Abstract This paper intends to assess the existence of confirmatory variables of conservatism based on the disclosures made in the financial report. Data were collected from the annual accounts for 2013 and 2014 disclosed by 137 listed entities (non-financial groups) in the European Union (EU) stock indexes: Portuguese Stock Index (PSI)-20, Iberian Index (IBEX)-35, Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE)-100, German Stock Index (DAX)-30 e Stockholm Stock Exchange (OMX)-S30. The content analysis was used as a methodology. After applying multiple linear regression models, the findings indicate that the assessment of the conservatism based on relevance is consistent with the associations suggested in the literature. One of the main contributions of this research is the consideration of the impact of culture on financial reporting, namely through the proposal of a new proxy for the measurement of conservatism based on the financial report.

Resumen Este artículo pretende evaluar la existencia de variables confirmatorias de conservadurismo basadas en las revelaciones realizadas en el informe financiero. Los datos se recogieron de los informes anuales y de las cuentas de 2013 y 2014 revelados por 137 entidades (grupos no financieros) cotizados en los índices bursátiles de la Unión Europea (UE): Portuguese Stock Index (PSI)-20, Iberian Index (IBEX)-35, Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE)-100, German Stock Index (DAX)-30 e Stockholm Stock Ex-change (OMX)-S30. El análisis de contenido se utilizó como metodología. Después de aplicar modelos de regresión lineal múltiple, los hallazgos indican que la evaluación del conservadurismo basado en la relevancia es consistente con las asociaciones sugeridas en la literatura. Una de las principales contribu-ciones de esta investigación es la consideración del impacto de la cultura en la información financiera, a saber, a través de la propuesta de una nueva representación para la medición del conservadurismo basada en el informe financiero.

Abstract: This paper aims to examine the financing options of the managers/owners of SMEs (small and medium-sized companies) from a point of view that incorporates cultural values, namely, conservatism and secrecy. Data were collected with the use of a questionnaire conducted for managers/owners of a sample of 1629 Portuguese SMEs, and with the use of accounting and financial information from the period 2009 to 2011. 438 managers/owners provided valid answers, corresponding to a response rate of 27%. Using multivariate regression techniques as a basis, the results showed that a significant number of managers/owners supported the negative relationship between conservatism/secrecy and the business financing options associated with a higher risk (debts with costs). The results also showed that a more significant number of managers/owners of national SMEs choose sources of financing in light of the pecking order theory.

Resumen: El presente artículo tiene como objetivo examinar las opciones de financiamiento de los administradores y propietarios de las Pymes incorporando en el análisis los valores culturales relacionados con el conservadurismo y el secreto. Los datos fueron recogidos mediante un cuestionario realizado a los administradores y propietarios de una muestra de 1,629 pymes líderes en Portugal. También se analizó la información contable y financiera entre los ejercicios 2009 a 2011, habiendo obtenido 438 respuestas, lo que supone un 27%, que valida la misma. Basado en técnicas de regresión multivariante, los resultados muestran una correlación negativa entre el conservadurismo y el secreto, analizados en conjunto, y las opciones de financiamiento de las empresas relacionadas con un mayor riesgo, o sea, una financiamiento con costos. También se verifica una correlación entre la selección de las fuentes de financiamiento de las Pymes a la luz de la teoría de jerarquía de las preferencias de capital.

Os interesses profissionais dos distintos grupos de stakeholders são frequentemente encarados como obstáculos à plena harmonização contabilística. O estudo dos diferentes interesses profissionais no âmbito da contabilidade é importante para os organismos envolvidos no processo de harmonização contabilística internacional, na medida em que possibilita a identificação dos principais obstáculos a enfrentar para atingir a plena harmonização. Nesse sentido, este artigo propõe-se a analisar as diferenças em termos dos interesses profissionais a partir da participação de diferentes grupos de stakeholders nos processos de emissão/alteração de normas do International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). Tendo por base a análise de conteúdo, foram examinadas as comment letters enviadas ao IASB no contexto da primeira parte da primeira fase do projeto de substituição da International Accounting Standard (IAS) 39, intitulada "Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement", pela International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 9, por sua vez intitulada "Financial Instruments". Os respondentes foram identificados consoante o grupo de stakeholders, sendo os dados coletados posteriormente submetidos ao teste não paramétrico do qui-quadrado. Os resultados deste estudo indicam a existência de diferenças significativas entre as respostas obtidas por parte dos distintos grupos de stakeholders envolvidos no processo de emissão ou revisão de uma norma do IASB, sobretudo evidenciada entre o grupo dos preparadores financeiros e dos organismos reguladores e/ou normalizadores e as associações profissionais ligadas à contabilidade.

The professional interests of the various stakeholders groups are often seen as obstacles to full accounting harmonization. Studying different professional interests in the accounting domain is significant for organizations involved in the international accounting harmonization process, insofar as it enables them to identify the main obstacles to face in order to achieve full harmonization. Thus, this article is aimed at analyzing the differences in terms of professional interests by addressing the participation of various stakeholders groups in the process of issuing/modifying standards of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). Based on content analysis, we examined the comment letters sent to the IASB in the context of the first part of the first phase of the project to replace the International Accounting Standard (IAS) 39, entitled "Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement", by the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 9, on its turn entitled "Financial Instruments". Respondents were identified according to the stakeholders group, and, later, the collected data underwent a nonparametric chi-square test. The results of this study indicate there are significant differences between the answers obtained from the various stakeholders groups involved in the process of issuing or reviewing a standard of the IASB, above all made clear between the group of financial preparers and the regulatory and/or standard-setting agencies and the professional associations related to accounting.