Accounting for SGARAs: Towards Comparability and Consistency

The objectives of this study were to examine whether consistency and comparability has been achieved through the introduction of AASB 1037 and the subsequent adoption of AASB 141. We find that consistency in measurement methods has not been achieved through the introduction of a prescribed accounting method under AASB 1037 and is not likely to be achieved through the application of AASB 141. Consistency was found however in the application of measurement methods over time and, in particular, in these SGARA types of native forests and plantation timber. The study contributes to an understanding of the issues faced by Australian firms surrounding the processes leading to the introduction of a new accounting standard.     

Beyond epistemological pluralism: Towards an integrated vision of the future

This paper is a response to Epistemological Pluralism in Futures Studies, featured as a special edition of Futures (42:2). Since that special edition was a response to Integral Futures, a previous special edition of Futures (40:2), this paper begins with a treatment of some of the critiques of IF, as well as the critiques of Ken Wilber and integral theory. I examine the validity of those critiques, focusing in particular on the accuracy of the “portraits” given of Ken Wilber and his contribution to integral theory. I also examine the claims of “epistemological pluralism” to determine whether it is a more appropriate framework for futures inquiry and practice. In this consideration, I treat epistemological pluralism (devoid of an “integrating” theory) as an expression of skeptical postmodernism. Finally, I conclude with a historical overview of integral theory.     

关于我国会计制度和会计准则的制定问题

本文包括三个主要部分。首先阐述会计规范的必要性。然后 ,立足于我国的实际情况 ,提出会计规范的目标是依存于不同的经济体制特点的、会计规范的内容和形式则取决于会计规范的目标 ;通过区分会计确认、计量、记录和报告在不同会计行为中的差别揭示了会计准则和会计制度两种规范形式在我国的并存性和各自的侧重点 ,即会计准则侧重于确认和计量 ,会计制度侧重于记录与报告。最后 ,对我国会计准则、会计制度的关系问题 ,未来会计规范问题提出作者的观点。     

Towards a Comprehensive Accounting for Convertible Debt

Although convertible debt is an old and quite well-used form of finance, its accounting treatment has been almost ignored by those who set standards in the United Kingdom. The recent Technical Release TR 677 observed that there is a problem with convertible debt. The problem is that, after it has been issued by a company, the obligations of the company to third parties may change through time. This paper suggests that one approach to the problem is to follow a finance model of convertible debt, and to allow the accounting to develop from this. Accordingly, convertible debt may be considered on the basis of either equivalent straight debt or equivalent equity. The paper concludes with the suggestion that the accounting for convertible debt could be on the mixed basis or either the debt or the equity, but that this would be determined by the condition of the convertible debt at the date of the accounts.     

Towards Some Principles for Intangible Asset Accounting

This paper examines the conceptual issues of intangible asset accounting in the context of recent controversies over the treatment of brand names and goodwill in company accounts. Issues of definition and recognition and the rationale for balance sheet disclosure are considered for goodwill and other intangibles. The implications of capitalising intangibles under accounting models based on present value, net realisable value, current cost and historical cost are examined, and certain principles are proposed. The problem of testing the validity of asset valuation is explored, and a test is developed on the basis of the ‘recoverable amount’ rule of historical cost. This test is demonstrated for two major UK companies.     

Towards a Comprehensive Framework for Environmental Management Accounting — Links Between Business Actors and Environmental Management Accounting Tools

This article develops a comprehensive framework for environmental management accounting (EMA) linking business actors and EMA tools. The proposed framework provides structure for managers to understand and assess the variety of environmental management accounting tools that have been developed to date, with the intention of encouraging their adoption. The framework systematically integrates two major components of environmental management accounting — monetary environmental management accounting (MEMA) and physical environmental management accounting (PEMA). It highlights the past/future and short/long-term time dimensions of the different tools, and the regularity of information generation, before concluding with a brief discussion about choice of the most important EMA tools.     

Towards an agenda for institutions of foresight

There are some 200 or 300 purpose-built institutions worldwide whose central focus is the future,¹ but remarkably little comparative knowledge exists about them. An international agenda of research and action is needed to improve understanding of these institutions of foresight (lOFs) and to promote the continued development of their symbolic power and social influence. This report, which outlines a framework for investigating the structure, function and effectiveness of the lOFs and presents some initial proposals for practical action, is intended as the first step in the creation of such an agenda.     

Accounting for Intangible Assets: There is Also an Income Statement

Accounting is often criticized for omitting intangible assets from the balance sheet. This paper points out that the omission is not necessarily a deficiency. There is also an income statement, and the value of intangible (and other) assets can be ascertained from the income statement. Thus, calls for the recognition of 'intangible assets' on the balance sheet may be misconceived. The paper lays out the property whereby the income statement corrects for deficiencies in the balance sheet. It then explores the case where the income statement perfectly corrects for a deficient balance sheet and the case where it does so imperfectly. In the latter case, the paper then asks whether accounting in the balance sheet—by capitalization and amortization of intangible assets or carrying them at fair value—could remedy the deficiency in the income statement (or makes it worse). The investigation involves an analysis and valuation of Microsoft Corporation and Dell Inc., two companies presumed to posses a good deal of 'intangibles assets'. The paper is instructive, not only to those concerned with accounting issues but also to analysts attempting to value firms, like Microsoft and Dell, with assets missing from the balance sheet.     

Accounting for goodwill: an examination of factors influencing management preferences

This paper investigates factors that influenced the position of managements of UK-listed companies in the heated debate that surrrounded proposals for a new standard on goodwill accounting, i.e. the factors influencing whether managements preferred immediate write-off or capitalisation-based approaches. The factors investigated are derived from contracting cost theory, and include those associated with debt covenant restrictions and profit- based management schemes. They also include non-agency contracting costs. A key feature of the design is that, compared to prior research, we specify more rigorously circumstances where such contracting cost effects are, or are not, likely to be binding. In addition, the paper investigates the effects on management preferences of their beliefs about revisions in market perceptions of their companies resulting from changes in goodwill accounting. Our results support certain contracting cost-based hypotheses, but they also indicate that management beliefs about changes in market perceptions of their companies constitute a strong influence on their preferences.     

Ethics Research: an Accounting Educator's Perspective

This review of ethics education in accounting shows the contributions of, and gaps in, existing work. The investigation can contribute directly to an ethics educational program, while shedding light on topics that could be usefully extended. The paper is structured uniquely for educational interests by forming primary categories around the needs of the educational manager and the classroom educator; subcategories are drawn from the literature itself. The analysis anchors on McDonald and Donleavy's (1995) review and looks to studies published in the decade between 1995 and early 2005.     

会计实务问题(一)——资产核算

为促进注册会计师业务知识与技术的学习,我刊新设“业务讲座”栏目。本期开始,先约请浙江天健会计师事务所主任会计师胡少先根据现行会计制度、会计准则规定的基本精神,参照国际惯例,对若干会计实务问题的处理进行了分析,并提出处理建议,供行业同人参考。     

The Attitudes of NHS Clinicians and Medical Managers Towards Changes in Accounting Controls

Clinical directors and medical managers expected accounting information would assume high importance for institutional control as a consequence of NHS reforms. However, clinical directors were not comfortable with the symbolism of formal accounting controls. Their individual understanding of accounting information varied, but was modest overall. Medical managers were more inclined to accept and respond to financial controls. However, acceptance and response was frustrated for all users by inaccuracy and lateness of accounting reports. Cost savings were prompted more by established professional attitudes than in response to accounting reports. Non-financial controls remained the dominant mode of operational control.     

Beyond the ticket and the brand: imagining an accounting research future

This paper presents a reflective critique of the current university environment and the state of accounting research with a view to envisaging the latter’s forward trajectory, particularly in terms of emerging subject areas, theoretical perspectives and methodological traditions. It considers the contemporary fixation upon research performance indicators and warns of their associated impact on the role and orientation of academic researchers. The emergence of specialist interdisciplinary and qualitative research communities within the accounting discipline are presented as opportunities for the invigoration of the accounting project. Nonetheless, the pursuit of research esteem indicators is argued to risk disengaging researchers from policy and practice concerns. Future roles, responsibilities and intentions of scholars are visited in the light of these observations.     

Accounting in its social context: Towards a history of value added in the United Kingdom

Although the relationship between accounting and society has been posited frequently, it has been subjected to little systematic analysis. This paper reviews some existing theories of the social nature of accounting practice and, by so doing, identifies a number of significant conceptual problems. Using the case of the rise of interest in value added accounting in the United Kingdom in the 1970s, the paper conducts a social analysis of this particular event and then seeks to draw out the theoretical issues and problems which emerge from this exercise. Finally, the implications of these for the social analysis of accounting are discussed.     

会计实务问题(二)——负债和权益的核算

一、住房公积金的会计处理2000年9月6日财政部印发了《关于企业住房制度改革中有关财务处理问题的通知》(财企［2000］295号)。文件规定，取消住房周转金管理制度后，企业现有住房周转金余额作调整2000年度报表期初未分配利润处理。由此造成期初未分配利润负数，年终经过注册会计师审计后，报经主管财政机关批准，依次用以下资金弥补：公益金、盈余公积金、资本公积金以及以后年度实现的净利润。这一规定从2000年9月起执行。2001年1月7日财政部又印发了《企业住房制度改革中有关会计处理问题的规定》(财会［2001］5号)，要求企业从2001年开…