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12 November 2012

ESMA announces enforcement priorities for 2012 financial statements


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The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published a set of priority issues to be used by EU national competent authorities in their assessment of listed companies' 2012 financial statements. (Includes link to speech by Steven Maijoor.)


ESMA has defined these common enforcement priorities in order to promote the consistent application of European securities and markets legislation and IFRS.  Listed companies and their auditors should take due account of the areas set out in the Public Statement when preparing and auditing the IFRS financial statements for the year ending 31 December, 2012.

Steven Maijoor, ESMA Chair, said: “ESMA, together with the national authorities, has identified a number of common financial reporting topics which we believe are particularly important for European listed companies in light of the current economic situation. By setting out these priorities we reinforce the importance of appropriate and consistent application of the recognition, measurement and disclosure principles provided for in IFRS to ensure the transparency and proper functioning of financial markets.”

The common financial reporting topics refer to the application of IFRS in relation to:

  • financial assets;
  • impairment of non-financial assets;
  • defined benefit obligations; and
  • provisions, contingent liabilities, and contingent assets.

ESMA and the national competent authorities will monitor the application of the specific IFRS as outlined, with national authorities incorporating them into their reviews. ESMA will collect data on how European listed entities have applied the IFRS requirements in relation to these topics and will publish the results.

National competent authorities may find it appropriate to publish statements in their respective jurisdictions alerting listed companies on additional matters related to the application of IFRS, and therefore the enforcement process will not be limited to the matters specifically mentioned in this Statement.

Full document

See also speech by Steven Maijoor 'Developments in European Financial Reporting Regulation and Enforcement'



© ESMA


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