Financial Accounting Standards Research Initiative

Mark Evans, Leslie Hodder and Pat Hopkins just posted a paper on SSRN indicating some benefits to fair value accounting in financial institutions.  From the abstract: For a sample of commercial banks during 1994–2008, we find that accumulated fair value adjustments for investment securities are positively associated with realized income from investment securities in the following [...] Read more > >

On Wednesday, Feb 3rd, 11 am ET, we will be joined by Steven Orpurt of Pepperdine University. Steve will be discussing his paper, entitled “Do Direct Cash Flow Disclosures Help Predict Future Operating Cash Flows and Earnings? This work is co-authored with Yoonseok Zang, also of Singapore Management University, and was recently published in [...] Read more > >

To what extent do lenders or credit analysts care about lease renewal options? In the proposed lease accounting model, lessees will capitalize the longest lease term that is more likely than not to occur. This means that renewal periods that a lessee is not obligated to renew will be measured as part of the lease [...] Read more > >

Stephen Ryan (NYU) joins FASRI to talk about his recent research on the fair value option in the banking industry.  Stephen is one of the most respected accounting academics studying banking and financial instruments these days, so I expect people will have plenty of questions beyond the research study that will form the heart of [...] Read more > >

I was excited this past week to read that the IASB recently published a second exposure draft on a portion of IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities, and Contingent Assets. I know, excitement might be too strong of a word, but I was looking forward to seeing whether the IASB’s decision on how to measure onerous [...] Read more > >

Typically at the start of every New Year, we spend time thinking about the prior year and all the interesting and exciting events that have happened. 2009 was certainly a banner year for accounting standard setting. As I was thinking back over all that happened and trying to determine what was the most surprising thing [...] Read more > >

Jeremy summarized nicely some of the discussion points that Jim raised during his discussion with Jeffrey Hales.  I won’t repeat his summary.  However, I found Jim’s comments to be particularly insightful today.  I came away with some very good clarification of a few issues. Here’s one that I found particularly interesting: Regarding his objection to the “management [...] Read more > >

Jeremy summarized nicely some of the discussion points that Jim raised during his discussion with Jeffrey Hales.  I won’t repeat his summary.  However, I found Jim’s comments to be particularly insightful today.  I came away with some very good clarification of a few issues. Here’s one that I found particularly interesting: Regarding his objection to the “management [...] Read more > >

In my technical accounting research class and in recent consulting work, I often have been reminded of the need for reasoned judgment in our profession. With the general move toward more objectives-based standards (using the SEC parlance), the need for professional judgment only will increase.  Recognizing the need to teach and understand what professional judgment [...] Read more > >

Somehow I ended up on the mailing list of Risk.Net, which hails itself as “The world’s leading monthly magazine dedicated to the risk management and derivatives industries.”  In this week’s top story, headlined “Abuse of revised IFRS standards “inevitable” – IASB’s Leisenring“, Jim is quoted as expressing concern about using management intent to determine how [...] Read more > >