Accounting variables and stock returns： Evidence from Istanbul stock exchange

The fundamental relationship between accounting variables and stock returns is a recurring theme in financial research. One of the major purposes of accounting is to help investors provide reliable, comparable and accurate information. If accounting data are informative about fundamental values and changes in values, they should be correlated with stock price changes. This study provides theory and evidence showing how accounting variables explain stock returns and examines the relationship between the stock returns and accounting variables of listed non financial companies in ISE-100 Indice for 2006-2008 period by using panel data methodology. Empirical analysis consists of 192 observations of 64 companies in years 2006-2008 to examine the effects of inventory, accounts receivable, gross margin, operating expense, return on assets, cash flow, leverage, liquidity, price/earnings, return on equity on stock returns. The results of the study confirm that the predicted roles of fundamental factors and stock returns are significantly related to gross margin, cash flow, leverage and equity variables. The model explains about 13.35 % of the variation of annual stock returns with the leverage variable with most of the significant power.     

The Audit Opinion of Earnings Management in Listed Companies of China

The paper testes the relationship between audit opinions and financial sensitive zones and accounts on the basis of the data of A-share companies in China. The author finds that when ROE of listed companies is in the small-profit zone or in the large-loss zone, the probabilities that they get modified audit opinions increase. But the right-offering zone, accrual accounts and accounts below the line have no significant effects on the modified audit opinions. Besides, the author also finds that the ratio of accounts receivable to asset, debt ratio, previous year＇s audit opinion and change of CPA firms have significant positive effects on the modified audit opinions, while the ratio of major business revenue and size of companies have no notable effects. Some other factors such as cash ratio, age of the listing and CPA firm ranking have no consistent and continuous effects.     

Empirical Analysis of the Market Effects of China＇s Listed—— Company＇s Dividend Policy ——Empirical Evidences from Shanghai Stock Exchange from 2004 to 2005

Dividend policy is one of the three core contents of financial management in listed companies. On one hand, it is the extension of financial and investment activities; on the other hand, appropriate dividend policy can not only set up a good company reputation, but also arouse enthusiasm of many investors to continue invest in this company, consequently acquire long and stable development opportunities and conditions. In this paper, the author has put forward some suggestions in order to solve the problems which existing in Chinese listed companies＇ dividend policies based on the result of positive test. Firstly, optimize the structure of equity title and perfect the corporate governance. Secondly, to establish wholesome shareholder protection mechanism, and also it is important measure for investors, especially medium and small investors to protect their rights and interests. According to the present situation of Chinese stock market, the authors consider we can protect the shareholder＇s benefits by carrying out cumulative vote system, establishing hortative derive lawsuit system, perfecting civil compensation system and establishing shareholder voting removing system and so on. Thirdly, the establishment of listed companies＇ dividend policy and the release of message should be standardized for the sake of good relationship of melon-cutting and corporation＇s refinancing plan. Finally, listed companies＇ dividend policy can be optimized by modifying and perfecting stock dividend distribution mode of accounting management, perfecting exit mechanism of listed companies.     

Application of International Public Sector Accounting Standards in Vietnam in Current Conditions

The objective of improving the state accounting system is to build a state accounting system based on a single and complete database which is applied uniformly across all public authorities and agencies from central to local. Such an accounting system must ensure a reliable and smooth flow of information among all the entities that take part in the preparation, allocation, execution, and finalization of the state budget. In order to improve the quality of financial information, to harmonize, and to develop accounting profession globally, the trend of international economic integration requires the standardization of accounting legislative framework among countries and first of all, the harmonization and unification of the preparation, presentation, and disclosure of financial information. Financial statements of each business in the private sector and financial statements of the government in the public sector in different countries should be transparent and presented in accordance with the accounting standards and principles and in line with international practices so that the financial information will be able to be compared and evaluated. Therefore, financial statements of each entity in the public sector and the consolidated financial statements of public sector entities issued by the government in different countries must be prepared and presented in a unified form to suit the international public sector accounting standards. Accordingly, with the application of the interview method in research, the main objective of this article is to focus on searching for the bases and consideration for the application of international public sector accounting standards in Vietnam in current conditions. This article consists of eight sections： （1） what are international public sector accounting standards？ （2） accounting entities of the public sector; （3） the limitations of current public sector accounting in Vietnam; （4） financial information to meet the requirements of state management and to comply with international practices; （5） the advantages of applying international public sector accounting standards in Vietnam; （6） the difficulties and challenges of applying international public sector accounting standards in Vietnam; （7） learning experiences from other countries; and （8） conclusion.     

Empirical Study on Relevancy of Mandatory and Voluntary Accounting Changes—Based on Chinese Listed Companies in 1999 and 2001＂

Based on the samples of mandatory accounting changes （MAC） and voluntary accounting changes （VAC） of our country in 1999 and 2001, this research explores the relevancy between MAC and VAC and its specific performance. The results of this research are shown as follows： （1） The timing relationship exists between MAC and VAC, and the frequency of VAC rises significantly in MAC year; （2） The relevancy exists in the earnings effects between MAC and VAC, and the combined effects which MAC and VAC have on earnings are in direct correlation with the earnings effects of MAC in the same year; （3） The supervisory factors of the securities market together with MAC influence the direction of VAC. Different from Pincus and Wasley＇s conclusion, when MAC is used to decrease profits, the part of VAC in our country counterbalances the effots of MAC; the listed companies with a special purpose will be against the direction of MAC and apply to VAC with a particular purpose.     

Prediction Ability of Cash Flows,Net Income （NI）, and Auditors

The accounting information should help investors and creditors evaluate the amounts, timing, and uncertainty of firms＇ future cash receipts and disbursements. The Financial Accounting Standards Board （FASB） contends that accrual-based historical earnings are superior to cash flows in predicting future cash flows. But, Bowen, Burgstahler, and Daley （1986） showed that traditional measures of cash flows （net income （NI） plus depreciation and working capital from operations） appear to be better predictors of future cash flows than accrual accounting earnings. Since then, many researchers have articulated the importance of accounting data, especially cash flows and NI, in the predictive and forecasting processes. In this study, we empirically re-examined the ability of cash flows from operating activities （CFO） and accrual-based NI in predicting firms＇ bankruptcy. In the past, the results of this type of research were mixed. Differently from previous research, we focus on the timing of predictive ability, i.e., which indicator, cash flows or NI, is faster in predicting a firm＇s bankruptcy. We also investigate the timing of auditors＇ issuance of a going-concern opinion. The preliminary results show that the accrual-based NI is more accurate and faster than either CFO or audit opinion in predicting firms＇ failures. On average, NI signals a firm＇s bankruptcy 2.41 years before the bankruptcy filing, while CFO signals 1.48 years before filing. Auditors issued a going-concern opinion, another signal for firms＇ failure, to only 16 out of 41 bankrupt firms one year before bankruptcy, and no auditor issued the going-concern opinion two years before bankruptcy.     

A Conceptually-Based Empirical Analysis on Quality Differences Between UK Annual Reports and US 10-K Reports

The International Accounting Standards Board （IASB） and the Financial Accounting Standards Board （FASB） stress the importance of high-quality ＇financial reports. From a scientific point of view, however, major methodological drawbacks can arise when trying to arrive at a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of the decision usefulness of financial reports. In this conceptually-based exploratory study, the authors construct a 33-item index aimed at operationalizing decision usefulness in terms of the fundamental and enhancing qualitative characteristics laid out in the conceptual framework （CF） of the IASB （2010）. Using a matched-pairs sample design, which includes 70 UK annual reports and 70 US 10-K reports for 2010, the results of test-retest and inter-rater reliability tests show that these multiple items, which were based on items used in previous research, can be measured in a reliable manner. At the same time, the results of an exploratory factor analysis indicate that the IASB qualitative characteristics cannot be measured separately when the 33-item index is applied. At an aggregate level, the results of paired-sample t-tests reveal that UK reports score on average higher than US 10-K reports, which suggests that the overall quality of UK reports is better. The findings of this study add to the existing literature on the empirical evaluation of the effects of international accounting standards, showing that, as compared with 10-K reports, UK annual reports provide more information on topics such as corporate social responsibility （CSR）, corporate governance, and annual bonus schemes. On the other hand, US reports outperform UK reports with respect to the content of fair value information, cash flow statements, off-balance financing, and audit reporting.     

Evaluation of the Impact of International Accounting Standards Board （IASB） Framework Concepts on the Public Accounting Profession

Accounting profession has, in recent times, been regulated mainly by the private accounting standard setters mainly the International Accounting Standards Board （IASB）, which has taken a center stage and redefined the accounting information systems beyond the knowledge discernment of the average users and stakeholders. Public accounting profession＇s overreliance on the ever-changing IASB conceptual frameworks and their subsequent publications International Financial Reporting Standards （IFRS） standards has strongly compromised the ethics and objectivity of the profession, especially the accounting fundamental qualitative characteristics of the fair representation. Public accountants are, by ethics, required to issue an accurate, independent, and objective opinion of the financial state of the reporting entity. A review of various literatures from the IASB and the related bodies including independent auditors was employed during the evaluation process so as to minimize bias and evaluate objectively. The results revealed that currently, the IASB conceptual frameworks and IFRS contain inconsistent and opposing objectives including an inconclusive definition of elements and measurement basis mainly of profit and loss transactions and other comprehensive income, and hence the public accounting profession has been ethically challenged and compromised. Financial reporting is now premised on estimates, judgments, and models as opposed to a definitive measurement in accounting. A recommendation of further study on the IASB fundamental qualitative characteristics of decision usefulness should be pursued objectively.     

Case analysis on earnings management action based on issue right：Evidence from Chinese listed companies

The study in the past shows that the listed companies in China have the actions of manipulating profit to cater for the requirement of the Chinese Securities Regulatory Commission, manage earnings by means of dealings or managing the accrued profit items, so as to acquire the competence of rights issue, or lessen the risk of being suspended or canceled of trading. In this paper, the case analysis on earnings management based on rights issue right of listed companies is carded out with the samples of data from the listed companies of A-share from 1996 to 2001 and by means of earnings distributing, so as to prove the listed companies＇ response to the policies of rights issue and the existence of earnings management conducted by the rights issue companies for the purpose of rights issue, and observe the effectiveness of the securities market in China.     

The Perception of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises （SMEs） on the Importance of a Proper Accounting System： Malaysian Evidence

This paper examines the relationship between small- and medium-sized enterprises＇ （SMEs） entrepreneurs＇ perceptions towards a proper accounting system with the level of accounting staff recruited, preparation of final accounts, meetings with accounting staff, and entrepreneurs＇ ranking of accounting according to their priority. The methodology used to gather the data is survey questionnaire. It has been distributed to SMEs based on simple random sampling method. Three hundred businesses were selected from the total of 3,390 businesses listed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia area obtained from Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation （SMIDEC） website and a few random selected from Ampang and Cheras areas. Regression analysis has been used to analyze the data. The results of the study reveal that there was a significant relation between SMEs entrepreneurs＇ perceptions on the importance of a good accounting system and the level of professional accounting staff recruited. Furthermore, findings of this study also found that there was an insignificant relationship between SMEs entrepreneurs＇ perceptions on the importance of a good accounting system and preparation of final accounts of the company and frequency of meetings with accounting staff.     

Survey of the Creditor＇s Ability to Collect and Use the Enterprise Information

This paper is concerned with the analysis of the creditor＇s ability to collect, analyze and judge business information, which is a realistic problem for the bank to control the risk of loan effectively. We not only know the bank＇s application of financial and non-financial information during the process of credit extension but also investigate the use of non-financial information by questionnaire. It is discovered that the bank even believes the information that directly acquired by itself while collecting, analyzing and judging the reliability of business information. Through some sensitive information such as the changing of accounts receivable and cash flow and the connection trade, it can predict the potential risk further. In addition, the results show that it is the perfection of internal control system of intermediary （such as accounting firm） and the business enterprise itself that make the bank get the true information of business enterprise.     

Effectiveness of Budgetary Entities

This paper acquaints readers with the practice of effectiveness evaluation in the public sector. The purpose of this paper is to study performance measurement according to the changes in public sector reform by focusing on performance-based budgeting in Russia. This paper suggests that the construction process of performance measurement should be aligned with outputs and outcomes of budget policy. The main research materials for this paper are based on data from a survey and follow-up interviews of budgetary managers and accountants. The survey result sets priorities and weighted some indicators to the measurement of effectiveness in the public sector. The data of this study were not large, but the study led to understanding how effectiveness is seen by budgetary managers and how measurement systems should be structured. Texts and contents from different sources such as financial annual reports and budgetary entities＇ websites provided insightful and interesting findings.     

Market value management＇s effects on listed companies

The reformation of equity-split on April 29th, 2005, has promoted market value management and created the necessary conditions for market value management. With the purpose of stabilizing and enhancing corporate market value and realizing stockholders＇ wealth maximization, the market value management becomes especially important for all listed companies. This paper begins with the general introduction of market value management including its definition, contents and performance evaluation systems, appraises the best 10 market value management listed companies during 2007-2008. Then analyzes the benefits of the market value management on the Guizhou Maotai which has gained great achievements on market value management, and finally draw conclusions about market value management＇s general effects on listed companies.     

Several Theoretical Problems Concerning PhD Candidate＇s Education in the Area of Modern Management Accounting

This paper consists of five parts： Part one： ＂Modem Management Accounting Has Been Confronting with Serious Crises＂ points out that accompanied by the management systems shifting from material basis to human （knowledge） basis, and the IT developing rapidly, the management accountants＇ services that continue to remain at original level would become no useful very soon. Part two： ＂PhD Candidates＇ Education Would Be Essential to Develop Their Disciplines＇ Scholarship＂ explores the main peculiarities of PhD candidates＇ education, and why the development of PhD Candidates＇ Creative thinking should be permeated through the doctoral programs from the beginning to the end, so as to make them possible to develop their disciplines＇ scholarship. Part three： ＂The Quality Requirements of PhD Candidates in the Area of Modern Management Accounting＂ explains in detail why the development of management accounting should shift from the quantitative perspective to humanistic perspective so that management accountants can play an important role in the process of decision-making on the basis of employing their comprehension thinking that is a kind of humanistic thinking. This paper views this direction of development is essential to promote management accountants＇ self-impendence and self-vitality and to eliminate their crises cited above as well in the new historical era. Part Four： ＂The Key Points of the Doctoral Program in Modem Management Accounting＂ explores how to implement a doctoral program successfully in order to develop PhD Candidates＇ Creative Thinking, carrying forward academic democracy emphasized. Part Five： ＂Conclusion＂ points out how the topics discussed in this paper are linked up each other, and why and how the new developing tendency of management accounting is essential to make this discipline more suitable to the development of knowledge economy.     

Auditor Switching and Investors＇ Reliance on Earnings： Evidence From Bursa Malaysia

This study provides some insights of investors＇ view on auditor independence focusing on auditor switching. Hence, the purpose of this study is to examine the effect of appointing a new auditor on investors＇ reliability on reported earnings in financial accounts. Analyses are based on a matched-pair sample of 162 listed companies in the Bursa Malaysia for the year 2011. The results of the ordinary least squares （OLS） regression show that earnings response coefficients for auditor switching companies are significantly higher than for non-auditor switching companies. The results provide support for the contention that investors place greater reliability on the financial accounts audited by newly appointed auditors. This finding is consistent with the Malaysian audit market where long audit tenure is a common practice and auditor switching is considered rare. Findings provide support for the long discussed issue of the importance of auditor rotation in maintaining auditor independence.     

Modem Cost Management in the Transport Company Through the Activity-Based Costing （ABC） Method

Road transport is a flexible mode of transport and its importance in era of globalization increases. Management of road transport companies is, in this turbulent environment, exposed to many technical, legislative, and economic problems. Especially, the growing economic pressure leads to an urgent requirement of the manager and control system improvement. Activity-based costing （ABC） method is a very powerful tool to improve products, services, processes, and market strategies. ABC allows company management to understand what causes costs and how to manage them. Company under this scheme may get a glimpse of how efficiently a company converts the source value. The main objective of our research was to assess the possibility of application of the ABC method in a transport undertaking. ABC method as a fundamentally different view on the cost in the transport business helps to find the reasons of cost and thereby influences their levels to make better use of resources.. New managerial accounting methods aim to show management what information is needed, how and where this information can be obtained, and how they can be useful for the management of the company＇s proper planning, decision-making, and control. Information provided by management accounting is often a key factor in the analysis of alternative ways of solving problems. This article focuses on the transport enterprise management and helps to decide on the use of this method in business practice.     

Study on human resources cost accounting based on standards and general rules

The issue of the new standards for employees＇ salary and general financial rules that include employees＇ salary and relevant expenditures, have a great impact on human resources cost accounting. This paper performs a specialized study on human resources cost and employees＇ salary, accounts setting and accounting treatment for human resources cost accounting, human resources cost report, etc. on the basis of relevant provisions in the new Chinese accounting standards, the general financial rules, international accounting standards, and relevant academic research findings.     

The Role of Comprehensive Income as Financial Performance Predictor： Panel Evidence From Italy

The aim of this study is to investigate whether the comprehensive income （CI） and its individual components are useful in assessing the future cash flows for Italian listed companies. In addition, we verify whether the recent requirement of International Accounting Standard （IAS） 1 （r2011） of providing the other comprehensive income （OCI） separates in two sub-totals （recycling and non-recycling items groups） is useful to explain the expected cash flows. We consider a sample of 121 Italian non-financial companies listed on the Italian Stock Exchange for the testing period of 2008-2011, employing a fixed-effect regression model, and we test the relationship between the changes in the variables considered and not the relative absolute value reducing, in this way, the risk of not grasping a report if the independent variable and the response variable do not have the same sign. Our results stress that CI and the two new sub-aggregates are not relevant to explain future cash flows, while net income （NI） and OC1 as a whole seem to be more relevant to make explicit the future financial position. The study contributes, as a sort of post-implementation review, to the current debate on the ability of Cl to predict the future cash flows and on the real usefulness of the CI and the sub-aggregate identified by the IAS 1 revised as well.     

Forensic Auditing Techniques and Fraudulent Practices of Public Institutions in Nigeria

Public institutions are charged with the responsibility of providing essential services for the welfare of the citizens by manipulating the economy＇s financial flow through public expenditure, taxation, and so on. The reliance on public institutions to provide public services in Nigeria has resulted in disappointing results, because chief executives of the institutions take less interest in the degree of its success, and this accounts for the high level of fraudulent practices in such institutions. This study, therefore, examined the relationship between forensic auditing and fraudulent practices in Nigerian public institutions. To achieve this purpose, some hypothetical statements were made and a review of relevant literature was explored. The population of the study consisted of the general managers and accountants of 12 public institutions in Nigeria. The data generated were statistically tested with the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient. The findings suggest that both the proactive and reactive forensic auditing techniques have a negative significant relationship with fraudulent practices in Nigerian public institutions. Based on the above, it was recommended that： （1） The Economic and Financial Crime Commission （EFCC）, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission （ICPC）, and other anti-corruption bodies in Nigeria should have, in their payroll, internal forensic auditors to supplement the duties of the internal auditors; （2） Forensic auditors should regularly undergo training and development programs to acquaint them with relevant knowledge and skills for effective forensic auditing; and （3） Forensic auditing should be made mandatory for public institutions by regulatory authorities rather than being voluntary.