THE RELEVANCE OF ACCOUNTING INFORMATION GENERATED BY THE APPLICATION OF IAS 29 RELATED TO SHAREHOLDERS CAPITAL

Abstract

The current economic environment evolves under globalization circumstances, and it stands for the markets' globalization trend. Under these circumstances, information has a primordial role. The content of the transmitted information has changed significantly. As part of the economic information, the accounting information evolved as well and its whole circuit has been continuously modernized in the rhythm of the global changes. Thus, it had to adapt to the swing of capital markets worldwide and to aim toward a unique international accounting language, for the taste and understanding of its users. Historically, Romanian accounting records have been heavily influenced by the use of information for tax compliance purposes. The primary function of financial/accounting details collection and recording process has been seen by many Romanian entities and management/staff within the entities (both State and private) as being for taxation compliance and taxation reporting purposes. As a result of this, the reported information has tended to reflect a “form over substance” disclosure, that is, greater importance is placed on having particular documents or recording something in a specific way, rather than in “accurately” reflecting the financial position of the enterprise at a point in time or indicating whether the results for the period are an appropriate representation of what has occurred. Romanian accounting laws and regulations are not as such at fault, with the regulations providing for and encouraging treatments that are consistent in many ways with international accounting principles. Issues have however arisen on how laws and regulations are applied and have tended to reflect the background and outlook of Romanian accountants. Up to 31 December 2003, Romania was considered to be a hyperinflationary economy, under the criteria of IAS 29 “Financial reporting in hyperinflationary economies”. For Romanian statutory reporting, IAS 29 was not applied. In looking at financial statements where there are significant non-monetary items, users should keep this in mind and consider if there have been any revaluation of tangible and intangible assets and on what basis. The objective of IAS 29 is to establish specific standards for entities reporting in the currency of a hyperinflationary economy, so that the financial information provided is meaningful. Our empirical analysis encompasses a hyperinflationary economy covering a wide variety of hyperinflationary conditions