Learning objectives

The course draws on the accounting harmonization process underway at an international level which, among other things, has led to the introduction of the international accounting standards Ias/Ifrs and the so-called "Non-financial information" in the regulation of the annual report in many countries (European and non-European), providing for its application with regard (at a minimum) to the (consolidated) financial statements of listed companies. Thus, the course starts from a preliminary illustration of the harmonization process in progress and the consequent choices made in some of the main countries and geopolitical contexts (European Union, Italy, USA, etc.). Subsequently, the course offers a detailed presentation of the international accounting standards, starting from the IASB’s Conceptual Framework and subsequently with the single most relevant IASs/IFRSs. The current international trends in sustainability and integrated reporting are then outlined. The course aims to make the Student acquire, from an international perspective, the necessary knowledge to be able to independently deal with the main problems of preparing a financial statement of an “IAS/IFRS adopter” company and the more advanced forms of non-financial reporting, also putting the Student in a position to grasp its informative potential. Therefore, at the end of the course, the Student will have to demonstrate knowledge and ability to apply the classification and evaluation criteria provided for by the IAS/IFRS standards as well as being able to set the contents of the various forms of communication mandated to which a large company.

Prerequisites and basic notions

The student needs a solid knowledge in the fields of business administration, accounting and reporting as prepared in accordance with Italian civil law and national accounting principles.

Program

Part I - The accounting harmonization process 1. Introductory elements of International Accounting 2. The harmonization process in the context of International Accounting 3. Harmonization at European and world level.
Part II - The Ias/Ifrs discipline for drawing up the financial statements 1. The framework 2. The financial statements 3. Values of cost and fair values underlying the valuation criteria 4. Analysis and application of single relevant principles.
Part III - Non-financial information and sustainability reporting 1. The evolution of non-financial information: towards an integrated approach 2. The reference standards for the preparation of sustainability reporting 3. Cases and problems of processing and disclosure of the sustainability.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Teaching activities are based on lectures and exercises on the adoption of international financial and sustainability reporting standards. Some case studies will also be presented and some experts will be invited as guest lecturers.

Learning assessment procedures

The methods of ascertaining learning consist of a written exam. If the student passes the written test, s/he can then access an optional oral test. The written test is structured in three questions that embrace each part of the program. In particular: i) two questions (open-ended) are of a theoretical-descriptive nature aimed at verifying the knowledge of the contents of the course and are also formulated in order to ascertain the student's critical and judgment skills; ii) a question consists of an exercise aimed at verifying the methodological application of the knowledge acquired, in order to ascertain the specific skills acquired by the student regarding the various practical and operational aspects relating to business assessments.

Evaluation criteria

Each of the three questions above quoted is assigned a score between 8 and 12 points, for a total of 31 points of the three questions (corresponding, if fully achieved, to a grade of 30 with honors).

Exam language

Italiana