Topics in accounting for impairment of fixed assets

Abstract

This dissertation consists of three topics related to the accounting for impairment of fixed assets, represented by five papers. The first topic is an empirical research into the functionality of the new generation of impairment standards. The second topic is an analytical discussion of one particular measurement aspect of the new impairment standards, which is their mandated discounting technique and the treatment of future tax cash flows. The third topic is a historical research into the origins of impairment accounting. The historical topic is covered by two papers. “The international background for the development of Norwegian accounting rules on the impairment of fixed assets” (Chapter 5) traces the origins of the Norwegian write-down rules. The second historical paper, “Fixed asset measurements in a Norwegian shipping company 1935 – 1985” (Chapter 6) is about how the accounting measurement of ships and the disclosures about it developed during half a century in a Norwegian joint stock shipping company, Snefonn. Summaries of these chapters are given in Sections 1.5 and 1.6. In Section 1.7, I indicate the main findings of my doctoral work and suggest further research.