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The Usefulness of Accrual Information in Non‐mandatory Environments: The Case of Japanese Local Government

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  • Mari Kobayashi
  • Kiyoshi Yamamoto
  • Keiko Ishikawa

Abstract

This study investigates how accrual accounting is used in a system in which it co‐exists with cash accounting. It uses a survey methodology to explore the factors that influence the extent to which accrual information is useful for decision making, when used in a dual system. The results show that although accrual information was used less for budgeting, evaluation, asset management or debt management, officials found accrual information useful for performance management. Moreover, neither experience nor leadership significantly contributed to decision‐making effectiveness. The study also found that the central government was the most influential promoter of accrual accounting in Japan. Of particular interest is the link between performance measurement and accrual information.

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  • Mari Kobayashi & Kiyoshi Yamamoto & Keiko Ishikawa, 2016. "The Usefulness of Accrual Information in Non‐mandatory Environments: The Case of Japanese Local Government," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 26(2), pages 153-161, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ausact:v:26:y:2016:i:2:p:153-161
    DOI: 10.1111/auar.12093
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    2. Makoto Kuroki, 2022. "Impact of Depreciation Information on Capital Budgeting among Local Governments: A Survey Experiment," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 32(2), pages 201-213, June.
    3. Zubir Azhar & Ervina Alfan & Krishnen Kishan & Nurul Husna Assanah, 2022. "Accrual Accounting at Different Levels of the Public Sector: A Systematic Literature Review," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 32(1), pages 36-62, March.
    4. Bessho, Shun-ichiro & Hirota, Haruaki, 2023. "Do public account financial statements matter? Evidence from Japanese municipalities," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    5. Raffer, Christian, 2020. "Accrual Accounting and the Local Government Budget - A Matching Evaluation," VfS Annual Conference 2020 (Virtual Conference): Gender Economics 224630, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    6. Thien-Vu Tran & Hosomi Shoichiro & Masayoshi Noguchi, 2023. "Inter-Jurisdictional Comparison of Public Asset Utilization in Tokyo Metropolitan Local Governments," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 197-218, March.

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