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POST 1

IFRS versus GAAP

Both  accounting standards require a complete set of financial statements to  include a balance sheet, a statement of stockholders’ equity, an income  statement, and a statement of cash flows (Porter & Norton,  2018). While there are some similarities to both accounting standards,  significant differences exist between the two. One such difference is  the accounting of intangible assets. Intangible assets, such as  goodwill, research and development, and advertising costs are only  recognized if the asset will have a future economic benefit and has  measured reliability under IFRS while all are recognized at fair value  under GAAP.  Walmart has goodwill listed at 31,073 (in millions) on its  balance sheet; under IFRS, Walmart would have to show a future economic  benefit in order to be stated as an asset on its financials.

Other  differences include inventory methods and reversals. GAAP prohibits  reversals once inventory has been written down while IFRS allows  reversals in future periods if specific criteria are met. GAAP allows  for the use of LIFO whereas IFRS does not.

Pros and Cons

IFRS-  is more of a principle-based system and not based on specific rules  like GAAP. While this type of structure has its benefits and can be  stated as an advantage, it can actually be a disadvantage as well.  “Organizations can choose to use only the methods that they wish to  incorporate in their reporting, allowing their financial statements to  show the results they desire. This structure makes it easier to  incorporate profit or revenue manipulation into the findings, making it  easier to hide financial problems that might exist” (ConnectUs,  2019). GAAP-is rule based and therefore reduces the risk  of misrepresentation. IFRS would provide simplicity for Walmart with  less rules; however, converting to IFRS would be an extensive  undertaking. With IFRS, Walmart would have flexibility in listing  contingent liabilities. A significant disadvantage would be the the  company would no longer be able to use the LIFO inventory method.

Czech Republic

As  a member of the European Union, the Czech Republic uses the IFRS system  and requires foreign entities to use unless the EU deems the foreign  company’s standard to be equivalent (IFRS, n.d.). Companies are also  required to keep accounting records in accordance with Czech GAAP for  tax purposes or reconcile their IFRS financial statements to Czech GAAP  (International Federation of Accountants, 2019).

POST 2

A  major difference between GAAP and IFRS is the method used for  reporting. GAAP is said to be rules-based and IFRS is principles-based.  Since less detail is provided in international standards, there are  usually more disclosures in notes using IFRS than there are using GAAP.  GAAP has more standards and has a higher level of detail in standards.

Walmart  values inventories at the lower of cost or market as determined  primarily by the retail method of accounting, using the last-in,  first-out (“LIFO”) method. LIFO is allowed by the GAAP standards but not  by IFRS. If Walmart needed to change to IFRS they would have to change  the way they value inventory and since Walmart carries a large amount of  inventory which could lose them some of the tax advantages, it  currently takes advantage of. However, if it were to make the switch to  IFRS reporting, its international business/locations would all be  uniformed in reporting which might make it easier in the long run.  Convergence would also create transparency and comparability between  different countries.

The  fact that IFRS is viewed as being of being transparent could benefit  Walmart when entering Peru.  From an ethical and legal perspective,  switching over might have a rocky start since a lot has to be disclosed  and it may be viewed negatively. However, by switching and being  transparent, the company could create better business relationships with  the country when entering the market.

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