Course objective and motivation
The objective of this course is to introduce PhD students to the fundamental topics and seminal studies in empirical financial accounting research. We study fundamental topics such as the valuation and contracting roles of accounting, the role of accrual accounting in performance management and earnings management, conservative accounting practices, earnings quality, disclosure, investor information processing, and non-financial reporting. These topics are all discussed based on a combination of older “seminal” papers and more recent applications in the literature. By the end of the course, participants should be able to anchor contemporary research questions on the fundamental literature, critically review empirical research in financial accounting, and assess the strengths and weaknesses of commonly used measurements and research designs in the literature. As part of the course assessment, participants are also expected to present assigned papers in class, to conduct a replication exercise of an empirical paper, and to critically review academic papers. On each course day, the discussion will be guided by two of the professors in the course team.
Course program
Day 1: The relation between accounting information and market prices
Day 2: Accrual accounting, earnings management/quality, and fraud
Day 3: Conservatism, contracting, and credit markets
Day 4: International accounting research, fundamental analysis, and valuation
Day 5: Disclosure, information processing, and market frictions
Course instructors
The course is taught by a rotating group of experts in the field of empirical financial accounting research (TBA).
Practical information
Venue:
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Included:
- Course materials (digital)
- Coffee and tea
- Certificate (6 ECTS)
Certification
Upon successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate worth 6 ECTS (European Credits).