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
Consolidated Financial Statements （CFSs） in the public sector represent useful financial tools to improve transparency and accountability toward internal and external users. This aggregate view is only a part of the...Consolidated Financial Statements （CFSs） in the public sector represent useful financial tools to improve transparency and accountability toward internal and external users. This aggregate view is only a part of the information needed in order to give politicians, managers, employees, financial institutions, rating agencies, and citizens a whole view of a local government＇s financial performance. It emerges the need to have segment information, covering specific policy areas for which it is appropriate to separately report financial and non-financial information. This paper, after having discussed the need for accountability and decision-making in a theoretical framework, gives account of a pilot project realized by the municipality of Reggio Emilia, which introduced CFSs and segment reporting. The empirical study is based on an action research as a methodological approach to solving practical problems. Finally, the paper also offers some practical suggestions to contribute to the applicability of the segment reporting in the public sector.展开更多
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Consolidated Financial Statements （CFSs） in the public sector represent useful financial tools to improve transparency and accountability toward internal and external users. This aggregate view is only a part of the information needed in order to give politicians, managers, employees, financial institutions, rating agencies, and citizens a whole view of a local government＇s financial performance. It emerges the need to have segment information, covering specific policy areas for which it is appropriate to separately report financial and non-financial information. This paper, after having discussed the need for accountability and decision-making in a theoretical framework, gives account of a pilot project realized by the municipality of Reggio Emilia, which introduced CFSs and segment reporting. The empirical study is based on an action research as a methodological approach to solving practical problems. Finally, the paper also offers some practical suggestions to contribute to the applicability of the segment reporting in the public sector.
