BIS: disclosure of directors’ remuneration

Comments from ACCA to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), 25 March 2013.

Have investors benefitted from China's IFRS Convergence?

This short paper summarises and puts into context the findings of ACCA's 2013 research report on IFRS convergence in China.

Accounting and long-tail liabilities: the case of asbestos

ACCA research report 130, by L. Moerman and S. van der Laan.

Protecting stakeholder interests in SME companies

John Davies, March 2013. This report discusses how four different countries – the UK, the US, Australia and Singapore – see the role of accounting information in protecting third-party interests in SME companies.

IASB: Annual improvements to IFRSs: 2011-2013 Cycle

Exposure Draft ED/2012/2, issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). Comments from ACCA to the International Accounting Standards Board, 18 February 2013.

Companies limited by guarantee

Often a source of confusion, this guide to what constitutes a company limited by guarantee should help.

Does IFRS convergence affect financial reporting quality in China?

ACCA research report 131, by E. Lee, M. Walker and C. Zeng.

FRC: thinking about disclosures in a broader context

Comments from ACCA to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), 31 January 2013.

Exemption from preparing and filing accounts for qualifying subsidiaries

A look at the potential impact of the announcement that dormant subsidiaries could be exempted from the requirement to prepare and file accounts at Companies House

Small charitable donations

The Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme removes the requirement to keep detailed donor records for small donations

FRC accountancy scheme

Comments from ACCA to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), 14 January 2013.

FRC sanctions guidance to tribunals

Comments from ACCA to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), 14 January 2012.

Trustees and recovery of funds

The Charity Commission has issued guidance to Trustees on how it will approach recovery of funds from them.

FRS 101

The new FRS 101 (FRED 47) will allow financial statements to be prepared for subsidiaries and parent companies using recognition and measurement as set out in EU-adopted IFRS, but with reduced disclosures.

FRS 100

FRS 100 Application of Financial Reporting Requirements sets out how the new regime will work.

FRS 102

The long-awaited FRS 102 has been issued, completing the FRS 100, 101 and 102 suite. FRS 102 applies to the financial statements of entities that are not applying EU-adopted IFRS, FRS 101 or the FRSSE. It is effective from 1 January 2015, but may be adopted early for accounting periods ending on or after 31 December 2012.

International accounting standards

a look at the international accounting standards

Credit Union resources (Ireland)

Credit Union guidance on regulatory material, bad debt and the Credit Union Handbook

Service charge accounts

Draft guidance has been issued on the conduct of engagements to report on service charge statements of account.

EFRAG: Towards a disclosure framework for the notes

Comments from ACCA to the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), 21 December 2012

Proposal to establish an accounting standards advisory forum

Comments from ACCA to the IFRS Foundation, 15 December 2012

FRC: Proposed amendment to financial reporting exposure

Comments from ACCA to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), 30 November 2012

Comprehensive review of the IFRS for SMEs

Comments from ACCA to the International Accounting Standards Board, 25 November 2012

IASB Post-implementation review: IFRS 8 operating segments

Comments from ACCA to the International Accounting Standards Board 5 November 2012

The state of sustainability report assurance in the ASX 100

Researching publicly available sustainability reports published by the ASX 100 provided data that were used to determine the extent of assurance of public sustainability disclosures, by whom, and to which, if any, assurance standard. ACCA and the Net Balance Foundation.

IFRS in the US: the investor's perspective

Emmanouil Schizas, November 2012. This report discusses the findings of a survey of US investors’ perceptions of IFRS and the prospects for convergence. It shows that, if the US were to move towards convergence, as most investors expect, a successful transition would hinge on investor education and communications, a clear framework for auditors and the accounting profession, and an appropriate level of US influence over the standard-setting process.

Global alignment: bringing consistency to reporting of Islamic finance through IFRS

ACCA and KPMG, November 2012. Islamic finance (IF) is growing rapidly, worldwide. Many IF institutions prefer to report in the principal global accounting regime, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) – but because of the particular characteristics and nuances within IF, many jurisdictions require these institutions to apply accounting practices that take into account those differences, rather than purely applying IFRS. So how can the financial reporting of Islamic Finance be harmonised and made more consistent internationally? ACCA and KPMG held three high-level roundtables in Malaysia, Dubai and London to address the key issues and produce a package of recommendations. This report summarises the discussions.

Drafting review of revisions to the IFRS Foundation Constitution

Comments from ACCA to the IFRS Foundation, 23 October 2012

BIS: Directors' pay: consultation on revised reporting regulations

Comments from ACCA to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, October 2012

DEFRA: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – draft regulations for quoted companies

Comments from ACCA to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), 10 October 2012.

IPSASB: Consultation on IPSASB Work Programme 2013-14

Comments from ACCA to the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board, October 2012

Guidance on Accounting and Audit thresholds for charities

The Charity Commission has produced a summary of accounting and audit thresholds for charities in UK and Republic of Ireland.

IASB: Draft IFRIC interpretation DI/2012/2: put options written on non-controlling interests

Comments from ACCA to the IFRS Interpretations Committee, International Accounting Standards Board, 19 September 2012

FRC: Disciplinary schemes proposed changes

Comments from ACCA to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), September 2012

FRC: how credit analysts view and use financial statements

FRC have produced a short paper that focuses on credit analysts’ requirements and what should, in their opinion, be the new information content of the financial statements

Charity Trustees' Reporting

Trustees have an obligation to report serious incidents or other matters relating to their charity. This should be done when the incident occurs but can also be brought to the Charity Commission’s attention when submitting the annual report.

HMRC: A general anti-abuse rule

Comments from ACCA to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), September 2012

IASB: Annual improvements to IFRSs - 2010-2012 cycle

Comments from ACCA to the International Accounting Standards Board, 3 September 2012

All change: Financial Reporting Council reformed

On 2 July the structure and functions of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) changed conspicuously following parliamentary approval of its proposed reform

IFA: Eleven principles for effective business reporting processes

Comments from ACCA to the International Federation of Accountants, August 2012

IFRS Foundation: Due process handbook

Comments from ACCA to the IFRS Foundation, August 2012

Integrated reporting: the influence of King III on social, ethical and environmental reporting

This study analyses the annual reports of 10 major South African companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) to assess the impact of the required introduction of integrated reporting on social, environmental and ethical reporting.

UITF: Residential management companies financial statements

Comments from ACCA to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), 2012

Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission: The regulation of sponsors

Comments from ACCA to the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, July 2012

Sanctions guidance for AADB tribunals under its accountancy scheme

Comments from ACCA to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), July 2012

High growth SMEs: understanding the leaders of the recovery

ACCA, July 2012. This report discusses the challenges, difficulties and the successes that Growth Oriented Entrepreneurs have in the US, European and BRICSA (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and compares them to an international benchmark created by this study. The implications of the findings for governments, financiers and advisors are considered in terms of what support entrepreneurs need to build sustainable companies and thereby continue to stimulate their domestic and global economies.

Confidence accounting: a proposal

A consultation to discuss the problem of uncertainty inherent in many of the values in a set of accounts.

Director's Remuneration Reports

A look at the requirements for a directors' remuneration report as laid out by the Companies Act 2006.

An FRC update for directors of listed companies

The FRC has provided a very useful update on heightened country and currency risk for the interim financial reporting season

EFRAG: Improving the financial reporting of income taxes

Comments from ACCA to the Urgent Issues Task Force, July 2012

Access to finance for SMEs: a global agenda

ACCA, June 2012. This paper presents ACCA’s’ recommendations for the development of a visible and consistent global agenda on SME access to finance. It calls for intergovernmental organisations to develop and support a consistent platform for sharing best practice. It also encourages national governments to engage in this process, developing a long-lasting change in SME financing across the world.

In search of innovative solutions: report of the discussions from the FEE roundtable series 'access to finance for SMEs'

FEE SMP Task Force. This document reflects the outcome of debates held in expert roundtables organised by FEE, the Federation of European Accountants.

Putting investors at the heart of the financial system

ACCA and Grant Thornton, April 2012. This report presents insights from a discussion among a group of global investors. It explores the views of investors and investor representatives in relation to existing global financial and accounting standards, and their opinions on the direction of change, and the opportunities and challenges facing investors. It also addresses how investors can be more central to the process of change.

Accounting for business combinations under common control

Comments from ACCA to the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), 30 April 2012

Revised Financial Reporting Exposure Drafts 46-48 on the Future of Financial Reporting in the UK and Republic of Ireland

Comments from ACCA to the Accounting Standards Board, 26 April 2012

The FRC 2012/13 plan and levy proposals

Comments from ACCA submitted to CCAB for joint submission, 18 April 2012

Driving SME growth through an evolving finance function

Emmanouil Schizas, April 2012. This paper uses data from over 10,000 interviews with UK SMEs to show how financial capability is not the result of business growth, but one of its causes. It explores the evolution of the finance function from an informal process to a formal team or departments and highlights the critical events and concerns that drive its development.

Implementation of Charities Act 2011

The Charities Act 2011 comes into force on 14 March 2012 and consolidates previous charities legislation into a single Act.

Revenue from contracts with customers (ED/2011/6)

Comments from ACCA to the International Accounting Standards Board, March 2012

Transition guidance, proposed amendments to IFRS 10 (ED/2011/7)

Comments from ACCA to the International Accounting Standards Board, March 2012

Basel III and SMEs: getting the trade-off right

The provisions of Basel III, the global framework governing the regulation of bank capital, liquidity and leverage, will, for the coming years, determine the supply and cost of capital to businesses globally. The financial crisis presented policymakers with a choice between promoting business growth and safeguarding financial stability. This paper discusses how Basel III can be adapted to reflect the appropriate trade-off between the two.

Update for directors of listed companies

On 17 January the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) published an update for directors of listed companies in the UK to assist them in responding to increased country and currency risk in their annual and half-yearly financial reports.

Getting paid: lessons for, and from, SMEs

Paul and Boden, February 2012. This report brings together the experiences of business owners and managers as well as credit and finance professionals in businesses large and small, from the supplier's as well as the buyer's side. It finds that there is only so much government can do to protect small firms from abusive credit terms and late payment, but also a great deal that businesses can do for themselves. Published as part of ACCA's contribution to the UK Government's Finance Fitness Campaign.

SME internationalisation in Central and Eastern Europe

Rosana Mirkovic, February 2012. This report investigates both challenges and opportunities that exist in increasing the rate of SME international activity, with a particular focus on central and eastern Europe. Insights into the barriers to SME international activity, as well as policy recommendations and practical steps that can be taken to overcome these, will be of interest to the regional policy makers and business owners alike.

Effective dates and transition methods

Comments from ACCA to the International Financial Standards Board, January 2011

Proposals to reform the Financial Reporting Council

Comments from ACCA to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), January 2012

IASB: exposure draft on government loans (proposed change to IFRS 1)

Comments from ACCA to the International Accounting Standards Board, January 2012

IASB: exposure draft on investment entities

Comments from ACCA to the International Accounting Standards Board, January 2012

Adoption of integrated reporting by the ASX 50

This report investigates the state of integrated reporting among Australia’s 50 largest listed companies.

IASB: agenda consultation 2011

Comments from ACCA to the International Accounting Standards Board, November 2011