Accounting Standard Board) is developed and approves these standards.

• These standards provide disclosure and financial reporting guidelines to the entities who have been engaged in commercial, industrial, financial and similar activities, whether organized in corporate or in other forms

• Upon its inception, the IASB adopted the body of International Accounting Standards.

Why IFRS in India?

Here is the question, Why IFRS in India?  We already have Indian GAAP, then why are companies going for IFRS in India? IFRS accounting standards offer many benefits over the Indian GAAP.

All in One Financial Analyst Bundle(250+ Courses, 40+ Projects)

Price
View Courses

250+ Online Courses | 40+ Projects | 1000+ Hours | Verifiable Certificates | Lifetime Access
4.9 (86,142 ratings)

• Improve Transparency in an accounting system
• Globally Accepted
• New Opportunity
• Allows exercise of professional judgment
• IFRS is increasingly being recognized as Global Reporting Standard for financial statements.
• Indian GAAP is becoming rare because it has some limitations compared to IFRS.
• As global capital markets become increasingly integrated, many countries are adopting IFRS.
• More than a hundred countries already permit the use of IFRS in their countries.

List of IFRS

Proposed Roadmap for IFRS in India

 Phase I (opening balance sheet as of 1 April 2011)*:-

1. Companies that are part of BSE – Sensex 30 and NSE – Nifty 50;

2. Companies who are raising capital from outside (whose shares are listed outside India) India;

3. Companies having a net worth of more than Rs. 1,000 crores

Phase II (opening balance sheet as of 1 April 2013)*:-

• Companies not covered in Phase 1 and having a net worth exceeding Rs. 500 crores.

 Phase III (opening balance sheet as of 1 April 2014)*:-

• Listed companies not covered in earlier phases.

Implementation of IFRS in India

• An increase in cost is initially due to dual reporting requirements, which the entity might have to meet until full convergence is achieved.
• The current accounting framework in India is deeply affected by laws and regulations. For the implementation of IFRS may be required changes in various regulations or laws.

• All stakeholders, employees, auditors, regulators, tax authorities, etc., would need to be aware of IFRS. They need to train.

• Organizations would need to incur additional costs for modifying their current accounting and procedures for meeting the new disclosures and reporting requirements.

• Differences between IFRS and Indian GAAP may impact the business decision / financial performance of an entity

• Awareness about international standards: If any entity adopts IFRS, then it clearly means that there will be a drastic change in the entire set of financial statements. There are a number of differences between IFRS and Indian GAAP. It would be a big challenge to create awareness about the IFRS and its impact on its user.

• Training: Accountants are required to take training on IFRS. This is one of the big obstacles for professionals because there is a lack of training facilities and academic programs on IFRS in India.

• Fair value: IFRS uses the fair value as a measurement base for valuing most of the items of financial statements. The calculation of fair value involves a lot of hard work, and valuation experts have to be used.

• Management compensation plan: The terms and conditions relating to management compensation plans would also have to be changed. The reporting of financial results under IFRS is likely to be very different from those under the Indian GAAP.

• Reporting and Disclosure systems: The disclosure and reporting requirements under IFRS are completely different from the Indian reporting requirements.

Difference between IFRS and Indian GAAP

 The major focus of IFRS is on getting the Balance sheet right. It is difficult to summarize all the differences here. However, a few of the major differences are given below.

Benefits of IFRS in India

•  It would benefit the economy by increasing the growth of the international business.

• Implementation of IFRS in India would encourage foreign investment, which impacts foreign capital inflows into the country.

• Implementing IFRS in India would be greatly beneficial for investors because any investor primarily wants fair, trustworthy, timely, and comparable information across jurisdictions. It would be very easy for investors to compare the financial statements of various companies across the globe.

• IFRS in India helps to a better understanding of financial statements that would benefit investors who are willing to invest their money across the globe. International companies would be able to raise capital from different markets at a lower cost if it can create confidence in the minds of respective investors that their financial statements comply with globally accepted IFRS accounting standards in India.

• Implementation of IFRS in India would result in a reduction in the cost of compliance.
• IFRS would open many opportunities doors for professionals to serve international Clients

IFRS in India Infographics

Learn the juice of this article in just a single minute, IFRS accounting standards in India

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to IFRS in India. Here we have discussed a list of IFRS, the difference between IFRS and Indian GAAP, the Benefits of IFRS in India, etc.

1. 26 Signs You Invest in Fundamentals
2. Salary Of Hedge Fund Analyst
3. IFRS Vs US GAAP
4. Financial Education Best Investment