BDO United States

We live and conduct business in a global marketplace. International economies affect daily operations, and global markets test and contribute to companies’ successes. International business challenges extend from basic communication to cultural, economic, financial and legal differences. Beyond these challenges, however, lie opportunities.

As the business world continues to expand into a more global economy, the international community continues to watch the latest developments in international regulations; economic indicators and trends; and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the practical considerations of global accounting standards.

Recent Publications

Released jointly by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and SEC in November 2012, A Resource Guide to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act provides a detailed compilation of information about the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, its provisions, and enforcement. It is the product of extensive efforts by experts at the DOJ and SEC, and has benefited from valuable input from the U.S. Departments of Commerce and State. It endeavors to provide helpful information to enterprises of all shapes and sizes - from small businesses doing their first transactions abroad to multi-national corporations with subsidiaries around the world.

The International Auditing & Accounting Standards Board (IAASB) has posted for stakeholder and auditor comment A Framework for Audit Quality intended to raise awareness of the key elements of audit quality and to encourage stakeholders to look at ways to improve them and develop better dialogue with auditors.

For more information on this discussion paper on harmonizing the functioning of audit committees within the European Union proposed by the Federation of European Accountants, refer here.

This briefing by the IFRS Foundation has been specifically prepared for Chief Executives, Audit Committees and Boards of Directors who want a broad overview of IFRSs, including International Accounting Standards (IASs) and is available for purchase from the IASB here

The BDO Ambition Survey: Global Opportunities 2011 assesses where established international businesses see the greatest opportunities for further growth and which markets will have the biggest impact on their balance sheet in the next three years. Also, CFOs experienced in growing their companies overseas offer their advice on how to avoid the pitfalls and realize the opportunities available.

This article written by members of BDO Consulting addresses the opportunities and challenges to doing business in Russia. The article proceeds to discuss measures that companies can take to overcome some of the significant corruption challenges that exist in Russia today.

For additional publications, please visit the BDO Library.

Archived Self-Study Courses

BDO IFRS Series

BDO has created a series of brief IFRS modules available on various topics of significant interest with respect to international financial reporting standards. To view a list of available IFRS self-study courses, please visit the IFRS Education Center.

For the latest developments related to International Financial Reporting Standards, including thought leadership, education, practice aids and other resources, please visit the IFRS Resource Center.

For archived self-study courses relating to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, UK Bribery Act and doing business abroad, please visit the Board Reflections Fraud & Ethics page.