Keeping the promise of global accounting standards

Accounting provides a fundamental underpinning for capital markets, and the worldwide spread of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) marks one of the most advanced attempts to develop globally consistent financial rules. The financial crisis has generated heated debate on the economic role of fair-value accounting and other IFRS principles. Underlying these controversies are differing views about the mission and governance of accounting standard-setters, and how standards interact with other public policy instruments. Choices are made more difficult by the absence of relevant precedents for the unique institutional features of the global standard-setting organisation, the IFRS Foundation.