Abstract

This paper examines how firm-specific attributes affect the value relevance of summary accounting numbers in Nigeria. The paper also investigates whether the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) affects the relationship between the summary accounting numbers (book value of equity and earnings) and firm-specific characteristics (firm size, liquidity and leverage). Data from 54 firms in 10 sectors of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (covering a period of 6 years, 2009 to 2014, divided into 3 years pre-IFRS period and 3 years IFRS period) were analyzed based on the Ohlson (1995) model. Results from the analyses indicate that firm-specific characteristics affect the relationship between summary accounting numbers and market value, and this effect increased in the period after IFRS adoption. The implication of these findings is that firms seeking to improve their market values must work towards the firm-specific attributes that enhance firm value. By examining the effect of firm-specific attributes on the value relevance of accounting information using data from the Nigerian Stock Exchange, before and after IFRS adoption, this study fills a research gap.

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