Editorial: DVA – Uma demonstração que veio para ficar

ID: 24210

Authors: Ariovaldo dos Santos.

Source: Revista Contabilidade & Finanças, v. 16, n. 38, p. 3-3, May-August, 2005. 1 page(s).

Document type: Editorial (Portuguese)

Contabilidade: aspectos relevantes da epopéia de sua evolução

ID: 24211

Authors: Sérgio de Iudícibus, Eliseu Martins, L. Nelson Carvalho.

Source: Revista Contabilidade & Finanças, v. 16, n. 38, p. 7-19, May-August, 2005. 13 page(s).

Keyword: Abordagens , Cientifi cidade , Contabilidade , Epopéia , Evolução Histórica , Teorias , Valor

Document type: Article (Portuguese) Show Abstract

As a main objective, this paper aims at discussing relevant aspects in the epopee of accounting evolution through several historical stages, from a simple method of bookkeeping based on double entry until its ripening as a social science with a strong economic basis. Some views and approaches to the concept of accounting will be revisited, as well as theories and the historical circumstances and other factors that may explain accounting as a genuine social science. In the more advanced interpretation of our discipline, the scientifi c quality of accounting should be searched preferentially in a series of characteristics, such as, for example: the understanding and measuring of equity elements; the preponderant application of economic value rather than simple costs or prices; the predictive power of fi nancial statements; the introduction of the risk factor and time value of money in accounting evaluations, as well as the consideration of imputed costs and of opportunity costs. The relevance of accounting stems from the observation of the above-mentioned key issues as well as by the incorporation of the prevalence of essence over form into its conceptual framework, in the field of socially applied knowledge area of an economic-fi nancial nature, with ramifications in the areas of productivity, environment protection and social responsibility, with necessary quantitative features as to its mechanics of functioning. It is evident that, for research purposes and to enhance certain dimensions, accounting may be studied under a variety of approaches, such as the ethical, the macroeconomic, the institutional and social, the behavioral, the systemic and the historical, among others, but accounting is much more than any of its particular approaches. Finally, one subsidiary objective of this paper is to help trying to answer, at least partially, on the question which addresses to almost an enigma: after all, what is accounting?

Contabilidade: atuais desafios e alternativa para seu melhor desempenho

ID: 24212

Authors: Natan Szuster, Fortunée Rechtman Szüster, Flávia Rechtman Szüster.

Source: Revista Contabilidade & Finanças, v. 16, n. 38, p. 20-30, May-August, 2005. 11 page(s).

Keyword: Accounting Information , Effective Stockholder Equity , Financial Accounting

Document type: Article (Portuguese) Show Abstract

This paper aims to debate the current challenges Brazilian accountants face when trying to disclose, through the financial statements, what is really happening in their companies. Furthermore, a proposal is presented that aims to improve the informational capacity of accounting in terms of quality. A world where accounting information does not inspire confidence and credibility is rather unthinkable. Meanwhile, the growing complexity of business activities and some tax restrictions makes us face criticism grounded in the urgent need for improvements in accounting information. At the same time, we must deal with extreme difficulties for making substantial changes in current Accounting regulations. With a view to a rapid improvement in accounting information, we propose that companies voluntarily present a new statement called “Effective Stockholder Equity Statement”. It starts from corporate law values and adjusts assets and liabilities to present the value of stockholder’s equity in a more realistic way. The cost-benefi t relation of this new statement is analyzed, leading to the conclusion that it can bring about an important evolution, improving the product presented by Brazilian accounting at a reduced cost. Its application may be a differential factor for companies that disclose financial statements to external users, and can also be highly useful to expand the information capacity of all internal users.

Hedge, redução de volatilidade dos lucros e o efeito sobre o imposto de renda das companhias abertas brasileiras

ID: 24213

Authors: Valdir de Jesus Lameira, Antonio Carlos Figueiredo, Walter Lee Ness Jr..

Source: Revista Contabilidade & Finanças, v. 16, n. 38, p. 31-46, May-August, 2005. 16 page(s).

Keyword: Hedge , Public Companies , Taxation

Document type: Article (Portuguese) Show Abstract

In this article we try to identify if Brazilian public companies hedge in response to tax incentives. With this goal, we fi rst identify in which conditions the hedge causes reductions in tax obligations. Next, we study theoretical situations in which the companies’ fi nancial results change from great losses to great profi ts and we observe the impact in the companies’ tax liabilities. Finally, we observe the results of a regression that tries to explain the tax obligations in 2003 in function of the hedge values in 2002, 2003 and the net operational losses in 2002. We conclude that it is possible to hedge in response to tax benefi ts in some special situations. Our results and conclusions are supported by other studies.

Testes empíricos sobre o comportamento assimétrico dos custos nas empresas brasileiras

ID: 24214

Authors: Otávio Ribeiro de Medeiros, Patrícia de Souza Costa, César Augusto Tibúrcio Silva.

Source: Revista Contabilidade & Finanças, v. 16, n. 38, p. 47-56, May-August, 2005. 10 page(s).

Keyword: Brazilian Firms , Cost Behavior , Empirical Tests , Sticky Costs

Document type: Article (Portuguese) Show Abstract

The study tests and confi rms the hypothesis that costs of Brazilian fi rms are sticky, i.e. that costs increase with more intensity when revenues increase than in the opposite direction, as shown by recent empirical evidence involving American fi rms. As opposed to this evidence, however, the sticky behavior does not seem to decrease when periods over one year are considered. The possibility of a partial reversion of the asymmetry when lagged periods are tested is confi rmed in the study. The adopted methodology involves different types of panel data regressions. The paper intends to contribute to a better understanding of Brazilian fi rms’ cost behavior related to changes in the fi rms’ activity level, which is a relevant theme for business administration, accountants and external fi nancial analysts. By using a sample of 198 fi rms within a 17-year period, it was found that the properties of the sticky costs model proposed by Anderson, Banker e Janakiraman (2003) are partially applicable to Brazil.

Planos de incentivos baseados em opções de ações: uma exposição das distinções encontradas entre as demonstrações contábeis enviadas à CVM e à SEC

ID: 24215

Authors: Alexssander de Antonio Nunes, José Augusto Veiga da Costa Marques.

Source: Revista Contabilidade & Finanças, v. 16, n. 38, p. 57-73, May-August, 2005. 17 page(s).

Keyword: Accounting , Stock Options , Variable Compensation

Document type: Article (Portuguese) Show Abstract

Stock option plans are one form of variable compensation in which the employee is given the opportunity to participate in the company as a stockholder. This kind of stimulus can mean advantages for employees and companies. Accounting is responsible for measuring and disclosing the amounts involved. Both FASB and IASB present specific rules in this respect. In Brazil, this subject has been discussed in opinions and recommendations by CVM and IBRACON. This article presents the foundations of stock options for employees and existing rules for the accounting treatment of these plans. 14 national publicly-traded companies were selected for the empiric study. The collected information demonstrates that there are differences between what is disclosed to regulators and the capital market in Brazil and in the international context.

Custeio Baseado em Atividades (ABC) aplicado aos processos de compra e venda de distribuidora de mercadorias

ID: 24216

Authors: Rodney Wernke.

Source: Revista Contabilidade & Finanças, v. 16, n. 38, p. 74-89, May-August, 2005. 16 page(s).

Keyword: ABC , Case Study , Merchandise Distributor

Document type: Article (Portuguese) Show Abstract

This case study discussed the application of activity-based costing (ABC) in a merchandise distribution company and aimed to identify the effective consumption of purchase and sales process resources by the three main market segments the entity is active in, so as to improve its profi tability analysis. After a literature review on the main aspects of ABC, the case study was described. First, the study company was characterized. Next, the details of ABC implementation were presented, including what procedures were realized for this purpose. Finally, the most relevant management information obtained through this costing method were mentioned.

How to measure gain-sharing in an outsourcing relationship: a case study in information technology environment

ID: 24217

Authors: Surendra Agrawal, Reinaldo Guerreiro, Carlos Alberto Pereira.

Source: Revista Contabilidade & Finanças, v. 16, n. 38, p. 90-101, May-August, 2005. 12 page(s).

Keyword: Gain-sharing , Information technology , Outsourcing , Pricing , Procurement

Document type: Article (English) Show Abstract

This study aims to approach the issue of gainsharing measurement in an information technology outsourcing relationship as a component of remuneration policies for contracted services among companies. The methodology encompass three steps: (i) bibliographical revision on outsourcing relationship in information technology environment and pricing in outsourcing decisions; (ii) a case study in which the problem of gain-sharing measurement emerges in the relationship (providing information technology services) between two large-scale international companies that operate in Brazilian credit card market; (iii) discussion of the findings of the case study on basis of the revised literature. The contributions of the paper are: (i) to identify the main issues related to outsourcing decisions and pricing in outsourcing relationship; (ii) to present a description of the characteristics and behavior of costs in information technology environment; and (iii) to provide an analysis and discussion about the method adopted by the companies for gain-sharing measurement. The bibliographical research showed a lack of literature regarding to the specifi c subject of gain-sharing measurement. The findings of the empirical study indicated that information technology companies are highly structured with fixed costs and that gain-sharing method adopted by studied companies corresponds to costs savings measured by cost-accounting concepts of price and efficiency cost variances according to budget parameters. In addiction, it was observed that the method adopted contributes to get more transparency and capability to analyze the business relationship by both receiver and provider companies .

O novo velho enfoque da informação contábil

ID: 24218

Authors: Vaine de Magalhães Barros.

Source: Revista Contabilidade & Finanças, v. 16, n. 38, p. 102-112, May-August, 2005. 11 page(s).

Keyword: Accounting Information System , Managerial Accountant , Tax Accountant

Document type: Article (Portuguese) Show Abstract

This paper demonstrates the need to rescue the relevance of accounting information for the organizational management process. In distinguishing the various foci of managerial and fi nancial accounting and discussing the results of a fi eld research, the study also points out challenges that, if seriously considered, may represent a valuable stimulus for accounting professionals. Thus, it aims at fostering a refl ection in this professional sector in general and particularly in the academic sphere, which is in charge of qualifying these professionals. The fundamental premise of the study is that accounting is not just a tax assessment procedure, but a management tool par excellence.