Typical accounting studies attempting to explain accounting method choice employ positive theoretical hypotheses and test for association between adoption method or adoption timing and economic measures that focus upon specific firm stakeholders. Such studies addressing the adoption and impact of SFAS 87, "Employer's Accounting for Pensions," yield mixed and contradicting results. Various researchers have suggested that traditional economic analysis often fails to capture important explanatory variables and is far too simplistic. The purpose of this study is to expand analysis by evaluating a particular accounting choice by means of three different characterizations. SFAS 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions," allows management to choose between two very different methods of adopting the standard. The principal question explored in this study is: why did managers of firms that employ defined benefit postretirement plans for benefits other than pensions choose to adopt SFAS 106 using a particular method? The research question is explored by means of three different characterizations: 1) a traditional economic characterization; 2) a sociopolitical characterization); and 3) a joint decision characterization. Logit methodology is used with method of SFAS 106 adoption as the binary dependent variable of interest. Results indicate that all three characterizations are important in understanding the SFAS 106 adoption method choice. Further, each characterization adds separate information toward comprehension of the choice, supporting the notion of the complexity of accounting choice issues.

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2017-12-20T08:47:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Raquel Bandoni.pdf: 785203 bytes, checksum: ea9b06b55c6cea20faf8e8d9ee46c6a8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-20T08:47:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Raquel Bandoni.pdf: 785203 bytes, checksum: ea9b06b55c6cea20faf8e8d9ee46c6a8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-12-15 / The present work aims at analyzing the disclosure of post-employment benefits made by Brazilian companies listed in the IBOVESPA index, at BMF&BOVESPA, from 2009 to 2016. The Standardized Financial Statements of those companies were analyzed, searching for information published according to a checklist prepared in agreement with each CPC 33 (R1) paragraph referring only to the post-employment benefits, either qualitative or quantitative. The data for this study were obtained through content analysis of explanatory notes inside the referred financial statements in the period analyzed, for all entities that belonged to the sample. The data were afterwards either filled in a spreadsheet, and then calculated in the percentage of the total or displayed in graphics. The results showed that there was a consistent increase in the accomplishment of the disclosure requirements from 2009 to 2016, and that between the two classifications susceptible to be framed for referred benefits, the defined contribution ones are widely spread by the companies, which may provide a better understanding and knowledge of CPC 33(R1) rules. For those framed in the defined benefit characteristics, apart from a bigger complexity observed in the rule, some items still need disclosure evolution by part of the analyzed sample, such as: (i) description of the responsibility by the plan and risks management; (ii) disclosure of asset ceiling and segregation of actuarial profits and losses between demographic and financial premises; (iii) segregation between contributions made by the employer and participants; and (iv) strategies of confrontation among assets and liabilities and cost politics. We expect that the results of this research can contribute for the comprehension of the rule and which of its elements are important to be part of professional trainings and the disclosure base of the Financial Statements of big companies, showing relevant information about the financial health of these plans / O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar a divulgação dos benefícios pós-emprego efetuada pelas empresas brasileiras listadas no índice IBOVESPA da BM&FBOVESPA entre 2009 e 2016. Foram analisadas as Demonstrações Financeiras Padronizadas de tais entidades, na busca de informações divulgadas em conformidade com um checklist preparado de acordo com cada parágrafo do Comitê de Pronunciamentos Contábeis CPC 33 (R1), que faz referência a tais benefícios, sejam elas qualitativas ou quantitativas. Os dados para este estudo foram obtidos por meio de análises de conteúdo das notas explicativas das demonstrações das entidades pertencentes à amostra, ano a ano. Os dados foram posteriormente planilhados e calculados em percentual do total, alguns foram demonstrados graficamente. Os resultados demonstram que houve aumento consistente no cumprimento dos requisitos de divulgação de 2009 até 2016 e que, dentre as duas classificações passíveis de serem enquadrados os referidos planos de benefícios, os de contribuição definida são amplamente divulgados pelas companhias, o que pode indicar melhor entendimento e conhecimento cada vez mais difundido do CPC 33 (R1). No caso daqueles enquadrados nas características de benefício definido, além da maior complexidade constatada na regra, alguns itens precisam de evolução na divulgação por parte da amostra analisada, tais como: (i) descrição da responsabilidade pela governança dos planos e riscos; (ii) divulgações do asset ceiling e segregação dos ganhos e perdas atuariais entre premissas demográficas e financeiras; (iii) segregação entre contribuições feitas entre empregador e participantes; e (iv) estratégias de confrontação de ativos e/ou passivos utilizadas e políticas de custeamento. Pretende-se que os resultados desta pesquisa possam contribuir para a compreensão da norma e de quais elementos dela podem ser objeto de maior treinamento e esclarecimento, objetivando constar na base de divulgação das demonstrações financeiras das companhias de grande porte, garantindo informações importantes da saúde financeira destes planos de benefícios

This dissertation consists of three essays. The first essay, or Chapter 2, advances the literature by examining the conditional effects of lobbying on the relationship between policy learning and policy reinvention. Scholars have consistently shown that learning of successful policies in other states leads to higher likelihood of policy adoption. This essay extends this finding two ways. First, policy learning can also lead to more comprehensive adoption of successful policies. Second, the effect of policy learning on policy comprehensiveness is conditional on lobbying by interest groups, an alternative source of information about policy success. To test these hypotheses, I conduct a directed dyad-year analysis using a dataset on American state drunk driving regulations from 1983 to 2000. The results show that more comprehensive policy adoption by states is positively related to policy success in other states when lobbying by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is relatively low. Moreover, lobbying by MADD increases policy comprehensiveness when policy success is relatively low. The second essay, or Chapter 3, examines the effects of GASB 45 on local government borrowing costs. Government financial disclosure is a key instrument to improve fiscal transparency and accountability. In 2004, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) issued Statement No. 45 to require state and local governments to disclose information about other postemployment benefits (OPEB) for the first time. The theoretical framework incorporates both direct and indirect effects of disclosure on borrowing costs. The empirical tests use a panel of counties across states and the bonds they issued in the primary market between 1999 and 2012. To account for the impact of GASB 45 on county governments’ decisions to issue bonds, a Heckman selection model is estimated. GASB 45 increases borrowing costs of county governments, with the effects decreasing over time. GASB 45 has a larger effect on borrowing costs of county governments issuing bonds of lower credit quality and adopting the generally accepted accounting standards (GAAP). The third essay, or Chapter 4, examines the impact of information about funding of OPEB plans on borrowing costs of local governments. Local governments have disclosed information about other postemployment benefits (OPEB) plans under the Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 45 issued in 2004. Funding status is measured by percentage of annual required contribution (ARC) contributed and funded ratios. Two panels of counties and cities with comprehensive annual financial reports available from the Government Financial Officers Association are matched with the bonds they issued between 2008 and 2014. The results show that higher percentage of ARC contributed of OPEB plans are associated with lower borrowing costs for counties; and higher OPEB funded ratios are correlated with lower borrowing costs for cities. Higher percentage of ARC contributed and funded ratios of pension plans are associated with lower borrowing costs for both counties and cities. This essay demonstrates that information about OPEB and pension plans is incorporated in municipal bond pricing.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis focuses on the extent to which the South African social security system succeeds in providing protection in the vulnerable periods of the life-cycle and against the major contingencies of unemployment, disability and disease. Through a detailed examination of the different social insurance and assistance programmes, it isolates which particular population segments (by occupation, income quintile and race group) "fall through the cracks" in the provision of income security. It does not look only at the articulation between different social insurance and social assistance programmes, but also acknowledges how social security complements other governmental interventions, such as social services, and non-state sources of income security, such as those provided by the private insurance market and the family and community. Part One of the thesis is devoted to an examination of social insurance in South Africa, in other words, to those programmes that seek to compensate for a loss of income in the event of particular contingencies and that are funded by contributions from employers and employees. In addition, theoretical perspectives on social security, and social insurance in particular, are provided, with a discussion of the various economic arguments in favour of and against the provision of social security. Part Two of the thesis examines the range of non-contributory social assistance - cash benefits paid form general revenue - that are available to South Africans who qualify in terms of the means tests. Each chapter provides an analysis of the extent to which the social assistance programme under analysis provides a safety net for the relevant category of vulnerable people. It does this by examining the appropriateness of the programme structure, take-up rates and the fiscal sustainability of the programmes. In addition, the budgetary process by which revenue is allocated to social assistance programmes and expenditure trends are examined. The thesis concludes that although the South African social security system has achieved a fairly advanced level of development and covers a fairly wide range of risks, there are a number of constraints facing its further expansion. Social insurance schemes provide generous benefits, but their membership is restricted to the employed. Expanding coverage by social insurance would require substantial growth in remunerative employment which, given prevailing labour market conditions, seems unlikely. The provision of more generous social assistance programmes catering for a broader range of contingencies is severely curtailed by already high fiscal expenditure on welfare and macroeconomic constraints. Moreover, changing demography, household structures and dependency burdens, especially as the HIV/AIDS epidemic spreads, seem likely to increase demands on social assistance programmes. Consequently, until employment can be expanded so that more people can contribute to their own income security, the informal social security provided by the family and/or community will remain the first line of support for many. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie tesis word gefokus op die mate waartoe die Suid-Afrikaanse bestaansbeveiligingstelsel daarin slaag om ondersteuning tydens kwesbare periodes in die lewensiklus en beskerming teen groot gebeurlikhede soos werkloosheid, ongeskiktheid of langdurige siekte te bied. Daardie bevolkingsegmente (volgens beroep, inkomstegroep of ras) wat nie volledig toegang tot inkomstesekuriteit het nie, word uitgesonder deur 'n gedetaileerde ondersoek van die verskillende maatskaplike versekerings- en bystandsprogramme. Daar word ook gekyk na die artikulasie tussen die verskillende programme sowel as na hoe ander regeringsintervensies (bv. verskaffing van maatskaplike dienste) en private bronne van inkomstesekuriteit - verskaf deur die privaat versekeringsmark, die gemeenskap en die familie - deur maatskaplike bystand aangevul word. Deel Een word gewyaan 'n ondersoek van maatskaplike versekering in Suid-Afrika - daardie programme wat vir inkomsteverlies weens spesifieke gebeurlikhede probeer kompenseer en wat tipies deur bydraes van werkgewers en werknemers befonds word. Teoretiese perspektiewe op bestaansbeveiliging in die algemeen en maatskaplike versekering in besonder word ook verskaf en argumente vir en teen die verskaffing van bestaansbeveiliging word bespreek. Deel Twee ondersoek die reeks nie-bydraende bestaansbeveiligingsprogramme wat uit algemene owerheidsinkomste befonds word, asook bestedingstendense in maatskaplike bystand. Die tesis kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat, alhoewel Suid-Afrikaanse bestaansbeveiliging 'n redelik gevorderde vlak van ontwikkeling bereik het en 'n wye reeks risiko's dek, daar 'n aantal beperkinge op verdere uitbreiding is. Maatskaplike versekeringskemas bied uitgebreide voordele, maar lidmaatskap is tot indiensgeneemdes beperk. Uitbreiding van dekking vereis beduidende groei in formele indiensneming, wat onwaarskynlik lyk, gegewe huidige arbeidsmarktendense. Die verskaffing van gunstiger maatskaplike bystandsprogramme gemik op meer gebeurlikhede word ernstig deur reeds hoë fiskale uitgawes op welsyn en deur makroekonomiese oorweginge beperk. Verder sal veranderende demografiese strukture, huishoudingstrukture en afhanklikheidslaste, veral teen die agtergrond van die toename in HIVNIGS, aansprake op maatskaplike bystandsprogramme vergroot. Gevolglik sal die informele inkomstesekuriteit gebied deur die familie en/of gemeenskap die eerste of enigste ondersteuning vir groot dele van die bevolking bly, totdat indiensneming genoeg uitgebrei kan word sodat meer mense tot hul eie inkomstesekuriteit kan bydra.