A holistic clarification of the accounting item goodwill : Based on acquirers' perceptions, what is the meaning of the accounting item goodwill?

Abstract: Goodwill is one of the most complex and unclear concepts within financial accounting; it is uncertain what it represents as an asset, it is only recognized during the creation of business combinations and is subject to impairments. The question becomes therefore what meaning is actually to be made from goodwill’s definite appearance as a financial statement line item? Due to a perceived low relevance by users of financial statements, it can be stated that the current narration by the accounting item goodwill fails to meet the fundamental purpose of accounting. Therefore, a study to bring a comprehensive clarification of the accounting item is required where this study attempts to achieve this objective by studying the acquirers’ perceptions of goodwill. First was a thorough theoretical background established that compiles a wide collection of relevant literature on goodwill. Then were semi-structured interviews conducted with top managers of nine different parent companies who had recently made a corporate acquisition. Based on the most salient perceptions derived from the empirical data in relation to the comprehensive theoretical background, this study obtained the following findings. Goodwill can be understood through three central aspects: the underlying objective reality as an intangible asset, the PPA process and the subsequential measurement process. In relation to the two latter aspects could a fourth aspect of managers’ influence be derived. In an overarching integration, these four aspects could be synthesized into a final holistic model of the accounting item goodwill. This model iii ultimately represents a comprehensive understanding of the current accounting item goodwill in financial statements based on the perceptions of acquirers. The findings of this study can be used to bring clarity to the users of financial statements when interpreting goodwill and therefore potentially increase its perceived relevance. Foremost can this study’s holistic model be used as a guideline for future research to further elaborate on the understanding of goodwill and generate improvements to its current accounting design.