The current study links the information contents of the three main financial statements in a balanced panel data model to empirically examine the effect of cash flows per share and capital structure on shareholder value. The results of the study are based on a sample of 270 firm-year observations from the Jordanian commercial banks and insurance companies that listed on Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) from 2011 to 2019. Based on the Fixed Effect Model (FEM) with Driscoll-Kraay standard errors, the empirical results show that cash flows from operating activities per share had a positive and significant relationship with shareholder value, whereas both the cash flows from investing and financing activities per share had negative but insignificant relationship with shareholders’ value. Results also show that capital structure had a negative but insignificant relationship with shareholder value. Finally, the results indicate that dividend per share had a positive and significant relationship with shareholder value. Accordingly, decision-makers should direct cash to efficient investment projects in order for cash outflows from investing activities to create value to shareholders and to generate positive cash flows from financing activities. Similarly, an appropriate capital structure should be selected to create value for shareholders.

The current study examines the extent to which audit committees comply with the requirements of corporate governance in Jordan and describes the current status of internal audit function. In addition, the study examines empirically the relationship between the internal audit quality and the compliance of audit committees with the governance requirements. The results from 49 respondents indicate that audit committees comply with the requirement of corporate governance and no significant difference is found in such compliance due to sector. In addition, the internal audit quality attributes are met among Jordanian companies to a considerable extent. Further, the independence and objectivity dimension of internal audit quality has a positive and significant relationship with the compliance of audit committees with governance requirements. Internal audit competence and due professional care have no significant relationship with audit committees compliance. One important implication of the current study is the development of a scale to measure the compliance level of audit committees with the governance requirements that can be used by both academics and decision-makers in firms.

This study examines the current status of accounting standards among Jordanian firms. In particular, it examines the adoption level of IAS/IFRS. In addition, it examines the implementation process in terms of difficulties and challenges. Further, the study tests empirically the effect of international institutional pressures, local legal enforcement bodies and accounting education level on accounting standards adoption level. The results of the study are based on the descriptive and multiple regression analysis technique. Based on 62 usable responses, the study reveals that the adoption level of IAS/IFRS among Jordanian firms is moderate. For example, IFRS 7 (Financial Instruments: Disclosure) is the most adopted standard. This is followed by IAS 32 (Financial Instruments: Presentation) and IFRS 15 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers) respectively, while IFRS 2 (Share-based Payment) is the least adopted standard. In general, the study reveals that the implementation process of some standards is easy such as IFRS 7 (Financial Instruments: Disclosure), while others such as IAS 36 (Impairment of Assets) and IFRS 13 (Fair Value Measurement) need additional efforts to properly implement. In addition, several challenges were detected, which could prevent the proper implementation of some accounting standards such as the shortage in the governmental and IT supports. Further, the study shows that international institutional pressure and local legal enforcement bodies have a positive and significant relationship with the adoption level of accounting standards, while the effect of accounting education level is insignificant. JACPA should coordinate and collaborate with IASB and the government to offer all the necessary financial, technical and legal support for Jordanian firms to fully adopt and apply accounting standards. Several recommendations were offered for future research to enrich this vital topic in Jordan and other developing countries.

The study examines the perceptions of accounting information users toward the importance of a web-based disclosure for 32 items and the potential advantages for both the users and companies. The study also investigates the perceptions of users regarding the websites presentation and the obstacles of web-based disclosure. In addition, the study examines empirically the relationship between the importance of web-based disclosure and the potential advantages for both users and companies. Based on 107 online users’ responses, results show that financial information is the most important information that should be disclosed on the websites of companies according to users. Results also show that the mean values of the advantages for both users and companies are, high, close and significant. Users’ perceptions indicate that competition, cost and audit issues are the main obstacles that may hinder companies to use websites for disclosure. In addition, findings show a positive and significant relationship between the “financial” factor and the users’ potential advantages. In respect to the companies’ potential advantages, results show that both “human resources and suppliers” factor and “the governance, quality and strategy” factor have positive and significant relationship with the companies’ potential advantages. Accordingly, decision-makers should effectively use the seven factors that extracted from principle component analysis as a web-based disclosure model to create advantages for both users and companies.