...Corporate Governance and Accounting Conservatism in China* Donglin Xiaa and Song Zhub,** b School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, China School of Economics and Business Administration, Beijing Normal University, China a Abstract A principal-agent relationship exists among creditors, shareholders and management, and information asymmetry among them leads to asymmetric loss functions, which induces conservative accounting. This paper investigates the determinants of accounting conservatism using accrual-based measures and data from 2001 to 2006 in China. We find that a higher degree of leverage, lower level of control of ultimate shareholders and lower level of management ownership lead to more conservative financial reporting. We also find that political concerns and pressures among state-owned enterprises are greater than those among non-state owned enterprises, which leads to more conservative financial reporting among the former. However, a decrease in such concerns leads to a decrease in accounting conservatism. Overall, we find that among the determinants of conservatism in China, debt is the most important, followed by ownership, and that board has little influence. JEL classification: G30; M41 Keywords: Information asymmetry; Agency problem; Accounting conservatism; Political concerns; Corporate governance * We thank George Yang from Chinese University of Hong Kong and participants at CJAR Summer Research Workshop for helpful comments....
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...professional body representing Chartered Accountants in Australia. Our reach extends to more than 53,000 of today and tomorrow’s business leaders, representing some 43,000 Chartered Accountants and 10,000 of Australia’s best accounting graduates who are currently enrolled in our world-class post-graduate program. Our members work in diverse roles across commerce and industry, academia, government, and public practice throughout Australia and in 107 countries around the world. We aim to lead the profession by delivering visionary thought leadership projects, setting the benchmark for the highest ethical, professional and educational standards and enhancing and promoting the Chartered Accountant brand. We also represent the interests of members to government, industry, academia and the general public by actively engaging our membership and local and international bodies on public policy, government legislation and regulatory issues. The Institute can leverage advantages for its members as a founding member of the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA), an international accounting coalition formed by the world’s premier accounting bodies. The GAA has a membership of 700,000 and promotes quality professional services to share information and collaborate on international accounting issues. Established in 1928, the Institute is constituted by Royal Charter. For further information about the Institute, visit charteredaccountants.com.au Foreword The use of extensions to traditional financial reporting...
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...International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS): Pros and Cons for Investors by Ray Ball* Sidney Davidson Professor of Accounting Graduate School of Business University of Chicago 5807 S. Woodlawn Ave Chicago, IL 60637 Tel. (773) 834 5941 ray.ball@gsb.uchicago.edu Acknowledgments This paper is based on the PD Leake Lecture delivered on 8 September 2005 at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which can be accessed at http://www.icaew.co.uk/cbp/index.cfm. It draws extensively on the framework in Ball (1995) and benefited from comments by Steve Zeff. Financial support from the PD Leake Trust and the Graduate School of Business at the University of Chicago is gratefully acknowledged. 1 Abstract Accounting in shaped by economic and political forces. It follows that increased worldwide integration of both markets and politics (driven by reductions in communications and information processing costs) makes increased integration of financial reporting standards and practice almost inevitable. But most market and political forces will remain local for the foreseeable future, so it is unclear how much convergence in actual financial reporting practice will (or should) occur. Furthermore, there is little settled theory or evidence on which to build an assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of uniform accounting rules within a country, let alone internationally. The pros and cons of IFRS therefore are somewhat conjectural, the unbridled enthusiasm...
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...This article was downloaded by: [Library Services City University London] On: 26 July 2013, At: 08:32 Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK Accounting and Business Research Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rabr20 International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS): pros and cons for investors Ray Ball a a University of Chicago Published online: 28 Feb 2012. To cite this article: Ray Ball (2006) International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS): pros and cons for investors, Accounting and Business Research, 36:sup1, 5-27, DOI: 10.1080/00014788.2006.9730040 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00014788.2006.9730040 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information...
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...NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO STUDENTS Contains Assignment Questions and Suggested Solutions AT1 Accounting Theory & Contemporary Issues 2012 Printing Session 2 Suggested Solutions Level 4 Certified General Accountants Association of Canada 100 — 4200 North Fraser Way Burnaby, British Columbia Canada V5J 5K7 www.cga-canada.org © CGA-Canada, 2012 All rights reserved. These materials or parts thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the prior written permission of the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada. Printed in Canada Every reasonable effort has been made to obtain permissions for all articles and data used in this edition. If errors or omissions have occurred, they will be corrected in future editions, provided written notification has been received by the publisher. Assignment 1 — Session 2 (Winter) This assignment is based on Modules 1 through 5 and is due at the end of Module 5. It is worth 5% of your final course grade. General instructions A. If this is your first time using the Online Learning Environment, check out the Course Orientation and the quick tutorials in the Support Centre. You will find general assignment FAQs in your Assignment Submission/Group Work area. B. Prepare your answers to these assignment questions in Word and save them as one Word document on your hard drive. For the recommended format and filename, see the Assignment Submission/Group Work/FAQ area. If this...
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...é The Effects of Mandatory IFRS Adoption in the EU: A Review of Empirical Research October 2014 Information for Better Markets An initiative from the ICAEW Financial Reporting Faculty The Effects of Mandatory IFRS Adoption in the EU: A Review of Empirical Research forms part of the Information for Better Markets thought leadership programme of ICAEW’s Financial Reporting Faculty. ICAEW operates under a Royal Charter, working in the public interest. As a world leading professional accountancy body, ICAEW provides leadership and practical support to over 142,000 members in more than 160 countries, working with governments, regulators and industry to ensure the highest standards are maintained. The ICAEW Financial Reporting Faculty provides its members with practical assistance and support with IFRS, UK GAAP and other aspects of business reporting. It also comments on business reporting issues on behalf of ICAEW to standard setters and regulators. Its Information for Better Markets thought leadership programme subjects key questions in business reporting to careful and impartial analysis so as to help achieve practical solutions to complex problems. The programme focuses on three key themes: disclosure, measurement and regulation. We welcome comments and enquiries on this report and on the other aspects of the Information for Better Markets programme. To contact us, please email bettermarkets@icaew.com. © ICAEW 2014 All rights reserved. If you want...
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...Accounting Horizons Vol. 24, No. 3 2010 pp. 355–394 American Accounting Association DOI: 10.2308/acch.2010.24.3.355 Global Accounting Convergence and the Potential Adoption of IFRS by the U.S. (Part I): Conceptual Underpinnings and Economic Analysis Luzi Hail, Christian Leuz, and Peter Wysocki SYNOPSIS: This article is Part I of a two-part series analyzing the economic and policy factors related to the potential adoption of IFRS by the United States. In this part, we develop the conceptual framework for our analysis of potential costs and benefits from IFRS adoption in the United States. Drawing on the academic literature in accounting, finance, and economics, we assess the potential impact of IFRS adoption on the quality and comparability of U.S. reporting practices, the ensuing capital market effects, and the potential costs of switching from U.S. GAAP to IFRS. We also discuss the compatibility of IFRS with the current U.S. regulatory and legal environment, as well as the possible macroeconomic effects of IFRS adoption. Our analysis shows that the decision to adopt IFRS mainly involves a cost-benefit trade-off between ͑1͒ recurring, albeit modest, comparability benefits for investors; ͑2͒ recurring future cost savings that will largely accrue to multinational companies; and ͑3͒ one-time transition costs borne by all firms and the U.S. economy as a whole, including those from adjustments to U.S. institutions. In Part II of the series ͑see Hail et al. 2010͒, we provide an analysis...
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...Scott, Financial Accounting Theory, 6th Edition Instructor’s Manual Chapter 2 Suggested Solutions to Questions and Problems 1. P.V. Ltd. Income Statement for Year 2 Accretion of discount (10% × 286.36) $28.64 P.V. Ltd. Balance Sheet As at Time 2 Financial Asset Cash $315.00 Shareholders’ Equity Opening balance Net income Capital Asset Present value 0.00 $315.00 $315.00 $286.36 28.64 Note that cash includes interest at 10% on opening cash balance of $150. 2. Suppose that P.V. Ltd. paid a dividend of $10 at the end of year 1 (any portion of year 1 net income would do). Then, its year 2 opening net assets are $276.36, and net income would be: P.V. Ltd. Income Statement For Year 2 Accretion of discount (10% × 276.36) $27.64 Copyright © 2012 Pearson Canada Inc 11 Scott, Financial Accounting Theory, 6th Edition Instructor’s Manual P.V.’s balance sheet at time 2 would be: P.V. Ltd. Balance Sheet As at Time 2 Financial Asset Cash: (140 + 14 + 150) $304.00 Chapter 2 Shareholders’ Equity Opening balance: $276.36 (286.36 - 10.00 dividend) Capital Asset, at Present value 0.00 $304.00 $304.00 Net income 27.64 Thus, at time 2 the shareholders have: Cash from dividend Interest at 10% on cash dividend, for year 2 Value of firm per balance sheet $10.00 1.00 304.00 $315.00 This is the same value as that of the firm at time 2, assuming P.V. Ltd. paid no dividends (see Question 1). Consequently, the firm’s dividend policy does not matter to the shareholders...
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...Basel Committee on Banking Supervision International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards A Revised Framework Comprehensive Version This document is a compilation of the June 2004 Basel II Framework, the elements of the 1988 Accord that were not revised during the Basel II process, the 1996 Amendment to the Capital Accord to Incorporate Market Risks, and the 2005 paper on the Application of Basel II to Trading Activities and the Treatment of Double Default Effects. No new elements have been introduced in this compilation. June 2006 Requests for copies of publications, or for additions/changes to the mailing list, should be sent to: Bank for International Settlements Press & Communications CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland E-mail: publications@bis.org Fax: +41 61 280 9100 and +41 61 280 8100 © Bank for International Settlements 2006. All rights reserved. Brief excerpts may be reproduced or translated provided the source is stated. ISBN print: 92-9131-720-9 ISBN web: 92-9197-720-9 Contents Introduction ...............................................................................................................................1 Structure of this document........................................................................................................6 Part 1: Scope of Application .....................................................................................................7 I. Introduction.....................
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...CONSULTATION PAPERS ON NEW CAPITAL ADEQUACY STANDARDS IN HONG KONG FEBRUARY 2005 EBRUARY Consultation Papers on New Capital Adequacy Standards in Hong Kong Please send any comments to: Basel II Team Banking Policy Department Hong Kong Monetary Authority 55th Floor Two International Finance Centre 8 Finance Street Central Hong Kong Or by e-mail to: Basel2@hkma.gov.hk by end-March 2005 Table of Contents 1. Weighting framework for credit risk (Standardised Approach) 2. Credit risk mitigation under the Standardised Approach 41 3. Weighting framework for credit risk (IRB Approach) 75 4. Criteria for transition to IRB Approach 137 5. Weighting framework for operational risk 161 1 3 (This page is intentionally left blank.) 2 WEIGHTING FRAMEWORK FOR CREDIT RISK (STANDARDISED APPROACH) Hong Kong Monetary Authority February 2005 3 Weighting Framework for Credit Risk (Standardised Approach) Contents 1. Introduction 1.1 1.2 2. Terminology Scope and application Measurement methodology 2.1 2.2 Credit risk mitigation 2.3 3. Standard portfolios for risk-weighting Calculation of risk-weighted amount Risk weights based on external credit assessment 3.1 Introduction 3.2 The risk weights for individual claims (a) Claims on sovereigns (b) Claims on public sector entities (c) Claims on multilateral development banks (d) Claims...
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...currently the Professor of Accounting at the University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business. He is also the David G. Booth Faculty Fellow. Prior to this position, Professor Leuz was the Harold Stott Term Assistant Professor in Accounting at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Fellow at Wharton’s Financial Institution Center. His research interests include transparency and corporate governance, financial disclosure and securities regulation, and the links between the institutions of market economies. Professor Leuz earned his doctoral degree and “Habilitation” at the Goethe University Frankfurt in Germany. His most recent publications have appeared in the Journal of Financial Economics, the Journal of Accounting and Economics and the Journal of Accounting Research. He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Accounting and Economics and serves currently on the Editorial Board of The Accounting Review, the Journal of Accounting Research, the Journal of Business, Finance and Accounting, and the International Journal of Accounting. He has received several grants and honors, of which the Geewax Terker Prize is the latest. Peter Wysocki Professor Peter Wysocki is an associate professor of management at the MIT Sloan School of Management and has been a member of the MIT accounting faculty since 2001. Peter’s research interests include the links between the institutions of market economies, corporate governance, and the accounting disclosures of U.S. and international...
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...Journal of Accounting and Economics 55 (2013) 66–90 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Journal of Accounting and Economics journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jae Towards an understanding of the role of standard setters in standard setting$ Abigail Allen, Karthik Ramanna n Harvard Business School, USA a r t i c l e in f o abstract Article history: Received 15 September 2010 Received in revised form 24 May 2012 Accepted 25 May 2012 Available online 7 June 2012 We investigate the effect of standard setters in standard setting. We examine how certain professional and political characteristics of FASB members and SEC commissioners predict the accounting ‘‘reliability’’ and ‘‘relevance’’ of proposed standards. Notably, we find FASB members with backgrounds in financial services are more likely to propose standards that decrease ‘‘reliability’’ and increase ‘‘relevance,’’ partly due to their tendency to propose fair-value methods. We find opposite results for FASB members affiliated with the Democratic Party, although only when excluding financialservices background as an independent variable. Jackknife procedures show that results are robust to omitting any individual standard setter. & 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. JEL classification: D72 D78 G18 K22 L51 M41 Keywords: Accounting FASB Politics Relevance Reliability Standard setting 1. Introduction As the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) closes...
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...More Than a Numbers Game A Brief Histor y of Accounting Thomas A. King John Wiley & Sons, Inc. More Than a Numbers Game More Than a Numbers Game A Brief Histor y of Accounting Thomas A. King John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Copyright © 2006 by Thomas A. King. All rights reserved. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey. Published simultaneously in Canada. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, (978) 750-8400, fax (978) 646-8600, or on the web at www.copyright.com. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, (201) 748-6011, fax (201) 748-6008, or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions. Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability...
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...Santander UK plc 2011 Half Yearly Financial Report Intentionally left blank Santander UK plc Half Yearly Financial Report for the six months ended 30 June 2011 Contents Chief Executive Officer’s Review and Forward-looking Statements Chief Executive Officer’s Review 2 Forward-looking Statements 5 General Information 5 Business and Financial Review – Interim Management Report Business Review - Summary 6 Business Review – Divisional Results 9 Other Material Items 18 Balance Sheet Business Review 20 Risk Management 39 Principal Risks and Uncertainties 110 Related Party Transactions 111 Gender Diversity 111 Board of Directors 111 Financial Statements Independent Review Report to Santander UK plc 112 Primary Financial Statements 113 Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements 117 Shareholder Information Risk Factors 152 Glossary of Financial Services Industry Terms 163 Directors’ Responsibility Statement 177 1 Business Review and Forward-looking Statements Chief Executive Officer’s Review Overview Santander UK has delivered profit in the first six months of 2011 maintaining its strong track record of profitability and balance sheet strength. In line with other UK banks, a further provision for payment protection insurance remediation has also been made, resulting in statutory profit after tax attributable to equity shareholders declining by 51% to £413m. Santander UK’s trading profit before tax was £1,142m, 2% lower than the first half of 2010, impacted...
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...ASPE applies to private enterprises; CICA Part III ASNFPO applies to not-for-profit organizations. CICA Part IV ASPP applies to pension plans. For governments and government organizations, see under Public Sector Accounting (PSA) Handbook for details of what applies. Note 2: Part II and V Definitions may not be identical — check the CICA Handbook — Accounting. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Abnormal earnings Also referred to as unexpected earnings. Differences between the expected value of earnings and the actual realized. Absorption costing Absorption costing is a method of assigning costs to inventory. It includes fixed overhead costs in addition to variable overhead costs added to direct materials and direct labour to calculate unit cost. Accelerated amortization Accelerated amortization is a method of allocating the cost of an asset in which the annual amortization amounts are larger in an asset’s early years and decrease over time. An example of accelerated amortization would be the double-declining balance method. Access controls Procedures designed to restrict access to online terminal devices, programs, and data. Access controls consist of ”user authentication” and ”user authorization.” Account Place within an accounting system where the increases and decreases in a specific asset, liability, owner’s equity, revenue, or expense are recorded and stored. Account analysis An account analysis is the identification of each important...
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