The increasing complexity of financial reporting requirements, especially accounting standards, leads many countries to consider moving to simpler reporting requirements for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in order to reduce reporting burdens. In response to such concern, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) also released the IFRS for SMEs, an international accounting standard intended for SMEs worldwide. In Thailand, SMEs are required by law to prepare and publish general purpose financial statements for statutory reporting, but the Thai financial reporting framework is complex. Thus, it would be beneficial for Thai SMEs if their reporting burdens were reduced. The IFRS for SMEs might be considered as an alternative set of accounting standards in Thailand, so its suitability to Thai SMEs is worth evaluating.
This present study examines SME reporting in Thailand to ascertain its features and to evaluate its costs and benefits to SME stakeholders. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches are adopted in the study. Semi-structured interviews of SMEs, users and other stakeholders are conducted and the data are analysed using Strauss and Corbin’s grounded theory approach. A questionnaire survey of directors or managers of SMEs and a review of SME financial statements are also undertaken. Univariate and multivariate data analysis is carried out with these two data sets.