0000000000034665
AUTHOR
Begoña Giner
Commentary. Current State and Future Challenges of the IFRS: Some Thoughts
My first words are to congratulate and thank Roberto, Stuart, and Joshua for bringing this most interesting and timely book on Accounting Regulation into the public domain.
Bank Loan Loss Accounting and Its Contracting Effects: The New Expected Loss Models
As a result of the recent financial crisis, several key institutions urged the IASB and the FASB to re-evaluate their models for loan loss accounting and use more forward-looking information. The paper examines the principal features of the new expected loss approach, taking into account the tensions between accounting and prudential objectives with respect to credit losses. We discuss the rationales for the change introduced by IFRS 9 and explore the differences between the IASB and the FASB models. Based on the notions of accounting conservatism and earnings management, we discuss the potential consequences of the new models. While both the FASB and the IASB model are more conservative th…
Political Interference in Financial Reporting in the Financial Industry: Evidence from Spain
This paper provides a theoretical background, based on legal and political fields, which we adapt to explain political interference in accounting in the “public interest”, at a critical moment —the last financial crisis. This framework goes beyond the positive accounting theory, and in particular the political cost hypothesis, to explain politicians’ influence on financial reporting. We examine the behavior of the newly elected Spanish government, which issued accounting impairment rules for banks in spite of IFRS being in place. The paper considers a highly politically connected financial entity —Bankia— as a case under study, where the political interference might have impacted the accoun…
On the Asymmetric Recognition of Good and Bad News in France, Germany and the United Kingdom
We investigate whether accounting systems recognise bad news more promptly in earnings than good news, where news is proxied by changes in share price. The analysis is based on a sample of firm/years drawn from France, Germany, and the UK during 1990 to 1998. These three countries are the originators of three distinct legal traditions. Previous studies have argued that asymmetric recognition, one manifestation of conservative accounting, is sensitive to legal background and history. We find that in all three countries the contemporaneous association between earnings and returns is much stronger for bad news (i.e. when price changes are negative) than for good news, and although the results …
Conservatism and Accounting Earnings
The article refers to accounting conservatism and its relation with accounting earnings. After providing the conceptual background of the prudence concept, which is the basis of accounting conservatism, the paper introduces some more empirically testable concepts, known as conditional and unconditional conservatism. It also explains the economics behind this accounting practice, mainly associated to contracting due to the asymmetric information between managers and external stakeholders, but also linked to litigation risks, taxation, political and regulatory processes. After providing a brief explanation of the empirical measures of conservatism, it gives a summary of the vast empirical res…
Special Issue on Accounting and Politics
During the last years many things have happened in the European accounting landscape. We observe the new proactive role of the EU Parliament that started in the aftermath of the financial crisis in...
The Value Relevance of Operating Lease Liabilities: Economic Effects of IFRS 16
The new IASB and FASB models for leases aim to improve the quality of financial reporting. To this end, both standard setters impose the recognition of assets and liabilities for operating leases. Meanwhile, preparers have been strongly lobbying against these changes, as in their view the new treatment will lead to negative economic consequences. We undertake a value‐relevance study to examine whether as‐if capitalised operating leases are priced by market users in a relatively unexplored setting. We consider Spanish listed firms, and employ hand‐collected data on operating leases disclosed in the notes to the financial statements to constructively capitalise the assets and liabilities. Our…
Determinantes de la discrecionalidad directiva en la elección del método contable de las participaciones en negocios conjuntos
RESUMENEste trabajo analiza los motivos que subyacen a la eleccion contable para registrar las participaciones en un tipo concreto de negocio conjunto: la sociedad multigrupo. Dadas las caracteristicas de los metodos alternativos, integracion proporcional vs. puesta en equivalencia, la eleccion contable no afecta al resultado sino a la cantidad de informacion y con ello a los ratios financieros. El analisis se refiere a cincuenta y una empresas espanolas cotizadas que llevaron a cabo 893 elecciones en el periodo de vigencia de las NFCAC (1991–2004). Estas normas daban libertad para elegir un procedimiento u otro sin exigir consistencia. Los resultados del analisis logistico evidencian que l…
Earnings management of target firms and deal premiums: The role of industry relatedness
This paper contributes to the merger and acquisitions (M&A) literature by providing evidence for the role of industry relatedness in the association between target firms' earnings management (EM) before the deal and the premium offered by the acquirer. We argue that familiarity with the industry's policies and practices is a crucial factor that helps acquirers to see through targets' EM. Our evidence supports this prediction in relation to accounting manipulation as we observe that the income increasing accrual manipulation of the target results in significantly higher premiums offered by acquirers in interindustry deals, which is not the case when targets and acquirers belong to the same i…
Bank Loan Loss Accounting: Research Implications for the Post-Crisis Debate
The IASB and the FASB have recently re-evaluated the current model underlying loan loss accounting (the ‘incurred loss’). Taking into consideration the G20‘s advice on using more forward-looking information, they introduce a new approach (the ‘expected loss’ model). This paper reviews the academic literature to shed some light on the new expected loss models when applied to the financial industry. The accounting literature discussed in this study outlines both general theoretical findings and empirical evidence that help to infer the potential impact of the new models. Given the link between loan loss impairment and accounting conservatism as well as earnings management, we explore these co…
An empirical assessment of the Feltham-Ohlson models considering the sign of abnormal earnings
Abstract This paper provides an empirical assessment of the Feltham-Ohlson models, distinguishing between firms with positive and negative abnormal earnings. Abnormal earnings persistence and conservatism parameters differ for these two groups; this implies different earnings prediction models and valuation functions for both profit-making and loss-making firms. The analysis refers to the period 1991-1999 and uses a sample of Spanish firms quoted on the Madrid S.E. The results suggest that our contextual approach is more useful than the non-contextual one to predict future abnormal earnings and explain current prices. Although the Ohlson (1995) model is accurate in forecasting future abnorm…
Operating lease decision and the impact of capitalization in a bank-oriented country
ABSTRACTThis article explores the reasons why firms engage in operating leases and examines the potential impact of a change in the related accounting rules. We focus on the accounting advantage of off-balance financing, which does not affect the typical accounting-based covenants especially important in bank-oriented countries. However, we also consider other economically based arguments. Using manually collected operating lease data for Spanish listed firms, we use the constructive capitalization method to measure as-if liabilities. The results confirm that not only size and industry affect the decision but that firms closer to breaching their covenants are also more inclined to choose op…
Assessing the impact of operating lease capitalization with dynamic Monte Carlo simulation
Abstract The European Commission has recently adopted a new accounting standard for leases that will be implemented in 2019, which requires operating lease contracts to be included in the balance sheet, affecting key ratios, leverage and profitability. We simulate the impact of IFRS 16 using Monte Carlo method, which incorporates the uncertainty of the future value of variables when making predictions. Unlike prior studies based on historical data, our study considers a five-year forecast horizon and, more importantly, contemplates several probable scenarios. Based on the STOXX All Europe 100, our results confirm that, in 2019, liability maturity, liquidity and return on assets will decreas…
The Risk-Relevance of Accounting Data: Evidence from the Spanish Stock Market
This paper analyses the relevance of accounting fundamentals to inform about equity risk as measured by the cost of equity capital. Assuming the latter is a summary measure of how investors make decisions regarding the allocation of resources, the strength of the association between the cost of capital and the accounting-based measures of risk indicates how important these measures are for market participants when making economic decisions. To infer the cost of equity capital, we use the O'Hanlon and Steele's method, which is based on the residual income valuation model. Moreover, we use the insights from this model to provide a theoretical underpinning for the choice of the accounting vari…
Lobbying on Accounting Standards: Evidence from IFRS 2 on Share-Based Payments
Lobbying is an essential part of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) standard-setting process. There is still much to learn, however, about key aspects of the roles played and arguments employed by various constituents when lobbying practices do occur. This paper focuses on the regulation of share-based payments. As these transactions were under-regulated before International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 2, we expect that the strong debate that occurred during the 1990s resulted in conflicting opinions when this standard was under discussion. To analyse lobbying behaviour and assess its influence on the IASB's decision-making, we conducted a content analysis of 539 le…
Accounting for Emission Trading Schemes: A Still Open Debate
AbstractEmission allowances form the common trading currency introduced by the European Emission Trading Scheme to cover the emission of greenhouse gases. This initiative forces companies to internalise environmental expenses, so that it has an impact on accounting practices. The aim of this note is to discuss some alternative views on how to record this economic transaction, which could help the International Accounting Standards Board to find an accepted proposal. Adopting a common approach would always be preferable to the current situation characterised by total discretion. Indeed relying on the business model as proposed by the Autorite des Normes Comptables and the European Financial …
On the Review of structure and effectiveness of the IFRS Foundation : the EAAs Financial Reporting Standards Committees view
AbstractIn July 2015 the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation launched its third five year review of its structure and effectiveness of the organisation. In a public call, the Trustees solicited stakeholders’ input on the relevance of IFRS Standards with respect to broadening the IFRS scope and to the impact of new technology, on the consistent application of IFRS and on the governance and funding of the International Accounting Standards Board and the IFRS Foundation. The European Accounting Association (EAA)’s Financial Reporting Standards Committee responded to this request for views by submitting a comment letter based on research-informed opinions. This article…
La capitalización de los arrendamientos operativos: Análisis del impacto en las empresas del IBEX 35
Purpose: This paper analyzes the consequences of the change in the accounting rules about operating leases in the companies and users of financial information. Design/methodology: We use the constructive capitalization method to estimate the liabilities and leased assets and perform an ex ante analysis of the regulatory impact in the IBEX 35 non-financial companies. Non-parametric tests are employed to examine the effect on certain ratios, and through a multivariate regression we investigate the business characteristics that explain the variation of EBITDA. Findings: The ratios under study are significantly affected by the capitalization of operating leases. The explanatory analysis shows t…
Family entrepreneurial orientation as a driver of longevity in family firms: a historic analysis of the ennobled Trenor family and Trenor y Cía
This study uses family entrepreneurial orientation to explain longevity and trans-generational value creation in Trenor y Cia., a Spanish family firm that remained in business for over three genera...
The Idiosincrancies of the European M&A Market
This paper provides a comprehensive descriptive analysis of the European market of mergers and acquisitions (MA 2) method of payment; 3) geographical scope; 4) target’s attitude; 5) bidders’ competition; 6) industry relatedness; 7) public status of the firms involved; and 8) acquirers’ ownership of targets before and after the transaction. Additionally, we identify the similarities and differences of this market with those of the dominant market worldwide, namely the US. Both markets show similar trends in their activity and the occurrence of waves concentrated around economic shocks. However, the European market notably exhibits higher levels of friendly and cash deals.
Do Cross-Country Differences in Accounting Conservatism Explain Variations in the Degree of Investor Diversification?
We show that the level of conditional accounting conservatism of foreign markets is significantly and positively associated with decisions to diversify portfolios internationally. This positive association could be either because conditional conservatism per se is attractive to international investors, or because the un-modelled factors that attract foreign investors to a country also cause these countries to adopt conditionally conservative accounting practices. However, if conditional conservatism serves to alleviate foreign investors’ concerns related to insiders having asymmetric access to information then one would also expect the chosen mode of entry into a foreign market (as foreign …
The Value Relevance of Risk Disclosure: An Analysis of the Banking Sector
The aim of this study is to test whether financial risk disclosures required by IFRS 7 and Pillar 3 are value relevant for investors to support them in their investment decisions. The sample in the...
Opening the black box of accounting for Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The different views of institutional bodies and firms
Abstract This paper highlights the current accounting approaches to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In particular, it explores and critically discusses the treatment of emission rights (ER) under carbon trading schemes from two distinct angles. On the one hand, it reviews the domestic solutions adopted by accounting bodies and, on the other, it examines current practices followed by firms in the European Energy Exchange (EEX). Regarding the former group, there are substantial differences, which would suggest some potential difficulties in finding a common solution for the future. Not surprisingly, there is still a diversity of approaches with regard to how firms report ER. Although the most…
Implementation of IFRS in Japan: An Analysis of Voluntary Adoption by Listed Firms
Since 2010 Japanese listed firms can voluntarily use international financial reporting standards for their consolidated financial statements. Using financial and non-financial data, we carry out a comprehensive research into the adopters’ determinants. We employ a multi-period logit model that considers every annual decision made along the period 2010-2019. We find that the having outside networks through subsidiaries and a strong internal corporate governance system are key factors. We also confirm a contagion effect. Finally, our results suggest that goodwill is also relevant, since only Japanese accounting standards require annual amortization.
National Standard-Setters’ Lobbying: An Analysis of its Role in the IFRS 2 Due Process
As the IASB’s due process sustains, the national standard-setters play a key role in the development of IFRS. There is still much to learn, however, about their lobbying practices, which arguments they use and when they do it. This chapter focuses on the accounting of share-based payments that were under-regulated before IFRS 2. To analyze lobbying behavior of this relevant group of stakeholders, we conduct a content analysis of the 27 comment letters addressing the documents issued by the G4+1 and the IASB that preceded IFRS 2. Consistent with institutional theory, our analysis of lobbying activity by national standard-setters shows that participation increased at the end of the process, a…
The use of the internet for corporate reporting by Spanish companies
During the last decade there has been a profound revolution in the information technology by means of the Internet, and obviously accounting has been directly affected by this change. Although the main objective of this paper is to study the use of the Internet by Spanish companies to disclose financial information, we also discuss about the reasons of companies to use the new technologies to communicate with interested parties and its consequences. The empirical research is based on companies listed on the Madrid stock exchange , we analyse not only the information provided, but also the factors that explain the different attitudes of companies towards this vehicle for investors relationsh…
The influence of conditional conservatism on ownership dispersion: An international analysis
ABSTRACTWe study the influence of conditional accounting conservatism on domestic investor diversification decisions. We argue that a conservative accounting system that promotes the dissemination of bad news and which constrains managers from engaging in opportunistic activities reduces the need for investors to concentrate their ownership, and consequently helps investors to diversify their investments. Through a country-level analysis we show that increased domestic conditional conservatism and higher domestic diversification opportunities lead to higher levels of domestic ownership diversification. Our results are robust to alternative estimates of conditional conservatism, and indicate…
Earnings conservatism: panel data evidence from the European Union and the United States
This paper focuses on earnings conservatism, and provides new evidence based on procedures that account for variability at the firm level, drawing a comparison between the European Union and the United States. A key finding is that the estimated responsiveness of earnings to bad news is substantially higher when unobserved firm-specific effects are modelled. Furthermore, it is shown that accounting has become more conservative not only in the U.S. but also in the EU when taken as a whole, and there is little evidence of marked differences in the asymmetric timeliness of earnings between the two. Indeed, any changes in this property of earnings are likely to be attributable to a common facto…