IFRS In-Depth: Segment Reporting
Michael Walker
Copyright^© 2011

Course: 1113294   Version 1201

The IFRS In-Depth series provides a comprehensive understanding of various topics related to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the global accounting principles that provide the foundation for most of the world’s financial reporting. These standards establish the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure requirements for transactions and events reflected in IFRS financial statements.
 
The growing acceptance of IFRS as a basis for U.S. financial reporting represents a fundamental change for the U.S. accounting profession. The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and their U.S. equivalent (the FASB) have committed to the convergence of U.S. GAAP and IFRS and are working to eliminate as many differences between the two standards as possible. In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission has endorsed the outright adoption of IFRS in the United States. Therefore, it is clear that IFRS represents the future of financial accounting and reporting in the United States.

This module presents an overview of IFRS 8 Operating Segments, including a detailed discussion of the processes for identifying, aggregating and reporting operating segments in IFRS financial statements. The course also discusses the IASB’s and FASB’s efforts towards achieving convergence in segment reporting.

• Explain the process for identifying operating segments under IFRS 8.
• Identify reportable segments based on the guidelines and quantitative thresholds provided in IFRS 8.
• Describe the disclosure requirements of IFRS 8.
• Describe the similarities and differences between IFRS and US GAAP in the area of segment reporting.