Critical Analysis on the Amendments Discussed, Concerning Changes in Accounting Estimates

Abstract

In this article, our main aim is to bring in discussion some of the most controversial points debated along the time on the use of the accounting estimates in financial reporting. More important, we have referred to the Exposure Draft recently closed for comment letters, which addressed some points that will follow to be transformed into several amendments to IAS 8. Our discussion is focused, especially on how professionals can make a clear distinction between changes in accounting estimates and changes in accounting policies. We try to underline the trinomial perspective of this subject, as the changes in accounting estimates impact, not only the financial statements, but can generate issues on auditing those estimates, or on using financial information output on the entity valuation models. Additionally, we try to emphasize the essential role of this distinction between changes in accounting estimates and changes in accounting policies.

Keywords

• ias 8
• estimation
• iasb
• mark-to-market
• conceptual framework