Comparability of accounting choices in subsequent measurement of fixed assets, intangible assets, and investment property in South American companies

Abstract

Expertise on comparability, accounting choices, and fair value is among the most controversial and poorly discussed themes in the current accounting scenario. Accounting choices are needed in order to guarantee a reliable representation, at the same time that their discretionary use may decrease the comparability level expected by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). In this article, we identified the comparability degree of accounting choices in the subsequent measurement of fixed assets, intangible assets, and investment property (IP) for listed companies in Brazil, Chile, and Peru, in addition to check whether certain entity characteristics can influence managers' accounting choice for fair value. Comparability was measured through the T-index and the explanatory variables were identified through regressions, within the period 2009-2013. It was found that, for fixed assets, national and international comparability increased after IFRS adoption, both increased over time. For intangible assets, there was not a substantial increase in national and international comparability. For IP, national and international comparability did not increase after IFRS adoption, their rates remained close to 0.50 (low comparability) in almost every year. Thus, IFRS adoption alone did not ensure comparability. By using regression analysis, we found that the characteristics industry, audit by big four, country, managers' remuneration, size, indebtedness, profitability, relevance, and time influenced managers' accounting choices, indicating the possibility that the choices under analysis have been used for management of outcomes.