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The content of accounting standards: Principles versus rules

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  • Bradbury, Michael E.
  • Schröder, Laura B.

Abstract

The Global Accounting Alliance has raised a call for different perspectives on principles-based accounting standards. Based on prior studies this paper identifies a number of characteristics of principles-based accounting standards. It uses content analysis to empirically test whether the asserted characteristics are consistent with the IASB and FASB standards on interest costs. We find that rules-based standards, relative to principles-based standards, have more rules, more justification, acknowledge less judgement is required, have more bright-line thresholds, have more scope exceptions, and are more verbose and complex. The main drafting difference between a rules-based or principles-based approach is whether extensional definitions or intensional definitions are used. Several policy implications are noted.

Suggested Citation

  • Bradbury, Michael E. & Schröder, Laura B., 2012. "The content of accounting standards: Principles versus rules," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 44(1), pages 1-10.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bracre:v:44:y:2012:i:1:p:1-10
    DOI: 10.1016/j.bar.2011.12.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. 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).
    3. Jie Hao & Viet T. Pham, 2022. "COVID‐19 Disclosures and Market Uncertainty: Evidence from 10‐Q Filings," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 32(2), pages 238-266, June.
    4. June Cao & Chris Patel, 2020. "The role of the national institutional environment in IFRS convergence: a new approach," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 60(4), pages 3367-3406, December.
    5. Metrick, Andrew, 2019. "The Lehman Brothers Bankruptcy C: Managing the Balance Sheet Through the Use of Repo 105," Journal of Financial Crises, Yale Program on Financial Stability (YPFS), vol. 1(1), pages 80-99, March.
    6. Christian Rainero & Giuseppe Modarelli & Alessandro Migliavacca & Riccardo Coda, 2021. "Early Traces of Materiality and Relevance Principles in Luca Pacioli’s Tractatus XI," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 15(9), pages 153-153, July.
    7. Rowbottom, N. & Locke, J. & Troshani, I., 2021. "When the tail wags the dog? Digitalisation and corporate reporting," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).

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