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A Comparative Study of Difficulties in Accounting Preparation and Judgement in Agriculture Using Fair Value and Historical Cost for Biological Assets Valuation

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  • Argilés bosch, Josep M.a
  • Aliberch, Anna Sabata
  • Blandón, Josep García

Abstract

This paper presents empirical research comparing the accounting difficulties that arise from the use of two valuation methods for biological assets, fair value (FV) and historical cost (HC) accounting, in the agricultural sector. It also compares how reliable each valuation method is in the decision-making process of agents within the sector. By conducting an experiment with students, farmers, and accountants operating in the agricultural sector, we find that they have more difficulties, make larger miscalculations and make poorer judgements with HC accounting than with FV accounting. In-depth interviews uncover flawed accounting practices in the agricultural sector in Spain in order to meet HC accounting requirements. Given the complexities of cost calculation for biological assets and the predominance of small family business units in advanced Western countries, the study concludes that accounting can be more easily applied in the agricultural sector under FV than HC accounting, and that HC conveys a less accurate grasp of the real situation of a farm.

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  • Argilés bosch, Josep M.a & Aliberch, Anna Sabata & Blandón, Josep García, 2012. "A Comparative Study of Difficulties in Accounting Preparation and Judgement in Agriculture Using Fair Value and Historical Cost for Biological Assets Valuation," Revista de Contabilidad - Spanish Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 109-142.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:spacre:v:15:y:2012:i:1:p:109-142
    DOI: 10.1016/S1138-4891(12)70040-7
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    1. Jonas da Silva Oliveira & Graca Maria do Carmo Azevedo & Marta Jose Ferreira Oliveira & Sandra Gabi Marques de Almeida, 2015. "The Accounting Standardization System in Portugal and Its First-Time Adoption Effects in the Olive and Cork Tree Cultures," Academic Journal of Economic Studies, Faculty of Finance, Banking and Accountancy Bucharest,"Dimitrie Cantemir" Christian University Bucharest, vol. 1(2), pages 132-150, June.
    2. 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.
    3. Seidl, Constantin & Wheeler, Sarah Ann & Zuo, Alec, 2020. "High turbidity: Water valuation and accounting in the Murray-Darling Basin," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    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.
    5. Li Yu (Colly) He & Sue Wright & Elaine Evans, 2018. "Is fair value information relevant to investment decision-making: Evidence from the Australian agricultural sector?," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 43(4), pages 555-574, November.
    6. Mihaela MOCANU & Aureliana-Geta ROMAN, 2016. "Financial and non-financial reporting in Romanian entities operating in agriculture, forestry, and fishery," The Audit Financiar journal, Chamber of Financial Auditors of Romania, vol. 14(138), pages 659-659, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    fair value; historical cost; biological assets; farm accounting; agriculture; M40; M41; Q10; Q14; valor razonable; coste histórico; activos biológicos; contabilidad agrícola; agricultura; M40; M41; Q10; Q14;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M40 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - General
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting
    • Q10 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - General
    • Q14 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Finance
    • M40 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - General
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting
    • Q10 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - General
    • Q14 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Finance

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