Description: Panelists at this session of the SOA 2003 Washington, DC Spring Meeting discuss the status of the most recent developments in international accounting standards including an update of the accounting for insurance products and practical implementation for Phase 1 conversion activities.

Description: This presentation is a panel discussion, session number 25PD, from the 2002 Valuation Actuary Symposium, held September 19-20 in Lake Buena Vista, FL. The panelists discuss the current status of International Accounting Standards [IAS] or [IFRS] for insurance, including the timetable. The draft statement of principles, which is the current working document expected to form the final basis of an insurance standard going forward, is discussed. Noting that the International Accounting Standards Board [IASB] and the Financial Accounting Standards Board [FASB] are both working towards a fair value framework, the panelists discuss differences that may be expected between financial statements reported under IAS and under U.S. GAAP, and how current issues under discussion at the FASB could narrow or eliminate them over time. The American Academy of Actuaries fair value work and efforts by the International Actuarial Association [IAA] with respect to actuarial standards of practice under IAS are also covered. Discussion from participants is included.