Fair value accounting from the users’ perspective: an experiment on how financial analysts rely on fair value estimates in their decisions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Allini ◽  
Rosanna Spanò ◽  
Ning Du ◽  
Joshua Ronen

Purpose The current paper aims to understand whether fair value accounting (FVA) affects analysts’ loan approval decisions and default risk judgments. Design/methodology/approach This study focusses on three issues: unrealized gain or loss resulting from FV measurement recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI), recognition of assets at FV or historical cost and the disclosure or non-disclosure of the FV of collateral assets. It uses an experiment carried out with a sample of 29 CFA analysts. Findings The results show that all three issues have a significant effect on analysts’ judgment and decision-making in processing FV estimates. Originality/value The paper extends knowledge on how financial analysts perceive FV estimates and disclosure and may help the accounting standard boards assess the challenges facing analysts when they apply professional judgments in interpreting FV measurements and disclosures. Moreover, it offers fresh views to the debate on the decision usefulness of FVA, particularly relevant in the post-implementation review of IFRS 13.

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 312-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Majercakova ◽  
Miroslav Skoda

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine and depict the advantages and disadvantages connected to the fair value, providing the reader with objective information and thorough insight into the problems and benefits of fair value. Partial objectives of this paper are to define the concept of fair value, to provide information about theoretical background and evolution of fair value and to examine and describe the possible future development of fair value. Design/methodology/approach – Findings in the paper are based on study of existing literature and also on study using the open-ended approach of grounded theory, including 50 interviews and two group discussions with professional accountants dealing with the fair value accounting in practice. Findings – According to the advantages and disadvantages of the concept of fair value in accounting, it is quite obvious and clear that this concept is far from being perfect. It is very difficult to determine whether its contribution to the improvement of accounting is really beneficial. Although the fair-value discussion seems to be far from over now, the current crisis provided an interesting setting to further explore these issues, understand them better and hopefully urge responsible institutions to fix the imperfections within the system to make it work correctly and more effectively. Research limitations/implications – Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalisability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further. Practical implications – This paper highlights that historical cost and fair value accounting must not be considered as competitors, as they serve different purposes. Knowledge of fair value is important, although it is not enough. Users also need to know the cost of the investment. In fact, knowing how much resources have been sacrificed to obtain that fair value, they could effectively evaluate stewardship. As a consequence, the adoption of a dual measurement and reporting system should be considered and discussed at a standard setting level. Originality/value – This paper fulfils an identified need to study how fair value accounting can be useful in the future.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 1257-1285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Bewley ◽  
Cameron Graham ◽  
Songlan Peng

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine China’s stop-start adoption of fair value accounting (FVA) into its national accounting standards. The paper analyzes how FVA standards promoted by transnational organizations were eventually adopted in China despite its conservative accounting traditions. Design/methodology/approach The study uses archival records and an analytic framework adapted from the studies of social movements to identify the institutional factors that differ between China’ first unsuccessful attempt to adopt FVA and its second successful attempt. Findings Shared interests of elite national and international groups, creation of social infrastructure, marshaling of key resources, and specific actions to frame FVA standards are found to be crucial factors supporting FVA reform in China. Practical implications The study helps advance our understanding of dissemination of international accounting regulations in non-Western societies. The findings can help accounting standard setters to avoid costly failures. Originality/value The study provides a structured analysis of the propagation of global accounting regulations. It exposes the factors in the failure and success of FVA adoption in China.


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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 1401-1411
Author(s):  
Andrain Hadiyanto ◽  
Evita Puspitasari ◽  
Erlane K. Ghani

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between accounting measurement method of biological asset and financial reporting quality. Specifically, this study examines whether using fair value method or the historical cost method on biological asset provides different financial reporting quality. Design/methodology/approach This study uses data from 38 agricultural companies that are members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. The annual reports of 38 companies from the Palm Oil Growers over a five-year period starting from 2011 to 2014 are analysed. Findings This study shows that companies using historical cost measurement produce less reliable and less relevant information compared to the companies that are using fair value measurement. Research limitations/implications The results in this study imply that the use of fair value measurement improves the quality of financial information. Practical implications This study supports IASB’s justification of developing IAS 41 as the principle-based standard that better represents the financial information related to biological asset and subsequently lead to good accountability and harmonisation practices. Originality/value This study provides evidence on the best measurement to be used in agriculture activities using a larger sample size of few countries. In addition, this study contributes to the existing literature on the effect of accounting methods on financial reporting quality.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 310-327
Author(s):  
Eva Marie Ebach ◽  
Michael Hertel ◽  
Andreas Lindermeir ◽  
Timm Tränkler

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine a financial institution's optimal hedging degree under consideration of costly earnings volatility induced by fair value accounted derivatives. The discussion on the adoption of fair value accounting in the financial industry has been rather controversial in recent years. Under this accounting regime, the change in market values of specific assets must be considered as profit or loss. Critics argue that fair value accounting induces higher earnings volatility compared to historical cost accounting and, therefore, may initiate a downward spiral during recessions. Thus, increased earnings volatility induces costs, which can be explained by disappointed capital market expectations. Consequently, in general, a lowering of earnings volatility will be rewarded. Consistent with this theoretical finding, empirical research provides strong evidence that companies pursue income smoothing to reduce earnings volatility. In contrast to industrial corporations, financial institutions may easily reduce their earnings volatility by engaging in additional hedging activities. However, more intense hedging usually reduces expected profits. Design/methodology/approach Based on a research project initiated by a large German bank, this study quantitatively models the trade-off between the (utility of) costs of earnings volatility and the reduction of profit potential through additional hedging. Findings By conducting sensitivity analyses and simulations of the crucial factors of the trade-off, we examine relevant causal relationships to obtain first indications about the economic benefits of income smoothing. Originality/value To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to develop an optimization model that supports decision-making by attempting to determine an optimal (additional) hedging degree considering the costs induced by earnings volatility.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deddy Kurniawansyah

This literature study explains and describe the development of the concept of goodwill from the perspective of accounting by observing and describing until the development at this time, discusses differences in accounting standards of goodwill applicable in some countries, and explains the things that contradict the goodwill. This research method used qualitative with literature study. The results of this study are in some countries, the concepts and rules on goodwill accounting have undergone various changes, including international accounting standards issued by the IASC. Initially goodwill is capitalized and amortized over no more than 20 years. But, along with the increasing use of fair value accounting in accounting standards, thetreatment for goodwill also experienced a shift that is eliminated by the amortization method is replaced by doing impairment test to goodwill. The results of this study contribute as add to the treasury of financial accounting literature, especially accounting treatment of goodwill as intangible assets in the financial statements of various countries such as Indonesia, America and the England.Keyword :Goodwiil, Impairment, Financial Accounting Standard


2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernadia Linggar Yekti Nugraheni ◽  
Lorne Stewart Cummings ◽  
Alan Kilgore

Purpose This case study aims to investigate the role of actors in the implementation of fair value standards in an emerging country, Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach This study uses semi-structured interviews with important actors within the local accounting profession, standard setting and regulatory environment, to analyse fair value accounting implementation. This study also incorporates information from press releases and newspapers, to provide a more comprehensive picture of fair value implementation. Findings First, professionals undertake routine actions, cultivate interests and strategically navigate their environment during the process of fair value standard implementation. Second, the role of appraisers becomes more prominent during this process. Third, government involvement is significant in ensuring the successful implementation of global accounting standards. Research limitations/implications First, differing localised contexts, including communities and actors, may shape how an emerging country undertakes the diffusion and implementation of global standards, which in turn can also lead to institutional change. Second, government involvement is crucial in supporting the implementation of global accounting standards within emerging economies. Third, implementing market-based measurements within emerging economies characterised by a lack of an active and liquid market may present challenges. Practical implications Third, implementing market-based measurements within emerging economies characterised by a lack of an active and liquid market may present challenges. Originality/value This study applies the concept of Institutional Work within Institutional Theory to explain how fair value standards are implemented within a localised emerging economy characterised by unique actor roles and goal-directed action.


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.


2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benzion Barlev ◽  
Joshua Rene Haddad

In this paper, we focus on the relationships between international accounting harmonization (IAH) and the paradigm of Fair Value Accounting (FVA). Accountants rely on the accounting concept of comparability in defining IAH and are in agreement that a set of internationally implemented Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is required for a “complete harmonization.” We argue, however, that a second requirement—a common denominator for measuring, recording, and reporting business transactions, assets, liabilities, and equities—is necessary to reach a state of a “complete IAH.” We explain the logic behind the requirement of a common denominator and assert that IAH is feasible under the paradigm of FVA, but not under that of Historical Cost Accounting (HCA). This is true because the concept of fair value, but not historical cost, provides the common denominator necessary for a meaningful comparison of accounting data. We then argue that the paradigm of FVA acts as a catalyst in a harmonization cycle: FVA propels IAH and IAH provides more relevant information that may foster the efficiency of global markets, which improves the quality of the FVA figures.


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