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Equity Versus Liabilities Debate, in the Context of Accounting for Employee Share Options

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  • Craig Wallington
  • Gary Marques
  • Warren Maroun

Abstract

This paper's finding's will be usef ul for both practitioners and academics grappling with the difficulty of defining ‘equity’ and ‘liabilities’. In addition, the research makes a valuable contribution by addressing the need for interpretive‐inspired financial reporting research. This paper explores the distinction between ‘equity’ and ‘liabilities’ in financial reporting to assess the merits of the current system of accounting for share‐based payment transactions. It applies an interpretive methodology. Data were collected from a series of interviews with purposefully selected experts. Criticisms of, and support for, the current accounting regime are interpretively analysed and used to identify key themes or principles for evaluating the merits of three models proposed in the academic literature: the strict liability, narrow equity, and ownership‐settlement models. The study finds that the strict liability approach remains supported on the grounds that it provides decision‐useful information with which users are familiar. The other models are rejected as they are perceived as diminishing the usefulness of financial reporting. The study also identifies support for an obligation‐centric approach, not fully developed in the literature, which may require detailed consideration by standard‐setters.

Suggested Citation

  • Craig Wallington & Gary Marques & Warren Maroun, 2021. "Equity Versus Liabilities Debate, in the Context of Accounting for Employee Share Options," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 31(4), pages 286-306, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:ausact:v:31:y:2021:i:4:p:286-306
    DOI: 10.1111/auar.12336
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Bradbury & Bryan Howieson, 2021. "Editorial: Using Academic Journals as a Conversation," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 31(4), pages 271-272, December.
    2. Zihui Xu & Zifan Chen & Lixing Deng & Yan Yu, 2022. "The Impact of Mandatory Deleveraging on Corporate Tax Avoidance: Evidence from a Quasi‐experiment in China," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 32(3), pages 352-366, September.

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