True and Fair Override: Accounting Expert Opinions, Explanations from Behavioural Theories, and Discussions for Sustainability Accounting

This study focuses on true and fair view (TFV) and fair presentation (FP) in financial statements. It questions if attitudes towards the true and fair override (TFO) condition, included in European Union (EU) legislation and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), is indicative of a prin...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Garvey, Anne Marie|||0000-0002-5630-9635, Parte Esteban, Laura, McNally, Bridget, Gonzalo Angulo, José Antonio|||0000-0002-2131-6106
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Alcalá (UAH)
Repositorio:e_Buah Biblioteca Digital Universidad de Alcalá
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ebuah.uah.es:10017/64126
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10017/64126
https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13041928
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:True and fair view
Fair presentation
Override
Survey
Sustainability
IFRS
Ostrich effect
Comfort theory
Economía
Empresa
Economics
Management science
Descripción
Sumario:This study focuses on true and fair view (TFV) and fair presentation (FP) in financial statements. It questions if attitudes towards the true and fair override (TFO) condition, included in European Union (EU) legislation and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), is indicative of a principles-based approach or lip service to a concept that is rarely applied. We address this subject because we consider that there should be a consensus and harmonisation on TFV?that TFO has a vital role within the principles-based framework, and while the accounting standard development process should limit the application of the TFO concept, in practice, it is an important reporting option. TFV/TFO harmonisation also has an important role in sustainability accounting, to reveal company actions which are influenced by more than just the objective of complying with the standards. In the empirical part, accounting experts from 24 European countries were surveyed. Their responses suggest a lack of clarity around the distinction between TFV and FP and a reluctance to consider, in practice, the application of the TFO. Drawing on behavioural theories?ostrich effect and comfort theory?we find explanations and reasoning behind attitudes to these cornerstone concepts. Specifically, we try to explain behavioural attitudes to TFV/FP and TFO positions, which defend uncompromising compliance with standards.