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Why haven’t U.S. GAAP and IFRS on insurance contracts converged? Evidence from an unsuccessful joint project

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  • Burke, Qing L.

Abstract

This study examines the FASB’s and IASB’s unsuccessful joint project on accounting for insurance contracts. It highlights the divergent views the Boards may hold on certain fundamental accounting issues. Further, this study examines how the costs and benefits of accounting standard convergence can vary within an industry, conditional on factors such as prior accounting standards and firms’ global operations. Empirically, U.S. insurers’ negative market reactions to the joint insurance project suggest U.S. investors perceived net costs would outweigh net benefits. This study also finds that market reactions of U.S. insurers were more negative than those of European insurers. The results of cross-sectional analyses indicate that U.S. life insurers perceived higher net costs associated with the joint project, while European insurers with more global revenue perceived higher net benefits. This work illuminates some of the challenges facing standard setters when attempting to develop a globally acceptable set of financial reporting standards.

Suggested Citation

  • Burke, Qing L., 2019. "Why haven’t U.S. GAAP and IFRS on insurance contracts converged? Evidence from an unsuccessful joint project," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 131-144.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jocaae:v:15:y:2019:i:2:p:131-144
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcae.2019.04.001
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    Cited by:

    1. Shkulipa Lyudmyla, 2021. "Analysis of Impact of Changes in IFRSs on Convergence of Accounting Systems in World," Studia Universitatis „Vasile Goldis” Arad – Economics Series, Sciendo, vol. 31(3), pages 75-103, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Accounting convergence; Standard setting; Insurance contracts;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • K22 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Business and Securities Law
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting
    • M42 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Auditing
    • M48 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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