Questions 1 (25 marks)

Ball (2006, p.17) makes the following comment:

"In sum, even a cursory review of the political and economic diversity amongst IFRS adopting nations, and of their past and present financial reporting practices, makes the notion that uniform standards alone will produce uniform financial reporting seem nave."

Critically assess the validity of Ball's comments and discuss at least five factors which lead to national differences in accounting (Hint: treat different cultural dimensions as one factor).