scholarly journals Institutional Differences of Information Content On Voluntary Earnings Releases In The U.S. and Canada

1970 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-54
Author(s):  
Ronald Stunda
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Earnings Forecasts ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Ifrs Adoption ◽  
Earnings Releases ◽  
Institutional Differences ◽  
Regulation Fd ◽  
To Come ◽  
The U.S

Historically, Canadian laws have created a less litigious environment thanthose of the U.S. This changed in 1998 with the passage of the Securities LitigationUniform Standards Act (SLUSA), and in 2000 with the passage of Regulation FullDisclosure (Regulation FD). The intent of these acts were to not only encouragemore U.S. firms to release voluntary earnings forecasts, but to offer protection forsuch disclosures against lawsuits, similar to laws in Canada. In addition, with theadvent of International Financial Accounting Standards (IFRS), voluntary earningsreleases play a bigger role, in increased frequency and revision of forecasts. SinceCanada requires the use of IFRS in financial reporting, it serves as a good base ofcomparison of what may be to come in the U.S. These types of differences comprisewhat can be characterized as institutional differences.This study finds that Canadian managers tend to issue voluntary earningsforecasts more frequently across the board than their U.S. counterpart, even afterthe interdiction of SLUSA and Regulation FD in the U.S. In addition, the Canadianforecasts tend to be more precise than those offered by U.S. managers. On the surface,it appears that the SLUSA and Regulation FD have not completely achievedtheir goal of creating greater and more informative voluntary earnings disclosuresin the U.S., but in addition, IFRS adoption in Canada may have also led to the increasedfrequency and accuracy of earnings forecasts.

scholarly journals The Theoretical Defenses Of The Last In First Out Inventory Methods

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Peter Harris ◽  
William Stahlin
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Financial Accounting Standards Board ◽  
Complete Elimination ◽  
Political Pressure ◽  
The U.S

The Last in First out Method (LIFO) is presently under severe scrutiny from the financial community which may soon culminate in its repeal as an acceptable accounting method. There are pressures from the SEC in conjunction with the International Financial Accounting Standards Board (IFRS) to standardize accounting standards worldwide. In addition, there is political pressure imposed by the U.S. administration to raise additional revenues. Both groups strongly oppose LIFO, raising a strong possibility of its complete elimination. This paper addresses the reasons defending LIFO as an acceptable accounting method strictly from a financial reporting perspective.

scholarly journals Whats The Rush? IFRS, The SEC, And The Pressure On Accounting Instructors To Teach Still More Financial Reporting Rules

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan A. Cherry ◽  
Bill N. Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Reporting Standard ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Ifrs Adoption ◽  
Accounting Curriculum ◽  
Sarbanes Oxley ◽  
Accounting Major ◽  
The U.S

This paper addresses the problems facing accounting instructors in the U.S. as they struggle with pressure to incorporate IFRS into an already crowded financial accounting curriculum. To help instructors better understand the advantages and disadvantages of financial reporting under IFRS, we provide a critical analysis of arguments that have been made for and against IFRS adoption. This analysis should aid instructors in their design of lectures and assignments related to IFRS. We also show that adoption still faces serious obstacles, including the use of U.S. GAAP in contracts and regulations, the prohibition against the use of LIFO, and the Sarbanes-Oxley requirements for funding of a financial reporting standard-setter. We then provide support for an approach for incorporating IFRS in the financial accounting curriculum that places greater emphasis on teaching concepts than on teaching more rules. We conclude by presenting a model for a concepts course that would be taken by students as they begin the accounting major in their junior year.

scholarly journals Revising the Conceptual Framework of the International Standards: IASB Proposals Met with Support and Skepticism

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher W. Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Accounting Standards Board ◽  
Accounting Standard ◽  
Other Comprehensive Income ◽  
The U.S

This article analyzes the current financial reporting issue regarding the updates proposed by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) to the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting. Since accounting standard-setters have embraced the notion of concepts as a guide and foundation to developing accounting standards, the IASB has concluded that there should be more importance place on developing a solid framework. Based on current literature and the fact that the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in the U.S. has a solid framework in place, the IASB has designed proposed updates to their framework and requested comments from the general public regarding those updates. This article evaluates the comments made by 72 respondents and tabulates the responses based on agree, disagree, or no comment. These results concluded that 66% of the responses were positive toward the updates, but 29% were negative. The disagreement was focused around four main topics: (1) prudence; (2) statement of profit or loss; (3) statement of other comprehensive income; and (4) rebuttable presumption for recycling. The IASB hopes to assimilate, deliberate, and disseminate the suggestions, comments, and the updates in 2016.

The Adoption of Financial Accounting Standards for Small Medium Enterprises by Muslim Entrepreneurs

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Muslichah Muslichah ◽  
Sunarto Sunarto ◽  
Anang Amir Kusnanto ◽  
Sri Indrawati ◽  
Hariyanto Hariyanto
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Unexpected Finding ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Small Medium Enterprises ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Chartered Accountants ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

This study aims to discuss the adoption of financial reporting and accounting standards for small-medium enterprises (SMEs) by Muslim entrepreneurs. A structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from the SME owners. 214 Muslim owners of SME businesses participated in the survey. The results show that only a few Muslim entrepreneurs prepared financial reports regularly. The main reason for preparing the statement is for calculating tax, borrowing money, and decision making. An unexpected finding from this study is that most of the Muslim owners are unaware of Standard for SMEs. Users of SME financial reports include tax authority, banks, and owners, or shareholders. This study enriches the financial reporting studies by examining the accounting standards for SMEs in a Muslim dominated country. The findings of this study also have implications for the Institute of Indonesia chartered accountants (IICA) as standard setter. IICA must routinely disseminate these standards to SMEs and also assist them in preparing financial reports

Selecting Railway Investments in 1890s America

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-93
Author(s):  
Joel E. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Information ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Investment Strategies ◽  
Financial Accounting Standards Board ◽  
Accounting Data ◽  
Rational Decisions

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.

Viewing the 1996 FAF Restructuring as Policy Making without a Formal Due Process

2002 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul B. W. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Due Process ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Sole Source ◽  
Securities And Exchange Commission ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Perceived Threat ◽  
Financial Accounting Standards Board ◽  
Public Accounting

In 1996, a major financial reporting controversy emerged, escalated, and was resolved without substantial exposure or a formal due process. Specifically, a committee of the Financial Executives Institute (FEI) sent a letter to the chair of the Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) asserting that the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) “process is broken and in need of substantive repair.” When Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Arthur Levitt determined that neither FAF nor public accounting leaders were dealing with the FEI proposals to his satisfaction, he acted to defeat this perceived threat to FASB's independence, focusing on the composition of the FAF. In response, the FAF trustees resisted because they viewed his intervention as a threat to FASB's independence. When the trustees did not voluntarily change, Levitt proposed reconsidering Accounting Series Release No. 150, which designates FASB as the sole source of GAAP for SEC filings. Eventually, Levitt prevailed. This paper describes this intervention as a case of policy making without a formal due process and adds to the already weighty evidence that accounting standards are political.

scholarly journals The impact of IFRS-based accounting standards on earnings management: evidence from Malaysia

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Yosra Makni Fourati ◽  
Rania Chakroun Ghorbel
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Absolute Value ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Ifrs Adoption ◽  
Earning Quality ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Different Levels

This study aims to examine the consequences of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) convergence in an emerging market. More specifically, we investigate whether the adoption of the new set of accounting standards in Malaysia is associated with lower earnings management. Using a sample of 3,340 firm-year observations across three reporting periods with different levels of IFRS adoption, we provide evidence that IFRS convergence improves earning quality. In particular, we find a significant decrease in the absolute value of discretionary acccruals in the partial IFRS-convergence period (2007-2011), whereas this effect is restrictive after the complete IFRS- implementation.

Determinants and Consequences of Firms' Derivative Accounting Decisions

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spencer Pierce
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Fair Value ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Firm Risk ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Earnings Volatility ◽  
Hedge Accounting ◽  
Reported Earnings ◽  
Jel Classifications

ABSTRACTFinancial accounting standards require derivatives to be recognized at fair value with changes in value recognized immediately in earnings. However, if specified criteria are met, firms may use an alternative accounting treatment, hedge accounting, which is intended to better represent the underlying economics of firms' derivative use. Using FAS 161 disclosures, I examine determinants of hedge accounting use and the effects of hedge accounting on financial reporting and capital markets. I find variation in firms' hedge accounting use and provide evidence that compliance costs of applying hedge accounting affect firms' decision to use hedge accounting. Firms decrease their reported earnings volatility via derivatives that receive hedge accounting and could further decrease their earnings volatility if hedge accounting were applied to all their derivatives. Inconsistent with arguments given for using hedge accounting, I fail to find a decrease in investors' assessments of firm risk from using hedge accounting.JEL Classifications: M40; M41; G32.

scholarly journals A literature review on the impact of IAS/IFRS and regulations on quality of financial reporting

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 102-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Newman Wadesango ◽  
Edmore Tasa ◽  
Khazamula Milondzo ◽  
Ongayi Vongai Wadesango
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Ifrs Adoption ◽  
The Impact

The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in its objectives and preamble, presume that IFRS adoption and perceived compliance to regulatory framework is associated with increased financial reporting quality. Based on these assumptions, this desktop study reviewed several documents to determine whether the IFRS adoption has led to increased financial reporting quality in Zimbabwe. The researchers reviewed literature on how the IAS/IFRS and regulations affect the financial reporting quality of listed companies. The factors around IFRS adoption were identified (mandatory, voluntary and convergence) and discussed in relation to the financial reporting quality. Evidence from previous studies conducted in line with this same issue shows that there is no conclusive evidence on how IFRS and regulations affect the financial reporting quality. Issues to be addressed in further studies include the importance of financial statements prepared under IFRS framework and the importance of compliance with accounting and auditing requirements.

Impairment reversals: unbiased reporting or earnings management

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tongyu Cao ◽  
Hasnah Shaari ◽  
Ray Donnelly
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Financial Accounting Standards Board ◽  
Reporting Standard ◽  
Accounting Standard ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Support ◽  
A Company

Purpose This paper aims to provide evidence that will inform the convergence debate regarding accounting standards. The authors assess the ability of impairment reversals allowed under International Accounting Standard 36 but disallowed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to provide useful information about a company. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a sample of 182 Malaysian firms that reversed impairment charges and a matched sample of firms which chose not to reverse their impairments. Further analysis examines if reversing an impairment charge is associated with motivations for and evidence of earnings management. Findings The authors find no evidence that the reversal of an impairment charge marks a company out as managing contemporaneous earnings. However, they document evidence that firms with high levels of abnormal accruals and weak corporate governance avoid earnings decline by reversing previously recognized impairments. In addition, companies that have engaged in big baths as evidenced by high accumulated impairment balances and prior changes in top management, use impairment reversals to avoid earnings declines. Research limitations/implications The results of this study support both the informative and opportunistic hypotheses of impairment reversal reporting using Financial Reporting Standard 136. Practical implications The results also demonstrate how companies that use impairment reversals opportunistically can be identified. Originality/value The results support IASB’s approach to the reversal of impairments. They also provide novel evidence as to how companies exploit a cookie-jar reserve created by a prior big bath opportunistically.

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