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Changes in the measurement of fair value: Implications for accounting earnings

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  • Fargher, Neil
  • Zhang, John Ziyang

Abstract

With the FASB's issue of staff position papers in 2009 and the relaxation of how fair value standards are applied, there has been a change in the practice of how fair value is measured. Since the FASB staff position papers in 2009, fair value measurement by financial institutions has increasingly relied on managerial assumptions. This study examines the impact of this change on the quality of earnings. Consistent with attribute substitution theory that emphasises reliability over relevance, we find that an apparent increase in managerial discretion in fair value measurement is associated with a higher probability of earnings management and lower earnings informativeness. The results indicate that allowing more managerial discretion in fair value measurement adversely affected the quality of financial reporting. Our study highlights the issue of reliable measurement in the debate among academics and practitioners of increasing the use of fair value accounting.

Suggested Citation

  • Fargher, Neil & Zhang, John Ziyang, 2014. "Changes in the measurement of fair value: Implications for accounting earnings," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 184-199.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:accfor:v:38:y:2014:i:3:p:184-199
    DOI: 10.1016/j.accfor.2014.06.002
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    4. Rute Gonçalves & Patrícia Lopes, 2015. "Value-Relevance of Biological Assets under IFRS," FEP Working Papers 556, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
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    6. Liao, Lin & Yao, Daifei (Troy) & Kang, Helen & Morris, Richard D., 2020. "The impact of legal efficacy on value relevance of the three-level fair value measurement hierarchy," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    7. Inês Pinto & Ana Isabel Morais, 2022. "Classification of Equity Instruments under IFRS 9: Determinants and Consequences," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 32(4), pages 411-426, December.
    8. Sikalidis, Alexandros & Bozos, Konstantinos & Voulgaris, Georgios, 2023. "Asymmetric effects of fair value adjustments on dividend policy," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    9. Yosr Hrichi & Feten Arfaoui, 2023. "Research and development capitalization, fair value, and earnings management: A study of French listed companies," Journal of Accounting and Management Information Systems, Faculty of Accounting and Management Information Systems, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, vol. 22(3), pages 569-586, September.
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