Abstract Reviews the book "Reporting Transnational Business Operations," by Francis A. Lees.

Abstract ABSTRACT: Previous studies analyzing the publication rates of various accounting faculties concentrated upon only four journals, two of which were primarily academic. This study examines publications in 12 journals, representing the much broader audience addressed by accounting authors. The 25 schools with the largest number of publications are listed both on a total publications basis and on the basis of average output per faculty member. The concentration of effort by some schools on particular segments of the audience is highlighted.

Abstract ABSTRACT: This paper presents a conceptual and empirical analysis of the way in which coalitions of managers (i.e., firms) respond to regulation. The conceptual analysis provides a model of managerial behavior based on the assumption that these coalitions make cost/benefit analyses of activities in their self-interest. The model is used to develop hypothesized responses to the internal accounting control provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977. These hypotheses, that the regulation would not directly affect the level of internal accounting controls, but would affect the expenditure of resources for efforts to "prove" compliance with the law, were generally supported by the empirical results.

Abstract ABSTRACT: This study is both a replication and an extension of prior work on auditor concentration in specific industries. By expanding the client population sevenfold, more comprehensive measurement of concentration is obtained than was possible in previous research. Prior studies' conclusions concerning the variability of auditor concentration across industries are supported, but the levels of concentration appear to be lower when a surrogate for audit fees is employed as the measure of CPA-firm activity levels. An important finding is that concentration measures are quite sensitive to the CPA-firm activity measure employed. A model is posited for explaining the level of auditor concentration in any given industry. The model states that auditor concentration is a positive function of the degree of client-industry regulation and capital market activity. Tests of this model across 54 industries indicate statistically significant positive associations between the two proposed explanatory variables, and the level of CPA-firm concentration.

Abstract Reviews the book "Managerial Accounting," by Lester E. Heitger and Serge Matulich.

Abstract Reviews the book "Effective Writing for Accountants," by John Fletcher and David Gowing.

Abstract Reviews the book "Applied Accounting Theory: A Financial Reporting Perspective," by Philip E. Meyer.

Abstract Reviews the book "Management Accounting 1980: Proceedings of the University of Illinois Management Accounting Symposium," by H. Peter Holzer.

Abstract ABSTRACT: This paper gives certain fundamental portions of accounting theory--as it is currently understood and practiced--an axiomatic formulation in predicate logic. The nature of deductive systems is first described. Then the basic vocabulary of accounting is constructed from a base of primitive terms. A set of axioms is introduced and the rules of inference to be employed are enumerated. Theorems stating certain salient characteristics of financial position and income are then derived within the system. Finally, a prospectus is offered for further axiomatic research in accounting, including possible extensions of the system presented here.

Abstract ABSTRACT: Over the past few years, several articles appearing in The Accounting Review have dealt with ranking journals based on "perceived quality" and accounting departments based on publications in "leading" journals. This paper identifies some questionable assumptions underlying earlier studies and provides journal quality evaluations which may be used in discriminating among accounting departments.