De svenska fastighetsbolagens redovisningsval för förvaltningsfastigheter och dess effekter på redovisningens kvalitativa egenskaper
En studie av noterade respektive onoterade svenska fastighetsbolag efter implementeringen av internationellt regelverk
IAS 40Fair value modelInvestment propertyReal estateAccountingQualitative characteristics of accountingIAS 40FörvaltningsfastigheterVerkligt värdeAnskaffningsvärdeRedovisningens kvalitativa krav
AbstractTitle: The Swedish real estate companies choices of valuation within investment properties and its further effects on the qualitative characteristics of accounting.-A study of the Swedish real estate companies listed and non - listed on the stock market, after the application of the international rule board.Background and Problem: From January 2005, all companies, listed on a stock market within the European Union, are required to prepare their consolidated accounts using common set of International Accounting Standards, IAS/IFRS. In Sweden, this opportunity has also been given to non-listed companies, to voluntary implement these rules in their consolidated accounts. One difference between Swedish accounting rules and contemporary International rules, deals with the accounting treatment of investment properties, which foremost affects the real estate market?s accounts. In contrast to the Swedish Financial Accounting Standards Council?s recommendation RR 24, the new standard, IAS 40, permits a choice between different accounting alternatives. Investment properties can either be measured according to the Fair value model or the Cost model. By applying the Fair value model, enterprises get the opportunity to allow internal or external valuers to implement the valuation. Furthermore they can also choose if the fair value should be determined by market price/value or cash flow analysis. Difficulties concerned with the fair value model are that the market value has the tendency to follow inflation-developments and there is a high level of uncertainty in the valuation process. This combined with increased choices, can have negative effects on the qualitative characteristics of accounting; relevance, reliability, comparability and consistency. The International Standards has been implemented in Swedish companies and the first indications of the real estate companies? choices regarding investment properties can be found in their published consolidated accounts for year 2004, as well as in the semi-annual reports for 2005. Therefore interests arose to find out if it exist any uniform accounting of investment properties among listed as well as non- listed Swedish real estate companies. Has a practice has occurred? and how has the quality of the real estate market?s accounting information been affected by IAS 40 and fair value?Purpose: The purpose of this study has been to state the choices the real estate companies, listed and non- listed, on the stock market, have made in compliance with accounting of investment properties, concerning the principles of valuation, valuers and the basis of valuation. On the basis of this, the possible causes of these choices and the further effects on the qualitative characteristics of the accounting; relevance, reliability, comparability and consistency, has been analyzed with independent auditors perspective on the subject.Method: This study has been carried out partly with a quantitative study of the real estate companies? financial reports and partly with a qualitative study consisted of interviews with independent auditors.Result and Conclusion: All of the listed Swedish real estates companies have through cooperation chosen the Fair value model, mainly because the component depreciation is considered being a poor alternative. The majority have chosen both internal and external valuers to make the valuations. Through this combination companies can achieve better valuations as well as control and quality safety. All have chosen the cash flow analysis as the basis of valuation. This choice is due to the lack of a transparent market value. Only four of the non- listed Swedish real estate companies in this study, have chosen the fair value model. Due to their size and some loans listed on the market, these companies gain more by being comparable with the listed companies. The qualitative characteristic relevance is considered most beneficial, where reliability is considered least. Comparability and consistency are also considered beneficial, but there are some conditions to be considered for them in order to benefit more in the future. The conclusion can be drawn that there exist a uniform accounting of investment property only amongst listed Swedish real estate companies. Thereby a practice has occurred only amongst them. Since three out of four qualitative characteristics of accounting are considered being beneficial, the conclusion can be drawn that fair value measures have a positive effect on the Swedish real estates market companies? accounts.