Are proprietorships required to follow IFRS?

Asked by: Prof. Robert Donnelly  |  Last update: August 30, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (60 votes)

Proprietorships (sole proprietorships) are generally not required to follow International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). IFRS is typically mandated for publicly accountable entities, such as listed companies, rather than private, small businesses. Proprietorships usually follow local tax-basis accounting or simplified accounting frameworks.

Do proprietorships follow IFRS?

Proprietorships and Partnerships

Therefore, they are not usually required to follow IFRS. Instead, they may follow local GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) or other simplified reporting requirements. However, it's important to note that the decision to adopt IFRS can also be voluntary.

Who is required to follow IFRS standards?

IFRSs are required for Government-owned enterprises, newly privatised companies (large taxpayers, or 'LTOs'), banks, and insurance companies. IFRSs required in both consolidated and separate financial statements of financial institutions. IFRSs permitted in both consolidated and separate statements of other companies.

When to use IFRS vs IFRS for SMEs?

In terms of the Company's Act a company only needs to apply IFRS if the company is a state-owned company as defined by the Act or if the company is a public company listed on an exchange such as the JSE or AltX for example, all other companies are able to apply IFRS for SMEs.

Do all companies need to follow IFRS?

Private enterprises are still able to use the private enterprises GAAP, while all publicly accountable enterprises are required to use IFRS standards. Not-for-profits and other private enterprises can choose separately developed standards for those entities.

What is IFRS? | International Financial Reporting Standards

36 related questions found

Are IFRS mandatory?

IFRS Standards are required or permitted in 169 jurisdictions across the world, including major countries and territories such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the European Union, GCC countries, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, and ...

Who uses IFRS for SMEs?

The IASB has determined that any entity that does not have public accountability may use the IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard.

Does IFRS apply to private companies?

IFRS for Private Entities are intended for any entity that does not have public accountability. In developing IFRS for Private Entities, the IASB focused on the typical needs of a typical mid-size private company; however, IFRS for Private Entities may be used by any non-publicly accountable entity regardless of size.

Who qualifies for IFRS for SME?

All entities apart from public companies, state- owned companies and certain non-profit companies are allowed to apply the IFRS for SMEs. Profit companies, other than state owned or public companies, whose public interest score for the particular financial year is at least 350.

Does IFRS 16 apply to small companies?

Under IFRS 16 Leases, companies are required to report all leases with terms longer than 12 months on their balance sheets, with some exceptions, and disclose more details about their lease obligations. Even for small businesses with a limited lease portfolio, managing the impacts of this standard can be difficult.

Which of the following entities is eligible to apply for IFRS 19?

In order to apply IFRS 19, an entity must meet all of the following criteria at the end of its reporting period: • is a subsidiary • does not have public accountability, and • has a parent that produces consolidated financial statements available for public use that fully comply with IFRS Accounting Standards.

What is the key difference between IFRS and GAAP?

GAAP: Only allows the revaluation of fair market value for marketable securities (i.e., investments and stocks). IFRS: Allows for the revaluation of more assets, including plant, property, and equipment (PPE), intangible assets like goodwill in accounting, and investments in marketable securities.

Are accounting standards mandatory for all companies?

(A) Companies: Accounting standards are mandatory for companies. This is because companies are required by law to prepare their financial statements according to prescribed accounting standards to provide a true and fair view of their financial position.

Do sole proprietors need to follow GAAP?

Not necessarily. Privately held companies are not required by law to follow generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), but your company can face hurdles if you do not.

Are accounting standards applicable to a proprietorship firm?

Assertion (A): Accounting Standards are mandatory for Sole Proprietorship Firms, Partnership Firms and Companies. Reason (R): They ensure uniformity in the preparation and presentation of financial statements.

Which accounting treatment is not allowable under IFRS for SMEs?

In addition, there are certain accounting treatments that are not allowable under the SMEs Standard. Examples of these disallowable treatments are the revaluation model for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, and proportionate consolidation for investments in jointly controlled entities.

What is the difference between IFRS and IFRS for SME?

IFRS allows for the recognition of internally generated intangible assets where certain conditions are met. IFRS for SMEs does not allow for the recognition of these intangible assets. Borrowing costs under IFRS for SMEs are expensed as opposed to IFRS which requires them to be capitalised where applicable.

Who is required to follow IFRS?

The Canadian Accounting Standards Board (AcSB) requires publicly accountable enterprises to use IFRS in the preparation of all interim and annual financial statements. Most private companies also have the option to adopt IFRS for financial statement preparation.

What are the 4 types of businesses?

What are the Types of Businesses? There are different types of businesses to choose from when forming a company, each with its own legal structure and rules. Typically, there are four main types of businesses: Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies (LLC), and Corporations.

When would a sole proprietorship use IFRS?

A sole proprietorship is never allowed to use IFRSd. If there is a plan to become a public company in the near future.

Is IFRS compulsory?

While IFRS compliance is not mandatory for all companies, certain entities are required to follow Ind-AS, including: Listed companies. Unlisted companies with a net worth of Rs. 250 crore or more.

Is IFRS only for public companies?

ASPE was designed for private companies; IFRS Accounting Standards is to be applied by public companies and other publicly accountable enterprises.

Can a private company use IFRS?

A private enterprise can choose to adopt either International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS or Part I of the Handbook) or ASPE (Part II of the Handbook).

Can a subsidiary whose parent uses full IFRS use IFRS for SMEs if the subsidiary itself is not publicly accountable?

A subsidiary that is part of a consolidated group that uses full IFRSs is not prohibited from using the IFRS for SMEs in its individual financial statements, provided that the subsidiary itself does not have public accountability.

What is the difference between IFRS 19 and IFRS for SMEs?

Unlike IFRS 19, which is a disclosure-only Standard, the IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard is a stand-alone Standard that includes recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure requirements.