Accounting Forum 28 (2004) 1–5 Introduction Social and environmental accounting: trends and thoughts for the future Over the years Accounting Forum has explored different possible directions for the field of social and environmental accounting. With a new publisher—Elsevier—it is our hope that we shall reach new markets and opportunities. In recent issues, these explorations have been extended to theorising the role of accounting in transnational global processes, and to the channels of global information and the interpretation of that information. In particular, contributions have attempted to explore the notion that accounting discourse is a medium through which relationships between business and society can be created, nurtured …show more content…
A cross-sectional analysis indicates that the share price response is mainly a function of the relative fine imposed on the firm; other explanatory variables such as environmental performance news or sector membership were unsuccessful in explaining variations in the market responses they observed. Equally, Accounting Forum has been interested in the interdependencies between social and environmental accounting which extend to the nexus between accounting and information to employees and other relevant parties. In this issue of Accounting Forum, R. G. Day presents evidence concerning the evolution of reporting about employees in the last century and its relationship with mandatory disclosure rules (Day, 2004). This is an interesting phenomenon, given that the current conceptual framework for corporate environmental reporting has only recently begun to analyse the relationship between voluntary and regulated disclosure. For example, accounting research is only just beginning to examine the relationships between the role that International Standards such as ISO 14001 have had on the reporting function. In Day’s article, however, he focuses on evidence from the UK and finds that there is an apparent disregard for statutory disclosures. Implicit in much of the Corporate Environmental and Social Reporting (CE&SR) literature is the supposition
The Triple Bottom Line (TBL) accounting concept and framework was first created by John Elkington in the mid 1990’s, and has since changed the way for-profit, non-profit and government agencies measure the sustainability of their initiatives and company. The TBL framework is flexible and can be adopted and molded based on the specific needs of an organization. The framework is comprised of three parts, which are: social (People), environmental (Planet), and financial (Profit), commonly referred to as 3Ps. This framework does spark debate regarding the ethical problems behind measuring, quantifying and accounting for social and environmental variables, which is often not supported by many
S., & Hassan, M. K. (2012). The domination of financial accounting on managerial Commerce & Management, 22(4), 306-327. doi:10.1108/10569211211284502
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 role of financial reporting is to portray the economic position of a firm in a timely and credible manner. These financial statements should serve as a useful information source for different stakeholders in making economic decisions. For information to be useful it should be relevant and reliable (accounting book). Because the reported earnings could affect the decision making of stakeholders or contractual outcomes which are related to remuneration of managers or debt covenants, managers have strong incentives to adjust earnings to a desired pre-determined level (Watts, 1990) . Although established accounting standards limit the use of opportunism, the determinant is that managers have flexibility in choosing the accounting method, and the existing information asymmetry between them and external stakeholders allows them to prepare the financial reports to their own advantage. Information asymmetry is the information advantage
The purpose of accounting is to record the financial information, such as transactions and performance, related to a business. The accounting profession has been in existence for as long as business transactions have occurred. It wasn’t until 1494, however, when Luca Pacioli, a Venetian merchant, wrote Summa de Arithmetica, Geometrio, Proportioni et Proportionalita. His writings described a two-entry system of debits and credits, which became the basis for modern accounting systems. Three centuries later, with the emergence of the Industrial Revolution and the development of corporations, the profession of being an accountant became a necessity to keep track of the rising costs and cash flows. As a result, the American Association of Public
My recommendation would be to sample years that are passed 2002 and on to get a more accurate result for the study. I felt like there was so much going on with testing before and after the events took into effect. Even though it was a good size of sample and enough quarters from where to gather information from the time frame plays an important role. The Regulation Fair Disclosure that took place in October 23, 2000 made a great impact towards the way information was not allowed to be disclosed. I feel that it took an effect on the results since the information was gathered that year and was dealing with information asymmetry. In Li, Ha and Nabar (2014) they conclude that there is a difference that exists between pre and post regulation fair disclosure. The authors mention how the stock prices after the fact were more precise in relation to stock splits than before regulation fair disclosure took place. Also, with Sarbanes Oxley Act taking effect in 2002 could also have more managers disclosing information more voluntarily than before it took effect. In Aftermath (2015) he states that SOX arose because of the number of scandals that had taken place. So, with this said it shows how the disclosing of information is important and now that it is implemented will help in lowering the risk of having unreliable information. On another note as for the equations that were used throughout the paper I find them quite interesting and understandable. As well as the variables that were used in the tables are clearly defined and the tables do provide evidence to sustain their
The second section of this report looks at the first recommendation which suggests firms to report different set of accounting information for its different users. Professional investors are very critical of the two approaches put forward as they do not want exclusion on financial information. The third section of the report looks at the second recommendations on how auditors can play a significant role in encouraging firms to omit immaterial disclosures. Profession investor can rely on auditor’s notes on materiality of financial disclosures when making financial judgments however there are still questions on what is thought to be material. The final part of the report
The push for company reporting to include CSR related information in annual reports is of utmost importance, given the prominence of corporate influence in today’s society. The recommendation to implement triple bottom line reporting would increase the extent to which companies are taking responsibility for the consequences of their actions, in relation to corporate activities that touch on environmental or other issues of community concern13
What makes a large organization like Wal-Mart financially successful? One could say it is the result of outstanding personnel or perhaps a strong determination to succeed. These factors certainly contribute. However the key to financial success in organizations lies in good accounting. Since early civilization began, accounting has been an important part of our financial transactions. In today’s world our use of modern accounting systems and accurate financial statements are critical components that make modern organizations successful. To facilitate understanding of this point one must understand how
Baruch Lev and Feng Gu authors of “The End of Accounting and The Path Forward for Investors and Managers” indicate that over the past 110 years, the structure and content of financial reports has not changed, and that the role that these reports play in influencing the decisions of investors has greatly diminished. Lev and Gu make a case that non-transaction events that are not captured by the financial reports such as those disclosed through 8-k filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) have a greater impact on stock prices, and thus more useful to investors. In addition, they suggest that one of reasons for the decline in usefulness of financial reports stems from the increase of estimates that has made its way into these reports (Lev and Gu 2016).
To be ethic, to be responsible to the society should be the new role of accounting in society. That’s the reason critical perspective accounting have been put forward. It is a theory that questions prevailing social order and how accounting practices actually contribute to inequities. One breach of it is to provide a sustainability report or tribe bottom line that report the social, environment and economic.
Assumes that large firms are more likely to use accounting choices that reduce or defer reported profit so the firms do not attract the attention of politicians or the general public (Bazley & Hancock, 2009).
The Burns and Scapens framework for analyzing managerial accounting change was built on the study of old institutional economics, which sees "economics as a process of social provision, subject to multiple and cumulative causation." This view culminates in a model that argues that the managerial accounting practices at institutions are subject to a process of constant change, influenced by routines and rules. The institutions contribute to these routines and rules, but so do actions on the part of managers within the institutions. By combining multiple influences over time, we arrive at modern managerial accounting practice. In other words, Burns and Scapens tells us that managerial accounting practice changes over time, influenced by a number of factors including rules, routines and actions.
Management accounting is a political technology, constantly evolving to meet demands of stakeholders of a company and to facilitate competitive advantage. A management accountant acts as a tool to devise and implement strategies. Pre-1920, decision-making processes were executed using strictly financial instruments such as cost profit analysis. “The growth of modern corporation, between 1880 and 1925 provided stimulus for development in innovative management accounting practices” (Kaplan, 1984). Due to the prominence of the world trade organisation and international monetary fund, trade barriers have
Accounting is the language of business. It is a profession that is being guided by principles, concepts, conventions, laws, etc. All these fundamental building blocks serve as common and general compasses to all practitioners of the profession. In some cases, they are nation-wide tailored, while in other cases, they are universally tailored. Accounting as a living, practical, dynamic and realistic profession covers so many areas of social, economic (business), and governmental activities. Surely, any endeavour that involves monetary and material activities create a room for the services of Accounting. Many of the human endeavours for which the accounting profession plays significant (some times inevitable) roles include; Banking, Insurance, Manufacturing, Farming Contracting, Oil and Gas, Mining, Transportation (Air, Land and Sea), Educational Institutions, Churches, Ministries, ICT, Hire Purchase, Local Government Authorities, Estate Businesses, Export and Import Businesses, Bill of Exchange Transactions, Royalties Transactions, Consignment Transactions, Stock Market Transactions, Sports, Entertainment, Hospitals and Hospitality Industry, etc.