Several prior studies have found positive IFRS adoption effects in mature markets.
Because a country’s market and institutional settings can significantly shape its financial
reporting properties, the effects of IFRS adoption in emerging markets may differ from
those in mature markets. This study addresses this issue using data from publicly listed
firms in China. We find the following results. First, earnings quality under the new
IFRS-based China Accounting Standards (CAS) is lower than that under the old CAS,
and the results are primarily driven by firms operating in provinces with relatively less
developed market and institutional environments. Second, three earnings components
resulted from using fair value accounting under the new CAS are not value relevant.
Third, the abnormal gains on debt restructuring are positively associated with incentives
of earnings management, and such associations are stronger for firms with political
connections and/or engaging in more related party transactions.