The Impact of Creative Accounting Methods on the Credibility of Financial Statements

Abstract

This research aims to know the extent of the impact of creative accounting methods on the validity and credibility of financial statements (financial position statement, income statement, cash flow statement), and this is from the point of view of both the preparers of the financial statements and the beneficiaries of their services. To answer the research problem, we have relied on the investigative aspect on a questionnaire. It was directed to two samples (preparers of financial statements and their beneficiaries). 60 searchable questionnaires were distributed and retrieved for each of the two samples. In analyzing the questionnaire and testing the research hypotheses, we relied on the nonparametric mean difference test for the two independent samples (Mann-Whitney) or (U). The study found that, to a large extent, there are no statistically significant differences regarding the effect of creative accounting methods and the validity and credibility of financial statements from the point of view of financial statement preparers and the entities that benefit from their services. They agree that creative accounting has a significant impact on the validity and credibility of financial statements.