
| Extent of IFRS application | Status | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| IFRS Accounting Standards are required for domestic public companies | Bangladesh has adopted IFRS Accounting Standards. Domestic companies whose securities trade in a public market and other large public accountability companies are required to use IFRS Accounting Standards. Certain modifications have been made to IFRS Accounting Standards for banks, insurance companies and Non-Banking Financial Institutions in accordance with their respective Acts and Guidelines. Other large public accountability companies are also required to use IFRS Accounting Standards. | |
| IFRS Accounting Standards are permitted but not required for domestic public companies | ||
| IFRS Accounting Standards are required or permitted for listings by foreign companies | Required. | |
| The IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard is required or permitted | IFRS Accounting Standards or the IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard as adopted by the FRC Bangladesh are required for the preparation of financial statements of companies that meet the definition of PIEs but are not publicly traded as stipulated in the Financial Reporting Act 2015. | |
| The IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard is under consideration |
Profile last updated: 31 July 2026
Financial Reporting Council (FRC), Bangladesh
The FRC was established as a government regulatory agency under the Financial Reporting Act 2015 with the responsibilities of setting financial reporting standards, auditing standards, actuarial standards and valuation standards and thereon issuing, rules, regulations, guidelines and codes. The FRC also monitors the financial reporting and relevant legal compliance of public interest entities (PIEs) and reviews the auditing practices of auditors of PIEs and the activities of public accountancy organisations (PAOs) in Bangladesh, namely the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) and the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB). The FRC also enforces the Financial Reporting Act 2015 and is empowered to take necessary legal and punitive measures against irregularities in financial reporting, auditing, actuarial and valuation practices in Bangladesh.
Yes. Section 40 (1)(a) of Financial Reporting Act 2015 states (in Bangla), ‘The Council, with a view to rendering professional accounting services for public interest entities, shall set and issue (a) financial reporting standards in conformity with the International Accounting Standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.’
The FRC Bangladesh adopted IFRS Accounting Standards in November 2020.
None.
Not applicable.
Yes, all domestic companies including banks, non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) and insurance companies whose securities trade in a public market are required to use IFRS Accounting Standards as adopted by FRC Bangladesh in their separate and consolidated financial statements. However, banks, NBFIs and insurance companies are also required to comply with Acts and guidelines issued by their respective regulators, along with IFRS Accounting Standards, in preparation of their financial statements.
All companies whose securities are traded on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and/or the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) are required to follow IFRS Accounting Standards as adopted by the FRC Bangladesh.
IFRS Accounting Standards as adopted by FRC Bangladesh are required in the separate financial statements of companies whose securities are traded in a public market.
IFRS Accounting Standards or the IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard as adopted by the FRC Bangladesh are required for the preparation of financial statements of companies that meet the definition of PIEs but are not publicly traded as per the Financial Reporting Act 2015.
Yes, all foreign companies whose securities are traded in a public market are REQUIRED to use IFRS Accounting Standards as adopted in Bangladesh in their consolidated financial statements.
Required.
Applies to all foreign companies.
All IFRS Accounting Standards as issued by IASB and currently effective have been adopted by the FRC Bangladesh.
The auditor’s report and/or the basis of presentation footnote states that financial statements have been prepared in conformity with IFRS Accounting Standards as adopted in Bangladesh. In case of banks, NBFI and insurance companies, along with IFRS Accounting Standards as adopted in Bangladesh, the reporting entities prepare their financial statements as per the as stipulated in the Act, Rules or Regulations of the Central Bank of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Securities Exchange Commission (BSEC), and Insurance Development and Regulatory (IDRA).
Yes.
The Parliament of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh enacted Financial Reporting Act 2015 to regulate, monitor, review and strengthen the Financial Reporting Activities of Public Interest Entities of Bangladesh and established the FRC in 2016. Section 40 (1)(a) of Financial Reporting Act 2015 states, ‘The Council, with a view to rendering professional accounting services for public interest entities, shall set and issue (A) financial reporting standards in conformity with the International Accounting Standards issued by the International Accounting Standard Board.’ Moreover, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and BSEC also have mandates to require entities under their jurisdiction to prepare financial statements in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards.
Yes.
All new and amended IFRS Accounting Standards are:
(a) | reviewed by the FRC Bangladesh Standard Setting Division; |
(b) | circulated for comments and opinions by the stakeholders; |
(c) | reviewed in light of comments and opinions; |
(d) | considered and finally approved and issued by the Council of the FRC Bangladesh. |
The FRC Bangladesh through a notification dated 16 March 2020 mandated IFRS Accounting Standards compliance for all PIEs, including banks and financial institutions. PAOs have been discussing with the FRC the way forward for implementing IFRS Accounting Standards in Bangladesh to comply with the notification. It is expected that once PAOs and the FRC finalise the roadmap for implementing full IFRS Accounting Standards for banks and NBFIs, the Central Bank of Bangladesh will make it mandatory for banks and NBFIs.
PIEs are defined in section 2 of the Financial Reporting Act 2015 as banks, listed companies, NBFIs (known as finance companies), entities whose securities are publicly traded, insurance companies, and microcredit providers or entities (including government autonomous bodies) with revenue equal to or more than BDT 500 million in previous reporting year or any two of the following:
(a) | external liabilities equal to or more than BDT 100 million in the previous reporting year; |
(b) | assets equal to or more than BDT 300 million In previous reporting year; |
(c) | workforce equal to or more than 50 individuals in previous reporting year. |
The thresholds for revenue, assets, external liabilities and workforce are set by the FRC Bangladesh. These thresholds are subject to change based on the FRC’s consideration.
Following the Bangladesh Bank guidance, banks are currently preparing to implement the ECL model in IFRS 9 from January 2028. However, no guidance has been issued for NBFIs.
The IDRA has not issued any formal guidance on adopting IFRS 17. However, some insurance companies are preparing to adopt IFRS 17.
No. IFRS Accounting Standards in English are used.
IFRS Accounting Standards or the IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard as adopted by the FRC Bangladesh are required for the preparation of financial statements of companies that meet the definition of PIEs but are not publicly traded as stipulated in the Financial Reporting Act 2015.
None.
The FRC Bangladesh is in the process of defining SMEs in Bangladesh. However, the Bangladesh Bank and the Small and Medium Enterprise Foundation (SME Foundation) have their own set of definitions for SMEs.
Not applicable.