South African deferred tax practices within the context of positive and normative accounting theories.

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study is to establish whether, by examining the responses to various pronouncements covering deferred taxation, a comprehensive theory of accounting can be said to exist in South Africa. Four case studies were conducted on the responses to the various pronouncements issued by the Accounting Practices Committee on deferred tax. The respondents to these pronouncements were surveyed to establish their perception and understanding of various aspects of accounting theory, deferred taxation and corporate management's influence on the accounting standard setting process. The results of the study indicate that, although the recognition of a positive theory of accounting cannot be conclusively shown to exist, certain of the factors that can be said to drive the accounting standard setting process are identified. A positive relationship is perceived to exist between the accounting standard setting process and management compensation.