We are interested in the differences and similarities between the IFRS for SMEs and
the Romanian regulations. A general analysis was realized by a professional body
(CECCAR, 2010), providing in a comparative manner excerpts from the IFRS for
SMEs and national regulations. Other general analyses were conducted by Albu et
al. (2011a,b). Their results provide a general overview of the differences and
similarities between the IFRS for SMEs and the Romanian regulations. However,
they do not provide a methodology for measuring the differences or similarities, in a
comparable manner with studies on Romania addressing the issue of full IFRS
(Mustaţă, 2008).
While general studies are useful, analyses focused on specific topics are necessary
to understand the mechanisms of convergence. We will focus on inventories, an item
with a significant impact on the financial statements of many entities. Previous
studies in Romania report that the treatment of inventories is generally in line with
that of the IFRS for SMEs. However, we will realize an in-depth analysis. General
studies focused on a few items for inventories. For example, Peng and van der Laan
Smith (2010) study four measurement items: inventory costs, cost formulas, ending
inventory costs and recognition and reversal of impairment. On the other hand,
advocating the need for in-depth analyses, Qu and Zhang (2010) use in their study
27 items for inventories.
Based on previous literature and on the textual analysis of the Section 13 Inventories
of the IFRS for SMEs and of the national accounting regulations (OMFP 3055/2009),
we have identified 20 items related to inventories. To measure the
convergence/harmonization, we developed two methodologies used in previous
studies: (1) the measures of absence and divergence proposed by Ding et al. (2007)
(the authors do not take into consideration similarities or convergence); and (2)
complete or substantial convergence/divergence measures proposed by Qu and
Zhang (2010)