What countries are using IFRS?

Asked by: Felipa Barrows  |  Last update: August 21, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (62 votes)

Over 140 jurisdictions, including the European Union, Canada, Australia, Japan, and many nations across Africa, Asia, and South America, require or permit the use of IFRS Accounting Standards. These standards are primarily used for the consolidated financial statements of publicly accountable entities, such as listed companies, to improve international comparability.

What countries use IFRS?

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 ...

Which countries are not using IFRS?

The U.S., China, Egypt, Bolivia, Guinea-Bissau, Macao and Niger don't allow their domestic publicly traded companies to use International Financial Reporting Standards.

Does Canada use 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.

Which country uses GAAP vs IFRS?

GAAP is used primarily in the United States, while IFRS is adopted by over 195 countries and territories worldwide. Key differences include inventory valuation (LIFO vs FIFO), asset revaluation, and revenue recognition approaches.

All in One IFRS (2025 Edition) | Complete Accounting Standards & Principles Explained

43 related questions found

Does Germany use GAAP or IFRS?

Germany is an EU Member State. Consequently, German companies listed in an EU/EEA securities market follow IFRSs since 2005. The European Commission (EC) periodically issues a document which summarises the use of options of the IAS Regulation by European Union Member States.

What are the 4 pillars of IFRS?

The four pillars of IFRS S1 and S2 are governance, strategy, risk management and metrics and targets.

Why doesn't America use IFRS?

Declaring (and rightfully so) that their main goal is to protect US investors' interests, the SEC notes that IFRS lacks consistent application, allows too much leeway with judgment, and is underdeveloped in many specific areas, for which the US GAAP has detailed and accepted guidance and established practice ( ...

Do Canadian companies follow GAAP or IFRS?

While publicly traded companies in Canada must use IFRS, private companies can choose ASPE or IFRS. When a lender, investor or other user doesn't require GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles), private companies can also choose to prepare non-GAAP financial statements.

Is IFRS difficult to learn?

The difficulty of Dip IFRS depends on your accounting background, study habits, and access to the right support. It's a professional challenge—but not an impossible one.

Is China using IFRS?

Chinese companies representing more than 30 per cent of the total market capitalisation of the domestic market produce IFRS-compliant financial statements as a result of their dual listings in Hong Kong and other international markets. Foreign companies do not trade currently in Chinese securities markets.

What are the disadvantages of using IFRS?

Incompatibility with Local Tax Regulations

One of the major drawbacks of IFRS adoption is its frequent misalignment with local tax laws and reporting requirements. Many countries have tax systems closely tied to national accounting standards, where taxable income is directly derived from financial statements.

What are the four principles of IFRS?

Although IFRS consists of a wide range of standards but its key four primary principles we will summarize below.

  • Relevance. Relevance shows that the data provided in financial statements must be competent enough to assist businesses take smart and better decisions. ...
  • Faithful Representation. ...
  • Comparability. ...
  • Understandability.

Is IFRS mandatory for all companies?

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.

What skills are needed for IFRS?

IFRS Skills That Every Accounting Professional Needs:

  • Expertise in IFRS Standards: ...
  • Financial Reporting Skills: ...
  • Risk Management: ...
  • Communication Skills: ...
  • Analytical Thinking: ...
  • Problem-Solving Abilities: ...
  • Ethical Conduct: ...
  • IT Proficiency:

Does Russia use IFRS?

Since 2012, IFRS have increasingly been adopted in Russia, and they are mandatory for consolidated financial statements, while standalone financial statements must be prepared using RAS. IFRS statements are also required for domestic public companies. IFRS are generally deemed more relevant to the needs of investors.

When did Canada switch to IFRS?

Since mandatory adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) started in Canada in 2011, publicly accountable enterprises (PAEs) have to measure, value, and present financial statements differently from those prepared under Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in earlier years.

Which companies need to use IFRS?

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.

Do most countries use IFRS?

IFRS is used in more than 110 countries around the world, including the EU and many Asian and South American countries. GAAP, on the other hand, is only used in the United States. Companies that operate in the U.S. and overseas may have more complexities in their accounting.

Will the US switch to IFRS?

It is very unlikely that the U.S. will ever completely converge to IFRS as the financial costs and obstacles to convergence are not insignificant. Not only will the costs of implication be great, but also the costs of training and education of auditors and accountants.

Why won't the US adopt IFRS?

As noted in the SEC Staff Final Report, IFRS lacks guidance for a certain number of industries, and concluded that overall, U.S GAAP is more comprehensive than IFRS. The third and final reason for the delay concerns the shifting of standard-setting authority from the SEC to the IASB.

Who created IFRS?

The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) created IFRS to standardize how financial statements are prepared. The goal was to make accounting standards consistent and transparent across borders, allowing investors to compare companies easily.

What are the 3 P's of ESG?

The Ps refer to People, Planet, and Profit, also often referred to as the triple bottom line. Sustainability has the role of protecting and maximising the benefit of the 3Ps.

What is IFRS 18 replacing?

Summary. IFRS 18 replaces IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements as the primary source of requirements in IFRS accounting standards for financial statement presentation which will provide better information to users.