would benefit the most from convergence. Many interviewees do not
perceive the change of the accounting model (i.e., the implementation
of IFRS for SMEs) as a cost or burden, but as a driver of improvements
in the accounting profession. This is seen as an opportunity to
train accountants, to implement better accounting systems in SMEs, to
disclose a higher quality accounting information, and to better the
business environment. This finding is particular to emerging economies,
needing reforms, but also powerful drivers for change.
However, convergence raises some issues. First, convergence may
hamper the medium and long-term compliance with IFRS for SMEs
as issued by IASB and may affect international comparability, which is
the main advocated benefit of the standard’s application worldwide.
While convergence seems the less resisted scenario for emerging economies,
the convergence plan (e.g., training, enforcement mechanisms,
and regulators’ intentions) should be oriented toward the standard’s
full implementation, in accordance with the IFRS Foundation’s constitution.
Specifically, convergence is not an objective in itself but a
means to achieve the adoption of IFRSs (IASC Foundation, 2010).
Second, convergence seems to be the most appropriate scenario for
those emerging countries intending to improve their accounting system,
but also required to comply with EU Directives. The EU’s political
decision not to endorse IFRS for SMEs can impede on the competitiveness
of some of its member states, especially emerging economies,
because many other emerging countries have adopted or plan to adopt
the standard. Also, the requirement to comply with EU Directives in
the national standards may hamper the long-term compliance with
IFRS for SMEs as issued by IASB.
Third, our analysis reveals that convergence has the support of
many groups of stakeholders, but users oppose this approach. This
result implies that convergence moves regulators’ attention from users’
needs (i.e., the IASB’s focus in developing accounting standards) to
preparers’ preferences (e.g., the desire to reduce administrative burden,
the need for education, etc.). This finding from our ex-ante research is
relevant for the decisions of regulators, which should balance the needs
of various stakeholders, but also the country’s political and economic
objectives.
Our research is subject to limitations. The small sample of stakeholders
interviewed restricts generalizability of findings. However,
access to data is problematic both in emerging economies in general
and considering the ex-ante nature of this research. The interviewees