An Executive Guide to IFRS: Content, Costs and Benefits to Business

PREFACE

This book is intended to be an easily accessible guide to the particularities of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The reader I had in mind is the accountant, the analyst, the financial executive or indeed the student of accounting, who is familiar with one or other form of national Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and wishes to familiarize themselves with IFRS for whatever reason. The book will not therefore teach you basic accounting nor tell you how to prepare financial statements under IFRS, but it will present as clearly as possible the main particularities that you should be aware of.

My initial training was in UK GAAP but I have since worked with US GAAP, French GAAP and Swiss GAAP as well as IFRS, and the choice of issues to highlight is informed by that background. I have spent many, many days listening to the IASB at work as an observer in the public gallery since April 2001, and I have tried to bring a flavour of the insights gained from that experience.

I should add the regular disclaimer that books like this are general in nature and are not a substitute for dedicated professional advice. If you would like to contact me, I can be reached at [e-mail]. Suggestions for improvements are always welcome.