Abstract
M.Comm. (Accounting)
The emphasis given to narrative disclosure in corporate reporting, both in South Africa and internationally, has greatly increased in recent years. A major example of this was the issuance of The Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting (hereafter Conceptual Framework 2010) by the International Accounting Standards Board (hereafter IASB) in 2010. The Conceptual Framework was developed using the objective of financial reporting as a foundation (IASB, 2010a: par-OB1). In 2010, the IASB issued an International Financial Reporting Standard (hereafter IFRS) Practice Statement known as ‘Management Commentary – A framework for presentation’ (hereafter IFRS Practice Statement on Management Commentary). The IFRS Practice statement on Management Commentary defines management commentary as “a narrative report that provides a context within which to interpret the financial position, financial performance and cash flows of an entity. It also provides management with an opportunity to explain its objectives and its strategies for achieving those objectives” (IASB, 2010b: par-IN3).