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Article Analysis for Revenue Recognition Timing and Attributes of Reported Revenue: the Case of Software Industry's Adoption of Sop 91-1 by Yuan Zhang

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Article analysis for Revenue Recognition Timing and Attributes of Reported Revenue: The Case of Software Industry’s Adoption of SOP 91-1 by Yuan Zhang
Timing of revenue recognition is a crucial part in revenue recognition. According to US GAAP, revenue should be recognized when it is realized/realizable and earned (FASB, 1984, Para. 83).
However, a number of software firms recognized revenue prior to product delivery or service performance in the past, which potentially violated one or both of the conditions of the revenue recognition principle. In response, AICPA released Statement of Position (SOP) 91-1 in Dec. 1991, which stipulated that if collectability is probable, license revenue should be recognized upon delivery and service …show more content…

Therefore, the author made a Hypothesis: Ceteris paribus, reported revenue under early revenue recognition is more timely in providing economic information than that under SOP 91-1. An efficient stock market impounds value-relevant information of economic transactions in a quick and unbiased fashion. The author tried to find the relationship between reported revenue and stock return to prove the hypothesis by employing reverse regression methodology. After analysis of data, the author’s conclusion is that early revenue recognition increases the timeliness.
In section 5, the author hypothesizes that the accounts receivable accruals map into the cash flow realizations to a lesser extent than those under SOP 91-1. The author points out that the earlier the recognition, the more likely the customer is to not pay. Circumstances such as acceptance, commitment to pay and/or needs for customization may change prior to or upon delivery of the software or rendering of the service that may not be foreseen at the time of contract signing or earlier than as specified in SOP 91-1.
In order to test his hypothesis, the author followed the Dechow and Dichev (2002), which examines the standard deviations of residuals from a regression of accounts receivable accruals on corresponding cash flow realizations. The model uses information related to accounts receivable, sales cash collected during the periods, and errors in accounts receivable accruals (sresid). The author

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