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Does Convergence of Accounting Standards Lead to the Convergence of Accounting Practices?: A Study from China

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  • Peng, Songlan
  • Tondkar, Rasoul H.
  • van der Laan Smith, Joyce
  • Harless, David W.

Abstract

In this empirical study we examine whether China's efforts to converge domestic accounting standards with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) over the past 15 years have resulted in the successful convergence of Chinese listed firms. This study is unique in that we evaluate convergence of firms' accounting practices from three perspectives: (1) the level of compliance with Chinese GAAP and IFRS, (2) the consistency of accounting choices under Chinese GAAP and IFRS, and (3) identification of significant differences in the net incomes produced under Chinese GAAP and IFRS (earnings gap). Using the 1999 and 2002 annual reports of 79 Chinese listed firms we find improvement in both compliance with IFRS and in the consistency of the accounting methods used in annual reports prepared under Chinese GAAP and IFRS. We also find a reduction in the earnings gap from 1999 to 2002. However, interestingly we observed that Chinese listed firms' compliance with IFRS is significantly lower than their compliance with Chinese GAAP. Overall we believe that our findings suggest that in China the convergence of accounting standards has been a conduit to the convergence of accounting practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Peng, Songlan & Tondkar, Rasoul H. & van der Laan Smith, Joyce & Harless, David W., 2008. "Does Convergence of Accounting Standards Lead to the Convergence of Accounting Practices?: A Study from China," The International Journal of Accounting, Elsevier, vol. 43(4), pages 448-468, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:accoun:v:43:y:2008:i:4:p:448-468
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    6. Ross Taplin & Yafang Zhao & Alistair Brown, 2014. "Failure of auditors: The lack of compliance for business combinations in China," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 8(3), pages 310-331, September.
    7. Helen Hong Yang & Colin Clark & Changyu Wu & Alan Farley, 2018. "Insights from Accounting Practitioners on China's Convergence with IFRS," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 28(1), pages 14-27, March.
    8. Song, Jing & Wang, Rui & Cavusgil, Salih Tamer, 2015. "State ownership and market orientation in China's public firms: An agency theory perspective," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(4), pages 690-699.
    9. Niclas Hellman & Jordi Carenys & Soledad Moya Gutierrez, 2018. "Introducing More IFRS Principles of Disclosure – Will the Poor Disclosers Improve?," Accounting in Europe, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(2), pages 242-321, May.
    10. Peng, Songlan & van der Laan Smith, Joyce, 2010. "Chinese GAAP and IFRS: An analysis of the convergence process," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 19(1), pages 16-34.
    11. Hooghiemstra, Reggy, 2010. "Letters to the shareholders: A content analysis comparison of letters written by CEOs in the United States and Japan," The International Journal of Accounting, Elsevier, vol. 45(3), pages 275-300, September.
    12. Zhang, Eagle & Andrew, Jane, 2016. "Rethinking China: Discourse, convergence and fair value accounting," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 1-21.
    13. Trien Le & Trevor Buck, 2011. "State ownership and listed firm performance: a universally negative governance relationship?," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 15(2), pages 227-248, May.
    14. Tan, Youchao & Zhu, Zhenmei & Zeng, Cheng & Gao, Minghua, 2014. "Does external finance pressure affect corporate disclosure of Chinese non-state-owned enterprises?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 212-222.

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