Abstract Problem: As sustainability grows larger in importance for consumers, so does the demand for information on companies’ sustainability work. In this situation, greenwashing has become a viable strategy for companies to use as a competitive advantage. Therefore, the EU came with a new directive in order to counteract this type of misleading behavior, the non-financial reporting directive (NFRD). Although many positive outcomes have come from non-financial reporting, the aspect of transparency remains uncharted.  Purpose: The purpose of this study is twofold. Firstly, it investigates how the non-financial reporting EU directive has impacted the transparency towards business partners active within the Swedish food industry. Secondly, the purpose is to explore how the Swedish non-financial reporting law benefits actors within the food industry. This paper embraces stakeholder theory. For the purpose of researching the topic of this paper, food production companies in Sweden were specifically chosen to narrow down the sample. Aim: This study aims to investigate the impacts of the NFRD on transparency and external communication, and through this, evaluate the efficiency of the directive and Swedish national law, which derives from the multi-national legislation, on transparency. Method: In this research, interpretivism was used as the guiding research approach. Being a qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were used as the primary source of data collection. Interviews were transcribed, and then coded and analyzed according to standard procedures.  Result and Conclusion: The results of the empirical findings were that the directive does not impact the transparency on Swedish partners at any significant level. It was also found that the primary benefits of the national non-financial reporting law of Sweden are not directed towards customers or partners, but rather the focal business, investors, and competitors. The main benefits were that the reports raised awareness for sustainability within the firm, they are of great use for benchmarking, as well as that the reports serve as useful information for green investors.

In Statement No. 33, "Financial Reporting and Changing Prices," the FASB requires that some large companies disclose their historical cost/constant dollar and current cost information in the published financial statements. One of the purposes of these disclosures is to help users of the financial statements in assessing future cash flows. This study was directed toward the examination of the effects of the different levels of disclosures on cash flow projections.

Процесс реформирования системы бухгалтерского учета в Китае и России относительно сложен. В процессе реформы бухгалтерского учета в обеих странах исходная система учета не может удовлетворять требованиям экономического развития в связи с изменением национальной системы управления экономикой. Так как Россия и Китай активно участвуют в мировой торговле, то они должны применять единый с другими странами язык финансовой отчетности. В деле гармонизации национальных учетных стандартов развитие МФСО является одним из наиболее важных процессов. Мировые стандарты уже внедряются в российские и китайские компании, но не в должной степени. Исходя из этого, актуальность вопроса о существующих проблемах представлении финансовой отчетности в соответствии с МСФО остается постоянной. / The accounting reform process in China and Russia is relatively complex. In the process of accounting reform in both countries, the original accounting system cannot meet the requirements of economic development due to changes in the national economic management system. Since Russia and China are actively involved in world trade, they must use the same language of financial reporting with other countries. In the matter of harmonizing national accounting standards, the development of IFRS is one of the most important processes. World standards are already being implemented in Russian and Chinese companies, but not to the required extent. Based on this, the relevance of the issue of existing problems in the presentation of financial statements in accordance by IFRS remains constant.

Структура магистерской диссертации включает в себя введение, три главы, заключение, список использованных источников и приложения. Первая глава содержит теоретические основы анализа финансовой отчетности и нормативных документов по бухгалтерскому учету в Китае, порядок анализа финансовой отчетности и нормативных документов по бухгалтерскому учету в России и характеристику основных методов анализа финансовой отчетности. Во второй главе проведен подробный анализ деятельности на предприятиях двух страх на основе представленной ими финансовой отчетности. В третьей главе проведен подробный статистический анализ развития цифровой экономики России и Китая. В заключении сформированы основные выводы. / The structure of the master's thesis includes an introduction, three chapters, a conclusion, a list of references and applications. The first chapter contains the theoretical foundations for the analysis of financial statements and accounting regulations in China, the procedure for analyzing financial statements and accounting regulations in Russia, and a description of the main methods for analyzing financial statements. In the second chapter, a detailed analysis of the activities at the enterprises of two fears is carried out on the basis of their financial statements. The third chapter provides a detailed statistical analysis of the development of the digital economy in Russia and China. In conclusion, the main conclusions are formed.

Background: Family firms represent the majority of firms worldwide, and are regarded as a crucial part of the global economy. Despite that, there is little known about their objectives of financial reporting i.e how they use, produce and value their financial reports. In accounting literature two objectives of financial reporting are presented, a stewardship objective and a decision usefulness objective. Previous research within family business have found that family firms differ from non-family firms and that family firms utilize socioemotional wealth protection as a main reference point when making decisions.  Purpose: This study aims to provide an understanding of how family firms perceive the objective of their financial reporting and how this is shaped by SEW. Method: The study was conducted using a qualitative method and implemented through semi-structured interviews. Nine family firms participated in the study, where eight family members were interviewed and two non-family members.  Conclusion: The result suggest that four out of the five FIBER dimensions (of SEW), family influence and control, identification of family members with the firm, binding social ties and emotional attachment influence the family firm's objective of their financial reports. Meanwhile, for the fifth dimension, renewal of family bonds to the firm through dynastic succession, our study suggests that future successions do not have an influence on the family firm's perceived objective of financial reporting.

Yes / This paper uses panel cointegration with a corresponding vector error correction model (VECM) to investigate the changes in the value relevance of accounting information before and after the mandatory adoption of IFRS in Germany and the UK under three different valuation models. First, a basic Ohlson model, where our results indicate that despite the value relevance of the book values of equity has declined, it has been replaced by the increasing prominence of earnings in both Germany and the UK after the switch to the IFRS. Second, a modified model, which shows that the incremental value relevance of both earnings and book values are considerably higher in the long term for firms in the UK than in Germany. Third, a simultaneous addition of accounting and macroeconomic variables in an extended model, which indicates a significant rise in the relative predictive power of the book value of equity in the UK compared with the more noticeable impact on the value relevance of earnings in Germany. Collectively, the results of these models indicate that: (i) the explanatory power of linear equity valuation models is higher in UK than in the Germany, (ii) a long-run Granger-causal relationship exists between accounting variables and share prices in common law countries like the UK. Nevertheless, the implications of our findings lie in the knowledge that the potential costs of switching to the IFRS is completely nullified within three years by the benefits arising from a reduction in information asymmetry and earning mismanagement among firms which are listed on the stock exchanges of both common law and code law-based EU countries.

Yes / This study examines the extent to which the change from UK GAAP to IFRS has affected companies listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in the UK. The results suggest that, on average, profit reported under IFRS is higher than that reported under UK GAAP; however, the difference is much smaller for AIM listed companies as compared to what existing literature suggests for firms listed on main stock markets. The Gray's partial analysis results indicate that despite the extensive programmes for improving convergence over time there is still a considerable discrepancy between IFRS and UK GAAP.

Univ., Habil.-Schr. u.d.T.: Fülbier, Rolf Uwe: Konsolidierte steuerliche Gewinnermittlung nach IFRS?--Bochum, 2005, eine normative Untersuchung der IFRS-Konsolidierungsregeln auf ihre Eignung als Ausgangspunkt einer konsolidierten steuerlichen Gewinnermittlung in der EU. / Literaturverz. S. 377 - 439.

Der internationalen Finanzberichterstattung – und darin insbesondere der Anhangberichterstattung – wird seit vielen Jahren in Praxis und Wissenschaft eine fehlende adressatengerechte Informationsbereitstellung vorgeworfen. Die Kritik deutet auf Defizite hinsichtlich Inhalt und Darstellung und somit insgesamt der Qualität der Anhangberichterstattung hin. Diese Kritik ist jedoch überwiegend anekdotischer Natur, valide wissenschaftliche Evidenz fehlt bislang. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird diese Forschungslücke adressiert. Für das latente Konstrukt Berichterstattungsqualität wird dafür zunächst ein formatives Messinstrument entwickelt, mit dem sowohl die inhaltliche (u. a. Relevanz) als auch die formale Dimension (u. a. Lesbarkeit) von Berichterstattungsqualität gemessen und analysiert werden kann. Dieses Messinstrument wird sowohl theoretisch (argumentative Reflektion) als auch empirisch (Prüfung von aus den zugrundeliegenden Theorien ableitbaren Relationen) validiert. Die anschließende Erhebung von Berichterstattungsqualität einer repräsentativen Stichprobe deutscher Unternehmen mittels einer integrativen Inhaltsanalyse verdeutlicht, dass die o. g. Kritik begründet ist und zeigt auf, worin konkret Defizite bestehen. Die vorliegende Arbeit leistet damit einen Beitrag zur konzeptionellen und empirischen Rechnungslegungsforschung.:Teil 1: Einführung Teil 2: Grundlagen Teil 3: Konzeptionierung von Berichterstattungsqualität Teil 4: Empirische Analyse von Berichterstattungsqualität im Anhang bzgl. immaterieller Vermögenswerte Teil 5: Fazit

The study aims to establish an integrated generic investigation process that could be utilised by Commercial Forensic Practitioners in South Africa. Secondly, it aims to determine which investigation processes are currently being utilised in South African forensics practices. An overview is given of the international utilised processes and a basic framework was developed, presented and tested by means of questionnaires to members of the Institute of Commercial Forensic Practitioners in South Africa. The development of an investigation process for Commercial Forensic Practitioners in South Africa could be utilised by the Institute of Commercial Forensic Practitioners to provide a governance structure for the Institute that would enhance the quality of forensic investigations and contribute to the successful investigation and prosecution of commercial crime in South Africa. To achieve the study objective, an empirical study was conducted among current members of the Institute of Commercial Forensic Practitioners in South Africa through the circulation of questionnaires via their website. These results were interpreted, taking cognisance of international practices identified in the literature review. A formalised investigation process was developed and suggested to the Institute of Commercial Forensic Practitioners. Statisticians were involved during the process of designing the questionnaires, and analysing and interpreting the results. The research dealt with a generic investigation process for Commercial Forensic Practitioners. It also dealt with its implementation and investigative performance in South African practices. In this study, an overview of the investigation process for Commercial Forensic Practitioners in South Africa was discussed. The research also analysed the following: * The time period in which organisations implemented the Commercial Forensic Practitioners Process; * The effect of the Commercial Forensic Practitioners Process on investigative performance; and * The integration of the Commercial Forensic Practitioner's process into the budgeting process. The findings of the study revealed the following: * Each of the phases of the Commercial Forensic Practitioners Process is as important as the others in matters that will be presented before court. * An investigation should only be performed if it can be performed properly and in a manner that provides clarity and value to the engagement and its objectives. For this purpose, a Commercial Forensic Practitioner should only accept an assignment if free of conflicts and any independence issues. It is imperative for Commercial Forensic Practitioners to adequately assess not only their relationship to the client and the particular engagement, but also their relationship to any opposing party. This assessment should be done in the context of all other work of the practice, not only that work that is performed by the particular Commercial Forensic Practitioner and direct colleagues. * The Commercial Forensic Practitioner must design, implement and use a robust client and engagement acceptance process that is documented, standardised and, where relevant, agreed with the client. * The role of a Commercial Forensic Practitioner in an investigation process is, therefore, to gather evidence, interrogate and examine the financial evidence, develop computer applications that help in analysing and presenting the evidence, putting forward all the findings in the form of reports, exhibits and documents, and finally taking part in civil actions or litigation as an expert witness, and testifying to the court and presenting all the evidence obtained through documentation or visual aids. It is therefore of the essence that a Commercial Forensic Practitioner be well versed in financial issues and legal concepts and proceedings. * The study found that the majority of respondents (69.3%) were male, while only 30.7% were female. The majority of Commercial Forensic Practitioners fall within two age categories, namely, 35 to 44 and 45 to 54 years. These age categories fall into the productive stage of a working career in the human life-cycle. It is furthermore inferred that the level of experience is of importance, as the majority of participants were well experienced, mostly with at least ten years‟ experience. * A total of 22.7% of respondents indicated that they do not use a formalised investigation process. The majority of respondents (77.3%) thus make use of a formalised investigation process. * The study found that formalised investigation processes are not implemented for the following reasons: -- Managerial and governance processes within practices were sufficient to address the risks posed (41.2%); -- Commercial Forensic Practitioners do not have a formalised investigation process at their disposal (35.3%); -- Commercial Forensic Practitioners are not aware of a formalised investigation process being utilised in industry that could be used (23.5%); and -- The implementation of a formalised investigation process proved too difficult (23.5%). * The most important reasons for implementing a formalised investigation process included reputational risks and quality control of investigative work. It was notable that the study revealed that the industry does not require practitioners to follow any procedures. * It is noteworthy that practitioners did not regard monitoring and management review of compliance with the provisions of their formalised investigation process as an important requirement. The study revealed that the majority of Commercial Forensic Practitioners would measure compliance as an occasional requirement (33.3%); only 23.3% placed compliance as an agenda item for each monthly management meeting and 16.7% as a quarterly agenda item. * The majority (56.3%) of practitioners recognised that integration of a formalised process with the budgeting process could enhance productivity and financial benefits. * The majority of respondents (88.1%) were of the view that there was an improvement in financial performance and/or productivity after the implementation of the formalised investigation process. * 62% of respondents were of the view that there was a significant improvement in financial performance and productivity since the implementation of the formalised investigation process. This finding is significant, as it proves that a formalised process for Commercial Forensic Practitioners in South Africa can have a positive effect on a practise‟s financial performance. The suggested sub-processes, as described, are accepted by the respondents, namely: * Client acceptance, service considerations, risk management procedures, independence and engagement agreements; * Planning and strategic objectives of an engagement, including documented investigative plan incorporating the relevant disciplines (accounting, law, IT, investigative and risk management skills); * Gathering information and evidence, documenting evidence in an evidence file or system and safeguarding evidence as important; * Interviewing, using best practice interviewing skills, by planning the interview to achieve strategic objectives, recording the interview and using technology; * Analysis and verification of evidence; * Quality management, with all reported findings included in referenced working papers supported by documented physical evidence; and * Reporting on findings in a detailed forensic report, clearly and concisely reflecting on the sequence of events, supported by financial information and documents, in a format that could be used in disciplinary enquiries and/or proceedings in civil and criminal courts. These findings fulfil the objective of the study, which was to establish an integrated generic investigation process that could be utilised by Commercial Forensic Practitioners in South Africa and secondly to determine which investigation processes are currently being utilised in South African forensics practices. It was clarified whether the implementation of a formalised process can lead to an improvement in financial performance and what the result of the integration of a formalised process into a practise‟s budgeting process is. It was established that there is indeed a relationship between the integration of the formalised process into the budgeting process and the improved financial performance of a practise. The findings of this study have significant implications for the management of South African Commercial Forensic Practitioner practices. Based on the study findings, the following general and specific recommendations can be made: * The investigation process for Commercial Forensic Practitioners should be fully integrated with the budgeting process of the practise, as this will ensure improved investigative performance by the business; and * Education and research on the investigation process for Commercial Forensic Practitioners should be conducted by the management of a practice before implementing such a process. / MCom (Forensic Accountancy), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015