<p>Goodwill accounting treatment has been a subject of heated debate for a long time in many countries around the world. Changing to international accounting standards and settings was much discussed in Sweden. International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) issued Exposure Drafts, which were related to goodwill accounting treatment in 2002. In this thesis, two respondents groups’ positions, regarding the disclosure information on goodwill impairment test, and assumption are examined by studying comment letters that submitted to the IASB. It is suggested that the two groups lobbied the proposal because the new standard has economic consequences. The result shows that, as hypothesized, non-preparer group supported more than the preparer group for disclosing variety information on goodwill impairment test and assumption. Furthermore, it would be interesting to see what kind of arguments from two different groups, and how they argue for their positions. The result is both groups used IASB framework are based on useful arguments to support their positions at the same extent, although the objects behind the lobbying activities are different from two groups.</p>

Goodwill accounting treatment has been a subject of heated debate for a long time in many countries around the world. Changing to international accounting standards and settings was much discussed in Sweden. International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) issued Exposure Drafts, which were related to goodwill accounting treatment in 2002. In this thesis, two respondents groups’ positions, regarding the disclosure information on goodwill impairment test, and assumption are examined by studying comment letters that submitted to the IASB. It is suggested that the two groups lobbied the proposal because the new standard has economic consequences. The result shows that, as hypothesized, non-preparer group supported more than the preparer group for disclosing variety information on goodwill impairment test and assumption. Furthermore, it would be interesting to see what kind of arguments from two different groups, and how they argue for their positions. The result is both groups used IASB framework are based on useful arguments to support their positions at the same extent, although the objects behind the lobbying activities are different from two groups.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the fundamental concepts of group reporting have been revised substantially by the International Accounting Standards Board. Until now, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) which were introduced with the aim to increase the transparency and comparability of consolidated financial statements have been applied mandatorily for about ten years in the European Union. These important developments frame the research context of this dissertation. Based on a comprehensive introduction into the conceptual fundamentals of group reporting under IFRS, the first part of the dissertation deals with the standards IFRS 10, IFRS 11 and, in particular, IAS 28 (revised 2011) which have recently been issued. Besides, the first part contributes to the ongoing debate on the subsequent accounting for goodwill acquired in a business combination. The second part of the dissertation examines issues related to the comparability and transparency of financial reporting under IFRS. In particular, comparability is assessed by analyzing classification choices in the statement of cash flows. Finally, the effects of the IFRS adoption on two dimensions of financial reporting transparency, earnings management and disclosure quality, are examined. In summary, the dissertation aims to further our understanding regarding recent conceptual developments as well as the achievement of comparability and transparency of group reporting under IFRS.:I. Current Conceptual and Empirical Issues in Group Reporting under IFRS – Overview of the Dissertation 1 Introduction to the Research Context 2 Overview and Findings of the Manuscripts II. The Success Story of International Additives Producer AG – A Case Study on Categorization of Investments under IFRS 1 Manuscript – The Case 2 Case Teaching Notes 3 Suggested Case Solutions III. Die Bilanzierung von Beteiligungen an assoziierten Unternehmen sowie Gemeinschaftsunternehmen auf der Basis des überarbeiteten IAS 28 – Implikationen der Neuerungen für die Bilanzierungspraxis 1 Einleitung und Überblick 2 Ausgewählte Regelungen in IAS 28 (rev. 2011) vor dem Hintergrund ihrer materiellen Bedeutung 3 Ausblick auf künftige Neuerungen bzw. aktuelle Standardentwürfe 4 Zusammenfassung und kritische Würdigung IV. 10 Years Impairment-only Approach – Stakeholder Perceptions and Research Findings 1 Introduction 2 Institutional Background 3 Stakeholder Perceptions of the Impairment-only Approach 4 Research Findings regarding the Impairment-only Approach 5 Main Findings, Discussion and Implications for Standard Setting 6 Conclusion V. Comparability of reported cash flows under IFRS – Evidence from Germany ..... 243 1 Introduction 2 Conceptual background and related research 3 Determinants of classification choices: hypotheses and research design 4 Data and results 5 Conclusion VI. Short-term and long-term effects of IFRS adoption on disclosure quality and earnings management 1 Introduction 2 Institutional Background: Development of the German Accounting Environment 3 Prior Research and Hypotheses 4 Research Design 5 Results 6 Conclusion