Independent monitoring and review functions in a financial reporting context

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albertus Louw ◽  
Warren Maroun
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Corporate Reporting ◽  
Independent Review

Purpose Independent monitoring and review bodies have become a defining feature of the professional accounting and auditing space. Exactly how these institutions function to improve the quality of the corporate reporting or audit function is, however, poorly understood. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to provide empirical evidence on how the activities of an independent review process functions on individual preparers, auditors and those charged with an organisation’s governance. Design/methodology/approach The study is an interpretive one. Data are collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed by the researchers. Findings The review function performed by an independent body results in companies being more aware of the need for compliance with the applicable financial reporting standards. Independent reviews also act as a process of examination which functions at the level of the individual accountant, auditor or director. These subjects of regulation report an added sense of accountability to their respective employer and profession and a heightened awareness of the need for high-quality corporate reporting. Research limitations/implications Independent monitoring and review bodies are not just symbolic displays which reassure uninformed users that the quality of financial statements are sound. Examination of financial statements and identification of non-compliance with the applicable financial reporting standards drive actual changes in reporting practices. Originality/value This study complements the predominantly positivist financial reporting research which does not deal with precisely how the work of regulatory bodies operates on the subjects of regulation. The research makes an important practical contribution by providing empirical evidence in support of laws and regulations which promote independent review of the accounting profession.

Empirical Study on the Effect of Adopting the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on the Quality of Earnings using Beneish Model in a Sample of Banks Listed in the Iraqi Stock Exchange

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahraa Nasser Ali ◽  
Hakeem Hammood Flayyih
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Commercial Banks ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
International Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Global Capital ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
The Impact

The need for international financial reporting standards (IFRS) emerged due to the increasing degree of interdependence between global capital markets and the need for investors to obtain reliable and honest financial information in expressing economic events, in order to find a common financial language, and this is what IFRS provide. Nevertheless, the research aimed to measure the impact of the adoption of IFRS on the quality of earnings in the Iraqi banks listed in the Iraqi Stock Exchange for a sample of 30 banks. The Beneish model was used to measure the quality of earnings, while Mann-Whitney was used to measure and prove the hypothesis of the research. However, the research reached a set of conclusions, including that although the IFRS should contribute to improving the quality of financial reporting, the adoption of these standards in commercial banks listed in the Iraq Stock Exchange did not contribute to achieving quality in earnings even after adopting those standards. Furthermore, a Beneish model is an important tool for auditors, financial analysts, investors, and creditors who have the ability to understand the financial statements or those who have a reasonable understanding of the nature of those financial statements in measuring the quality of earnings, because it is a simple and easy to implement tool.

Risk Management in Green Corporate Strategies

2015 ◽  
pp. 189-210
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Corporate Strategies ◽  
Corporate Reporting ◽  
Major Variable ◽  
Fundamental Research

The risk is almost always a major variable in a corporate decision-making. However, few can predict with any precision the future. Nevertheless, managers that ignore it are in a real threat. Relevant social and environmental risks and potential impacts should be considered in the process of sustainability policies implementation. This chapter presents a literature review of existing risks outlined by the main reporting frameworks. It debates the influence of social and environmental approach in corporate reporting models. Further, the chapter develops an analysis of specific requirements regarding risks and uncertainties reported into the financial statements according to different financial reporting standards and their connection to social and environmental information that an entity should disclose. The focus of this chapter is on fundamental research that is related to inductive accounting theory and uses scientific methods for identification of corporate reporting theoretical difficulties that could impact the practice in economic entities.

scholarly journals Mandatory vs voluntary exercise on non-financial reporting: does a normative/coercive isomorphism facilitate an increase in quality?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonida Carungu ◽  
Roberto Di Pietra ◽  
Matteo Molinari
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Environmental Accounting ◽  
Voluntary Exercise ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Corporate Reporting

Purpose This paper aims at investigating the quality of non-financial reporting (NFR) in light of Directive no. 2014/95/EU. Specifically, it focuses on the quality of NFR in Italian companies, as required by Legislative Decree no. 254/2016. Design/methodology/approach The method used to develop the analysis is mainly qualitative. A content analysis of 184 non-financial reports (NFRs) was conducted on a sample of 92 companies that have been previously involved in the process of NFR on a voluntary basis. Then, a longitudinal analysis was carried out to assess the quality of the NFR conducted from a voluntary to a mandatory basis. Findings This study shows that the quality of NFR does not increase when moving from a voluntary to a mandatory basis, especially for 25% of the companies that publish supplementary sustainability reports and/or plans. This result demonstrates that preparers may perceive mandatory NFR as a comprehensive best practice to adequately report their social, economic and environmental performance. Originality/value The contribution of this research is threefold. Firstly, it contributes to the social and environmental accounting literature that focuses on NFR quality assessment. Secondly, it contributes to the literature that emphasizes the role of mimetic, coercive and normative isomorphism mechanisms on accounting systems and reporting practices. Thirdly, it contributes to the research gaps for academics highlighted by previous literature on mandatory corporate reporting as a consequence of normative requirements and on the relationship between regulation and mimetic, coercive and normative isomorphic mechanisms within organizations.

Intellectual capital: mediator of board of directors’ effectiveness and adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zainabu Tumwebaze ◽  
Juma Bananuka ◽  
Kassim Alinda ◽  
Kalembe Dorcus
Keyword(s):  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
International Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: to test whether intellectual capital mediates the relationship between board of directors’ effectiveness and adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and to examine the contribution of the specific elements of intellectual capital and board of directors’ effectiveness to adoption of IFRS. Design/methodology/approach This study is cross-sectional. Usable questionnaires were received from 67 microfinance institutions (MFIs) that are members of the Association of MFIs of Uganda. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences and MedGraph program (Excel version). Findings Results indicate that intellectual capital mediates the relationship between board of directors’ effectiveness and adoption of IFRS. Results further indicate that board independence and board meetings contribute significantly to the adoption of IFRS unlike board size and board committees. Results also indicate that in the intellectual capital elements, only structural capital and human capital significantly contribute to the adoption of IFRS unlike relational capital. Originality/value This study provides more insights on our understanding of the relationship between intellectual capital, board of directors’ effectiveness and adoption of IFRS. Specifically, it provides first time evidence of the mediation effect of intellectual capital in the relationship between board of directors’ effectiveness and adoption of IFRS using evidence from an African developing country – Uganda. Further, this paper adds to existing literature on corporate governance and reporting practices, as it provides more insights on the contribution of specific elements of board of directors’ effectiveness and intellectual capital to adoption of IFRS.

scholarly journals Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Ghana and the Quality of Financial Statement Disclosures

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Kwame Agyei-Mensah
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Firm Size ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Information ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards

According to the IASB's IFRS framework, qualitative characteristics are the attributes that make the information provided in financial statements useful to others. This study was conducted to investigate the quality of financial reports before and after adopting IFRSs in Ghana, and also the influence of firm-specific characteristics which include firm size, profitability, debt equity ratio, liquidity and audit firm size on the quality of financial information disclosed by firms listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange.The research was conducted through detailed analysis of the pre-official adoption period, (2006) and post adoption period, (2008) financial statements of the listed firms.  Descriptive analysis was performed to provide the background statistics of the variables examined.  This was followed by regression analysis which forms the main data analysis.  The results of the quality of financial information disclosure mean of 76.80% (pre adoption) and 87.09% (post adoption) for the two years indicate that the quality of financial reports has improved significantly after adopting IFRSs. The study thus confirms that the implementation of IFRSs generally reinforce accounting disclosure quality.  It also indicates listed firms' overwhelming compliance with the IASB's IFRS Framework.The results of the multiple regression analysis show that company size, represented by net assets and Auditor type were found to be associated at a statistically significant level with the quality of financial information disclosed.  With the improvement in the quality of the financial reports after adopting IFRS users are assured of useful information for financial decision-making.Keywords: Quality of financial reports' disclosure, Firm-specific characteristics, International Financial Reporting Standards, Mandatory disclosure, Ghana. JEL Classifications: M40, M41, M48

A Perspective on the SEC’s Proposal to Accept Financial Statements Prepared in Accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) without Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karim Jamal ◽  
George J. Benston ◽  
Douglas R. Carmichael ◽  
Theodore E. Christensen ◽  
Robert H. Colson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Securities And Exchange Commission ◽  
International Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Regulatory Changes ◽  
Better Than

SYNOPSIS: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently issued a call for comment on a proposal to accept financial statements prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) without reconciliation to U.S. GAAP. Accounting researchers have attempted to assess the quality of IFRS using different methods and criteria. While we are skeptical of drawing direct conclusions about the SEC’s proposal based on this research, there is adequate evidence that both IFRS and U.S. GAAP provide useful information to investors and other users of financial statements. Moreover, we see no conclusive research evidence that financial reports prepared using U.S. GAAP are better than reports prepared using IFRS. The prudent approach when faced with alternatives with no clear difference in quality is to promote competition among them, which supports adopting the SEC’s proposal to permit foreign private issuers a choice between IFRS and U.S. GAAP. Furthermore, to help improve U.S. and international GAAP through standards-setting competition, we recommend that the Commission extend the choice of IFRS to U.S. companies, and require all companies to indicate clearly whether they are filing under U.S. GAAP or IFRS. Finally, we recommend that the Commission and its staff investigate and seek feedback on the educational consequences of its proposed actions. This attention will help educators to better prepare future professionals to implement these proposed regulatory changes.

Implementation IFRS in Russia

Auditor ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 23-26
Author(s):  
S. Puchkova ◽  
T. Tkachenko
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
International Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards

This article is devoted to the transition of Russia to International Financial Reporting Standards and the development on their bases of Russian Federal Accounting Standards. Th e article covers the key institutions’ activity involved in the implementation of IFRS in Russia. Approved standards have a great impact on the quality of the presented financial statements, its comparability and usefulness.

Risk Management in Green Corporate Strategies

2018 ◽  
pp. 211-232
Author(s):  
Chirața Caraiani ◽  
Camelia I. Lungu ◽  
Cornelia Dascălu ◽  
Florian Colceag
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Corporate Strategies ◽  
Corporate Reporting ◽  
Major Variable ◽  
Fundamental Research

The risk is almost always a major variable in a corporate decision-making. However, few can predict with any precision the future. Nevertheless, managers that ignore it are in a real threat. Relevant social and environmental risks and potential impacts should be considered in the process of sustainability policies implementation. This chapter presents a literature review of existing risks outlined by the main reporting frameworks. It debates the influence of social and environmental approach in corporate reporting models. Further, the chapter develops an analysis of specific requirements regarding risks and uncertainties reported into the financial statements according to different financial reporting standards and their connection to social and environmental information that an entity should disclose. The focus of this chapter is on fundamental research that is related to inductive accounting theory and uses scientific methods for identification of corporate reporting theoretical difficulties that could impact the practice in economic entities.

scholarly journals Is the accounting quality after the mandatory adoption of IFRS a random walk? Evidence from Europe

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 334-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Isabel Morais ◽  
Ana Fialho ◽  
Andreia Dionísio
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Value Relevance ◽  
Accounting Quality ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Mandatory Adoption ◽  
Specific Factors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence regarding the classification of European countries based on accounting quality metrics. The authors investigate whether the grouping of countries based on accounting quality levels differs from other classifications based on accounting practices or country-specific factors identified in previous studies. Design/methodology/approach The authors run panel data regressions for 2.078 European listed companies using value relevance and earnings smoothing metrics. The authors also apply cluster analysis to classify the countries. Findings The results suggest that the adoption of a common set of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) did not lead to a similar level of accounting quality of financial information. The authors identified three clusters of countries that are not coincident with previous classifications. Research limitations/implications The results show that the adoption of different accounting practices allowed in IFRS does not necessarily influence accounting quality. Practical implications The results suggest that the way regulators decided to incorporate IFRS into national accounting systems is one issue that may be relevant in explaining the three clusters. Originality/value The paper provides empirical evidence that supports two theoretical assertions. The first is that a classification depends entirely on the characteristics used to represent the countries being classified. The second is that the adoption of a single set of accounting standards does not determine similar accounting practices and does not lead to similar levels of accounting quality.

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