The effect of mandatory adoption of IFRS on the magnitude of accruals

Purpose This paper investigates whether the greater flexibility of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in contrast to accounting models that were used before those standards became mandatory meant a significant change in the magnitude of accruals recognized in the accounting income. Design/methodology/approach 18,126 observations are analyzed on 1,881 non-financial companies in 19 European countries in 2000-2012. A difference-in-differences regression method is used. The treatment sample includes companies that were required to adopt IFRS as from the 2005 fiscal year, while the control sample comprises companies that voluntarily adopted IFRS prior to 2005. Findings Compared to prior accounting standards, the mandatory adoption of IFRS increased the absolute value of accruals. This result is seen only in those companies where the magnitude of accruals is negative. The observed effect is independent of the degree of similarity between IFRS and prior standards. Originality/value This paper complements the literature analyzing the effect of IFRS on the financial statements and on the financial-economic indicators of companies. It analyzes the component of accounting income that is most sensitive to the use of professional judgment: accruals. Focusing on observed accruals helps avoid an error in measurement that can be made when working with the discretionary component of accruals. Additionally, a longer time horizon than in previous studies is considered.