International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) commences second comprehensive review of the International Financial Reporting Standard for Small and Medium-sized Entities (IFRS for SMEs). IFRS for SMEs Standard are applied for general purpose financial statements of small companies, primarily; small and medium-sized entities (SMEs), private entities and non-publicly accountable entities, which is required or permitted in 86 jurisdictions across the globe.This Standardis based on full IFRS with modifications to reflect the needs of users of SMEs’ financial statements and cost-benefit considerations. It focuses on the information needs of lenders, creditors and other users of   SME financial statements who are interested primarily in information about cash flows, liquidity and solvency.

 The first comprehensive review of the IFRS for SMEs Standard commenced in 2012, an amended Standard was issued in 2015 and became effective on 1 January 2017.

 In the second comprehensive review, IASB is seeking views on its approach in updating the IFRS for SMEs Standard. The objective of the consultation (Request for Information) is to seek views on whether and how to align the IFRS for SMEs Standard with full IFRS Standards (Standards developed for publicly accountable entities) without causing undue cost for entities applying the Standard.

Though India will not be directly affected with changes happening in IFRS for SMEs Standards, however, with the view to contribute to standard setting at international level, the Request for Information for comprehensive review of IFRS for SMEs Standard issued by the IASB,is being hosted on the website of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (www.icai.org) for public comments.

Comments on the abovementioned Request for Information may be submitted through any of the following modes:

Further clarifications on this Request for Information may be sought by e-mail to asb@icai.in.