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Accountants' reports on profit forecasts : regulation and practice

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  • Niamh Brennan
  • S. J. Gray

Abstract

Profit forecasts are rarely disclosed in the UK except in prospectuses, circulars and during takeover bids. There are few regulations governing the content of profit forecasts. Under stock exchange rules these forecasts must be reported on by both reporting accountants and the merchant bankers advising on the deal. The format of the forecasts is at the discretion of individual companies. This paper summarises the regulations, including professional pronouncements, governing accountants’ reports on profit forecasts. Practical examples of such accountants’ reports extracted from 250 profit forecasts published during 701 UK takeover bids in the period 1988 to 1992 are reproduced and discussed. These examples provide useful precedent material for practitioners involved in reporting on a profit forecast. The paper concludes with a discussion of policy issues and suggestions for policy makers.

Suggested Citation

  • Niamh Brennan & S. J. Gray, 2000. "Accountants' reports on profit forecasts : regulation and practice," Open Access publications 10197/2917, Research Repository, University College Dublin.
    • Handle: RePEc:rru:oapubs:10197/2917
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10197/2917
    File Function: Open Access version, 2000
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Niamh Brennan & S. J. Gray, 1998. "Voluntary Disclosure of Profit Forecasts: Factors Influencing Information Disclosed during UK Takeover Bids," Open Access publications 10197/3889, Research Repository, University College Dublin.
    2. Niamh Brennan & S. J. Gray, 2000. "Rhetoric and argument in financial reporting : disclosures in profit forecasts and takeover documents," Open Access publications 10197/2965, Research Repository, University College Dublin.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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