Date of Graduation

5-2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Accounting

Advisor/Mentor

Myers, James N.

Abstract

In order to satisfy the financial needs of an increasingly globalized world, regulators and accounting professionals have pursued the harmonization of national accounting standards through International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). These standards have been adopted in more than 100 countries and are currently available in 47 languages. When financial information is prepared in accordance with IFRS, users of that information may assume that the application of the accounting rules is consistent across countries. In actuality, many differences in interpretation and application can occur because of the difficulties inherent in translating the standards from one language to another. Inconsistent application of international accounting standards presents a significant threat to the comparability of international financial information and thus the long term success of IFRS. The problems associated with inconsistent application of translations of IFRS are difficult to isolate and study. Language is naturally intertwined with elements of culture and history. This thesis employs a qualitative approach that draws on the disciplines of linguistics and cultural studies to identify and analyze some of the factors that may impede the homogenous interpretation and application of IFRS.

Keywords

International Financial Reporting Standards; translation; linguistics; cultural studies

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