This paper addresses challenges accounting educators face in their teaching following the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). We use Australia as an example of a developed nation and 2005 adopter of IFRS, the United States as a potential adopter, and Romania as an emerging economy with a history of harmonisation and adoption initiatives. Accounting educators globally need to strengthen their engagement with the principles-based approach to teaching IFRS. Teaching resources, educational research and Continuing Professional Development activities related to a principles-based approach to teaching IFRS are necessary for educators to enrich the learning experience of students given the move from a rules-based to a principles-based set of accounting standards.