This hypothetical case study was developed based on the financial statements of Bahrain Islamic Bank and Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad. The banks were registered in two different countries namely Bahrain and Malaysia that adopted Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) issued by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) (the standards are locally adopted and named as Malaysian Financial Reporting Standards (MFRS)) issued by International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) respectively. The key issues explored in this case are: the motivation for recording and reporting Islamic financial transactions; types and purposes of financial statements prepared by Islamic financial institutions (IFIS) in the two different financial reporting regimes; Shari'ah perspectives of key accounting assumptions such as substance over form, time value of money, fair value and principles of probability. Understanding the Shari'ah perspective of key accounting assumptions would help preparers and users of financial statements to appreciate the effect of accounting policy adopted for financial reporting.

This case was developed based on a real-life experience dealing with an Islamic car financing contract (i.e. Al-ljarah Thumma Al-Bay |AITAB] contract - Sale and Leaseback) between a Malaysian Islamic Financial Institution and their customer. It is well recognised that AITAB is governed by the Malaysian Hire Purchase Act 1967, that oversees conventional (nor Islamic) car financing, yet it is used for both financing modes. The contract requires clarification on the following: understanding of the nature of the contract used and the relevant transactions involved; revenue recognition (current and future); capitalisation of relevant costs in the asset's value; fair value of leased asset; recognition of financial assets and liabilities; and disclosure requirements from the bank and customer perspectives. Users of the case are assumed to be familiar with the various regulatory requirements and theoretical foundation of the "Accounting for Islamic Financial Transactions" from IFRS/MFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards/Malaysian Financial Reporting Standards) and the AAOFI (Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions) reporting perspectives.

This chapter provides the discussion on accounting issues for musharakah mutanaqisah (MM) home financing in the case of Malaysia. Though the MM mode of financing has addressed the 'ambiguities and risk issues in conventional mortgage financing and the controversy that surrounds other financing packages like al Bai Bithaman Ajil and Bay al Inah (Mydin-Meera & Abdul-Razak, 2009), there are some practical issues in operating this mode of financing, as Islamic banks operate this type of contract more closely to conventional practice, thereby lacking the spirit of the contract itself ...

This case was developed based on a real-life experience related to an lslamic equity home financing contract (ie. Musharakah Mutanaqisah) between a Malaysian Islamic Bank and their customer. The Musharakah Mutanaqisah (MM) Financing mode has gained popularity in house financing in Malaysia, where the bank and customer enter into a contract of joint property ownership and the customer's ownership of the asset gradually increases throughout the financing period and fully owns the asset after the last financial settlement. This case aims to: illustrate the process of property acquisition using the MM financing mode; account the various transactions involved in MM financing; account capitalisation of acquisition costs; recognise and disclose financial assets/liabilities; and determine Fair value of the MM assets. Users of the case are assumed to be familiar with the various regulatory requirements and theoretical foundation of the "accounting for Islamic Financial transactions" from reporting perspectives of IFRS/MFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards/Malaysian Financial Reporting Standards) and the AAOIFI (Accounting and Auditing Organization for lslamic Financial lnstitutions).

This study seeks to examine the use of Accounting Information Systems (AIS) by ZBMS Sdn. Bhd., and it's contribution to the knowledge management and strategic role of the organisation. ZBMS is a company that registered in Kuala Lumpur and operate in construction industry. The company used automated AIS known as Contract Plus Financial & Project Accounting package commercially developed by a private company (ZYXW). Wide variety of people that involve in the company's operation within and outside the organisation uses accounting information generated by this system for decision-making. Based on input provided by operational level managers, the Contract Plus software produces monthly projects' income statements, balance sheets and statement of changes in financial position for the strategic and tactical managers to plan, control and make decision on the resources allocation. The role-played by AIS enhanced the organisations' accounting functions, and add information value. The automated AIS speed up the process to generate financial statements and overcome human weaknesses in data processing. The system enhances management of resources and the process of monitoring, control and prediction of ZBMS business for better future. With the advent of AIS, the growth of tacit and explicit knowledge could be seen from the intensive training of personnel at the early stage of system implementation to the development and use of company's own manual in training of new staff and assisting the job of existing staff. Given the benefit of AIS to ZBMS, this paper recommended that the source of data should be fully automated, and the existing system should be upgraded through computerise the pre-tendering and post-tendering of projects to enable AIS integration.

Cryptocurrencies are digital currencies void of any support from regulatory body that is currently in vogue as a medium of exchange and an investment security. This paper examines the accounting treatment for cryptocurrency from the perspective of IFRS and AAOIFI accounting standards and propose actions to standard setters on the best way to treat the Crypto transactions in accounting reports. A proper accounting treatment will allow for a fair reporting of crypto related transactions and facilitate users of financial statements to make objective assessment of this new invention. A content analysis was conducted to review all major accounting standards issued by accounting standards setting bodies for possible accounting treatment for cryptocurrencies. To better understand the issue in practice, an analysis of accounting treatment of cryptocurrencies by 2 companies also was conducted. This study found that there is no suitable accounting standard that could objectively be applied for cryptocurrencies. For example, from the perspective of the current accounting standards, cryptocurrencies match the definition of inventory if it is used as a commodity for broker-trader and intangible asset for others respectively. It is suggested that there an urgent need for the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) to comprehensively develop accounting standard for cryptocurrency, specifically to develop a specific category for this type of assets to allow a standard treatment for cryptocurrency and fill the gap in the IFRS.

The Oxford Dictionary define 'corporate' is an adjective belonging to a corporation, while 'governance'derives from the Latin gubernare, meaning 'to steer', which implies that corporate governance involves the function of direction rather than control. Therefore, corporate governance is a function of governing a corporation.

This chapter provides a discussion of a study that examines accounting in Islamic perspectives. The discussion includes an overview of the development of Islamic finance, accounting in Islamic perspectives, decision usefulness, stewardship, accountability, financial measurement, disclosure and presentation and four key accounting assumptions, namely 'substance over form', 'time value of money', 'fair value' measurement and 'recognition based on probability', which serve as important guides to preparers of financial information ...

The corporate name is the identity and pride of a corporate entity. A name change is an important corporate event and done only if the benefits out weights the costs. This study attempts to investigate whether a corporate name change has a wealth effect on the company's shareholders. It investigates the wealth effects of name change announcement concurrent with announcement of reorganisation and restructuring of the firm. Event study methodology was employed to examine the above issues with respect to failed and non-failed firms for the period from 1980 to 1996 ...

The internal control system is designed as comprising technical practices to prevent or detect accounting errors or loss of assets. However, the scandals and collapse of the financial institutions in recent years has asserted the importance of the internal control system. This study aims to develop an internal control framework that can be applied to the Islamic financial transactions. COSO framework is a regular internal control designed for the financial organisations commonly to realise their objectives about the effectiveness and efficiency, reliable financial reporting and compliance with the laws and regulation ...

This chapter provides discussion on a study that investigates the perceptions on shariah governance practices among Malaysian Islamic financial institutions. The chapter explores the effectiveness of implementation of Shariah Governance Framework among Malaysian IFIs with the focus on their level of commitment, the challenges and suggestions to further improve the effectiveness of implementation of this framework. The system of corporate control, effective and efficient governance that is consistent with shariah guidance has been an important agenda for Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs) since the existence ofIslamic Finance in Malaysia. This is especially important in light of rapid growth in Islamic Finance industry not only in Malaysia but globally. The well-functioning Islamic finance industry can only be sustained if there is good corporate governance practice by IFIs that comply with the shariah guidance.

This paper examines the perception of bankers on contribution of audit committees towards external auditor independence in public listed companies. All Malaysian public listed companies are required to establish an audit committee as a measure to improve on the internal control mechanism that can help improve the corporate governance practices of firms. Postal questionnaires and interview surveys were used to solicit the perception and views of loan officers. The majority of the respondents believe that auditor independence is preserved with the presence of an actively functioning audit committee. This implies favourably on the corporate governance

The efforts towards better corporate governance practices of firms in the Malaysian capital market were started by the Securities Commission (SC) as early as 1996 in three-phased shift disclosure-based regulations (DBR). During Phase 1 (1996-1999: Flexible/Hybrid Merit Based Regime), the emphasis was to regulate on disclosure, due diligence and corporate governance. Phase 2 (January 2000: Partial DBR) still focused on corporate disclosure, due diligence and corporate governance, but included focus on promotion of accountability and self-regulation. In Phase 3 (2001 onwards: Full DBR) the SC enforced high standards of disclosure, due diligence and corporate governance as well as exercise of self regulation and responsible conduct ...

This study examines the disclosures contained in Audit Committee Reports (ACRs) and the level of compliance of current practices with the amended Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange listing requirements after the adoption of various recommendations made by the High-Level of Finance Committee on Corporate Governance and the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (MCCG) in 1999 and 2000 respectively. All firms listed on the KLSE's main and second board, and MESDAQ counters were sampled. Consistent with the literature in developed markets, the findings reveal that very few companies provide more than what is expected by the ACRs in their listing requirements. Further, companies in finance, technology and IPC counters, and companies on the main board counter have greater initiative to provide value added (or termed as 'non-boiler plate') statements to information users.

This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of senior managers of Malaysian publicly listed companies on issues relating to audit committee authority and effectiveness. Questionnaire survey technique was employed to seek the respondents perceptions on five issues, namely audit committee appoints the auditor, audit committee determines and reviews audit fees, audit committee determines and reviews the auditor’s scope and duties, and audit committee’s reports and meetings. The majority of respondents agreed that auditor would be more effective and independent if audit committee assumed the responsibility to appoint the auditor, determine and review the audit fees, and determine and review the external auditor’s scope and duties. It is also found that disclosure of audit committee report and quarterly meeting would enhance the perceptions of users of financial statement concerning the effectiveness of the committee.

Good corporate governance practices are a trademark of developed capital markets. Stringent regulation of capital markets is not a consistent way to mitigate financial mishaps in developed market environment. Malaysian government has adopted a market deregulation approach, and delegated the responsibilities of ensuring a fair and proper functioning of financial institutions to the Securities Commission. The commission is required to issue listing requirements for public and listed companies to establish audit committees. This paper discusses the Malaysian audit committees' duties from the legal perspective. The discussion covers audit committee's fiduciary duties, duty to be diligent, duty of care and skill and statutory duties which are framed in order to make the functioning of Audit committees more effective.

The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of competition in audit market and client importance to perceived auditor independence from the perspective of Malaysian auditors, loan officers and senior managers of public listed companies. It is found that auditor independence would be threatened if auditors were to receive significant fees from a single client. The dependence on a single client would cause auditor to face a 'self-threat' risk, where they were economically and financially reliant on a single customer. The interview survey disclosed that regulatory authorities should closely monitor the profession by persistently scrutinising each audit firm's revenue and expenses.

Evidence of audit failures documented worldwide have led to major criticism of the auditing professions' independence and exposed its implication on shareholders and stakeholders' interests. External auditors are expected not only be independent but more importantly must be seen to be independent when examining and attesting clients' financial statements. Auditors are expected to decide on reporting strategies without any influence from their clients' management.

Failures of major financial institutions globally that have supposedly audited has led to major criticism of the auditing profession. The collapse of many large companies and the demise of one of the major auditing firm, Arthur Andersen, have damaged the credibility of financial statements and undermined the reputation of audit profession. Among the many explanations for these failures (like investors’ irrational exuberance, infectious greed, and foolishness; the bursting of the bubble; the impoverished morality of CEOs), the tendency of management to cook the books; the failure of the gatekeepers; and the ambiguities in application of financial reporting standards, which have encouraged auditors to be creative and apply their accounting gimmicks, are directly related to the auditing profession.

We are in doubt on whether the book editors will ever publish this article that questioning the degree of auditor independence. We have repeatedly heard from colleagues (and foes) that papers that touched this issues has been sidelined by unseen upper hands from being accepted in academic publications. However, we choose to remain steadfast to express our concern about auditor indepence. In this article attempt to, albeit in a small scale, discuss and report an objective assessment of this pertinent concept.

This paper discusses the literature on the concept of autopoiesis and its application to business organisations from a brand management perspective, which is claimed to be able to develop customer confidence. Autopoiesis is a psuedo-Ancient Greek word that was constructed from the two words 'auto' and 'poiesis', which denote 'self' and 'production' respectively. An autopoietic business organization is an independent and self-maintaining unity that includes component-producing processes, where the interaction between components recursively produces the same system of processes that produced them, and as a consequence, adapts spontaneously to competition. Analysis of the literature reveals that brand management requires an autopoietic system in order to increase consumer confidence in product quality, to establish brand identity and image and to increase loyalty. This paper also demonstrates that the KFCH brand has autopoietic system characteristic that warrant future research.