Developing a Framework of Improved Decision Usefulness in Financial Information

It is indispensable to improve decision usefulness for decision-making process for business. This study attempts to seek a framework of expanding a concept of decision usefulness (DU) through a regulatory-process check and a review of financial information literature and the extent to which future research opportunities could emerge from this DU concept for the improved decision usefulness (IDU). The regulatory process and research trends on financial information show that financial-information decision has evolved from reliability-driven to relevance-driven financial-information theories and moves forward to international accounting standardization issues. To this end, the development of ‘synthesis’ theories and approaches in financial information offers many future empirical-study chances for improved decision usefulness. Keywords: Decision Usefulness; Financial Information; Reliability-Driven Financial Information; Relevance-Driven Financial Information; International Accounting Standardization.

Covid-19 financial distancing for MSMEs in Kenya

The Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are important for every nation’s economic development. They provide employment and spur the growth of multiple sectors in the economy. The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected MSMEs' performance. The study seeks to demonstrate why COVID 19 may lead to the terminal quarantining of MSMEs. The study is anchored on decision usefulness and information asymmetry theories. The study adopted a descriptive research methodology and sampled MSMEs within Nairobi City County. The study used SPSS to analyze data in addition to Microsoft excel. The study found that over 70% of MSMEs had their sales decline by over 65% while 95% of them had their sales decline by over 30%. The study found that about 68% of MSMEs lacked financial management skills. The study recommends that with legal and institutional reforms, the government needs to develop a financing framework for MSMEs.

Improving Audit Reports: A Consensus between Auditors and Users

Audit reports represent the only information stakeholders have about conducted audits and they are a key instrument used in economic and financial decisions. Improving audit reports should be a priority of regulators and auditors. The authors solicited perceptions from 212 experienced auditors and financial report users about the value of audit reports and ways to improve their format and content. An analysis of the responses suggests that adding information on audits (such as auditor’s responsibility about fraud) and on annual accounts and client’s information systems, without significant changes in the format, would improve the decision usefulness of audit reports. The growing sophistication of markets and reporting standards requires new information in audit reports, such as auditors’ conclusions about management’s estimates in annual accounts. The study is useful to regulators, auditors’ corporations, academics, and users and contributes to the current audit literature by providing evidence on consensus between auditors and users with regard to the format and content of audit reports.

Facilitating accountability in corporate sustainability reporting through Spotlight Accounting

PurposeIt is difficult for corporate sustainability reporting (CSR) to provide accountability to stakeholders. This paper assesses whether accountability-based CSR systems can be created through the application of Spotlight Accounting and WikiRate as a hybrid forum.Design/methodology/approachThe current paper explores the utility of Spotlight Accounting for CSR through assessing its application to a hybrid forum, WikiRate. This process involved engaging student researchers to collect CSR data from the United Nations Global Compact's (UNGC) corporate action group (CAG) and recording this information into the WikiRate platform. Aggregate analysis was conducted to assess the limitations and challenges of the data to inform decision-making.FindingsSpotlight Accounting exposes challenges within traditional applications of CSR. These challenges impact comparability, decision usefulness and accountability of CSR data for stakeholders.Practical implicationsThis paper provides recommendations to enhance the accessibility and relevance of company information to assist in the provision of Spotlight Accounting. In doing so, it highlights the usefulness of CSR to leverage greater accountability between corporations and society.Originality/valueThis paper applies the emerging practices of Spotlight Accounting and presents it as an alternative way to research and conceptualise external accounts, reporting and accountability. This form of accounting has the potential to enhance communications and partnerships between companies and society as well as challenge dominate power dynamics held by corporations.

Measurement uncertainty and management bias in accounting estimates: the perspective of key audit matters reported by Chinese firms' auditors

PurposeThis study examines (1) the extent of key audit matters (KAMs) reported by auditors is related to accounting estimates, (2) whether measurement uncertainty and management bias affect auditors to do so and (3) whether the use of accounting estimates, given the measurement uncertainty and management bias reported in KAMs adversely affects the decision usefulness of accounting information.Design/methodology/approachData on key audit matters, accounting estimates, measurement uncertainty, management bias, etc. were collected from the auditor's reports of 351 sample Chinese listed firms. It employs regression analyses to assess the hypotheses on issues affecting the report of these key audit matters and the impacts on the decision usefulness of accounting information.FindingsFair value and impairment loss estimations make up of 2.6 and 44.1% of the 606 KAMs identified, respectively. Measurement uncertainty is positively, while management bias is negatively, affecting auditors report KAMs related to accounting estimates. The use of accounting estimates in firms where their auditors reported the KAMs related to accounting estimates does not enhance the value and predictive relevance of reported earnings. The assurance works on, and reporting of, KAMs served as a “red flag” about the accounting estimates.Practical implicationsThe use of accounting estimates does not always lead to enhanced decision-useful accounting information. Auditors, in their stewardship role, shall ensure that the measurement uncertainty issue is appropriately identified, addressed and verified. In addition, they shall provide an effective check-and-balance to the accounting discretion managers have in providing decision-useful information from opportunistic reporting.Originality/valueThis study examines the proposition that while the use of estimates can enhance the decision usefulness of accounting information, it can also induce measurement uncertainty and management bias into financial reporting.

Determinants and consequences of corporate social responsibility assurance: a systematic review of archival research

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the governance-related and financial determinants and consequences of corporate social responsibility assurance (CSRA). Design/methodology/approach Based on a legitimacy theoretical framework and on the business case argument, the author conducts a structured literature review and includes 66 quantitative peer-reviewed empirical (archival) studies on key CSRA proxies (CSRA adoption, choice of CSR assuror and CSRA quality). Findings In line with the business case for CSRA, the literature review indicates that internal corporate governance, country-related governance and specific financial determinants as reporting, firm size and industry (sensitivity) have a positive impact on CSRA adoption. Research limitations/implications A detailed analysis of CSRA proxies is needed in future archival research to differentiate between symbolic and substantive use of CSRA. In view of the current regulatory initiatives on CSR reporting and their decision usefulness, future research should also analyze in greater depth CSRA proxies as moderator and mediator variables. Practical implications With regard to the increased stakeholder demand on CSRA after the financial crisis of 2008–2009, firms should be aware of the value-added of CSRA to increase the decision usefulness of their CSR reports and firm reputation. Originality/value The analysis makes useful contributions to prior literature by focussing on empirical quantitative (archival) research method, structuring research on the business case for CSRA with respect to its governance and financial determinants and consequences for firms and stressing moderator analysis in archival CSRA research.