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国际会计答案第一章国际会计的形成和发展1。
讨论主题1.1为什么说市场，特别是货币市场和资本市场的国际化是会计国际化的主要驱动力？国际贸易和国际经济技术合作促进了会计成为国际商业语言。
特别是国际货币市场和资本市场的兴起，对进入市场的贷款人或融资人提出了提供具有国际可比性和可靠性的财务信息的要求(即国际财务报告趋同的要求)，成为会计国际化的主要驱动力。
1.2跨国公司100%促进会计国际化吗？解释你的观点不跨国公司推进会计国际化有两个方面:一方面，它们希望根据跨国经营和国际融资的需要，通过会计国际化来缩小和协调国家差异；另一方面，他们也非常重视利用各国现有的会计差异来寻求财务利益后者还促进了各国会计模式和重要会计方法的国际比较研究。
(注:“会计国际化”一般与“会计国际协调”的概念一致，与国际会计研究中的“国家会计”观点相反)1.3会计随着业务活动的扩大而扩展。
你同意这个说法吗？从历史发展过程谈一谈你的看法同意我们可以主要讨论历史事实，如会计从前殖民帝国向其前殖民地的传播，工业革命后西方会计的发展及其在世界上的广泛传播，以及第二次世界大战后美国会计的影响，这在一定程度上主导了世界各地会计的发展。
1.4哪些具体会计方法具有国际性质？将外币交易和外币报表转换引入会计领域是会计国际化带来的一个独特问题。
——4——自XXXX时代以来，它已成为国际会计研究中的“三大难题”，涉及并局限于跨国企业合并、国际合并财务报表和外币折算，以及如何应对和调整国际合并财务报表中各国价格变动的影响。
世纪之交，金融工具(尤其是衍生工具)创新引发的会计处理问题给传统会计观念和实务带来了巨大冲击，成为各国会计准则机构在共同研究中尚未妥善解决的难题。
此外，国际税务会计也是一个值得关注的话题1.5您如何看待会计国际化与国有化之间的矛盾及其消长？会计国际化与国有化之间的矛盾，实际上反映了经济全球化与各国国家利益及其兴衰过程之间的矛盾。
可以说，会计根植于各国的政治、经济、意识形态、文化等社会因素，会计的民族特征不能完全抹杀。
Chapter 6Foreign Currency TranslationDiscussion Questions Solutions1.Foreign currency translation is the process of restating a foreign account balance from onecurrency to another. Foreign currency conversion is the process of physically exchanging onecurrency for another.2.In the foreign exchange spot market, currencies bought and sold must be delivered immediately,normally within 2 business days. Thus a Singaporean tourist buying U.S. dollars at the airportbefore boarding a plane for New York would hand over Singapore dollars and immediatelyreceive the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars. The forward market handles agreements toexchange a fixed amount of one currency for another on an agreed date in the future. Forexample, a French manufacturer exporting goods invoiced in euros to a Japanese importer on 60- day credit terms would buy a forward contract to sell yen for euros 2 months in the future.Transactions in the swap market involve the simultaneous purchase (or sale) of one currency in the spot market and the sale (or purchase) of the same currency in the forward market. Thus, a Canadian investor wishing to take advantage of higher interest rates on 6-month Treasury bills in the United States would buy U.S. dollars with Canadian dollars in the spot market and invest in the United States. To guard against a fall in the value of the U.S. dollar before maturity (when the U.S. dollar proceeds are converted back to Canadian dollars), the Canadian investor would simultaneously enter into a forward contract to sell U.S. dollars for Canadian dollars 6 months in the future at today s forward exchange rate.3.The question refers to alternative exchange rates that are used to translate foreign financialstatements. The current rate is the exchange rate at the financial statement date. It issometimes called the year-end or closing rate. The historical rate is the exchange rate at the time of the underlying transaction. The average rate is the average of various exchange rates during a fiscal period. Since the average rate normally is used to translate income statement items, it isoften weighted to reflect any seasonal changes in the volume of transactions during the period.Translation gains and losses do not occur if exchange rates do not change. However, if exchange rates change, the use of current and average rates causes translation gains and losses.These do not occur when the historical rate is used because the same (constant) rate is used each period.4. In this example, the Mexican Affiliate s Canadian dollar loan is denominated in Canadian dollars.However, because the Mexican affiliate’s functional currency is U.S. dollars, the peso equivalent of the Canadian dollar borrowing would be remeasured in U.S. dollars prior to consolidation. If the Mexican affiliate’s functional currency were the peso, the Canadian dollar loan would beremeasured in pesos before being translated to U.S. dollars.5. A transaction gain or loss occurs when a foreign currency transaction, e.g., a foreign currencyborrowing, is settled at a different exchange rate than that which prevailed when the transaction was originally incurred. In this case there is an exchange of one currency for another. Atranslation gain or loss, on the other hand, is simply the result of a restatement process. There isno physical exchange of currencies involved.6. It is not possible to combine, add, or subtract accounting measurements expressed in differentcurrencies; thus, it is necessary to translate those accounts that are measured or denominated in a foreign currency into a single reporting currency. Foreign currency translation can involverestatement or remeasurement. In restatement, the local (functional) currency is kept as the unit of measure; that is, the translation process multiplies the financial results and relationships in the local currency accounts by a constant, the current rate. In contrast, remeasurement translateslocal currency results as if the underlying transactions had taken place in the reporting(functional) currency of the parent company; for example, it changes the unit of measure of aforeign subsidiary from its local (foreign) currency to the U.S. dollar.7. Major advantages and limitations of each of the major translation methods follow.Current Rate MethodAdvantages:a. Retains the initial relationships in the foreign currency statements.b. Simple to apply.Limitations:a. Violates the basic purpose of consolidation, which is to present the results of a parent and its subsidiaries as if they were a single entity.b. Inconsistent with historical cost.c. Presumes that all local assets and liabilities are subject to exchange risk.d. While stockholders equity adjustments shield an MNC s bottom line from translation gains and losses, such adjustments could distort certain financial ratios and be confusing.Current-noncurrent MethodAdvantages:a. Distortions in translated gross margins are reduced as inventories and translated at the current rate.b. Reported earnings are shielded from the distorting effects of currency fluctuations as excess translation gains are deferred and used to offset future translation losses.Limitations:a. Uses balance sheet classification as basis for translation.b. Assumes all current assets are exposed to exchange risk regardless of their form.c. Assumes long-term debt is sheltered from exchange rate risk.Monetary-nonmonetary MethodAdvantages:a. Reflects changes in domestic currency equivalent of long-term debt on a timely basis. Limitations:a. Assumes that only monetary assets and liabilities are subject to exchange rate risk.b. Exchange rate changes distort profit margins as sales transacted at current prices are matched against cost of sales measured at historical prices.c. Uses balance sheet classification as basis for translation.d. Nonmonetary items stated at current market values are translated at historical rates.Temporal MethodAdvantages:a. Theoretically valid: compatible with any accounting measurement method.b. Has the effect of translating foreign subsidiaries operations as if they were originally transacted in the home currency, which is desirable for foreign operations that are extensions of the parent’s activities. Limitation:a. A company increases its earnings volatility by recognizing translation gains and losses currently.In arguing for one translation method over another, your students should eventually realize that, in the present state of the art, there is probably no one translation method that is appropriate for all circumstances in which translations occur and for all purposes thattranslation serves. It is probably more fruitful to have students identify circumstances in which they think one translation method is more appropriate than another.8.The current rate method is appropriate when the foreign entity being consolidated is largelyindependent of the parent company. Conditions which would justify this methodology is when the foreign affiliate tends to generate and expend cash flows in the local currency, sells a product locally so that its selling price is largely insulated from exchange rate changes, incurs expenses locally, finances its self locally and does not have very many transactions with the parentcompany. In contrast, the temporal method seems appropriate in those instances when theforeign affiliate’s operations are integrally related to the parent company. Conditions whichwould justify use of the temporal method are when the foreign affiliate transacts business in the parent currency and remits such cash flows to the parent company, sells a product largely in the parent country and whose selling price is sensitive to exchange rate changes, sources its factorinputs from the parent company, receives most of its financing from the parent and has a largetwo way flow of transactions with it.9.The history of foreign currency translation in the United States suggests that the development ofaccounting principles does not depend on theoretical considerations so much as on political, institutional, and economic influences that affect accounting standard setting. It may be morerealistic to recognize that theoretically sound solutions are impossible as long as policyprescriptions are evaluated on practical grounds. Without specific choice criteria derived from investor decision models, it is fruitless to argue the conceptual merits of competing accounting treatments. It is far more productive to admit that foreign currency translation choices are simply arbitrary.Readers of consolidated financial statements should know that the foreign currency translation method used is one of several alternatives, and this should be disclosed. This approach is more open and reduces the chance that readers will draw misleading inferences.10.Foreign inflation, in particular, the differential rate of inflation between the country in which asubsidiary is located and the country of its parent determines foreign exchange rates. Theserates, in turn, are used to translate foreign currency balances to parent currency.11.In the United Kingdom, financial statements of affiliates domiciled in hyperinflationaryenvironments must first be adjusted to current price levels and then translated using the current rate; in the United States, the temporal method would be employed. The second part of thisquestion is designed to get students from abroad to find out what companies in their homecountries are doing and thereby be in a position to share their new found knowledge with theirclassmates. They need simply get on the internet and read the footnotes of a major multinational company in their home country.12.Under FAS No. 52, the parent currency is designated as the functional currency for an affiliate,whose operations are considered to be an integral part of the parent company’s operations.Accordingly, anything that affects consolidated earnings, including foreign currency translation gains and losses, is relevant to parent company shareholders and is included in reported earnings.In contrast, when a foreign affiliate s operations are independent of the parent s, the localcurrency is designated as its functional currency. Since the focus is on the affiliate s localperformance, translation gains and losses that arise solely from consolidation are irrelevant and, therefore, are not included in consolidated income.Exercises Solutions1.¥250,000,000 X .008557 = $2,139,250.¥250,000,000 ÷ ¥116.86 = $2, 139,312The difference is due to rounding.2.Since £1 = US$1.9590 and €1 = US$1.3256, £1 = US$1.9590/US$1.3256 = €1.4778.Alternatively, €1 = US$1.3256/US$1.9590 = £.6767.3.Single Transaction Perspective:4/1 Purchases (¥32,500,000/¥116.91) $277,992Cash $27,800A/P(¥32,500,000 - ¥3,250,000)/¥116.91 250,192(Credit purchase)7/1 Purchases[(¥29,250,000/¥116.91) – (¥29,250,000/¥115.47) 3,120A/P 3,120(To record increase in purchases due to yen appreciation)7/1 Interest expense(¥29,250,000 X .08 X 3/12)/¥115.47 5,066A/P(¥29,250,000/¥115.47) 253,312Cash 258,378(To record settlement)Two Transactions Perspective:4/1 Purchases $277,992Cash $27,800A/P 250,1927/1 Transaction loss 3,120A/P 3,1207/1 Interest expense 5,066A/P 253,312Cash 258,3784. a. MXN 1,750,000/MXN10.3 = C$169,903.b. The Canadian dollar equivalent of the Mexican inventory account would not change if the functional currencywas the Canadian dollar as the temporal method translates inventory, a nonmonetary asset, at the exchange rate that preserves its original measurement basis. Since inventory is being carried at its net realizable value, it would be translated at the current rate. Had inventory been carried at historical cosuld have been translated at the historical rate or MXN3,750,000/MXN9.3 = C$403,226.5. Baht is the functional currency:B 2,500,000/20 years = B 125,000B 125,000/B37 = 3,378B 5,000,000/20 years = B 250,000B 250,000/B37 = 6,757U.S. dollar is the functional currency:B 2,500,000/20 years = B 125,000B 125,000/B40 = 3,125B 5,000,000/20 years = B 250,000B 250,000/B38 = 6,579Total depreciation $ 9,7046. If the euro is the German subsidiary’s functional currency, its accounts would be t ranslated into Australian dollarsusing the current rate method. In this case the translation gain of AUD4,545,455 would appear in consolidated equity.Thus the only item affecting current income would be the transaction loss(loss on an unsettled transaction) ofAUD1,514,515 on the euro borrowing.If the Australian dollar is deemed to be the functional currency, then the transaction loss andtranslation gain would both appear in reported earnings as follows:AUD(1,514,515) transaction lossAUD4,545,455 translation gainAUD3,030,940 net foreign exchange gain7.U.S. Dollar U.S. Dollar U.S. DollarBefore CNY After CNY After CNYAppreciation Appreciation DepreciationCNY Balance Sheet ($.12=CNY1) ($.15 = CNY1) ($0.09 = CNY1)Assets Amount Current Monetary Current MonetaryNoncurrent Nonmonetary Noncurrent NonmonetaryCash NT5,000 $600 $ 750 $ 750 $ 450 $ 450Accts. Receivable 14,000 1,680 2,100 2,100 1,260 1,260Inventories(cost=24,000) 22,000 2,640 3,300 2,640 1,980 2,640Fixed assets, net 39,000 4,680 4,680 4,680 4,680 4,680Total CNY 80,000 $9,600 $10,830 $10,170 $8,370 $9,030Liabilities & Owners EquityAccts. Payable CNY21,000 $2,520 $ 3,150 $ 3,150 $1,890 $1,890Long-term debt 27,000 3,240 3,240 4,050 3,240 2,430Stockholders equity 32,000 3,840 4,440 2,970 3,240 4,710Total CNY 80,000 $9,600 $10,830 $10,170 $8,370 $9,030Accounting exposure CNY20,000 (29,000) 20,000 (29,000)Translation gain (loss) US$ 600 (870) (600) 8708.U.S. Dollar U.S. Dollar U.S. DollarBefore CNY After CNY After CNYAppreciation Appreciation DepreciationCNY Balance Sheet ($.12=CNY1) ($.15 = CNY1) ($.09 = CNY1)Assets Amount Temporal Current Temporal CurrentCash CNY5,000 $ 600 $ 750 $ 750 $ 450 $ 450Accts. Receivable 14,000 1,680 2,100 2,100 1,260 1,260Inventories(cost=24,000) 22,000 2,640 3,300 3,300 1,980 1,980Fixed assets, net 39,000 3,600 3,600 5,850 3,600 3,510Total CNY 80,000 $8,520 $9,750 $12,000 $11,700 $7,200Liabilities & Owners EquityAccts. Payable CNY21,000 $2,520 $3,150 $3,150 $1,890 $1,890Long-term debt 27,000 3,240 4,050 4,050 2,430 2,430Stockholders equity 32,000 2,760 2,550 4,800 7,380 2,880Total NT$ 80,000 $8,520 $9,750 $12,000 $11,700 $7,200Accounting exposure NT$ (7,000) 32,000 (7,000) 32,000Translation gain (loss) US$ (210) 960 210 (960)c. Students will quickly discover that each translation method has its advantages and disadvantages. After some discussion, the question of translation objectives will arise. Currency translation objectives are based on how foreign operations are viewed. If foreign operations are considered extensions of the parent, a case can be made for a historical rate method: current-noncurrent, monetary-nonmonetary, or temporal. If foreign operations are viewed from a local company perspective, a case can be made for the current rate method. Given the complexity of multinational business activities, one could argue that a single translation method will not serve all purposes for which translations are done. As long as the objectives of foreign currency translation differ among specific reporting entities, a practical solution is to insist on full disclosure of the translation procedures used so that users have a basis for reconciling any differences that exist.9.Company A (Country A)(Reporting Currency = Apeso)Beginning of Year End of YearAssets: Exchange Rate Translated Exchange Rate TranslatedApeso 100 Apeso 100 Apeso 100Bol 100 Apeso 1 = Bol 1.25 Apeso 80 Apeso 1 = Bol 2 Apeso 50Apeso 180 Apeso 150Translation loss = A$ 30Company B (Country B)(Reporting Currency = Bol)Beginning of Year End of YearAssets: Exchange Rate Translated Exchange Rate TranslatedApeso 100 Apeso 1 = Bol 1.25 Bol 125 Apeso 1 = Bol 2 Bol 200Bol 100 Bol 100 Bol 100Bol 225 Bol 300Translation gain = Bol 75b. This exercise demonstrates the effect of the reporting currency on foreign currency translation results when the current rate method is used. Both companies are in seemingly identical situations, yet one reports a translation loss while the other reports a translation gain. One company reports shrinking assets while the other reports increasing assets. Nothing has actually happened but an exchange rate change. Also, despite a stronger Apeso, Company A reports a loss. Conversely, the Bol weakened, yet Company B reports a gain. It appears that a strengthening currency is not always good news, nor is a weakening currency always bad news.If the intention is to repatriate the funds invested in the foreign country (Country B from Company A’s perspective, Country A from Company B’s perspective), the scenario makes sense. After all, CompanyA will be repatriating fewer Apesos than originally invested and CompanyB will be repatriating moreB ol’s than originally invested. Fluctuating exchange rates have changed each company s command over a foreign currency. Assuming the company intends to repatriate the currency, it makes sense toinclude the respective gain or loss in income for the current year. On the other hand it can be argued that the gain or loss should be excluded from income if the company intends to keep the foreign assets invested permanently..10.Translation RateLocal Currency is Dollar isFunctional Currency Functional CurrencyCash Current CurrentMarketable securities (cost)Current Historical aAccounts receivable Current CurrentInventory (market) Current CurrentEquipment Current HistoricalAccumulated depreciation Current HistoricalPrepaid expenses Current HistoricalGoodwill Current HistoricalAccounts payable Current CurrentDue to parent (denominated in dollars) Current CurrentBonds payable Current CurrentIncome taxes payable Current CurrentDeferred income taxes Current CurrentCommon stock Historical HistoricalPremium on common stock Historical HistoricalRetained Earnings Balancing Residual Balancing ResidualSales Average AveragePurchases Average AverageCost of Sales Average HistoricalGeneral and administrative expenses Average AverageSelling expenses Average HistoricalDepreciation Average HistoricalAmortization of goodwill Average HistoricalIncome tax expense Average AverageInter-company interest expense Average Average__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________a Fixed income securities intended to be held to maturity.11. a. Before riyal depreciation:Cash SAR 60,000,000 ÷ SAR3.75 = $ 16,000,000Inventory 120,000,000 ÷ SAR3.75 = 32,000,000Fixed Assets 750,000,000 ÷ SAR3.75 = 200,000,000Total $248,000,000After riyal depreciation:Cash SAR 60,000,000 ÷ SAR4.125 = $ 14,545,455Inventory 120,000,000 ÷ SAR3.75 = 32,000,000Fixed Assets 750,000,000 ÷ SAR3.75 = 200,000,000Total $246,545,455Translation loss $(1,454,455)b.The translation loss has no effect on MSC’s cash flows as it is the result of a restatement process.c.On a pre-tax basis, an analyst would back out the translation gain from reported earnings and add it to consolidatedequity. However, in addition inventory and fixed assets would be translated at the current rate, as opposed to thehistorical rate, and the resulting translation loss would also be taken to consolidated equity. This would result in a different earnings number as well as asset measures.Before riyal depreciation:Cash SAR 60,000,000 ÷ SAR3.75 = $ 16,000,000Inventory 120,000,000 ÷ SAR3.75 = 32,000,000Fixed Assets 750,000,000 ÷ SAR3.75 = 200,000,000Total $248,000,000After riyal depreciation:Cash SAR 60,000,000 ÷ SAR4.125 = $ 14,545,455Inventory 120,000,000 ÷ SAR4.125 = 29,090,909Fixed Assets 750,000,000 ÷ SAR4.125 = 181,818,182Total $225,454,546Translation adjustnment reflected in equity $(22,545,454)Students could also be probed and asked how the adjusted numbers would impact certain ratios such as ROA or ROE, Debt to Equity, and asset turnover.12. a. The currency effects in the first and third paragraphs have an impact on Alcan’s cash flows. IN the firstparagraph, echange rate changes affect Alcan’s future revenues and costs and directly affect cash receipts andpayments. The third paragraph involves settling foreign currency transactions at a different echange rate than when the transaction were entered into.b.Alcan appears to be employing the monetary-nonmonetary method.c. Many analysts back out translation gains and losses from reported earnings as these are largely non-cash itemsthat simply result from a restatement process. This would especially be the case if Alcan were being compared to a company employing the current rate method. Disregarding translation gains and losses would have the following effect on reported earnings:20X5 20X4 20X3With translation G/L $129m $258m $64mTranslation G/L (86) (153) (326)Without Translation G/L $215m $411m $390mThe impact on the pattern of earnings would change significantly. The year to year changes in earnings both before and after abstracting from currency translation effects are:20X5/20X3 20X5/20X4 20X4/20X3With translation G/L 102% -50% 303%Without Translation G/L 45% -48% 5%Case 6-1 Regents CorporationThe nature of Regents’s operation is such that choice of an appropriate functional currency is ultimately a judgement call. Students can argue for either currency and should be evaluated on the strength of their analysis. A major lesson of this case is that the functional currency choice is important since the currency designation dictates which translation method, (current or temporal) is ultimately used. The financial statement effects can be very different. Thus it is important for a reader of financial statements to understand how the differing measurement options affect the balance sheet and income statement and be prepared to adjust from one framework to the other, even if only crudely.TEMPORAL METHOD(U.S. DOLLAR IS THE FUNCTIONAL CURRENCY)Balance Sheet Accounts, 12/31/X7 Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Dollar EquivalentCash £ 1,060 1.80 $ 1,908Accounts receivable 2,890 1.90 5,491Inventory 3,040 1.78 5,411Fixed assets 4,400 1.70 7,480 Accumulated depreciation (420) 1.70 (714)Patent ----- -----Total £10,970 $19,576Accounts payable £ 1,610 1.80 $ 2,898Due to parent 1,800 1.80 3,240Long-term debt 4,500 1.80 8,100Deferred taxes 80 1.80 144Common stock 1,500 1.70 2,550Retained earnings 1,480 residual 2,644£10,970 $19,576Income Statement, 12/31/X8 Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Dollar Equivalent Sales £ 16,700 1.86 $ 31,062Cost of sales a (11,300) (20,706)General and administrative (1,600) 1.86 (2,976) Depreciation (280) 1.70 (476)(20) 1.82 (36)Interest (480) 1.86 (893) Transaction gain 125 1.86 233Aggregate translation adjustment b (368)Taxes:Current (670) 1.86 (1,246 )Deferred (40) 1.86 (74)Net income £ 2,435 $ 4,520Retained earnings, 12/31X7 1,480 2,644Dividends (300) 1.86 (558)Retained earnings, 12/31X8 £ 3,615 $ 6,606a Beginning inventory £ 3,040 1.78 $ 5,411 Purchases 11,690 1.86 21,743Ending inventory 3,430 1.88 6,448 Cost of Sales £ 11,300 $20,706b Aggregate translation adjustment:1. Monetary assets, 12/31/X7 £ 3,950Monetary liabilities, 12/31/X7 7,990(£ 4,040) x (1.90 - 1.80) = ($404)2. Change in negative exposure:12/31/X7 (£ 4,040)12/31/X8 (2,565 )£ 1,475Composition of decrease:Sources of monetary items:Net income £2,435Depreciation 300 £2,735Uses of monetary items:Inventory increase £(390)Addition to fixed assets (500)Purchase of patent (70)Dividends (300 ) (1,260 )£1,4753. Sources of monetary items x difference in year-end rate and rate used to translate income statement =£2,345 x (1.90 - 1.86) = $94300 x (1.90 – 1.86) = 12 $1094. Uses of monetary items x difference in year-end rate and rate used to translate those items =£(390) x (1.90 – 1.86) = $(15)(300) x (1.90 - 1.86) = (12)(500) x (1.90 - 1.82) = (40)(70) x (1.90 - 1.82) = (6 ) (73)Aggregate translation adjustment = ($404)109(73 )($368)Balance Sheet, 12/31/X8 Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Dollar EquivalentCash £ 1,150 1.90 $2,185 Accounts receivable 3,100 1.90 5,890 Inventory 3,430 1.88 6,448Fixed assets a 4,900 8,390 Accumulated depreciation b (720) (1,226)Patent 70 1.82 127Total £11,930 $21,814 Accounts payable £ 1,385 1.90 $ 2,632Due to parent 1,310 1.90 2,489Long-term debt 4,000 1.90 7,600 Deferred taxes 120 1.90 228 Common stock 1,500 1.70 2,550 Retained earnings 3,615 6,309Total £11,930 $21,814___________________________________________________________________________a Original assets £ 4,400 1.70 $ 7,480New assets 500 1.82 910$ 8,390b Original assets £ 700 1.70New assets 20 1.82 36$ 1,226 CURRENT RATE METHOD(LOCAL CURRENCY IS THE FUNCTIONAL CURRENCY)Balance Sheet Accounts, 12/31/X7 Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Dollar Equivalent Cash £ 1,060 1.80 $ 1,908 Accounts receivable 2,890 1.80 5,202 Inventory 3,040 1.80 5,472Fixed assets 4,400 1.80 7,920 Accumulated depreciation (420) 1.80 (756)Patent --- ---Total £10,970 $19,746Accounts payable £ 1,610 1.80 $ 2,898Due to parent 1,800 1.80 3,240Long-term debt 4,500 1.80 8,100Deferred taxes 80 1.80 144Common stock 1,500 1.70 2,550Retained earnings 1,480 2,355 Cumulative translation adjustment --- 459(given)Total £ 10,970 $19,746Income Statement, 12/31/X8 Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Dollar Equivalent Sales £16,700 1.86 $31,062Cost of sales (11,300) 1.86 (21,018)General and administrative (1,600) 1.86 (2,976) Depreciation (300) 1.86 (558)Interest (480) 1.86 (893) Transaction gain 125 1.86 232Taxes:Current (670) 1.86 (1,246)Deferred (40) 1.86 (74)Net income £ 2,435 $ 4,529Retained earnings, 12/31X7 1,480 2,355Dividends (300) 1.86 (558)Retained earnings, 12/31X8 £ 3,615 $ 6,326Balance Sheet, 12/31/X8 Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Dollar EquivalentCash £ 1,150 1.90 $ 2,185Accounts receivable 3,100 1.90 5,890Inventory 3,430 1.90 6,517Fixed assets 4,900 1.90 9,310Accumulated depreciation (720) 1.90 (1,368)Patent 70 1.90 133Total £ 11,930 $22,667Accounts payable £ 1,385 1.90 $ 2,632Due to parent 1,310 1.90 2,489Long-term debt 4,000 1.90 7,600Deferred taxes 120 1.90 228Common stock 1,500 1.70 2,550Retained earnings 3,615 6,326Cumulative translation adj. ----- 842aTotal £11,930 $22,667a Cumulative translation adjustment:1. Net exposed assets, 12/31/X7, x change in current rate = £2.980 x (1.90 - 1.80) = $2982. Change in net assets x difference between year-end and average rate = £2.135 x (1.90 - 1.86) = 853. Cumulative translation adjustment 12/31/X7 4594. Cumulative translation adjustment, 12/31/X8 $842。
第一章导论2.会计可以被看做是包括三个部分：计量、披露和审计。
这种分类的优点和缺点是什么？你能提出其他有效的分类吗？Advantage: Some might argue that measurement, disclosure, and external auditing are three distinct (although related) processes, involving different members of the company. For example, corporate attorneys often are involved in disclosure issues, but seldom intervene in measurement ssues. The Board of Directors works with the external auditors but not necessarily with the comptroller s office. Thus, discussion of accounting requirements and voluntary accounting choices in different jurisdictions is simplified by focusing on the three components of accounting. Disadvantage: measurement, disclosure and auditing are interdependent, and should not be viewed in isolation of one another. A company choosing to disclose as little as possible, for example, may use accounting measurement approaches that reduce the information content of financial statements, and select an external auditor who will be relatively lenient in enforcing accounting requirements. One alternative classification might include accounting (measurement and disclosure), and auditing. A second classification might include financial reporting (annual and interim reporting, regulatory filings) and ad hoc disclosure (press releases, analyst meetings, etc). Any classification is arbitrary, and potentially useful depending on its purpose.优势：一些人可能认为测量，披露和外部审计是三个不同的（虽然相关）流程，涉及公司的不同成员。
国际会计作业IASB：国际会计准则理事会内涵与背景国际会计准则理事会是制定及批准国际财务报告准则的一个独立私营机构。
国际会计准则理事会在国际财务报告准则基金会的监督下运作。
国际会计准则理事会于2001年成立，取代了先前的国际会计准则委员会。
国际会计准则理事会（International Accounting Standards Board ，简称IASB）。
IASB的前身是国际会计准则委员会（International Accounting Standards committee，简称IASC），在2000年进行全面重组并于2001年初改为国际会计准则理事会。
IASC是由来自澳大利亚、加拿大、法国、德国、日本、墨西哥、荷兰、英国和爱尔兰以及美国的会计职业团体于1973年发起成立的。
从1983年起，作为国际会计师联合会（International Federation of Accountants，简称“IFAC”）成员的所有会计职业团体均已成为IASC的成员。
中国于1998年5月正式加入IASC和国际会计师联合会。
IASC的目标是，制定和发布国际会计准则，促进国际会计的协调。
重组前，国际会计准则制定工作由国际会计准则委员会理事会（IASC Board）承担。
理事会由13个国家的会计职业团体的代表以及不超过4个在财务报告方面利益相关的其他组织的代表组成。
除理事会外，IASC 还成立了咨询团（Consultative Group）、顾问委员会（Advisory Council）和常设解释委员会（Standing Interpretation Committee）三个机构。
咨询团定期开会，与理事会讨论国际会计准则项目中的技术问题、IASC的工作计划及战略，在IASC制定国际会计准则的应循程序（Due Process）以及推动承认国际会计准则方面发挥重要作用。
顾问委员会的作用是提高国际会计准则的可信度，推动国际会计准则广泛承认。
国际会计答案第一章国际会计的形式与发展第一题选择题1、国际会计的三大课题是（ABC ）A 国际物价变动影响的调整B 国际财务报表的合并C 外币报表的折算D 国际税务会计2、现有的国际性会计事务所（会计公司）中所谓的“四大”包括（ABCD ）A普华永道B毕马威国际C德勤D永安国际E安达信国际3、跨国公司兴起导致的独特的会计问题是（B ）A 国际物价变动影响的调整B 国际财务报表的合并C 外币报表的折算D 国际税务会计4、“四大”会计师事务所的业务扩展与委托人的联系使用的是（A ）A 同一名称和同一语言B 不同名称和同一语言C 不同名称和不同语言D 同一名称和不同语言5、国内性质的会计师事务所为从事国际业务而进行的临时协作一般要通过哪些途径联系？（ABC ）A 国际性的职业届会议B 双方直接联系C 各国的执业会计师协会下设的国际联络委员会D 各国政府6、我国注册会计师考试的报考者的条件包括（AB ）A 具有大专或大专以上学历B 具有会计、审计、统计、经济中级或中级以上的专业技术职称C 有两年的会计师事务所工作经验D 必须是中国公民7、自1994年，我国已允许（ABCD ）参加我国注册会计师统一考试。
A 我国大陆公民B 香港居民C 澳门居民3D 台湾居民E 外国籍公民（该国法律允许中国公民参加该国注册会计师考试）8、第一次国际会计师大会举行的时间、地点是（A ）A 1904年圣路易斯B 1952年伦敦C 1962年纽约D 1972年悉尼9、1977年于慕尼黑举行的第十一次国际会计师大会上创建的国际会计师联合会（IFAC）的前身是（A ）A 会计职业界国际协调委员会（ICCAP）B 国际会计准则委员会(IASC)C 国际审计事务委员会(IAPC)D 国际会计师大会技术委员会10、20世纪70年代国际会计的研究中，悲观主义者的“国别会计”观的主要观点包括（ABC ）A 各国会计的差异是各国不同的经济、政治、社会、法律、文化等环境影响所形成，不大可能协调一致。
尤恩版《国际财务管理》第七版教师习题册及答案TBChap004Chapter 04Corporate Governance Around the World True / False Questions1.Countries with strong shareholder protection tend to have more valuable stock markets and morecompanies listed on stock exchanges per capita than countries with weak protection.True FalseMultiple Choice Questions2.Corporate governance can be defined asA. t he economic, legal, and institutional framework in which corporate control and cash flow rightsare distributed among shareholders, managers and other stakeholders of the company.B. t he general framework in which company management is selected and monitored.C. t he rules and regulations adopted by boards of directors specifying how to managecompanies.D. t he government-imposed rules and regulations affecting corporate management.3.When managerial self-dealings are excessive and left unchecked,A. t hey can have serious negative effects on share values.B. t hey can impede the proper functions of capital markets.C. t hey can impede such measures as GDP growth.D. a ll of the above4.Corporate governance structureA. v aries a great deal across countries.B. h as become homogenized following the integration of capital markets.C. h as become homogenized due to cross-listing of shares of many public corporations.D. n one of the above5.The genius of public corporations stems from their capacity to allow efficient sharing or spreadingof risk among many investors, who can buy and sell their ownership shares on liquid stockexchanges and let professional managers run the company on behalf of shareholders. This risk sharing stems fromA. t he liquidity of the shares.B. t he limited liability of shareholders.C. t he limited liability of bondholders.D. t he limited ability of shareholders.6.In a public company with diffused ownership, the board of directors is entrusted withA. m onitoring the auditors and safeguarding the interests of shareholders.B. m onitoring the shareholders and safeguarding the interests of management.C. m onitoring the management and safeguarding the interests of shareholders.D. n one of the above7.The key weakness of the public corporation isA. t oo many shareholders, which makes it difficult to make corporate decision.B. r elatively high corporate income tax rates.C. c onflicts of interest between managers and shareholders.D. c onflicts of interests between shareholders and bondholders.8.When company ownership is diffuse,A. a "free rider" problem discourages shareholder activism.B. t he large number of shareholders ensures strong monitoring of managerial behavior because with a large enough group, there's almost always someone who will to incur the costs of monitoring management.C. f ew shareholders have a strong enough incentive to incur the costs of monitoring management.D. b oth a and c are correct9.In many countries with concentrated ownershipA. t he conflicts of interest between shareholders and managers are worse than in countries with diffuse ownership of firms.B. t he conflicts of interest are greater between large controlling shareholders and small outside shareholders than between managers and shareholders.C. t he conflicts of interest are greater between managers and shareholders than between large controlling shareholders and small outside shareholders.D. c orporate forms of business organization with concentrated ownership are rare.10.In what country do the three largest shareholders control, on average, about 60 percent of the shares of a public company?A. U nited StatesB. C anadaC. G reat BritainD. I taly11.The public corporationA. i s jointly owned by a (potentially) large number of shareholders.B. o ffers shareholders limited liability.C. s eparates the ownership and control of a firms assets.D. a ll of the above12.The key strengths of the public corporation is/areA. t heir capacity to allow efficient risk sharing among many investors.B. t heir capacity to raise large amounts of funds at relatively low cost.C. t heir capacity to consolidate decision-making.D. a ll of the above13.The central issue of corporate governance isA. h ow to protect creditors from managers and controlling shareholders.B. h ow to protect outside investors from the controlling insiders.C. h ow to alleviate the conflicts of interest between managers and shareholders.D. h ow to alleviate the conflicts of interest between shareholders and bondholders.14.In theory,A. m anagers are hired by the shareholders at the annual stockholders meeting. If the managersturn in a bad year, new ones get hired.B. s hareholders hire the managers to oversee the board of directors.C. m anagers are hired by the board of directors; the board is accountable to the shareholders.D. n one of the above15.In the reality of corporate governance at the turn of this century,A. b oards of directors are often dominated by management-friendly insiders.B. a typical board of directors often has relatively few outside directors who can independentlyand objectively monitor the management.C. m anagers of one firm often sit on the boards of other firms, whose managers are on the boardof the first firm. Due to the interlocking nature of these boards, there can exist a culture of "I'll overlook your problems if you overlook mine."D. a ll of the above have been true to a greater or lesser extent in the recent past.16.The strongest protection for investors is provided byA. E nglish common law countries, such as Canada, the United States, and the U.K.B. F rench civil law countries, such as Belgium, Italy, and Mexico.C. a weak board of directors.D. s ocialized firms.17.The public corporation has a key weakness:A. t he conflicts of interest between bondholders and shareholders.B. t he conflicts of interest between managers and bondholders.C. t he conflicts of interest between stakeholders and shareholders.D. t he conflicts of interest between managers and shareholders.18.The separation of the company's ownership and control,A. i s especially prevalent in such countries as the United States and the United Kingdom, wherecorporate ownership is highly diffused.B. i s especially prevalent in such countries as the Italy and Mexico, where corporate ownership is highly concentrated.C. i s a rational response to the agency problem.D. n one of the above19.In the United States, managers are legally bound by the "duty of loyalty" toA. t he board of directors.B. t he shareholders.C. t he bondholders.D. t he government.20.In the United States, managers are bound by the "duty of loyalty" to serve the shareholders.A. T his is an ethical, not legal, obligation.B. T his is a legal obligation.C. T his is only a moral obligation; there are no penalties.21.Outside the United States and the United Kingdom,A. c oncentrated ownership of the company is more the exception than the rule.B. d iffused ownership of the company is more the exception than the rule.C. p artnerships are more important than corporations.D. n one of the above22.A complete contract between shareholders and managersA. w ould specify exactly what the manager will do under each of all possible future contingencies.B. w ould be an expensive contract to write and a very expensive contract to monitor.C. w ould eliminate any conflicts of interest (and managerial discretion).D. a ll of the above23.Why is it rational to make shareholders "weak" by giving control to the managers of the firm?A. T his may be rational when shareholders may be neither qualified nor interested in making business decisions.B. T his may be rational since many shareholders find it easier to sell their shares in an underperforming firm than to monitor the management.C. T his may be rational to the extent that managers are answerable to the board of directors.D. A ll of the above are explanations for the separation of ownership and control.24.Free cash flow refers toA. a firm's cash reserve in excess of tax obligation.B. a firm's funds in excess of what's needed for undertaking all profitable projects.C. a firm's cash reserve in excess of interest and tax payments.D. a firm's income tax refund that is due to interest payments on borrowing.25.The investors supply funds to the company but are not involved in the company's daily decisionmaking. As a result, many public companies come to haveA. s trong shareholders and weak managers.B. s trong managers and weak shareholders.C. s trong managers and strong shareholders.D. w eak managers and weak shareholders.26.The agency problem refers to the possible conflicts of interest betweenA. s elf-interested managers as principals and shareholders of the firm who are the agents.B. a ltruistic managers as agents and shareholders of the firm who are the principals.C. s elf-interested managers as agents and shareholders of the firm who are the principals.D. d utiful managers as principals and shareholders of the firm who are the agents.27.Self-interested managers may be tempted toA. i ndulge in expensive perquisites at company expense.B. a dopt anti-takeover measures for their company to ensure their personal job security.C. w aste company funds by undertaking unprofitable projects that benefit themselves but notshareholders.D. a ll of the above are potential abuses that self-interested managers may be tempted to visitupon shareholders.28.Suppose in order to defraud the shareholders, a manager sets up an independent company thathe owns sells the main company's output to this company. He would be tempted to set the transfer priceA. b elow market prices.B. a bove market prices.C. a t the market price.D. i n accordance with GAAP.29.Suppose in order to defraud the shareholders, a manager sets up an independent company thathe owns buys one of the main company's inputs of production from this company. He would be tempted to set the transfer priceA. b elow market prices.B. a bove market prices.C. a t the market price.D. i n accordance with GAAP.30.Why do managers tend to retain free cash flow?A. M anagers are in the best position to decide the best use of those funds.B. T hese funds are needed for undertaking profitable projects and the issue costs are less thannew issues of stocks or bonds.C. M anagers may not be acting in the shareholders best interest, and for a variety of reasons, want to use the free cash flow.D. N one of the above31.Managerial entrenchment efforts are clear signs of the agency problem. They includeA. a nti-takeover defenses.B. p oison pills.C. c hanges in the voting procedures to make it more difficult for the firm to be taken over.D. a ll of the above32.In high-growth industries where companies' internally generated funds fall short of profitable investment opportunities,A. m anagers are less likely to waste funds in unprofitable projects.B. m anagers are more likely to waste funds in unprofitable projects.33.The agency problem tendsA. t o be more serious in firms with free cash flows.B. t o be more serious in firms with excessive amounts of excess cash.C. t o be less serious in firms with few numbers of shareholders.D. a ll of the above34.In the graph at right, X, Y, and Z representA. e ntrenchment, alignment, entrenchment.B. a lignment, entrenchment, alignment.C. m isalignment and alignment.D. a gency costs of debt and equity.35.In the graph at right, for Fortune 500 companies, X, Y areA. 5% and 25%.B. 15% and 50%.C. 50% and 75%.D. N one of the above36.Which of the following is true regarding leveraged buy-outs (LBOs)?A. L BOs involve managers or buyout partners acquiring controlling interests in public companies, usually financed by heavy borrowing.B. C oncentrated ownership and high level of debt associated with LBOs are the mechanism for solving the agency problem.C. L BOs improve a company's free cash flow and this is the mechanism by which they can solvethe agency problem.D. B oth a and b37.Tobin's Q isA. t he ratio of the market value of company assets to the replacement costs of the assets.B. a means to find overvalued stocks: if Q is high it means that the cost to replace a firm's assets is greater than the value of its stock.C. t he same as the price-to-book ratio.D. B oth a and b are correct38.It is important for society as a whole to solve the agency problem, since the agency problemA. l eads to waste of scarce resources.B. h ampers capital market functions.C. r etards economic growth.D. a ll of the above39.In the U.S., the chief role of the board of directors isA. t o hire the management team.B. t o decide on the annual capital budget.C. t o design an effective incentive compatible compensation scheme for themselves.D. n one of the above40.In the United Kingdom, the majority of public companiesA. v oluntarily abide by the Code of Best Practice on corporate governance.B. a re compelled by law to abide by the Code of Best Practice on corporate governance.C. d o not abide by the Code of Best Practice on corporate governance.41.In Germany the corporate board isA. l egally charged with representing the interests of shareholders exclusively.B. l egally charged with looking after the interests of stakeholders (e.g., workers, creditors, etc.) in general, not just shareholders.C. l egally charged as a supervisory board only.D. l egally charged as a management board only.42.In the United StatesA. b oards of directors are legally responsible for representing the interests of the shareholders.B. d ue to the diffused ownership structure of the public company, management often gets to choose board members who are likely to be friendly to management.C. t here is a correlation between underperforming firms and boards of directors who are not fully independent.D. a ll of the above are true, in the United States.43.In the United States, it is not uncommon for the same person to serve as both CEO and chairman of the board.A. T his situation must not have much conflict of interest since it is common.B. T his situation has a built-in conflict of interest.C. T his is only legal if that individual owns a controlling number of shares in the firm.D. N one of the above44.Suppose you are the CEO of company A, and you serve on the board of company B, while the CEO of B is on your board.A. T his is a potential conflict of interest for both parties.B. T his is normal and even a desirable situation since it allows for efficient information sharing between the firms.C. T here is a potential conflict for the shareholders of the two firms.D. A ll of the above are true.45.In the United States, it is well documented thatA. b oards dominated by their chief executives are prone to trouble.B. p ublic scrutiny can help improve corporate governance.C. a s public firms improve their corporate governance, the stock price goes up.D. a ll of the above46.The board of directors may grant stock options to managers. These areA. c all options.B. p ut options.C. n one of the above47.If an incentive contract specifies certain accounting performanceA. t hat accounting number will likely be the focus of managers.B. m anagers will set aside the accounting goal if it conflicts with the goal of maximizing shareholder wealth.C. m anagers will be unable to manipulate the GAAP, so shareholders can be confident of having their wealth maximized.48.The board of directors may grant stock options to managers in order toA. s ave executive compensation costs.B. u se as a substitute for bonus.C. a lign the interest of managers with that of shareholders.D. n one of the above49.When designing an incentive contract,A. i t is important for the board of directors to set up an independent compensation committee thatcan carefully design the contract and diligently monitor manager's actions.B. s enior executives can be trusted to not abuse incentive contracts by artificially manipulating accounting numbers since the auditors should look in to that.C. t he presence of any incentive is enough, whether it is accounting based or stock-price based.D. t he board of directors should always give the managers a "heads I win, tails you lose" type of option.50.Concentrated ownership of a public companyA. i s normal in the United States, following the well-publicized scandals of recent years.B. i s relatively rare in the United States and common in many other parts of the world.C. l eads to a free-rider problem with the minority shareholders relying on the majority shareholders to assume an undue burden in monitoring the management.D. i s the norm in Great Britain.51.Concentrated ownership of a public companyA. c an be an effective way to alleviate the agency problem between shareholders and managers.B. i s the norm in Great Britain.C. t ends to be an ineffective way to alleviate conflicts of interest between groups of shareholders.D. n one of the above52.The goal of a greater accounting transparencyA. i s to impose more rules and harsher penalties for their violation.B. i s to reduce the information asymmetry between corporate insiders and the public.C. i s to discourage managerial self-dealings.D. a nswers b and c53.Accounting TransparencyA. c an only be achieved when managers commit to serving on their own audit committee.B. o ccurs when the accounting department has translucent cubicles for their workers.C. p romises to reduce the information asymmetry between corporate insiders and the public.D. n one of the above54.While debt can reduce agency costs between shareholders and management,A. d ebt can create its own agency costs.B. t his only happens at extreme levels of debt.C. t his does not work for firms in mature industries with large cash reserves.D. n one of the above is true55.While debt can reduce agency costs between shareholders and management,A. e xcessive debt may also induce the risk-averse managers to forgo profitable but risky investment projects, causing an underinvestment problem.B. w ith debt financing companies can misuse debt to finance corporate empire building.C. b oth a and bD. n one of the above。
第1章国际会计的形成与发展一、讨论题为什么说市场国际化，特别是货币市场和资本市场的国际化是会计国际化的主要推动力国际贸易和国际经济技术合作，促使会计成为一种国际商业语言。
特别是国际货币市场和资本市场的兴起向进入市场的贷款人或筹资者提出了应提供在国际间可比且可靠的财务信息的要求（即国际财务报告趋同化的要求），更成为会计国际化的主要推动力。
跨国公司是否在百分之百地推动会计国际化说明你的观点。
不是。
跨国公司对推动会计国际化有其两面性：一方面，基于其跨国经营和国际筹资的需要，他们希望通过会计国际化来缩小和协调国别差异；另一方面，他们又十分重视利用各国现存的会计差异来谋取财务利益。
后者也推动了各国会计模式和重要会计方法的国际比较研究。
（注意：“会计国际化”大体上与“会计的国际协调化”概念一致，而与国际会计研究中的“国别会计”观点对立）会计随商业活动的扩展而传播，你同意这种说法吗从历史发展的进程谈谈你的看法。
同意。
可主要就前殖民帝国的会计向其原殖民地传播、工业革命后西方会计的发展及在世界范围内的广泛传播以及第二次世界大战以后美国会计的影响在一定程度上主宰着世界各地的会计发展等历史事实，加以讨论。
哪些特定会计方法具有国际性质把外币交易和外币报表的折算引入会计领域，是会计国际化带来的独特问题。
它与由此引发的跨国企业合并和国际合并财务报表与外币折算相互关联和制约的问题，以及各国的物价变动影响在国际合并财务报表中如何处理和调整的问题，从20世纪70年代以来，就成为国际会计研究中既需协调一致但又矛盾重重的“三大难题”。
在世纪之交，金融工具（特别是衍生工具）的创新引发的会计处理问题，给传统的会计概念和实务带来了巨大的冲击，成为各国会计准则机构联合攻关、仍未妥善解决的难题。
此外，国际税务会计也是值得关注的课题。
你对会计国际化和国家化之间的矛盾及其消长有何看法会计国际化和国家化的矛盾实际上反映了经济全球化与各国的国家利益之间的矛盾及其消长过程。
Chapter 4Comparative Accounting: The Americas and AsiaDiscussion Questions1. Public and private sector bodies are involved in regulating and enforcing financial reporting in theUnited States. The Financial Accounting Standards Board is a private sector body that determines U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Securities and Exchange Commission has the authority to determine U.S. GAAP for publicly held companies, but defers to the FASB. The FASB and SEC have a close working relationship that ensures that FASB standards are acceptable to the SEC. The SEC enforces financial reporting rules for publicly held companies. It actively reviews the filings that companies make. Auditors are the enforcers for non-publicly held companies.Accounting standards in Mexico are issued by the Council for Research and Development of Financial Information Standards (CINIF), an independent public-private sector body patterned after the U.S. FASB. Its authority for issuing Mexican accounting standards is recognized by the National Banking and Securities Commission, the government agency that regulates the Mexican Stock Exchange. The Commission is responsible for enforcing financial reporting standards for listed companies. However, it is unclear how proactive the Commission is in investigating filings that it receives. Enforcement of financial reporting for non-listed companies effectively rests with auditors.Japanese accounting standards are set by a private sector body, the Accounting Standards Board of Japan. The establishment of the ASBJ is a recent development in Japan. Before, accounting standard setting was a government activity. Enforcement of financial reporting effectively rests with auditors. The stock exchange is regulated by the Financial Services Agency, a government body. However, it is unclear how proactive the FSA is in monitoring financial reporting by Japanese companies.Accounting standard setting is a government activity in China. The China Accounting Standards Committee is the authoritative body within the Ministry of Finance responsible for developing accounting standards. The China Securities Regulatory Committee is the government agency that regulates China’s two stock exchanges. The CSRC is also responsible fo r enforcing financial reporting for listed companies. Many question the effectiveness of the Chinese enforcement mechanism.The Institute of Chartered Accountants in India, a private sector professional body, develops accounting standards in India. The Securities and Exchange Board of India, an agency of the Ministry of Finance, regulates India’s 22 stock exchanges and is responsible for enforcing financial reporting rules. However, it is unclear how proactive the board is in monitoring financial reporting by Indian companies.Overall, the five countries vary in terms of private versus public sector responsibility for regulating and enforcing financial reporting. Enforcement is questionable in several countries.The United States has the strongest mechanism for regulating and enforcing financial reporting of the five countries.2. The United States and India are common law countries that have fair presentation orientedfinancial reporting. Mexico also has fair presentation oriented financial reporting because of U.S.influence. In addition, Mexico has inflation-adjusted accounting, in contrast to the other four countries. Japan is a code law country and its accounting has traditionally been characterized as conservative and tax-driven, just like other code law countries (such as France and Germany discussed in Chapter 3.) However, it is moving to fair presentation because of its commitment to converge Japanese accounting standards with IFRS. China is likewise moving toward fair presentation oriented accounting by adopting IFRS as Chinese GAAP. Despite adopting fair presentation principles, one can question whether the Chinese achieve it in application. There is an acute shortage of trained accountants in China and the profession remains undeveloped. The accounting profession is strong in the other four countries, including the “developing” economies of India and Mexico.3.The auditor oversight bodies discussed in this chapter are:a.United States – Public Company Accounting Oversight Boardb.Japan – Certified Public Accountant and Auditing Oversight BoardThe recent establishment of independent auditor oversight bodies in the United States and Japan is in response to recent worldwide accounting scandals. Both represent tightening control over auditors.4. Tax legislation pays a limited role in all five countries, with the exception of Japan. In the UnitedStates, financial and tax accounting are separate except for LIFO. Tax legislation has little influence on financial reporting practices in Mexico. For example, there are numerous differences between financial and tax accounting, such as the calculation of cost of sales, depreciation, and goodwill amortization. Tax legislation has traditionally been one side of the “triangular legal syste m” in Japan, exerting an influence on Japanese accounting standards. However, the influence of taxation is declining with the alignment of Japanese accounting standards to IFRS.Several years ago, tax legislation had some influence in China, but this has waned as China develops a more complete set of financial reporting standards. India, like other common law countries, separates financial and tax accounting.4.This question has been of interest in academia for quite some time. Is accounting expertise anecessary precondition for economic development, or can an economy advance without it? It would seem that an economy cannot advance very far without accounting expertise. But the relationship probably works both ways, just like demand creates supply and vice-versa.The example of China demonstrates the importance of developing accounting (standards, knowledge, etc.). Accounting is a part of the market reform packages in China, so the need has been recognized from the start. Mexico and India have been market-oriented longer than China, and their accounting is more developed. But again, it is apparent in these two countries that accounting supports economic development.6. U.K. standards (Chapter 3) and IFRS (Chapter 8) are said to reflect principles-based standards,while U.S. standards (this chapter) are said to be rules-based. Generally speaking, principles-based standards set forth broad objectives and fundamentals and require professional judgment for their implementation. They are more flexible than rules-based standards and are likely to result in more divergence in practice. Rules-based standards are more specific in their requirements and have more detailed implementation guidance than principles-based standards.They are likely to result in more comparability than principles-based standards, but are said tofoster a “check the box” mentality. The chapter says that U.S. GAAP is “probably more voluminous than in the rest of the world combined and substantially more detailed than in any oth er country.” Thus, one can argue that U.S. GAAP is rules-based.7. The U.K. and U.S. both follow fair presentation accounting, reflecting economic substance ratherthan legal form. Both the U.K. “true and fair” and the U.S. “presents fairly” reflect fa ir presentation. However, the U.K. has a true and fair override –accounting standards can be overridden if necessary to achieve a true and fair view. In the U.S., presents fairly means that generally accepted accounting principles have been followed.8. The most important reconciling item (i.e., the most significant difference between Mexican andU.S. accounting) relates to the use of general price level accounting in Mexico. Strict historical cost is used in the U.S. Two other differences noted in the chapter are (a) Mexico applies the equity method at 10 percent, whereas the U.S. applies it at 20 percent and (b) in Mexico development costs are capitalized and amortized after technological feasibility has been established; in the U.S., they are expensed.9.The bursting of the Japanese bubble economy in the 1990s prompted a review of Japanese financialreporting standards. It became clear that many accounting practices hid how badly many Japanese companies were actually doing. The accounting “big bang” was designed to make the financial condition of Japanese companies more transparent and bring Japanese accounting more in line with international norms.Practice changes include the following:a.Requiring listed companies to report a statement of cash flows.b.Subsidiary companies are consolidated based on control rather than ownership.c.Affiliated companies are accounted for using the equity method based on influence ratherthan ownership.d.Investments in securities are valued at market rather than cost.e.Deferred taxes are fully provided.f.Pension and other retirement obligations are accrued in full.10.Full and complete disclosure of reliable, evenhanded information is necessary to develop a fairand efficient stock market. The “Anglo-Saxon” model of a ccounting (discussed in Chapter 2), emphasizing a fair presentation of financial condition and results, and emphasizing stewardship, also fosters the development of a fair and efficient stock market. Countries with this accounting orientation (such as the U.S. and U.K.) have active, fair and efficient stock markets. There is alsoa legal structure and an effective enforcement of laws and accounting disclosures to make it allwork.China is developing accounting standards with the stock market orientation discussed above. So China is on the right track here –the standards themselves will support the development of a stock market. In addition, investors must have confidence that the standards are being followed,i.e., that the information disseminated by companies is reliable. Thus, good auditing by well-trained accounting professionals is important. China may have difficulty developing anaccounting profession, which would in turn be a hindrance to stock market development. China must also overcome the culture of secrecy developed under communism.11.The chapter mentions a number of examples where Chinese accounting standards are consistentwith world class practices. A selective list of the more important ones are the following:parative, consolidated financial statements including a balance sheet, incomestatement, cash flow statement, and notes.b.Accrual basis for recognizing revenues and expenses, matching, and consistency.c.Purchase method for business combinations with annual impairments test.d.Equity method for nonconsolidated affiliates.e of historical cost.f.Finance leases capitalized.12. The British influence on accounting in India is clear. India has a common law legal system andfair presentation accounting that accompanies it. Like Britain, financial statements must give a true and fair view and there is a strong self-regulated accounting profession. Professional accountants (auditors) are called chartered accountants in both countries. The financial reporting and accounting measurements described in this chapter for India are very similar to those described in Chapter 3 for the United Kingdom.Exercises1. United Statesa.Financial Accounting Standards Board.b.Securities and Exchange Commission.Mexicoa.The Council for Research and Development of Financial Information Standards.b.There is no definitive enforcement agency. However, the National Banking andSecurities commission regulates the Mexican Stock Exchange.Japana.The Accounting Standards Board of Japan.b.The Financial Services Agency for listed companies under the securities law and theMinistry of Justice, when company law is involved.Chinaa.The Chinese Accounting Standards Committee under the Ministry of Finance.b.The Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants, under the jurisdiction of theMinistry of Finance, regulates auditing.Indiaa.Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.b.Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.2.At the time of writing, the following organizations were linked to IFAC’s website:United StatesInstitute of Management AccountantsAmerican Institute of Certified Public AccountantsNational Association of State Boards of AccountancyMexicoInstituto Mexicano de Contadores PúblicosJapanJapanese Institute of Certified Public AccountantsChinaChinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants3.The question asked for five expressions, terms, or short phrases unfamiliar or unusual in thestudent’s home country. Taking the United States as the home countr y, here are twelve:a.Triangular legal system – A description of accounting regulation in Japan consisting ofthe interacting Company Law, Securities and Exchange Law, and Corporate Income TaxLaw.b.Socialist market economy – Used in China to describe its planned economy with marketadaptations.nd and industrial property rights –Still owned by the Chinese government, privatecompanies acquire the right to use these industrial assets.d.Pesos of current purchasing power – A term to describe general price level accounting inMexico.e.Tax compliance audit report –Mexican auditors must attest that no irregularities wereobserved regarding compliance with tax laws.f.Statement of changes in financial position –the financial statement in Mexico thatcorresponds to the statement of cash flow. However, the statement of changes infinancial position is prepared in constant pesos (adjusted for inflation), while the cashflow statement uses historical cost.g.Seniority premiums –compensation paid in Mexico at the termination of employmentbased on how long the employee has worked.h.Keiretsu– Interlocking giant conglomerates in Japan.i.Guanxi– Relationship culture in China that is based on mutuality and mutual duties.j.B-shares – Shares issued to foreign investors by Chinese listed companies.k.True and fair view – The requirement in India that financial statements present a true and fair view came from Britain.l.Amalgamation – The term used in India for a merger.4. The most important financial accounting practice or principle at variance with international normsis probably the following:United States – LIFO. Driven by tax law considerations, no other country uses LIFO to the extent found in the U.S. LIFO reduces reported earnings. Because older, lower costs of inventory are shown on the balance sheet, the debt to asset ratio will be higher. Companies using LIFO must report so-called LIFO reserves that enable an analyst to convert LIFO amounts to FIFO amounts.Mexico– Inflation adjustments. Most countries in the world value assets and related expenses at historical cost; few countries incorporate inflation adjustments. With inflation adjustments, earnings will be lower and the debt to asset ratio will probably be lower as well. It is unlikely that an analyst will be able to adjust Mexican accounts to historical cost. Of course, such an adjustment is unwise, given high inflation.Japan–Pooling of interests method for business combinations where no party obtains control over the other. The international norm is to treat all business combinations as a purchase.Compared to purchase accounting, pooling results in higher income and lower asset values.Therefore, the debt to asset ratio will be higher. An analyst will be unable to adjust for this accounting method.China– Showing the right to use land and industrial property owned by the government as an intangible asset. China is unusual in the extent to which the government owns land and industrial property. As long as these intangibles are fairly valued, there will be no effect on reported earnings or the debt to asset ratio. However, the analyst must realize that the intangible asset shown on a Chinese company’s balance sheet is a tangible asset on the balance sheets of companies from other countries.India– Pooling of interests method for amalgamations (mergers). As noted above for Japan, the international norm is to treat all business combinations as a purchase. Compared to purchase accounting, pooling results in higher income and lower asset values. Therefore, the debt to asset ratio will be higher. An analyst will be unable to adjust for this accounting method.5. At the time of writing, the following numbers are reported by the World Federation of StockExchanges:The significant number of listed companies in India may be surprising. It may also be surprising that the number of listed Japanese companies matches the numbers for the United States. Another potential surprise is the fact that the Mexican Stock Exchange has more foreign listed firms than domestic listed firms. Students will probably speculate that most of the foreign listed firms in Mexico are from other Latin American countries, a statement that is in fact true. The lack of foreign listed firms in China and India has two possible explanations –either the government does not allow foreign firms to list on domestic exchanges, or companies do not see these stock markets as an attractive place to raise capital. The latter explanation is why there are so few foreign listed firms in Japan.5.A comparison of the countries in Exhibit 4-5 reveals few differences among the United States,Mexico, and China. Thus, all three countries can claim that their GAAP are comparably oriented toward equity investors. However, of the three countries, the United States can probably claim to have GAAP most oriented toward equity investors. The chapter notes that the U.S. has the most voluminous and detailed accounting requirements in the world and that they are rigorously enforced. Thus, the nod goes to the United States.India and Japan both allow pooling of interests accounting, an accounting treatment now at variance with international norms. The treatment of goodwill in these two countries is also at variance with international norms. In addition, Japan’s lea se accounting treatment is at variance with international norms. Thus, Japan seems to be the country whose GAAP is least oriented toward equity investors.6.At the time of writing, the following companies are listed on the New York Stock Exchange fromMexico, Japan, India, and China:MexicoAmerica MovilCemexCoca-Cola FEMSADesarrolladora HomexEmpresas ICAFomento Economico MexicanoGRUMAGrupo Aeroportuario del PacificoGrupo Aeroportuario del SuresteGrupo Casa SabaGrupo Radio CentroGrupo TelevisaGrupo TMMIndustrias BachocoTelefonos de MexicoVitroJapanAdvantestCannonHitachiHonda MotorKonamiKubotaKyoceraMatsushita Electric IndustrialMitsubishi UFJ Financial GroupMizuho Financial GroupNidecNippon Telegraph and TelephoneNIS Group Co.Nomura HoldingsNTT DoCoMoOrixSonyTDKToyota MotorIndiaDr. Reddy’s LaboratoriesHDFC BankICICI BankMahanagar Telephone NigamPatni Computer SystemsSatyam Computer ServicesTata MotorsVidesh Sanchar NigamWiproWNS HoldingsChinaAluminum Corporation of ChinaAmerican Oriental BioengineeringChina Eastern AirlinesChina Life InsuranceChina MobileChina Netcom GroupChina Petroleum and ChemicalChina Southern AirlinesChina TelecomChina UnicomGuangshen RailwayHuaneng Power InternationalMindray Medical InternationalNew Oriental Education and TechnologyPetroChinaSemiconductor Manufacturing InternationalSinopec Shanghai PetrochemicalSuntech Power HoldingsTrina SolarYanzhou Coal MiningMexico has 16 companies listed on the NYSE, ranking third after Brazil (35) and Chile (17).This is perhaps surprising given the strong economic links between the United States and Mexico discussed in the chapter. One would expect Mexico to have the most of any Latin American country. Of the countries in the Asia-Pacific region, China has the most number of companies listed on the NYSE (20); Japan is second (19); and India is third (10). As discussed in the chapter, the economies of China and India are growing rapidly. The relatively large numbers of NYSE listed Chinese and Indian companies probably reflect a need for capital by their larger companies. That Japan has approximately the same number of NYSE listed companies as China is perhaps surprising. However, the chapter discusses how debt financing dominates equity financing in Japan.8. a. The two major areas of difference are asset valuation and accounting for goodwill. In theU.K., assets may be valued at historical cost, current cost, or a mixture of the two. Whenfixed assets are revalued, depreciation and amortization must be calculated using therevalued amounts. Only historical cost is allowed in the U.S. In the U.K., goodwill canbe impairments tested, as in the U.S., but may also be amortized over 20 years or less.Other differences between U.K. and U.S. GAAP relate to LIFO and the calculation of long-term deferred taxes. LIFO is rarely used in the U.K., but is relatively more commonin the U.S. In the U.K., long-term deferred taxes may be valued at discounted presentvalue. Finally, opportunities for income smoothing are probably greater in the U.K. thanin the U.S.b.Research has documented that U.S. GAAP earnings is systematically moreconservative than U.K. GAAP earnings (see, for example, P. Weetman and S.J. Gray,International Financial Analysis and Comparative Corporate Performance: The Impactof U.K. versus U.S. Accounting Principles on Earnings, Journal of InternationalFinancial Management and Accounting(Summer & Autumn 1990), pp. 111-130).However, many of the accounting principles on which this research study is based havenow changed.Goodwill accounting should result in a more conservative income amount for U.K.companies if they systematically amortize it over 20 years. However, the occasionalimpairments write-downs that U.S. companies will have will result in a lower incomeamount in the year of write-down. The use of LIFO in the U.S. will result in moreconservatively measured U.S. income amount. However, U.K. companies will reportlower earnings if assets are revalued, because corresponding depreciation charges will behigher. The effects of U.K. smoothing activities are unclear, but it seems likely thatcompanies would be more inclined to smooth toward higher earnings rather than lower.On balance, we think that U.S. companies will have somewhat more conservativeearnings amounts, but U.K and U.S. GAAP are converging.9. The chapter identifies the following major changes that have occurred since the Japanese “bigbang”:rge companies must prepare consolidated financial statements, not just listed ones.b.Listed companies must report a statement of cash flows.c.Consolidation is based on control rather than ownership.e of the equity method is based on significant influence rather than ownership.e.Goodwill is calculated based on fair market value of net assets acquired rather than bookvalue.f.Goodwill is amortized over 20 years rather than 5 years. It is also impairments tested.g.Investments in securities are valued at fair market value rather than cost.h.Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value rather than cost.i.Deferred taxes are now fully provided.j.Pension and other retirement obligations are now fully accrued.k.Research and development is now expensed rather than deferred in some cases.l.For foreign currency translation, revenues and expenses are now translated at the average rate (rather than a choice between year-end or average rates) and the translationadjust ment is in stockholders’ equity (rather than shown as an asset or liability).10.The chapter identifies the following major changes that have occurred in Chinese accounting sincethe 1990s:a.The ASBE issued in 2006 represent a comprehensive set of Chinese accounting standardsthat are substantially in line with IFRS.b.The ASBE issued in 2006 also contains auditing standards similar to InternationalStandards on Auditing. All Chinese accounting firms and auditors are required to followthese audit standards.c. A cash flow statement is now required.d.Goodwill is impairments tested rather than amortized.e of the equity method is based on influence rather than ownership percentage.f.Consolidation of subsidiary companies is based on control rather than ownershippercentage.g.Foreign currency translation of overseas subsidiaries is based on the primary economicenvironment in which they operate.h.Tangible assets are depreciated over their expected useful lives rather than based on taxlaw.i.Lower of cost or market is now used to value inventory.j.LIFO is no longer an acceptable inventory costing method.k.Finance leases are now capitalized.l.Deferred taxes are now provided in full for all temporary differences.m.Contingent obligations are now provided for when they are both probable and a reliable estimate can be made of their amount.11.12. a. Japan and India allows pooling, while the others do not. Pooling usually results in lowernoncurrent asset amounts and higher income amounts. Goodwill and subsequentamortization is also excluded under pooling. To the extent that pooling is used byJapanese and Indian companies, they are likely to have higher debt to equity and debt toasset ratios. The numerator (return) and the denominators (assets and equity) in the twoprofitability ratios should all be higher, but the effect on the ratio is indeterminate.Liquidity ratios should be unaffected.b.Japan and India both require goodwill to be capitalized and amortized. This should haveno effect on the either liquidity ratio. The amortization will result in a lower amount ofincome going to retained earnings. Thus, the debt to equity ratio will be higher than whatit would be without amortization. The debt to asset ratio will also be higher. The effecton the profitability ratios is unclear. The numerator (income) will be lower than what itwould be without amortization. However the denominators in each case (assets andequity) will also be lower.c.The equity method is used in all five countries, so there is no effect on comparative ratios.d.Price-level adjusted accounting is practiced in Mexico and Indian companies may revaluetheir tangible assets to current values. The result is higher asset values, higher equity, and lower income (because of higher depreciation and cost of goods sold charges), compared to historical cost. The current ratio will be higher, but cash flow from operations to current liabilities will be unaffected. Both solvency ratios will be lower because their denominators (assets and equity) will be higher. Both profitability ratios will be lower. The numerator (income) will be lower and the denominators (assets and equity) will be higher.e.Depreciation in Japan is tax-based, which is normally higher than economics-baseddepreciation. This will reduce income and lower the profitability ratios. The more rapid write-off of fixed assets will cause lower total asset values. Thus, the debt to asset ratio should be higher. The debt to equity ratio and both liquidity ratios should be unaffected.f.LIFO is used in the United States. It is permitted in Japan, but not widely used.Companies using LIFO should have lower income, so lower profitability ratios.Inventory will probably be lower, causing the debt to asset ratio to increase and the current ratio to decrease. Cash flow to current liabilities will be unaffected. With less income going to retained earnings, the debt to equity ratio will be higher.g.Probable losses are accrued in all five countries, so there is no effect on comparativeratios.h.Not all finance leases are capitalized in Japan. Companies will report comparativelylower noncurrent liabilities and noncurrent assets. Income will also be affected, but the amount is probably immaterial. The liquidity ratios should be unaffected. Both solvency ratios should be lower and return on assets will be higher. The effect on return on equity is probably immaterial.i.Deferred taxes are accrued in all five countries, so there is no effect on comparative ratios. j.Some opportunity for income smoothing exists in India. Income smoothing has an indeterminate effect on income in any given year. Therefore it is not possible to know how the profitability ratios are affected. The effect of creating reserves is to shift amounts that would otherwise be in retained earnings into the reserve accounts. Since both of these are in shareholders’ equity, this total is unaffected. Therefore, the solvency ratios are likely to be unaffected. The two liquidity ratios will be unaffected.。
