Adoption of international financial reporting strandard (ifrs): insight fromnigerian academics and practitioners

The fast pace of globalization with integration of national financial markets has stimulated the need for a common financial language (IFRS) because good financial reporting makes investment and financial decisions more efficient. Nigeria adopted the IFRS in January 2012. This exploratory study examines the state of readiness of Nigerian academics (accounting lecturers and students) and practitioners (professional accountants and auditors) to embrace IFRS adoption. The study examined three research questions; (i) the extent of IFRS familiarity by academics and practitioners; (ii) the state of readiness to embrace IFRS by academics and practitioners; and (iii) their perspectives regarding a proper national transition plan to IFRS adoption. Simple random sampling techniques were used to select a sample size of 150 made up of student, lecturers & practitioner. Questionnaires were distributed to them for data collection; Data collected were analyzed using krustal-wallis & chi-square. The results showed significant differences between accounting students, lecturers and practitioners with respect to their degree of familiarity with IFRS. Respondents believed that Nigeria was not ready for IFRS adoption and were of the view that IFRS course in accounting curriculum is the best plan to transition Nigeria companies to IFRS, followed by IFRS training for management and staff. An important policy implication to incorporate IFRS and its implementation dimensions.