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Accounting practices for financial instruments. How far are Portuguese companies from IAS?

Author

Listed:
  • Patricia Teixeira Lopes

    (Faculdade de Economia da Universidade do Porto)

  • Lucia Lima Rodrigues

    (Escola de Economia e Gestão da Universidade do Minho)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyse the current accounting practices for financial instruments by Portuguese companies and compare them to the measurement, recognition and disclosure requirements stipulated in IAS 32 and 39. In order to attain our objective, we drew up a list of 120 categories of inquiry and 370 possible responses that we were interested in analysing. We applied content analysis technique to 2001 listed companies’ annual reports. Our results suggest that the accounting practices for financial instruments by companies listed on the Portuguese stock exchange are very far from what IAS 32 and 39 require. This is especially observed in the measurement and recognition criteria applied to the categories of financial instruments for which the adoption of fair value is required (that is, held-for-trading and available-for-sale financial assets). In what derivative instruments are concerned, we found that the fair value measurement criterion is being adopted by a large number of derivative users. However, with respect to hedging transactions, the gap between accounting practices and the relevant accounting Standards is quite wide. A big improvement in reporting practices regarding this type of instruments will be needed. These findings throw light on the challenges of adopting IAS, particularly with respect to fair value measurement, now that 2005 is near.

Suggested Citation

  • Patricia Teixeira Lopes & Lucia Lima Rodrigues, 2004. "Accounting practices for financial instruments. How far are Portuguese companies from IAS?," FEP Working Papers 150, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
    • Handle: RePEc:por:fepwps:150
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    File URL: http://www.fep.up.pt/investigacao/workingpapers/WP150Patricia.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Agung Nur Probohudono & Bambang Sugiharto & Siti Arifah, 2019. "The Influence Of Corporate Governance, Audit Quality, And Ownership, On Financial Instrument Disclosure In Indonesia," Journal of Contemporary Accounting, Master in Accounting Program, Faculty of Business & Economics, Universitas Islam Indonesia, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, vol. 1(3), pages 173-187, May.
    2. Patricia Teixeira Lopes & Rui Couto Viana, 2008. "The transition to IFRS: disclosures by Portuguese listed companies," FEP Working Papers 285, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.

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    Keywords

    Financial instruments accounting; Fair Value; International Accounting; IAS; Portugal;
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