THE IRANIAN ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING REVIEW
Year:2019 | Volume:26 | Issue:3 |Papers Count:12

Objective Performance information should be collected in a way which has the least estimation error. Accrual basis is currently used to provide performance reports, but no accrual model has yet been presented to demonstrate the role of accruals in measuring performance and provide a structure for separating accounting error in performance and expressing accounting quality. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explain Nikolaev model in order to analyze the role of accruals in measuring performance and accounting quality. Methods The population of study is companies listed in the Tehran Stock Exchange and the sample includes 104 companies (1664 firm-year) in the period from 2002 to 2017. In estimating parameters of Nikolaev model, moment conditions based on variance and covariance of accounting error, operating cash flow and accruals time series were used, and in order to test the research hypotheses, statistical comparison of two samples and multiple regression analysis for cross-sectional and combined data were used. Results The standard deviation average of accrual performance component is statistically significant and greater than standard deviation average of accounting error. The relationship between economic performance component and accruals performance with accounting error is statistically significant and common variance between components is small. By controlling operational volatility, direction of relationship between Dechow and Dichev (2002) accruals quality criteria and firm value were changed, but no significant change was made in the Nikolaev (2018) model. Conclusion Accruals have achieved their primary goals of facilitating performance measurement. Low common variance between Nikolaev model components indicates that accounting error is increased by the increases in the diagnostic validity of this model and as operational volatility. Also Dechow and Dichev accruals quality model is not able to explain firm value accurately, however, Nikolaev accruals quality model could explain firm value due to the ability of separating accounting error and operational volatility.

Objective This study examines the challenges and opportunities in impelimenting of International Standard of Auditing 700 (revised 2015) and 701 (new) in Iran in terms of the recent transformations in auditor report and potential impacts of its change on various political, legal and economic environments. Methods We perform qualitative content analysis and in-depth interview among experienced group of 18 auditors and 15 investors. Results This study has identified the defects in the present report in Iran (Form, content, presentation of the auditor report) and its roots (economic, legal, the audit profession, corporate reporting, auditing standards and expectations), as well as the challenges (auditor resistance, problems in execution of standards, increase in reporting risks, client resistance and increased probability of confusion and diversity in user perception of Key Audit Matters) Opportunities (promotion of auditor report and the audit profession, enhanced relations, improved investor decision making and management assistance) and the required strategies (training, adequate standard setting performance warrantees and method of performance) for the proper execution of the new audit report. Moreover, Key Audit Matters from the point of view of auditors and investors as well as other informational needs of investors have been extracted from the audit report. Conclusion According to the findings, the current level of the report is quite different from standard levels being applied, and effective action is required for resolving defects observed in the current auditor report, including increased supervision on the audit profession by related authorities as well as an increase in the quality of the auditor report. Moreover, findings of this research shall contribute to the body of knowledge in the field of auditing, and provide a perception-through consideration of opportunities (including upgrading the auditor report and the audit profession, improving investor decision making, etc. ) and challenges encountered (such as auditor and client resistance, etc. )-by regulators including standard setting authorities in auditing, the Securities Exchange Organization can act as supervisory authorities and pave the way towards more effective achievement of objectives set for the new audit report.

Objective Earning is a critical predictor of the health of the bank. The managementof earningsby banks has always been a matter for the attention of banking supervisors, auditors, and standards setters since it can have a positive effect on the stability of financial system and have a negative effect on the transparency of financial reporting. Given the importance of earnings management among the accounting literature, and shortage of quantitative and qualitative research in thefield ofIranian banking industry, as well as the qualitative research in earnings management area, this research aims to explore the concepts of reasons and circumstance the earnings management phenomenon in this industry from the perspective of its players. Methods The methodology of this research is a grounded theory approach usingin-depthinterviews for data gathering. For this purpose, seventeen banking experts, including independent and internal auditors, senior executives, academics, and capital market analysts and observers were interviewed. The analysis of the interviews was done completely with Atlas. ti Data Analytical Software Analysis and, three-stage open, axial and selective coding was employed. Results A conceptual model was developed based on the Straussand Corbin paradigm, derived from the analysis of contextual data and the extraction of 213 open codes and their abstraction into 38 subcategories and 21 main categories. Conclusion Our analyses show that "achieving target profit" is a core category, and the most important action strategy of bank’ s earnings management is “ to manipulate the Loan Loss Provisions (LLP)” and ultimately bank earnings management consequences are "distortion of financial reporting” and "aristocracy money banks". Our conceptualmodel presentedisbased on the social structure and the interaction process of actors in the banking industry. The resultsofthisstudy can have a significant contribution to the improvement of banks' earnings management literature and its extension to other industries.

Objective This paper is an interdisciplinary study (accounting and psychology) aimed at examining the impact of concept map as a psychological tool that is consistent with the skill index in accordance with International Accounting Education Standards, on the learning of intermediate accounting students. Methods This study is a semi-experimental research which has been conducted by pre-test, post-test, and analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The statistical population of this study includes all the students of Zand Institute of Higher Education in Shiraz in the educational year 2017-2018. The samples were selected according to the available population. In this study, students were divided into one experimental and one control group (35students in the experimental group and 35 students in the control group). The final exam score of students is considered as their learning score. Results The results show that pre-test scores have no influence on post-test scores. On the other hand, the significant level of ANCOVA test of the groups equales to zero. Therefore, there is a significant difference between post-test (learning) scores. In other words, the learning difference in the post-test scores of the test group (concept map) are not due to the pre-test scores (basic knowledge of the students), but are the result of a concept map. Conclusion Concept map corresponds to the intellectual skills index and is an appropriate tool to improve the meaningful learning of accounting concepts.

Objective Personality and ethical characteristics have a significant impact on the professional behaviors. Financial reporting is also a part of the accounting profession and shows firms financial position and performance during of a financial period. The aim of this study is to identify the relationship between Machiavellianism and ethical orientation on fraudulent financial reporting. Methods The research data is collected from 234 financial managers and auditors of listed companies in the Tehran Stock Exchange and analyzed by structural equation modeling using LISREL software. Results Given to significant manipulation in net income, the Machiavellianism has positive and significant effect on fraudulent financial reporting, the idealism has no significant effect and relativism has indirect and significant effect on the tendency to fraudulent financial reporting. Similarly, given to insignificant manipulation in net income, the same results were obtained. However, the relativism did not have a significant effect on fraudulent financial reporting. Also, our findings show that the Machiavellianism has a direct and significant effect on both idealism and relativism. Conclusion The evidence of this study confirm that cognition and ethical characteristics could boost opportunistic behavior in fraudulent financial reporting. Hence, accountants and auditors should improve their ethical values in order to enhance quality of financial reporting.

Objective The main goal of this research is to examine managerial discretion in estimating loan loss provision. We also seek to address the dispute in the literature about whether this discretion is applied for opportunistic or efficiency causes. Methods The research sample consists of 15 Iranian banks listed in the Tehran Stock Exchange during the period of 2006-2017. Panel data and logistic regressions are used in a two-step approach to answer research questions. At first, abnormal loan loss provision (ALLP) is estimated and then 3 relationships have been assessed using three distinct models. Results The results show that 1) there is a non-significant positive relationship between crisis index and ALLP; 2) there is a significant positive relationship between ALLP and bank risk-taking; and 3) there is a negative relationship between ALLP and loss avoidance behavior. Conclusion The results indicate that the current model for calculating loan loss provision (set by Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran) is not effective for preventing banks from engaging in destructive behaviors. We also find that Iranian banks' managers are using their discretion in a constructive manner. Positive (negative) relationship between ALLP and risk-taking (loss avoidance) support this notion.

Objective The Board of the Securities and Exchange Organization has required some public firms to prepare financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), based on the approval of the Auditing Organization since the beginning of 2016. Despite high quality of above mentioned standards, studies show that the quality of accounting standards is influenced by the political, cultural and economic environment of countries. On the other hand, fair value measurement and disclosure is actually the main difference between Iranian National Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Based on mentioned issues, the main purpose of this study is to determine the challenges and opportunities of measuring fair values in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption in Iran. Methods Based on research purposeand theoretical saturation, interviews have been held with 14 experts from the Stock Exchange, the auditors, the licensed experts, the CPAs and the Professors, in accordance with the typology of challenges and opportunities. These interviews were analyzed based on thematic analysis. Results Research findings indicate that the economic environment, education, measurement inputs, fair value audits and resistance are main challenges of IFRS adoption, and the accuracy of accounting information, transparency and consistency are opportunities of IFRS adoption. Conclusion In International Financial Reporting Standardsadoption, besides the importance of economic environment, behavioral factors and fair value measurement, training of accountant, and auditor is also vital. Measuring and reporting fair values also enhance the accuracy, transparency and comparability and overall usefulness of accounting information.