IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS
         ON ACCOUNTING PRACTICES HARMONIZATION
                  WITHIN EUROPEAN UNION
          -PARTICULAR CASE OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS-

                 Adriana Tiron Tudor, „Babes-Bolyai” University of Cluj-Napoca
                 Ioana-Maria Dragu, „Babes-Bolyai” University of Cluj-Napoca


ABSTRACT: This paper is meant to study the impact of IFRS on accounting practices
harmonization, by measuring the degree in which different companies from Europe use same
methods when reporting their intangible assets. Therefore, the objective of the research is to
demonstrate the existence of harmonizing tendencies between European Union member states, as a
result of IFRS adoption. The methodology implies Herfindahl Index computation for a sample of 51
listed companies that develop their activity in five European countries. The results suggest the
influence of International Financial Reporting Standards on accounting practices, as there is
evidence of high harmonization level for intangible assets. Many of the analysed situations
recorded if not maximum harmonizing values at least visible tendencies to harmonize accounting
practices.

Key words: accounting, harmonization, intangible, measurement.

JEL codes: M41