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The research aims to define staffing that contributes to the transition to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The goal of this research is achieved by conducting a factor analysis of the transition to IFRS using the regression analysis based on Institute for Management Development (IMD) statistics for 52 countries in 2020–2023. As a result, the author builds an economic and mathematical model revealing the dependence between the success of the transition to IFRS and the influence of factors related to business staffing and provides a forecast on accelerating the pace of transition to IFRS for enterprises worldwide due to the business staffing management. The author emphasizes the importance of pedagogical skills as the key factors for transitioning to IFRS. The theoretical significance of the results obtained is that they make it possible to rethink the transition to IFRS from a pedagogical point of view. The author's conclusions specify the staffing problem in terms of transition to IFRS. The practical significance is expressed in the author's conclusions and recommendations that will help accelerate the transition of the business to IFRS – more fully reveal the export potential of the business, strengthen national brands on the world stage, and improve the efficiency of corporate accounting by optimizing its staffing. The managerial significance is expressed in recommendations to make it possible to improve the practice of human resource management for more complete and reliable staffing for the transition of a business to IFRS. The social significance lies in the proven key role of pedagogical skills in staffing for the transition to IFRS.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate transition road map problems encountered by the Nigerian authorities in moving from local Statements of Accounting Standards (SAS) to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Design/methodology/approach – A postal questionnaire survey of 50 accounting professionals which includes Nigeria's Financial Reporting Council and other industrial specialists was undertaken. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the most common problems. Independent t-tests were employed to determine whether there were any significant differences in the perception of the problems according to job type, experience, sector and gender.

Findings – The questionnaire findings suggest that many problems have been encountered in the as yet unfinished transition from SAS to IFRs. These include lack of training on IFRS at tertiary institutions and the fact that Nigerian regulators do not have sufficient capacity to drive the transition process. The results also show that there are some significant differences in the perception of the transition road map implementation problems according to job type, experience, sector and gender.

Research limitations/implications – The study's results are based on responses from 50 out of a possible 500 accounting professionals surveyed and therefore cannot be generalised. The problems documented in the results should therefore be regarded as indicative rather than exhaustive.

Practical implications – This paper has practical implications for the Nigeria's Financial Reporting Council as it may want to review why the road map was not achieved and assess whether any lessons could be learnt for the future. The results are also important especially for those listed companies that failed to meet the January 2012 deadline for IFRS reporting.

Originality/value – This paper identifies Nigeria transition problems that are peculiar to Nigeria in its bid to be IFRS compliant some of which have not been documented by existing literature. Second, it is the first study to document accounting standards transitional problems in the African context.

The research addresses the issue of elitism in international trade and the barriers in global markets arising from the elitist criteria for transitioning to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The research aims to identify criteria and pathways for achieving a favorable business climate for the transition to IFRS. Based on international statistics from the World Bank for 2019–2021, the authors identify the determinants of the adoption of IFRS using regression analysis. The authors performed econometric modeling of participation in international trade on global markets based on IFRS factors. As a result, the research selected criteria for a favorable business climate for transitioning to IFRS. The selected criteria are feasible for adherence by all countries and ensure the inclusivity of IFRS. The selected criteria include (in decreasing order of significance): improvement of the investment climate, development of public–private partnerships, overcoming the shadow economy, and strengthening the legal environment. The theoretical significance of the author's conclusions lies in the reevaluation of criteria for a favorable business climate for transitioning to IFRS in the context of new, multipolar globalization. The conclusions formulate a set of inclusive criteria that support free international trade and the openness of global markets. The practical significance of the results obtained in the research is that they outline a path to achieving a favorable business climate in Russia and propose a set of authorial recommendations for transitioning Russian businesses to IFRS.

The research studies transition to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as a mechanism for increasing the investment attractiveness of the economy. Based on the international experience of 183 countries and World Bank statistics for 2022 by methods of correlation and regression analysis, the author has carried out econometric modeling of the impact of globalization in the context of its areas on the investment climate in the economy. The main author's conclusion is that the transition to IFRS is an effective but contradictory mechanism for increasing the investment attractiveness of the economy, which should be managed considering the national specifics of internal and external investment flows. The research novelty lies in the study the transition to IFRS not as a separate and independent business practice but as a means of improving the investment climate in the economy. The theoretical significance is that it bridges the gap between globalization governance and investment policy. The author argues that globalization should be implemented to support the transition to IFRS to improve the investment attractiveness of the economy. The practical significance is expressed in the fact that the author's proposed recommendations on diversification of globalization areas will help accelerate the transition to IFRS of business structures worldwide. The research is significant for investment policy in that the author's forecast and the proposed recommendations will help optimize the globalization effects on the investment attractiveness of the economy on the example of Uzbekistan. The recommendations can be used to develop the investment policy in Uzbekistan to improve its efficiency.

The purpose of this study is to investigate how the provision of voluntary International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) disclosures in the pre‐adoption period has affected the IFRS transition process of UK listed firms. The study also seeks to identify the motivation of firms with financing needs to provide voluntary IFRS disclosures and determines whether the provision of voluntary IFRS disclosures in the pre‐adoption period leads to more value relevant numbers.

The study utilises logistic and linear regressions to test the hypothetical relations set up in the study. The categorisation of firms into voluntary and non‐voluntary IFRS disclosers is based on the (non‐mandatory) provision of material IFRS information prior to adoption about the upcoming adoption of IFRSs in 2005. Company categorization is particularly based on the construction of an index similar to the disclosure index formulated by the Center for International Financial Analysis and Research.

With regard to IFRS transition, firms that provided voluntary IFRS disclosures prior to adoption display a greater positive change in equity and earnings. Non‐voluntary IFRS disclosers exhibit a greater positive change in leverage and a decrease in liquidity. Voluntary IFRS disclosers exhibit higher equity and debt financing needs and tend to be audited by a big auditor and be cross‐listed.

The study implies that the need to obtain financing on better terms would motivate managers to provide voluntary (IFRS) disclosures to show that they are familiar with the upcoming regulatory change and ready to implement it when it becomes effective. The provision of voluntary IFRS disclosures leads to more value relevant accounting measures, suggesting that less information asymmetry would lead to the disclosure of informative and higher quality accounting information assisting investors in making informed judgements.

Knowing about different firms' transition experience would assist accounting standard setters in issuing explanatory IFRS guidance in order to lead to an efficient transition to IFRSs for countries that intend to adopt IFRSs or perform an accounting change. The examination of IFRS transition for firms that have experienced the change is important and would provide insight to firms considering this option. The findings further assist accounting academics and students, accountants and investors in their effort to study the motivation for providing voluntary disclosures as well as the magnitude and materiality of IFRS transition on companies' financial accounts.

This study examines how International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are applied, disaggregates the cumulative effect of the IFRS transition into magnitude measurements of the standard-to-standard differences (by standard) and management discretionary choices (by choice) and tests which transitory effects at every level of disaggregation alter investor behavior.

Using hand-collected data from the IFRS 1 disclosures, the research design consists of eight regression models which test fluctuations in investment behavior as a function of varying measures of IFRS adjustments at aggregated and disaggregated levels including magnitude measurements of pronouncements and management choices.

Findings from the study identify specific standards and management discretionary choices associated with market reaction. Evidence from this study demonstrates the value of disaggregated measures to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of market reaction and associations with transitory effects of IFRS. Findings from the study suggest that the market favors management discretionary choices that decrease retained earnings and potentially increase future net income. Overall, model results suggest that a more comprehensive understanding of the specific standards is obtained that alters market behavior and how the market responds to positive and negative equity adjustments.

This study contributes to the literature examining the capital market effects of IFRS by decomposing the generally accepted accounting principle (GAAP) transition into magnitude measurements of specific standard-to-standard differences (by standard) and management discretionary choices (by choice) to understand how the market responds to the transitory effects of a GAAP change. This is important because it puts regulators, standard setters, investors and researchers on notice that the way in which the authors analyze and measure equity components could be consequential to the authors ability to assess a GAAP change. This study informs all jurisdictions which have adopted or are deliberating the adoption of IFRS how IFRS is being implemented and which areas of application are relevant to investors. Further, market reactions to accounting information pertaining to a GAAP change may only be revealed at the disaggregated and decomposed levels of the retrospective application of the GAAP implementation.

The purpose of this study is to delve into the complex interplay between earnings management (EM), the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) implementation and the reporting lag (RL) within the specific context of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, with a particular emphasis on the Saudi context, offering insights into their influence on financial reporting practices.

Using a panel data set of 135 Saudi companies over an eight-year period, covering four years before and after the mandatory adoption of IFRS in 2017, this study investigates the Saudi financial reporting landscape. It uses interaction moderation analysis to explore variable effects and includes robustness analyses to validate the findings.

The findings reveal three key outcomes. First, they challenge conventional expectations by showing no significant impact of discretionary accruals (DACC) on RL, contrary to established accounting theories. This deviation is attributed to unique market characteristics within the GCC region, including family-owned businesses, government involvement and distinct regulations, with specific insights relevant to Saudi Arabia. Second, an unexpected positive association between IFRS adoption and RL in Saudi Arabia emerged. Several contextual factors contribute, including transition costs, compliance expenses, institutional dynamics and reconciling IFRS with local Shariah principles. Most importantly, IFRS adoption significantly reduced RL, especially for companies with high DACC levels. This highlights IFRS’s transformative role, emphasizes aligning EM with international standards for investor confidence and mitigating nonconformity risks in the GCC region’s business landscape.

The research findings carry significant practical implications for companies operating within the GCC region, accentuating the strategic imperative of timely financial reporting to bolster credibility, align with international standards and fortify investor confidence. Moreover, regulators and policymakers are urged to consider tailoring accounting regulations to accommodate the distinctive GCC context, thereby adeptly addressing the intricacies stemming from the interplay of EM, IFRS adoption and RL dynamics in the region.

This study adds to the current body of literature by highlighting the significant moderating influence of IFRS transition on the nexus between DACC and RL. It underscores the crucial role of this global accounting framework in reshaping financial reporting practices.

The purpose of this paper is to encourage accounting regulators to address diversity in practice in the reporting of environmental liabilities. When Canada changed to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in 2011, Canadian regulators asked the IFRS Interpretations Committee to interpret whether the discount rate to value environmental liabilities should be a risk-free discount rate. Old Canadian GAAP, and current US GAAP, allow for a higher discount rate, resulting in commensurately lower liabilities. International regulators refused to address this issue expecting no diversity in practice in Canada.

The focus is on a sample of Canadian oil and gas and mining firms. These domestic industries play a major role internationally and have significant environmental liabilities. The method is empirical archival, tracking firm characteristics and discount rate choice on transition to IFRS.

There is significant diversity in practice. About one-third of the sample firms choose a higher discount rate, avoiding a major increase in environmental liabilities on transition to IFRS. The evidence suggests that these firms have relatively larger environmental liabilities and that the discount rate decision is a strategic choice.

The sample is based on one country and may only be reflecting local anomalies that have no broader implications.

Diversity in practice in accounting for environmental liabilities is not acceptable. Accounting regulators should act to create consistent and comparable reporting practice.

Firms and managers facing larger environmental liabilities can choose to minimize environmental liabilities under IFRS, while it is the general public and society at large that bear the ultimate risk.

The paper pushes forward the debate on whether recognized environmental liabilities should reflect the interests of equity investors, or if other investors and stakeholders should be taken into account.

The paper aims to explore the impact of the transition to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on Greek listed companies' financial statements with a focus on net profit, shareholders' equity, gearing and liquidity. It also seeks to examine any differences in the impact across the sub‐samples of companies with Big 4 and non‐Big 4 auditors.

In line with recent literature, the paper employs Gray's comparability index. The sample consists of 238 Greek companies, representing 75 per cent of the companies listed on the Athens Stock Exchange at the end of March 2006.

Implementation of IFRS had a significant impact on financial position and reported performance as well as on gearing and liquidity ratios. On average, impact on shareholders' equity and net income was positive while impact on gearing and liquidity was negative. Only companies with non‐Big 4 auditors faced significant impact on net profit and liquidity. They also faced a significantly greater impact on gearing than companies with Big 4 auditors. A large number of companies with material negative changes is identified, suggesting that transition to IFRS and the fair value option does not necessarily result in higher shareholders' equity figures. Many companies provided inadequate transitional disclosures. This is significantly related to auditor size.

The findings suggest that reporting quality has improved under the new accounting regime, especially for companies with non‐Big 4 auditors.

Prior literature indicates that the impact revealed in companies' reconciliation statements can have significant effects on users' decision making. On that basis, the study can stimulate future research and is relevant to standard setters and regulators.

This paper aims to evaluate the relation between acquisition premiums and amounts recognised as identifiable intangible assets (IIAs) in business combination, in periods before and after transition to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

This is an empirical archival research using data from business acquisitions.

In the pre-IFRS period, there is evidence of firms recognising IIAs in business combinations having higher acquisition premiums. This association of acquisition premiums and IIAs ceased with transition to IFRS, notwithstanding the relative latitude provided in accounting standards for the recognition of IIAs.

This paper complements the study by Su and Wells (2015) which founds little association between IIAs and performance subsequent to business acquisitions prior to transition to IFRS. The results here suggest that it is attributable to overpayment. Problematically, the incentives for opportunism remain and an issue requiring address is whether alternative sources of accounting flexibility in relation to business combinations exist, such as goodwill which is no longer subject to mandatory amortisation.

The results are consistent with accounting opportunism and suggest “overpayment” and accounting flexibility having an economic consequence. This would be expected to result in asset impairments in subsequent periods; however, there is little evidence of this occurring.

These results have relevance for regulators concerned with the operation of regulation relating to business acquisitions (AASB 3) and intangible assets (AASB 138).

This paper complements a number of papers concerned with the recognition of IIAs in business combinations and confirms what many researchers in the area typically assume (triangulation).