What is IFRS: All About International Financial Reporting Standards

Updated on Jan 29, 2025 06:28 IST
Jaya Sharma

Jaya SharmaAssistant Manager - Content

The full form of IFRS is International Financial Reporting Standards. These accounting standards are issued by both the IFRS Foundation and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). IFRS constitute a standardised way to describe a company's financial performance. Its aim is to ensure that the financial statements are understandable and comparable anywhere in the world. IFRS is relevant for companies that have publicly listed shares and securities. In the United States, GAAP is still followed. 

What are IFRS?

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are the set of accounting rules used in the financial statements of public companies. By following IFRS, companies can prepare financial statements that are comparable, transparent and consistent. 

List of IFRS Standards

The following IFRS standards are stated on the official website and are as mentioned below:

Q:   What is IFRS and GAAP?
A:

IFRS is the widely accepted set of accounting standards that are implemented in over 140 countries. GAAP is the generally accepted accounting principles that are accepted in the United States for financial reporting.

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Q:   Is IAS 1 an IFRS standard?
A:

From 1st January 2027, IFRS 18 will supersede IAS 1. This means that IAS 1 will no longer remain effective. For now, IAS 1 is not the same as IFRS. 

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Table of contents
  • What are The Benefits of Learning IFRS Standards?
  • Who Can Learn IFRS Standards?
  • How To Become Certified in IFRS Standards?
  • Online Courses To Learn IFRS Standards in Detail
  • Popular IFRS Colleges in India
  • Popular Private IFRS Colleges in India
  • Popular IFRS Specializations
View More

What are The Benefits of Learning IFRS Standards?

benefits of IFRS

The below mentioned points tell the benefits of IFRS standards: 

  • Finance professionals who know IFRS can work in foreign countries, as they're accepted and used in over 140 countries globally. 
  • Those who have the knowledge of IFRS can compare and analyze financial statements from companies worldwide as these standards create a common finance language. 
  • People who master IFRS standards often have a higher salaries and have access to more senior positions, mostly in multinational companies and international accounting firms where IFRS expertise is highly valued and increasingly necessary.
Q:   Who should learn about IFRS?
A:

Knowledge of IFRS is particularly valuable for investment analysts, accountants, and business consultants who need to evaluate companies across different jurisdictions.

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Who Can Learn IFRS Standards?

Anyone interested in building a career in the Accounting and Finance domains can learn International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The following people are qualified : 

Category

Who Should Learn

Educational Qualification

  • Graduates with a degree in MBA in Finance
  • Commerce graduates in accounting roles
  • Accounting and Finance students
  • Business school graduates

Professional Accountants

  • Chartered Accountants (CAs)
  • Cost and Management Accountants (ICWA/CMA)
  • Company Secretaries
  • Chief Financial Officers
  • Finance Managers
  • Financial Controllers
  • Chief Accountants

Industry Practitioners

  • Internal Auditors
  • External auditors and assurance providers
  • Public Practice Accountants
  • Corporate Finance Professionals
  • Financial Analysts
  • Financial Consultants

Experience-Based Learners

  • Professionals with 2+ years in finance/accounting
  • Bookkeepers seeking career advancement
  • Business owners
  • Fintech professionals
Q:   What is the format of balance sheet used in IFRS?
A:

'Statement of Financial Position' is the balance sheet format used in IFRS. It first presents non-current assets which is followed by current assets, equity, non-current liabilities and at last, it presents current liabilities.

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How To Become Certified in IFRS Standards?

Those who want to become certified professionals with the knowledge of IFRS, need to get an FSA credential. By clearing this two-part credential, professionals will be able to integrate sustainability considerations into financial analysis. This will prepare you to lead on disclosure. By getting an FSA credential, a professional will be able to understand how sustainability and financial performance interlink. They will learn to navigate through the complexities of modern business.

1. The FSA Credential Level I exam

This is a 2-hour long exam that consists of 110 MCQs. The following table covers the syllabus of the exam:

Part

Sections

Topics

Part I: The Need for Sustainability Disclosure Standards

1. Demand for sustainability information

  • What is sustainability?
  • Growing investor demand
  • Demand within companies
  • Other institutions driving demand

2. The historical basis for disclosure

  • The aftermath of the stock market crash of 1929
  • Disclosure as the basis of regulatory reform
  • The road to standardized accounting procedures

3. Materiality: a guiding principle for required disclosure

  • A long-standing legacy of investor decision-making 
  • General characteristics of materiality
  • Materiality changes over time

4. The limitations of financial disclosure

  • Financial information beyond financial statements: the use of non-GAAP
  • The changing nature of market value
  • The scope of financial reporting expands
  • New tools for investors

Part II: The Sustainability Information Ecosystem

5. Introduction to the sustainability information value chain and the role of data providers

  • Growth of the ecosystem: a maturing industry
  • The role of data providers
  • Sustainability data’s unique challenges

6. The role of standards and frameworks: from fragmentation to cohesion in sustainability disclosure

  • The role of standard-setters
  • Formative standards and frameworks
  • Distinguishing characteristics of sustainability disclosure guidance
  • Creating a coherent system for comprehensive reporting—simplification through consolidation

7. Materiality: going beyond investors

  • Materiality applied to sustainability disclosure
  • Materiality in the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards
  • Materiality in the GRI Standard
  • Materiality in the European Sustainability Reporting Standards
  • Process vs. outcomes

8. Sustainability disclosure across jurisdictions

  • The relationship between standard-setters and regulators
  • The growing prevalence of regulatory disclosure guidance
  • Common types of sustainability reporting rules
  • Types of guidance shaping global disclosure rules
  • The influence of corporate governance codes
  • Balancing flexible implementation with usable information

Part III: Understanding IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards

9. What is useful sustainability-related financial information?

  • The importance of standards
  • Sustainability: a unique context
  • The goals of the International Sustainability Standards Board
  • Additional characteristics of the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards
  • The primary objective of the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards
  • Qualitative characteristics of useful sustainability-related financial information

10. The IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards

  • Core content
  • Conceptual foundations
  • Determining what information to disclose

11. Setting IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards

  • The structure of the IFRS Foundation
  • Developing the first IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards
  • Maintaining the SASB Standards
  • The initial development of the TCFD Framework

12. How companies disclose sustainability-related financial information

  • Introduction to sample disclosures
  • Why do companies disclose investor-focused sustainability information
  • Where do companies disclose investor-focused sustainability information?
  • What investor-focused sustainability information are companies reporting?
  • How is investor-focused sustainability information being disclosed?

Part IV: Corporate and Investor Use: Going Beyond Disclosure

13. A closer look: investor demand for sustainability information

  • A global call for enhanced disclosure
  • A shift in market paradigms
  • Companies come to call

14. Considerations for corporate use

  • Business roles applicable to sustainability disclosure
  • Preparing for disclosure
  • Preparing quality data
  • Reporting material sustainability data
  • Managing sustainability performance

15. Considerations for investor use

  • Overview of sustainability in investing
  • A Spectrum of the use of sustainability information
  • Investor application of cross-industry vs. industry-specific sustainability data
  • The pre-investment stage
  • Index construction and sector allocation
  • Post-investment engagement
  • Investor reporting
  • Creating an effective framework
  • Data is the backbone

2. FSA Credential Level II Exam

The level II FSA credential examination which is 2 hours long and consists of 55 MCQs related to 13 miniature case studies. Those who are sitting for the level II exam need to understand that the exam test the candidate's ability to analyse the sustainability performance of the company using quantitative and qualitative financial and sustainability data. The following table provides the complete syllabus of the exam:

Part

Topic

Part I: Identifying the Sustainability Issues Relevant to Financial Performance

How a Company’s Circumstances Influence Material Sustainability Issues

  • Considerations That Shape Each Industry’s Sustainability Profile
  • The Influence of Governance and Management Practices
  • Evaluating How a Company’s Circumstances Influence Material Sustainability Factors

Understanding Sustainability Issues

  • The Universe of Sustainability Issues
  • Identifying Interrelated Impacts

Evaluating Sustainability Issues

  • Applying the Five Factors
  • Contextualizing Sustainability Topics
  • Making Use of the Findings

Part II: Evaluating the Comparability of Sustainability Information

Normalizing Data for More Effective Comparisons

  • When to Normalize ESG Data
  • Selecting Appropriate Measures for Use in Normalization
  • Normalizing for Comparative Analysis

Analyzing the Spread of Industry Performance

  • Getting to Know Your ESG Data
  • Analyzing Data Distribution
  • Outliers and Non-Normal Distributions
  • Considering Data Quality

Considering Company-Specific Context

  • Considering a Company’s Operating Environment
  • Management and Governance Decisions

Part III: The Connection Between Sustainability Performance and Valuation

Characterizing Financial Impact

  • Identifying Risks and Opportunities
  • Assessing the Likelihood, Timing, and Magnitude of Impacts
  • Process for Identifying Metric Types and Categories

Using Sustainability Data in Financial Valuation

  • Overview of Discounted Cash Flow
  • Identifying Channels of Financial Impact

Integrating ESG Beyond DCF

  • Evaluating Returns and Profitability
  • Scenario Analysis
Q:   How many IFRS standards are there?
A:

Currently, there are 17 IFRS standards in application. By 1st January 2027, IFRS 18 and 19 will also be in application.

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Online Courses To Learn IFRS Standards in Detail

The following online courses are relevant for those who want to learn about IFRS standards in detail:

Course About the Course
IFRS - International Financial Reporting Standards  In this course, the set of accounting standards IFRS are discussed that govern how different types of transactions and events should be reported in the financial statements. 
Certificate in IFRS  This course is suitable for finance professionals who want to understand the structure of the IFRS framework. Through this course, the students will learn to apply relevant financial reporting standards to important elements of financial reports. They will also learn to identify and apply disclosure requirement for companies in the financial reports.
Diploma in International Financial Reporting (DipIFR)  Professionals who have enrolled in this course will understand the conceptual framework of financial reporting and learn to apply them. They will also learn to prepare group financial statements including subsidiaries, associates and joint arrangements. Group cash flow statements are not included.

Popular IFRS Colleges in India

Following are the most popular IFRS Colleges in India. Learn more about these IFRS colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
2 Courses
87.73 K
4.5

#1 Outlook

54 K - 11.07 L
4.8 - 6.14 LPA

#11 Outlook

3 Courses
432 - 540
8.4 LPA

#3 India Today

43.41 K - 3.82 L
5.3 - 6.89 LPA

#6 India Today

2 Courses
55.95 K - 86.01 K
9.24 - 9.5 LPA

#2 Outlook

27 Courses
2.5 L - 9 L
7.26 - 7.78 LPA

#39 India Today

Accounting & Commerce Applications open. Apply Now

Popular Private IFRS Colleges in India

2.6 L - 13.2 L
3.6

#47 Outlook

Accounting & Commerce Applications open. Apply Now

10 Courses
1.5 L - 4.5 L
4.4
1.38 L - 3.11 L
2.8 - 3.2 LPA
4 Courses
2.6
4.0
2.2 L - 6.16 L
4.0

#113 India Today

5 Courses
1.8 L - 7.4 L
3.0

Accounting & Commerce Applications open. Apply Now

Popular IFRS Specializations

Following are the most popular IFRS Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

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Answered Yesterday

Candidates must Bachelor's degree in Commerce or Business Administration with at least 45% aggregate or,  BCom (Hons) with at least 45% aggregate or,  graduation with Honours in Economics or Mathematics/ Statistics/ Commerce with at least 45% aggregate to apply for MCom at Sri Aurobindo College of C

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Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered Yesterday

Aspirants must pass Class 12 from a recognised board to apply for BCom programme at Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce and Management. Candidates are selected for BCom programme based on their scores in the qualifying exam.

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Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered Yesterday

The total tuition fees for BCom is INR 2.6 lakh at Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce and Management. Selected candidates need to pay the course fees to confirm their seat. The fees can be paid via any of the online payment modes.

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered Yesterday

Candidates are offered admission in MCom based on their merit. Aspirants do not have to pass any entrance exam for admission at Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce and Management. Candidates need to meet the eligibility for admission.

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered Yesterday

Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce and Management has 40 seats in MCom programme. Aspirants are offered seat in MCom based on their merit. The college considers qualifying exam scores of the candidats for admission.

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered Yesterday

No, there is no age limit to take the CFA Level 3 exam. However, students should have completed their graduation and fulfil other exam criteria. 

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Nishtha Shukla

Contributor-Level 6

Answered Yesterday

The following are the instructions for CFA exam admit card:

  • The details mentioned on the admit card should be correct
  • Arrive the exam centre at least an hour before the exam
  • The details should march the ones mentioned in the passport

If any of the information mentioned above needs to be corrected or upd

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Rohini Bhatnagar

Contributor-Level 6

Answered Yesterday

The table below shows the top CUET accepting BCom colleges in Mumbai (All) with their tuition fees -

Top CollegesTuition Fee
Narsee Monjee College of Commerce & EconomicsINR 3.16 lakh
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj UniversityINR 90,000 - INR 1.25 lakh
Dr. Shantilal K Somaiya School of Commerce and Business StudiesINR 6 Lacs - INR 8 lakh
FinX InstituteINR 4.63 lakh

Source: Official site and may vary.

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Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

Generally private colleges are expensive than government colleges as they hace modern infrastructure with modern labs and classrooms, hostel facilities, experienced faculty and offer great placement options in top companies. However, some affordable options are also available which are mentioned bel

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Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

As per the popularity basis by the top BCom colleges in Mumbai (All), listed below are some of the top colleges with tuition fees -

Top BCom CollegesTuition Fee
Narsee Monjee College of Commerce & EconomicsINR 43,410 - INR 3.82 lakh
Mithibai College of ArtsINR 39,000 - INR 3.5 lakh
St. Xavier's College, MumbaiINR 2 Lacs - INR 2.02 lakh
K J Somaiya College of Arts and CommerceINR 48,030
Kishinchand Chellaram CollegeINR 1.51 lakh

Source: Official site and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Yes, students looking to get admission into BCom course can make payment via online methods. They can pay through Net Banking, UPI, Demand draft in the name of college, and more. In case of any issues regarding the fee payment, student can visit the college campus for clarification.

C

Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Application for BCom course can be made online at the college website. The students who wish to apply for the BCom course at MML College of Commerce, must follow these steps: 

1. Students must visit the MMK College website and select the BCom course

2. Then, fill the application form and pre-enrolment

...Read more

C

Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

The total seat intake for BCom course varies every year. There are no fixed number of seats offered in BCom programme at MK College of Commerce. The students must check the college website and admission brochure for more details. In case of any doubts, they can reach out to admission team for quick

...Read more

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Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Yes, the BCom course is offered in affiliation with Mumbai University. The college is autonomous and was granted this status by the UGC. MMK College of Commerce has its own BCom curriculum. It is accredited by NAAC.

C

Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Students get to learn various skillsets after completing their BCom course at MMK College of Commerce. They learn business communication, statistics, advanced mathematics, and more. This helps them build strong foundations for their career. The course curriulum is defined in a manner which provides

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Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Some of the subjects offered in BCom course at MMK College of Commerce are:

1. Foundational courses part two

2. Accountancy and Financial Management part two

3. Business Communication

4. Mathematical and Statistical techniques

C

Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

The course curriculum consists of various subjects like Accountancy and Financial Management, Business Economics, Business Law, Marketing Management and more. The students get to learn theory as well as practical skills. Faculty is well-qualified and makes learning more interesting for students. Cou

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C

Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

The placement cell provides regular training to the students. It helps them in building technical as well as soft skills. Students get the latest updates about the industry which helps them during final placements. It plays a major role in inviting reputable companies to the campus for placements.

C

Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Application for BCom course can be made online at the college website. The students who wish to apply for the BCom course at MML College of Commerce, must follow these steps: 

1. Students must visit the MMK College website and select the BCom course

2. Then, fill the application form and pre-enrolment

...Read more

C

Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

No, admissions are only done in online mode for BCom course at MMK College of Commerce. The students who wish to apply must fill the application for online. They can visit the college website. Then select the BCom course form the available courses. Application form must be filled carefully. In case

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Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Yes, students can get direct admission on basis of class 12th exams score. There is no entrance exam for BCom course. On the basis of past scores and academic qualification, students can get admission into MMK College of Commerce and Economics.

C

Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

The last date to apply is not out on the college website. In case of any updates, students will be communicated details for the same. They must keep checking the website regularly. In case of any problems, they can contact the admissions department. 

C

Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

No, MMK college of commerce and economics does not have any entrance based exam. The admissions are given on the basis of marks obtained in class 12th. Students must apply within the deadline to ensure admission into BCom course. Before making the application, student must fulfil the minimum eligibi

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Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

The dates for BCom admisions have not been released by the college. However, the tentative month for admission is June, 2026. When the dates are released by the college, the same will be updated on their official website. The students must keep checking the website for timely updates.

C

Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Before making the course payment at MMK College of Commerce, student must fulfil the minimum eligibility criteria for admissions. If they are not able to meet the minimum eligibility, the college can withhold the admission. In case of any doubts, students must reach to admissions team for support.

C

Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Yes, students looking to get admission into BCom course can make fee payment via online methods. They can pay through Net Banking, UPI, Demand draft in the name of college, and more. In case of any issues regarding the fee payment, student can visit the college campus for clarification.

C

Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

The total fees for BCom course has not been mentioned on the college website. However, as per Shiksha, the total fees are around INR 14,780 per year. However, students looking to get admission into this course, must contact the admissions team for more details. In case of any update on BCom fees, th

...Read more

C

Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

The students looking to get admission into BCom course, must clear class 12th with a recognised board. Academic record of students must be consistent throughout the academic year. They must not have any backlogs in any of the subjects. Students can make their applicstion from the official website of

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Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 days ago

The total tuition fees for Bcom course is INR 70,000 every semester. In addition, the college also has some more fee components, which are given below:

1. Sports and unit test fees: INR 1,000
2. Development fee (one-time fee): INR 10,000
3. Special fees, such as medical fee, registration fee (at time o

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Chandeep Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 days ago

SRCC Delhi PG cutoff list 2025 was concluded with the release of the final cutoff list. The cutoff was released for different categories belonging to the AI quota. For the students belonging to the General category under the AI quota, the most competitive course for admission was M.Com, with last ro

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Puhup Kumari

Contributor-Level 9

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