Bloom (1997) argues that “accounting is very much a function of a country’s culture. Since each county
has a unique culture, each has a somewhat different accounting system.” Therefore, making informed investment
decisions across borders is often a difficult task due to the lack of uniformity in generally accepted accounting
principles. A move toward a set of global accounting standards and practices was made in 1973 starting with the
formation of the International Financial Reporting Standards Committee (IASC) which promulgated
International Financial Reporting Standards (IASs). The IASC was replaced by the International Financial
Reporting Standards Board in 2001 which issues International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs).
Approximately 100 countries currently require or have a policy of convergence with IFRSs (Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu, 2007). These standards are not identical to generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States, but have many similar provisions (Houston & Reinstein, 2001; Reason, 2002; Blanco & Osma, 2004).