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Complexity of financial reporting standards and accounting expertise

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  • Chychyla, Roman
  • Leone, Andrew J.
  • Minutti-Meza, Miguel

Abstract

This study tests whether firms seek to mitigate the adverse effects of Financial Reporting Complexity (FRC) by investing in accounting expertise. We develop a measure of FRC based on the complexity of accounting standards that govern annual disclosures. We find that FRC is positively related to the accounting expertise on a firm’s board of directors and audit committee. We also find that accounting expertise mitigates the relation between FRC and negative reporting outcomes. Collectively, this study increases our understanding of the actions firms take to mitigate the negative consequences of FRC, and the role of accounting expertise in this setting.

Suggested Citation

  • Chychyla, Roman & Leone, Andrew J. & Minutti-Meza, Miguel, 2019. "Complexity of financial reporting standards and accounting expertise," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 67(1), pages 226-253.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaecon:v:67:y:2019:i:1:p:226-253
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jacceco.2018.09.005
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    Cited by:

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    3. Rani Hoitash & Udi Hoitash & Ari Yezegel, 2021. "Can sell-side analysts’ experience, expertise and qualifications help mitigate the adverse effects of accounting reporting complexity?," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 57(3), pages 859-897, October.
    4. Obermire, Kara M. & Cohen, Jeffrey R. & Zehms, Karla M., 2021. "Audit committee members’ professional identities: Evidence from the field," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    5. Pinto, Inês & Morais, Ana Isabel & Quick, Reiner, 2020. "The impact of the precision of accounting standards on the expanded auditor’s report in the European Union," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 40(C).
    6. Paul Hribar & Richard Mergenthaler & Aaron Roeschley & Spencer Young & Chris X. Zhao, 2022. "Do Managers Issue More Voluntary Disclosure When GAAP Limits Their Reporting Discretion in Financial Statements?," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(1), pages 299-351, March.
    7. Andersson, Patric & Hellman, Niclas, 2020. "Analysts’ evaluations of acquisitions: Swedish survey evidence on IFRS knowledge and the use of accounting information for valuation purposes," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    8. El’fred Boo & Terence Ng & Premila Gowri Shankar, 2021. "Effects of Advice on Auditor Whistleblowing Propensity: Do Advice Source and Advisor Reassurance Matter?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 174(2), pages 387-402, November.
    9. Hills, Robert & Kubic, Matthew & Mayew, William J., 2021. "State sponsors of terrorism disclosure and SEC financial reporting oversight," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 72(1).
    10. Barber, Russell & Hollie, Dana, 2021. "Does order backlog matter for financial reporting quality? Evidence from revenue restatements," Advances in accounting, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    11. Joost Impink & Mari Paananen & Annelies Renders, 2022. "Regulation‐induced Disclosures: Evidence of Information Overload?," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 58(3), pages 432-478, September.
    12. Blankespoor, Elizabeth & deHaan, Ed & Marinovic, Iván, 2020. "Disclosure processing costs, investors’ information choice, and equity market outcomes: A review," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(2).
    13. Abbas Saad Hamada Alkhuzaie & Muzaffar Asad & Ala'a Zuhair Ahmad Mansour & Mohammed Ali Bait Ali Sulaiman & Umar Nawaz Kayani & Muhammad Uzair Asif, 2024. "Compliance with Accounting Standards by Jordanian SMEs," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 1, pages 89-107.
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    15. Boone, Jeff P. & Khurana, Inder K. & Raman, K.K., 2022. "Accounting estimation intensity, analyst following, and earnings forecast properties," Advances in accounting, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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