International differences in IFRS policy choice: A research note

摘要

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