Accounting for the crisis

The unfolding of the current financial crisis has raised many questions as to the impact of accounting rules and practices on market efficiency and cyclicality. Have accounting firms failed to be true to their auditing obligations? Are accounting regulations themselves responsible for amplifying the variations in financial asset prices? The research group on accounting at Tilburg University regularly organizes Accounting Camps where academics and high-profile practitioners can discuss topical issues in an intimate setting. This year's Spring Camp, to be held at Tilburg University on April 22, is organized in cooperation with the TILEC-AFM Research Network on financial market regulation, and focuses on the role of regulation in financial reporting. Clive Lennox (HKUST Business School) will examine how auditing firms are themselves inspected. Ray Ball (University of Chicago) will discuss the recent accounting scandals. Jonathan Rogers (University of Chicago) will present evidence on disclosure tone and shareholder litigation. Steven Crawford (Rice University) will study how market forces and legal institutions affect bonding cross-listed firms. The meeting is organized by Tilburg professors Stephan Hollander, Philip Joos and Jeroen Suijs. Attendance is by invitation only. Invitation for the few remaining seats can be requested by e-mail. More details can be found on the camp's webpage .