Wiley IAS 2003 - Interpretation and Application of International Accounting Standards

Barry J. Epstein

Abbas Ali Mirza

JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.

Portions of this book have their origins in copyrighted materials from the International Accounting Standards Board. These are noted by reference to the specific pronouncements, except for certain of the definitions introduced in bold type, which appear in a separate section at the beginning of each chapter. Complete copies of the international standards are available from the IASB. Copyright International Accounting Standards Board, 30 Cannon Street, London EC4M 6XH, United Kingdom.

Copyright 2003 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken, New Jersey.

All rights reserved.

Published simultaneously in Canada.

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ISBN 0-471-22736-6

Printed in the United States of America

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Barry J. Epstein, PhD, CPA, has served in senior technical positions with several regional and national CPA firms over the past twenty-seven years, after earlier stints as a corporate finance officer and a college professor. He is currently a partner with Chicago-based Gleeson, Sklar, Sawyers & Cumpata, LLP, where he specializes in accounting and auditing technical consultation and corporate governance advisory and litigation consulting services. His work in the litigation field often involves accountants' malpractice defense, as well as contractual dispute resolution, and other matters in which the application of professional standards plays a significant role.

Dr. Epstein has authored or coauthored six books, including Wiley GAAP 2003, and professional articles, and previously wrote a regular business column for a major newspaper. He has served on numerous state and local professional and technical committees, was a member of the AICPA Board of Examiners for five years, has lectured throughout the US, as well as in several other nations, and has been regularly involved in technical training for CPA firms and for attorneys, bankers other professionals. His professional memberships include the American Institute of CPAs, Illinois CPA Society, and the American Accounting Association.

Abbas Ali Mirza, CPA, ACA, AICWA, has been affiliated with major international accounting firms in the US, India, and the Middle East, and is currently a partner with Deloitte & Touche, based in the United Arab Emirates, where he is responsible for major audit clients and, as a member of the firm's regional Assurance & Advisory Committee, he is also responsible for training and technical support to the firm's offices in the region. Mr. Mirza provides international accounting, auditing, finance, and taxation services to a wide range of industries and businesses.

A frequent principal speaker and a workshop leader at global conferences on international accounting standards and on US GAAP, Mr. Mirza has also authored regular columns and features for English-language publications in the Middle East and India. Mr. Mirza is a member of the Accounting Standards Committee of the Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI); is the Chairman of the Managing Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Dubai Chapter; serves on the Standards and Ethics Committee of the UAE's official Accountants' and Auditors' Association (AAA); and chairs the International Accounting Standards Steering Committee of the AAA.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors are grateful to the many individuals who encouraged them to undertake this project and who have assisted them in bringing the original book, and all subsequent editions, to completion—particularly Sir Bryan Carsberg, former Secretary General of the IASC.

Mr. Abbas Ali Mirza expresses thanks to Mr. Omar Fahoum, Chairman, Middle East Deloitte & Touche, for his encouragement and guidance; his father Mr. Ali Mirza, and his brother Dr. Hume Mirza for their editorial assistance; to Bahadur Chacha for inspiration and moral support; and to the other members of his family for their understanding and patience.

The authors express gratitude to Mr. Magnus Orrell, who served as project manager for the development of IAS 39, for his valuable insights and suggestions.