How Does the Strength of the Financial Regulatory Regime Influence Auditors' Judgments to Constrain Aggressive Reporting in a Principles-Based Versus Rules-Based Accounting Environment?

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 579-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey R. Cohen ◽  
Ganesh Krishnamoorthy ◽  
Marietta Peytcheva ◽  
Arnold M. Wright

SYNOPSIS: With the movement toward adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) worldwide, a question arises as to whether the adoption of a principles-based approach, such as IFRS, will ultimately result in higher-quality financial reporting. This issue is particularly relevant because, even though for now the SEC is not adopting IFRS, the securities markets and the SEC still need to ponder the implications of a decision that may lead to the ultimate adoption of, or at least some degree of convergence with, IFRS in the U.S. To examine this issue, we employ an experiment with 97 experienced auditors as participants. Using a case setting involving the classification of a lease (operating versus capital), we manipulate the accounting standard type as rules-based or principles-based, and the regulatory regime as stronger or weaker. The lease setting is one where there are indications of management's incentives to leave the debt off of the balance sheet and, hence, engage in aggressive reporting. We find, as expected, that auditors are more likely to constrain aggressive reporting under principles-based accounting standards than under rules-based standards, under both stronger and weaker regulatory regimes. Importantly, from a public policy perspective, the results indicate that auditors' judgments under principles-based standards, regardless of the strength of the financial regulatory regime, lead to more conservative reporting when compared to rules-based standards coupled with a stronger financial regulatory regime, which is the way the U.S. environment is often characterized.

TEM Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 249-258
Author(s):  
Ekaterina V. Surkova ◽  
Galina A. Skachko ◽  
Larisa K. Nikandrova ◽  
Maria M. Starkova ◽  
Nina F. Sakharova

The article discusses current issues of transformation of accounting information in accordance with international financial reporting standards (IFRS). This study is primarily aimed at developing approaches that determine the need for Russian enterprises to provide accounting information comparable at the international level. The authors analyze methods of transferring data from the Russian Accounting Standard (RAS) to IFRS. The methods used to form financial statements in accordance with IFRS are discussed. The issues of the application of these methods, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, are discussed. The author's approach to the selection of the optimal method of transformation is proposed taking into account the individual needs of organizations.


Author(s):  
Chris D. Gingrich ◽  
Leah Kratz ◽  
Ryan Faraci

This study explores the impact of mandatory adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in developing countries on business leaders’ perceptions of the overall accounting and financial environment. The study employs survey data from the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report to gauge business leaders’ perceptions of the accounting and financial environment. Eight countries across Latin America, Africa, and Asia comprise case studies, all of whom recently adopted mandatory IFRS use for publicly listed companies. Each survey variable is tracked over time, comparing pre and post IFRS adoption, vis-à-vis the same variable in a control country that did not adopt IFRS. IFRS adoption shows mostly positive impacts on the accounting environment in four cases. The impact of adoption in the other three countries is mostly insignificant. These results should encourage policymakers in developing countries to improve auditing and enforcement practices to increase the likelihood of positive results from IFRS adoption.


Author(s):  
RAFAEL CONFETTI GATSIOS ◽  
JOSÉ MARCOS DA SILVA ◽  
MARCELO AUGUSTO AMBROZINI ◽  
ALEXANDRE ASSAF NETO ◽  
FABIANO GUASTI LIMA

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aims to assess the impact of adopting IFRS standard on the equity cost of Brazilian open capital companies in the period of 2004-2013. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: The adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards aims to increase the quality of accounting information. Studies performed in Europe suggest that, after the adoption of the IFRS standard, there was a reduction in the equity cost of companies due to the reduction of information asymmetry and risk. Key methodological aspects: The equity cost was calculated using the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) adapted to the Brazilian case. The empirical strategy was the difference analysis in differences, comparing the results of companies that voluntarily adopted the IFRS with companies that adopted IFRS after the mandatory adoption period. Summary of key results: The results indicate that the adoption of the IFRS standard does not contribute to reduce the equity cost in Brazil. Key considerations/conclusions: Suggesting that the process of adopting the international accounting standard may take more time to impact the equity cost of Brazilian open capital companies, since the impact of IFRS is not related only with the adoption, but also with its use by companies and users.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noriyuki Tsunogaya ◽  
Andreas Hellmann ◽  
Simone Domenico Scagnelli

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to provide a rigorous and holistic analysis of the main features of the Japanese accounting environment. It also raises issues related to the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Japan. Design/methodology/approach – For the purpose of investigating the Japanese accounting system, this study applies the accounting ecology framework developed by Gernon and Wallace (1995) and provides a content analysis of relevant meetings of the Business Accounting Council of Japan. Findings – The findings of this study provide evidence that it would be problematic to require the adoption of IFRS for all listed companies in Japan. The main reason for this is that the Japanese policymakers and standard-setting bodies follow two objectives: enhancing the international comparability of financial reporting and maintaining institutional complementarity between financial reporting and other infrastructures such as accounting-related laws. Research limitations/implications – This study is relevant for accounting researchers and professionals with an interest in Japanese accounting practices. It is also useful for the International Accounting Standards Board and representatives of countries planning to adopt IFRS in the future. Originality/value – The findings of this study show that contextual issues such as social, organizational and professional environments cannot be ignored in the adoption of IFRS in Japan.


Author(s):  
Gleison De Abreu Pontes ◽  
Kellma Bianca Cardoso Fonseca ◽  
Ariane Caruline Fernandes ◽  
Patrícia De Souza Costa

Objetivo: Identificar quais competências são desenvolvidas na aplicação de casos para ensino com a utilização de técnicas de ensino diferentes, à luz do Ensino Embasado na Estrutura Conceitual (EEEC) e da Taxonomia de Bloom. Método: Foram testadas três técnicas de ensino: Grupo de Verbalização e de Observação (GVGO), Júri Simulado e Problem-Based Learning (PBL). A percepção dos discentes foi coletada por meio de questionário e grupo focal. Resultados: Na percepção dos estudantes, o emprego das técnicas, desenvolveu habilidades e competências distintas. Assim, a escolha da metodologia para aplicação de casos deve estar alinhada com os objetivos educacionais estabelecidos pelo docente. Além disso, apesar de terem sido desenvolvidas competências de todos os estágios do EEEC, GVGO e PBL desenvolveram mais aquelas do estágio 3, enquanto o Júri Simulado aquelas do estágio 2. Contribuições: Os resultados podem ser úteis para o International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) ir além do desenvolvimento de casos para ensino no EEEC, incorporando na agenda reflexões sobre quais metodologias utilizar na aplicação desses materiais no instituto de alcançar o objetivo aplicação coerente das International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Essas reflexões também podem ser realizadas por pesquisadores e docentes a fim de contribuírem com o EEEC.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1-1) ◽  
pp. 178-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Villanueva García ◽  
Carmen Cordova Román ◽  
Maria Teresa Cuenca Jiménez

The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), have been adopted by a large number of countries, since they are considered an international benchmark for obtaining comparable quality financial information. The adoption by Ecuador and Colombia of IFRS as a transition from their previous local regulations based on provisions and decrees, justifies the present research work to provide knowledge of the regulatory reality of both countries. Behind this ambitious adoption of accounting standards, since they are costly processes both financially and in terms of training, there is a need to obtain consistent financial information that should attract investments and facilitate access to other less harmful financial markets. The purpose of this research is to perform an analysis of the effect on the accounting variables of the balance sheet and financial ratios, before and after the application of IFRS on large Ecuadorian and Colombian companies. To do this, Wilcoxon’s nonparametric test of related samples is used, on a total of 204 Ecuadorian companies and 60 Colombian companies. To compare the results of both countries, a non-parametric U Mann-Whitney test is carried out. The results show an impact in both countries on the variables studied after the mandatory adoption of IFRS, although the relative impact is greater in the Colombian case.


1999 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-231
Author(s):  
Peter Lee ◽  
Pearl Tan

The management of Worldwide Shipping Corporation Ltd (hereafter “Worldwide Shipping”) is confronted with a dilemma when a new international accounting standard on leases is introduced which contains a transitional provision allowing firms to defer implementation for a period of four years. Students are required to put themselves in the position of managers who have to weigh the adverse impact of early adoption of the new accounting standard against a responsibility for fair financial reporting. Worldwide Shipping is a multifaceted case that can be used as an accounting case study or a financial analysis study. The objectives of the case are threefold. First, it aims to provide students with a better understanding of the impact of off-balance sheet transactions (in this case, sale-leaseback contracts) on a firm's financial statements. Second, it requires students to examine implications of accounting choice on management compensation and debt-contracting costs, as well as the perplexing problem of recognition in financial statements vs. footnote disclosures. By putting students in the position of managers, the case increases students' awareness of the possible economic consequences arising from accounting choice. Third, it provides students with a useful exercise in the mechanics of effecting a change in accounting method using the retroactive method.


Author(s):  
Elizabeth Felski

Although International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) have clearly emerged as the preferred global accounting standard, previous studies of IFRS have mainly focused on post-adoption outcomes. The few IFRS adoption-focused studies are either limited in scope or are based on outdated versions of IFRS.  This paper fills these holes in the literature by offering a comprehensive analysis of IFRS adoption: first, through an expanded classification system which includes local adoption as a distinct form of IFRS adoption and then through ANOVA, discriminant analyses and regression analyses. Several variables were identified as significant drivers of adoption status, one being the Asian region which consistently emerged as a powerful driver of adoption type suggesting previous analysis of IFRS diffusion is incomplete, missing this key region variable. This expanded typology suggests that the system of country classification of required/not required currently used is inadequate in capturing how IFRS is adopted in practice.


Author(s):  
Jana Gláserová

This paper is focused on the operations with the company (business combinations). These are those operations that are associated with the formation or dissolution of companies or reorganization of their ownership structure. They are often referred as equity transactions. In the concept of Czech accounting legislation, these are the purchase, sale, investment (deposit) of firms or their parts, and various forms of transformation of enterprises. There are analyzed the accounting practices of recording of these issues under the Czech accounting legislation and International Financial Reporting Standards. Consequently there are identified newly acquired assets and liabilities arising directly in connection with the business combinations. In the conclusion of this paper there are examined the effects of different reporting of newly acquired items in the context of business combinations according to Czech accounting legislation and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards on the significant items of balance sheet and profit and loss statement from the material and time point of view.


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