財報可比性能否降低財務報導複雜性的不利影響？來自避險會計的證據

Can financial statement comparability mitigate the adverse impacts of financial reporting complexity? Evidence from hedge accounting

財務報導複雜性降低使用者有效解讀和運用會計資訊的能力，儘管準則制定者致力於簡化，但複雜資訊對決策品質的不利影響仍引發各界疑慮。在避險會計的架構下，本研究藉由分析師預測績效，探究財報可比性是否有助於因應複雜資訊的挑戰。本研究始於檢視避險會計複雜性的不利影響，進而分析財報可比性的改善效果。我們發現分析師對會計避險企業的預測績效不佳，呈現較低的準確性與較高的分歧性。深入分析發現，財報可比性能有效改善預測績效，該結果顯示分析師利用財報可比性以克服避險會計複雜性的嚴峻考驗。本研究建議，現行會計架構內建機制—強化品質特性之可比性，對於降低財務報導複雜性的負面影響，提供了有效解決之道。在主管機關致力於簡化會計準則之際，本研究具有重要的政策意涵。

Financial reporting complexity impairs users’ability to interpret and apply accounting information effectively. Despite ongoing simplification efforts by standard setters, concerns persist regarding its adverse impacts on decision-making quality. Focusing on hedge accounting, this study examines whether financial statement comparability helps users overcome such complexity, particularly in the context of analyst earnings forecasts. We begin by documenting the adverse impacts of hedge accounting complexity and then assess whether comparability mitigates these challenges. The results show that analysts produce less accurate and more dispersed forecasts for firms applying hedge accounting. However, greater comparability significantly improves forecast performance, underscoring its critical role in helping analysts navigate complex financial reporting environments. Our findings suggest that comparability, an enhancing qualitative characteristic, serves as an effective mechanism for alleviating the adverse impacts of reporting complexity. These insights have important policy implications as regulators continue their efforts to simplify accounting standards.