The impact of accounting for research and development on innovation

Abstract

This paper examines whether a change in the accounting rule for research and development (R&D) cost is associated with changes in the innovation process. Specifically, I examine whether R&D expenditure, the number of patents per R&D dollar, and the number of citations per R&D dollar differ for firms that capitalize their R&D (capitalizers) relative to those that expense their R&D (expensers) after the issuance of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) 86, Accounting for the Cost of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed. I find that relative to expensers, capitalizers increase their R&D expenditure post-SFAS 86. In addition, I find that the quality of innovation declines: post- SFAS 86, the total number of patent citations per R&D dollar decreases more for capitalizers than it does for expensers. This decline is consistent with managers of capitalizing firms taking advantage of SFAS 86 by over-investing in poor quality projects. Overall, the paper provides evidence that financial reporting can impact investments in innovation.