Going Against the Grain: When Private Rules Shouldn’t Apply to Public Institutions

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rutsel S.J. Martha ◽  
Sarah Dadush
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Governmental Organization ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Institutional Differences ◽  
International Fund ◽  
Institutional Challenges

This piece analyzes the institutional challenges and tensions generated by applying the privately produced International Financial Reporting Standards to the financial reporting practices of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), an inter-governmental organization, and specialized agency of the United Nations. The authors question whether the application of the Standards is carried out in the interest of the organization or whether it is rather a product of pressure, both external and internal, to adopt rules that reflect a particular understanding of what constitutes ‘best practice’. The authors draw attention to the fact that best practices often become benchmarks for a wide range of institutions, notwithstanding fundamental institutional differences. They argue that the adoption of externally generated rules must be pursued in a systematically cautious, coordinated, and critical manner in order to avoid producing practices that run against the very grain of a public institution’s constitution and mandate. They also argue that robust governance structures are necessary to avoid institutional digressions.

Expectation Gap Analysis in Corporate Financial Reporting Practices in India

2020 ◽  
pp. 0258042X2096300
Author(s):  
Rajat Deb ◽  
Pallad Debnath ◽  
Ananda Mohan Pal
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Gap Analysis ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Corporate Reporting ◽  
Road Map ◽  
Expectation Gap

This article assesses the expectation gap of the practitioners and investors, if any, on the selected four parameters regarding India’s corporate reporting practices and in a curtail period of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) convergence transition. Related literature has validated the primary goal of the International Accounting Standard Board to reduce accounting treatment heterogeneity and to reduce information asymmetry by harmonizing the national GAAP into IFRS through adoptions or convergences. India, for multiple reasons, has preferred the convergence route, and the converged versions of IFRS (Ind-AS) have been implemented during the financial year from 2016 to 2017 for the selected industries. For executing the study, it has framed a self-administered questionnaire for conducting an online survey between the two groups of sample respondents chosen through non-probability sampling methods. The questionnaire has been pretested for assaying its reliability and validity before the final survey. The study has concluded that before the outsets of the convergence expectation gap were existed which unlikely to reduce even after the IFRS convergence. Finally, it has acknowledged few limitations, indicated practical implications and sketched the future research road map. JEL codes: C83, M41

GAAP-adjusted earnings disclosures by New Zealand companies

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liz Rainsbury ◽  
Carol Hart ◽  
Nonthipoth Buranavityawut
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Earnings ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
The Global Financial Crisis

Purpose – This paper aims to examine motivations for the reporting of generally accepted accounting practice (GAAP)-adjusted earnings by New Zealand companies. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses multivariate analysis of data from New Zealand company annual reports for the period from 2004 to 2012. Findings – Evidence suggests that management of some New Zealand firms are motivated to use GAAP-adjusted earnings to provide a more favourable impression of earnings. However, across firms, these adjusted earnings provide a better predictor of future earnings and provide more value-relevant information to the market than GAAP earnings. Thus, a desire to disclose a more accurate indicator of permanent earnings appears to be a strong factor in the reporting of GAAP-adjusted earnings. Research limitations/implications – The study uses firms listed on the New Zealand share market. The number of firms examined is small, but we compensate by studying the entire population, thus avoiding sampling issues. The results suggest that New Zealand’s regulatory response of recommending guidelines for reporting alternative earnings measures is appropriate. Originality/value – The study contributes to the literature on the relationship between reporting statutory earnings and non-GAAP earnings. It uses a period that includes three major events in the New Zealand economy and reporting environment: the adoption of international financial reporting standards, a change in tax law and the global financial crisis. Recognition of these events allows us to better interpret the GAAP-adjusted reporting practices taken by managers.

Independent monitoring and review functions in a financial reporting context

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albertus Louw ◽  
Warren Maroun
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Corporate Reporting ◽  
Independent Review

Purpose Independent monitoring and review bodies have become a defining feature of the professional accounting and auditing space. Exactly how these institutions function to improve the quality of the corporate reporting or audit function is, however, poorly understood. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to provide empirical evidence on how the activities of an independent review process functions on individual preparers, auditors and those charged with an organisation’s governance. Design/methodology/approach The study is an interpretive one. Data are collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed by the researchers. Findings The review function performed by an independent body results in companies being more aware of the need for compliance with the applicable financial reporting standards. Independent reviews also act as a process of examination which functions at the level of the individual accountant, auditor or director. These subjects of regulation report an added sense of accountability to their respective employer and profession and a heightened awareness of the need for high-quality corporate reporting. Research limitations/implications Independent monitoring and review bodies are not just symbolic displays which reassure uninformed users that the quality of financial statements are sound. Examination of financial statements and identification of non-compliance with the applicable financial reporting standards drive actual changes in reporting practices. Originality/value This study complements the predominantly positivist financial reporting research which does not deal with precisely how the work of regulatory bodies operates on the subjects of regulation. The research makes an important practical contribution by providing empirical evidence in support of laws and regulations which promote independent review of the accounting profession.

scholarly journals The European Foundation Statute Proposal: Striking the Balance between Supervising and Supporting European Philanthropy?

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-43
Author(s):  
Oonagh B. Breen
Keyword(s):  
Member State ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Legal Form ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
State Supervision ◽  
European Foundation ◽  
Council Regulation ◽  
Draft Regulation

AbstractThis article examines the Commission’s Proposal for a Council Regulation on the Statute for a European Foundation (Fundatio Europaea). Focusing on the proposed transparency and accountability provisions, it interrogates whether these provisions are sufficiently robust to facilitate effective Member State supervision of this proposed new supranational legal form, given identified weaknesses in existing Member State foundation regulatory regimes. Consideration is also given to the Statute’s proposed reporting and auditing mechanisms. Particular attention is paid to the challenges inherent in standardising financial reporting standards and the missed opportunities to introduce best practice in the draft Regulation. The article concludes by identifying a number of interpretative loopholes in the existing proposal, which if adopted in its current format, would weaken the potential for an effective, efficient and feasible solution to the problems currently experienced by many foundations operating on a cross-border basis in Europe.

The Impact of Mandatory IFRS Adoption on Accounting Quality: Evidence from Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Lin Chua ◽  
Chee Seng Cheong ◽  
Graeme Gould
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Value Relevance ◽  
Accounting Quality ◽  
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Financial Firms ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Mandatory Adoption ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Following the mandatory implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Australia as of January 1, 2005, this study examines its impact on accounting quality by focusing on three perspectives: (1) earnings management, (2) timely loss recognition, and (3) value relevance. Using four years of adoption experience since the mandate was first made effective in Australia for a wide range of accounting-based metrics and market-based information, we find that the mandatory adoption of IFRS has resulted in better accounting quality than previously under Australian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). In particular, the findings indicate that the pervasiveness of earnings management by way of smoothing has reduced, while the timeliness of loss recognition has improved post-adoption. Additionally, the value relevance of financial statement information has improved, especially for non-financial firms. This is despite the fact that there is evidence to suggest that financial firms are engaged in managing earnings toward a small positive target after the mandatory adoption of IFRS in Australia.

scholarly journals An analysis of fundamental concepts in the conceptual framework using ontology technologies

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 396-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marthinus Cornelius Gerber ◽  
Aurona Jacoba Gerber ◽  
Alta Van der Merwe
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Formal Language ◽  
Design Science ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Financial Accounting Standards Board ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards

The interpretation of financial data obtained from the accounting process for reporting purposes is regulated by financial accounting standards (FAS). The history and mechanisms used for the development of ʻThe Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting’ (the Conceptual Framework) as well as the financial accounting standards resulted in impressive volumes of material that guides modern financial reporting practices, but unfortunately, as is often the case with textual manuscripts, it contains descriptions that are vague, inconsistent or ambiguous. As part of the on-going initiatives to improve International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) promotes the development of principle-based IFRS, which aim to address the problems of vagueness, inconsistency and ambiguity. This paper reports on the findings of a design science research (DSR) project that, as artefact, developed a first version ontology-based formal language representing the definitions of asset, liability and equity (the fundamental elements of the statement of financial position as defined in the Conceptual Framework) through the application of knowledge representation (ontology) techniques as used within computing. We suggest that this artefact may assist with addressing vagueness, inconsistencies and ambiguities within the definitions of the Conceptual Framework. Based on our findings, we include suggestions for the further development of a formal language and approach to assist the formulation of the Conceptual Framework. The project focuses on the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting after the incorporation of Phase A in the convergence project between the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and IASB.

scholarly journals Mandatory vs voluntary exercise on non-financial reporting: does a normative/coercive isomorphism facilitate an increase in quality?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonida Carungu ◽  
Roberto Di Pietra ◽  
Matteo Molinari
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Environmental Accounting ◽  
Voluntary Exercise ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Corporate Reporting

Purpose This paper aims at investigating the quality of non-financial reporting (NFR) in light of Directive no. 2014/95/EU. Specifically, it focuses on the quality of NFR in Italian companies, as required by Legislative Decree no. 254/2016. Design/methodology/approach The method used to develop the analysis is mainly qualitative. A content analysis of 184 non-financial reports (NFRs) was conducted on a sample of 92 companies that have been previously involved in the process of NFR on a voluntary basis. Then, a longitudinal analysis was carried out to assess the quality of the NFR conducted from a voluntary to a mandatory basis. Findings This study shows that the quality of NFR does not increase when moving from a voluntary to a mandatory basis, especially for 25% of the companies that publish supplementary sustainability reports and/or plans. This result demonstrates that preparers may perceive mandatory NFR as a comprehensive best practice to adequately report their social, economic and environmental performance. Originality/value The contribution of this research is threefold. Firstly, it contributes to the social and environmental accounting literature that focuses on NFR quality assessment. Secondly, it contributes to the literature that emphasizes the role of mimetic, coercive and normative isomorphism mechanisms on accounting systems and reporting practices. Thirdly, it contributes to the research gaps for academics highlighted by previous literature on mandatory corporate reporting as a consequence of normative requirements and on the relationship between regulation and mimetic, coercive and normative isomorphic mechanisms within organizations.

Intellectual capital: mediator of board of directors’ effectiveness and adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zainabu Tumwebaze ◽  
Juma Bananuka ◽  
Kassim Alinda ◽  
Kalembe Dorcus
Keyword(s):  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
International Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: to test whether intellectual capital mediates the relationship between board of directors’ effectiveness and adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and to examine the contribution of the specific elements of intellectual capital and board of directors’ effectiveness to adoption of IFRS. Design/methodology/approach This study is cross-sectional. Usable questionnaires were received from 67 microfinance institutions (MFIs) that are members of the Association of MFIs of Uganda. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences and MedGraph program (Excel version). Findings Results indicate that intellectual capital mediates the relationship between board of directors’ effectiveness and adoption of IFRS. Results further indicate that board independence and board meetings contribute significantly to the adoption of IFRS unlike board size and board committees. Results also indicate that in the intellectual capital elements, only structural capital and human capital significantly contribute to the adoption of IFRS unlike relational capital. Originality/value This study provides more insights on our understanding of the relationship between intellectual capital, board of directors’ effectiveness and adoption of IFRS. Specifically, it provides first time evidence of the mediation effect of intellectual capital in the relationship between board of directors’ effectiveness and adoption of IFRS using evidence from an African developing country – Uganda. Further, this paper adds to existing literature on corporate governance and reporting practices, as it provides more insights on the contribution of specific elements of board of directors’ effectiveness and intellectual capital to adoption of IFRS.

scholarly journals International Real Estate Review

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-372
Author(s):  
Robert Edelstein ◽  
◽  
Steve Fortin ◽  
Desmond Tsang ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Fair Value ◽  
Real Estate Industry ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Market Values ◽  
Alternative Metrics

The adoption of the new International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), by allowing the option of fair value accounting for real estate investment properties, has dramatically altered the landscape of financial reporting for real estate firms worldwide. In this exploratory study, by examining the financial statements and disclosures of 45 international real estate firms, we demonstrate that the implementation of IFRS has affected financial reporting practices in the real estate industry. We find that under the IFRS, companies place emphasis on market asset valuations, vis-a-vis alternative metrics for current performance. We also find that most real estate firms in our sample choose to report fair values for investment properties in their financial statements rather than the notes to the financial statements. Finally, there is a wide variation in firm disclosures with regards to the determinants of fair market values.

scholarly journals Impaired translations: IFRS from English and annual reports into English

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 1981-2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Nobes ◽  
Christian Stadler
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
English Language ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
English Translations ◽  
Core Section ◽  
One Year

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine translation in the context of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by taking the example of the English term “impairment” in IAS 36, and following it into 19 translations. The paper then examines the terms used for impairment in English translations of annual reports provided by firms. Consideration is given to the best approach for translating regulations and whether that is also suitable for the translation of annual reports. Design/methodology/approach The two empirical parts of the paper involve: first, identifying the terms for impairment used in 19 official translations of IAS 36, and second, examining English-language translations of reports provided by 393 listed firms from 11 major countries. Findings Nearly all the terms used for “impairment” in translations of IAS 36 do not convey the message of damage to assets. In annual reports translated into English, many terms are misleading in that they do not mention impairment, peaking at 39 per cent in German and Italian reports in one year. Research limitations/implications Researchers should note that the information related to impairment in international databases is likely to contain errors, and the authors recommend that data should be hand-collected and then carefully checked by experts. The authors make suggestions for further research. Practical implications Translators of regulations should aim to convey the messages of the source documents, but translators of annual reports should not look only at the reports but also consult the terminology in the original regulations. The authors also suggest implications for regulators and analysts. Originality/value The paper innovates by separately considering regulations and annual reports. The authors examine a key accounting term systematically into a wide range of official translations. The core section of the paper is a new field of research: an empirical study of the translations of firms’ financial statements.

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