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The decision usefulness of reported cash flow and accrual information in a behavioural field experiment

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  • Divesh Sharma
  • Errol Iselin

Abstract

While recent capital market studies tend to reveal some information content in cash flows, their results may not be generalisable to other contexts such as the assessment of solvency. Mandated accounting standards on cash flow emphasise the relevance of cash flow data for assessing solvency. However, there is a paucity of research that specifically investigates this contention. Accordingly, this study investigates the decision usefulness of reported cash flow and accrual information in a behavioural field solvency assessment experiment. Using a two-group between-subjects field experiment design, bankers with at least three years corporate lending experience made solvency judgments using either cash flow cues or accrual cues. We found that, as hypothesised, judgments based on cash flow information were more accurate than judgments based on accrual information. The difference in judgment accuracy was more pronounced for insolvent (failed) companies than for solvent (non-failed) companies. This observation suggests that cash flow information is more decision useful for firms experiencing financial distress. Our results therefore imply that cash flow information has greater decision usefulness than accrual information for assessing corporate solvency and support the mandate of the Statement of Cash Flows. Our results also support the normative arguments of proponents of cash flow reporting.

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  • Divesh Sharma & Errol Iselin, 2003. "The decision usefulness of reported cash flow and accrual information in a behavioural field experiment," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(2), pages 123-135.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:acctbr:v:33:y:2003:i:2:p:123-135
    DOI: 10.1080/00014788.2003.9729639
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    3. Saoussen Boujelben & Hela Khemakhem-Feki & Ahmad Alqatan, 2020. "Real earnings management and the relevance of operating cash flows: A study of french listed firms," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 17(4), pages 218-229, December.
    4. Dariusz Wędzki, 2008. "Cash flow in corporate bankruptcy. A literature review," Operations Research and Decisions, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Management, vol. 18(2), pages 87-104.
    5. Dang Duc Son & Neil Marriott & Pru Marriott, 2006. "Users' perceptions and uses of financial reports of small and medium companies (SMCs) in transitional economies: Qualitative evidence from Vietnam," Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 3(3), pages 218-235, September.
    6. Baljit K. Sidhu & CHUAN YU, 2021. "Direct Method Operating Cash Flow Disclosures: Determinants and Incremental Usefulness," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 57(3), pages 421-467, September.
    7. Pamela Kent & Richard Kent & Robyn McCormack & Julie‐Anne Tarr, 2023. "Disclosure of liquidity and cash flow statements by Australian superannuation funds before Covid‐19," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(2), pages 2653-2675, June.
    8. Cassar, Gavin & Ittner, Christopher D. & Cavalluzzo, Ken S., 2015. "Alternative information sources and information asymmetry reduction: Evidence from small business debt," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 59(2), pages 242-263.

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