The Economic Analysis of Accounting Profitability

Originated with an Institute for Fiscal Studies project on fiscal policy in the corporate sector that used company accounting data to analyze the effects of corporate taxation on firm behavior, focusing on how company accounts can best be applied to economic analysis. Discusses the assessment of complete activities using accounting profitability data. Reviews the value-to-the-owner rules for capital valuation and the assessment of activities over limited segments using accounting profitability data. Examines inflation accounting, focusing on the case for real terms accounts and alternative profitability measures. Discusses taxation and accounting profitability, and concludes with a summary of proposals.