This paper reports on the choice made by listed Italian companies in their 2009 financial statements with respect to the option in International Accounting Standards (IAS) 1.81 concerning presentation of the stateme...This paper reports on the choice made by listed Italian companies in their 2009 financial statements with respect to the option in International Accounting Standards (IAS) 1.81 concerning presentation of the statement of comprehensive income. It is reported that most companies have chosen to use the two-statement option, and that there is some evidence that this choice is related to the size and sign of total Other Comprehensive Income (OCI). On this latter point, the paper emphatically aims to contribute to the literature on accounting policy choice with respect to a similar option in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards [SFAS] 130. In addition, pro forma calculations on Return on Equity (ROE) and Earnings per Share (EPS) are presented that illustrate, in effect, the variation across companies in size and sign of OCI.展开更多
This study examines the association between firm value and ownership structure, when board and controlling stockholders' voting rights deviate from obligations. The measurement of the corporate governance variables i...This study examines the association between firm value and ownership structure, when board and controlling stockholders' voting rights deviate from obligations. The measurement of the corporate governance variables is different from prior research. The author further investigates whether monitoring mechanisms can alleviate the agency problem due to percentage of outside directors. The empirical results show that the higher board voting rights-obligations is deviated, which means the weaker relation with the firm value. The author also finds the monitoring from outside directors can reduce the agency problems from board's deviation and thus can improve firm value. But the results of the controlling stockholders' deviation are mixed or insignificant. This research has implications for Taiwan's regulators who are striving to improve the information, transparency, and corporate governance of board and controlling shareholders' voting rights-obligations deviation.展开更多
The objective of improving the state accounting system is to build a state accounting system based on a single and complete database which is applied uniformly across all public authorities and agencies from central t...The objective of improving the state accounting system is to build a state accounting system based on a single and complete database which is applied uniformly across all public authorities and agencies from central to local. Such an accounting system must ensure a reliable and smooth flow of information among all the entities that take part in the preparation, allocation, execution, and finalization of the state budget. In order to improve the quality of financial information, to harmonize, and to develop accounting profession globally, the trend of international economic integration requires the standardization of accounting legislative framework among countries and first of all, the harmonization and unification of the preparation, presentation, and disclosure of financial information. Financial statements of each business in the private sector and financial statements of the government in the public sector in different countries should be transparent and presented in accordance with the accounting standards and principles and in line with international practices so that the financial information will be able to be compared and evaluated. Therefore, financial statements of each entity in the public sector and the consolidated financial statements of public sector entities issued by the government in different countries must be prepared and presented in a unified form to suit the international public sector accounting standards. Accordingly, with the application of the interview method in research, the main objective of this article is to focus on searching for the bases and consideration for the application of international public sector accounting standards in Vietnam in current conditions. This article consists of eight sections: (1) what are international public sector accounting standards? (2) accounting entities of the public sector; (3) the limitations of current public sector accounting in Vietnam; (4) financial information to meet the requirements of state management and to comply with international practices; (5) the advantages of applying international public sector accounting standards in Vietnam; (6) the difficulties and challenges of applying international public sector accounting standards in Vietnam; (7) learning experiences from other countries; and (8) conclusion.展开更多
This paper submits that the advantages gained by introducing a single currency at the domestic level, applies equally to the economy at the global level. The advantages gained are (1) a reduction of the inflation ra...This paper submits that the advantages gained by introducing a single currency at the domestic level, applies equally to the economy at the global level. The advantages gained are (1) a reduction of the inflation rate to one common rate (if required) amongst all states, (2) a possible reduced interest rate, (3) an expansion in investment, (4) an increase in development and trade due to the removal of uncertainty, (5) the reduction in transaction costs, and (6) the reduction in the cost of capital (Moshirian, 2004, p. 306). A single global currency has immediate implications in accounting for inflation as it presents an opportunity for the permanent removal of problems associated with accounting for inflation. This paper addresses the phenomenon of inflation and how accounting measurement and valuation associated with inflation is removed by the introduction of a single global currency.展开更多
Accounting goodwill arises as a result of business combinations and appears in a consolidated balance sheet of an acquirer. It is an intangible asset which reflects an excess of value of an acquired business as a whol...Accounting goodwill arises as a result of business combinations and appears in a consolidated balance sheet of an acquirer. It is an intangible asset which reflects an excess of value of an acquired business as a whole over a summed value of its identifiable net assets. Since 2010, the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) allow for two alternative methods of measuring goodwill in those business combinations, where an acquirer obtains a control over a target company without obtaining 100% share in its shareholder's equity. Under one of these methods, which is called a "full-goodwill method", the goodwill attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiary is measured at fair value. Thus, the main accounting problem with this method lies in its requirement to estimate the fair value of non-controlling interests. This paper suggests that the "full-goodwill method" may sacrifice financial statement reliability for its alleged relevance, with significant potential for "creative accounting". The problems with reliability and transparency of financial statements, when "full-goodwill method" is applied, are illustrated by a real-life example of the takeover of Formula Systems Ltd. by Asseco Group (one of the biggest IT companies in Europe, listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange).展开更多
From January 1, 2010 the Portuguese system of financial accounting and reporting is based on the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). In Portugal, the taxable income of companies is derived from the a...From January 1, 2010 the Portuguese system of financial accounting and reporting is based on the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). In Portugal, the taxable income of companies is derived from the accounting profit/loss. Adjustments are made to this figure to compute the taxable income. In this paper I will highlight the accounting and tax treatment of impairment losses in tangible assets, provisions, and the fair value method, concluding that the gap between accounting and tax rules did not diminish with the new system. In every one of the mentioned topics the rules inserted in the corporate tax code are quite different from the IFRS based accounting statements. Thus, an opportunity was lost to move towards a more harmonized system of computing book and tax income as far as corporate income tax is concerned展开更多
This study attempts to investigate if and how students' perceptions regarding the first accounting course related with the selection of accounting as a major. Moreover, it examines students' initial perceptions and ...This study attempts to investigate if and how students' perceptions regarding the first accounting course related with the selection of accounting as a major. Moreover, it examines students' initial perceptions and course performance regarding the introductory accounting course. Participants in this study were 120 students from Technological Educational Institute of Kavala, School of Business and Economics (3 departments), who were asked to complete a survey instrument. The instrument used eleven statements regarding students' perceptions (such as difficulty and motivation of the course) of the first accounting course. The main factors affect students' decisions to follow accounting and seem to be similar with other researchers' findings (Geiger & Ogilby, 2000). Future research could be used larger sample from different countries and the survey could also be used for a longer time period.展开更多
The current accounting system has no longer suited to the development of colleges and university. On the basis of analyzing the crux of the accounting system, we propose solutions to make college financial work more t...The current accounting system has no longer suited to the development of colleges and university. On the basis of analyzing the crux of the accounting system, we propose solutions to make college financial work more truly reflect the financial condition and fund utilizing situation. With the development of social economy and changes in the market system, university has entered a period of extraordinary development. According to the needs of universities development, university accounting system has also undergone a series of changes. From the accounting method to account setup and expenditures structure, it has made a series of adjustment, to a certain extent reflecting the funding operations of the university. But because accounting basis, accounting method, setup of accounting statement and other items are not suited to financial management needs of universities, some accounting treatments and statements reflecting can' t be a true reflection of the funding operations of universities and financial position.展开更多
Non-profit organizations (NPOs) in Malaysia are not subjected to statutory requirement to follow the accounting standards when preparing their annual reports. This study analyzed the annual reports of 100 NPOs regis...Non-profit organizations (NPOs) in Malaysia are not subjected to statutory requirement to follow the accounting standards when preparing their annual reports. This study analyzed the annual reports of 100 NPOs registered with the Registry of Society (ROS) under the charity and religious categories. The objectives of this study are: (1) to determine the current state of reporting practices by NPOs; and (2) to describe the contents of a set of annual reports and the financial statement presentation of NPOs. This study found that there were variations in reporting practices among the charity and religious categories of NPOs. On average, the results show that NPOs do not focus on the disclosing information required by the ROS, the governing body of NPOs. This indicates that the regulators need to strongly practice enforcement to strengthen the compliance of the annual reports submission. Overall, the findings of this study provide useful information to regulators as a basis for preparing and presenting NPOs' annual report framework in the future.展开更多
The main subject of this paper is the theory of financial statement valuations observed in its historical development. More notably, regarding the subject, the research is concerned with some theoretical concepts deve...The main subject of this paper is the theory of financial statement valuations observed in its historical development. More notably, regarding the subject, the research is concerned with some theoretical concepts developed by the Italian doctrine in a very specific age, namely, between the 19th and the 20th century, which in fact, devoid of any accounting regulation. This paper analyzes in particular the shift from the exchange value rule to the historical cost method and tries to explain the reasons of such a development. In the second half of the 19th century, some of the best Italian scholars, who were faced with the need to properly develop the problem of accounting valuations, thought that it was appropriate to rely on concepts that belonged to similar sciences, such as economics and real estate appraisal, by blindly borrowing the theory of value from the former and the theory of valuations from the latter. During that age, everything hinged around the concept of exchange value. At the dawn of the 20th century, the Italian accounting doctrine began to wonder about a subject that was crucial to the financial statement theory: the informative purposes underlying the financial statements. At the same time, the first principle took shape, which might be called as the "finalistic principle of value". It is still the basis of the theory of financial accounting measurements, for which different evaluative criteria must be applied to different informative purposes. Thus, an alternative criterion to that of the exchange value makes its appearance on the scene of the accounting valuations, notably the historical cost. The introduction of the historical cost criteria and above all the relinquishment of the combination of the "economic cost" in favor of that of the "manufacturing cost" allow the Italian accounting to get rid of the theories of economics and real estate appraisal, thus, becoming independent regarding the financial statement valuations.展开更多
Financial statements (FS) are tools which provide information to users for making business decisions. Among the organizations, banks are the firms which conducted and did business with risks. In particular, commerci...Financial statements (FS) are tools which provide information to users for making business decisions. Among the organizations, banks are the firms which conducted and did business with risks. In particular, commercial banks continue to play a dominant role in the whole system, and local commercial banks still have an edge in its widespread network across the country over foreign banks. This article is going to present the survey which clarifies the role of FS in commercial banks' loan decisions in Vietnam. Moreover, this paper also discusses FS's quality currently, thereby making suggestions for enterprises to enhance the usefulness of accounting information in borrowing activities. This paper has taken performance with 74 official employees in commercial banks in Vietnam. The results indicated the qualitative characteristics of banks when disclosing the financial statements. This article also gave the six oriented solutions to improvement of the loan decision-making by banks.展开更多
The purpose of this study is to explore the relevance of adopting International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for small and medium-sized entities (SMEs) in Swaziland. The study further seeks to determine if...The purpose of this study is to explore the relevance of adopting International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for small and medium-sized entities (SMEs) in Swaziland. The study further seeks to determine if IFRS for SMEs can be the solution to better reporting by local SMEs. There has been a growing need for different reporting standards for small firms and big firms over the years due to the unique challenges and attributes they face especially in the area of financial reporting. This research is based on a statistical analysis of questionnaires completed by accountants from SMEs in Swaziland as well as other stakeholders who have a direct or an indirect interest in the financial statements of SMEs. These stakeholders included audit firms and the financial institutions. The sampling rate of 10% was applied across each industry to come up with a sample of 60 SMEs. Furthermore, a 100% sampling rate on the other stakeholders was applied. These were nine financial institutions and eight audit finns. The findings from the study revealed that SMEs in Swaziland are having challenges with the current reporting framework but to some extent, the framework is suitable. Most SMEs are not aware of IFRS for SMEs, therefore the accounting profession in Swaziland (SIA) has a huge role to play in training auditors and accountants in the country. Overall, IFRS for SMEs is applicable in Swaziland.展开更多
文摘This paper reports on the choice made by listed Italian companies in their 2009 financial statements with respect to the option in International Accounting Standards (IAS) 1.81 concerning presentation of the statement of comprehensive income. It is reported that most companies have chosen to use the two-statement option, and that there is some evidence that this choice is related to the size and sign of total Other Comprehensive Income (OCI). On this latter point, the paper emphatically aims to contribute to the literature on accounting policy choice with respect to a similar option in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards [SFAS] 130. In addition, pro forma calculations on Return on Equity (ROE) and Earnings per Share (EPS) are presented that illustrate, in effect, the variation across companies in size and sign of OCI.
文摘This study examines the association between firm value and ownership structure, when board and controlling stockholders' voting rights deviate from obligations. The measurement of the corporate governance variables is different from prior research. The author further investigates whether monitoring mechanisms can alleviate the agency problem due to percentage of outside directors. The empirical results show that the higher board voting rights-obligations is deviated, which means the weaker relation with the firm value. The author also finds the monitoring from outside directors can reduce the agency problems from board's deviation and thus can improve firm value. But the results of the controlling stockholders' deviation are mixed or insignificant. This research has implications for Taiwan's regulators who are striving to improve the information, transparency, and corporate governance of board and controlling shareholders' voting rights-obligations deviation.
文摘The objective of improving the state accounting system is to build a state accounting system based on a single and complete database which is applied uniformly across all public authorities and agencies from central to local. Such an accounting system must ensure a reliable and smooth flow of information among all the entities that take part in the preparation, allocation, execution, and finalization of the state budget. In order to improve the quality of financial information, to harmonize, and to develop accounting profession globally, the trend of international economic integration requires the standardization of accounting legislative framework among countries and first of all, the harmonization and unification of the preparation, presentation, and disclosure of financial information. Financial statements of each business in the private sector and financial statements of the government in the public sector in different countries should be transparent and presented in accordance with the accounting standards and principles and in line with international practices so that the financial information will be able to be compared and evaluated. Therefore, financial statements of each entity in the public sector and the consolidated financial statements of public sector entities issued by the government in different countries must be prepared and presented in a unified form to suit the international public sector accounting standards. Accordingly, with the application of the interview method in research, the main objective of this article is to focus on searching for the bases and consideration for the application of international public sector accounting standards in Vietnam in current conditions. This article consists of eight sections: (1) what are international public sector accounting standards? (2) accounting entities of the public sector; (3) the limitations of current public sector accounting in Vietnam; (4) financial information to meet the requirements of state management and to comply with international practices; (5) the advantages of applying international public sector accounting standards in Vietnam; (6) the difficulties and challenges of applying international public sector accounting standards in Vietnam; (7) learning experiences from other countries; and (8) conclusion.
文摘This paper submits that the advantages gained by introducing a single currency at the domestic level, applies equally to the economy at the global level. The advantages gained are (1) a reduction of the inflation rate to one common rate (if required) amongst all states, (2) a possible reduced interest rate, (3) an expansion in investment, (4) an increase in development and trade due to the removal of uncertainty, (5) the reduction in transaction costs, and (6) the reduction in the cost of capital (Moshirian, 2004, p. 306). A single global currency has immediate implications in accounting for inflation as it presents an opportunity for the permanent removal of problems associated with accounting for inflation. This paper addresses the phenomenon of inflation and how accounting measurement and valuation associated with inflation is removed by the introduction of a single global currency.
文摘Accounting goodwill arises as a result of business combinations and appears in a consolidated balance sheet of an acquirer. It is an intangible asset which reflects an excess of value of an acquired business as a whole over a summed value of its identifiable net assets. Since 2010, the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) allow for two alternative methods of measuring goodwill in those business combinations, where an acquirer obtains a control over a target company without obtaining 100% share in its shareholder's equity. Under one of these methods, which is called a "full-goodwill method", the goodwill attributable to non-controlling interests in subsidiary is measured at fair value. Thus, the main accounting problem with this method lies in its requirement to estimate the fair value of non-controlling interests. This paper suggests that the "full-goodwill method" may sacrifice financial statement reliability for its alleged relevance, with significant potential for "creative accounting". The problems with reliability and transparency of financial statements, when "full-goodwill method" is applied, are illustrated by a real-life example of the takeover of Formula Systems Ltd. by Asseco Group (one of the biggest IT companies in Europe, listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange).
文摘From January 1, 2010 the Portuguese system of financial accounting and reporting is based on the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). In Portugal, the taxable income of companies is derived from the accounting profit/loss. Adjustments are made to this figure to compute the taxable income. In this paper I will highlight the accounting and tax treatment of impairment losses in tangible assets, provisions, and the fair value method, concluding that the gap between accounting and tax rules did not diminish with the new system. In every one of the mentioned topics the rules inserted in the corporate tax code are quite different from the IFRS based accounting statements. Thus, an opportunity was lost to move towards a more harmonized system of computing book and tax income as far as corporate income tax is concerned
文摘This study attempts to investigate if and how students' perceptions regarding the first accounting course related with the selection of accounting as a major. Moreover, it examines students' initial perceptions and course performance regarding the introductory accounting course. Participants in this study were 120 students from Technological Educational Institute of Kavala, School of Business and Economics (3 departments), who were asked to complete a survey instrument. The instrument used eleven statements regarding students' perceptions (such as difficulty and motivation of the course) of the first accounting course. The main factors affect students' decisions to follow accounting and seem to be similar with other researchers' findings (Geiger & Ogilby, 2000). Future research could be used larger sample from different countries and the survey could also be used for a longer time period.
文摘The current accounting system has no longer suited to the development of colleges and university. On the basis of analyzing the crux of the accounting system, we propose solutions to make college financial work more truly reflect the financial condition and fund utilizing situation. With the development of social economy and changes in the market system, university has entered a period of extraordinary development. According to the needs of universities development, university accounting system has also undergone a series of changes. From the accounting method to account setup and expenditures structure, it has made a series of adjustment, to a certain extent reflecting the funding operations of the university. But because accounting basis, accounting method, setup of accounting statement and other items are not suited to financial management needs of universities, some accounting treatments and statements reflecting can' t be a true reflection of the funding operations of universities and financial position.
文摘Non-profit organizations (NPOs) in Malaysia are not subjected to statutory requirement to follow the accounting standards when preparing their annual reports. This study analyzed the annual reports of 100 NPOs registered with the Registry of Society (ROS) under the charity and religious categories. The objectives of this study are: (1) to determine the current state of reporting practices by NPOs; and (2) to describe the contents of a set of annual reports and the financial statement presentation of NPOs. This study found that there were variations in reporting practices among the charity and religious categories of NPOs. On average, the results show that NPOs do not focus on the disclosing information required by the ROS, the governing body of NPOs. This indicates that the regulators need to strongly practice enforcement to strengthen the compliance of the annual reports submission. Overall, the findings of this study provide useful information to regulators as a basis for preparing and presenting NPOs' annual report framework in the future.
文摘The main subject of this paper is the theory of financial statement valuations observed in its historical development. More notably, regarding the subject, the research is concerned with some theoretical concepts developed by the Italian doctrine in a very specific age, namely, between the 19th and the 20th century, which in fact, devoid of any accounting regulation. This paper analyzes in particular the shift from the exchange value rule to the historical cost method and tries to explain the reasons of such a development. In the second half of the 19th century, some of the best Italian scholars, who were faced with the need to properly develop the problem of accounting valuations, thought that it was appropriate to rely on concepts that belonged to similar sciences, such as economics and real estate appraisal, by blindly borrowing the theory of value from the former and the theory of valuations from the latter. During that age, everything hinged around the concept of exchange value. At the dawn of the 20th century, the Italian accounting doctrine began to wonder about a subject that was crucial to the financial statement theory: the informative purposes underlying the financial statements. At the same time, the first principle took shape, which might be called as the "finalistic principle of value". It is still the basis of the theory of financial accounting measurements, for which different evaluative criteria must be applied to different informative purposes. Thus, an alternative criterion to that of the exchange value makes its appearance on the scene of the accounting valuations, notably the historical cost. The introduction of the historical cost criteria and above all the relinquishment of the combination of the "economic cost" in favor of that of the "manufacturing cost" allow the Italian accounting to get rid of the theories of economics and real estate appraisal, thus, becoming independent regarding the financial statement valuations.
文摘Financial statements (FS) are tools which provide information to users for making business decisions. Among the organizations, banks are the firms which conducted and did business with risks. In particular, commercial banks continue to play a dominant role in the whole system, and local commercial banks still have an edge in its widespread network across the country over foreign banks. This article is going to present the survey which clarifies the role of FS in commercial banks' loan decisions in Vietnam. Moreover, this paper also discusses FS's quality currently, thereby making suggestions for enterprises to enhance the usefulness of accounting information in borrowing activities. This paper has taken performance with 74 official employees in commercial banks in Vietnam. The results indicated the qualitative characteristics of banks when disclosing the financial statements. This article also gave the six oriented solutions to improvement of the loan decision-making by banks.
文摘The purpose of this study is to explore the relevance of adopting International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for small and medium-sized entities (SMEs) in Swaziland. The study further seeks to determine if IFRS for SMEs can be the solution to better reporting by local SMEs. There has been a growing need for different reporting standards for small firms and big firms over the years due to the unique challenges and attributes they face especially in the area of financial reporting. This research is based on a statistical analysis of questionnaires completed by accountants from SMEs in Swaziland as well as other stakeholders who have a direct or an indirect interest in the financial statements of SMEs. These stakeholders included audit firms and the financial institutions. The sampling rate of 10% was applied across each industry to come up with a sample of 60 SMEs. Furthermore, a 100% sampling rate on the other stakeholders was applied. These were nine financial institutions and eight audit finns. The findings from the study revealed that SMEs in Swaziland are having challenges with the current reporting framework but to some extent, the framework is suitable. Most SMEs are not aware of IFRS for SMEs, therefore the accounting profession in Swaziland (SIA) has a huge role to play in training auditors and accountants in the country. Overall, IFRS for SMEs is applicable in Swaziland.