ASB warned on timing of rule changes

The UK standard setter may have to delay the introduction of new international reporting rules as fears mount that it could clash with a new tax-reporting regime.

The Accounting Standards Board’s proposal to bring in new international accounting standards for mid-tier companies could clash with HM Revenue & Customs’ attempts to bring in XBRL – a computer reporting language.

In a recent discussion paper, the ASB said the new rules would come into effect on 1 January 2012.

HMRC said its new reporting language will become compulsory from April 2011.

There are also fears the industry will not be given enough lead time to come to grips with the new ASB standards, with some believing the board will leave only a few months for accountants to absorb the new rules before the January,2012 deadline.

Ken Williamson, a partner with Ernst & Young, said he will be urging businesses to voice their concerns on the matter.

‘There’s no doubt for some companies who are impacted by both that this will put a short-term strain on their finance teams,’ he said.

‘If the ASB were to push this back a year it would give companies some extra breathing space.’

Ian Mackintosh, chairman of the ASB, said the board had not considered the XBRL deadline when putting together the convergence timetable, but said the board would be open to suggestions.

‘The date is flexible and if there are good reasons to delay or bring forward the date we would be happy to listen to them,’ he said.

‘If it going to cause great inconvenience you have to be flexible.’

The ASB’s discussion paper, which is open for comment until 1 February 2010, follows the release of international accounting rules for mid-tier businesses released in July.

The ASB is inviting comment on the proposals, which aim at phasing out UK GAAP.