When considering conventional accounting research the
focus is often on the objective quantitative data that is
publicly available such as from stock exchanges.
Practising accountants are however also entrusted with a
stewardship role and is also very much involved in the
preparation of such data. Yet minimal accounting
research seems to be conducted in this specific
preparatory area of accounting. Although Ball and Foster
(1982: 164 to 169) suggested that the financial
statements exemplify the database in empirical
accounting research, the focus of researchers in recent
times has not been on the database or the information
disclosed in the financial statements, but rather on the
development of international financial reporting standards
(IFRS) and more recently, on the adoption of these