A Survey of Multinational Company Accounting Foreign Exchange Exposure
Purpose: One main type of foreign exchange exposure is translation exposure. Translation exposure measures potential accounting changes in a firm’s consolidated financial statements that result from a change in foreign exchange rates. The scope of this paper is to address translation risk by examining the preferences of the managerial team for specific financial instruments and strategies. Design/Methodology/Approach: The first part of this paper will illustrate some background information on the translation form of foreign exchange exposure. The second part of the paper addresses the methodology and includes a survey sent to over two hundred multinational companies who were listed in the Forbes 500 top multinational companies and presents the results. The last part of the paper presents the conclusions that are drawn from the responses. Findings: Foreign exchange exposure connects to a firm's profitability and net cash flow. Market value changes as a result of a change in exchange rates. An important duty of the financial manager is to measure the effect of foreign exchange exposure and manage it in such a way as to maximize the profitability, net cash flow and market value of the firm. When foreign exchange rates change, the effects on a firm can be measured in several ways. Practical implications: Appropriateness and Techniques of Hedging Accounting Currency Risk. Originality/Value: Translation Foreign Exchange Exposure Should Infrequently be Hedged Since it does not nduce a Cash Flow issue.