To date, positive accounting theory has generally been tested on accounting method choices, with only one study of this type, conducted by Moses (1987), focusing on income smoothing behaviour. The scope which currently exists under UK reporting regulations for significant classificatory choices using extraordinary items provides a new managerial choice context in which positive accounting theory can be tested. In the UK, 53 per cent of a sample Of 700 companies are currently reporting extraordinary items (Financial Reporting Council, 1991).