Importance of the Application of International Accounting Standards in Kosovo Businesses

The adoption of International Accounting Standards (IAS) is an example of accounting standardization among countries with different institutional frameworks and enforcement rules. IAS, though, create a common language for defining, interpreting and publication of financial statements in the whole world. Furthermore, their aim is “to provide a standardized and coherent sight of the companies to the shareholders and investors”. After the war in Kosovo has been a positive move towards the development of accounting. Accounting system based on IAS cannot be avoided by Kosovo as part of the European and international transactions. However, financial reporting situation of businesses in Kosovo continues to be unsatisfactory. Implementation of accounting requirements among businesses remains a challenge and there was little improvement in recent years. The Kosovo Financial Reporting Council (KCFR) as a regulatory body that sets accounting standards has neither the human nor the technical capacity to meet its responsibilities. The purpose of this paper is to provide a clearer picture on the financial reporting environment in Kosovo, the challenges facing Kosovo in terms of financial reporting and the importance of adopting International Accounting Standards in Kosovo businesses