ABSTRACT
This research investigates the impact of changes in debt ratios of Brazilian firms due to the
IFRS adoption. We make a comparison between the forecast of the time-series of debt ratios
accounted until 2007 for the span from 2008 to the first quarter of 2015 with those effectively
accounted from 2008 to the first quarter of 2015 derived from the new accounting standard.
The research utilizes SARIMAX model and Chow’s (1960) structural break forecast test,
controlling for changes originating from the macroeconomic environment as well. We find
evidence of significant changes in the debt ratio towards both higher and lower debt with
predominance of greater ratios. This result is consistent with past literature in Europe,
Australia and New Zealand. Nevertheless, we do not find evidence of a structural break in the
Financial Dependency ratio. Moreover, there is no evidence of any distinct effects across
different industries. The research provides new evidence confirming the informational effects
of IFRS by utilizing a robust time-series model with macroeconomic controls in an innovative
approach towards the accounting environment.
Keywords: Projection of debt ratios. Convergence to IFRS. Time series. Brazil.