Inflation accounting methods and their effectiveness

Abstract

This thesis provides an overview of inflation accounting methods and their applications as accounting standards. Constant purchasing power accounting and current cost accounting are explained as the major inflation accounting methods. Inflation accounting standards announced in the United States, Britain and Canada are presented in a comparative manner. Several empirical studies which examined the usefulness of the inflation disclosures required by the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 33 are reviewed to provide information on the effectiveness of inflation accounting methods. These studies produced mixed results. While some showed enhanced information value in inflation disclosures, others showed none.