Learning outcomes

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.

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 information

Teaching Materials
• A. Palma (ed.), Il bilancio di esercizio. Profili aziendali, giuridici e principi contabili, Giuffré, Milan, 2016 (the teachers will indicate the parts to be studied).
• Other articles and materials will be indicated at the beginning of the course.

Examination Methods