What is IFRS 9 for dummies?

Asked by: Dr. Norbert Mertz  |  Last update: July 30, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (23 votes)

IFRS 9, effective since 2018, is the international accounting standard governing how companies classify, measure, and report financial assets and liabilities (e.g., loans, bonds, receivables). It replaced IAS 39 to provide more forward-looking information, requiring companies to record expected losses earlier.

What is IFRS 9 in simple terms?

IFRS 9 specifies how an entity should classify and measure financial assets, financial liabilities, and some contracts to buy or sell non-financial items.

What are the three pillars of IFRS 9?

There are three pillars to IFRS 9 – classification and measurement, impairment and hedge accounting. Although corporates may see some change in the first two areas, the hedge accounting changes are the ones that are likely to have the biggest impact.

What is IFRS in accounting in simple words?

IFRS, or International Financial Reporting Standards, are a set of accounting rules for how information should be gathered and presented in financial reports.

What are the 3 stages of IFRS 9?

IFRS 9 Stage 1,2,3: The Three Stages of Expected Credit Losses

  • Stage 1: “12-month expected credit losses” (The Honeymoon Phase)
  • Stage 2: Lifetime Expected Credit Losses (The Warning Signs)
  • Stage 3: Lifetime Expected Credit Losses on Amortised Cost (Houston, We Have a Problem)

The fundamentals of IFRS 9

21 related questions found

What is CECL in simple terms?

The current expected credit loss (CECL) model under Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13 aims to simplify US GAAP and provide for more timely recognition of credit losses. In recent years, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has issued a number of final and proposed amendments to the standard.

What financial instrument is best for beginners?

Top investment ideas for beginners

  • 401(k) or other workplace retirement plan.
  • Mutual funds.
  • ETFs.
  • Individual stocks.
  • High-yield savings accounts.
  • Certificates of deposit (CDs)

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.

What are the 4 pillars of IFRS?

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

What is the main difference between IFRS and GAAP?

Enforcement: GAAP is rule-based, meaning publicly traded US companies are lawfully required to follow its directives. On the other hand, IFRS is standards-based and leaves more room for interpretation and sometimes requires lengthy disclosures on financial statements.

What is the simple approach to IFRS 9?

IFRS 9 requires impairment of financial assets based on expected credit losses. B. The simplified approach. When applying the general approach, an assessment has to be made of the stage in which the debt falls as this will affect whether 12-month or lifetime expected credit losses should be recognised.

What are Stage 1 2 3 assets?

Stage 1 assets are performing. Stage 2 assets are underperforming (that is, there has been a significant increase in their credit risk since the time they were originally recognized) Stage 3 assets are non-performing and therefore impaired.

Why is IFRS 9 important?

IFRS 9 provides a more principles-based approach to hedge accounting compared to IAS 39. It aims to align hedge accounting more closely with the risk management activities of an entity. The standard introduces new requirements for the documentation, effectiveness testing, and measurement of hedge effectiveness.

What are the three categories of IFRS 9?

IFRS 9 classifies financial assets into three main measurement categories: • amortised cost • fair value through other comprehensive income • fair value through profit or loss. Classification is determined by both: • the entity's business model • the contractual cash flow characteristics of the asset.

What are the five financial instruments?

5 Essential Financial Instruments To Consider In FY20 Financial Plan

  • Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS) ELSS is a type of mutual fund plan wherein you can invest by making monthly payments or a lump sum payment. ...
  • Public Provident Fund. ...
  • Insurance. ...
  • Sovereign Gold Bonds.

What is the difference between provision and impairment?

Unlike a provision, which is an estimate, impairment is based on a detailed review of individual debts and is recognized when objective evidence indicates a loss. Accounting Treatment Provision for Bad Debt: - Recorded as an expense in the income statement under operating expenses.

What are the key principles of IFRS 9?

IFRS 9 requires expected credit losses to reflect an unbiased and probability-weighted amount, the time value of money and reasonable and supportable information about past events, current conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions.

What is the IFRS checklist?

Disclosure checklists

Our disclosure checklist outlines the minimum disclosures required by IAS 34 'Interim financial reporting' and other IFRS Acocunting Standards published by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). It is intended for the use of existing preparers of IFRS financial statement.

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.

How to self study IFRS?

Being me in your shoes, I would start my IFRS learning as a step-by-step process:

  1. Learn the basic structure of IFRS.
  2. Read the Framework.
  3. Get some knowledge about individual standards.
  4. Develop your knowledge and be up-to-date.

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 ( ...