Financial Reporting under Economic Policy Uncertainty

Abstract

In this paper, I discuss financial reporting under economic policy uncertainty. This paper is one of the first papers to relate economic policy uncertainty to financial reporting behaviour. It identifies the link between economic policy uncertainty and financial reporting in terms of earnings management and fair value accounting. It argues that high economic policy uncertainty will transmit fewer new information to firms which can motivate managers to influence accounting numbers in the direction of the desired financial reporting outcome. The discussion in the paper adds to our understanding of how economic conditions affect financial reporting outcomes.