The Aftermath of the 1929 Stock Market Crash

Podcast Beta

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What key concept serves as a guiding principle for required disclosure?

Investor trust

Materiality (correct)

Regulatory compliance

Transparency

What historical event emphasized the need for regulatory reform in disclosure practices?

The financial crisis of 2008

The stock market crash of 1929 (correct)

The Great Depression

The dot-com bubble burst

What primary factor has led to an increased demand for sustainability information among investors?

Government regulations

Growing investor demand (correct)

Corporate scandals

Cultural shifts in investment

Which aspect reflects the changing nature of market value as discussed in financial disclosure?

Increased emphasis on non-financial metrics Signup and view all the answers

What unique challenges are faced by sustainability data according to the ecosystem?

Inconsistent reporting standards Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of materiality indicates that it can evolve over time?

Dynamic nature Signup and view all the answers

What development occurred as a response to limitations in financial disclosures?

Expansion of financial reporting scope Signup and view all the answers

What is identified as a driver of demand for sustainability information beyond investors?

Regulatory bodies Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the major causes of the 1929 stock market crash?

Fraudulent investment practices Signup and view all the answers

Which event is often attributed to leading into the Great Depression?

The stock market crash of 1929 Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the 1929 stock market crash have on global GDP?

A fall in GDP by an estimated 15% Signup and view all the answers

What was the percentage drop in market value in the UK and the US by June 1932?

More than 80% Signup and view all the answers

What reaction did the public have towards the financial industry after the crash?

Anger and support for reform Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the consequences of a lack of transparency in the financial markets during the 1929 crash?

Erosion of investor confidence Signup and view all the answers

Which factor did NOT contribute to the 1929 stock market crash?

High investor savings rates Signup and view all the answers

What did subsequent legislative investigations reveal about the financial practices leading up to the crash?

Evidence of unethical and risky practices Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of defining ‘materiality’ in corporate disclosure?

To communicate disclosure requirements and assess compliance. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Lord Davey Report define ‘materiality’?

Anything that might influence an investor's judgment. Signup and view all the answers

What does the US SEC's definition of ‘material information’ emphasize?

The importance of average prudent investors being informed. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common requirement mandated by financial regulators across the globe?

Providing corporate governance information. Signup and view all the answers

Which document significantly influenced the early provisions of the British Companies Act regarding 'materiality'?

The 1885 Lord Davey Report. Signup and view all the answers

What overarching principle underlies the concept of materiality in investor decision-making?

Investors are entitled to information that may affect their buying decisions. Signup and view all the answers

What type of information might regulators require companies to disclose?

Specific documents such as financial statements. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of materiality is consistent across different definitions provided in the content?

It is based on how information affects investor judgment. Signup and view all the answers

What significant event marked the advent of mandatory corporate disclosure in the US?

The establishment of the US SEC Signup and view all the answers

Which organization replaced the American Institute of Accountants' Committee on Accounting Procedures in the US?

Financial Accounting Standards Board Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary role of the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) when it was established?

To establish accounting standards for use across nations Signup and view all the answers

Which of these organizations was established to create accounting standards in Canada?

Dominion Association of Chartered Accountants Signup and view all the answers

What concept was introduced to shift the emphasis of financial accounting and disclosure?

Decision usefulness Signup and view all the answers

What year did the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) evolve from the IASC?

2001 Signup and view all the answers

Which country's accounting profession was established first according to the timeline?

Japan Signup and view all the answers

What major consequence arose from multiple accounting methods being allowed?

Fragmentation and limited usefulness to investors Signup and view all the answers

When was the first financial reporting standards issued in Australia?

1966 Signup and view all the answers

What was established in New Zealand in 1968 for accounting guidance?

Financial Reporting Advisory Board Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the aims of disclosure in financial markets?

To ensure reliable and comparable information across markets Signup and view all the answers

What event led to growing awareness of the consequences of capital markets?

The global stock market crash Signup and view all the answers

Which accounting principle was emphasized due to regulatory reforms?

Disclosure principle Signup and view all the answers

Which of these entities is primarily responsible for developing accounting standards in Mexico?

Mexican Institute of Public Accountants Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of materiality in investor reporting?

Influencing the judgments of informed investors Signup and view all the answers

Which term best describes the types of investors focused on in the definitions of materiality?

Prudent, informed, and average investors Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of materiality is emphasized in relation to the user's knowledge level?

The variance in investor decision-making criteria Signup and view all the answers

How is materiality described in terms of its context?

It can vary based on the report user's perspective Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the common understanding of materiality based on early definitions?

Materiality is a function of the report user Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to focus on the 'prudent investor' in definitions of materiality?

They may act as a reasonable proxy for informed decision-making Signup and view all the answers

What is a misconception about materiality as highlighted in the content?

It must fulfill the needs of every investor Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of materiality in financial reporting?

To influence the investment decisions of informed users Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Aftermath of the Stock Market Crash of 1929

The London Stock Exchange crashed in September 1929 followed by the New York Stock Exchange crash in October, resulting in the Great Depression.
The crash was caused by fraudulent investment practices, declining consumer demand, misguided economic policy, overextended credit, and other factors.
Global GDP decreased by an estimated 15% and individual countries experienced even larger declines.
The crash led to an 80% drop in market value in the UK and US by the end of June 1932.
The public responded with anger, leading to support for reform and regulation of the capital markets.
Legislators uncovered evidence of unethical and risky financial practices, including companies failing to fully disclose information about their securities, leading to sales with false or misleading information.

The Importance of Standardized Disclosure

The lack of transparency in the 1929 Stock Market crash led to disastrous consequences and eroded investor confidence.

A Timeline of Early Advancements in Standardized Disclosure

The Certified Public Accountants (CPA) law was enacted in Japan in 1938, establishing the accounting profession.
The first financial reporting standards were issued in Australia in 1966 by the Australian Society of Accountants (ASA).
The Mexican Institute of Public Accountants was established in 1973 to develop the first accounting standards in Mexico.
The first Accounting Standards Committee (ASC) was established by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) in 1918.
The Dominion Association of Chartered Accountants established accounting standards in Canada in 1946.
The first guidance on accounting and financial reporting was issued in New Zealand in 1968 by the Financial Reporting Advisory Board (FRAB).
The International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) was established in the 1970s to develop unified standards across nations.
The Financial Accounting Standards Boards (FASB) replaced the American Institute of Accountants (AIA)'s Committee on Accounting Procedures (CAP) in the US.
The Accounting Principles Board (APB) replaced the CAP in 1959 to resolve fragmentation in financial accounting practices.
The IASC became the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in 2001, under the IFRS Foundation.
IASB Standards are used today in over 140 jurisdictions.

A Long-Standing Legacy of Investor Decision-Making

The Lord Davey Report, written in 1885, stated that any contract or fact that would influence a prudent investor's decision to buy shares is considered material.
The Securities Act of 1933 defined material information as information that an average prudent investor should reasonably be informed of before buying a security.
These definitions establish that information is material if it can affect investors' decisions regarding providing financial resources to a company.
Materiality applies to a baseline level of knowledge and understanding, accounting for investor differences in expertise and objectives.
Materiality is a contextual concept that is defined based on the specific situation and needs of the investor.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the consequences of the 1929 Stock Market Crash and its role in triggering the Great Depression. This quiz will cover key factors behind the crash, its global economic impact, and the resulting push for financial reform and standardized disclosure practices in capital markets.