Information consequences of accounting conservatism

We study the information consequences of conservatism in accounting. Prior research shows that information asymmetries in capital markets lead to firm-level increases in conservatism. In this paper, we further argue that increases in conservatism improve the firm information environment and lead to subsequent decreases in information asymmetries between firm insiders and outsiders. We predict and test if this decrease in information asymmetries manifests itself through: (a) a decrease in the bid-ask spread and in stock-returns volatility, and (b) an improved information environment for financial analysts, leading to more precise and less dispersed forecasts, and to more analysts following the firm. Using a large US sample for the period 1977-2007 and several proxies for conservatism we find robust evidence consistent with our expectations. Our results are in line with conservatism being useful not only for debt-holders, but also for equity-holders.We acknowledge financial assistance from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (ECO2010–19314, ECO2008–06238/ECON and SEJ2007-67582/ECON), the ICJCE/AT1 UAM-Auditores Madrid Chair, IESE Research Division, the Government of Comunidad de Madrid (Grant CCG10-UC3M/HUM-4760) and the AECA Chair in Accounting and Auditing

Board of Directors' Characteristics and Conditional Accounting Conservatism: Spanish Evidence

Using a sample of Spanish listed firms for the period 1997-2002 we find that firms where the CEO has a low influence over the functioning of the board of directors show a greater degree of accounting conservatism. We measure the influence of the CEO over the board of directors using two aggregate indexes combining six (eight) characteristics of the functioning of the board of directors and its monitoring committees: board size, proportion of non-executive directors, proportion of independent directors, whether the chairman of the board is an executive director, the number of board meetings, and the existence of an audit committee, a nomination/remuneration committee and an executive committee. We define conservatism as the asymmetric recognition speed of good and bad news in earnings, and we measure it following Basu (Journal of Accounting and Economics, 24, pp. 3-37, 1997) and Ball and Shivakumar (Journal of Accounting and Economics, 39, pp. 83-128, 2005). Our results are robust to alternative specifications and specific controls for investment opportunities and for the endogenous nature of corporate governance and earnings quality. Overall, our evidence shows that firms with strong boards use conservative accounting numbers as a governance tool, even in an institutional setting with low litigation risk such as Spain.

The comparability of international accounting standards and US GAAP: an empirical study of Form 20-F reconciliations

This paper studies the comparability between US GAAP and International Accounting Standards/International Financial Reporting Standards (IAS/IFRS) by looking at the Form 20-F reconciliation adjustments to US GAAP made by firms using IASs in the period from 1995 to 2001. Adjustments have been classified in categories to identify the characteristics of reported differences: frequency, significance and materiality. Previous research by Street et al. and by Adams et al. found evidence that the differences were both material and significant. We identify the areas that are frequently reconciled and that produce material adjustments. Overall, we conclude that, although material differences still exist, IASs and US GAAP seem to be converging.IASs; US GAAP reconciliation; comparability; Form 20-F.

The illusion of CSR: drawing the line between core and supplementary CSR

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the development of the theoretical framework for corporate social responsibility (CSR) and to provide a number of conceptual considerations which can be considered in the design of measures for corporate social performance (CSP). Design/methodology/approach – This study develops a theoretical framework of CSR and provides conceptual considerations to improve the measurement of CSP. The example of Spanish savings banks is used to illustrate the complexity of the concept of CSR, which includes different dimensions and relationships. Findings – CSP evaluation can be affected by the illusion of CSR, which may result in invalid conclusions on the relationship with financial performance. This risk mainly affects those studies whose CSP measure is based on charity or philanthropic activities, as most of the time they are disconnected from core business. These activities enjoy great visibility and, in some cases, such as Spanish savings banks, they become a thick veil that can be used to hide serious deficiencies in other key aspects of CSP. Research limitations/implications – This study has implications for the literature on the conceptual and theoretical framework of CSR and the research on the link between CSP and financial performance. This paper highlights the importance of seeking comprehensive measures that cannot be misleading because of the relationships between the components of CSR. Originality/value – The paper provides a novel conceptual framework for CSR, which connects the conceptual debate around “Strategic CSR” with the theoretical framework designed by Carroll’s (1991) Pyramid of CSR and emphasizes the importance of a meticulous examination of the CSP construct before studying its relationship with financial performanc

CEO and CFO Gender and Firm Wide Insider Trading

We investigate insiders’ trading profitability under female executives using a sample of US firms between 1995 and 2016. Our results suggest a significant decrease in firm-wide insider trading profitability following switches from male-to-female CEOs and CFOs. These findings are supported under different empirical specifications, including difference-in-differences on a propensity score matched sample and instrumental variable approach. We also show that male insiders trade more profitably under male top executives than they do after the appointment of a female top executive. These findings suggest that private information flows between male-to-male insider-executive dyads allow for profitable insider trading

The usefulness of financial accounting information: Evidence from the field

We examine how investment professionals assess the usefulness of financial accounting information depending on their information acquisition objectives and preparers’ earnings management incentives. We conduct a survey experiment based on face-to-face interviews with investment professionals and document two main results. First, we find that, compared with investment professionals assigned a firm valuation objective, those assigned a managerial performance evaluation objective assess accounting information as significantly less useful. Second, we find no systematic evidence that preparers’ earnings management incentives negatively affect investment professionals’ assessments of accounting information usefulness. To elucidate this second finding, we conduct a large-scale follow-up online experiment. Our results continue to offer no support for the effect of earnings management incentives on investment professionals’ assessments of accounting information usefulness, irrespective of preparers’ corporate governance quality. Instead, we find that poor corporate governance, by itself, reduces the usefulness of accounting information to investment professionals