This study analyzes the ‘real' effects of accounting standards in the context of defined benefit pension plans. Specifically, we examine IAS 19R, which increases expected pension-induced equity volatility by eliminating the so-called ‘corridor method', a smoothing device for actuarial gains...

We investigate how managers smooth volatility in balance sheets, using the pension accounting change IAS 19R as a shock to balance sheet volatility. This shock increases pension plans’ funding transparency, which is the source of volatility, without targeting actual plan funding. We find that...

This paper examines the effect of unemployment risk on pension investment decisions of defined benefit (DB) pension plans. In particular, we examine whether unemployment insurance (UI) benefits result in increases in pension investment risk. Using fixed-effects and difference-in-difference...

We investigate how interactions between analysts and managers influence (1) analyst disagreement about the definition of forecasted street earnings and (2) shifts in the definition of actual street earnings. Textual analysis of conference call transcripts indicates that more discussion about...

The present paper reviews the research evidence on the impact of changes in pension accounting methods on pension provision. We show that decisions to freeze, terminate or convert defined benefit (DB) plans have been driven primarily by a desire to limit contributions, though financial reporting...

We study changes in financial policies following a regulatory shock to the accounting transparency of defined benefit pension plans. We estimate the hidden pension deficits of French companies subject to mandatory IAS 19 adoption in 2005 using disclosures of early adopters of IAS 19. We find...

In 2001, goodwill amortization in the US was eliminated in favor of an impairment-only approach, which, according to critics, gives managers vast discretion and opportunities for earnings management. Prior research suggests that discretionary asset write-offs are associated with economic factors...

Die Auseinandersetzung mit Pensionsverpflichtungen gehört zu den Kontrollaufgaben des Aufsichtsrates, und bei der Ausgestaltung der betrieblichen Altersvorsorge besitzt der Betriebsrat ein gesetzliches Mitbestimmungsrecht. Als Informationsgrundlage steht Aufsichts- und Betriebsräten für die...

Der ständige Umgang mit betriebswirtschaftlichen Zahlen gehört längst zur alltäglichen Arbeit von Arbeitnehmervertretern und Arbeitnehmervertreterinnen in den Aufsichts- aber auch Betriebsräten. Das Herzstück der zahlreichen Berichte, mit denen es insbesondere Aufsichtsräte zu tun...

In 2001, goodwill amortization in the US was eliminated in favor of an impairment-only approach, which, according to critics, gives managers vast discretion and opportunities for earnings management. Prior research suggests that discretionary asset write-offs are associated with economic factors...