To Choose an Appropriate Accounting Framework - A study about accounting choices in real estate companies

Abstract: Background and problem: In Sweden there is an ongoing project to reform the regulatory accounting framework, as a result, there will be four different frameworks, namely K1 - K4. The main framework for non-listed companies is the K3 framework, at the same time, 97 percent of the Swedish companies have the possibility to follow either the K2 framework or the K3 framework. In other words, the companies will have to make the choice to adopt either the rules-based K2 framework or the principles-based K3 framework. One industry where this accounting choice will have a significant effect on the accounting practice is within the real estate industry. Purpose: The aim with the study is to investigate the incentives behind the choice of following either the K2 framework or the K3 framework in a real estate company. More specific, the study will include an investigation of the reasoning behind accounting choices by integrating different perspectives. Scope of research: The choice between the K2 framework and the K3 framework affects some industries more than others, thus, it would be more interesting to undertake an investigation between companies within the same industry instead of doing a comparison between companies in different industries. Therefore, the focus of this study will be on the real estate industry. Method: The aim with the study is to create an understanding of why real estate companies engages in certain accounting choices, thus, it is suitable to use a qualitative approach when conducting the study. In order to provide a detailed answer of the research question interviews were conducted. Analysis and Conclusions: The empirical findings indicate that all of the real estate companies in the study consider to adopt the K3 framework. An interesting aspect regarding the empirical findings was whether the companies had underlying legal entities or not. For a company with underlying legal entities, the choice to adopt the K3 framework could mainly be explained by the costs and benefits associated with the accounting choice since it would not be feasible to mix the principles-based K3 framework and the rules-based K2 framework within a real estate corporate group. On the other hand, for a company without underlying legal entities, the adoption of the K3 framework could mainly be explained by the importance to be viewed as legitimate.