Abstract

In 2000, the countries of sub-Saharan Africa were united for the attainment of asingle market, generating a system of unification of commercial language, called Accounting System (Sysco) of the Organisation pour l'Harmonisation en Afrique du Droit des Affaires (OHADA). The Sysco-OHADE, inspired by the French model, was born from a local need. Meanwhile, international accounting standards emerged from a global demand, influenced by financial markets. This paper aims to analyze if the accounting policy and the economic development of OHADA member countries favors a process of convergence with the international accounting standards. We analyzed the socioeconomic and political conditions in the member countries of OHADA, covering the period from 2000 to 2010 and compared with those existing in the United States, France, Japan, Brazil and South Africa. The conclusion was that Accounting in the OHADA member countries is inserted in a fragile economic, financial and educational environment, requiring structural investments and adequate attention to local situations before any accounting guidelines regulatory standardization process is undertaken.

Key words: African economy, International Accounting Standards, Organisation pour l'Harmonisation en Afrique du Droit des Affaires.