Earnings Management: An Advantage or Disadvantage?

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Objective - The purpose of this research is to examine the consequences of accrual based earnings management and real earnings management on future operating performance.The firms studied engage in accrual-based earnings management with discretionary accrual measures using the modified Jones model and some of the following real earnings management activities: (1) Sales manipulation that accelerates the timing of sales through increased price discounts or cutting prices to boost sales in the current period; and/or (2) cutting of discretionary expenditures to increase income in the current period. Furthermore, the study examines the extent to which discretionary accrual and real earnings management affects subsequent operating performance (as measured by both return on assets and operating cash flows). Methodology/Technique - The sample manufacturing firms that engage in financial statement were listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange between 2012 and 2014. The hypothesis testing method used in this research is multiple regression linear. Findings - The results suggest that accrual-based earnings management, with discretionary accrual measures, and real earnings management through sales manipulation and discretionary expenditures are positively associated with return on assets after one and two years. Meanwhile, accrual-based earnings management and real earnings management through sales manipulation enhances subsequent operating cash flows. However, real earnings management through discretionary expenditures does not influence operating cash flows. Novelty - This research contributes to the existing literature on the subsequent impact of accrual-based earnings management and real earnings management Type of Paper: Empirical Keywords: Discretionary Accrual; Sales Manipulation; Discretionary Expenditure; Return on Assets; Operating Cash Flows JEL Classification: M21, M41.