In 2004, Deloitte launched a comprehensive set of e-learning materials on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs). Developed with an investment of around US$4,000,000, the IFRS e-Learning programme was initially intended to help prepare Deloitte partners and staff for the expected adoption of IFRSs not only in Europe but throughout the world. After releasing the programme internally, Deloitte decided to make it available to the public at large without charge, in the public interest.

What's now available? A total of 35 modules have been released, essentially one for each IAS and IFRS (there are three modules for IAS 39 on financial instruments).

What's involved in using a module? The modules are primarily interactive cases from the viewpoint of an auditor who encounters application of an individual IFRS. It normally takes learners one to two hours to complete a module, sometimes a little longer. Each module includes an assessment at the end to test the learner's knowledge. Learners should have the relevant IFRS available as a reference.

Popularity. To date, over 1,700,000 Deloitte IFRS e-learning modules have been downloaded from Deloitte's website www.iasplus.com. Many of the modules downloaded have multiple users because organisations are permitted to install them on their own servers for the internal use of their employees or students. In addition, the modules are widely used internally by Deloitte staff throughout the global organisation, who access them via an intranet.

How to obtain. You can obtain the IFRS e-Learning modules by clicking on the light-bulb icon on the Home Page of Deloitte's website www.iasplus.com. Or you can click on the light-bulb icon at the top of this page. Or you can Click Here.

Cost. There is no charge, but you are asked to register and provide a few pieces of information.

Installation. Each module is a 2mb to 6mb download of a ZIP file. You can extract the files from the ZIP to a directory you create on your hard disk or server. Full installation instructions are provided on the website.

Updating. Modules are kept up to date as the IASB publishes new and amended pronouncements – all modules were reviewed recently to ensure that they are up to date for all changes to the standards and applicable interpretations in force as at 31 December 2007. Two new modules are being developed, planned for release by the end of March 2008:

• IFRS 8 Operating Segments
• IFRIC 12 Service Concession Arrangements