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Foreign Currency Accounting Policy: The Impact of Asset Specificity

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  • JAYNE M. GODFREY

Abstract

. Before 1986 Australian companies' unregulated foreign currency accounting practices were diverse. Firms variously recognised exchange rate gains or losses on foreign currency long†term debt (1) as the exchange rate moved, (2) when the debt was settled, or (3) progressively over the term of the debt. This study tests empirically whether the voluntary accounting policy choices were endogenous to contractual equilibria between claimants against the firm and management. Managers' choices are explained as an efficient means to report the impact on debt and equity values from exchange rate movement effects on the value of investments in foreign currency earning assets domiciled in Australia. The study finds that asset specificity and the ratio of firms' investments in assets in place to growth options are significant in explaining the accounting policy choice. Firms used accounting methods that provided accounting exchange rate hedges concurrent with their economic exchange rate hedges of specialised assets in place. Résumé. Les méthodes de comptabilisation des opérations en devises — qui ne faisaient l'objet d'aucune réglementation— variaient dans les sociétés australiennes. Les entreprises constataient de différentes manières les gains ou les pertes de change sur les dettes à long terme libellées en devises, soit (1) à mesure que le taux de change évoluait, soit (2) lorsque la dette était réglée, soit (3) progressivement pendant la durée de la dette. L'auteur vérifie au moyen d'un test empirique si les choix volontaires de politique comptable étaient endogènes aux équilibres contractuels entre les parties par rapport à l'entreprise et à la direction. Les choix des gestionnaires sont, explique†t†il, un moyen efficient de faire état de l'incidence sur la valeur de la dette et des capitaux propres des effets des mouvements du taux de change sur la valeur des placements que possèdent les entreprises australiennes dans des éléments d'actif rapportant des bénéfices en monnaie étrangère. L'auteur constate que la spécificité des éléments d'actif et le rapport entre les placements en immobilisations et les options de croissance sont déterminants du choix de politique comptable. Les entreprises, observe†t†il, utilisaient des méthodes comptables offrant une couverture comptable des taux de change concurremment à la couverture économique des éléments d'actif spécialisés qu'elles possédaient.

Suggested Citation

  • Jayne M. Godfrey, 1994. "Foreign Currency Accounting Policy: The Impact of Asset Specificity," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 10(2), pages 643-671, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:coacre:v:10:y:1994:i:2:p:643-671
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1911-3846.1994.tb00409.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jayne M. Godfrey & Ping‐Sheng Koh, 2009. "Goodwill impairment as a reflection of investment opportunities," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 49(1), pages 117-140, March.
    2. Malgorzata Kamieniecka, 2013. "Influence of Globalization and Integration Processes on Accounting Regulations on the Example of Poland," Diversity, Technology, and Innovation for Operational Competitiveness: Proceedings of the 2013 International Conference on Technology Innovation and Industrial Management,, ToKnowPress.
    3. Keryn G. Chalmers & Jayne M. Godfrey, 2000. "Practice versus Prescription in the Disclosure and Recognition of Derivatives," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 10(21), pages 40-50, July.

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