The international financial reporting standard for small and medium-sized entities : the need and form of a third-tier financial reporting standard in Namibia

Abstract

The development of the International Financial Reporting Standard for Small and Medium-sized Entities (IFRS for SMEs) was based on the demand for a more simplified financial reporting standard, compared to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Despite simplifications, the requirements of the IFRS for SMEs are still regarded complex and costly to apply, especially for micro entities in developing countries such as Namibia. Consequently, there is a need to further simplify financial reporting requirements for micro entities in the form of a third-tier financial reporting standard. A third-tier standard can take the form of either a separately developed standard or a simplification of existing standard(s). There are more advantages to the development of a standard based on existing standard(s), taking into account the Namibian financial reporting environment. It is therefore recommended that Namibia develop a third-tier standard based on the IFRS for SMEs.