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The value relevance and reliability of reported goodwill and identifiable intangible assets

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  • Dahmash, Firas N.
  • Durand, Robert B.
  • Watson, John

Abstract

We examine the value relevance and reliability of reported goodwill and identifiable intangible assets under Australian GAAP from 1994 to 2003; a period characterised by relatively restrictive accounting treatment for goodwill and relatively flexible accounting treatment for identifiable intangible assets. Our findings, using an adaptation of Feltham and Ohlson (1995), suggest that for the average Australian company the information presented with respect to both goodwill and identifiable intangible assets is value relevant but not reliable. In particular, goodwill tends to be reported conservatively while identifiable intangible assets are reported aggressively.

Suggested Citation

  • Dahmash, Firas N. & Durand, Robert B. & Watson, John, 2009. "The value relevance and reliability of reported goodwill and identifiable intangible assets," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(2), pages 120-137.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bracre:v:41:y:2009:i:2:p:120-137
    DOI: 10.1016/j.bar.2009.03.002
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    Cited by:

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    2. Baboukardos, Diogenis & Rimmel, Gunnar, 2014. "Goodwill under IFRS: Relevance and disclosures in an unfavorable environment," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 1-17.
    3. Gonçalves, Rute & Lopes, Patrícia & Craig, Russell, 2017. "Value relevance of biological assets under IFRS," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 118-126.
    4. Dargenidou, Christina & Jackson, Richard H.G. & Tsalavoutas, Ioannis & Tsoligkas, Fanis, 2021. "Capitalisation of R&D and the informativeness of stock prices: Pre- and post-IFRS evidence," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 53(4).
    5. Suntharee Lhaopadchan, 2010. "Fair value accounting and intangible assets," Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 18(2), pages 120-130, May.
    6. Lorena Mitrione & George Tanewski & Jacqueline Birt, 2014. "The relevance to firm valuation of research and development expenditure in the Australian health-care industry," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 39(3), pages 425-452, August.
    7. Koh, SzeKee & Durand, Robert B. & Limkriangkrai, Manapon, 2015. "The value of Saints and the price of Sin," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 35(PA), pages 56-72.
    8. Dong Xiang & Abul Shamsuddin & Andrew C Worthington, 2011. "A comparative technical, cost and profit efficiency analysis of Australian, Canadian and UK banks: Feasible efficiency improvements in the context of controllable and uncontrollable factors," Discussion Papers in Finance finance:201119, Griffith University, Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics.
    9. Dong Xiang & Abul Shamsuddin & Andrew Worthington, 2015. "The differing efficiency experiences of banks leading up to the global financial crisis: A comparative empirical analysis from Australia, Canada and the UK," Journal of Economics and Finance, Springer;Academy of Economics and Finance, vol. 39(2), pages 327-346, April.
    10. Smith, Julia A. & Cordina, Renzo, 2014. "The role of accounting in high-technology investments," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(3), pages 309-322.
    11. Roncagliolo, Elisa & Avallone, Francesco, 2022. "Recognition of provisional goodwill: Real need or communication strategy?," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    12. Aghdas Zargar & Zaleha Abdul Shukor, 2016. "The Role of Managerial Ownership in the Association between Goodwilland Firm Value," International Journal of Business and Economic Affairs (IJBEA), Sana N. Maswadeh, vol. 1(1), pages 47-59.
    13. Maigoshi, Zaharaddeen Salisu & Latif, Rohaida Abdul & Kamardin, Hasnah, 2018. "Change in value-relevance of disclosed RPT across accounting regimes: Evidence from Malaysia," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 422-433.
    14. María Dolores García-Gallo & Félix Jiménez-Naharro & Miguel Torres-García & Susan L. Giesecke & José Guadix-Martín, 2020. "Incorporation of the Intangibles into the Spanish Start-Ups by Activity Sector and Region. Improving Their Economic Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-20, May.
    15. Wu, Kai & Lai, Seiwai, 2020. "Intangible intensity and stock price crash risk," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    16. Bauman, Mark P. & Shaw, Kenneth W., 2018. "Value relevance of customer-related intangible assets," Research in Accounting Regulation, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 95-102.
    17. Dong Xiang & Parmendra Sharma & Yuming Zhang, 2019. "The Global Financial Crisis, Fiscal Stimulus Package and the Chinese Banking Sector — A Pre- and Post-Efficiency Analysis," Review of Pacific Basin Financial Markets and Policies (RPBFMP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 22(02), pages 1-43, June.
    18. Wen, He & Moehrle, Stephen R., 2016. "Accounting for goodwill: An academic literature review and analysis to inform the debate," Research in Accounting Regulation, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 11-21.
    19. Shah, Syed Zulfiqar Ali & Liang, Shuang & Akbar, Saeed, 2013. "International Financial Reporting Standards and the value relevance of R&D expenditures: Pre and post IFRS analysis," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 158-169.
    20. Radu-Daniel LOGHIN, 2017. "The Impact Of Auditor Affiliation On Financial Statement Relevance," SEA - Practical Application of Science, Romanian Foundation for Business Intelligence, Editorial Department, issue 15, pages 419-425, December.
    21. Oliveira, Lídia & Rodrigues, Lúcia Lima & Craig, Russell, 2010. "Intangible assets and value relevance: Evidence from the Portuguese stock exchange," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 42(4), pages 241-252.
    22. Francesco Avallone & Claudia Gabbioneta & Paola Ramassa & Marco Sorrentino, 2015. "Why Do Firms Write Off Their Goodwill? A Comparison of Different Accounting Systems," FINANCIAL REPORTING, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2015(1), pages 23-40.
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