IFRS convergence and accounting quality: India a case study

Abstract

This study examines the impact on accounting quality in India after converging Indian generally accepted accounting principles (IGAAP) with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The converged form of IGAAP is referred as Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS). Using a pre-and post-IFRS adoption period design, we compare the quality of accounting information reported under IGAAP and Ind AS. Our results show that accounting quality deteriorates immediately after the adoption of Ind AS. In particular, we document that the implementation of IFRS-converged standards results in lower variability in net income, a higher magnitude of discretionary accruals, less timely recognition of losses, and lower value relevance of reported earnings. Subsequent tests suggest that the deterioration in accounting quality ameliorates with the passage of time. The findings of the study suggest that there may be a learning curve for the benefits of IFRS adoption/convergence to diffuse over time through a system. Moreover, simply adopting or converging to IFRS without concurrent changes in institutional and enforcement frameworks may not result in improvements in accounting quality, especially in countries with weak regulatory jurisdictions. Consequently, more attention needs to be paid to implementation and diffusion issues, such as integrating IFRS intentionally in the University curriculum and providing workshops and continuing education courses to improve stakeholder familiarity with IFRS. Improvements in the institutional structures of financial reporting should also be implemented.