Changes in lease financing practice during lease accounting standard overhaul (2005-2014)

This study examines empirically the changes in lease financing practice since the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) and the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) launched their joint project to overhaul lease accounting standards. Under the proposed new lease standards, all existing and new lease contracts longer than 12 months, including the currently off-balance sheet operating leases, are required to be capitalised. Using a sample of retail sector firms from exchanges of seven different countries, I find an increase in contingent lease payments, which is consistent with the notion that companies will seek new off-balance sheet financing loopholes once existing ones are likely to be taken away. This study provides pertinent information to facilitate ongoing deliberation concerning lease accounting and assessment of the new lease accounting standards.