THE EFFECT OF ADOPTION OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL

REPORTING STANDARDS ON QUALITY OF FINANCIAL REPORTING BY

BY

BERNARD KIPKIRUI MUTAI

SUPERVISOR

DR. J. ADUDA

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE

OCTOBER, 2014
 Declaration

This management research project is my original work and has not been presented for a
degree in any other university.

Signature...................................... Date.........................................

BERNARD KIPKIRUI MUTAI

(D61/72336/2011)

This management research project has been submitted for examination with my approval
as the University Supervisor.

DR JOSIAH ADUDA

Dean, School Of Business

Dept of Finance and Accounting

University Of Nairobi

Signature...................................... Date.........................................

ii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Work on this proposal has been a valuable intellectual and personal experience and there
are many people I would like to acknowledge for their contributions and support in the
process.

First and foremost I would like to offer a sacrifice of thanks giving to the almighty Lord
for his faithfulness. This is another living testimony that he will bring to pass whatever
we commit to.

My deepest appreciation goes to my Supervisor DR J Aduda for his unwavering support

My appreciation also extends to the many scholars whose writings have enriched the
literature on the topics of IFRS. They are listed in the bibliography section, and those
with multiple citations deserve special gratitude. I also benefited greatly from my fellow
graduate business students at the University of Nairobi, School of Business whose
writings and discussions greatly stimulated my thinking.

I would like to also register my appreciation for the financial support I got from my Dad
and Mum.

Special thanks to my cousin Weldon, Brother Gilbert

Finally, I owe special thanks to our children Verna and Roy for their devoted interest, and
support during this proposal work, and also for their patience and understanding for the
long hours I have spent on this paper.

iii
 DEDICATION

This proposal is dedicated to my lovely wife Scolastica to whom I owe so much. I

Highly cherish your love, encouragement, support, and guidance throughout all these
years. Above all, thank you so much for training me to believe in myself.

iv
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Declaration...........................................................................................................................ii

Acknowledgements............................................................................................................iii

Dedication...........................................................................................................................iv

Table of Contents.................................................................................................................v

List of Tables....................................................................................................................viii

List of abbreviation.............................................................................................................ix

Abstract................................................................................................................................x

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background....................................................................................................................1

1.1.1 International Financial Reporting Standards……………….……………………...5

1.1.2 Quality of Financial Reporting....…………………………........……….…………..6

1.1.3 IFRS and Quality of Financial Reporting...................................................................6

1.1.4 Companies listed at NSE............................................................................................7

1.2 Research Problem..........................................................................................................8

1.3 Objective of the Study.................................................................................................10

1.4 Value of the Study.......................................................................................................10

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………..………………….12

2.2 Theoretical review…………………………………………………………………12

2.2.1 Normative Approach Theory………………………………….………………..12

v
2.2.2 Positive Approach Theory………………………...……………………….……13
2.2.3 Event Approach Theory………………..……………………………..…………14
2.3 Determinants of Quality of Financial Reporting…………………………………..15

2.4 Empirical Studies…………………………………………………...……………….15

2.5 Summary of Literature Review……………………………………...………………24

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction................................................................................................................. 25

3.2 Research Design...........................................................................................................25

3.3 Population and Sample Size.........................................................................................25

3.4 Data Collection............................................................................................................25

3.5 Data Analysis.............................................................................................................. 26

3.5.1 The Analytical Model ……………………………….…………………………….26

3.6 Data Validity and Reliability………...………………………………………………27

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS, RESULTS AND DISCUSSION.

4.0 Introduction................................................................................................................. 28

4.1 International Financial Reporting Standards...............................................................29

4.2 Effect of Adopting IFRS on the Published Financial Statements…............................29

4.3 Comparing the Extend Of Financial Reporting and Value Relevance of Companies
Listed At Nairobi Securities Exchange..............................................................................31

4.4 Regression Analysis.................................................................................................... 32

4.4.1 Model Summary........................................................................................................33

4.4.2 Analysis Of Variance............................................................................................... 33

vi
4.4.3 Test of Coefficient.................................................................................................. 34

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.0 Introduction................................................................................................................. 36

5.1 Discussion....................................................................................................................36

5.2 Conclusion...................................................................................................................36

5.3 Recommendation.........................................................................................................37

REFERENCES..................................................................................................................38
Appendices
IFRS AND IAS list………………………………………………………………………45
Introduction letter

vii
 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1; Number of years listed at Nairobi securities exchange

Table 2; Qualities of Financial Reporting

Table 3; Qualities of Financial Reporting Standards and Extend On Decision Making

Table 4; Model Summary

Table 5; Analysis of Variance

Table 6; Coefficients

viii
 ABREVIATIONS;

AAEA; Association of Accountants in East Africa

CPA; Certified Public Accountant

FASB; Financial Accounting Standards Board

GAAP; Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

HDI; Human Development Index

HGB; Handelsgesetzbuch German Accounting Rules.

IAS; International Accounting Standards.

IASB; International Accounting Standards Board

IASC; International Accounting Standards Committee.

IASIC; International Accounting Standard Interpretation Committee.

ICPAK; Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya

IFRS; International Financial Reporting Standards

IMTA; Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants.

KAS; Kenya Accounting Standards.

KASNEB; Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examination Board

KBII; Kenya Business Indicator Index

NSE; Nairobi Securities Exchange

UNCTAD; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

UNDP; United Nations Development Programme

ix
 ABSTRACT

Accounting is shaped by economic and political forces. It follows that increased

worldwide integration of both markets and politics driven by reductions in

communications and information processing costs makes increased integration of

financial reporting standards and practice almost inevitable. International Financial

Reporting Standards (IFRS) is a standard format of financial reporting that is gaining

momentum worldwide and is a single consistent accounting framework and has become

predominant Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAAP). The aim of this study is

to try and established the quality of financial reporting of companies who are adopting

the international financial reporting standards.

x
 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) heralded a new

era in financial reporting. From 2005 onwards, publicly traded firms in more than 100

countries have been progressively required to prepare consolidated financial

statements under IFRS (IASB, 2011). This is due to realization of the anticipated

benefits to be derived as a result of the change from national generally accepted

accounting principles (GAAP) to IFRS in terms of improved quality of financial

reporting being the core motive of the proponents of general adoption of IFRS. The

Supporters of IFRS adoption argue that benefits will flow from expanded financial

statement disclosures, improved measurement and recognition practices, and the

narrowing of differences in company reporting arising when a variety of national

GAAP is used (Schipper, 2005; Whittington, 2005).The acceptance is also based on

the concept of convergence of accounting standards to minimize areas of differences

in reporting formats across international borders.

The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) is the body that publishes

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and was established in 2001 as a

successor to the International Accounting Standards Committee. In 2002 a meeting

between IASB and FASB in Norwalk agreed that the two international organizations

decided to work towards establishing uniformity between IFRS and U.S. GAAP. A

Memorandum of Understanding issued by the two organisations in 2006 stated that

the duo would seek convergence by 2008 (Hoti and Nuhiu, 2011).

1
Accounting Framework has been shaped by International Financial Reporting

Standards (IFRS) to provide for recognition, measurement, presentation and

disclosure requirements relating to transactions and events that are reflected in the

financial statements. IFRS was developed in the public interest to provide a single set

of high quality, understandable and uniform accounting standards. Users of financial

statement worldwide require sound understanding of financial statement but this can

only be made possible based on Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAAP).

With globalization of finance gaining ground, convergence with IFRS will enable the

world to exchange financial information in a meaningful and trustworthy manner

(Ikpefan and Akande 2012).

International Financial Reporting Standards adoption by Kenya has been in phases,

however, IFRS remains as a standard with high quality accounting reporting

framework. Thus, the users of financial statements can easily compare the entity's

financial information between countries in different parts of the world. Implications of

adopting IFRS mean adopting a global financial reporting language that would create

that a company globally understands financial statement.

This study sets out to examine whether the adoption of International Financial

Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Kenya has improved the quality of financial reporting

with regard to companies listed at NSE. Kenya adopted IFRS, and then referred to as

International Accounting Standards (IAS), in 1999 through a resolution by the

Council of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), the

legally mandated accounting institute in Kenya. The study compares changes in the

quality of accounting between the pre-adoption period from 1995 to 1999 and the post

adoption period from 2000 to 2014. The study specifically tests whether there is less

earnings management, more timely loss recognition and higher value relevance in the

2
adoption period as opposed to the pre adoption period. It also takes a global

perspective to the IFRS question in relation to quality.

Since their inception, International Accounting Standards have been produced by two

bodies. The first, the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) came up

with 41 accounting standards between 1973 and 2000. The IASC was replaced by the

International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in the year 2000. The new Board

embarked on a review processes aimed at refining the standards. The result was a

reduction in the number of standards from 41 in the year 2000 to 28 by the year 2008.

By 2011, 13 standards had been issued by the board as International Financial

Reporting standards (IFRS). According to IAS Plus (2010), IFRS refers to the entire

body of IASB pronouncements including standards and interpretations approved by

IASB, IASC and their interpretations produced by the Accounting Standards

Interpretations Committee (IASIC). IFRS or IAS have also been described as a set of

standards stating how particular types of transactions and other events should be

reflected in financial statements, issued by IASC and IASB (ACCA 2008). The

primary objective of the accounting standards is to enable corporations to provide

investors and creditors with relevant, reliable and timely information which is in line

with the IASB’s accounting framework for the preparation and presentation of

Financial Statements. The concept of accounting quality is based on the IASB

framework where relevance, reliability, understandability and comparability (IFRS

2006) are key components and therefore, assumed that financial statement with the

four qualitative characteristics have better quality. Chen et al. (2010) has simply

described accounting quality as the extent to which the financial statement

information reflects the underlying economic situation. In simple terms, this study

seeks to establish if the adoption of IFRS has improved qualitative characteristics of

3
the financial reporting in Kenya, where such improvement would be regarded as

improvement in quality.

The institutional framework of accounting in Kenya refers to the way the accounting

profession is organized in the country. It focuses on five areas namely; the legal

framework( Company’s Act Cap 486), the Accountants Act(Incorporates the Institute

of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK, Kenya Accountants and

Secretaries National Examination Board (KASNEB) ) and the regulators ( Capital

Markets Authority, The Central Bank, Insurance Regulatory Authority and the Stock

Exchange.

Although ICPAK was established over 37 years ago (1977), as at Nov 2009, 18,000

people had passed KASNEB administered Accountancy (CPA) examination but only

6,000 had become ICPAK members (World Bank 2010). This implies that

accountants who have passed exams, but have not registered with ICPAK, are not

receiving appropriate Continuous Professional Education and the guidance required

to conduct the functions of accounting thereby, diluting the quality of accounting.

IFRS is a critical component of the accounting quality process as it forms the basis of

professional practice in any country. In spite of this, slightly over ten years since IFRS

was adopted in Kenya, the Accountants Act has not been explicit on ICPAK issuing

IFRS. This has led to a situation where there is no legal basis upon which

reinforcement can be effected by ICPAK, the other Act relevant to accounting in

Kenya is the Companies Act known as cap 486 which was modelled alongside the UK

Companies Act of 1948. This Act requires all limited liability companies to keep

proper books of accounts, the act has been amended through the Companies Act of

1985 and 1989 by incorporating the requirements of the UK accounting standards. In

fact, the Kenya Companies Act is not harmonized with the Accountants Act (1977

4
and 1998). According to UNCTAD (2005) the requirements of the Act do not

recognize the institute’s authority to oversee and prescribe the financial reporting

framework. The Act has also been criticized for not defining what true and fair view

is. Moreover, an important requirement such as cash flow provided for in the

Standards is not prescribed in the Act. These inconsistencies make it difficult to

enforce IFRS.

1.1.1 International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are a set of accounting standards

developed by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) that is becoming

the global standard for the preparation of public company financial statements. It is an

independent variable in this study.

The main impetus for the standard setting programme was to reduce the wide variety

of accounting practices companies employed. It was believed that Principles’

destroyed comparability between the accounts of one business and another and that

the standard setters is to carry out a careful investigation of existing practices and to

identify best practices and try to help those companies employing inferior procedures

so as to improve their published reports. This would allow some flexibility and

attempt to justify the favoured procedure with the argument that it is better to have

second rate figures that are comparable than to allow choices to be made.

Compliance with accounting standards has also been shown to be an effective defence

for auditors faced with accusations of misconduct based on alleged failure to ensure

that accounts show a true and fair view. It is acknowledged that standards fulfil a

valuable role in the short run by ensuring that all companies adopt the best procedures

currently used, but it is believed in some quarters that they may prove detrimental in

5
the long run. Over the years, considerable improvements have been made in the form

and content of published accounts and much of this has occurred as the result of free

market experiment and innovation.

1.1.2 Quality of Financial Reporting

This is a dependent variable in this study and the results of their measurement are

improve transparency, lower preparation cost, more efficient investment decision,

lower cost of capital, enhance comparability, reduce need for supplementary

information, expand financial statement disclosure and improve measurement and

recognition, understandability,reliability and relevance.

The concept of improving the quality of IFRS financial statement has taken the back

seat to matters of compliance. Enhancing the quality of such statement is one of the

key factors that add value to an IFRS conversion compared to a basic compliance

approach. This highlights qualitative aspects within the preparation of IFRS financial

statements and improves the quality of those statements beyond the level obtained by

simply complying with the standards.

The qualitative characteristics of information in financial statements are relevance and

faithful representation. Relevant information has confirmatory or predictive value.

Faithful representation means that the information reflects the real world economic

phenomena that it purports to represent.

1.1.3 IFRS and Qualities of Financial Reporting.

The international financial reporting standards may have a number of qualities one

being Understand ability. This is an essential quality of useful financial information

that should be presented in a way that is readily understandable by users. The users

6
are assumed to have a reasonable knowledge of business, economic activities and

accounting and are willing to study the information diligently.

Relevance is another quality, it influences the economic decisions of users. Relevant

information is when it fulfils a predictive role or a confirmatory role which are

obviously interrelated.

For any financial information to be useful, it must also possess the characteristic of

reliability. It is judged to be reliable if it is free from material error and bias and can

be depended upon by users to faithfully represent events and transactions. This

information in the financial statements must be complete within the bounds of what

can be considered to be material in relation to the cost of producing the information.

Comparability as a quality has two dimensions: one is comparability over entities and

the other is comparability over time. The later requires the application of the

consistency concept so that users are able to identify trends in its financial position

and performance, its presentation and classification of items in the financial

statements should remain unchanged from one period to the next, unless a significant

change in the nature of the enterprise’s operations, or a review of its financial

statement presentation demonstrates that the change will result in a more appropriate

presentation or classification; or a change in presentation is required by a new or

amended accounting standard .

1.1.4 Companies Listed At Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).

The NSE was constituted as a voluntary association of stock brokers registered under

the societies act in 1954 and was incorporated into the company’s act of Kenya as a

limited company in 1991 by guarantee and without a share capital.

7
The market has seen an increase in the number of stockbrokers, investment banks,

establishment of custodial institutions and credit rating agencies. There are 60 listed

firms in the NSE whose shares are currently trading. The securities which are traded

include, equities, bonds, preferred shares and ordinary shares (www.nse.co.ke).

The NSE has classified its listed companies into eleven sectors; agricultural,

commercial and services, automobiles and accessories, insurance, banking,

telecommunication and technology, construction and allied, investment,

manufacturing and allied, energy and petroleum, growth and enterprise market

segment (NSE,2014).

The ownership structure of the listed firms in terms of which shares are traded at

securities market differs, the shares can be preferential or ordinary shares. An increase

in the share price denotes an increase in both a company’s value and shareholders

wealth (Wedinger and Plats, 2012). NSE (2013) defines market capitalization as an

estimation of the value of a business that is obtained by multiplying the number of

shares outstanding by the current price of a share. What baffles most investors in the

NSE is the quality of financial reporting of firms that adopt the IFRS and how they

relate to their impressive performance in the market. The NSE had a market

capitalization of ksh 1.61trillion by the end of 2013.

1.2 Research Problem

As evident from the foregoing, a good number of studies carried out in different

countries have highlighted the benefits of having single set of financial reporting

standards across the globe in supporting the adoption of IFRS globally. Few of the

studies had given contradictory views questioning the relevance of IFRS adoption in

developing and emerging economies. The effect of the adoption of IFRS on quality of

8
financial reporting has also been examined but the effect on the financial statement

and cost management has not been empirically investigated thereby creating a

research gap in this area which this paper intends to fill.

In comparing domestic standards to IFRS, some studies have shown that there are no

significant differences in accounting results with the implication that the adoption of

IFRS does not result in better accounting quality. Studies in Germany by Tendeloo

and Vanstraelen (2005) and Hung and Subramanyam (2007) did find similarities in

earnings management and value relevance in comparing results of the national and

international standards. Paananen (2008) reports no quality increases in the Swedish

case and Elbannan (2011) reports mixed findings in Egypt.

On this basis, it is also hypothesized that the adoption of IFRS in Kenya as compared

to KAS given mandatory adoption and KAS framework being similar to IASB’s may

yield mixed results. In 2009, the Kenya Business Indicator Index (KBII) gave the

country a score of 6.48 out of 12 and ranked it at 71 out of 100 countries (Standards

Forum 2009). Similarly, the country was ranked 72 out of 100 in the 2009 E-

standards forum index. The key objective of the E-standards forum and the KBII

indices is to monitor a country’s economic, financial and political performance so as

to provide investors, policy makers, donors and other stakeholders with the country

risk profile and conformity with best practices. From these two indices, it is clear that

Kenya’s compliance is quite low. These indices send mixed signals about Kenya’s

business climate as well as the fact that in spite of the challenges of implementing the

standards, many things are on track. The low human capital index is also interesting

as Kenya suffers an acute shortage of highly skilled manpower in key professional

areas such as accounting and finance which therefore, affects the quality of activities

in the economy. The shortage of manpower is collaborated by the UNDP; Human

9
 Development Index (HDI) for 2010 of 0.470 ranks Kenya as number 128 out of 177

(UNDP 2010) countries. Furthermore, the training of accountants in universities in

Kenya has not met the industries demands and ICPAK estimates that although 30,000

accountants are required in Kenya, less than 5000 are actively involved with the

institute. Manpower at the faculty level is also scarce and unofficial statistics indicate

there are less than five Doctorates in Accountancy in the entire country with three of

them past retirement.

The study will try to ask the following question; firstly what are the effects of IFRS

adoption where the market structures and managerial behaviours are distinct from

developed world where most of the studies are based. Secondly what is the quality of

financial reporting and value relevance using Kenyan sample.

1.3 Objective of the Study

1.3.1 Main Objective.

The study tried to establish the effect of adopting IFRS on quality of financial

reporting by companies listed at Nairobi securities exchange.

1.3.2 Specific Objective

(i) To evaluate the effect of adopting IFRS on the published financial statements of listed

companies at Nairobi securities exchange.

(ii) To compare the extend of the financial reporting quality and value relevance using

companies listed at Nairobi securities exchange.

1.4 Value of the Study.

The study of IFRS at NSE is of great value in policy formulation. It is of high

importance to the firms listed at NSE. The study will assist the management of capital

10
market Authority with information on how to use IFRS as a tool for Quality of

financial reporting and thus be able to spot problems and uncover opportunities.

The study will contribute to the existing body of knowledge on IFRS and generate

interests among academicians, scholars’ and researchers. It will also form as an in

depth information in terms of literature review and a reference point in examining

different aspects of IFRS.

The findings should enable regulators and other key player to gauge the effectiveness

of the financial reporting system in place such as training and development for

practitioners and new members, due diligence for Accounting standards and the

overall institutional and professional organization conducive for effective standards

application. The study will be part of a vetting process for IFRS by IASB. Should the

results indicate that there is positive impact, then that will go towards confirming

IFRS as a quality standard. Should the results indicate that there are no quality

improvements, and then the findings would highlight the missing link why IFRS is

not delivering the promised benefits?

11
 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

In this chapter, the researcher reviewed other literatures done on IFRS. The literature

covers relevant research on the subject.

2.2 Theoretical Framework

Accounting is a human activity and will consider such thing as people’s behaviour

and people’s needs as regards financial information, or the reason why people within

organizations might select to supply particular information to particular stakeholder

group. Different researchers have different perspectives of the role of accounting

theory. Some researchers believe that the principal role of accounting theory should

be to explain and predict particular accounting related phenomena. Other researchers

believe that the role of accounting theory is to prescribe particular approaches to

accounting based on a perspective of the role of accounting.

2.2.1 Normative Approach Theory

The normative theorist had been pre occupied with developing accounting principles

and their primary concern had been recognition and measurement issues in

accounting. The questions asked by these theorists include: whether to recognize

changes in market prices if the entity is not a party to the transaction and on what

basis either historical cost or market value to be used in preparing financial statements

(Chambers and Ijir, 1975).

12
Theories that prescribe particular actions are called normative theory. Normative

theories of accounting are not necessarily based on observation and therefore cannot

be evaluated on whether they reflect actual accounting practice or not. The conceptual

framework of accounting is an example of a normative theory of accounting which

relies on various assumptions about the types or attributes of information useful for

decision making.

2.2.2 Positive Accounting Theory. (PAT)

This theory seeks to explain and predict actual accounting practices. Positive

accounting emerged with empirical studies that proliferated in accounting in the late

1960s. (Ball and Brown, 1968).

Positive theories tend to be based on empirical observation, there are other theories

based not on observation but rather on what the researcher believes should occur in

particular circumstances. It examined some assumptions underlying normative

approach and undermined the claim that earning numbers were meaningless because

they were computed using multiple valuation bases (Watts and Zimmerman, 1986).

Positive accounting can be associated with the contractual view of the firm. The firm

is viewed as “a nexus of contracts” and accounting one tool to facilitate the formation

and performance of contracts. Under this view, accounting practices evolve to

mitigate contracting costs by establishing ex ante agreement among varying parties.

The contractual view of positive accounting puts it in tension with value relevance

studies in accounting, and contends that accounting’s primary role is to value the firm,

and thus practices like conservatism are sub-optimal. The value relevance school

emphasizes the usefulness of accounting information to equity investors in contrast to

13
its usefulness in contracting exercises. The criticisms are; firstly it does not provide

any prescription, it does not state what ought to happen, rather explains and predicts

what would happen, which is the aim of positive accounting theory and this is

insufficient. Secondly, it is not value free because it only explains and predicts what

people might do, ignoring altogether on what they should do. Lastly, it assumes that

every managers' and owners action have a self-interest motive. With the main view of

maximizing their own wealth without considering the adverse.

Ball and brown (1968) suggested that PAT includes both capital market based

accounting research and research in accounting choices. In the last four decades PAT

has been one of the most influential accounting researches. It spawned a great deal of

empirical research on the association between accounting numbers, stock prices,

returns and determinant of accounting choice, thus representing a major shift in

accounting paradigm.

2.2.3 Events Approach Theory

George (1969) developed the event theory and defined it as providing information

about relevant economic events that might be useful in a variety of decision models.

The events approach leaves the user to aggregate and assign weights and values to the

event. The accountant would only provide information on the economic event to the

user; he would not assume a decision model. Thus the event approach income

statement would not indicate financial performance in a period but would

communicate events that occurred during the period without any attempt to determine

a bottom line.

14
2.3 Determinants of Quality of Financial Reporting.

The benefits of standardized and high quality financial reporting are: lower

preparation costs, improve measurement and recognized, high degree of required

transparency by regulators, enhanced analytical capabilities and most important of all

is enhancement of informed and efficient investment decisions.

No one can ignore the importance of transparency in financial reporting, because

people make big decisions regarding the investments based on financial reporting.

Investors want more transparent information about the financial data of the company.

In fact, it is the quality of report, which helps investors in making certain investment

decision.

Investors as well as other stakeholders heavily rely on a company’s financial

statements. It is an important source of information that is readily available to them at

a relatively low cost.

Since information has an objective, there are usually periods within which these

objectives operate. Good information neither is produced too frequently nor is it

compiled after it is needed most. For instance, information that reaches a decision-

maker after the decision is of limited use in the context of the decision-making

process.

2.4 Empirical Studies

IFRS represent a single set of high quality, globally accepted accounting standards

that can enhance comparability of financial reporting across the globe. This increased

comparability of financial information could result in better investment decisions and

ensure a more optimal decision. (Archives of Business Research (ABR) Vol.2, Issue

2, April-2014). Allocation of resources across the global economy (Jacob and Madu,

15
2009), Cai and Wong (2010) conjectured that having a single set of internationally

acceptable financial reporting standards will eliminate the need for restatement of

financial statements, yet ensure accounting diversity among countries, thus facilitating

cross-border movement of capital and greater integration of the global financial

markets. Meeks and Swann (2009) revealed that firms adopting IFRS exhibited higher

accounting quality in the post-adoption period than in the pre-adoption period.

In a study of financial data of firms covering 21 countries, Barth (2008), confirmed

that firms applying IAS/IFRS experienced an improvement in accounting quality

between the pre-adoption and post-adoption periods. Latridis (2010), concluded on

the basis of data collected from firms listed on the London Stock Exchange that IFRS

implementation has favourably affected the financial performance (measured by

profitability and growth potentials). IFRS compliant financial statements has the

tendency to make comparability and company performance assessment across nations

easier and result of such assessment more acceptable by stakeholders and highly

reliable.

Marjan Petreski (2006) described the impact of IFRS adoption on the financial

statements for the company and its influence on decision making by the management.

This study used credible and comparable attitude as independent variables. Interview

test instrument was used. The results showed that, information disclosure on financial

statements was full and credible and comparability of financial statements across

nations resulted in better decision making by management. The adoption of IFRS

leads to a more restricted set of accounting measurement methods and, with fewer

measurement rules to deal with, analysts can more easily master the existing set

(Ashbaugh and Pincus, 2001). Tan et al. (2011) confirmed this result and found that

mandatory IFRS adoption improves foreign analysts’ attraction and forecast accuracy,

16
particularly those from countries that are simultaneously adopting IFRS along with

the covered firm’s country, and those with prior IFRS experience.

Proponents of accounting harmonization believe that comparability of financial

statements worldwide is necessary for the globalization of capital markets. They

suggest that there are many potential benefits that may arise from the use of one

common set of accounting standards throughout the world. These include improved

transparency, comparability and quality of financial reporting that lead to lower

preparation cost, more efficient investment decisions and lower cost of capital for

companies (Choi & Meek, 2005).

Street and Gray (2001) examined the 1998 financial statements for 279 firms that

referred to use of IFRS in their financial statements. The study revealed that, in many

cases, disclosed accounting policies were inconsistent with IFRS. Schultz and Lopez

(2001) suggest that uniform international accounting standards may not result in de

facto uniformity among nations, particularly when the standards allow for significant

discretion (ambiguity). Various accounting items exhibit high value relevance in

common law countries that have effective judicial systems, better investor protection,

and higher quality of accounting practices including more transparent reporting and

auditing systems compared with code law countries. It is expected that the smaller the

deviation of a domestic practice from the IFRS, the higher the value relevance of that

practice.

In a study on financial data of public listed companies in 15 member states of the

European Union (EU) before and after full adoption of IFRS in 2005, Chai at al

(2010), found that majority of accounting quality indicators improved after IFRS

adoption in the EU. According to Jones and Ratnatunga (1997), larger firms report to

17
a greater concentration of external users who can influence the allocation of scarce

resources. Given that financial statements have greater economic consequences for

larger firms, larger firms are expected to be more susceptible to the financial reporting

impacts of IFRS.

Archives of Business Research, 2. Spiceland et al, (2001) brought out that useful

accounting information derived from qualitative financial reports help in efficient

allocation of resources by reducing dissemination of information asymmetry and

improving pricing of securities. According to Barth (2007), the adoption of a common

body of international standards is expected to have the following benefits: lower the

cost of financial information processing and auditing to capital market participants as

users, familiarity with one common set of international accounting standards instead

of various local accounting standards by Accountants and Auditors of financial

reports, comparability and uniformity of financial statements among companies and

countries making the work of investment analysts easy, attraction of foreign investors

in addition to general capital market liberalization. The adoption of uniform standards

cut the costs of doing business across borders by reducing the need for supplementary

information. They make information more comparable, thereby enhancing evaluation

and analysis by users of financial statements (Adekoye, 2011).

Cai & Wong (2010), in a study of global capital markets demonstrated that capital

markets of countries that had adopted IFRS recorded high degree of integration

among them after their IFRS adoption compared with the period before adoption.

According to Barth et al. (2007), IASB’s goal of developing an internationally

acceptable set of high quality financial reporting standards also meant allowable

accounting alternative and accounting measurements that better reflect economic

position and performance. Ashbaugh and Pincus (2001) argue that limiting

18
alternatives can increase accounting quality because doing so limits managements’

opportunistic discretion in determining accounting amounts. Therefore, accounting

amounts that reflect a firm’s underlying economics can increase accounting quality

because investors will have access to better information for their decision making.

Other accounting literature in this area also argues that more rigorous enforcement of

adoption can also lead to better accounting quality. On this basis, this study

hypothesizes that accounting amounts reported on IFRS basis in Kenya are of higher

quality than those of the domestic standards known as Kenya Accounting Standards

(KAS).

The problem with this hypothesis is that IFRS could be of lower quality thus, limiting

managerial discretion relating to measurements that are more reflective of the firm’s

economic position and performance. Closely associated with this is the question of

flexibility in principle based standards which could lead to better opportunities for a

firm to manage its earnings thus, decreasing accounting quality (Barth et al. 2007;

Chen 2010). Another argument associated with this hypothesis has been the so called

label and serious adopters by Daske et al. (2008) debate whereby, some firms,

referred to as label adopters, claim that they have adopted IFRS while the degree of

adoption could be nil or low and sometimes enforcement of such standards would be

nonexistent.

Accounting literature has operationalize accounting quality on the basis of earnings

management, timely loss recognition and value relevance metrics. The arguments

follow then that firms with higher quality earnings exhibit less earnings managements,

more timely loss recognition and higher value relevance and this study hypothesizes

the same for Kenya. Earlier studies on the voluntary adoption of IFRS primarily

investigate the distinguishing economic characteristics of firms that switch to IFRS.

19
El-Gazzar et al. (1999) report that firms voluntarily adopting IFRS are those seeking

to access foreign capital, to improve customer recognition or reduce political costs.

As noted by Lang et al. (2003), firms electing to adopt IFRS early, are more likely to

be those firms with fewer reconciling items.

The most closely related studies to the present study are those that examine samples

from one country. An early paper by Kinnunen et al. (2000) exploits a unique market

setting in which foreign investors are restricted in their trading of certain shares. This

permits the authors to examine the relative value relevance of Finnish GAAP and

voluntarily adopted IFRS between two investor groups. They find IFRS improves the

information content for foreign investors but not for domestic investors. Another

Finnish study by Niskanen et al (2000), examines components of reconciliations to

IFRS for 18 Finnish firms voluntarily using IFRS over the period 1984 to 1992. They

report the aggregate earnings difference is insignificant in explaining returns but that

untaxed reserves adjustments and consolidation differences are value relevant.

Since these papers examine voluntary adopters the results may be affected by self

selection bias and they use a data set of accounting rules that are over 20 years old.

Using a price ‘levels’ regression Dan HU (2004) reports that Chinese GAAP is more

value relevant than IFRS using a sample of 252 firm. This finding is supported by

Eccher and Healey (2003), who investigate a sample of 83 Chinese firms that are

required to provide two sets of accounts using Chinese GAAP and IFRS; finding that

earnings under Chinese GAAP are more closely associated with returns than earnings

under IFRS.

Hung and Subramanyam (2007) use a sample of 80 German firms voluntarily

adopting IFRS over the period 1998-2002 that provide accounts under German and

20
IFRS GAAP for the same period. Using price ‘levels’ models, they find that total

assets and book value of equity, as well as variability of book value and net income,

are higher under IFRS than under German Accounting Rules (HGB). They also find

that book value of equity and net income under IAS are no more value relevant than

the amounts under HGB. Further, they report that earnings and equity under IFRS are

incrementally value relevant to German GAAP. Both coefficients are highly

significant but the earnings coefficient sign is negative which they suggest is

consistent with more measurement error in the IFRS earnings than in the German

earnings. Their relative value relevance results contrast with Bartov et al. (2005) who

also compare German HGB with IFRS (and U.S. GAAP). They find that IFRS is

more value relevant than German HGB in its ability to explain returns as opposed to

prices used by Hung and Subramanyam, 2007. They also find little difference in the

value relevance of U.S. GAAP earnings and IFRS earnings after self selection bias is

controlled.

Leuz (2003) also examined the value relevance of accounting numbers and report

that neither that trading spread nor the trading volumes were significantly different for

the companies that choose the IFRS or U.S. GAAP voluntarily.

Bartov et al. (2005) examine firms in the cross section rather than the same set of

firms as do Hung and Subramanyam (2007). The present study also examines the

same firms with the added advantage that firms must adopt IFRS rather than

voluntarily. Although Hung and Subramanyam (2007) control for self selection bias,

the possibility remains that the bias in the IFRS accounts due to the effects of early

voluntary adoptions may explain the conflicting results, as Barth et al. (2005) have

noted. Different models might be another reason, which motives us to estimate both a

price level model and a returns model.

21
Controversies always existed over the suitability of applying IFRS in developing

countries with researchers such as Singh and Newberry (2008) as well as Chen et al.

(2010) arguing that there exist two schools of thought in this area. The first supports a

single set of global standards as being suitable for application. The second opposes

the use of IFRS in developing countries by arguing that the characteristics of local

business environments and institutional frameworks determine the form and contents

of accounting standards.

Kenya and many developing countries are characterized by weak institutions and

volatile economic and political environments which are not very conducive to

assimilation of IFRS, In spite of the arguments, many countries and companies have

adopted IFRS and the need to evaluate their impact has been overwhelming. Barth et

al. (2007) indicate that accounting amounts results from interaction of features of the

financial reporting system which include accounting standards, their interpretations,

enforcement, and litigation and this obviously leads to obtaining different results from

application of the same standards. Ball et al. (2003) by extension argue that high

quality standards like IFRS may also lead to low quality accounting information

depending on the incentives of the preparers. It is these contradictions that led Ball et

al. (2003) and others to conclude that poor preparer incentives, underlying economic

and political factors influence manager and auditors incentives as opposed to

accounting standards.

Many factors have also been cited as impacting financial reporting practices such as

effective enforcement of standards and strong corporate governance. There is very

little information on the background of accountancy in Kenya, an indication that a

clear track which could be a pointer to the strengths of the profession over the years

has not been kept. In a publication celebrating ICPAK’s 30 year anniversary

22
(Accountant 2008, May), the writer described the pre-independence days of the

accountancy profession as an expatriate affair with no Kenyans, neither Africans nor

Asians. This was a communication of racism which by extension implied that the

quality of accounting during the pre independence period and early post independence

was biased and therefore, could not have been quality driven.

The early post independence period extends to 1977 when the Institute of Certified

Public Accountants was promulgated. This period was characterized by inadequate

institutions to train accountants locally and bridge the gap of diversity. Prior to the

commencement of ICPAK, most accountants were members of institutes in the UK

and India and, amazingly, there was little government involvement in the profession.

Through to the sixties and seventies, accountants in Kenya mainly sat for the

Chartered Accountants exam in the UK and it is difficult to understand how such

external exams were tailored to the Kenyan environment in areas such as taxation,

finance, and even financial reporting. Among the earliest accounting exam in Kenya

was the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants (IMTA) which was

modified to suit Kenya’s situation. The first known accounting association in Kenya

was the Association of Accountants in East Africa (AAEA) from which accountants

could articulate their professional challenges, foremost being concerns about the

quality training. While these efforts were commendable, the association came up with

accounting exams but not formal qualifications.

Furthermore, in these early years, accountancy was governed by the Accountants

Designation Act (Cap 524) and the Companies Act (cap 486). Ironically, these acts

provided for the appointment and recognition of accountants only if they were

members of English, Scottish or Irish designations.

23
The vacuum days saw all kinds of experiences with organizations and businesses

having several sets of financial reports; one for tax, one for bank financing and one

for the owner where real reporting was actually reflected (The Accountant 2008). This

practice persisted for many years, even up to recent times, even though on a declining

basis.

2.5 Summary of the Literature Review

The prediction that IFRS will improve quality may still not come true. Barth et al.

(2007) explains the reasons could be due to IFRS being of lower quality than local

standards, principle based standards could be interpreted either way or some features

of financial reporting system other than standards could eliminate improvements in

quality.

Critiques of IFRS such as Barth et al. (2007) and Bartov et al. (2005) argue that there

is no conclusive evidence that standards have contributed to improvements in

accounting quality. Although, the objective of this study is similar to those of

previous studies, it departs has departed in the following ways; It addresses the

peculiarities discussed above with a view to coming up with a more valid and reliable

outcome on the extent of the impact of IFRS on accounting quality.

24
 CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

This chapter describes the methods that were used in the collection of data pertinent in

answering the research questions. It contained research design, population and sample

size, data collection, data analysis methods and data validity and reliability.

3.2 Research Design

This research studied IFRS and quality of financial reporting in companies listed at

NSE in Kenya. The study used a descriptive survey. This enabled the researcher to

obtained sizeable and substantial data from the population. This was done through the

use of a questionnaire, which is an economical, effective and easy way of obtain and

analyzing data (Saunders, 2002).

3.3 Population and Sample Size

The population was the 61companies listed at NSE and sample size of 11 companies

each from the eleven categories of NSE. The actual respondents involved directors,

finance managers and Accounting Officers specifically among others. The study

concentrated on companies with their headquarters in Nairobi area. The choice of

Nairobi as a study area is due to the fact that it’s convenient in terms of accessibility,

time and financial constrains (Kothari, 2004).

3.4 Data Collection

The source of data was primary data collected using a questionnaire. The

questionnaire was divided into two parts. The first part was on the background

25
information about the respondent and company listed at NSE, while the second part

was on IFRS and quality of financial reporting of companies listed at NSE. The

questionnaire was given to the selected respondents and collected later.

3.5 Data Analysis.

Data analysis is the process through which primary data is arranged and organized in

to make sense giving required information. Before proceeding, the data collected was

examined to check completeness, consistency and comprehensiveness. Descriptive

statistic was used to described and analysed data through the use of statistical package

for social science (SPSS). This program assisted in interpreting information through

graphs, charts and tables. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determined the

significance relationship of the variables. The study used regression analysis to

determined the extent to which adoption of IFRS will improve quality of financial

reporting.

3.5.1 The Analytical model

The study adopted a linear regression model to test the relationship between the

variables in the quality of financial reporting of firms listed at NSE. The empirical

model is thus:

Y= β0+ β1X1+ β2X2+ β3X3+ β4X4+ β5X5+ β5X6+ε

Where Y= Quality of financial reporting.

β0 = intercept

β1, β2, β3, β4, β5, β6= coefficients, ε = error term

X1 = comparability

X2 = investment decisions

X3 = timeliness

26
X4 = measurement and recognition

X5= transparency

X6= Financial statement disclosure.

3.6 Data Validity and Reliability.

The participants were briefed early in advance by the researcher on the need and

importance of the study and permission sought for their participation in order to have

their full support. There was guidance on how to answer the questionnaire from the

researcher. This ensured high completion rate and accuracy of the information

provided. Audited financial statements for different firms listed at NSE were used to

collect secondary data.

27
 CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYSIS, RESULTS AND DISCUSSION.

4.0 Introduction

To investigate the effect of adopting IFRS on the quality of financial reporting of

companies listed at Nairobi securities exchange. This was in the light of the relevance

of IFRS adoption in developing and emerging economies and the quality of financial

reporting on the financial statements of companies operating in such economies.

The data collected was analysed using statistical package for social science (SPSS)

and variances analysed using a regression model.

Data collected from questionnaire from 33 respondents that is 3 from each category of

11 sample companies listed at NSE. The results on the age of company listed at NSE

are as following; Table 1

Number of years listed at Nairobi securities exchange

No of years No of respondents

Less than 1 year 3

3-5 3

5-7 3

7-10 12

10 and above 12

Totals 33

28
4.1 International Financial Reporting Standards

Majority of companies used GAAP as a standard while a few didn’t apply any

standard before the introduction of IFRS. 80% of the respondents prefer the IFRS than

20% previous standards. 90% says that the previous standards were time consuming

and 10% says IFRS is time consuming. 85% prefers the IFRS and 15% prefer

previous standards.

4.2 Effect of Adopting IFRS on the Published Financial Statements.

The first objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of adopting IFRS on the

published financial statements of listed companies at NSE. To achieve this objective,

the staff and directors of sample firms listed at NSE were asked to react to several

statements as well as rank some possible effects of IFRS adoption where the market

structures and managerial behaviours are distinct from developed world where most

of the studies are based.

All companies review there audited financial statements annually and unaudited

reports quarterly.

The results of quality of financial reporting are summarized in Table 2.

29
Table 2

Qualities of Financial Reporting

Quality of No Small Moderate Great Very Totals

financial extend extent extend extend great

reporting extend

Transparency - 2 7 15 9 33

Preparation 1 3 5 16 8 33

cost

Investment - 2 7 10 14 33

decision

Timelines 1 2 6 18 7 33

Measurement - 3 5 8 17 33

and

recognition

Financial 1 1 6 9 16 33

statements

disclosure

The data was analyzed using a regression model to determine the quality of the

financial reporting

30
4.3 Comparing The Extend of Financial Reporting And Value Relevance of

Companies Listed at Nairobi Securities Exchange.

The second objective of the study was to compare the extend of the financial reporting

quality and the value relevance of companies listed at NSE. To achieve this objective

the staff and directors of companies listed at NSE were asked to indicate to what

extent has the qualities of international financial reporting standards helps them as a

user or preparer make decision and has the decision have any quality of financial

reporting and value relevance. Their results are summarized in Table 3.

Table 3

Qualities Of Financial Reporting Standards And Extend On Decision Making

Quality of No Small Moderate Great Very Totals

financial extend extend extend extend great

reporting extend

standard

Relevance - 2 9 15 7 33

Understand 1 1 7 9 15 33

ability

Comparability 1 2 6 8 16 33

Reliability - 3 6 8 16 33

31
4.4 Regression Analysis

The study sought to determine the extent to which IFRS adoption impacts on the

quality of financial reporting by companies listed at Nairobi securities exchange. To

achieve this objective, the study used a regression model to determine the relationship

between the variables.

4.4.1 Model Summary

The model summary provides information about the regression line’s ability to

account for the total variation in the dependent variable. The dependent variable’s

total variation can be measured by its variance. If the regression line is not completely

horizontal (i.e. if the b coefficient is different from 0), then some of the total variance

is accounted for by the regression line.

Table 4; Model Summary

Model Summary

Mode R R Square Adjusted R Std. Error of

l Square the Estimate

1 .892a .796 .578 2.241

a. Predictors: (Constant),

comparability, investment decisions, timeliness,

measurement and recognition, transparency, Financial

statement disclosure

32
 The findings reveal that 80% of the variation in quality of financial reporting was

explained by the variables in the model. This implies that regression model adopted

for this study was a satisfactory predictor.

4.4.2 Analysis of Variance

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the impact of independent

variables have on the dependent variable in a regression analysis. Below are the

results of the findings:

Table 5; Analysis of Variance

ANOVA a

Model Sum of df Mean F Sig.

Squares Square

Regression 29.474 6 4.9123 11.101 .002b

1 Residual 10.178 23 .4425

Total 39.652 29

a. Dependent Variable: Quality of financial reporting b. Predictors: (Constant),

comparability, investment decisions timeliness, measurement and recognition,

transparency, Financial statement disclosure

From the findings in table 4.2 above, the p-value=0.002 which is less than 5%. This

means that the model was statically significant in predicting the relationship

between IFRS adoption on the quality of financial reporting by companies listed at

Nairobi securities exchange at 5% level of significance.

33
 4.4.3 Tests of Coefficients

The study determined the level of statistical significance between IFRS adoption

impacts on the quality of financial reporting by companies listed at Nairobi

securities exchange. Below are the results of the statistical tests carried out by

determining whether the mean difference is significant at 5% level.

Table 6; Coefficients

Coefficients a

Model Unstandardized Coefficients Standardized Coefficients t Sig.

B Std. Error Beta

(Constant) 2.301 3.212 3.319 1.458

comparability .219 .121 .154 .241 .057

investment decisions .315 .244 .278 .287 .048

Timeliness .478 .213 .422 .102 .050

measurement and recognition 2.117 .743 .414 1.213 .031

transparency .367 1.131 .267 .407 .027

Financial statement disclosure. .135 .732 .158 .542 .050

a. Dependent Variable: Quality of financial reporting

Below is the regression model that was obtained from the results of the analysis

below:

QFR= 2.301+.219X1+.315X2+.478X3+2.117X4+.367X5+.135X6

From the findings, the p-values obtained were as follows: p=.057, p=.048, p=.050,

p=.031, p=.027 and p=.050. Since the p-values were less than 5%, this means that the

34
relationship between the variables was statistically significant since the p-values of all

the independent variables from the table were less than 5%.

The regression analysis found that there was a direct relationship between the

variables. This means that holding all other factors constant a unit increase in one of

the independent variables resulted into a corresponding increase in the dependent

variable (Quality of financial reporting).

35
 CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.

5.0 Introduction

This chapter describes the summary, conclusion and recommendation of the study

5.1 Discussion

The objectives of this study was to evaluate the effect of adopting IFRS on the

published financial statements of listed companies at NSE and to compare the extend

of the financial reporting quality and the value relevance of companies listed at NSE.

Data analysis and interpretation revealed the following major findings under this

objective. It revealed that that there was a direct relationship between the variables

(comparability, investment decisions timeliness, measurement and recognition,

transparency, financial statement disclosure). This means that holding all other factors

constant a unit increase in one of the independent variables resulted into a

corresponding increase in the dependent variable (Quality of financial reporting).

5.2 Conclusion

This study investigated effect of adopting IFRS on the quality of financial reporting of

companies listed at Nairobi securities exchange. The study specifically sought to

investigate the effect of adopting IFRS on the published financial statements of listed

companies at NSE and to compare the extend of the financial reporting quality and the

value relevance of companies listed at NSE. The study established that there was a

direct relationship between the variables (comparability, investment decisions

timeliness, measurement and recognition, transparency, financial statement disclosure

and the independent variable (quality of financial reporting). In view of these findings

36
the study concludes that the adoption of IFRS by companies listed at NSE have a

better quality financial reporting.

5.3 Recommendation

The researcher has argued in this report that companies should adopt the IFRS for

quality reporting. The quality of financial reporting enhances comparability, easy

under stability, reliability and reliable financial information. It is against this

background that the recommendations below are made. Despite its limitations, this

study made its stated objectives. Basing generalisations on the findings of this study,

the researcher recommends that all companies should adopt the IFRS for quality

financial reporting.

37
 REFERENCE

ACCA (2008).Corporate reporting P2: International; Berkshire, Kaplan Publishing UK.

Accountant (2008).ICPAK Celebrating 30 years of Accounting Excellence, Journal of the

Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya:32-36.

Adekoya, O. (2011). Similarities and Differences, IFRS and Nigerian GAAP. Lagos: Price

water House Cooper International Limited. (pwCIL).

Ashbaugh, H. & Pincus, M. (2001).Domestic Accounting Standards, International

Accounting Standards and Predictability of Earnings, Journal of Accounting

Research, 39 (3):417-434.

Ashbaugh, H. & Pincus, M. (2001).Domestic Accounting Standards, International

Accounting Standards, and the Predictability of Earnings, Journal of Accounting

Research, 39, 3: 417–34.

Ball, R., Kothari, S, Robin, A., 2000, The effect of international institutional factors on

properties of accounting earnings, Journal of Accounting and Economics, 29: 1-51.

Ball, R., Robin, A. & Wu, J. (2003).Incentives versus Standards: Properties of Accounting

Income.

Ball, R, J, Brown P,(1968). An empirical evaluation of accounting income numbers.Journal

Of Accounting Research.6,159-178.

Barth, M., Landsman, W. , Lang, M. (2007).International Accounting Standards and

Accounting Quality, Journal of Accounting Research,46:467-728.

38
Barth, M., Landsman, W., Lang, M. (2007).International Accounting Standards and

Accounting Quality Research paper Series, Stanford Graduate School of Business.

http://ssrn.com/abstract=1029382.

Barth, M., Landsman, W.R, Lang, M. (2008).International Accounting Standards and

accounting quality. Journal of Accounting Research, (46), 467- 498.

Barth, M.E. (2007). Research, standard setting, and global financial reporting. Hanover, MA:

New Publishers.

Bartov, E., Goldberg, S, Kim, M., 2005, Comparative value relevance among German, U.S.,

and international accounting standards: a German stock market perspective, Journal

of Accounting, Auditing and Finance, 95-119.

Bartov, E.Goldberg, S., Kim M. (2005) Comparative Value Relevance among German, US

and International Accounting Standards: A German stock Market perspective, Journal

of Accounting, Auditing and Finance, 20: 95-119.

Cai, F, Wong, H. (2010). The Effects of IFRS adoption on global capital market integration,

International Business & Economic Research Journal, 9(10), 25-34.

Chai, H, Tang, Q., Jiang, Y., & Lin, Z. (2010). The Role of International Financial Reporting

Standards in Accounting Quality, Evidence from the European Union, Journal of

International Financial Management and Accounting.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-646X.2010.01041.x.

Chambers, R.J, (1966). Accounting evaluation and economic behaviour.

Englewood.cliff.prentice hall

39
Chen H., Tang Q., Jiang Y., Lin Z.(2010).The Role of International Financial Reporting

Standards in Accounting Quality: Evidence from the European Union, Journal of

International Financial Management and Accounting, 21:3 2010. 220-278.

Choi, F. D. S, Meek, G. K. (2005). International accounting (5th Ed.). Upper Saddle River,

NJ: Prentice Hall. Committee of Central Balance Sheet Data Office (CBSO) (2005).

III working group on IFRS impact and CBSO database. October 14.

Cramer, Joe J.Jr, George, H, Sorter,(1968) further development of accounting

theory.objectives of financial statements;vol 2;.

Dan HU, 2004. The usefulness of financial statements under Chinese GAAP vs. IAS:

Evidence from the Shanghai stock exchange in prc. Kobe Economic and Business

Review.

Daske, H., Gephardt, G. (2007).International Financial Reporting Standards and Experts

Perceptions of Disclosure Quality. The University of Sydney ABACUS. 42: 3-4.

Eccher, E, Healey, P., 2003. The role of international accounting standards in transitional

economies: a study of the Peoples Republic of China. Working paper. Massachusetts

Institute of Technology.

Elbannan, M, (2011). Accounting and Stock Market Effects of International Accounting

Standards Adoption in an Emerging Economy, Journal of Review of Quantitative

Finance and Accounting Vol 1 36: pp 207-245.

Hoti A. H, Nuhiu A.R. (2011). Early Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards

(IFRS) in the US capital Markets International Research Journal of Finance and

Economics Pp 98-105 Irvine.

40
Hung, M, Subramanyam, K. (2007). Financial Statement Effects of Adopting International

Accounting.

IAS Plus, (2010). http://www.iasplus.com/standards/standards.html accessed on 1 Feb

2010.

ICPAK, ( 2008).The Fire Award 2008.

Ijiri, Y, (1975). Theory of accounting measurement. Studies in accounting research, Sarasota;

fl: American accounting association.

Ikpefan, O.A. and Akande, A.O. (International financial reporting standard (IFRS): Benefits,

Obstacles and Intrigues for Implementation in Nigeria. Business Intelligence Journal

Pp 299-307.

Jacob, R. A., Madu, C. N. (2009). International Financial Reporting Standards: an indicator

of high quality. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 26, 712-

722.

Jones, S., J. Ratnatunga, 1997. The decision usefulness of cash flow statements by Australian

reporting entities: some further evidence, The British Accounting Review 29, 67–85.

Kinnunen, J. Niskanen, J, Kasanen, E., 2000. To whom are IAS earnings informative?

Domestic versus foreign shareholders’ perspectives. The European Accounting

Review, 9: 499-517.

Kothari c.r (2004).research methodology;methods and techniques.(2nd Edition).new

delhi:new age international(p) ltd publishers.

41
Lang M., Raedy J, Yetman M (2003).How Representative are Firms that are Cross Listed In

the United States?An analysis of Accounting Quality, Journal of Accounting

Research, 41: 363-386.

Latridis, G. (2010). IFRS adoption and financial statement effects: The UK case.

International Research Journal of Finance and Economics, 38, 165-172.

Leuz, C. (2003).IAS versus U.S. GAAP: Information Asymmetry-Bases Evidence from

Germany’s New Market, Journal of Accounting Research, 41 (3): 445-472.

Meeks, G., Swann, P. (2009). Accounting Standards and the Economics of Standards.

Accounting and Business Research, 39,(3), 191-210.

Nairobi securities exchange.(2013).nse handbook 2012.from www.nse.org.

Niskanen, J., Kinnunen, J, Kasanen, E, 2000. The value relevance of IAS reconciliation

components: empirical evidence from Finland, Journal of Accounting and Public

Policy, 19: 119-137.

Paananen, M, Lin, C. (2007).The Development of Accounting Quality of IAS and IFRS Over

Time: The Case of Germany, Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1066604.

Petreski M. (2006). The Impact of International Accounting Standard on Firms.

Schultz, J, Lopez, T. (2001). The impact of national influence on accounting estimates:

Implications for International Accounting Standard-Setters, The International Journal

of Accounting, 36, 271–290.

Singh, R, Newberry, S. (2008). Corporate Governance and International Financial Reporting

Standards (IFRS): The Case of Developing Countries; Research in Accounting in

Emerging Economies, Volume 8, 483–518.

42
Soderstrom, N, Sun, K. (2007). IFRS Adoption and Accounting quality: A review, European

Accounting Review, 16:4,675-702.

Spiceland, J.D., Sepe, J.F, Tomassini, L.A. (2001). Intermediate Accounting. New York.

McGraw- Hill.

Standards forum (2009). http://www.estandardsforum.org/kenya/standard accessed on 8

March 2010.

Street, D. L., Gray, S. J. (2001). Observance of International Accounting Standards: Factors

explaining non- compliance. ACCA research report no. 74, Association of Chartered

Certified Accountants.

Tan, H., S. Wang, M. Welker (2011). Analyst following and forecast accuracy after mandated

IFRS adoptions, Journal of Accounting Research, forthcoming.

Tendeloo, B, Vanstraelen, A. (2005).Earnings Management under German GAAP versus

IFRS; European Accounting Review, 14: 155-180.

UNCTAD (2005).Review of practical Implementation Issues of International Financial

Reporting Standards. Available at http://www.iasplus.com/resource/0511 unctad.pdf.

Accessed 18th July 2012.

UNCTAD (2006), Review of Practical Implementation issues of International Financial

Reporting Standards- case study in Kenya.

UNDP(2010).HumanDevelopmentIndex;http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2010_EN_Table

s_reprint.pdf accessed on 8/7/2011.

Watts,R,L, Zimmermann,l (1986). Positive Accounting Theory. Englewood cliffs.nj.prentice-

hall.

43
Weidinger,C,Platt,K.(2012). Evaluating the effectiveness of performance measurement

systems. Seventheenth international working seminar on production economics.

Austria;Innsbruck

World Bank (2010) Report on the observance of Standards and Codes (ROSC) on Kenya

Accounting and Auditing Standards.

44
 Appendix 2

IFRS and IAS (2011 / 2012)

IFRSs:

• IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards

• IFRS 2 Share-based Payment

• IFRS 3 Business Combinations

• IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts

• IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations

• IFRS 6 Exploration for and evaluation of Mineral Resources

• IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures

• IFRS 8 Operating Segments

IASs:

• IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements

• IAS 2 Inventories

• IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows

• IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors

• IAS 10 Events After the Balance Sheet Date

• IAS 11 Construction Contracts

• IAS 12 Income Taxes

45
• IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment

• IAS 17 Leases

• IAS 18 Revenue

• IAS 19 Employee Benefits

• IAS 20 Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government

Assistance

• IAS 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates

• IAS 23 Borrowing Costs

• IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures

• IAS 26 Accounting and Reporting by Retirement Benefit Plans

• IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements

• IAS 28 Investments in Associates

• IAS 29 Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies

• IAS 31 Interests in Joint Ventures

• IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation

• IAS 33 Earnings per Share

• IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting

• IAS 36 Impairment of Assets

• IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets

46
• IAS 38 Intangible Assets

• IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement

• IAS 40 Investment Property

• IAS 41 Agriculture

47