Anna Alon

• Agana, Joseph; Zori, Solomon George & Alon, Anna (2023). IFRS Adoption Approaches and Accounting Quality. The International Journal of Accounting. ISSN 1094-4060. 58(3). doi: 10.1142/S1094406023500099. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Synopsis The research problem This paper sought to ascertain whether IFRS adoption approaches impact accounting quality. Specifically, as some countries utilize IFRS without modifications while others modify IFRS to suit their local context, we aimed to test whether these differences in IFRS adoption approaches have implications for accounting quality. Motivation Prior studies focused on the impact of IFRS adoption on accounting quality without considering the different approaches used by the adopting jurisdictions. Such differences affect the version of IFRS utilized at the country level. We refer to jurisdictions as adopters of IFRS when the IASB’s version of IFRS is utilized without modifications. In contrast, jurisdictions where the IFRS standards are modified at the national or regional level are called adapters. We also recognize the role of enforcement; thus, we first examined whether IFRS adoption and enforcement influence accounting quality. Second, we compared the accounting quality for adopters and adapters of the standards. The test hypotheses Our first hypothesis is that the quality of enforcement has a stronger effect on accounting quality than the adoption of IFRS. Second, adapters will have higher accounting quality than adopters of IFRS. Target population We focused on the reporting of companies in African countries. These jurisdictions have not been sufficiently examined in prior studies. Adopted methodology We use panel data estimation, specifically, random-effects model. Analyses We examined accounting quality for pre- and post-IFRS reporting based on 3946 firm-year observations from six African countries over 18 years. Our analysis of the adoption approach is based on 3736 firm-year observations for companies utilizing IFRS. Except for Egypt, which used a modified version of IFRS, other countries in our sample utilized the IASB’s version of IFRS. Using various standard metrics for accounting quality (earnings management, timely loss recognition, and value relevance), we ascertained whether adaption is associated with higher accounting quality compared to adoption. Findings The results indicate that IFRS adoption and enforcement proxy are not associated with accounting quality, but other institutional factors are. Adoption of the standards is less important for accounting quality than the existing institutions. With regard to the adoption approach used, adopters demonstrated higher accounting quality for accounting-based measures, less income smoothing, and more timely loss recognition than the adapters. The adopters also exhibited greater value relevance, which suggests that their reporting was better able to capture information that affects firm value. The adoption approaches may influence different dimensions of accounting quality, and the resulting differences are important for users, companies, and standard setters to consider.

• Agana, Joseph; Alon, Anna & Zamore, Stephen (2023). Self-regulation versus Government Oversight: Audit Fees Research. Journal of Accounting Literature. ISSN 0737-4607. 45(2). doi: 10.1108/JAL-12-2021-0017. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Purpose With Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX), the self-regulation of the auditing profession was replaced with standard setting and oversight by the government. The authors focus on the audit fees literature to examine how this change impacted research trends over time and shaped different aspects of audits. Design/methodology/approach The authors utilized bibliometric and content analysis to identify research themes pre- and post-SOX. Findings The change in regulation contributed to an increased focus on clients and continued interest in engagement characteristics as added requirements emphasized the client's governance structure, the auditor's tenure and the type of services provided. Originality/value The prominent issue that emerged is how deficiencies in the audit processes and in the client's internal controls are translated into audit fees. The authors discuss regulatory initiatives pursued in other jurisdictions, including mandatory rotation of firms, joint audits and further limitations on non-audit services, as intended and unintended consequences of these requirements warrant further examination.

• Krivogorsky, Victoria; Mintchik, Natalia & Alon, Anna (2023). Accounting research in former Soviet bloc countries: Past trends and current and future developments. Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation. ISSN 1061-9518. 50. doi: 10.1016/j.intaccaudtax.2023.100529. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This paper aims to provide an analysis of the articles published in the JIAAT special issue and relevant streams of academic literature investigating the challenges and evolution of accounting regulations and practices in former Soviet Bloc countries. Below we review the articles included in the special issue and highlight their unique contributions.

• Alon, Anna; Haaland, Geir & Røsok, Kjell Ove (2022). Multi-mode standardisation and comparability: Norway's failed attempt to adopt the IFRS for SMEs. Accounting and Business Research. ISSN 0001-4788. 52(6), p. 734–764. doi: 10.1080/00014788.2021.2001306. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The coexistence of IFRS and non-IFRS standards has proven challenging at the national level. We utilise a multi-mode standardisation perspective that recognises the interplay of committees, market players, and the government to examine multi-standard financial reporting in Norway and focus on two parallel efforts that introduced proposals to base the national accounting standards on the IFRS for SMEs. In our case, the jurisdictional tensions stem from the broad remit of the government to regulate financial reporting and the ambiguous legal standing of the national standards and of the standard setter. Comparability is often cited as one of the central aims of standardisation in financial reporting. Consequently, how different players utilise the concept is of interest. We find that the scope of comparability that the standards aim to achieve is not given sufficient consideration. The feedback provided with regard to the proposals underscores that the scope of comparability is important for the users of the standards. They focus on the most likely comparisons that are made and want to maintain a national focus and comparability across similar types of companies and industries. They do not regard the standardisation efforts and proposed elimination of standards and options as necessarily beneficial for comparability.

• Alon, Anna & Kim, Oksana (2021). Protectionism through legislative layering: Implications for auditors and investors. Journal of International Business Policy (JIBP). ISSN 2522-0691. doi: 10.1057/s42214-021-00114-9. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Protectionism is on the rise. Although it tends to be associated with tariffs on imports, governments are increasingly applying other mechanisms to influence international business. Import substitution initiatives have been used to replace purchases from foreign producers with local alternatives. Russia implemented import substitution through legislative layering where layers of regulation created requirements targeting different industries and companies. Following sanctions imposed in 2014 on Russia, the government responded with additional import substitution efforts. We are interested in effects of such measures on the Big 4, global professional service firms, and the choice of auditors by partially privatized enterprises (PPEs). PPEs have more complex multilevel agency problems because it is less clear who is in charge. We find that companies with state ownership were more likely to switch away from the Big 4, and this was more pronounced for companies in strategic industries. It also contributed to companies switching from the Big 4 to the next tier of audit firms. After 2015, PPEs were less likely to receive a modified audit opinion on IFRS audits. However, auditor changes did not occur at the cross-listed enterprises that are under enhanced monitoring from global investors and foreign stock exchanges.

• Mucelli, Attilio; Alon, Anna; Venturini, Cristiano & Lepore, Dominique (2020). Cash pooling: An organizational response to institutional complexity. Journal of Transnational Management. ISSN 1547-5778. 25(4), p. 259–273. doi: 10.1080/15475778.2020.1799659. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The paper aims to explain how new cash management practi-ces can be used to address institutional complexity inMultinational Enterprises (MNEs) and which are the effects onthe organizational form. Based on a case study, cash poolingreveals to be an effective response for dealing with the finan-cial crisis, even if shifting the complexity at an organizationallevel. Indeed, the MNE selected had to manage a centralizedand decentralized organizational structure since the financialsolution could not be adopted for all subsidiaries. The studyshows that cash pooling can act as an organizational responseonly if a constant dialogue with subsidiaries is ensured.

• Alon, Anna; Mennicken, Andrea & Samsonova-Taddei, Anna (2019). Dynamics and Limits of Regulatory Privatization: Reorganizing audit oversight in Russia. Organization Studies. ISSN 0170-8406. 40(8), p. 1217–1239. doi: 10.1177/0170840619850587. Full text in Research Archive
• Alexander, David & Alon, Anna (2017). Layering of IFRS and Dual Institutionality of Accounting Standards in Belarus. Accounting in Europe. ISSN 1744-9480. 14(3), p. 261–278. doi: 10.1080/17449480.2017.1374547. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  There is an ongoing debate about the applicability and efficacy of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption in countries with diverse institutional infrastructures. We examine financial reporting in Belarus and factors that are shaping its development. In Belarus, IFRS has been adopted through layering where it is an additional requirement to the existing reporting specified by the national accounting regulations. We explore how global standards were transposed and function in a highly specific institutional context. Based on an examination of reporting in the banking sector, we conclude that different objectives of IFRS and local reporting contribute to dual institutionality of standards where differing formats target the needs of diverse users. Thus, adoption through layering is unlikely to contribute to convergence between different reporting standards used for different purposes, and parallel reporting is expected to persist. By examining financial reporting practices in Belarus, we provide insights for practitioners, regulators, and standard-setters on implementation of IFRS in countries with similar heavy state involvement, and still using local regulations and traditions in parallel with IFRS.

• Alon, Anna & Hageman, Amy (2017). An institutional perspective on corruption in transition economies. Corporate governance. An International Review. ISSN 0964-8410. 25(3), p. 155–166. doi: 10.1111/corg.12199. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Manuscript Type: Empirical Research Question/Issue: Companies operating in transition economies encounter a broad range of potential challenges. In the area of tax, firms make direct tax payments but may also encounter unofficial tax costs in the form of bribery or extortion. We focus on institutional determinants, including formal rules, informal rules, and enforcement, to examine conditions under which firms are more likely to encounter these transactions. We operationalize formal rules as rule-based trust and informal rules as dispositional trust. Research Findings/Insights: Based on a sample of over 5,000 firms representing 20 transition economies, we show that when rule-based trust is high, the presence of tax enforcement activities in the form of visits and inspections by tax officials does not change the relationship between rule-based trust and unofficial payments. However, when dispositional trust is low, unofficial payments are more likely if verification activities occur. Theoretical/Academic Implications: We adopt a more holistic view and focus on the joint consideration of different institutional determinants and firm outcomes. In doing so, the article demonstrates the complexity of firms' tax environments where enforcement mechanisms can have unwelcome consequences, and, under certain conditions, create conditions for the persistence of corruption. Practitioner/Policy Implications: This paper highlights the importance of the institutional landscape, especially considering the history of institutional voids in many transition economies. The results have implications for corporate governance and caution regulators and practitioners to consider institutional complexities when implementing reforms or establishing businesses in transition economies.

• Alon, Anna & Dwyer, Peggy (2016). SEC's acceptance of IFRS-based financial reporting: An examination based in institutional theory. Accounting, Organizations and Society. ISSN 0361-3682. 48, p. 1–16. doi: 10.1016/j.aos.2015.11.002. Full text in Research Archive
• Alon, Anna & Vidovic, M (2015). Sustainability performance and assurance: Influence on reputation. Corporate Reputation Review. ISSN 1363-3589. 18(4), p. 337–352. doi: 10.1057/crr.2015.17. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The positive impact of sustainability on reputation has been assumed but not sufficiently examined. This study probes the veracity of these claims by applying legitimacy and signaling perspectives to examine whether sustainability performance and assurance contribute to corporate reputation. We find superior sustainability performance has a positive association with sustainability reputation. Companies with better performance are also more likely to obtain external assurance of their sustainability disclosure, but assurance does not directly affect reputation. Assurance appears to be a managerial tool associated with the congruence of internal processes rather than a differentiating signal to external stakeholders.

• Alon, Anna & Dwyer, Peggy (2014). Early Adoption of IFRS as a Strategic Response to Transnational and Local Influences. International Journal of Accounting. ISSN 0020-7063. doi: 10.1016/j.intacc.2014.07.003. Full text in Research Archive
• Alon, Anna (2013). Complexity and Dual Institutionality: The Case of IFRS Adoption in Russia. Corporate governance. An International Review. ISSN 0964-8410. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8683.2012.00927.x. Full text in Research Archive
• Alon, Anna & Hageman, Amy (2013). The Impact of Corruption on Firm Tax Compliance in Transition Economies: Whom Do You Trust? Journal of Business Ethics. ISSN 0167-4544. doi: 10.1007/s10551-012-1457-5. Full text in Research Archive

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• Agana, Joseph; Alon, Anna & Zamore, Stephen (2021). Self-regulation and Re-regulation: Audit Fees Research. Full text in Research Archive
• Albu, Nadia; Albu, Catalin; Alon, Anna & Leca, Bernard (2021). Experimenting with audit at the periphery of capitalism: The role of regulation and resource partitioning in the audit field formation. Full text in Research Archive
• Alon, Anna & Kim, Oksana (2021). Import substitution: Implications for auditors. Full text in Research Archive
• Mwintome, Gordon; Alon, Anna; Zamore, Stephen & Agana, Joseph (2021). Determinants of Key Audit Matters: Governance and auditor attributes. Full text in Research Archive
• Agana, Joseph; Alon, Anna & Zamore, Stephen (2020). Audit deregulation and re-regulation: Implications for audit fees. Full text in Research Archive
• Alon, Anna & Kim, Oksana (2020). Import substitution: Implications for auditors. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Paper accepted but conference was cancelled due to Covid.

• Alon, Anna (2020). Theory in academic research. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  online presentation

• Alon, Anna; Haaland, Geir & Røsok, Kjell Ove (2020). Standardization and comparability: A regulatory waltz. Full text in Research Archive
• Agana, Joseph; Zori, Solomon & Alon, Anna (2020). IFRS adoption approaches in Africa: Implications for accounting quality (cancelled due to Covid-19). Full text in Research Archive
• Agana, Joseph; Alon, Anna & Zamore, Stephen (2019). Audit fees: A bibliometric analysis of the literature. Full text in Research Archive
• Albu, Nadia; Albu, Catalin & Alon, Anna (2019). The meaning and practice of audit at the periphery: Auditor-auditee interaction in a transition economy. Full text in Research Archive
• Agana, Joseph; Alon, Anna & Zamore, Stephen (2019). Audit fees: A bibliometric analysis of the literature. Full text in Research Archive
• Alon, Anna (2019). Winding adventure: From R&R to publication. Full text in Research Archive
• Alon, Anna (2019). The changing practice of audit. Full text in Research Archive
• Albu, Nadia; Albu, Catalin & Alon, Anna (2019). The meaning and practice of audit at the periphery: Auditor-auditee interaction in a transition economy. Full text in Research Archive
• Alon, Anna (2019). Social impact of accounting. Full text in Research Archive
• Haaland, Geir & Alon, Anna (2018). Ti millioner til forskning og undervisning. 1, p. 29–30. Full text in Research Archive
• Agana, Joseph & Alon, Anna (2018). AUDIT FEES: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE LITERATURE. Full text in Research Archive
• Alon, Anna (2018). Multi-mode standardization occurring in accounting and auditing. Full text in Research Archive
• Alon, Anna (2017). Book Review of Lemus, Resistance to Changes in Financial Reporting Standards. International Journal of Accounting. ISSN 0020-7063. 52, p. 224–225. Full text in Research Archive
• Alon, Anna (2017). Layering of IFRS and dual institutionality of accounting standards in Belarus. Full text in Research Archive
• Alon, Anna (2017). Qualitative methods PhD lecture - International Association for Accounting Education and Research. Bucharest, Romania, June, 2017. Full text in Research Archive
• Alon, Anna & Hagemen, Amy (2016). An institutional perspective on corruption in transition economies. Full text in Research Archive
• Alon, Anna; Mennicken, Andrea & Samsonova-Taddei, Anna (2016). Dynamics and limits of regulatory privatization: Audit quality control in Russia, 1985-2015. Full text in Research Archive
• Alon, Anna (2015). Panel member ‘IFRS around the world. An overview and research opportunities’. Full text in Research Archive
• Alon, Anna & Hageman, Amy (2015). Governance and corruption: Tax enforcement in transition economies. Full text in Research Archive
• Alon, Anna & Hageman, Amy (2015). Governance and corruption: Tax enforcement in transition economies. Full text in Research Archive
• Alon, Anna (2013). Book review of Marshall, McManus, Viele 9th Edition of Accounting: What the numbers mean. International Journal of Accounting. ISSN 0020-7063. 48, p. 415–417. Full text in Research Archive
• Mwintome, Gordon & Alon, Anna (2022). Essays on Auditor Choice and Audit Disclosures. Universitetet i Agder. ISSN 9788284270791. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This dissertation consists of the following three studies : 1. Mwintome, G., Mersland, R., & Nyarko, S.A. Firm ownership and auditor choice: Insights from microfinance institutions in developing countries. 2. Mwintome, G. & Alon, A. Auditor specialization, audit committee independence, and key audit matters. 3. Mwintome, G. Auditor changes and key audit matters.

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