Firm-specific determinants of agricultural financial reporting

Abstract

This paper discusses agricultural financial reporting under International Accounting Standard (IAS) 41 – Agriculture of 181 worldwide listed firms that have adopted International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) until 2010. Due to the lack of importance of agriculture in global economy, accounting of this sector received little attention from researchers and regulators of accounting standards until the adoption of IAS 41. An index of the mandatory disclosure of biological assets is constructed and calculated based on the notes of financial statements included in 2011 annual report of this sample of firms. This study tests several hypotheses relating the index and the following variables – biological assets intensity, ownership concentration, size, auditor type and international stakeholders. The mandatory disclosure of biological assets is found to be influenced by biological assets intensity, ownership concentration and size. Being recognized as an interesting guide, IAS 41 is far from being consensual and continues on daily debate. This paper seeks to help standard setters to better understand disclosure practices and their determinants concerning biological assets and to develop future recommendations.