Articulating accounting principles

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian A. Rutherford
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Standard Setting ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Accounting Standard ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Accounting Research ◽  
Accounting Principles ◽  
Accounting Theory ◽  
Social Scientific ◽  
Accounting Standard Setting

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a soundly based epistemological underpinning for the kind of theorisation in which many classical financial accounting researchers engaged and thus to support a renewal of this programme. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on pragmatist philosophy and, in particular, on Jules Coleman’s theory of “explanation by embodiment”. The applicability of this theory to the world of financial reporting is discussed. Various theorists and schools within classical accounting theory are examined from the perspective of Coleman’s ideas, focusing particularly on A.C. Littleton’s Structure of Accounting Theory. Findings – The paper finds that classical accounting research works such as Structure of Accounting Theory can be interpreted as the search for Colemanian explanation by embodiment and that this provides them with a soundly based pragmatist underpinning for their theorisation. Research limitations/implications – This paper supports the resumption by academics, qua academics, of work to contribute to accounting standard-setting by offering argumentation that addresses accounting principles and methods directly, rather than only via the social scientific investigation of behaviour in the accounting arena. Practical implications – Such a resumption would contribute positively to future standard-setting. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the defence of classical financial accounting research from the charge of lacking theoretical rigour.

scholarly journals Language, translation and accounting: towards a critical research agenda

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 1844-1873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Evans
Keyword(s):  
Research Agenda ◽  
Language Translation ◽  
Standard Setting ◽  
Critical Research ◽  
Accounting Standard ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Accounting Regulation ◽  
Accounting Research ◽  
Research Opportunity ◽  
Accounting Standard Setting

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to increase the awareness of the implications of language translation for accounting standard setting, education and research, and to work towards a critical research agenda.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a selective review of recent intercultural accounting research and literature on translation in accounting, of developments in accounting standard setting and on selected insights from translation studies.FindingsTranslation is not a simple technical, but a socio-cultural, subjective and ideological process. In contrast to the translation turn in other disciplines, however, most qualitative and critical accounting research neglects translation as a methodological and epistemological consideration and as a research opportunity.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper proposes themes for a research agenda on translation in accounting.Originality/valueThe paper identifies opportunities for further and deeper investigations of translation in accounting regulation, education and research. Particular emphasis is given to the implication of translation in accounting research that is grounded in interpretivist and constructivist paradigms, where translation is inextricably linked with data analysis and interpretation and may inadvertently reproduce cultural hegemonies.

DR SCOTT'S CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

1993 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Lawrence ◽  
Jenice P. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
Standard Setting ◽  
Educational Background ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Accounting Standard ◽  
The Social ◽  
Accounting Theory ◽  
Accounting Standard Setting

The objective of this study is to trace the influence of DR1 Scott's writings on the development of accounting theory and standard setting. Scott's deductive approach to the development of a conceptual framework for financial accounting and reporting was adopted by accountants on a piecemeal basis from the 1930s to the 1970s. This study traces authoritative pronouncements from the 1930s to provide evidence on Scott's forward looking ability and the influence of his ideas on the subsequent development of accounting theory. The social, economic, and political environment of the 1930s is described to show why a change in accounting standard setting was needed. The authors show that Scott envisioned the function of accounting as extending beyond mere recordkeeping, to include control of organizations relative to their cultural environment. Further, Scott's broad educational background is presented to show the breadth of Scott's ability to see accounting issues beyond bookkeeping issues. The findings show that Scott [1941] was among the first to develop a theoretical, deductive, normative framework to serve as the basis for accounting principles.

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.

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.

The Accounting Standard-Setting Due Process, Corporate Consensus, and FASB Responsiveness: Employers' Accounting for Pensions

1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 555-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia R. Saemann
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Due Process ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Standard Setting ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Financial Accounting Standards Board ◽  
Accounting Standard ◽  
Accounting Standard Setting

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) uses a due process to ascertain the views of its constituents and to build consensus while setting standards based on a sound conceptual framework. This study examines the responsiveness of the FASB and its success in building consensus among corporations in the due process on Employers' Accounting for Pensions. The findings indicate that the FASB is influenced by the number of opposing comments filed by its corporate constituents. Further, there is evidence that consensus was built throughout the due process for the highly controversial standard.

Political participation in global accounting standard-setting

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-381
Author(s):  
Toshitake Miyauch ◽  
Masatsugu Sanada
Keyword(s):  
Political Participation ◽  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Standard Setting ◽  
Regional Disparity ◽  
Anglo Saxon ◽  
Accounting Standard ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Comment Letters ◽  
Accounting Standard Setting

Purpose This study aims to examine constituents’ political participation in the establishment of an Accounting Standards Advisory Forum (ASAF). Design/methodology/approach Based on a literature review, three hypotheses regarding political participation in global accounting standard-setting are constructed: regional disparity, professional dominance and financialization. These hypotheses are tested through a content and narrative analysis of the comment letters on the establishment of the ASAF. Findings Consistent with the regional-disparity hypothesis, neither Anglo–Saxon nor European Union countries were active advocates or positive supporters of ASAF’s establishment. However, no evidence supporting the professional and financialization hypotheses was found. Narrative analysis suggests a divergence of opinion among vested-interest groups in the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), emerging nations and other groups, rather than the traditional conflicts between Anglo–Saxon and European countries. This suggests the possibility of a future-destabilizing factor in global standard-setting. Originality/value By discussing the IASB’s organizational and strategic changes and the constituents’ responses, this study describes the IASB’s organizational dynamics: how various stakeholders react to each other. Although prior studies primarily focused on comment letters regarding the contents of an accounting standard or the standard itself, this study examines such letters considering the size and composition of, and membership in, the ASAF, an organization within the IFRS Foundation (IFRSF). Therefore, the study reflects constituents’ opinions regarding their participation in the IFRSF/IASB more directly.

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