The Nature of Accounting Information Reliability: Inferences from Archival and Experimental Research

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laureen A. Maines ◽  
James M. Wahlen

Reliability is an essential characteristic for accounting information to be useful for decision making. Reliability represents the extent to which the information is unbiased, free from error, and representationally faithful (FASB 1980). Despite the central role of reliability, it is a complex and elusive construct of accounting information. Reliability is difficult to specify precisely in accounting standards and practice, and it is difficult to examine directly with research. The primary goal of this paper is to better understand the nature of accounting information reliability by synthesizing archival and experimental research evidence within the context of a framework for accounting information usefulness. Greater understanding of the empirical literature on accounting information reliability should assist standard setters and regulators in establishing financial reporting standards, preparers and auditors in implementing standards, and financial statement users in evaluating accounting information reliability. Finally, greater understanding of reliability should assist academics in conducting research to produce new insights on reliability and in conveying the important role of reliability to students.

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 219-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Seipp ◽  
Sean Kinsella ◽  
Deborah L. Lindberg

ABSTRACT: This audit case examines an interesting real-life instance of financial statement manipulation by a client (Xerox, Inc.) and the related audit failure by the audit firm (KPMG). The facts of this case are drawn from several SEC Accounting Enforcement and Administrative Proceedings Releases. Learning objectives specific to this case include an increased awareness of the importance of reserves, including when their use is appropriate or inappropriate; better understanding of the role of a concurring partner; improved perception of when departures from GAAP are improper; a heightened awareness of the importance of professional skepticism; the identification of audit risk factors; exposure to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS); and identification of illegal acts by a client’s management.


Author(s):  
Leonora Haliti Rudhani ◽  
Hysen Ismajli ◽  
Albulena Mustafa

Abstract Responding to globalization of the international business environment the companies need to draw and present reliable and comparable audited financial statements, and consequently there is a vital need to implement international financial reporting standards. Foreign investments in Kosovo as a new developing country are growing. The purpose of this paper is to consider the role of audited financial statements in encouraging foreign investment in the private sector in Kosovo. To examine this issue, we have analysed three determinant factors in presenting financial statements to the foreign investors: auditor’s report, auditor reputation and relevance of auditor’s findings. The results of this study indicate that these variables have a positive effect on promotion of foreign investment. These results also revealed that audited financial statements are very important for Kosovo companies in order to ensure an equal worldwide treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Woo Jae Lee

The harmonization of accounting standards has been an international trend in the past two decades. As of 2018, 144 of 166 profiled jurisdictions require the use of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Nevertheless, there is mixed evidence on the effect of IFRS on sustainable accounting information. This study examines whether IFRS adoption improves earnings sustainability, focusing on emerging markets. Specifically, it tests the effect of IFRS on earnings quality by comparing earnings management and financial statement comparability of Korean listed firms for the pre- and post-IFRS periods. The results show that firms report less managed earnings in the post-IFRS period than in the pre-IFRS period. Furthermore, the results suggest the enhancement of financial statement comparability in the post-IFRS period compared to the pre-IFRS period. In particular, this paper documents that the effect of IFRS on sustainable accounting information is more pronounced in competitive industries. Moreover, it shows that small firms benefit more from adopting IFRS. Overall, this study finds that IFRS adoption in Korea improves the overall sustainability of accounting information.


Author(s):  
Mohammad Tariq Jassim

In a market economy, the role of International Financial Reporting Standards is increasing. In order to understand their significance in modern conditions it seems necessary to consider the peculiarities of evolution of IFRS formation. The article reflects actual issues concerning the role and significance of International Accounting and Reporting Standards in modern conditions. The author has defined the necessity of applying International Accounting and Reporting Standards by Russian companies. The article highlights the main elements and users of financial statements prepared on the basis of IFRS, and analyzes the similarities and differences that exist in the formation of financial statements, based on the requirements of IFRS and RAS. The main qualitative characteristics of financial statements are considered in detail. Based on the results of the research, the author has identified current trends in the transition to international financial reporting standards.


2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-93
Author(s):  
Joel E. Thompson

ABSTRACT The purpose of financial reporting is to provide information to investors and creditors to help them make rational decisions (Financial Accounting Standards Board [FASB] 2010). Tracing the development of investors' methods should help with understanding the role of financial accounting. This study examines investment practices involving railways in 1890s America. As such, it furthers our knowledge about the development of investment methods and their necessary information. Moreover, it shows that as investment methods grew in sophistication, there was an enhanced demand for greater comparability in accounting data to make meaningful analyses. Competing investment strategies, largely devoid of accounting information, are also discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Amidu ◽  
Haruna Issahaku

Purpose This paper aims to analyse the implications of globalisation and the adoption of international standards (International Financial Reporting Standards [IFRS]) for accounting information quality. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a sample of 329 banks across 29 countries leading up to and beyond the implementation of IFRS to test for related hypotheses. Findings First, banks’ financial statements are prepared on the basis of international standards as national economies are integrated when social norms are diffused. Building on these results, the second test suggests that the relatively high-quality earnings among banks in Africa during the period is attributable to the adoption of and interaction of IFRS with globalisation and the strategy of banks to diversify within and across interest and non-interest income. Originality/value The authors investigate how globalisation and the adoption of IFRS affect accounting information quality.


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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (9) ◽  
pp. 99-116
Author(s):  
Ljudmyla LOVINSKA ◽  
◽  
Andrii MAMYSHEV ◽  

The purpose of the article is to establish ways to implement the tasks of public sector entities in ensuring responsibility and accountability of state-owned enterprises, taking into account market conditions and the transition to international financial reporting standards (IFRS) in the context of determining the place and role of accounting information. The research methodology is based on the application of dialectical and systematic approaches to scientific knowledge and general theoretical understanding of the problems of functional and accounting-analytical support for the management of state-owned enterprises in the application of IFRS. The results of the analysis of modern tendencies of the organization and functioning of the state-owned enterprises are covered. The importance of public sector entities in the global dimension, as well as the features of the organization, challenges and tasks of state-owned enterprises in market conditions are shown. It is determined that the main tasks to be performed by state-owned enterprises are : provision of certain state services and specific goods, support of the national economy and strategic interests, doing business in a natural monopoly, as well as support of social goals of the state. The specificity of the tasks of state-owned enterprises and their important place in the state economy through the role of a special agent of the government for the implementation of state policy in a particular area is substantiated. A new look at these processes involves increasing the transparency and accountability of businesses, which is closely linked to improving the quality of accounting data on the activities of state-owned enterprises. Based on the results of the study, the algorithm of decisions on determining, assessing and reviewing the value of a state-owned enterprise based on the expression of its social, economic, environmental and tax impacts has been improved. There is a problem of harmonization of methodological support for the preparation of aggregate reports of the general government sector (GGS), which arises due to the existing differences between different sets of standards for financial reporting of GGS sector entities (International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) - for public corporations and National provisions (standards) of accounting in the public sector (NP(S)APS) - for all other entities of the GGS sector).


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