What is the purpose of IFRS?

The purpose of IFRS, which stands for International Financial Reporting Standards, is to establish common accounting standards globally. This set of standards is crucial as it provides a consistent framework for financial reporting, making it easier for companies to prepare and present their financial statements in a way that is comparable across different countries and industries.

By adhering to IFRS, businesses enhance transparency and improve the reliability of financial reporting, aiding investors and other stakeholders in making informed decisions. This global approach helps facilitate international trade and investment, as stakeholders can have confidence in the financial statements of companies from different regions.

The other options do not align with IFRS's primary purpose. For example, regulating public company audits in the U.S. is the remit of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) rather than IFRS. Similarly, managing internal company policies and enforcing tax compliance standards pertain to internal governance and tax authorities, respectively, rather than the overarching goal of establishing global accounting standards.