accounting harmonization, transition impacts, preparers of information
Abstract
The European accounting harmonization process led to the publication of the Regulation (EC) 1606/2002, introducing the obligation to use of IFRS in the consolidated financial statements of publicly traded companies established in EU member states. Also the national accounting standards have changed, approaching these standards, as was the case of Portugal with the implementation of SNC. Based on a qualitative methodology and documental evidence, we have performed a literature review of the most significant studies on the impacts and implications caused by the transition from the accounting standards and also on the perception of preparers of information about the change of accounting standards. The reviewed studies on the adoption of IFRS in Portugal, as well as SNC, showed that it cannot be said that the impacts on equity and net income are statistically significant. Although this conclusion has also been found in some EU member states, significant impacts were detected in some other EU countries. The perception of preparers of information is also in the sense that the impact in income was reduced or inexistent. However preparers consider that this model leads to improved quality of financial information, facilitates comparability and their use by supervisors and regulators. Focusing in Portugal, preparers recognize a number of advantages with the introduction of the SNC, but consider that the new standard does not fit the reality of domestic firms. Studies conducted in different periods have different results regarding the implications on the profession.
