Stent WBradbury MEHooks J20152015Accounting and Finance, 2015, pp. 1 - 22https://hdl.handle.net/10179/14708"This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Stent, W., et al. (2017). "Insights into accounting choice from the adoption timing of International Financial Reporting Standards." Accounting & Finance 57(S1): 255-276., which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/acfi.12145. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions."This paper collects survey evidence on the costs and benefits of adopting International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). It also examines the motivations for the timing of IFRS adoption. Significant differences exist between early and late adopters for three of nine benefits and for one of six cost measures. No significant differences exist in terms of firm size or the impact of IFRS on contracts. Early adopters perceive themselves as market leaders. They are more certain about the manageability of implementing IFRS and are more specific with regard to the impact of IFRS adoption. Late adoption decisions are motivated by adverse consequences and uncertainty.Jan-22Accounting choiceContracting costsCosts a nd benefitsInternational Financial Reporting Standards adoptionJournal article10.1111/acfi.121452554681467-629XMassey_Dark1402 Applied Economics1501 Accounting, Auditing and Accountability1502 Banking, Finance and Investment