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Accounting for the missing billions

Murphy, R. (2012). Accounting for the missing billions. In: Draining Development? Controlling Flows of Illicit Funds from Developing Countries. (pp. 265-308). World Bank.

Abstract

This chapter considers, first, whether substantial transfer mispricing bymajor corporations that contributes to a loss of at least US$160 billion ayear to developing countries is plausible in the context of total likelycorporate profits earned worldwide in a year.1Second, it tests whether corporate activities in developing countriesand in the extractive industries in particular might be especially prone tothis abuse.Third, it considers whether this sum could be hidden from view within the accounts or financial statements of the multinational corporations(MNCs) that might be perpetrating the mispricing. Fourth, it explores the possibility that the MNCs might use secrecy jurisdictions to assist in hiding these transactions from view.In each case, it is suggested that the behavior described is plausible and that, as a consequence, losses of the estimated amount are also plausible,although not proven to exist as a result of this work.

Publication Type: Book Section
Additional Information: © World Bank 2012. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/2242 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HF Commerce
H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF5601 Accounting
J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
Departments: School of Policy & Global Affairs > International Politics
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