Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

New measure from accounting watchdog completes crackdown

Wednesday 16 September 1998 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THE Accounting Standards Board has completed its crackdown on financial engineering excesses with today's publication of a standard outlawing companies from including provisions in their accounts unless they have an obligation to meet such liabilities as pollution or restructuring costs.

Financial Reporting Standard 12 is designed to spell the end of "big bath" accounting where organisations made huge provisions for future reorganisations and then fed them back into income over several years with the aim of smoothing accounts.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in