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Critical accounting policy and estimate disclosures: Company response to the evolving SEC guidance

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  • Hughes, Susan B.
  • Sander, James F.
  • Snyder, Jillian K.

Abstract

In late 2001, soon after numerous financial reporting failures including the much publicized demise of Enron, the SEC began a series of initiatives to improve critical accounting policy (CAP) and critical accounting estimate disclosures included within the MD&A section of Form 10-K. The first announcement, in the form of cautionary guidance, was issued in December 2001. This was followed by a Proposed Rule in 2002, and additional disclosure guidance near the end of 2003. Combined, the guidance required companies to provide information that would help investors understand the impact of estimates, accounting policies and external factors on financial results. Through 2007, the SEC continued to provide guidance as to the content of CAP disclosures in the MD&A.

Suggested Citation

  • Hughes, Susan B. & Sander, James F. & Snyder, Jillian K., 2009. "Critical accounting policy and estimate disclosures: Company response to the evolving SEC guidance," Research in Accounting Regulation, Elsevier, vol. 21(1), pages 19-33.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reacre:v:21:y:2009:i:1:p:19-33
    DOI: 10.1016/j.racreg.2008.11.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hughes, Susan B. & Anderson, Allison & Golden, Sarah, 2001. "Corporate environmental disclosures: are they useful in determining environmental performance?," Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, Elsevier, vol. 20(3), pages 217-240.
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    3. Darrell, W. & Schwartz, Bill N., 1997. "Environmental disclosures and public policy pressure," Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, Elsevier, vol. 16(2), pages 125-154.
    4. Wiseman, Joanne, 1982. "An evaluation of environmental disclosures made in corporate annual reports," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 7(1), pages 53-63, January.
    5. Buzby, Sl, 1975. "Company Size, Listed Versus Unlisted Stocks, And Extent Of Financial Disclosure," Journal of Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 13(1), pages 16-37.
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    Cited by:

    1. Edmonds, Jennifer E. & Leece, Ryan D., 2017. "An investigation of the effectiveness of the division of corporate finance as a monitor of financial reporting," Research in Accounting Regulation, Elsevier, vol. 29(1), pages 44-51.
    2. B. Zimmerman, Aleksandra, 2015. "The JOBS Act disclosure exemptions: Some early evidence," Research in Accounting Regulation, Elsevier, vol. 27(1), pages 73-82.
    3. Edmonds, Christopher T. & Edmonds, Jennifer E. & Leece, Ryan D. & Vermeer, Thomas E., 2015. "Do risk management activities impact earnings volatility?," Research in Accounting Regulation, Elsevier, vol. 27(1), pages 66-72.
    4. Heflin, Frank & Shaw, Kenneth W. & Wild, John J., 2011. "Credit ratings and disclosure channels," Research in Accounting Regulation, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 20-33.
    5. Hughes, Susan B. & Wood, Amy L. & Hodgdon, Christopher, 2011. "Bank response to SEC disclosure guidance issued during the 2007–2008 US financial crisis," Research in Accounting Regulation, Elsevier, vol. 23(2), pages 149-159.

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