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Finanzkrise: die Rolle der Rechnungslegung

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  • Joachim Gassen

Abstract

This paper analyzes the role of financial accounting and reporting in the current financial crisis. Starting outlining the objectives of financial accounting and giving a brief overview over the relevant accounting standards for financial instruments, it highlights the potentially pro-cyclical dynamics of regulations or private contracts which are statically linked to financial accounting outcomes. Also, it surveys the current analytical literature which investigates the relation between market-based accounting standards and real investment activity. In closing, it discusses current regulatory changes in the realm of financial accounting and proposes further steps of regulatory action. Eine der wesentlichen Gründe für das Entstehen und den Verlauf der Finanzkrise dürfte in der Intransparenz moderner Kapitalmärkte liegen. Diese Intransparenz begünstigt einerseits das Entstehen von spekulativen Blasen. Andererseits ist die mangelnde Transparenz wohl wesentlich für die vielfach konstatierte Vertrauenskrise innerhalb des Finanzsektors und zwischen Banken und Nicht-Banken. Intransparenz resultiert aus Informationsasymmetrien und die Reduktion von Informationsasymmetrien ist die Aufgabe der Rechnungslegung. Dementsprechend soll in dem vorliegenden Beitrag die Rolle der Rechnungslegung im Rahmen der Finanzmarktkrise diskutiert werden. Hierfür wird im ersten Abschnitt zunächst die Aufgabe der Rechnungslegung definiert und präzisiert. Anschließend wird der institutionelle Rahmen der Rechnungslegung insbesondere in Bezug auf die Bewertung von Finanzinstrumenten in der gebotenen Kürze dargestellt. Im zweiten Abschnitt wird diskutiert, inwiefern die Bewertungs- und/oder die Koordinationsfunktion der Rechnungslegung mit dem Verlauf der Finanzkrise in Verbindung gebracht werden können. Der dritte Abschnitt dient der kritischen Diskussion der aktuellen regulatorischen Reformbestrebungen vor dem Hintergrund des aufgespannten theoretischen Rahmens. Der letzte Abschnitt fasst die Ergebnisse der Analyse zusammen und wagt einen regulatorisch-normativen Ausblick.

Suggested Citation

  • Joachim Gassen, 2009. "Finanzkrise: die Rolle der Rechnungslegung," Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung / Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 78(1), pages 83-95.
    • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwvjh:78-1-7
    DOI: 10.3790/vjh.78.1.83
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joachim Gassen, 2008. "Are stewardship and valuation usefulness compatible or alternative objectives of financial accounting?," SFB 649 Discussion Papers SFB649DP2008-028, Sonderforschungsbereich 649, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
    2. Allen, Franklin & Carletti, Elena, 2008. "Mark-to-market accounting and liquidity pricing," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(2-3), pages 358-378, August.
    3. Guillaume Plantin & Haresh Sapra & Hyun Song Shin, 2008. "Marking‐to‐Market: Panacea or Pandora's Box?," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(2), pages 435-460, May.
    4. Gjesdal, F, 1981. "Accounting For Stewardship," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 19(1), pages 208-231.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Financial accounting; fair value; fi nancial crisis; regulation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting
    • M48 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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