Question 1 Whilst acknowledging the importance of high quality corporate reporting, the recommendations to improve it are sometimes questioned on the basis that the marketplace for capital can determine the nature and quality of corporate reporting. It could be argued that additional accounting and disclosure standards would only distort a market mechanism that already works well and would add costs to the reporting mechanism, with no apparent benefit. It could be said that accounting standards create costly, inefficient, and unnecessary regulation. It could be argued that increased disclosure reduces risks and offers a degree of protection to users. However, increased disclosure has several costs to the preparer of financial statements. Required (a) Explain why accounting standards are needed to help the market mechanism work effectively for the benefit of preparers and users of corporate reports. (15 marks) (b) Discuss the relative costs to the preparer and benefits to the users of financial statements of increased disclosure of information in financial statements. (20 marks)