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The persistence of international accounting differences as measured on transition to IFRS

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  • Niclas Hellman
  • Sidney J. Gray
  • Richard D. Morris
  • Axel Haller

Abstract

The international accounting classification literature emphasises the importance of understanding how institutional factors shape accounting regulations and practices. With the mandatory adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in the European Union and Australia in 2005, our empirical study examines whether three international accounting classification systems relating to equity financing, law and culture still had merit as measured on transition to IFRS and explore whether they are effective in grouping accounting systems. Using IFRS as the yardstick, we find statistically significant differences in the measurement of shareholders' equity as between strong (Class A) versus weak (Class B) equity financing systems, common law versus code law systems and cultural systems based on 'Anglo', 'Nordic' and 'More Developed Latin' cultural groups. With regard to the measurement of net income, however, we find statistically significant differences only in respect of strong (Class A) versus weak (Class B) equity financing systems. Our findings demonstrate that traditional international accounting system differences still persisted at the time of IFRS adoption even after long periods of harmonisation and growing international accounting convergence.

Suggested Citation

  • Niclas Hellman & Sidney J. Gray & Richard D. Morris & Axel Haller, 2015. "The persistence of international accounting differences as measured on transition to IFRS," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(2), pages 166-195, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:acctbr:v:45:y:2015:i:2:p:166-195
    DOI: 10.1080/00014788.2014.987202
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Andersson, Patric & Hellman, Niclas, 2020. "Analysts’ evaluations of acquisitions: Swedish survey evidence on IFRS knowledge and the use of accounting information for valuation purposes," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    2. Sidney J. Gray & Niclas Hellman & Mariya N. Ivanova, 2019. "Extractive Industries Reporting: A Review of Accounting Challenges and the Research Literature," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 55(1), pages 42-91, March.
    3. Visani, Franco & Di Lascio, F. Marta L. & Gardini, Silvia, 2020. "The impact of institutional and cultural factors on the use of non-GAAP financial measures. International evidence from the oil and gas industry," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 40(C).
    4. Jonas Oliveira & Graça Azevedo & Bertina Oliveira, 2018. "Impairment Losses: The Impact of First‐time Adoption of the Accounting Standardisation System in Portugal," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 28(4), pages 556-576, December.
    5. Elad, Charles & Shah, Neeta & Agyeman, Charles, 2023. "Accounting classification in the era of International Financial Reporting Standards: The case of Africa," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    6. Yuqian Zhang, 2023. "Using Google Trends to track the global interest in International Financial Reporting Standards: Evidence from big data," Intelligent Systems in Accounting, Finance and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(2), pages 87-100, April.
    7. Michael E. Bradbury & Tom Scott, 2021. "What accounting standards were the cause of enforcement actions following IFRS adoption?," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 61(S1), pages 2247-2268, April.

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