M&A Accounting Rethink Fails to Gain Traction From Global Board

Proposed changes to merger and acquisition accounting standards failed to gain enough support Wednesday from global rulemakers weighing divided feedback from companies, investors, and auditors.

Only seven of 13 International Accounting Standards Board members voted in favor of the changes, short of the two-thirds majority necessary for standard setting. Board chair Andreas Barckow, who supports the proposal, agreed with a suggestion from some other board members to hold one more future discussion about passing the package, although he doubted it would garner sufficient support.

Under the proposals, companies would provide more detailed information in the notes to their ...