Abstract—Over the two past decades, the rapid integration of capital markets underlined the necessity for developing a single set of high quality international accounting standards. The growing acceptance of international accounting standards has given power for International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) to work and develop this project. Iraq is a country where its accounting practices have been influenced by different philosophies from outside and inside Iraq during its modern history. After the fall of Saddam Hussain international institutions have begun to play an important role in reshaping Iraq’s economy including its accounting for oil. This paper investigates the challenges and opportunities for Iraq in transitioning from its national Unified Accounting System (UAS) to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs). The investigation used a qualitative research approach including two research methods. For archival resources to the accounting system and the pressure to change, content analysis was used. To ascertain the views of persons of significant importance, In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with academics, managers, consultants, CFO, CAO, and accounting professionals in Iraq based on the New Institutional Theory (Isomorphism) was used to analyze the interview transcripts. The results revealed that the current situation in Iraq is an example of institutional isomorphism, specifically coercive isomorphism by the World Bank and IMF; mimetic isomorphism by the IOCs and normative isomorphism by the Big 4 accounting firms. Further, this study highlights the need for further research into the impact o
