A Longitudinal Analysis of Financial Instruments Disclosure in an Emerging Capital Market: The Case of Qatar

Abstract

This study explores the extent of financial instruments (FI) information that is supplied by Qatari listed companies under International Accounting Standards (IAS) 30, IAS 32 and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 7 for the period between 2005 and 2012. The study adopts the unweighted disclosure approach to measure the extent of FI-related information provided by a sample of 282 Qatari firm observations between 2005 and 2012. The results of the study indicate that the implementation of IFRS 7 statistically improved FI-related information. Specifically, the quantity of FI disclosure rose from 24% in 2005 (under IAS 30/32) to greater than 28% in 2007 (under IFRS 7) and this rise was sustained, reaching 47% in 2012. Also, the results of the study reveal that the level of FI disclosure varies among companies by year, category of information and industry type. The current paper provides a great insight into the accounting profession and is of interest to both national (Qatari) and international accounting regulators regarding the implications of applying IFRS 7 in an emerging capital market.

Keywords: Financial Instrument Disclosure; Qatar; Financial Reporting; International Financial Reporting Standards; IFRS

JEL Classification: M041