The Phoenix rises: The Australian accounting standards board and IFRS adoption

Abstract

The Australian experience of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is used to explore the impact of IFRS adoption on the sphere of authority (SOA) of a national accounting standard-setter (NASS). Data for the study were gathered from interviews with AASB technical staff and retired IASB members. The study demonstrates how changes in the social order between the IASB and NASSs impact domestic and international standards and how power is exercised and shared in the IASB/NASSs relationship. I find that a standard-setter’s technical agenda is influenced by its strategic agenda. I show the significant influence of the standard-setting entity’s chairperson on the development and implementation of the strategic agenda. In addition, individual technical staff members help drive this agenda. Knowledge of the behavior of standard-setting organizations can be considerably deepened by studying the characteristics and motivations of the individuals within those organizations. The findings are useful to NASSs by, for example, demonstrating the importance of employing individuals with both strong technical and political skills. If NASSs wish to have influence at the global level, then they must be proactive in driving change through networks and alliances with other NASSs.