Does fintech lead to better accounting practices? Empirical evidence

Purpose Innovation in fintech presents great opportunities and huge challenges for accounting practices around the world. This paper aims to examine the impact of Fintech on accounting practices including financial reporting, performance management, budgeting, auditing, risk and fraud management. Fintech is proxied by the adoption of AI and big data analysis in accounting practices. Design/methodology/approach We chose African countries as our focus countries and surveyed chartered and qualified accountants in both Ghana and Nigeria. With 201 questionnaires qualified for our final analyses, we adopted the structural equation modelling to analyse the impact of Fintech on accounting practices. Findings The empirical results show that the impact of AI and big data on accounting practices is positive and significant, indicating that fintech could potentially mitigate the agency problem in accounting practices and lead to better accounting practices. Interestingly, we find that, in general, the impact of AI is larger than that of big data. Originality/value Our results provide significant insights to regulators, policymakers and managers about the future development of adopting fintech in the regulation and governance framework at both macro and micro levels for accounting practice

Densities and viscosities for the ternary system of cyclopropanemethanol (1) + 2, 2, 4-trimethylpentane (2) + decalin (3) and corresponding binaries at <i>T</i> = 293.15–323.15 K

<p>Densities (<i>ρ</i>) and viscosities (<i>η</i>) of a ternary system cyclopropanemethanol (1) + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (2) + decalin (3) and three corresponding binary systems were measured at temperatures from 293.15 K to 323.15 K and atmospheric pressure. Densities were obtained by using a vibrating-tube densimeter. Viscosities were determined by an automatic microviscometer based on the rolling ball principle. The excess molar volumes (<math><msubsup><mrow><mrow><mi>V</mi></mrow></mrow><mrow><mrow><mi>m</mi></mrow></mrow><mrow><mrow><mrow><mi>E</mi></mrow></mrow></mrow></msubsup></math>) and viscosity deviations (Δ<i>η</i>) of the ternary system were derived from the experimental data and then were fitted to Clibuka, Nagata–Tamura and Redlich–Kister equation, respectively. The binary subsystems were correlated by Redlich–Kister equation. The values of <math><msubsup><mrow><mrow><mi>V</mi></mrow></mrow><mrow><mrow><mi>m</mi></mrow></mrow><mrow><mrow><mrow><mi>E</mi></mrow></mrow></mrow></msubsup></math> and Δ<i>η</i> were used to discuss the nature of mixing behaviours between mixture components.</p

Density and Viscosity for Binary Mixtures of the Ionic Liquid 2,2-Diethyl-1,1,3,3-Tetramethylguanidinium Ethyl Sulfate with Water, Methanol, or Ethanol

The ionic liquid (IL), 2,2-diethyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidinium ethyl sulfate ([(C₂)₂²(C₁)₂(C₁)₂³gu]­[C₂OSO₃]), was synthesized and characterized. The density and viscosity data were determined for the binary mixtures of [(C₂)₂²(C₁)₂(C₁)₂³gu]­[C₂OSO₃] with water, methanol, or ethanol over the whole concentration range at different temperatures <i>T</i> = 293.15–323.15 K and atmospheric pressure <i>p</i> = 0.1 MPa. The excess molar volume, <i>V</i>_m^E, and viscosity deviation, Δη, for the binary mixtures are calculated and fitted with the Redlich–Kister type polynomial equation. The values of <i>V</i>_m^E for [(C₂)₂²(C₁)₂(C₁)₂³gu]­[C₂OSO₃] + water system are observed to be negative, and those for [(C₂)₂²(C₁)₂(C₁)₂³gu]­[C₂OSO₃] + methanol/ethanol system change from negative to positive against the mole fraction (<i>x</i>₁) of the IL, which exhibit the minimum values around <i>x</i>₁ = 0.2 and the maximum values near <i>x</i>₁ = 0.8. The Δη values for all of the three binary systems are negative, and the minimum values occur near <i>x</i>₁ = 0.6. The temperature dependence of viscosity for pure [(C₂)₂²(C₁)₂(C₁)₂³gu]­[C₂OSO₃] and its binary mixtures can be well correlated with the Vogel–Fucher–Tammann equation. These fundamental physicochemical properties of the binary mixtures make for a better comprehension of the guanidinium-based ILs and the potential applications

Densities, Viscosities, Refractive Indices, and Surface Tensions of Binary Mixtures of 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane with Several Alkylated Cyclohexanes from (293.15 to 343.15) K

Densities and viscosities have been measured over the whole composition ranges for the binary mixtures of 2,2,4-trimethylpentane with methylcyclohexane, ethylcyclohexane, or <i>n</i>-butylcyclohexane at temperatures <i>T</i> = (293.15 to 343.15) K and atmospheric pressure. Meanwhile, the refractive indices and surface tensions were measured at <i>T</i> = (293.15 to 323.15) K and <i>T</i> = (293.15 to 308.15) K, respectively. The excess molar volumes, <i>V</i>_m^E, the viscosity deviations, Δη, and the surface tension deviations, Δγ, for these binary systems are calculated and fitted to the Redlich–Kister equation, and the regression coefficients and the standard deviations of the fittings are given. All of the <i>V</i>_m^E, Δη and Δγ values are negative over the whole composition range for these systems. The values of Δ<i>n</i>_<i>D</i> for these binary mixtures are all small, even negligible. These results may be useful for the development of the hydrocarbon fuels

Excess Molar Volume along with Viscosity and Refractive Index for Binary Systems of Tricyclo[5.2.1.0^2.6]decane with Five Cycloalkanes

Densities, viscosities, and refractive indices have been measured for the binary system of tricyclo­[5.2.1.0^2.6]­decane with cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, ethylcyclohexane, butylcyclohexane, or 1,2,4-trimethylcyclohexane at temperatures <i>T</i> = (293.15 to 318.15 K) and pressure <i>p</i> = 0.1 MPa. The excess molar volumes (<i>V</i>_m^E), the viscosity deviations (Δη), and the refractive index deviations (Δ<i>n</i>_D) are then calculated. The changes of <i>V</i>_m^E and Δη with the composition are fitted to the Redlich–Kister equation. The values of density, viscosity, and refractive index increase continuously with the increase of mole fraction of tricyclo­[5.2.1.0^2.6]­decane and decrease with the rise of temperature. The <i>V</i>_m^E and Δη are all negative over the whole composition range for these five binary systems. The changes of <i>V</i>_m^E and Δη are discussed from the points of view of molecular interactions in the binary systems

Densities and Viscosities for Binary Mixtures of the Ionic Liquid <i>N</i>-Ethyl Piperazinium Propionate with <i>n</i>-Alcohols at Several Temperatures

A novel ionic liquid <i>N</i>-ethyl piperazinium propionate, [NEPP], was prepared, and the densities and viscosities for the binary mixtures of [NEPP] with methanol, ethanol, <i>n</i>-propanol, and <i>n</i>-butanol were measured over the whole concentration range at (298.15, 303.15, 308.15, and 313.15) K and 0.1 MPa. The data of the excess molar volume, <i>V</i>_m^E, were calculated and fitted with the Redlich–Kister type polynomial equation. The values of <i>V</i>_m^E of the investigated systems are all negative, indicating that the ion–dipole interactions play important roles between the molecules of the ionic liquid and the alcohols

Extraction of Aromatics from Hydrocarbon Fuels Using <i>N</i>-Alkyl Piperazinium-Based Ionic Liquids

A total of 10 new <i>N</i>-alkyl piperazinium-based ionic liquids (ILs) have been prepared, and they are used as extractants for removing aromatics from three kinds of hydrocarbon fuels. A total of 3 ILs, <i>N</i>-methyl piperazinium lactate (MPL), <i>N</i>-ethyl piperazinium lactate (EPL), and <i>N</i>-ethyl piperazinium propionate (EPP), in the liquid state at room temperature are used directly for extraction, while the other 7 ILs in the solid state at room temperature are used with methanol as the co-solvent. Effects on the extraction efficiency of the temperature and the amounts of IL and co-solvent are investigated. The results indicate that the amounts of IL and co-solvent play very important roles in the extraction process and the efficiency is greatly influenced by the cation and anion structures in the <i>N</i>-alkyl piperazinium-based ILs. In comparison to 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidinium lactate (TMGL), the extraction capability order is EPP > EPL > MPL > TMGL. The ILs with aromatic anions are found to have better extraction capability than the others. Furthermore, recycling of ILs reflects that these ILs can be recovered simply by vacuum distillation without a significant decrease in the activity of dearomatization

Excess Molar Volume along with Viscosity, Flash Point, and Refractive Index for Binary Mixtures of <i>cis</i>-Decalin or <i>trans</i>-Decalin with C₉ to C₁₁ <i>n</i>‑Alkanes

Density, viscosity, flash point and refractive index for binary mixtures of <i>cis</i>-decalin or <i>trans</i>-decalin with nonane, decane, and undecane have been determined at pressure <i>p</i> = 0.1 MPa and different temperatures ranging from (293.15 to 323.15) K. The calculated excess molar volumes give negative values over the whole composition range for these binary systems. With the increase of mole fraction of decalin, the values of viscosity and refractive index increase continuously. The viscosity deviation and refractive index deviation are calculated, showing negative from the corresponding linear additive values. A small additional amount of the component with lower flash point leads to marked changes of flash point values of these binary mixtures

Densities and Viscosities of Binary Mixtures of 2‑Ethyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidinium Ionic Liquids with Ethanol and 1‑Propanol

Two guanidinium-based ionic liquids (ILs), 2-ethyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidinium bis­(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)­imide ([TMGEt]­[NTf₂]) and ethyl sulfate ([TMGEt]­[C₂OSO₃]) were synthesized and characterized. Experimental densities and viscosities for the binary mixtures of the ILs with ethanol and 1-propanol from (293.15 to 323.15) K were measured over the whole composition range and at the atmospheric pressure of 0.1 MPa. The excess molar volumes (<i>V</i>_m^E) and the viscosity deviations (Δη) for the binary systems were calculated and fitted with the Redlich–Kister equation. It is found that the density of [TMGEt]­[NTf₂] is much higher than that of [TMGEt]­[C₂OSO₃] at the same temperature, while the viscosity of the former with the value of 74.61 mPa·s is only ¹/₉ of that of the latter at 293.15 K. This indicates that the difference of the anions has a significant influence on the density and viscosity of the ILs with the same guanidinium cation. The addition of ethanol or 1-propanol leads to negative values of <i>V</i>_m^E and Δη, which result from the efficient packing of the constituents in the binary mixtures and the weakening of anion–cation interactions of the ILs. The partial molar volumes, excess partial molar volumes, Gibbs energy, and excess Gibbs energy of activation for viscous flow of the binary mixtures also have been calculated. It is hoped that the results provide useful information for the fundamental physicochemical properties of the guanidinium-based ILs and their further applications

Density, Viscosity, Refractive Index, and Surface Tension for Six Binary Systems of Adamantane Derivatives with 1‑Heptanol and Cyclohexylmethanol

Measurements on densities (ρ), viscosities (η), and refractive indices (<i>n</i>_D) from (293.15 to 333.15) K and at 0.1 MPa along with the surface tensions (γ) at 298.15 K and 0.1 MPa for binary mixtures of 1,3-dimethyladamantane (1,3-DMA), 1-ethyladamantane (1-EA), and 1,3,5-trimethyladamantane (1,3,5-TMA) with 1-heptanol or cyclohexylmethanol have been carried out over the entire composition range. The experimental data are used to calculate the excess molar volumes (<i>V</i>_m^E), viscosity deviations (Δη), molar refraction deviations (Δ_Φ<i>R</i>), and surface tension deviations (Δγ). The <i>V</i>_m^E, Δη, Δ_Φ<i>R</i>, and Δγ values have been fitted to the Redlich–Kister polynomial equation. From these excess or deviation functions, the molecular interactions and nonideality of the binary systems are discussed. The results are expected to provide fundamental data for understanding the properties of adamantane derivatives as potential components and the composition optimization of new high energy-density hydrocarbon fuels