Does Immateriality Matter? Evidence from Accountants Concerning the Acceptability of Questionable Accounting Practices

Wen Chang, Mien-Ling Chen, Chi-Ying Chiao

Department of Accounting Information, Hsing Wu Institute of Technology, New Taipei City, Chinese Taipei.
Department of Ph.D. Program in Graduate School of Management, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung Li, Chinese Taipei.

DOI: 10.4236/me.2012.32031                

Abstract

Questionable accounting practices, sometimes, cause from misusing the concept of materiality to manage their reported earnings. The purpose of this study is to examine the attitudes of accountants concerning the acceptability of 14 questionable accounting practices from the amount of material and immaterial perspectives. The results show that, for all 14 questionable accounting practices, the differences in acceptability between the amount of materiality and immateriality were all statistically significant. Regarding the amount of immateriality, especially for questionable, but still legal accounting practices, accountants appear to have the higher average level of acceptability under the extreme pressure from the top management. While questionable accounting practices are clearly illegal, no matter what the amount is material or immaterial, accountants appear to have the lowest average level of acceptability. This finding may be helpful for businesses and professional associations as they develop their own policies, standards and educational programs regarding dealing with questionable accounting practices.

Keywords

Immateriality; Accountants; Questionable Accounting Practices; Acceptability

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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