← Search

Journal of Accounting and Economics Vol. 8 No. 1 1986

Accounting for interest by real estate developers

Ian Zimmer

The University of Queensland

Abstract

This paper investigates accounting for interest by Australian real estate developers. It argues that management's choice of accounting technique is the result of ex ante contracting to prevent management opportunistic behavior, rather than a manifestation of opportunistic behavior per se. The argument provides a richer description of accounting choice and explains why, in Australia, leverage and the accounting method choice are correlated in the absence of bond covenants. The argument also explains why, inconsistent with political cost arguments, larger firms are more likely to capitalize than expense interest.

DOI
10.1016/0165-4101(86)90009-1
Volume
8
Issue
1
Pages
37-51
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

Cite