Given the global importance of joint ventures, the achievement of convergence or close convergence of the accounting for
joint ventures under IFRS and U.S. GAAP seems worthy of celebration by financial statement users. Unfortunately, the weight of academic research does not support the IASB’s decision to require the equity method. More specifically, it has found that the use of proportionate consolidation is more beneficial than the equity method in predicting both future return on shareholders’ equity and bond ratings. Although the IASB did eliminate the policy choice of accounting for joint ventures using proportionate consolidation, it also added new disclosure requirements for joint ventures through the issuance of IFRS 12, Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities. The key issue is whether the new disclosure requirements will offset the effect of eliminating proportionate consolidation; another issue is whether eliminating an accounting policy choice is a positive development.