Spending on M&A has, in aggregate, grown so fast that it has even overtaken capital expenditure on increasing and maintaining physical assets. Yet McKinsey, the leading management consultancy, reports that "Anyone who has researched merger success rates knows that roughly 70% fail". The idea that businesses might be using huge and increasing sums of shareholders' money for an activity that more often than not leads to failure calls into question the information on which M&A decisions are based. This book presents statistical studies, case material, and standard-setters' opinions on company accounting before, during, and after M&A. It documents the manipulation of annual accounts by acquirers ahead of share for share bids, biased forecasts of post-merger earnings by bidders, and devices to flatter earnings when recording the deal. It explores the challenges for standard-setters in regulating information flows during and after M&A, and for account-users wishing to learn from financial statements how a deal has affected performance. Drawing on a wide range of international examples, this readable book is targeted not just at accounting specialists but at anyone who is comfortable reading the serious financial press, is intrigued by what is going on in the massive M&A market, and is concerned with achieving better-informed M&A. As such it might be of particular interest to business executives, lawyers, bankers, and investors involved in M&A as well as graduate students interested in researching or learning about the role of accounting in M&A.

Almost all economists, whether classical, neoclassical or Marxist, have failed in their analyses of capitalism to consider the underpinning systems of accounting. This book draws attention to this lacuna, focusing specifically on the concept of capital: a major concept that dominates all teaching and practice in both economics and management. It is argued that while for the practitioners of capitalism - in accounting and business - the capital in their accounts is a debt to be repaid (or a thing to be kept), for economists, it has been considered a means (or even a resource or an asset) intended to be worn out. This category error has led to economists failing to comprehend the true nature of capitalism. On this basis, this book proposes a new definition of capitalism that brings about considerable changes in the attitude to be had towards this economic system, in particular, the means to bring about its replacement. This book will be of significant interest to readers of political economy, history of economic thought, critical accounting and heterodox economics.

Starting with the first "scientific" economists such as Cantillon (1755) and Quesnay (1758) and ending with Piketty (2019), this book explores the treatment of the concept of capital in the history of accounting and economic thought. The work provides a rare juxtaposition of the reasoning, discourse and writings of accountants and economists. With regard to 'capital', this approach highlights the ongoing struggle between these "uncongenial twins" - as Kenneth Boulding put it - for primacy in analysing, and utilising, capitalism. But if they are certainly "uncongenial", the book also argues that it is wrong to ever classify these two disciplines as "twins" because they have taken very different paths ever since scientism came to dominate in economics and ethical and moral considerations were put to one side. This book will be of significant interest to readers to history of economic thought, critical accounting and heterodox economics.

This study investigated the management of intellectual capital (observed as internal capital, external capital, and human capital) as a tool for non-financial organizational performance (observed as effectiveness, efficiency, and reputation). The study used self-administered survey questionnaires to collect data on both the intellectual capital and non-financial organizational performance aspects of the Malaysian public sector which has undergone a radical transformation through New Public Management Reforms. The total number of participants was 1,092 covering the three levels (federal, state, and the local governments) of the government. The results of the survey questionnaire were analyzed using a multivariate Structural Equation Model, and revealed that there is a significant and positive relationship between intellectual capital and performance. Findings provide useful input to policymakers into the review of the relevant intellectual capital resources, and on improving the public sector performance. From a practical perspective, one way of increasing the level of public sector performance is to tie performance to intellectual capital.

A complete, compact guide to business valuation in divorce litigation

The Handbook for Divorce Valuations is a comprehensive, practical handbook that covers every aspect of the CPA's role in divorce proceedings. It offers clear and detailed coverage of everything from the impact of state law on the practice to the applicability of various valuation methodologies, from establishing valuation credentials to marketing the divorce practice in a highly competitive environment.

The authors, who have a combined total of more than 50 years' experience in divorce practice, lead the reader through each step of a divorce engagement. They recommend the most practical and efficient methods of addressing each issue and point out hazards and potential difficulties along the way. They also explain why and how business valuation in divorce practice differs from valuation in other situations, and they examine the intricacies of data collection and analysis, finding and using industry and comparable company information, discounts and premiums, preparing for depositions and trials, and much more.

For any CPA who works, or is considering working, on family law matters, The Handbook for Divorce Valuations is an incomparable resource that helps practitioners provide the highest level of service to their clients.

A CPA who accepts a business valuation engagement in a family law setting embarks on a unique mission. In most states, business valuations linked to divorce proceedings are governed by different laws than those that apply to other valuations, and because the CPA has become an advocate for one side in an adversarial process, the findings of the valuation are sure to be challenged aggressively by representatives of the other side. Since neither business valuation strategies nor expert witness skills are part of the curriculum of any undergraduate accounting program, CPAs have generally had to acquire them through trial and, unfortunately, error until now.

The Handbook for Divorce Valuations offers practical coverage of every aspect of business valuation in the context of a divorce. From engagement acceptance and administration to divorce-related valuation issues and appearing as an expert witness, this comprehensive guide shows practitioners how to provide the highest level of service in divorce litigation. It helps CPAs:

• Prepare detailed, comprehensive reports on business valuation engagements
• Make the most of guidelines company- and industry-specific information
• Collect and analyze relevant data
• Choose the best valuation methodology
• Prepare for depositions and trials
• Put forth best effort on direct examination
• Survive cross-examination

Divorce litigants depend on thorough, competent professionals to represent their interests. The Handbook for Divorce Valuations helps practitioners ensure that their clients will receive the very best possible representation.

"Once again, Bragg has turned his discerning eye and formidable talents on a topic and the results are outstanding. Both those new to the business and the long-established entrepreneur will benefit greatly when he joins forces with E. James Burton to produce this outstanding work."
--Mary S. Schaeffer, Editorial Director "Accounts Payable Now & Tomorrow"

"I use the tips and practices found in this book] all through the year. They are clear, direct, and efficient-which, in turn, improves our company and our bottom line. I recommend this book] to anyone wanting to improve their own bottom line."
--D. R. Drum, CIO, CSO Engineering/Accounting, Dragon Moon Productions

"Eminently accessible, this book is a must-read for the entrepreneur, both new and established alike. Organizationally, the work flows smoothly and logically in a way that is valuable for the start-up as well as the veteran needing a refresher on specific aspects of the small business accounting/financing picture. I found particularly useful the rich resourcefulness that Messrs Burton and Bragg brought to the table in compiling the essential checklists for every conceivable corner of the entrepreneur's financial realm from fraud prevention to financing options. As a small business owner myself, I was well pleased with the real-world guidance and instant 'useability' this book offers."
--David Struthers, JDFacilitator/Trial Lawyer

"This book is essential for any small business owner, manager, or accountant's business tool kit. This easy-to-read book distills complex subject matter into meaningful and understandable information and is a great refresher course for those deeply involved in the accounting and financial matters of a small business. The book contains many examples that can be used immediately in daily operations to improve the quality of information for better decision making. The book provides those involved in small business the framework to manage what they measure."
--Jim Bologa, CFODaticon, Inc.

Lombardy, with about 10 million inhabitants, is today the most populated and prosperous region of Italy, and Milan is a renowned capital of art, fashion and design. During the 19th century until WWI, the region gradually became the leader in Italy's economic development and distinguished itself in the European economic landscape for its long-standing industrial strength and diversified economy, which included one of the Europe's most productive agricultural systems. It was the economic locomotive of contemporary Italy, contributing to the economic Risorgimento that complemented the country's political resurgence. The present volume gathers the contributions of some major experts on the subject, providing an in-depth analysis of Lombardy's pattern of development, consisting of an exceptionally symbiotic and balanced interplay of sectors (agriculture, industry, trade, and banking) in a gradual yet steady growth process, also supported by progress in the education system. During the century, there was a shift away from an economy based on agriculture and commerce to a progressively more industrial economy and this process accelerated from the 1880s. The secret of this dynamic balance was Lombardy's active relationship with the rest of Europe and with the international markets. Aimed at scholars, researchers and students in the fields of early modern and modern history, economic and social history, the book provides a clear explanation of Lombardy's economic development during the long 19th Century.

The recent global economic crisis has highlighted the importance of strong corporate governance systems. The failure of many of the 'gatekeepers' (i.e. auditors) to protect the efficiency of the financial markets has left many wondering whether there exists a sound model of corporate governance and if so, what the features of such a model are.
"The International Corporate Governance System: Audit Roles and Board Oversight" provides a comprehensive legal, economic and financial approach to corporate governance. It addresses the practical aspects of corporate governance, auditing and risk management whether within principles-based regulatory approach or the rules-based approach. Starting with the OECD principles, their application by both the IMF and the World Bank, the book analyzes and compares corporate governance systems in the US, the UK, Canada, Australasia, Japan, Continental Europe, the BRICS, Saudi Arabia. The book moves on to analyze the audit roles and legislations in the US (SOX Act), the EU Statutory Audit Directive, the ROSC, the Audit Scandals, the auditors' liabilities, and the future of auditing. Finally, the author provides comprehensive coverage of the board oversight function, the management fraud types and the role of the audit committee.
"The International Corporate Governance System" is geared to a large public of lawyers, economists, financiers, and accountants who want to enhance their knowledge and skills in this interdisciplinary field. Business school students, law graduates, economics graduates will learn how law and regulation affect management practices, strategies and aims. Likewise, government officials, risk managers, chief financial officers, chief operating officers in charge of supervision and enforcement of laws and regulations will find a guide in their difficult environment.

This convenient reference tool is designed for real estate investors who wish to maximize their tax benefits through a better understanding of real estate law. Ferguson and Spede thoroughly analyze and explain real estate tax laws, as well as the problems and advantages of purchasing, owning, and selling real estate. Specifically explained and illustrated are such issues as calculating excess investment and interest, installment selling, alternative minimum tax, investment credits, recapture of tax credits, trading properties, leases with options to buy, and the establishment of new bases for trade. In addition, the authors emphasize many of the tax traps and pitfalls encountered by investors, including accelerated depreciation, amortization of expenses, and tax write-offs. Also considered are related topics such as personal property taxes, special tax problems, the rehabilitation of historic and older commercial properties, low income housing, rental cooperatives, condominium units, and home ownership taxation. Finally, there is a discussion of tax reform, including the changes brought about by the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984, as well as the possible effects of the flat tax rate proposed by the Treasury Department in January of 1985. The volume is completely cross-referenced, and includes chapter summaries, case histories, and a glossary, as well as numerous tables and illustrations.

Creating the 'Big Mess' and its sequel Accounting for Crises use Marx's theory of capitalism to explain why there is no generally accepted theory of financial accounting, and explore the consequences, by studying the history of American accounting theory from c.1900 to 2007. The answer, Creating the 'Big Mess', is first that while late-19th century British accounting principles, founded on the going-concern concept, provided an objective basis for holding management accountable to shareholders for its stewardship of capital, and were accepted by the nascent American profession, they are inchoate. Second, Irving Fisher's economic theory of accounting, based on the assertion that present value is the accountants' measurement ideal, which is subjective, framed early-20th century American accounting theory, which undermined British principles, making them incoherent. In an unregulated, pro-business environment, leading theorists, particularly Henry Rand Hatfield and William A. Paton, Jr., became authorities for management discretion, creating the 'big mess' Hatfield saw in late-1920s American accounting. Accounting for Crises examines the roles of Fisher's theory in promoting the speculation leading to the 1929 Great Crash, aggravating the Great Depression, hindering accounting regulation from the 1930s, producing the Financial Accounting Standard Board's conceptual framework, and facilitating the 2007-2008 Global Financial Crisis.

First published in 1932, this volume echoed the success of Duties of the Junior Accountant and was similarly long-awaited as a textbook for the industry and aimed to instruct junior accountants in the work of their senior colleagues and future selves. Senior accountants are those who may conduct an examination independently except for a final review by a managing accountant, principal or partner. Seniors may have charge of work needing perhaps one, ten, or even more assistants or of a section of a larger examination conducted under the supervision of an accountant of higher rating. The chapters in this volume detail issues including beginning an examination, audits of banks, reviews by a principal accountant and arranging work and staff.

Little has been published on accounting standards in Japan and how they have developed. The purpose of this study is to construct a historical narrative of the interplay between accounting standards in Japan and theories of regulation. The authors demonstrate that delegation of the authority for accounting standard setting to the private sector in Japan is incomplete, and thus, the role of the public sector remains important. In the discussion about IFRS implementation in Japan, the movement in the United States, industry opinions, and ideological conflict between fair value versus historical cost play important roles. These elements combined led to the ambiguous coexistence of four sets of accounting standards in Japan. First, by using an explaining-outcome process-tracing method, the authors examine how these sets of standards occurred and explore the significance of each. Second, they deliver an explanation of this unique coexistence through the lens of theories of regulation. In doing so, they provide an overview of the history of the recent development of accounting regulation in Japan and offer an up-to-date response to current affairs or policy debates in Japan that have been rapidly changing. Providing a rare insight into accounting regulation in Japan, an IFRS non-application country, this concise text will be of great interest to researchers and advanced students in international accounting and accounting regulation.

The Enron and WorldCom scandals and other less high profile scandals ushered in several regulatory overhauls including those provided for under the law widely known as Sarbanes-Oxley. Indeed, this was the most dynamic period save possibly the 1930s in terms of regulatory reforms to the accounting and financial reporting environment. This monograph summarizes and synthesize a decade of academic research to develop an evolving dominant explanation around these myriad changes. The overarching themes and topics in the literature that form the paradigm for this monograph include the evolving accounting and reporting model in the U.S. and internationally, the individual accounting pronouncements that support the evolving model, the scandals themselves, and the public and private sector responses to those scandals.

Advances in Accounting Education: Teaching and Curriculum Innovations publishes both non-empirical and empirical articles dealing with accounting pedagogy. All articles explain how teaching methods or curricula/programs can be improved. Non-empirical papers are academically rigorous, and specifically discuss the institutional context of a course or program, as well as any relevant tradeoffs or policy issues. Empirical reports exhibit sound research design and execution, and develop a thorough motivation and literature review, including references from outside the accounting field, where appropriate. Volume 21 includes papers that examine the following topics: a commentary and analysis of the new CPA exam, a citation analysis of Advances in Accounting Education for volumes 1-15, and an application of methods for reducing writing apprehension in students. The volume also includes a special section that focuses on active learning. One article presents a series of active learning assignments for use in introductory financial accounting classes while the other manuscript presents the results of a survey of accounting faculty and their incorporation of active learning techniques in their classes.

Accounting education ought to prepare future professionals to enter a principles-based, rules-oriented field of activity wherein technical knowledge of accounting standards (principles, rules and decision procedures) and ethical awareness (the capacity to discern moral issues and resolve ethical dilemmas) are crucial. Accounting education is best performed by the accountant's adherence to the principles of the accounting profession and by individuals and firms following the appropriate rules, act according to the codes of conduct adopted by their profession, exercise clear judgment whenever they address financial transactions and consider/assess the state of a given business. Accounting Ethics Education: Making Ethics Real gathers a diversity of contributions from invited well-known experts and other specialists. It promotes comprehensive reflection around key trends, discussing and highlighting the most updated research on accounting ethics education, being an essential and useful reference in the field. In the performance of accounting tasks, the accountant should be educated and supported in the skills development and habit formation to solve accounting problems, recognize moral issues and resolve ethical dilemmas that will be encountered in their special tasks. Also, this book provides a moral map for identifying and acting on values when difficult situations arise. Examining multiple perspectives, the book improves the scholarly debate by providing cutting-edge and insightful research vital for all those interested and immersed in these matters. It will be of great value to academics, students, researchers and professionals in the fields of accounting, accounting education and ethics.

The purpose of this book is to offer a more systematic and structured treatment of the research on accounting-based valuation, with a primary focus on recent theoretical developments and the resulting empirical analyses that recognize the role of accounting information in making managerial decisions. Since its inception, valuation research in accounting has evolved primarily along an "empirically driven" path. In the absence of models constructed specifically to explain this topic, researchers have relied on economic intuition and theories from other disciplines (mainly finance and economics) as a basis for designing empirical analyses and interpreting findings. Although this literature has shed important light on the usefulness of accounting information in capital markets, it is obvious that the lack of a rigorous theoretical framework has hindered the establishment of a systematic and well-structured literature and made it difficult to probe valuation issues in depth. More recently, however, progress has been made on the theoretical front. The two most prominent frameworks are (i) the "linear information dynamic approach" and (ii) the "real options-based approach" which recognizes managerial uses of accounting information in the pursuit of value generation. This volume devotes its initial chapters to an evaluation of the models using the linear dynamic approach, and then provides a synthesis of the theoretical studies that adopt the real options approach and the empirical works which draw on them. The book also makes an attempt to revisit and critique existing empirical research (value-relevance and earnings-response studies) within the real options-based framework. It is hoped that the book can heighten interest in integrating theoretical and empirical research in this field, and play a role in helping this literature develop into a more structured and cohesive body of work. Value is of ultimate concern to economic decision-makers, and valuation theory should serve as a platform for studying other accounting topics. The book ends with a call for increased links of other areas of accounting research to valuation theory.

If businesses and other organizations are to meet the many and complex challenges of sustainable development, then they all, both public and private, need to embed sustainability considerations into their decision-making and reporting. However, the translation of this aspiration into effective action is often inhibited by the lack of systems and procedures that take sustainability into account. Accounting for Sustainability: Practical Insights will help organizations to address these issues. The book sets out a number of tools and approaches that have been developed and applied by leading organizations to: Embed sustainability into decision-making, extending beyond an organization's boundaries to take into account suppliers, customers and other stakeholders Measure and link sustainability and financial performance Integrate sustainability into 'mainstream' reporting, both to management and external stakeholders In-depth cases studies from Aviva, BT, the Environment Agency, EDF Energy, HSBC, Novo Nordisk, Sainsbury's and West Sussex County Council show in detail how accounting for sustainability works in practice in a wide range of organizational contexts. Published with The Prince's Charities: Accounting for Sustainability

Richard Mattessich's Accounting and Analytical Methods (1964) and Yuji Ijiri's Theory of Accounting Measurement (1975) are two classic works of American accounting literature written by eminent scholars. Mattessich's work contributed to the debate around the role of accountants in designing systems, and it made a sweeping case for accounting as a management science within an emerging interdisciplinary movement. Ijiri focused on proposing a theory of conventional accounting as an accounting system, which has facilitated accountability among interested parties during five centuries. Understanding Mattessich and Ijiri takes a 21st-century view of these authors and their work, which was well ahead of its time in the challenges it offered to formidable institutional arrangements. This volume revivifies Mattessich's and Ijiri's emphases on processes and circumstances irreducible to rigorous study, which since the 1960s has been the primary focus of accounting literature, and it re-examines important axiomatic views as foundations for accounting research, views to which both scholars dedicated their early careers. Ultimately, this work examines how their ideas fit with emerging economic theories and technologies which neither could have foreseen, and which now compete for attention when it comes to understanding the intricacy of capital and income measurement.

This handbook showcases the broad spectrum of diverse approaches to environmental accounting which have developed during the last 30 years across the globe. The volume covers a range of physical issues such as water, carbon and biodiversity, as well as specific accounting matters such as management control, finance and audit. Moreover, seven chapters present environmental accounting issues that arise in the regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, MENA, North America, the Pacific and South America. The handbook also highlights future challenges in all the topic areas addressed as well as introducing new topics, such as links between environmental accounting and the circular economy, and the issues associated with animal rights. Edited by leading scholars in the area and with key contributions from across the discipline, and covering a diverse range of perspectives and locations, the volume is divided into five key parts: * Part 1: Framing the issues * Part 2: Financial accounting and reporting * Part 3: Management accounting * Part 4: Global and local perspectives * Part 5: Thematic topics in environmental accounting This handbook will act as a significant publication in drawing together the history of the field and important reference points in its future development, and will serve as a vital resource for students and scholars of environmental accounting and environmental economics.

As researchers reveal the increasing complexities of accounting practices in emerging economies, there is a growing need for an overview of the topic. The Routledge Companion to Accounting in Emerging Economies is a prestige work offering an introduction to current scholarship in the field, with indications of future directions for enhancing the contribution to knowledge. With regional coverage of key emerging economies such as Brazil, Russia, India and China, the team of contributors analyse issues in accounting in detail, while shedding light on the role of the accounting profession in providing accountability and governance across the developing world. Each chapter is headed up by an internationally recognised author who is a leading expert in designing and implementing research approaches to the topic. Within the team of authors, some are experienced senior contributors while others are developing new avenues of exploration on the basis of high-quality doctoral study. This range of author experience has been deliberately chosen to allow the reader to envisage working in such a team while growing in confidence. This unique reference offers a comprehensive guide to advanced students, academics, practitioners and policy makers on the current state of, and potential developments in, accounting in developing economies globally. This work will be of particular interest to students and researchers looking to identify topics in emerging economies, academics and practitioners seeking convenient access to an unfamiliar area, and established researchers seeking a single repository on the current state of knowledge, current debates and relevant literature.

Financial globalization paired with the relaxation of constraints on capital flows between countries before the 2008 crisis, increased merger activities among the World's largest stock exchanges. The financial crisis of 2008 had a severe impact on the development of equity markets, corporate financial stability, and corporate governance, and a multi-step approach is needed to fully appreciate the causes and effects of this event. This book engages the separate strands of literature to advance a more holistic understanding of whether and how the national institutional environments in selected countries around the world has been changed after the crisis. Institutions and Accounting Practices after the Financial Crisis: International Perspective sets out a framework for the analysis of institutional environments and accounting practices in in selected countries around the world during the pre-crisis period, followed by an examination of the impact of the crisis. It scrutinizes the changing roles of debt and equity markets; the shift in accounting practices and capital financing choices due to the economic downturn; and the lessons that can be obtained from the financial crisis, while considering the institutional architecture of international business environments. This ongoing process of integration and globalization increases interdependence between world markets, and allows shocks to propagate across national and continental lines, making the understanding of international markets vitally important to American investors. Aimed at primarily researchers, academics and students in the fields of international accounting, management and finance, Institutions and Accounting Practices after the Financial Crisis: International Perspective will additionally be of value to practitioners and policy makers, supplying them with information regarding the changes in accounting practices and risk evaluation due to the crisis.

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Can there be reliable information that is also relevant to decision making? Information for Efficient Decision Making: Big Data, Blockchain and Relevance focuses on the consolidation of information to facilitate making decisions in firms, in order to make their operations efficient to reduce their costs and consequently, increase their profitability. The advent of blockchain has generated great interest as an alternative to centralized organizations, where the data is gathered through a centralized ledger keeping of activities of the firm. The decentralized ledger keeping is one of the main features of blockchain that has given rise to many issues of technology, development, implementation, privacy, acceptance, evaluation and so on. Blockchain concept is a follow-up to big data environment facilitated by enormous progress in computer hardware, storage capacities and technological prowess. This has resulted in the rapid acquiring of data not considered possible earlier. With shrewd modeling analytics and algorithms, the applications have grown to significant levels. This handbook discusses the progress in data collection, pros and cons of collecting information on decentralized publicly available ledgers and several applications.

Research on Professional Responsibility and Ethics in Accounting is devoted to publishing high-quality research and cases that focus on the professional responsibilities of accountants and how they deal with the ethical issues they face. The series features articles on a broad range of important and timely topics, including professionalism, social responsibility, ethical judgment, and accountability. The professional responsibilities of accountants are broad-based; they must serve clients and user groups whose needs, incentives, and goals may be in conflict. Further, accountants must interpret and apply codes of conduct, accounting and auditing principles, and securities regulations. Compliance with professional guidelines is judgment-based, and characteristics of the individual, the culture, and situations affect how these guidelines are interpreted and applied, as well as when they might be violated. Interactions between accountants, regulators, standard setters, and industries also have ethical components. Research into the nature of these interactions, resulting dilemmas, and how and why accountants resolve them, is the focus of this series.
*Publishes annualy
*Research on Professional Responsibility and Ethics in Accounting is devoted to publishing high-quality research and cases that focus on the professional responsibilities of accountants and how they deal with the ethical issues they face

Business scandals are always with us from the South Sea Bubble to Enron and Parmalat. As accounting forms a central element of any business success or failure, the role of accounting is crucial in understanding business scandals. This book aims to explore the role of accounting, particularly creative accounting and fraud, in business scandals. The book is divided into three parts. In Part A the background and context of creative accounting and fraud is explored. Part B looks at a series of international accounting scandals and Part C draws some themes and implications from the country studies.