Managerial ability and fair value accounting: evidence from nonfinancial firms

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wray Bradley ◽  
Li Sun

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the relation between managerial ability and fair value inputs (measured as fair value intensity) for nonfinancial firms. Design/methodology/approach This study uses regression analysis to investigate the impact of managerial ability on the level of fair value inputs. Findings This study finds significant and positive relations between managerial ability and use of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value inputs. On the other hand, this study finds an insignificant relation between managerial ability and Level 3 inputs. Originality/value The findings contribute to two research streams. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is perhaps the first study that directly examines the link between managerial ability and fair value inputs.

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 1001-1022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Fortin ◽  
Ahmad Hammami ◽  
Michel Magnan

PurposeThis study examines the long-term link between fair valuation uncertainty and discounts/premia in closed-end funds. This study argues that, in exploring the close-end funds puzzle, prior research generally omits to consider the uncertainty surrounding the measurement of funds' financial disclosure, as reflected in the fair value hierarchy, when investment specialty differs across funds.Design/methodology/approachRegressions were employed to explore how the fair value hierarchy affects closed-end funds' discounts/premia when investment specialty differs. The authors also examine the effects pre- and post-2012 to explore if that relationship changes due to the additional disclosure requirements enacted at the end of 2011.FindingsThe authors find that the three levels of the fair value hierarchy have effects that vary according to a fund's specialty. For equity specialized funds, Level 3 significantly increases discounts and decreases premia, suggesting the impact of valuation uncertainty that underlies Level 3 estimates; this relationship disappears (decreases in severity) for premia (discount) experiencing funds post-2012. In contrast, Level 1 and Level 2 do not have any significant effect on discounts or premia except that post-2012, Level 2 begins to display discount decreasing effects. For bond specialized funds, no significant association was noted between premia and any of the fair value levels except that post-2012, Level 3 begins to display premium increasing effects. However, results are different for discounts. The authors note that Level 1 valuations significantly increase discounts, but only post-2012; Level 2 valuations significantly decrease discounts (pre- and post-2012), consistent with such estimates incorporating unique and relevant information; and Level 3 valuations do not have a significant effect on discounts.Originality/valueThe results of this study revisit prior evidence and indicate that results about the effects of fair value measurement and the closed-end funds' puzzle are sensitive to the period length being considered and the investment specialty of the fund. The authors also note that additional disclosure regarding Level 3 valuation inputs decreases market concern for valuation uncertainty and increases the liquidity benefits of investing in Level 3 carrying funds.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-253
Author(s):  
Steven Lilien ◽  
Bharat Sarath ◽  
Yan Yan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the association between bargain purchase gains (BPGs) booked by the acquirer and smoothing of acquirers’ earning performance across time. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a sample of 122 bargain purchase acquisitions in non-financial industries from 2009 to 2012 and a pair-match control group of 122 goodwill acquisitions. Findings The authors find that BPGs, and in particular, the Level-3 fair value estimates of intangible assets acquired, have consistently been used to smooth earnings but that such smoothing activities are not associated with long-term market returns. Originality/value This study is the first one to investigate bargain purchase acquisitions in a broad range of non-financial industries and suggests that managers are using the valuation of intangibles to avoid unfavorable earnings even though these valuations are not credible to investors.


Author(s):  
Giulio Anselmi

The paper investigates the impact of fair value accounting for illiquid assets (so-called ‘Level 2’ and ‘Level 3’ assets by accounting rules) on banks’ valuation and focuses on the change in relative weight of Level 3 (the most opaque and illiquid assets) with respect to Level 2 assets. The boundary between Level 3 and Level 2 assets is blurred and less clear than the one between Level 1 and Level 2 assets. Such unclear borderline entails corporate governance issues and provides room for opportunistic behavior by managers to opt for less transparent instruments. The paper proposes the change in Level 3-to-Level 2 assets ratio as a new measure to capture deviations in the opacity of bank assets and suggests a negative relationship between this ratio and bank’s price-to-book value. The rationale behind this relationship is that market participants interpret growth in Level 3-to-Level 2 assets ratio as an increase in bank’s opacity, since Level 3 assets might be as illiquid as Level 2 assets with the benefit of a less transparent model-based valuation technique. Based on a sample of 33 European banks from 2009 to 2018, I find that an increase of 100[Formula: see text]bps in Level 3-to-Level 2 assets ratio is linked to a decrease of about 74[Formula: see text]bps in the price-to-book value. Results are robust for different measures of firm relative valuation and using a different measure of illiquidity in fair value assets holdings (Level 2-to-Level 1 assets ratio).


2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1295-1309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiva Yahyapour ◽  
Mehdi Shamizanjani ◽  
Mohammad Mosakhani

Purpose – The paper aims to foster a better understanding of knowledge management (KM) benefits by integrating the qualitative findings of prior research under a multilayer conceptual framework. Design/methodology/approach – A meta-synthesis approach was conducted by adopting “Noblit and Hare’s” seven-step method. Findings – A breakdown structure for KM benefits which encompasses 3 “macro benefits” at Level 1, 7 “benefits” at Level 2 and 44 “micro benefits” at Level 3. Research limitations/implications – The main limitation is that this research does not provide criteria and measures to assess the benefits of KM. Practical implications – Organizations which intend to invest in KM can obtain a better insight about outcomes and benefits of implementing KM initiatives. This study will provide those organizations which have already invested in KM with some ideas to evaluate their KM efforts qualitatively. Originality/value – Based on available data, this study is the first of its kind that has identified the benefits of KM in three layers. Also, the number of KM benefits identified in this study is greater than that of any previous research.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Velte

The purpose of this paper is the link between women on management board and the value relevance of fair value accounting according to IFRS 13. The empirical quantitative study covers a sample of German companies listed at the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange for the business years 2013-2015 (411 firm-year observations). Value relevance is measured by the modified Ohlson (1995) model and we separate fair value accounting in level 1, level 2 and level 3 fair values. Multiple regressions state that female members in the man-agement board do have a positive impact on the value relevance of fair value accounting according to IFRS 13. Surprisingly, gender diversity only has a significant impact on the value relevance of fair valued assets on level 1 and 2 (“mark to market”) but not on level 3 (“mark to model”).


2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-177
Author(s):  
Jeff Downing

Purpose This paper aims to examine the interaction between fair-value accounting, asset sales and banks’ lending in booms and busts. Throughout, the author uses “fair value” and “mark-to-market” interchangeably, to denote an accounting regime where changes in the prices of banks’ assets affect regulatory capital. “Historic-cost accounting” has been used in the paper to denote an accounting regime where changes in asset prices do not affect regulatory capital. Design/methodology/approach The author built a model that examines how the accounting regime affects banks’ incentives to sell assets and how the impact of the accounting regime on asset sales affects lending. Findings In a bust, fair value strengthens banks’ incentives to sell assets. The resulting increase in sales increases banks’ lending capacity. Consequently, lending can be higher under fair value. Conversely, in a boom, historic cost strengthens banks incentives to sell assets. The resulting increase in sales increases banks’ lending capacity. Hence, lending can be higher under historic cost. Originality/value This paper identifies a new channel through which the accounting regime could affect lending. The accounting regime can affect banks’ incentives to sell assets. The resulting difference in sales can affect banks’ ability to make new loans. Hence, in a boom, although banks book mark-to-market gains under fair value, asset sales could be higher under historic cost. Lending, thus, could be higher under historic cost. Conversely, in a bust, although banks book mark-to-market losses under fair value, sales could be higher under fair value. Lending, thus, could be higher under fair value.


2010 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 1375-1410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Joon Song ◽  
Wayne B. Thomas ◽  
Han Yi

ABSTRACT: Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (FAS No. 157), Fair Value Measurements, prioritizes the source of information used in fair value measurements into three levels: (1) Level 1 (observable inputs from quoted prices in active markets), (2) Level 2 (indirectly observable inputs from quoted prices of comparable items in active markets, identical items in inactive markets, or other market-related information), and (3) Level 3 (unobservable, firm-generated inputs). Using quarterly reports of banking firms in 2008, we find that the value relevance of Level 1 and Level 2 fair values is greater than the value relevance of Level 3 fair values. In addition, we find evidence that the value relevance of fair values (especially Level 3 fair values) is greater for firms with strong corporate governance. Overall, our results support the relevance of fair value measurements under FAS No. 157, but weaker corporate governance mechanisms may reduce the relevance of these measures.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rémi Boivin ◽  
Caroline Tanguay

PurposeOleoresin capsicum (OC) spray has proven to be a relatively effective tool to subdue resistant or aggressive subjects without causing major and permanent injuries. Several products are available to law enforcement organizations and sprays with higher concentrations are sold as more effective, despite the lack of empirical evidence. This article aims to test the proposition that more concentrated OC sprays are more effective in a policing context.Design/methodology/approachTo test this proposition, retrospective data on police interventions that had occurred (N = 1,019) were used. Concentrations were divided in three levels: level 1 sprays (containing up to 0.49% of major capsaicinoids), level 2 sprays (from 0.5% to 0.99%) and level 3 sprays (between 1 and 1.33%). Propensity scores were calculated to estimate the average effect of concentration level on effectiveness, while controlling for confounding factors.FindingsLevel 1 and level 2 sprays were found to be similar in terms of effectiveness, but level 3 sprays were found to be more likely to have an immediate effect but were also related to higher chances that decontamination was needed after use.Originality/valueWhile several studies of the effectiveness of OC spray in general have been conducted in the past, this is one of the few to differentiate types of OC sprays according to their concentration level. As such, it aims to provide guidance to police organizations who must choose among a variety of products.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Gharbi ◽  
Halioui Khamoussi

Purpose This paper aims to explore empirically the impact of fair value accounting on banking contagion in a comparative context between Islamic banks and conventional banks. Design/methodology/approach The analysis of the impact of fair value changes on banking contagion is carried out through a panel data model. This study covers 20 Islamic banks and 40 conventional banks operating in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries during nine years from 2003 to 2011. Findings Empirical evidence shows that there is a significant change in dynamic volatility in GCC banking sector because of financial crisis 2008. However, results fail to confirm the hypothesis that fair value accounting is significantly associated with an increase of banking contagion for both Islamic and conventional banks operating in GCC countries. Originality/value The outcome of this study provides some insights for academicians, accountants as well as regulators in terms of enhancing the effectiveness of accounting practices.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inês Pinto ◽  
Manuel Caldeira Pais

Purpose – Profiting from a unique research opportunity in the Portuguese REIFs market, this paper aims to investigate the impact of fund managers ' accounting choice on funds ' returns distribution and analyses the relationship between fair value accounting choice and conditional accounting conservatism. Design/methodology/approach – According to Portuguese securities market regulation, fund managers of REIFs can fix the value of the fund properties between the acquisition cost and the average of the appraisal values assigned periodically by two independent appraisers. Therefore, through the analysis of fund managers’ actual choice to value REIF net asset value in comparison with a mandatory adoption of a pure fair value method (appraisers’ valuations), the paper investigates the impact of accounting choice on funds’ return series. On the other hand, an analysis at fund level is also conducted to determine the consequences of fair value accounting choice on the ability of fund managers in delaying the recognition of asset value decreases (bad news). Findings – Results indicate that in the period of financial crisis, significant differences in REIF returns according to the accounting method used to value properties are observed. There is also evidence that fund managers of open-end funds that are subject to greater market pressure to meet financial reporting objectives are more likely to smooth book value returns. Additionally, findings support the hypothesis that REIFs that use a more historical cost accounting model exhibit a lower degree of conditional accounting conservatism, suggesting that the use of fair value may be useful to reduce fund manager discretion in delaying the recognition of losses. Originality/value – This paper provides an empirical evidence of one possible positive effect of the use of fair value on the quality of financial reporting, evidencing how a more fair value accounting model may limit fund managers’ discretion.


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