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Based on the assumption that earnings persistence has implications for both financial analysis and compensation contracts, the aim of this paper is to investigate the role of earnings persistence assuming that (i) more persistent earnings are likely to be a better input to valuation models and (ii) more persistent earnings are likely to serve as a proxy for long-term market and managerial orientation. The analysis is based on Brazilian listed firms from 1995 to 2013, and while we document strong support for the relevance of earnings persistence in financial analysis and valuation, we fail to document a significant relationship between earnings persistence and long-term value orientation. These results are sensitive to different specifications, and additional results suggest that firms' idiosyncratic risk (total risk) is relevant to explain the focus on short-term outcomes (short-termism) across firms. The main contribution of this paper is to offer empirical evidence for the relevance of accounting numbers in both valuation and contractual theories in an emergent market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competitive strategies are formulated and implemented with the purpose of creating shareholder value. This paper intends to identify and analyze the most significant value drivers for all firms included in the sampling and for each industry -- manufacturing, service and commerce. We use the Shareholder Value Added (SVA) approach in order to identify the potential firm value drivers. In the literature review, we describe different return measures which intend to capture the value creation and their limitations; in addition, we detail the SVA approach. It is hypothesized that there is not significant statistical differences among the most prominent value drivers of firms competing in different industries. The data to calculate the firm value and the value drivers are obtained from a sample of Brazilian firms, including the period of 2001-2005. The statistical technique of panel data is applied. The main implication of these results is that the value driver "Operational Income" and "Investment in Working Capital" are the most prominent value drivers for all firms. Moreover, there is significant statistical difference among the most prominent value drivers across different industries -- manufacturing and service; therefore, we could not confirm the research hypothesis. The conclusion is that firms competing in different industries emphasize different value drivers with the purpose of creating shareholder value. This paper contributes to the accounting research on this topic by identifying the key value drivers by industry level and also the differences in terms of the most relevant value drivers across industry level, based on a quantitative approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes the predominant features of each of the four identified dimensions of a Management Control System [MCS] as well as draws an analysis of their inter-relationships. These dimensions are defined in the context of an integrated model that is developed from two relevant theoretical models: a model of an MCS proposed by Ferreira and Otley (2006); and a model for assessing the success of an information system suggested by DeLone and McLean (1992). The proposed integrated model takes two dimensions from the first model ('design and use') and two dimensions from the second model ('user satisfaction' and 'individual impact'). To assess the proposed model, a pilot study is conducted by analysing the results of a questionnaire survey directed to three large Brazilian financial institutions. The results demonstrate that a traditional MCS design continues to predominate, and that MCSs are used mainly for diagnostic use. User satisfaction is enhanced by an adequate MCS structure, and positive individual impact is enhanced when the use of the MCS increases productivity. Moreover, the results don't suggest a presence of a pattern of relationships in which a certain technique or a certain information characteristic will invariably lead to higher satisfaction level and higher individual impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to identifying the main elements that distinguish management accounting from financial accounting in different countries around the world. Evolution shows that, actually, at some time and in some situations, these two accounting branches could be similar and even equal. However, the different demands and perceptions of their users in different countries lead to a distance between them. To understand these differences, a study was carried out in 24 countries, in order to identify what elements can present differentiations between these two branches of accounting. The elements included in this study were defined by using a combination among different authors' approaches. The field research was developed by applying a structured questionnaire, based on a Likert scale, which was answered by specialists. The main distinctive elements of these two accounting branches are: application of standards, analytic focus, reliability level, agents which influence or can exert influence, frequency of report publication and legal requirements for trained personnel to different extents. These differences strengthen the need for an accounting information system that can equally attend to its two main user groups -- internal and external. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the relationship between the attributes of a management-accounting information system (MAIS) and satisfaction among the users of a given system. The qualitative characteristics of accounting information, and the particular attributes of the MAIS that is used, contribute to the user satisfaction but a linkage with use/usefulness and user value of management-accounting information must be considered in terms of decision-making. In the present study, the definitions of MAIS attributes are derived from the constructo provided by Chenhall and Morris (1986) and consolidated by Moores and Yuen (2001). These are applied to data collected in a field study of medium-sized and large Brazilian companies. Data analysis includes multivariate analysis by means of the cluster method. Results indicate that the satisfaction of users of a MAIS increases if the attributes of the system allow users to obtain useful information. Future research can examine which attributes of an MAIS make a greater contribution to the satisfaction of users of accounting information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an aspect in taxation which has not called the attention of researchers: its operational cost, that is, the costs the fiscal administration and taxpayers incur to have taxes paid and to comply with the bureaucratic aspects of taxation. It has already been calculated that the compliance costs of taxation correspond to 0.75% of GDP in average listed companies and can be as high as 5.82% of GDP in companies with less than R$ 100 million in sales per year. This paper deals with another operational cost of taxation: the costs the Brazilian Federal Administration has to administer federal taxation. We present a survey of the costs in other countries and in Brazil, attempting to picture the taxation costs incurred by different federal administrative entities. The survey shows that the public administration faces great difficulties to adequately control its accounts and that there is lack of uniformity and transparency. Another aspect is the fact that the Government is involved in more than 90% of judicial processes, being the main responsible for delays in federal courts. The administrative costs of taxation correspond to 1.35% of tax revenues and 0.36% of GDP. The total of operating costs of taxation correspond to 1.11% of GDP or R$ 16.8 billion. Finally, we propose measures to improve the system and reduce its costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper identifies the possible implications of the predominant organizational configurations -- in Mintzberg' view -- for strategic cost management in non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the state of São Paulo. We depart from the premise that, to maximize resources in NGOs, strategic cost management needs to be consistent with the organizational characteristics that determine the administrative structure. A field research was carried out with the application of an interview script. We found that the predominant organizational design was professional bureaucracy, considering the typology proposed by Mintzberg. Moreover, organizational aspects were found which are inconsistent with pure professional bureaucracy. The implementation of strategic cost management needs to consider that those organizations strongly use the parameter of training and considerably use planning. They preferentially act in stable and complex environment, exhibit medium performance control and constant external control. Further research could identify the specific features of strategic cost management in NGOs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine if there exists a relation between Brazilian companies' management accounting and planning profiles, by means of a field research that was carried out in 2002 among Brazilian medium and large-sized companies. Probabilistic sampling was used in a universe of 2,281 companies. The construct considered the available conceptual advances and the application of the AHP - Analytic Hierarchy Process. By means of the statistical cluster analysis technique, the entities' management accounting attributes were grouped into three different profiles, after which the median test was applied to test the statistical significance of these differences. In conclusion, it can be affirmed, in the entities under analysis, the management accounting profiles are related to the profiles of conceptual adherence to strategic and budget planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]