Lobbying during IASB and FASB convergence due processes: Evidence from the IFRS 16 project on leases

Abstract

In recent years there is increasing interest in investigating the lobbying activities related to the standard-setting process of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The main purposes of this paper are to analyze how CLs differ as to timing at which lobbying activities take place and to highlight the profile of a “winning” lobbyist, namely one who has the ability to successfully change IASB positions in proposals during the period the accounting standard is promulgated. We use a case study and performed content analysis of the comment letters written during the due process of a leasing standard, which ultimately became IFRS 16. Our analysis also identifies some major characteristics of the stakeholders involved in the IFRS standard-setting due process. While as expected that preparers are the most active in replying, contrary to traditional expectations we find lower participation of lobbyists during the earlier stages of the project. We find that ‘winning’ lobbyists have the following characteristics: having a representative on the Board from the same country as themselves; influencing the viability of the IASB by financing it; and coming from a country with stronger public governance rules and stricter enforcement mechanisms.