The Decision Usefulness of Reported Cash Flow and Accrual Information in a Behavioural Field Experiment

Posted: 10 Nov 2000

See all articles by Divesh Sharma

Divesh Sharma

Kennesaw State University, School of Accountancy

Errol R. Iselin

Griffith University, Nathan Campus

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: Undated

Abstract

While recent capital market studies tend to reveal some information content in cash flows, their results may not be generalizable to other contexts such as the assessment of solvency. Mandated accounting standards on cash flow emphasize the relevance of cash flow data for assessing solvency. However, there is a paucity of research that specifically investigates this contention. Accordingly, this study investigates the decision usefulness of reported cash flow and accrual information in a behavioural field solvency assessment experiment. Using a two-group between-subjects field experiment design, bankers with at least three years corporate lending experience made solvency judgements using either cash flow cues or accrual cues. We found that, as hypothesized, judgements based on cash flow information was statistically significantly more accurate than judgements based on accrual information. The difference in judgement accuracy was large with very high statistical power. Our results imply that cash flow information has greater decision usefulness than accrual information for assessing corporate solvency. Our results support the decision of accounting regulators world-wide to mandate the statement of cash flows and are consistent with the normative arguments of proponents of cash flow reporting.

JEL Classification: M41, M45, C53, C90

Suggested Citation

Sharma, Divesh Shankar and Iselin, Errol R., The Decision Usefulness of Reported Cash Flow and Accrual Information in a Behavioural Field Experiment (Undated). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=247895

Divesh Shankar Sharma (Contact Author)

Kennesaw State University, School of Accountancy ( email )

Kennesaw, GA 30144
United States

Errol R. Iselin

Griffith University, Nathan Campus ( email )

Kessels Road
Faculty of Commerce & Management
Nathan, Queensland 4111
Australia
+61 07 387 57112 (Phone)
+61 07 387 57760 (Fax)

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Abstract Views
1,967
PlumX Metrics