Browsing by Author "Laswad F"

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    Accounting students’ online engagement, choice of course delivery format and their effects on academic performance
    (Taylor and Francis Group, 2023-09-24) Hu Y; Nath N; Zhu Y; Laswad F
    This study examines the effects of synchronous and non-synchronous online engagement on the academic performance of accounting students at a New Zealand university based on their choice of course delivery format – either distance learning or face-to-face learning with online components (F2F+). We track accounting students as they complete three financial accounting courses over three consecutive years. Drawing on social constructivism theory, we find that both synchronous and non-synchronous student online engagement are positively related to their academic performance, and this positive effect varies across assessment types. The positive effect of synchronous online engagement on student performance is more pronounced when students choose to learn via F2F+ rather than via distance learning. Further analyses show that the positive effect persists among students with different characteristics. These findings highlight the useful role of student online engagement in learning and provide support for universities to allow students to choose their preferred course delivery format.
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    Accounting students’ performance in proctored online exams: early evidence from COVID-19 disrupted tertiary education learning
    (Taylor and Francis Group, 2024-04-26) Edeigba J; Opare S; Laswad F
    Given the debate in tertiary institutions on the use of technology for assessments due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we compare the performance of accounting students in proctored paper-based and online exams. We examine exam scores across different demographic variables to provide early insights into the impact of these demographics on student performance. Our exploratory analyses indicate that students perform better in proctored online assessments than invigilated paper-based ones. The differences in student performance between these two assessment methods are associated with distinct factors, such as in-person and distance study modes, and student nationality. In summary, the findings of this study provide support for the adoption of online technology in managing exams.
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    Applying Materiality Judgements
    (SSRN, 2023-11-10) Botica Redmayne N; Ehalaiye D; Ahmad F; Edeigba J; Laswad F
    This is a research report prepared for the New Zealand Accounting Standards Board (NZASB) of the External Reporting Board (XRB) on how the International Accounting Standards Board's (IASB's) requirements and guidance on materiality are applied to improve disclosures in general purpose financial statements.
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    Are financial reports useful? The views of New Zealand public versus private users
    (John Wiley and Sons, Inc on behalf of CPA Australia, 13/03/2020) Ehalaiye D; Laswad F; Botica Redmayne N; Stent W; Cai L
    This study reports on surveys conducted with users of financial reports in New Zealand. We compare findings for users of reports of two types of for-profit entities, namely those with public accountability (public entities) and those with no public accountability (private entities). The findings indicate that both types of users have similar perceptions regarding the usefulness of financial statements, with the income statement and balance sheet rated as the most useful components. Furthermore, both types of users, especially private users, perceive financial statements as the most important information source for decision making. Public users have a greater interest in supplementary information than private users. The findings of this study contribute to the debate around differential reporting for private companies and have policy implications with regard to the user-needs approach to accounting standard setting.
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    Evidence on the costs of changes in financial reporting frameworks in the public sector
    (Taylor and Francis Group, 1/09/2019) Botica Redmayne N; Laswad F; Ehalaiye D
    This paper examines the impact of changes in reporting frameworks on New Zealand public sector audit costs in terms of both audit fees and effort. Audit costs increased with the adoption of both International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) reporting frameworks. The costs of auditing across various financial reporting frameworks in the public sector is shown to be significantly influenced by auditors’ specialization.
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    Insights on Management Commentary in financial reports: The views of users, preparers and auditors
    (Emerald, 31/01/2022) Botica Redmayne N; Laswad F; Ehalaiye D; Stent W
    Purpose: New Zealand (NZ) has no reporting standard or guidance for management commentary (MC) that accompanies financial reports. This is unusual, considering MC is provided by many entities and valued by users. Further, the guidance on MC provided by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in their Management Commentary Practice Statement 1 (MCPS1), which was issued in 2010, is currently under review. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine the views of NZ’s financial reporting stakeholders, particularly users, preparers and auditors of financial reports for insights regarding the usefulness of MC. Design/methodology/approach: To gain insights into the views of NZ’s financial reporting stakeholders on MC, this paper surveyed users, preparers and auditors of financial statements. This paper includes an analysis of their views on the objectives, content and principles that should underlie MC in financial reporting, based on the IASB’s MCPS1 with consideration of recent work by the IASB on the revision of MCPS1. In addition, the analysis provides insights as to whether the reporting of MC should be made mandatory, and whether assuring MC would increase its usefulness. Findings: This study found that auditors generally view MC as less useful and more in need of assurance than do preparers and users. Respondents’ ratings indicate that the most important objective for MC is “to enable the assessment of the quality of management’s stewardship”. “Assessing the entity’s future prospects”, and “assessing future cash flows” are also highly rated objectives. The most important principle in preparing MC is identified as “focus on the most important and relevant information”, while the most important content element identified is “the entity's financial performance and position, and cash flows”. Originality/value: This paper highlights the views of various stakeholders regarding MC reporting, particularly preparers and auditors whose views have not been noted previously in the literature. Also, this study should be of interest to both international and national financial reporting standard setters and regulators. It is particularly timely in view of the current IASB work towards revision and updating of MCPS1, as it provides current insights into what users, preparers and auditors perceive as the most important considerations for MC. This study also has implications for the XRB in NZ, where there is no prior research on stakeholders’ views on MC.
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    Measurement and reporting of heritage assets - Insights from practice in New Zealand
    (Emerald Publishing, 2022-06-22) Botica Redmayne N; Laswad F; Ehalaiye D; Caruana, J; Bisogno, M; Sicilia, M
    Accounting for heritage assets has evolved, but continuing diversity in reporting practices remains problematic. Traditional cash-based budgets, which are still common in governmental accounting in some countries, ignore heritage assets as they are non-realisable and often do not generate revenue, yet they incur cash outflows to preserve them. The adoption of accrual accounting for recording heritage assets raises technical issues of recognition and measurement of such assets, both in the balance sheet and in income statements. This chapter examines the financial reporting environment for heritage assets in New Zealand. The chapter provides evidence on the reporting practices of heritage assets by five of New Zealand’s significant museums during the period 2011 to 2020, under IAS 16 and IPSAS 17 requirements. We analyse disclosures on heritage assets in the financial reports of these museums, including accounting policies, valuation and measurement, income statement impact, and related notes. The findings suggest that, despite the existence of the IFRS (IAS 16) and IPSAS (IPSAS 17) reporting standards during this period, a variety of reporting practices exist among New Zealand museums, as heritage assets are recognised either at fair value or historical cost on the balance sheet or not recognised in the financial statements at all. These findings suggest substantial non-uniformity in the actual measurement and reporting of heritage assets and are of interest to policy makers and regulators, particularly in countries that are currently considering adoption of IPSAS.
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    Professional skills required of accountants: What do Australian and New Zealand job advertisements tell us?
    (2016) Tan LM; Laswad F
    Employability skills have become increasingly important in a competitive job market in a globalised world of advanced technology. Our study examines employability skills of accountants as indicated in job advertisements in Australia and New Zealand, as they provide a window into the skills that are most valued by employers. The results show that of the 31 identified skills, 13 were most cited. Importantly, the most sought after skills included the ability to collaborate with colleagues, present, discuss and defend views, and having a positive attitude. Overall, a team player with a positive attitude and good communication skills appeared to be the most valued behavioural skill as perceived by employers. This probably reflects a change in the work of accountants, from being ‘backroom number crunchers’ to engaged business professionals.