International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
Crowe Vietnam consolidates valuable information related to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), helping you stay updated, gain a clear understanding of the latest IFRS standards, and apply them effectively to your business.
***Please click on each question below to view detailed content
1. Regulations and Standards related to IFRS
2. Overview and system description of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
Overview of Accounting Standards (Core Contents)
As everyone can observe, there are numerous accounting standards, presenting a wide range of contents and often appearing to overlap. However, if we take an overall view, we can see that the standards revolve around only a few core contents as follows:
Criteria for recognition on Financial Statements (FS): To be recognized as assets, liabilities, equity, revenue, or expenses, all must fully meet specific criteria; otherwise, they will not be recognized on the FS. Example: If you own a piece of land containing oil reserves but cannot extract them, that oil cannot be recognized as an asset.
Criteria for classification into specific line items on the FS: After being recognized on the FS, the next step is determining into which specific line item they should be classified. Example: Both are assets, but should they be classified as inventory or fixed assets?
Determining the initial measurement value: What value should be reflected when first recognized — is it based on the value at the transaction date or the reporting date? In subsequent accounting periods, should that value remain unchanged or be adjusted?
Subsequent measurement (after initial recognition): After initial recognition, should the value remain the same or be adjusted to fair value at different reporting points?
Presentation and disclosure of information on the FS: What information needs to be presented and disclosed related to the figures? FS are not simply a reflection of numbers but must include related explanatory information, presented in a way that meets specific criteria so that FS users find them comprehensive and clear.
If someone thinks that accounting is simply about copying numbers from source documents into the accounting books and financial statements, that is completely mistaken. It must go through a series of professional judgments and considerations, as outlined in the five contents above, to meet the requirement of providing useful and relevant information for financial statement (FS) users.
Because the standards revolve only around the above contents, when reading any standard, readers simply need to clearly identify which of the above contents the standard refers to, and they will find it much easier to apply.
Systematization of Accounting Standards
Why, if there are only five core contents, do we need so many standards?
To meet the needs of FS users across various industries and circumstances, the standards must address numerous necessary items and topics. Each item and topic has its own characteristics, which vary under different conditions and situations; therefore, the system of standards must be designed to accommodate that diversity. However, to systematize them, the standards can be grouped as follows:
- Group 1: Foundational standards, providing general principles for handling across all other standards.
- Group 2: Standards focusing solely on one specific core content but with a broad impact on multiple FS line items.
- Group 3: Standards covering multiple core contents but only dedicated to specific FS line items.
- Group 4: Standards specifically dedicated to the presentation and disclosure of information on the FS.
To better understand the above groups of standards, please view here.
To view the full set of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), please view here.
3. Roadmap for the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Vietnam and key considerations
To explore this topic, please refer to the article: Roadmap for the Adoption of IFRS in Vietnam and Key Considerations
4. Guidelines for converting financial statements (FS) from Vietnamese Accounting Standards (VAS) to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
1. The purpose of this is to:
(1) help consolidate the parent company’s financial statements under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) while the subsidiary is still applying Vietnamese Accounting Standards (VAS).
(2) help the enterprise prepare the opening balances when gradually adopting International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
See “Roadmap for the Adoption of IFRS in Vietnam” in question 3.
2. Below are the steps required to convert financial statements (FS) to IFRS:
Step 1: Compare and identify the differences between Vietnamese Accounting Standards (VAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and develop a conversion plan.
The enterprise needs to clearly understand the key differences to determine how these differences specifically impact its FS if converted to IFRS, which differences will be applied, and which ones are not applicable due to irrelevance.
This will help the enterprise develop a detailed implementation plan for the relevant departments to collect and process data for the purpose of FS conversion.
Refer to the description of the differences between the two standards in question 5.
Step 2: Develop a financial statement (FS) template under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) that aligns with the characteristics of the enterprise.
A full IFRS-compliant FS, covering all line items and disclosure requirements, can be very extensive and lengthy. However, the enterprise may omit certain contents that are not relevant to its operational scale, business type, development stage, or types of economic transactions, while still ensuring compliance.
To execute this step, the enterprise needs to:
- Carefully review the IFRS standards related to presentation and disclosure. Refer here
- For enterprises converting FS for first-time adoption of IFRS, refer additionally to IFRS 1 for specific guidance.
- Refer to IFRS-based FS from peer companies in the same industry (searchable online).
Use a checklist of presentation and disclosure requirements on the FS (IFRS checklist). Contact Crowe Vietnam to obtain the most updated version.
Step 3: Develop a detailed chart of accounts to support the preparation of financial statements (FS) under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
Based on the FS template identified above, the enterprise will develop a corresponding detailed chart of accounts and assign (code) them with the respective line item numbers on the FS to facilitate the easy aggregation of data from the detailed accounts.
This task is typically carried out in Excel files, though in some cases, it can be implemented within accounting software if corresponding supporting functions are available.
Step 4: Identify the journal entries required to convert data from the Vietnamese Accounting Standards (VAS) chart of accounts to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) chart of accounts.
Data conversion requires retrospective adjustments to determine the opening balances under IFRS. For the first year of IFRS adoption, it is necessary to refer to IFRS 1 for more specific guidance on this matter.
The journal entries for data conversion will include the following two types:
Reclassification journal entries: Initially, the balances in the IFRS chart of accounts are temporarily transferred horizontally from the VAS chart of accounts; therefore, they may not initially align with the nature of those accounts. Subsequently, any accounts with mismatched balances will need to be partially or fully reclassified into other appropriate accounts. These types of entries do not affect the total value of assets, liabilities, revenue, or expenses, as they are merely internal reclassifications between line items.
Adjustment journal entries: For accounts where balances differ due to recognition criteria, measurement methods, or valuation approaches between the two sets of standards, corresponding adjustment entries are required. Typically, to perform these adjustments, the enterprise must apply suitable calculation formulas and use relevant data sources based on the specific guidance provided in each applicable standard. These types of entries will increase or decrease the total value of assets, liabilities, revenue, or expenses.
In addition, the enterprise should gradually collect and prepare the necessary information and data for detailed disclosures in the FS. All adjustment entries and disclosures in the FS must be supported by complete and convincing documentation and explanatory materials.
Collecting and preparing the data to determine the conversion journal entries will take considerable time and effort. Therefore, enterprises need to develop an early and detailed plan suited to their scale and organizational structure to ensure relevant departments coordinate effectively and meet deadlines.
See also the section “Overview and System Description of IFRS” in question 2.
Step 5: Populate the figures on the financial statements (FS) and complete the corresponding disclosures.
After finalizing the data in the chart of accounts under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the enterprise will aggregate the figures for each line item on the FS based on the FS template previously developed (usually using Excel files and data mapping commands).
In parallel, the enterprise must complete the presentation and disclosure of detailed information in the FS notes.
For the first year of IFRS adoption, it is necessary to refer to IFRS 1 for more specific guidance on this matter.
Step 6: Review and comprehensively check the reasonableness of the figures, as well as compliance with presentation and disclosure requirements on the FS → Finalization
Conduct an overall reconciliation of the figures on the FS prepared under IFRS with the FS prepared under Vietnamese Accounting Standards (VAS) to ensure that all discrepancies are reasonably explained.
Review all presentation and disclosure items under IFRS to ensure they have been fully and appropriately implemented.
5. Comparison between International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Vietnamese Accounting Standards and Regulations (VAS), and key points to note when converting financial statements to IFRS
1. Key and Overall Differences:
Criteria | IFRS | VAS |
Regarding the system of standards and related regulations | IFRS consists only of accounting standards and accompanying guidance materials. There are no specific regulations on the manner of application as seen in VAS. | In addition to accounting standards, there are also accounting regulations that set out specific requirements enterprises must follow, such as: chart of accounts and accounting books, accounting treatments, financial statement templates, currency, accounting periods, depreciation, etc. |
Regarding the list of standards | IFRS has more standards than VAS and covers a wider range of topics. | VAS is still missing many standards; the missing areas may be temporarily guided by Ministry of Finance circulars or documents. |
Fair value | IFRS applies fair value in most cases and provides extensive related guidance. | VAS currently leans toward the use of historical cost rather than fair value. |
Components of the financial statements | Components of the financial statements include: – Statement of Financial Position – Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income* – Statement of Cash Flows – Notes to the Financial Statements – Statement of Changes in Equity *Enterprises may separate into a Statement of Profit or Loss and a Statement of Other Comprehensive Income. | Components of the financial statements include: – Balance Sheet – Statement of Business Results – Statement of Cash Flows – Notes to the Financial Statements The Statement of Changes in Equity is presented within the Notes to the Financial Statements. |
Presentation and disclosure | Compared to VAS, IFRS requires a much more comprehensive and detailed level of presentation and disclosure. | Compared to IFRS, VAS has fewer and simpler presentation and disclosure requirements. |
2. Level of Differences by Financial Statement Line Item
The level of differences between IFRS and VAS for each line item on the financial statements is described here.
3. Detailed Differences in Each Standard and Key Considerations When Converting Financial Statements
| IFRS | Equivalent VAS | Content | Click the link below to view detailed differences |
| IAS 1 | VAS 21 | Presentation of Financial Statements | IAS 1 |
| IAS 7 | VAS 24 | Statement of Cash Flows | (*) |
| IAS 8 | VAS 29 | Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates | (*) |
| IAS 10 | VAS 23 | Events After the Reporting Period | (*) |
| IAS 20 | No equivalent VAS | Government Grants | (*) |
| IAS 29 | No equivalent VAS | Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies | (*) |
| IAS 32 | No equivalent VAS | Financial Instruments: Presentation | (*) |
| IAS 24 | VAS 26 | Related Party Disclosures | (*) |
| IAS 33 | VAS 30 | Earnings Per Share | (*) |
| IAS 34 | VAS 27 | Interim Financial Reporting | (*) |
| IFRS 1 | No equivalent VAS | First-time Adoption of IFRS | IFRS 1 |
| IFRS 7 | No equivalent VAS | Financial Instruments: Disclosures | IFRS 7 |
| IFRS 8 | VAS 28 | Operating Segments | (*) |
| IFRS 17 | VAS 19 | Insurance Contracts | IFRS 17 |
| IAS 2 | VAS 2 | Inventories | (*) |
| IAS 12 | VAS 17 | Corporate Income Tax | IAS 12 |
| IAS 16 | VAS 3 | Tangible fixed assets | IAS 16 |
| IAS 19 | No equivalent VAS | Employee Benefits | IAS 19 |
| IAS 23 | VAS 16 | Borrowing Costs | (*) |
| IAS 36 | No equivalent VAS | Impairment of Assets | (**) |
| IAS 37 | VAS 18 | Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets | IAS 37 |
| IAS 38 | VAS 4 | Intangible Assets | (*) |
| IAS 40 | VAS 5 | Investment Property | (*) |
| IAS 41 | No equivalent VAS | Agriculture | (**) |
| IFRS 2 | No equivalent VAS | Share-based Payment | (**) |
| IFRS 5 | No equivalent VAS | Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations | (**) |
| IFRS 6 | No equivalent VAS | Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources | (**) |
| IFRS 9 | No equivalent VAS | Financial Instruments | IFRS 9 |
| IFRS 13 | No equivalent VAS | Fair Value Measurement | IFRS 13 |
| IFRS 15 | VAS 14 | Revenue and Other Income | IFRS 15 |
| IFRS 16 | VAS 6 | Leases | IFRS 16 |
| IAS 21 | VAS 10 | Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates | (*) |
| IAS 27 | No equivalent VAS | Separate Financial Statements | IAS 27 |
| IAS 28 | VAS 7, VAS 8 | Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures | IAS 28 |
| IFRS 3 | VAS 11 | Business Combinations | IFRS 3 |
| IFRS 10 | VAS 25 | Consolidated Financial Statements | IFRS 10 |
| IFRS 11 | VAS 8 | Joint Arrangements | (*) |
| IFRS 12 | No equivalent VAS | Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities | (**) |
(*) No detailed comparison because differences are minimal.
(**) No equivalent VAS.
You can view and download the Vietnamese translations of the International Financial Reporting Standards and related Guidance documents here.