Introduction & Purpose
Complexity in financial reporting is apparent especially when applying it to relevant accounting theories. "Complexity is ' 'the state of being difficult to understand and apply ' ' (SEC 2008, cited in Petersen, 2012). When we apply complexity to accounting we think of it in terms of applying it to accounting transactions which flow onto financial statements and how these were developed from the Accounting Standards. (Peterson, 2012, p.73). The purpose of this report is to address the complexity of financial reporting and how the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) intends to do address this problem through its ‘Disclosure Initiative’.
The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is the international accounting standards developed by the ISAB. The ISAB have set up the Disclosure Initiative to examine where IFRS could be improved.
We will examine the complexity of financial reporting and how it applies to Positive Accounting Theory (PAT). We will also discuss how measurement of financial reporting effects the complexity of financial statements in terms of fair value and historical cost methods. We will use supporting evidence from peer reviewed journal articles to support our argument. We will then present our findings and recommendations to the Corporate Governance Council Chairman of Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).
The Opportunistic View
AGENCY THEORY
Agency theory refers to the relationship between the owners
Despite those enormous advantages, it has been argued that IFRSS adoption lead to significant costs. The main argument is that IFRSs do not consider local needs and priorities as every country has their own ‘business environment, legal systems, cultures, language and political environment’ (Henderson and Peirson, 2000 cited from Malthus, S., 2004). However, to overcome this problem, IASB can accommodate flexible reporting standards that enable companies to choose alternatives that are more suitable for their external condition. It is opinion of some opponents of IFRS adoption that IAS is ‘insufficiently detailed’ (Uddin,M.S., 2005, p.4) that require accountants’ and auditor’ professional judgment. However, overly detail might be contra productive and not flexible in anticipating every changes and differences.
SFAC No. 8 addresses the cost constraint on useful financial reporting, “Cost is a pervasive constraint that standard setters, as well as providers and users of financial information, should keep in mind when considering the benefits of a financial reporting requirement.” (SFAC No. 8 BC 3.47) However, the ability to place a dollar value and fully enumerate a cost or benefit is almost an impossible task for standard-setters. Additionally, there is no way to successfully identify and measure all of the economic consequences associated with a new standard. The FASB should be applauded though for advancing uniformity in accounting standards, however; uniform financial reporting suggests a one size fits all approach. “Smaller, non-publicly listed firms (and their auditors) argue that accounting standards are formulated mainly for larger, publicly traded firms” and that “compliance costs are disproportionately higher and the
The purpose of this paper is to define accounting, and identify the four basic financial statements. The paper also explains how the different financial statements are interrelated to each other and why they are useful to managers, investors, creditors, and employees.
The field of accounting is constantly evolving. This is true not only for the theory of accounting itself but also the entities that govern its theory and practice. Presently, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) are faced with some of the biggest challenges to date. To understand the significance of these two boards, it is necessary to understand their histories, relations between the boards, and the standards that they set. Also how the knowledge of these boards and the field they lead, gained through the masters of science in accountancy
This report is written as a response to the monograph in which the ICAEW published on how financial accounting disclosures can be improved. The aim of this report is to critically discuss and evaluate the worthwhileness of the recommendations made from a financial investor’s perspective. It is done by reviewing recommendations put forward by the ICAEW and analysing if each of the disclosure recommended is worth the effort while putting in perspective what effects these recommendations have on professional investors who are one of the primary users and consumers of financial statements. The report contains information mainly from the ICAEW report and the CFA institute report
Our aim in this paper is to analyse and justify the facts that support and object the main issue of whether the mandatory adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards have in fact increased Financial Reporting Quality.
International Reporting Standards (IFRS) are standards that are aimed as a global language that is common for affairs of business, to make sure that the accounts of the company can be understood and are of a certain standard that applies worldwide. IFRS are
Financial accounting is a subjective area that strives to provide complete and accurate information for the end user. Before the class discussion, I felt accounting was more of a science than an art – if you tested items and they fell into a certain parameter, it was an accurate representation of the facts and figures under review. The class discussion and another person’s experience has caused me to rethink this perspective because when one considers the variables incorporated into financial accounting, it is not as simple and clear cut as some would like to think. Hines (1988, p. 252-253) states “having the full picture – a true, a fair view of something – depends on people deciding that they have the full picture. Sometimes, they later decide they did not have the
Secondly, the claim made by ‘free market’ perspective to treat accounting information as other normal goods should be rejected because accounting information are unlike normal goods such as bread or house. It is a public good because the use of it by one investor does not prevent the usage of others (Hendriksen & Breda 1992, p.247). As non-investors have right to use the accounting information such as income statement and balance sheet as much as investors, investors will not agree to pay for the financial reports because others will become free-rider; thus, this prevent the function of normal pricing system of accounting information. As no income is received by producers of financial reports, they will not willing to produce it or will underproduce it so ‘free-market’ perspective is not applicable. Under this circumstance, Demski and Feltham (cited in Deegan 2009, p.65) states that for public good like accounting information, a more collective approach to its production is more desirable. This can be achieved by legislatively regulating the productions of accounting information so companies will produce the accounting information to meet the demands of external users and thus ensuring efficient capital market.
it provides a better indication of ability to generate cash flows than the cash basis.
It is incontestable that international financial reporting standards (IFRS) are in vogue and global conformity theoretically on the doorstep as about 100 countries implement standard financial regulations. The idea that uniform reporting standards have the same effect on financial reporting undervalues the contested ability to be flexible in financial reporting and introduces another level of debate on the issue of flexibility and uniformity. Apart from the fact that the merits of flexibility are downplayed to increase cross-sectional and inter-temporal comparison, prescribed reporting standards compliance is itself not enough basis to claim that financial reporting. The IFRS comprises of principle-based standards that have presents financial report manager with the opportunity to increase flexibility on their part and possible manipulation (Benston, 2006). Consequently, the fact brings another issue into question, for instance, the reliability and transparency of information produced under professional discretion and judgment of managers. This paper seeks to indicate that there are too many current financial reporting issues that are not yet conclusively included in the crusade for the adoption of uniform financial reporting standards on the notion that uniform standards improve the quality of financial reporting regarding comparability.
The accounting world is shaped by stringent and clear rules, principles, standards and guidelines. These are all meant to define accounting operations and reporting discipline. With the emergence of International Accounting Standards (IAS), which was later replaced by International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the accounting concepts, analysis, disclosures, reporting and presentation became easier and practical. Currently, accountants, managers and related parties find it concrete and consistent in protecting professional boundaries.
First, The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issues The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on U.S securities and exchange companies listed.
Many companies understand that in order to attract people fund in their entities and support them in their long- term operation, information of financial report are one of the most vital requirements for achieving this goal. By referring to the IASB Conceptual Framework of financial reporting in 2010,
IFRS are standards and interpretations adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). They include: International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), International