The Impact of "AAOIFI" Standards on the Financial Reporting of Islamic Banks: Evidence from Bahrain
The last 30 years have witnessed the appearance and rapid expansion of Islamic financial institutions operating both inside and outside the Islamic world. Islamic financial organisations are now operating in Western countries such as the UK, the US as well as most Islamic countries. The establishment of Islamic banks strengthens the need for Islamic accounting. Adopting or even modifying conventional accounting concepts, however, is insufficient to develop an accounting system which provides information that will lead to behaviour consistent with Islamic norms and objectives (Hameed, 2002). The Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) was established in 1990 as an independent organisation to adjust the financial reports of Islamic organisations to comply with Islamic Sharia'h requirement. By 2005, AAOIFI's membership consisted of 93 institutions spanning over 23 countries. This organisation has introduced a new system of business accounting by issuing Islamic accounting standards. AAOIFI have now issued 50 standards on accounting, auditing, governance, ethical and Sharia'h standards (Alchaar 2005). This study investigates and examines the extent of the application of the AAOIFI standards by Islamic banks in preparing their financial statements in Bahrain. Further, it explores whether the implementation of such standards provides relevant, reliable and sufficient information to the users of such information to assist them in decision-making. In addition, the awareness of the preparers of financial reports and progress in the quality of these financial reports has also been undertaken. Finally the thesis draws appropriate conclusion and following a critical reflection and recommends areas for further research.
Financial reporting, Business Accounting, Islamic Banks, Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions, AAOIFI Standards, Bahrain
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