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Does transition to IFRS substantially affect key financial ratios in shareholder-oriented common law regimes? Evidence from the UK

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  • Lueg, Rainer
  • Punda, Pawel
  • Burkert, Michael

Abstract

This paper provides evidence of how a transition to IFRS affects key financial ratios and the pertinent financial statement items. Building on Lantto and Sahlström's (2009) evidence from creditor-oriented code law regimes, we examine the impact of IFRS transition on listed companies in the shareholder-oriented common law regime of the UK. The study contributes two insights: First – despite their similarities – conversion from the UK General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to IFRS leads to substantial differences in key financial ratios. These even surpass differences reported by companies in creditor-oriented code law regimes. We find that medians of profitability ratios increased substantially: Operating Income Margin (OPM) increased by 10.8%, Return on Equity (ROE) by 27.0%, and Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) by 14.4%. The Current Ratio (CR) and Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio also exhibit significant but less drastic changes of 4.2% and −2.9%, respectively. Second, differences in shareholder-oriented common law regimes have the same causes as in creditor-oriented code law regimes, i.e., an increase in Operating Income, Net Income, Current Liabilities and Invested Capital, as well as a decrease in Shareholder Equity.

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  • Lueg, Rainer & Punda, Pawel & Burkert, Michael, 2014. "Does transition to IFRS substantially affect key financial ratios in shareholder-oriented common law regimes? Evidence from the UK," Advances in accounting, Elsevier, vol. 30(1), pages 241-250.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:advacc:v:30:y:2014:i:1:p:241-250
    DOI: 10.1016/j.adiac.2014.03.002
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