The implication of applying IFRS in Vietnamese enterprises from an expert perspective

Abstract

According to the survey results of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), currently, 131/143 countries (accounting for 93%) have had official statements on the application of IFRS with different forms. Among countries which have not permitted IFRS application, there is also a tendency to adjust the national accounting standards system to match up to IFRS. Vietnam is preparing a roadmap for the application of IFRS in 2022. This paper conducts a study with 23 in-depth interviews and survey with 92 experts who are university lecturers, researchers from research institutes, experts in the fields of securities, banking, finance in order to collect some ideas on the roadmap, subjects and scope of IFRS application; assess the benefits and challenges when applying IFRS; then give the implications of IFRS application process in Vietnam. The ideas are consistent with the opinion that preparing IFRS financial statements will improve the transparency of financial statements. However, experts think that the biggest challenge when adopting IFRS is associated with high expenses. Therefore, most opinions suggest that businesses need 3 to 5 years to prepare human resources and other necessary conditions for IFRS application. In addition, in the first period, there is a need to apply IFRS to listed companies, public companies, foreign-invested enterprises, encourage large companies to apply voluntarily. Besides, the study suggests some implications about the implementation process for organizations, individuals and the government.

Keywords

• IFRS
• Benefits and challenges
• IFRS application roadmap