(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2004-09)
Hegarty, John; Gielen, Frédéric; Hirata Baros, Ana Cristina
This paper addresses challenges to the
successful implementation of international accounting and
auditing standards which have been observed by the World
Bank when carrying out the Report on the Observance of
Standards and Codes (ROSC) accounting and auditing
assessments. It describes the ROSC program, outlines the
methodological approach followed, identifies problems common
across several jurisdictions, and makes suggestions for
initiatives that could enhance the implementation of
international standards. The ROSC results show that
governments have primarily concentrated on adopting
legislation mandating or allowing the use of international
standards, and the private sector has sought to increase the
competence of individuals and firms to apply international
standards. This paper provides an overview of the main
program of Bank diagnostic work in the field of private
sector financial reporting: (ROSC) It summarizes some of the
main findings of the 38 assessments that have been carried
out to date, with specific reference to the challenges to
the successful implementation of international accounting
and auditing standards. Attention is drawn to the need for
international consensus on a comprehensive framework of
principles for the regulation of accounting and auditing
that also addresses issues of implementation, which is not
covered by existing international accounting and auditing
standards. The paper concludes by raising a number of other
issues to be discussed and resolved going forward, if
countries are to receive the support they need to
successfully implement international standards and reap
their full benefits.