Traditionally, large and listed international entities have been the target of
international standard-setting authorities because the need for comparable financial
information was necessary for international investors and decision makers
(Wittsiepe, 2008). A need for a separate financial reporting standard set for SMEs
has now emerged because they also need comparable financial information as a
result of the globalizing world. However, the know-how, experience, and financial
resources necessary to adopt international financial reporting standards in smaller
entities require a streamlined and cost-efficient approach (Wittsiepe, 2008). For
this purpose, in July 2009, the IASB issued a new IFRS designed for the financial
reporting needs of SMEs. The IFRS for SMEs is proposed and designed for entities
that produce general purpose financial statements to meet the financial reporting
needs of small companies and to maintain easy and accurate economic decision
making by a broad range of resource providers and other users, such as nonmanager
owners, lenders, vendors, creditors, customers, and employees (Pacter,
2009). This standard was the result of a five-year development process, with
extensive consultation with SMEs worldwide (Epstein & Jermakowicz, 2010).