.1. The information approach views financial reporting as a means to convey useful
information to investors. Investors must then decide whether to use this
information in forming their own posterior probabilities of future profitability and
share returns.
The information approach is consistent with the historical cost basis of
accounting, but does not rely on it. It appears, on the basis of both theory and
empirical evidence, that financial statements, traditionally containing a large
historical cost-based component, provide useful information to investors.
However, there is no particular reason why the information must be historical
cost-based. RRA information is not historical cost-based, nor is much of the
information in notes and MD&A. The essence of the information approach is that,
as mentioned above, investors are assumed to use accounting information, and
any other relevant information as well, in forming their own assessments of future
performance -- the accountant does not do it for them. The particular form of
disclosure does not matter, only the fact that the information is disclosed. Thus,
the information approach can be used to justify historical cost as the basis of the
financial statements proper, while supplementing the statements with additional
information. Efficient markets theory is then relied on to ensure that investors, on
average, properly interpret this information.