Introduction
In response to strong international demand from both developed and emerging economies, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) published the International Financial Reporting Standard for Small and Medium-sized Entities (IFRS for SMEs) on 9 July 2009 ( Jermakowicz & Epstein, 2010). The IFRS for SMEs were effective immediately upon release, and jurisdictions around the world have started to consider whether to require or permit them ( Pacter, 2009b). The objective was to have a simpler set of financial reporting standards for SMEs. This self-contained standard emerged as a result of a five-year development process, including consultation with SMEs worldwide ( Jermakowicz & Epstein, 2010). As of January 2011, 73 jurisdictions have either adopted the IFRS for SMEs or stated a plan to adopt it within the next 3 years ( IFRS, 2011).