Practical implementation of Wilhelm Osbahr’s entrepreneur balance sheet theory assumptions – a case study Cover Image

Practical implementation of Wilhelm Osbahr’s entrepreneur balance sheet theory assumptions – a case study
Practical implementation of Wilhelm Osbahr’s entrepreneur balance sheet theory assumptions – a case study

Author(s): Ewa Śnieżek, Michał Wiatr
Subject(s): Business Economy / Management, Accounting - Business Administration
Published by: Stowarzyszenie Księgowych w Polsce
Keywords: Wilhelm Osbahr’s balance sheet theory; significant operating activity; insignificant operating activity; significant operating result; insignificant operating result

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this study is to present the possibilities of the practical application of Osbahr’s balance sheet theory assumptions, as one of many possible attempts to close the information gap in the financial reporting of the twenty-first century. Wilhelm Osbahr, at the beginning of the 20th century, made an attempt to solve the problem of indicating the balance sheet values (the impact of balance sheet evaluation on the balance sheet items), from the point of view of an entrepreneur or business owner, at the same time clearly emphasizing the necessity to deal with the balance sheet structure through the prism of the objectives pursued by the company. Osbahr postulated highlighting any changes occurring in the economic structure of the company and its components, which do not result directly from its operating activities, and so to present them in the position called “adjustments”. This article uses the deductive method supported by literature studies and a case study method. The authors using the case study method confirm the possibility of using the described balance sheet theory in the current financial reporting based on actual data of the company ABC Ltd. They also show that a balance sheet which is presented according to the new reporting formula discloses new quality of information for the financial reporting users.

  • Issue Year: 2015
  • Issue No: 85
  • Page Range: 161-182
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: English