Impairment reversals: unbiased reporting or earnings management

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tongyu Cao ◽  
Hasnah Shaari ◽  
Ray Donnelly
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Financial Accounting Standards Board ◽  
Reporting Standard ◽  
Accounting Standard ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Support ◽  
A Company

Purpose This paper aims to provide evidence that will inform the convergence debate regarding accounting standards. The authors assess the ability of impairment reversals allowed under International Accounting Standard 36 but disallowed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to provide useful information about a company. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a sample of 182 Malaysian firms that reversed impairment charges and a matched sample of firms which chose not to reverse their impairments. Further analysis examines if reversing an impairment charge is associated with motivations for and evidence of earnings management. Findings The authors find no evidence that the reversal of an impairment charge marks a company out as managing contemporaneous earnings. However, they document evidence that firms with high levels of abnormal accruals and weak corporate governance avoid earnings decline by reversing previously recognized impairments. In addition, companies that have engaged in big baths as evidenced by high accumulated impairment balances and prior changes in top management, use impairment reversals to avoid earnings declines. Research limitations/implications The results of this study support both the informative and opportunistic hypotheses of impairment reversal reporting using Financial Reporting Standard 136. Practical implications The results also demonstrate how companies that use impairment reversals opportunistically can be identified. Originality/value The results support IASB’s approach to the reversal of impairments. They also provide novel evidence as to how companies exploit a cookie-jar reserve created by a prior big bath opportunistically.

Accounting for leases – lessons from COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Teixeira
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Financial Accounting Standards Board ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Setting Process

Purpose The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) have given relief to lessees in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, it is not clear why any relief from the requirements in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) should be necessary. The purpose of this paper is to highlight weaknesses in how the IASB and FASB developed their leases Standards, and why those Standards are not robust enough to cope with a shock to the economic system. Design/methodology/approach The COVID-19 relief suspends some features of the leasing requirements rather than changing them. What if other economic or regulatory events cause the same circumstances to arise? Findings Have COVID-19 exposed weaknesses in the leasing standards that should have been avoided when they were developed or is COVID-19 the problem? Originality/value Analysis of actual board discussions and staff papers is unusual and provides insights into the standard-setting process.

scholarly journals FASB's Not-for-Profit Financial Reporting Project: Analysis of Letters to ASU 2016-14 Exposure Draft

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-75
Author(s):  
Donald R. Deis ◽  
Arpita Shroff
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Financial Accounting Standards Board ◽  
Accounting Standard ◽  
The Public ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Not For Profit

ABSTRACT In 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an Exposure Draft (ED) as part of its first significant project in over 20 years on financial reporting by Not-for-Profit organizations (NFP). In this study, we categorize the 264 letters received on the ED by the type of respondent and analyze the responses using ANOVA, multiple comparisons tests, and multidimensional scaling. Ultimately, as Phase 1 of its NFP project, FASB issued accounting standards update (ASU) 2016-14 containing proposed changes supported by a majority of the respondents to the ED. The Board deferred recommended changes with less support from respondents to Phase 2 of the project. Although constituents often accuse accounting standard setters of standards-overload and for being unresponsive to their comments (Herz 2003), our findings indicate otherwise. Data Availability: Data are available from the public sources cited in the text. JEL Classifications: G00; L31; M40.

scholarly journals Diverse accounting standards on disclosures of Islamic financial transactions

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 866-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Habib Ahmed ◽  
Faruq Arif Tajul Ariffin ◽  
Yusuf Karbhari ◽  
Zurina Shafii
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Accounting Standard ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Islamic Financial Institutions ◽  
Financial Transactions

Purpose Since International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are not primarily meant for the accounting needs of Islamic banks, the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) was established to develop specific accounting standards for Shari’ah compliance. The purpose of this paper is to assess the de jure harmonisation between the disclosure requirements of the IFRS-based Malaysian Accounting Standards (MAS) and those of the AAOIFI. Design/methodology/approach Using Malaysia as a case study, the paper examines the extent of the de jure congruence between the IFRS-based MAS and AAOIFI’s Financial Accounting Standard No 1 (FAS1), which is considered to be one of the key disclosure standards for Islamic banks. We employ leximetrics and content analysis to analyse these accounting standards and the additional guidelines introduced by the Malaysian Accounting Standards Board (MASB) and the Central Bank of Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia, BNM) to identify the gaps between different tiers of MAS and FAS1. Findings The study finds that de jure congruence between the IFRS-based MAS and AAOIFI standards has improved through the introduction of additional accounting guidelines by both the MASB and the banking regulator, BNM. However, some gaps remain between the two standards. These gaps may be difficult to completely eliminate due to differences in the fundamental principles underlying the development of both standards. Originality/value While some studies have explored the de facto congruence between AAOIFI accounting standards and others, this paper is the first, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to examine the de jure congruence between those standards with the IFRS-based MAS.

scholarly journals Tratamiento contable de las stock options según la normativa contable internacional

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
ELENA MERINO MADRID ◽  
REGINO BANEGAS OCHOVO ◽  
JESÚS FERNANDO SANTOS PEÑALVER
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Stock Options ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
International Accounting ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Accounting Standards Board ◽  
Reporting Standard ◽  
International Financial Reporting Standard ◽  
Ifrs 2

LA RETRIBUCIÓN QUE HACEN LAS EMPRESAS A SUS DIRECTIVOS Y EMPLEADOS MEDIANTE LA ENTREGA DE OPCIONES SOBRE ACCIONES (STOCK OPTIONS) SE HA CONVERTIDO EN UNA PRÁCTICA HABITUAL EN MUCHOS PAÍSES DEL MUNDO. HASTA FECHAS RECIENTES NO EXISTÍA UN CONSENSO SOBRE EL TRATAMIENTO CONTABLE QUE SE DEBÍA DAR A ESTE TIPO DE TRANSACCIONES; SIN EMBARGO, EN LA ACTUALIDAD PARECE QUE TAL CONSENSO SE HA ALCANZADO AL EXIGIR TANTO EL INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD (IASB) COMO EL FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD (FASB), EN LA INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARD, IFRS 2 (NIIF 2, NORMA INTERNACIONAL DE INFORMACIÓN FINANCIERA) Y STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (SFAS) 123 (R) RESPECTIVAMENTE, QUE SE RECONOZCA LA REMUNERACIÓN BASADA EN LA ENTREGA DE OPCIONES SOBRE ACCIONES COMO UN GASTO EN LOS ESTADOS FINANCIEROS. EL OBJETIVO DE ESTE TRABAJO ES ANALIZAR EL TRATAMIENTO CONTABLE APLICABLE DE ACUERDO CON LA NORMATIVA CONTABLE INTERNACIONAL O DE INFORMACIÓN FINANCIERA (NIC/NIIF).

Accounting Standard-Setting Institutions and the Governance of Incomplete Contracts

1994 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 579-605
Author(s):  
Ronald King ◽  
Gregory Waymire
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Incomplete Contracts ◽  
Standard Setting ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Financial Accounting Standards Board ◽  
American Institute ◽  
Accounting Standard ◽  
Accounting Standard Setting

“A constant problem of the accounting profession lies in the development of procedures to keep pace with changing economic conditions.” Charles Couchman, President, American Institute of Accountants, 1932.1 “New and extremely difficult problems are constantly arising in the wake of innovative business techniques.” The Wheat Committee, 1972.2 “The Board recognizes that financial reporting must adapt to a world in which change is a continuing, even accelerating process.” Dennis Beresford, Chairman, Financial Accounting Standards Board, 1991.3

Response to the FASB Invitation to Comment Identifiable Intangible Assets and Subsequent Accounting for Goodwill

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shana Clor-Proell ◽  
Nerissa Brown ◽  
Stephen Stubben ◽  
Brian White ◽  
Elizabeth Blankespoor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Intangible Assets ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Standard Setting ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Financial Accounting Standards Board ◽  
Accounting Standard ◽  
Business Combination ◽  
Accounting Standard Setting

In October 2019, the Financial Reporting Policy Committee of the Financial Accounting and Reporting Section of the American Accounting Association submitted a comment letter to the Financial Accounting Standards Board regarding the accounting for certain identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination and subsequent accounting for goodwill. This paper summarizes the content of the comment letter and discusses opportunities for future research on intangible assets that may inform accounting standard-setting decisions.

scholarly journals Revising the Conceptual Framework of the International Standards: IASB Proposals Met with Support and Skepticism

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher W. Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Accounting Standards Board ◽  
Accounting Standard ◽  
Other Comprehensive Income ◽  
The U.S

This article analyzes the current financial reporting issue regarding the updates proposed by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) to the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting. Since accounting standard-setters have embraced the notion of concepts as a guide and foundation to developing accounting standards, the IASB has concluded that there should be more importance place on developing a solid framework. Based on current literature and the fact that the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in the U.S. has a solid framework in place, the IASB has designed proposed updates to their framework and requested comments from the general public regarding those updates. This article evaluates the comments made by 72 respondents and tabulates the responses based on agree, disagree, or no comment. These results concluded that 66% of the responses were positive toward the updates, but 29% were negative. The disagreement was focused around four main topics: (1) prudence; (2) statement of profit or loss; (3) statement of other comprehensive income; and (4) rebuttable presumption for recycling. The IASB hopes to assimilate, deliberate, and disseminate the suggestions, comments, and the updates in 2016.

Real options, enforcement of goodwill/intangibles rules, and associated behavioural issues

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 330-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Nwogugu
Keyword(s):  
Real Options ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Accounting Standards Board ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Real Options Approach ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce new economic psychology theories that can explain fraud, misconduct and non-compliance that may arise from the implementation and enforcement of accounting standards codification (ASC) 805/350, international financial reporting standards (IFRS) 3R and IAS-38. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is entirely theoretical. The paper analyzes existing theories about real options and enforcement of regulations/statutes, and introduces new psychological biases that can arise. Findings – The real options approach suggested for handling the enforcement of goodwill/intangibles regulations is not effective. Research limitations/implications – The research is limited to international accounting standards board (IASB)/IFRS and financial accounting standards board (FASB) accounting standards. Originality/value – The critiques and theories developed in the paper can be used in the analysis of selection of disputes for litigation, anti-corruption programs and regulation of transactions that are susceptible to fraud.

The relationship between the outside financing and the quality of financial reporting: evidence from Iran

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Behzad Kardan ◽  
Mahdi Salehi ◽  
Rahimeh Abdollahi
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Debt Financing ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Financial Accounting Standards Board ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Qualitative Characteristics

Purpose – This study aims to investigate the impact of outside financing (equity and debt financing) on the quality of financial reporting in Iran. Design/methodology/approach – Sample includes the companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange – 152 companies in a period of four years during 2010-2013. Data were analyzed by using multiple linear regressions with the benefits of the combined data. Findings – The results indicates that there is a positive relationship between the quality of financial reporting based on the qualitative characteristics of the theoretical principles of the Iranian Financial Accounting Standards Board and debt financing. Moreover, there is a negative relationship between the quality of financial reporting based on the Dechow and Dichev (2002) model and debt financing. Additionally, there is a negative relationship between the quality of financial reporting (based on the qualitative characteristics of the theoretical principles of the Iranian Financial Accounting Standards Board as well as the Dechow and Dichev models) and equity financing. Originality/value – Financial statements as the output of the accounting system has always been considered by the investors, the creditors and the government; nonetheless, its dependability in making decisions has always been doubted because of using the accrual principle in the calculation of the reported figure in the statements and, consequently, the possibility of being manipulated by the managers as well as the likelihood of conflict of interest among the managers and the shareholders.

An empirical analysis of an alternative model of Financial Accounting Standard no. 128

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 498-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. McEnroe ◽  
Mark Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Equity Capital ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Average Increase ◽  
Financial Accounting Standards Board ◽  
Convertible Debt ◽  
Accounting Standard ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Accounting Principles ◽  
Median Increase

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the empirical effects of an inconsistency in the calculation of the diluted earnings per share (EPS) number which originated in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 15 (APB 15) and continues in Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 128 (SFAS 128), EPS. The discrepancy involves the treatment of dilutive warrants and options versus other dilutive convertible securities and is explained in the section of this paper where the authors describe the proposed alternative EPS model. In a sample of 55 publicly traded companies in which they applied their model, it was found that the average increase in diluted EPS to be 5.7 per cent and the median increase to be 3.8 per cent. The authors believe that SFAS 128 should be considered, along with other factors, to be revised to direct that diluted EPS be computed in accordance with their model. Design/methodology/approach The authors selected a sample of companies from the Compustat Annual Database that had either Convertible Debt or Convertible Stock or both with a year-end between July 1, 2011 and July 1, 2012 which was the most recent data available at the time of the initial study. They then used the model assuming a “repurchase” of common shares as if the “treasury stock method” which applies to options and warrants also applied to these conversions. They then reduced the number of shares initially used to compute diluted EPS by the number of assumed repurchased shares. Using the revised number of shares, the authors recomputed diluted EPS as a percentage of the originally reported diluted EPS. Findings For the 55 companies in the sample, the average increase in diluted EPS using the “treasury stock method” was 5.7 per cent. The median increase was 3.8 per cent. The largest increase was 26.6 per cent and the smallest was 0 per cent. Research limitations/implications This is a one-year study of the sampled firms. A multi-year sample is recommended for further research. Also, the sample might be applied to foreign entities under the jurisdiction of IAS 33. Practical implications According to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) the price-earnings ratio of an equity is perhaps the most frequently cited statistic in the business of equity investments. As the denominator in the price-earnings ration is the “diluted” EPS figure calculated under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) under Statement of Financial Accounting No. 128 (SFAS 128), the results have very significant implications for the recommended study and revision of the diluted EPS statistic. Social implications If the current diluted EPS reported numbers result in lower stock prices than would otherwise be the case under the authors’ model, then it seems likely that these companies with large amounts of debt would have a higher cost of equity capital than would otherwise be the case. The overall result would be a different allocation of equity capital than would be the case if convertible debt and convertible equity were treated the same way as options and warrants. As we are unaware of a rationale for the disparate treatment, it is believed that this a is a misallocation caused by a statement of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) that seems flawed and recommend that it be considered to be revised. Originality/value A review of the literature found no other study addressing this issue.

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