On adoptions of IFRS by jurisdictions

Elsewhere in this issue, Song and Trimble (2020; hereafter ST) present proposals for a method of classifying jurisdictions by the degree to which they have adopted IFRS. ST apply the method to many jurisdictions over 30 years. This classification can be useful to both qualitative and quantitative researchers. As ST suggest, the classification will need to be kept up to date. In that context, this commissioned paper discusses possible enhancements of the method. I suggest that ST’s tables are too ambitious in trying to cover six dimensions: country, year, type of GAAP, range of firms covered, whether the GAAP is required or merely permitted, and the degree of compliance by firms. I would reduce ST’s 13 IFRS statuses to five types of GAAP.