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New Delhi, Nov. 13 The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has brought out a list of over 400 companies that should converge their accounting practices with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by April 2011. IFRS — issued by International Accounting Standards Board — is acknowledged by 113 countries. This is ICAI’s first list and more companies would be added on its next list, sources said. The first list comprises 439 companies. It includes BSE-Sensex companies, NSE-Nifty companies, companies that have raised debt of over $50 million abroad, financial sector companies, publicly accountable companies (with total borrowings of over Rs 1,000 crore), Indian subsidiaries of foreign companies that have implemented IFRS at the parent company and companies outside these categories with capital of over $50 million abroad. Significantly, ICAI is mulling including venture capital funds also in the IFRS convergence process. The first list includes BSE and NSE compani...

The basic concepts underlying preparation of financial statements will undergo significant change upon implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in India. There are three key aspects that run through each principle laid down in IFRS: substance over form , fair value , and r ecognizing time value or time cost of money (present value) . These three items need to be understood carefully. Indian GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles), like any other GAAP, also recognizes the importance of substance over form. Accounting Standard 1 (AS-1) on “Disclosure of Accounting Policies” states that substance rather than form should be the guiding principle in selection and application of accounting policies. However, the true application of this principle will happen only under IFRS. That’s because IFRS is more contemporary and has prescribed the treatment for evolving issues. Also, unlike Indian GAAP, it does not recognize the concept of a legal override. Thus, IF...