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The Amount and Timing of Goodwill Write-Offs and Revaluations: Evidence from U.S. and U.K. Firms

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  • Steven L. Henning
  • Wayne H. Shaw
  • Toby Stock

Abstract

This paper investigates criticisms that U.S. GAAP had given firms too much discretion in determining the amount and timing of goodwill write-offs. Using 1,576 U.S. and 563 U.K. acquisitions, we find little evidence that U.S. firms managed the amount of goodwill write-off or that U.K. firms managed the amount of revaluations (write-ups of intangible assets). However, our results are consistent with U.S. firms delaying goodwill write-offs and U.K. firms timing revaluations strategically to avoid shareholder approval linked to certain financial ratios.

Suggested Citation

  • Steven L. Henning & Wayne H. Shaw & Toby Stock, 2004. "The Amount and Timing of Goodwill Write-Offs and Revaluations: Evidence from U.S. and U.K. Firms," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 99-121, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:rqfnac:v:23:y:2004:i:2:p:99-121
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Avallone, Francesco & Quagli, Alberto, 2015. "Insight into the variables used to manage the goodwill impairment test under IAS 36," Advances in accounting, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 107-114.
    2. 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.
    3. Jayne M. Godfrey & Ping‐Sheng Koh, 2009. "Goodwill impairment as a reflection of investment opportunities," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 49(1), pages 117-140, March.
    4. Lionel Escaffre & Réda Sefsaf, 2014. "Earnings management through goodwill impairment: the case of the CAC All-Tradable [La gestion des résultats à travers la dépréciation des écarts d'acquisition : Cas des entreprises du CAC All-Trada," Post-Print hal-01899793, HAL.
    5. Duh, Rong-Ruey & Lee, Wen-Chih & Lin, Ching-Chieh, 2009. "Reversing an impairment loss and earnings management: The role of corporate governance," The International Journal of Accounting, Elsevier, vol. 44(2), pages 113-137, June.
    6. Begoña Giner & Francisca Pardo, 2015. "How Ethical are Managers’ Goodwill Impairment Decisions in Spanish-Listed Firms?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 132(1), pages 21-40, November.
    7. Masters-Stout, Brenda & Costigan, Michael L. & Lovata, Linda M., 2008. "Goodwill impairments and chief executive officer tenure," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 19(8), pages 1370-1383.
    8. Inès Bouden & Luc Paugam & Olivier J. Ramond, 2011. "Les déterminants de la dépréciation du goodwill : proposition d'un cadre d'analyse," Post-Print hal-00646810, HAL.
    9. Kabir, Humayun & Rahman, Asheq, 2016. "The role of corporate governance in accounting discretion under IFRS: Goodwill impairment in Australia," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 12(3), pages 290-308.

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