IAS 39 and IFRS 9: Effects of Changing Accounting Standards for Financial Instruments on the Financial Asset Management of Commercial Banks in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of changing accounting standards for financial instruments on the financial asset management of commercial banks in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (STM), focusing on IAS 39 and IFRS 9. Descriptive research design was used. The population was branch managers and account/audit/finance staff of 13 commercial banks in the metropolis who were 91 in number. The census method was used to capture all subjects within the accessible population. Questionnaire with a Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of 0.871 was used to collect the data. Out of the 91 questionnaires administered, the researcher was able to retrieved 73 completed and accurate questionnaires from the respondents. Both descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used to analyse the data. The findings of the study revealed that requirements of IFRS 9 have been welcomed by commercial banks in STM. The replacement of accounting standards for financial instruments, from IAS 39 to IFRS 9, has moderate effect on the effectiveness of the financial asset management of the banks. It was recommended to management of the banks to ensure that branch managers, and account/audit/finance staff are abreast with IFRS 9 compliance. This will help them adapt meaningfully to the changing accounting standards for financial instruments, especially from IAS 39 to IFRS 9, in order to help manage the financial asset of the banks effectively.