eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): A Review and Implications for Future Research

Forthcoming in Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory

58 Pages Posted: 4 Jun 2020 Last revised: 2 Oct 2023

See all articles by Rani Hoitash

Rani Hoitash

Bentley University - Department of Accountancy

Udi Hoitash

Northeastern University - Accounting Group

Landi Morris

Northern Arizona University

Date Written: December 7, 2020

Abstract

This study seeks to advance research related to eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL). XBRL is an open standard for reporting structured financial information which enables the efficient gathering of data and automated comparison of financial information. To encourage research using XBRL we describe the richness of XBRL data and sources from which it can be obtained. We also present a review of relevant XBRL literature, beginning with studies examining the consequences of XBRL adoption and data quality concerns that arose during this timeframe. We next discuss the use of extended XBRL tags and implications of this decision for users of financial reports. The following related literature stream includes studies that leverage XBRL tags to identify unique numerical, or textual data that is otherwise unavailable or requires manual data collection. We conclude the review with a discussion of auditors’ potential use and assurance of XBRL data. Based on the review of the literature, we identify topics with the greatest potential for future research.

Data Availability: Data are available from http://www.xbrlresearch.com.

Keywords: XBRL, eXtensible Business Reporting Language, assurance, interactive data, structured data, textual analysis, literature review

JEL Classification: M40, M41, M42, M48, C55, G18

Suggested Citation

Hoitash, Rani and Hoitash, Udi and Morris, Landi, eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): A Review and Implications for Future Research (December 7, 2020). Forthcoming in Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3595401 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3595401

Rani Hoitash (Contact Author)

Bentley University - Department of Accountancy ( email )

175 Forest Street
Waltham, MA 02452-4705
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.xbrlresearch.com

Udi Hoitash

Northeastern University - Accounting Group ( email )

360 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
United States
671-373-5839 (Phone)

Landi Morris

Northern Arizona University ( email )

PO Box 15066
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
United States

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