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Fair value in financial reporting: Problems and pitfalls in practice

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  • David Gwilliam
  • Richard H.G. Jackson

Abstract

This paper contributes to the debate on the use of mark to market accounting in financial reporting by means of a case study-based examination of the use of mark to market accounting by Enron Corp. in the years immediately preceding its collapse. Set in the context of historical developments in and theoretical discussion upon asset valuation and income measurement, the case study highlights: (i) the ease with which Enron was able to ‘monetize’ physical assets so as to bring them within the remit of mark to market accounting; (ii) the unreliability of valuation estimates provided by independent third parties; and (iii) the asymmetry between management desire to recognise mark to market gains through the income statement in contrast to their desire to avoid recognising mark to market losses.

Suggested Citation

  • David Gwilliam & Richard H.G. Jackson, 2008. "Fair value in financial reporting: Problems and pitfalls in practice," Accounting Forum, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(3), pages 240-259, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:accfor:v:32:y:2008:i:3:p:240-259
    DOI: 10.1016/j.accfor.2008.01.003
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Bromwich & Richard Macve & Shyam Sunder, 2010. "Hicksian Income in the Conceptual Framework," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 46(3), pages 348-376, September.
    2. Florentin Caloian, 2013. "Analysing the sustainability of the entities quoted on the B.S.E. using accounting sustainability measures," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 15(Special 7), pages 743-758, November.
    3. Andreicovici Ionela - Irina, 2011. "Examine The Past For Going Further: A Literature Review In The Field Of Fair Value," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1(2), pages 453-458, December.
    4. Carnegie, Garry D. & Napier, Christopher J., 2010. "Traditional accountants and business professionals: Portraying the accounting profession after Enron," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 360-376, April.
    5. Josiah, J. & Gough, O. & Haslam, J. & Shah, N., 2014. "Corporate reporting implication in migrating from defined benefit to defined contribution pension schemes: A focus on the UK," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 18-37.
    6. Matis Dumitru & Bonaci Carmen Giorgiana, 2011. "Recent Developments Of The Financial Reporting Model: Theoretical Studies In Review," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1(1), pages 629-635, July.
    7. Veltri, Stefania & Ferraro, Olga, 2018. "Does other comprehensive income matter in credit-oriented systems? Analyzing the Italian context," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 18-31.
    8. Beisland, Leif Atle, 2014. "Equity valuation in practice: The influence of net financial expenses," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 38(2), pages 122-131.
    9. Iulia Jianu & Roxana Ruiu & Ionel Jianu & Mihaita Ruiu, 2013. "The Value and the Evaluation Process in Accounting," Journal of Knowledge Management, Economics and Information Technology, ScientificPapers.org, vol. 3(6), pages 1-15, December.
    10. Schaltegger, Stefan & Burritt, Roger L., 2010. "Sustainability accounting for companies: Catchphrase or decision support for business leaders?," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 45(4), pages 375-384, October.
    11. David B. Sutton & Carolyn J. Cordery & Tony Zijl, 2015. "The Purpose of Financial Reporting: The Case for Coherence in the Conceptual Framework and Standards," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 51(1), pages 116-141, March.
    12. Macve, R.H., 2015. "Fair value vs conservatism? Aspects of the history of accounting, auditing, business and finance from ancient Mesopotamia to modern China," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(2), pages 124-141.
    13. Gianluca Vitale & Sebastiano Cupertino & Loredana Rinaldi & Angelo Riccaboni, 2019. "Integrated Management Approach Towards Sustainability: An Egyptian Business Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-26, February.
    14. Fargher, Neil & Zhang, John Ziyang, 2014. "Changes in the measurement of fair value: Implications for accounting earnings," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 184-199.
    15. Tamer Elshandidy & Ahmed Hassanein, 2014. "Do IFRS and board of directors' independence affect accounting conservatism?," Applied Financial Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(16), pages 1091-1102, August.

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