created with some of these needs in mind, but it also contains other reporting requirements which may create more burdensome reporting in NZ than the current system.
The results of this study show that IFRS-SME requirement for a cash flow statement will create more accounting output requirements and potential costs for SMEs. There is debate about the value of historical cash flow information. Further study of the value of the cash flow statement to SME report users should be done before this requirement is imposed on SMEs.
The study found that the requirement to account for deferred taxes would have a significant effect on the amount of disclosure required by the sample companies. There is some evidence that deferred tax disclosure is beneficial to users, and that users value its disclosure, but the cost of disclosure may be greater than the benefit found. This is an avenue for further research.
Where goodwill is required to be amortised over 10 years this significantly affects total assets when 100% of goodwill is amortised. However, there is limited material effect for 10% amortisation on both net assets and total income. This suggests that 10% amortisation will not affect results annually, but when it is amortised in full (after 10 years) that will have a material effect on the total assets, and as a result, on equity and solvency.
The results show that a majority of sample companies could benefit from a reduction in report volume where a statement of changes in equity is not required. This would be beneficial in terms of reducing information overload for users.