Friday, May 24, 2013

The Role Of An Audit Committee In IFRS Conversion

By Esther Salazar


Streamlining business accounting necessitates an expert audit committee that can oversee the comprehensive development of the IFRS implementation program. Substantial awareness to critical financial system of the organization is important not just in protecting the interest of the enterprise but the whole workforce as well. Completion and submission of an IFRS conversion project are critical to the organizational goals thus making these imperative to small and large businesses alike. The audit team sees to it that potential risks are effectively addressed while at the same time provides appropriate attention to the implemented program.

The International Financial Reporting Standards or IFRS are different from the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or GAAP. GAAP are the standard framework for financial accounting used in certain jurisdictions inside and outside the region. These are imposed on organizations for investors to have minimum level of consistency in their financial statements. These involve revenue recognition, outstanding share measurements and classification of balance sheet item.

The IFRS, on the contrary, are designed with a greater scope of commercial affair in one common language which can be understood in different international boundaries. Said to have progressively replaced several accounting standards, these are employed in the local business landscape. And though the main purpose of the financial reporting principles is to harmonize accounting in the European Union, these simply spread quickly to different countries.

In business reporting, IFRS require distinct period approach for interim reporting and a thoroughgoing income analysis for financial statement presentation as well as disclosure. And since proper implementation needs in depth understanding on the system, advanced planning should be done in order to execute the program successfully. Implementation involves external sponsorship and assistance from top management.

Internal auditors are crucial for this. These professionals can help point out project risks including the operational and financial sides. They help plan strategies pertinent to the progress and readiness of the organization before the program implementation.

The audit staff will work closely with the board in developing practical program design that helps shape and provides direction to the financial reporting of the company. But before organizations pick a committee, it is vital to explore deeply on the necessary qualifications of auditors. Experience and expertise are very important but the loyalty of the whole team must also be investigated painstakingly.

Professional auditors follow a very systematic approach. To fully understand possible risks, they would first identify the impact of the program on the organization and determine project inter-dependencies. They help establish the right tone for every business unit and set specific time line as well as budget for necessary transition.

The audit team is essential in meeting the organization's central fiduciary responsibilities. It provides effective administration for financial reporting and strategic organizational direction. Also, it helps protect shareholders' interest as much as oversees company performance and its regulatory compliance.

The IFRS conversion is no doubt very important. And as professional knowledge is essential, companies must not risk doing the whole implementation without getting help from a good audit committee. Members of the team are after all the ones who could positively bring meaningful success to the whole organizational effort.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment