International Accounting, Chapter 1 Ch 01

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International Accounting, 6/e

Frederick D.S. Choi

Gary K. Meek


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Choi/Meek, 6/e 2

Learning Objectives

 How is international accounting distinct from

domestic accounting?

 What does international accounting diversity entail?  Does international accounting have a history?

 What factors are contributing to the importance of

international accounting as a field of study?

 What external and internal reporting issues arise

when business and investing transcend national borders?

 What is meant by the term, global capital markets,

and what does development mean for capital market participants?


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What is International Accounting?

Domestic accounting:

an information

specialty providing information about a firm to

users of that information as a basis for

economic decisions.

International accounting (defined):

same

as above except that the firm being reported

on is a multinational company with operations

and transactions that cross national

boundaries or an entity with reporting

obligations to non-domestic readers.


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Choi/Meek, 6/e 4

What Does International

Accounting Diversity Entail?

Measurement principles

Financial disclosure (corporate transparency)

Auditing practices


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Contributing Factors

Accounting’s international heritage

 Double-entry originates in the Italian city states.

 Bookkeeping spreads to Germany and assists the spread

of capitalism.

 Dutch enhance income measurement.

 French use accounting for governmental planning and

control.

 Double entry assists the British in managing and controlling

commercial interests in the colonies.

 Accounting plays a major role in the U.S. industrial


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Choi/Meek, 6/e 6

Contributing Factors (contin)

Paradox of international accounting

 In many countries, accounting remains a nationalistic

affair.

 Accounting serves people and institutions whose

decisions are international in scope.

 Accounting diversity creates a demand for


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Contributing Factors (contin)


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Contributing Factors (contin)

Reporting issues when business transcends

national boundaries

 Consolidation of foreign accounts

 Accounting for foreign currency fluctuations  Accounting for changing prices

 International planning and control

 Performance evaluation of foreign operations  Financial risk management

 International taxation and transfer pricing  Financial innovation

 Identifying potential market risks

 Quantifying trade-offs associated with alternative risk reduction strategies  Measuring risk exposures

 Accounting for specific hedge products


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Choi/Meek, 6/e 10

Contributing Factors (contin)

Global competition

 Competitive

benchmarking necessitates international comparisons.


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Contributing Factors (contin)

Cross-border mergers and acquisitions

 Corporate valuation is a function of accounting

measurements that vary from country to country.

 E.g., the e in p/e valuation multiples.

Internationalization of capital markets

 Raising external finance abroad means that

financial reports must increasingly travel internationally.


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Contributing Factors (contin)

Reporting issues associated with

internationalization of capital markets

 How to analyze and interpret foreign accounts?  How to report to foreign readers?

 How to harmonize reporting standards


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Choi/Meek, 6/e 14


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Choi/Meek, 6/e 16


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Choi/Meek, 6/e 18


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Choi/Meek, 6/e 13

Contributing Factors (contin)

 Reporting issues associated with

internationalization of capital markets

 How to analyze and interpret foreign accounts?  How to report to foreign readers?

 How to harmonize reporting standards


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Choi/Meek, 6/e 14


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Choi/Meek, 6/e 15


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Choi/Meek, 6/e 16


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Choi/Meek, 6/e 17


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Choi/Meek, 6/e 18