Accounting Standards in Singapore
In Singapore, accounting standards are known as Singapore Financial Reporting Standards (SFRS) and are based on the IFRS. All companies with financial period starting on or after 1 January 2003 have to comply with SFRS.
Accrual-based accounting is one of the main principals of Singapore accounting standards. Financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting. Under this basis, the effects of transactions and other events are recognized when they occur (and not as cash or its equivalent is received or paid) and they are recorded in the accounting records and reported in the financial statements of the periods to which they relate. Financial statements prepared on the accrual basis inform users not only of past transactions involving the payment and receipt of cash but also of obligations to pay cash in the future and of resources that represent cash to be received in the future.
The overall set of accounting standards in Singapore contain about 39 different standards with each standard named as FRS X e.g. FRS 1. Each standard covers a specific topic such as presentation of financial statements, recognition of revenue, accounting for inventories, and so on.
Singapore Accounting Standards for Small Entities
In an ever changing and demanding world, the accounting standards are increasingly becoming more complex. This make it more and more difficult for small businesses to feel confident that they are in compliance. Adhering to the full SFRS was difficult for small and medium size entities (SME), as they found the requirements to be a burden on their precious little resources. As in many other countries, SMEs constitute the bulk of the companies operating in Singapore.
As a measure to address the specific need of the international SMEs IASB issued an IFRS specifically for SMEs in 2009. Following this, Accounting Standards Council (ASC) of Singapore also announced the issuance of Singapore Financial Reporting Standard (SFRS) for Small Entities in November 2010.
The SFRS for Small Entities is an alternative framework to the full SFRS for eligible entities in Singapore. SFRS for SE is closely aligned to IFRS for Small Entities, and it was issued after elaborate consultation with the stakeholders. It provides an optional financial reporting standard for small entities for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2011.
The objective of the SFRS for SE is to provide some relief to small entities from compliance with full SFRS while ensuring quality, transparency and comparability, which can benefit the investment community and other users of financial statements.