Comprehensive income: The perceived usefulness of total recognised revenues and expenses in New Zealand

Abstract

Since 1995, the financial reports of New Zealand entities have been legally required to disclose a measure of comprehensive income known as Total Recognised Revenues and Expenses (TRRE). Financial analysts and members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand were surveyed between 1994 and 1996 to investigate their views on whether TRRE is useful for financial analysis, making economic decisions, and whether it is a useful addition to the financial reports. The findings provided a reasonable level of support for the view that TRRE is useful for financial analysis, such as assessing return on investment. However, there were strong reservations over whether it is useful to use TRRE as a basis for determining remuneration packages for top management, or for predicting cash flows. Overall, there was strong support for the view that TRRE provides information that assists with making economic decisions, and that it is a useful addition to the financial reports.