Greek Accounting Research Articles

Re‐examining the ancient roots of the concept of intellectual virtue

AbstractContemporary scholars working in virtue epistemology profess to take inspiration and build on the ancient Greek conception of intellectual virtues. In this paper, I show that, despite their claim, contemporary models of intellectual virtue differ in notable ways from the ancient Greek account of the concept. I pinpoint two major differences between the ancient Greek conception of intellectual virtues and the contemporary understandings of the term. These amount to (a) what the term of intellectual virtues includes and (b) the location of the value of intellectual virtues. I argue that re‐examining the philosophical history of the concept of intellectual virtue can have significant positive implications for contemporary virtue epistemology. Indicatively, I show that it could lead to the development of theories that maintain that intellectual excellences are conducive to leading a good life because their activity is constitutive of the human good—instead of locating their value, as contemporary virtue epistemologists currently do, in the epistemic goods that they enable the agent to acquire and/or in the agent's epistemic motivations.

A Virtue Ethic for the Earth

Discussions and practices for biodiversity and the environment are associated predominantly with duty ethics, which spell out the do’s and don’ts of good behavior. Virtue ethics offer an alternative that is much more inspirational, provided we do not reduce it to a mere enumeration of environmental virtues. Moreover, a virtue ethic is truly humanistic, in that it builds on inborn human capacities rather than on external sources of morality. Grounded in the classic Greek account of virtue ethics and in interaction with medieval and modern visions, this paper articulates a virtue ethic for the Earth. Accessible to a broad audience, we address the foundational concepts of nature-inclusive telos, eudaimonia, virtues and friendship, and connect these with social-scientific research findings. This elucidates how the virtues, sometimes supported by moral exemplars, work in lives that include nature in their flourishing. A virtue ethic for the Earth, we think, can be helpful for policy making but most of all act as a platform for people to become more inspired, courageous and effective friends of nature and the planet as a whole.

From Soknopaiou Nesos to Warsaw: A Greek account on the back of the Demotic temple inventory P. Berol. Inv. 6848

This article discusses the history of P. Berol. inv. 6848, known for the Demotic temple inventory published as P. Zauzich 12, and provides the first edition of the Greek account on the back, which belongs to the archive of the Soknopaiou Nesos priest Pakysis (TM Arch 165). An appendix lays out the story of its reappearance in the early 1990s as part of a group of thirteen Berlin papyri in private hands and the negotiations and maneuvers that eventually led to the acquisition of this group by the National Museum in Warsaw in 1998.

Greek Accounting Standards and Debt Covenants. Changes in Contracting

Businesses, organizations, and even more governments are strongly related with information provided by accounting in order for CEO’s or managers and even more members of parliament to make decisions. Financial statements which contain multiple criteria, and how managers or shareholders treat them influence the decisionmaking of organizations and all types of businesses, public and private. Auditing financial statements ensures their reliability and validity. Both lenders and borrowers must choose the right set of debt covenants to minimize risk from their respective perspectives. It is critical to use and select debt covenants in relation to the side of interest. For instance, in past decades, financial covenants based on balance sheet variables are more likely in debt contracting. Nowadays, the trend of choosing a batch of covenants in contracting changed. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between changing the Greek direction and accounting standard setting. Greek accounting standards are moving away from “old-fashioned” book- and record-keeping standards. This was a great change that took place in 2015, and since then, new notions of accounting practice have been introduced. Fair value, net realizable value, present value, cash equivalents, and useful economic life are some concepts that were first used in accounting the process in Greek economy. Changes were massive and everyone involved with accounting, financial statements, and the way they were introduced should change the way they are analyzed. We hypothesized that this significant shift in accounting standard setting reduces the value of analyzing balance sheets in debt contracting. Since 2015, balance sheet-based covenants started to vanish, especially from private debt contracting. We tried to correlate borrowers and their likelihood in using balance sheet-based covenants. The correlation between the change in accounting standard setting and the concurrent change in trend of choosing accounting-based covenants in debt contracting is being investigated. The results are consistent with our hypothesis. A mechanism that separates multiple covenants and correlates them with significant debt characteristics will be an innovative tool for managers and credit institutions, as well as a more definite way of auditing, for instance, by digitalizing it, which will be a great tool for everyone involved in businesses.
 Keywords: accounting-based covenants, debt contracting, Greek accounting standards

Financial Evaluation and Viability of Businesses Using Information Systems after the Implementation of the Greek Accounting Standards

Financial Evaluation and Viability of Businesses Using Information Systems after the Implementation of the Greek Accounting Standards

Goodwill and Negative Goodwill: The Real Vision for the Future of a Company–Greek Accounting Standards View

During the last decades, more and more the role of the intangible assets of a company, becomes the main advantage. Especially the goodwill, that the company held from previous years, maybe a significant factor for the establishment of a competitive advantage. But sometimes, this asset, trapped the company and mainly the holders of the company, in a false estimation of high valuation of the company. When a company, undoubtedly change the main purpose of his activity, then the goodwill, must be written-off, or must appear as a negative goodwill, giving to the stakeholders the real vision for the future of the company, and the real value for not false prospects.

Digital Disruption in the Accounting Profession

The purpose of this study is to analyze the results of the impact of digitalization to Greek accountants. How technology has greatly improved the work of the accountant since technology nowadays is evolving rapidly in relation to the past. Finally, it highlights disruption to traditional accounting practice and research. In order to ascertain the views of professional accountants on the impact of digitalization, a research conducted in October and November 2019, in the areas of Alexandroupolis, Drama, Kavala, Komotini and Xanthi. A 40-item self-administrative questionnaire was chosen to collect the data for the research. One hundred accountants of the aforementioned areas replied to the questionnaire. The findings present their current technology infrastructure and their use of digital services. Finally, it draws useful insights regarding the effect of digital disruption on the profession of accountant.

Cash Flow Analysis Based on International Accounting Standards (IAS): A Critical Evaluation

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to investigate the importance of using financial ratio analysis following the adoption of International Accounting Standards. Design/methodology/approach: The methodology used investigates the theoretical aspects related to the purpose of financial statements analysis and the introduction of IAS, critically evaluating their differences with Greek Accounting Standards as well. Furthermore, it presents how to prepare the Cash Flow Statement. Findings: The study of cash flows and their use contributes to the understanding of the ability of an entity to generate cash and cash equivalents through its operating activities and to ensure its smooth operation through its investment and financing activities. Originality: The study assesses the importance of the IAS financial ratio analysis, studying the contributions of the Cash Flow Statement to different sources of activities, and evaluating the application of the direct and indirect methods.

Factors Affecting the Quality of Financial Reporting after the Adoption of the New Greek Accounting Standards

Factors Affecting the Quality of Financial Reporting after the Adoption of the New Greek Accounting Standards

Financial Reporting Quality before and after the Greek Accounting Standards Adoption using NiCE Qualitative Characteristics Measurement Perspective of Competencies Towards Uniformity in Family Business

Financial Reporting Quality before and after the Greek Accounting Standards Adoption using NiCE Qualitative Characteristics Measurement Perspective of Competencies Towards Uniformity in Family Business

Accounting Systems and Classifications: The Case of Greece

In this study, we are trying to analyze the Greek accounting system and its features like the legal system, the taxation, the creative accounting the role of culture and the banking system. The legal system of Greece belongs to the code law family. Historically, the Greek accounting and commercial law have been heavily influenced by various French events and facts. In the Greek listed companies, the ownership concentration is high and the owners are directly involved in business administration. Therefore, they are able to watch and to motivate the staff without the need for programs of supply incentives. The tax system in Greece is a system of conflicting laws, judgments and ministerial decisions, which they attribute to special interests. Company law and tax law are in conflict and accountants tend to follow the latter. Greece (together with Austria) is classifying as the country (by total of 31) with the highest rank in profit manipulation. We are trying to report and analyze the concept and content of International Accounting Standards and in addition, we refer to the Greek Accounting Standards (GAAP) and fully analyze their content as defined by the relevant legislation of the country.

The Oxford Handbook of Rhetorical Studies

The Oxford Handbook of Rhetorical Studies

Which skills and competences to develop in accountants in a country in crisis?

This research investigated the incorporation of professional skills into Greek accounting education studies. It was driven by complaints from employers and other stakeholders that Higher Education is not keeping pace with global trends in the economy. Questionnaires (N = 1626) helped to identify and rank professional skills reflecting the opinions of three stakeholder groups (accounting teachers, business administration and accounting students, and accountants). Ways to reform the curriculum were identified and a Priority Index was calculated to classify the skills requiring development, while strategic maps revealed an overall picture of conceptual differences between groups. The findings indicated that professional skills were considered important, but a gap existed between the importance assigned by the different stakeholder groups to relevant skills and also on how they should be developed by the educational process. The results identified the necessity to advance the critical thinking abilities of prospective accountants through new teaching approaches and through the development of a curriculum that supports graduates’ employability and sustainable development. Accounting faculty can use the outcomes of this research to improve accounting education studies; furthermore, this research combined with similar studies can add to the educational reforms required to exit the continuing socio-economic crisis in Greece.

When Virtues, Roles and Duties Fail: Early Greek and Chinese Accounts of Akrasia

When Virtues, Roles and Duties Fail: Early Greek and Chinese Accounts of Akrasia

A Greek Evaluation Of The Course Experience Questionnaire: Students’ Conceptions Of The Teaching Quality Of Higher Education Accounting Studies

Purpose: This study reveals the results of the validation of the Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) within the Greek accounting context. The specific instrument has been used extensively in other contexts to investigate the teaching-learning environment in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Design/methodology/approach: A convenience sample of 268 students from 3 Higher Technological Educational Institutions (ATEIs) participated in this study during the 2016-2017 academic year. The validity and reliability of the CEQ were investigated through exploratory factor analysis and the Cronbach alpha coefficient. The overall course satisfaction was used as an external criterion in order to strengthen the instrument’s validity. Additionally, students’ experience from their accounting studies was explored in relation to a number of demographic characteristics; gender, age, intention to attend postgraduate and professional studies, internship scheme and intention to follow the accounting profession. Findings: The exploratory factor analysis identified four constructs reflecting good teaching, generic skills, appropriate assessment and clear goals and standards. Age, internship scheme and intention to attend postgraduate studies were revealed as predictors of CEQ subscales. Research limitations/implications: The research population is limited and data was collected only from ATEIs students, so the generalization of findings needs attention. Originality/value: To the best of our knowledge the present study is the first attempt to adapt the CEQ in accounting studies in Greece.

Quality costing and quality management maturity in Greece

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how the sophistication of a quality costing system depends on the quality management maturity (QMM) level in Food and Beverage (F&B) enterprises. Since no previous research has taken place in this area, the paper aims at analyzing the relationships between quality costing and the specific variables that define the various maturity stages.Design/methodology/approachA structured questionnaire was used to survey 457 F&B companies. This produced 104 usable responses (23 percent response rate). Multidimensional correspondence analysis (MCA) with hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were used to detect and represent underlying structures in the categorical data set and to detect possible clusters between variables.FindingsThe more mature a company’s QMM, the more emphasis they placed on appraisal quality costs and effective use of quality costs information. Prevention costs have no statistically significant connection with the level of maturity. A generalized “expensive” use of quality costing, with no focus on problematic areas and possible solutions, does not always lead to the resolution of problems.Research limitations/implicationsA complicated – and some think unfair – tax system, combined with limited cash liquidity constitutes an unstable environment for Greek companies, in which they have to survive and develop. This environment does not support quality costing, thus resulting in limited interest by company management in participating in the authors’ research. Furthermore, the Greek Uniform Chart of Accounts and the Greek Accounting Standards do not include specific quality-related accounts, making it difficult for companies to measure quality costs and for researchers to investigate the quality costing field.Originality/valueIt is the first time that QMM levels of Greek F&B companies have been reported. The research explores the characteristics that a quality costing system of Greek F&B organizations develop at the various maturity levels. The analysis uses an exploratory method – MCA – which can highlight intense correspondences of characteristics and clusters, which cannot be predicted in advance.

The Role and Current Status of IFRS in the Completion of National Rules – Evidence from Greece

Law 4308/2014 is the main regulation that transposed Accounting Directive 2013/34 of the EU into national law in Greece. This short paper summarises the underlying background and the process followed up to the issuance of this Law. It also outlines the key accounting principles introduced with this Law and how they compare with IFRS. This brief analysis indicates that, to a large extent, Greek accounting standards have now been aligned with IFRS. Given the preceding substantial differences between Greek accounting Laws and IFRS, this Law introduced significant changes to the accounting environment for non-listed companies in Greece, aiming at improving accounting quality and enhancing accounting comparability between listed and non-listed companies.

The Role and Current Status of IFRS in the Completion of National Rules Evidence from Greece

Law 4308/2014 is the main regulation that transposed Accounting Directive 2013/34 of the EU into national law in Greece. This short paper summarises the underlying background and the process followed up to the issuance of this Law. It also outlines the key accounting principles introduced with this Law and how they compare with IFRS. This brief analysis indicates that, to a large extent, Greek accounting standards have now been aligned with IFRS. Given the preceding substantial differences between Greek accounting Laws and IFRS, this Law introduced significant changes to the accounting environment for non-listed companies in Greece, aiming at improving accounting quality and enhancing accounting comparability between listed and non-listed companies.

From Women's Piety to Male Devotion: Gender Studies, theActs of Paul and Thecla, and the Evidence of an Arabic Manuscript

When we read early Christian narratives such as theActs of Paul and Thecla, what is the relationship between the characters portrayed in the story and the “real-life” persons and groups who composed and transmitted the work? In the second-century Greek account, Thecla abandons her fiancé and family to follow Paul and his ascetic message. She endures a trial by fire in Iconium, resists sexual assault on the road to Antioch, and survives attacks by beasts in the Antiochene arena, all the while supported by a wealthy widow as her patron, a friendly lioness as her protector, and a chorus of women in the stadium who extol her perseverance and cry out to the governor for mercy. In the end, after baptizing herself, Thecla is released, dresses herself like a man, and begins preaching the gospel as an itinerant apostle.

Accounting for images of ‘equality’ in digital space: Towards an exploration of the Greek Accounting Professional Institute

Abstract The paper draws upon the broad framework of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to relate the content of the Greek Accounting Professional Institute's [‘Σώμα Oρκωτών Eλɛγκτών Λογιστών’ (SOEL)] digital space to the broader structures and the gendered accounting discourses deployed by accountants. The processes of constructing and redesigning electronic space and the selection of the images appearing on it are analysed as essential mechanisms which not only reflect ‘realities’, but also contribute to the reproduction of diachronically established power relations, gender inequalities and gendered hierarchies. This exploratory study reveals a proliferation of images of (accounting) men which reflect the dominant male structures of the profession. The outcome of this is to exclude and marginalise women. The empirical evidence presented in this study, points towards a lack of images representing professional accounting women. Where women are represented, they are depicted in listening roles, support roles or in the role of ‘other’. These findings illustrate the exercise of gendered based exclusionary practices, which facilitate male (professional) elite dominance and assist in the reinforcing of gendered stereotypes. This study argues that an increase in the representation of (accounting) women in Greek digital space would signal a positive step towards the inclusion of women in the Greek profession.