THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTEGRATED REPORTING. THE PERCEPTION OF ACCOUNTING PRACTITIONERS IN GHANA

ABSTRACT The  evolution  of  accounting  theory  has  led  to  the  development  of  ways  to improve  corporate  reporting  with  the  aim  to  make  corporate  reports  more transparent  and  user  friendly  to  all  stakeholders.  The  main  objective  of  the study  was  to  determine  the  development  of  Integrated  Reporting  (IR)  in Ghana,  among  practicing  accountants.  The  study  adopted  the  qualitative research approach, specifically, the exploratory research design. The findings of  the  study  revealed  that,  when  it  came  to  general  awareness  of  IR, accounting  practitioners  had  a  limited  idea  on  what  the  concept  is.  Another finding was that, respondents could not make clear distinction between IR and sustainability  reporting.  Respondents’  responses  revealed  that,  their  lack  of knowledge  in  the  activities  of  the  IIRC  and  the  IR  framework  hence  their inability to fully interpret and appreciate the meaning and scope of IR. Finally, the  study  revealed  that,  their  responses  about  challenges  and  benefits  of adopting  and  implementing  IR,  stems  from  their  own  thoughts,  experiences and  competences.  The  study  recommended  that  the  IIRC  further  articulates and refines aspects of the framework to give a comprehensive understanding of  the  concept  of  IR.  Again,  the  Institute  of  Chartered  Accountants  Ghana (ICAG)  in  partnership  with  other  institutions  and  accounting  bodies  should develop a local framework of IR aimed at addressing issues that are specific to the  Ghanaian  context.  Also,  the  ICAG  should  publish  relevant  issues pertaining  to  IR  on  its  website  regularly  to  increase  its  awareness  in  the accounting community. Finally, academic institutions should incorporate IR in their curricular.