The Role and Current Status of IFRS in the Completion of National Accounting Rules – Evidence from the Netherlands

Abstract

Dutch law (B2T9) is positive towards IFRS. IFRS may be used by all entities, there is a specific option for entities using IFRS in the consolidated financial statements to apply an IFRS-friendly version of B2T9 in its separate financial statements, and IFRS for SMEs can be used by non-listed and non-regulated companies in combination with B2T9. In the process of adoption of the 2013 EU Accounting Directive only limited references have been made to IFRS. This is not an indication of a reduced interest in IFRS, but is a result of limiting the changes of B2T9 to those that are necessary as a result of changes at the EU level. The Dutch Accounting Standards Board, issuing Dutch Accounting Standards (DAS), considers IFRS when developing and changing its standards. In addition to the IFRS option DAS often include one or more additional optional treatments that are considered suitable for non-listed companies. The Dutch regulatory authority AFM is also positive towards IFRS and even advocates elimination of non-IFRS options from Dutch GAAP as much as possible. The number of major differences between Dutch GAAP and IFRS is relatively limited, with only a few differences that cannot be avoided by an entity when preparing financial statements under Dutch GAAP.

Keywords:

• accounting standard setting
• IASB
• IFRS
• Dutch GAAP
• EU Accounting Directive 2013/34/EU

Notes

1 In this article we will use the expression Dutch GAAP for the total set of legal rules and Dutch Accounting Standards (DAS).

2 Although it is not specifically mentioned in the first sentence of article 362.1 of B2T9, the generally accepted principles that are referred to are accounting principles generally accepted in the Netherlands.