Financial reporting by Small and Medium sized Entities in Mongolia and the International Financial Reporting Standard for Small and Medium sized Entities

Abstract

This study examines three important aspects of financial reporting practice of Small and Medium sized Entities (SMEs) in developing economy. First, the study investigates the existing reporting practices of SMEs in Mongolia. Second, the study considers the expected impact for Mongolian SMEs of adopting the International Financial Reporting Standard for Small and Medium sized Entities (IFRS for SMEs). Third, the study examines the relationships between the economic characteristics of SMEs and both their reporting practice and the expected impact of adoption of the IFRS for SMEs. The study adopts a mixed method approach with a quantitative survey questionnaire and qualitative semi-structured interviews. The study developed a survey questionnaire and obtained 102 responses: 67 responses from employee account preparers of SMEs and 35 responses from accounting practitioners of Public Accounting Firms (PAFs) engaged with SMEs. The results of the survey were analysed using a range of non-parametric tests and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS). The qualitative semi-structured interviews were carried out with eight standard-setters, educators and information users and analysed using Nvivo. Overall, the research findings suggest that in Mongolia there is a low level of compliance with international financial reporting standards. It appears that preparers and users perceive a low level of net benefits from compliance. Surprisingly, the results indicate that the economic characteristics of SMEs do not appear to influence their reporting practice. Adoption of the IFRS for SMEs is expected to increase the level of compliance by SMEs.