Critical Insights Back Into the Role of Fair Value Accounting within the Financial Crisis

The aim of this paper is to review the main results of accounting research literature examining the role of Fair value Accounting (FVA) within the Financial Crisis. This research analyses theoretical and empirical studies on the controversial topic about FVA and its alleged pro-cyclicality in the context of the Financial Crisis in order to offer solid reflections for improving the Fair Value research agenda. This paper consists of a descriptive literature review. Theoretical and empirical research studies were investigated and then systematized in a framework to guide a literature-based analysis and critique of the relevant literature published about this topic. The review reveals that there has been only a limited amount of research into the role of FVA within the Financial Crisis. This topic has not been researched extensively and there is no empirical evidence that FVA caused the financial crunch and the subsequent Financial Crisis.