Abstract
This study investigates whether the adoption of conservative accounting practices leads to a reduction of the cost of bank credit for Brazilian companies. The study is based on a sample of 1,300 firms and 813 thousand loan contracts, in the period from 2000 to 2009. We used models that associated the cost of credit to measures of conservatisms and a set of control variables. We did not obtain any statistically significant evidence of a relationship between the conservatism measures and the interest rates charged on bank loans, confirming the research hypothesis. The Brazilian institutional environment of weak legal protection of creditors and the low demand for good-quality accounting information restrict the benefits generated by conservatism and cause lenders not to stimulate the adoption of conservative practices by companies, by lowering their interest rates. Since companies do not perceive benefits associated with reporting conservative numbers, the use this practice is restricted in Brazil.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
