6. Positive Accounting Theory Flashcards

1
Q

Positive Accounting Theory (PAT)

A
  • example of positive theory
  • used to explain and predict who will use what accounting method
  • focuses on relationships
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2
Q

Assumptions of PAT

A
Individuals actions are 
- self driven
- opportunistic
- increase own wealth
Ignores morality and loyalty
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3
Q

Agency Problem is

A

Issues associated with aligning motivations of the agent with that of the principal

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4
Q

Agency Problems arise because

A
  • inefficiencies and information asymmetry
  • divergent behaviour
  • consumption of perks
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5
Q

Agency Costs is

A

The cost inherent in the principal agent relationship

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6
Q

Contractual mechanism is

A
  • an alignment mechanism
  • clauses in the contract to align the interests
  • bonus based on financial statement/performance
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7
Q

Price protection is

A
  • where no contractual/alignment mechanism
  • principal pays less to compensation for agency costs
  • agent has incentive not to enter into detrimental contracts
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8
Q

Monitoring cost

A

Cost of monitoring agent’s behavior

E.g. audit costs

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9
Q

Bonding cost

A
  • time and effort of agent

- cost to align interests

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10
Q

Residual loss

A
  • cannot control all opportunistic behaviour

- cost of unaligned behaviour

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11
Q

Hypotheses of PAT

A

PAT assumes agent will be opportunistic when selecting an accounting method

  • bonus plan
  • debt
  • political cost
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12
Q

Bonus plan hypothesis

A

Agents with bonuses more like to use accounting methods to increase current period income

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13
Q

Debt hypothesis

A

Where there are high debt/equity ratios agents more likely to use accounting methods to increase income

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14
Q

Political cost hypothesis

A

Larger firms more likely to attract attention than smaller firms so more likely to choose accounting methods to decrease income

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15
Q

Perspectives of PAT research

A
  1. Efficiency perspective

2. Opportunistic perspective

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16
Q

Efficiency perspective

A
  • Ex ante perspective

- considers up front mechanisms to minimise future agency and contracting costs

17
Q

Opportunistic perspective

A
  • Ex post perspective

- actions after up front mechanisms contributing to agency costs

18
Q

How are agents rewarded?

A
  1. Fixed basis

2. Bonus scheme

19
Q

Fixed basis reward

A

Salary independent of performance, agent may not take on risk as there is no reward

20
Q

Bonus scheme reward

A

Salary + bonus

Accounting based or market based

21
Q

What are some incentives to manipulate?

A
  • efficiency, to increase contract/efficiency based incentive
  • opportunistic, to increase self wealth
  • bonus, short term rather than long term focus
  • take a bath, shift profit to future period to get bonus
  • retirement, short term focus
22
Q

Horizon problem

A

Difference between agent’s life with principal and life of principle, short term vs long term

23
Q

Market based bonus

A
  • may be more suitable where earnings fluctuate
  • incentive to increase value of firm
  • market price affected by external factors or senior managers
24
Q

Criticisms of PAT

A
  • does not prescribe
  • asserts all action is self driven
  • too negative and simplistic
  • ignores organisation specific relationships