Article
Some Conceptual Tensions in Financial Reporting
Accounting Horizons
(2016)
Abstract
We examine four key conceptual tensions that are at the heart of many financial reporting dilemmas: stocks versus flows, ex ante versus ex post, conventions versus economic substance, and top-down design versus bottom-up evolution as sources of accounting practice. Associated with each of these conceptual dimensions is an accounting duality; in some cases, one side (e.g., stocks) is easier to measure in a reliable manner, while the other side (e.g., flows) is easier to measure in other instances. We suggest that financial reporting would benefit from a willingness to pay attention to, and find compromise between, both sides of these tensions; forcing a choice of one over the other does not serve to improve financial reporting.
Keywords
- conceptual tensions,
- stocks-flows,
- ex ante-ex post,
- conventions-economic features,
- design-evolution
Disciplines
- Business and
- Accounting
Publication Date
2016
Citation Information
Yuri Biondi, Karim Jamal, James Ohlson, Stephen Penman, et al.. "Some Conceptual Tensions in Financial Reporting" Accounting Horizons Vol. 26 Iss. 1 (2016) p. 125 - 133 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/shyam-sunder/464/