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Netherlands

Financial Reporting Framework in Netherlands

Adoption of IFRSs in Europe Effective in 2005

In June 2002, the European Union adopted an IAS Regulation requiring European companies listed in an EU securities market, including banks and insurance companies, to prepare their consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRSs starting with financial statements for financial year 2005 onwards. EU countries have the option to:

  • Require or permit IFRSs for unlisted companies.
  • Require or permit IFRSs in parent company (unconsolidated) financial statements.
  • Permit companies whose only listed securities are debt securities to delay IFRS adoption until 2007.
  • Permit companies that are listed on exchanges outside of the EU and that currently prepare their primary financial statements using a non-EU GAAP (in most cases this would be US GAAP) to delay IFRS adoption until 2007.

The European IAS regulation applies not only to the 27 EU Member States but also to the three members of the European Economic Area (EEA) - Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

The Netherlands is an EU Member State. Consequently, Dutch companies listed in an EU/EEA securities market follow IFRSs since 2005. In July 2010, the European Commission published the results of a survey of the 27 EU member states and the 3 EEA member states regarding the four options above. For information on each country's plans, click to download:

The European Commission has adopted the following wording for use in the notes to the accounts and in the audit reports of companies subject to EU Regulation 1606/2002/EC (the 'IAS regulation'):

  • "in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU" or
  • "in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU".

Companies may also state, in a footnote, compliance with IFRSs as adopted by the IASB, if that is the case.

In September 2011, the European Commission services published a report an update on the extent to which certain options included within the Accounting Directives have been incorporated into the law of the Member States and EEA countries. Please click for access report (PDF 816k, link to EC website).

Publications

Please click for an overview of publications about Accounting in the Netherlands in the English language.

Deloitte (Netherlands) also produces regular videocasts and webcasts on financial reporting (in Dutch).

Related news

  • Report from recent IFASS meeting released

  • Jan 17, 2013

  • A report has been issued summarising the discussions at a meeting of the International Forum of Accounting Standard Setters (IFASS, formerly the NSS) held in Zurich on 22-23 October 2012. The meeting covered a broad range of topics, including the future relationships between the IASB and regional and national standard setters, topical issues in financial reporting, reports from regional groups and administrative matters.

  • EFRAG outreach on disclosures - event in Amsterdam

  • Oct 01, 2012

  • EFRAG outreach events on the IASB post–implementation review (PIR) of IFRS 8 'Operating Segments' and the EFRAG/ANC/FRC discussion paper on disclosures will be offered throughout Europe in October and November. Details for the event in Amsterdam have now been announced. This outreach event will focus on the disclosure discussion paper only.

  • Report from recent IFASS meeting released

  • Jun 04, 2012

  • The International Forum of Accounting Standards Setters (IFASS) met in Kuala Lumpur on 29-30 March 2012. A detailed report of proceedings at the meeting has now been released, outlining discussions on numerous topics such as the relationship between standard setters and the IASB, the IASB's work programme and processes, and a report on the possible adoption of IFRS in the United States noting a possible "step back".

  • FEE publishes survey on the accountancy profession in Europe

  • Mar 29, 2012

  • The Federation of European Accountants (Fédération des Experts-comptables Européens, FEE) has released a survey which provides a collection of key features on structure and organisation of the accountancy profession across 30 European countries.

  • EFRAG to hold additional outreach meetings on proactive discussion papers

  • Mar 22, 2012

  • The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) announced additional outreach meetings on 17 April 2012 in Amsterdam and 18 April 2012 in Vienna regarding discussion papers 'Accounting for business combinations under common control' and 'Improving the Financial Reporting of Income Tax'.

  • Use of Options within the Accounting Directives

  • Sep 20, 2011

  • The European Commission services have published a report on the responses received to the consultation of accounting regulatory committee members on the use of options within the European Accounting Directives.

  • More than 70 jurisdictions apply ISAs

  • Jul 11, 2011

  • On June 30 2011, Prof. Arnold Schilder, the Chairman of the IAASB, delivered a speech on global progress in the use of the Clarified International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) at the 2011 annual conference on Accounting and Accountability for Regional Economic Growth in Latin America and the Caribbean (referred to as CReCER after its Spanish/Portuguese acronym).

  • Common professional qualifications

  • Nov 28, 2008

  • Nine of Europe's accountancy institutes have formed the Common Content Project to bring their professional qualifications closer together. One of the driving forces behind the project has been the globalisation of accounting and auditing regulation, so that a significant part of the relevant learning outcomes are IFRS/ISA based.

  • IFRS implementation review panel formed in Netherlands

  • Feb 16, 2007

  • The Netherlands Authority for Financial Markets (Autoriteit Financiele Markten or AFM) has formed a Financial Reporting Committee of 12 external IFRS experts to advise the Authority on the application of IFRSs and the supervision thereof.

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