Earnings Management Practices Research Articles

Managing Earnings Management: A Framework of Standards, Governance and Ethics

Manipulating earnings to superficially represent financial reports is a flagrant violation of management's assertions about the fairness of financial statements. Therefore, auditors have developed objectives to counter management assertions to ensure that financial reporting is credible and free from earnings management practices (EMP).  This study examines the role of an integrated system of auditing standards and corporate governance surrounded by a framework of ethical values and principles in reducing EMP through the use of a sequential explanatory mixed method. Through this approach, the results obtained from 131 surveys were used as input for the interviews to add a more in-depth understanding of this phenomenon and find fruitful ways to reduce EMP. The results revealed that management's assertion on “accuracy, valuation and allocation” was most involved in EMP, thus, requiring a high degree of exercising professional skepticism. While “objectivity” was the ethical principle most respected by auditors, the results showed that the most serious threat to auditor independence that poses a challenge to the audit profession is the threat of intimidation. Moreover, the study showed that exercising the supervisory role in holding management accountable and following up on the work of auditors to uncover EMP requires real independence of the audit committee from the executive members. The findings have implications for economic policymakers in emerging countries where the sustainability of the audit profession and public companies is critical to economic development and stability. The study provides insights and guidance in mapping corporate governance for the future and benefiting from the experiences of developed countries as outlined in the study’s conclusion.

The Influence of Intellectual Capital on Financial Performance with Earnings Management as A Mediating Variable in Financial Companies Listed on The IDX in 2020-2022

Financial performance is a form of evaluation and analysis of the financial performance of an entity in achieving its objectives. To achieve good financial performance, of course, quality resources are needed. Intellectual capital can be the main reason for achieving good financial performance in an entity because it has competitive advantages such as knowledge, skills, experience, and adequate information, which is in line with the resource-based view theory. However, to achieve good financial performance in the eyes of the public, earnings management practices are often carried out in each entity to cover up failures or fulfill the wishes of stakeholders. Earnings management practices are acts of manipulation of an entity's financial data to make it look good in the eyes of the public and do not describe actual financial performance. This research was conducted on insurance sub-sector financial companies listed on the IDX in 2020–2022. The method of determining the sample used was purposive sampling with the criteria that the insurance sub-sector financial companies published their annual reports consecutively from 2020–2022, so that 11 insurance sub-sector financial companies were obtained. The data analysis techniques used are SEM-PLS and path analysis using the SmartPLS application. Based on the research results, it is known that intellectual capital proxied using VAIC has a positive effect on financial performance proxied by ROA. Intellectual capital proxied by VAIC has no effect on earnings management proxied by DAC. Earnings management, proxied by DAC, has no effect on financial performance, proxied by ROA. Intellectual capital has no effect on financial performance after being mediated by earnings management; therefore, earnings management is called full mediation.

Does corporate governance moderate the impact of earnings management on capital structure of the listed corporations on Palestine and Amman Bourses

The purpose of this research is to investigate the moderating role of corporate governance on the relationship between earnings management and debt level in capital structure. The paper used a hypothesis-testing research approach to gather data from the annual reports of 13 industrial companies listed on Palestine Exchange and 25 Jordanian companies listed on Amman Stock Exchange from 2013 to 2020. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed, along with correlation analysis to evaluate linear relationships between variables. The fixed and random effect regressions were utilized to develop the research model. In the case of Palestinian manufacturing firms, the results revealed that Earnings Management (EM) had a significant negative impact on debt level. According to the moderating role of Corporate Governance (CG), larger boards and the existence of female members on the board of directors causes an increase in the high-leverage impact of EM, whereas CEO duality mitigates the high-leverage impact. However, in the case of Jordanian manufacturing firms, EM showed an insignificant impact on debt level. Regarding the moderating role of CG, it was proved that the presence of female members on the board of directors increased the firm’s reliance on debt financing as a result of EM practices, while institutional investors mitigate the effect of EM on debt financing, leading to a decrease in reliance on debt. The findings of this research are suitable for the regulators while formulating policies on the Corporate Governance and the Impact of Earnings Management on Capital Structure. These findings have guided the policymakers that they should enhance their focus on Palestine and Jordan companies to test Corporate Governance Moderates the Impact of Earnings Management on Capital Structure. This study is also helpful for the new researcher while investigating this area in the future.

Gender diversity, corporate social responsibility and real earnings management for policy management decision: evidence from emerging market

Purpose The study aims to examine whether board gender diversity and corporate social responsibility (CSR) affect real earnings management (REM) practices of public companies in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The study analyzes data of public companies for the period of 2011 through 2020. Data on board gender diversity, CSR and REM were collected from audited financial statements. Findings The empirical findings show that companies with greater diverse board are effective in restraining REM, thus supporting the theoretical framework of the study. Also, the result provides strong evidence of association between CSR performance and REM for policy management decision. Research limitations/implications The study is constrained by not considering all public companies in the country. Furthermore, it considered only gender among numerous important board attributes and environmental, social and governance (ESG) among numerous CSR attributes. Hence, future studies should consider other important attributes on REM and important attributes of board diversity and CSR on real earnings management. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the relationship between heterogeneous board gender diversity, CSR via ESG and REM in emerging markets such as Nigeria. Therefore, it provides appropriate treatment of CSR with science and technology via EGS viewpoint of organizational operations and behavior of managing earnings. Therefore, developing better policy management for sustainable development

Earnings management with the absence of income tax avoidance motivation: evidence from pre-, during, and post- global financial crisis

PurposeThis study aims to examines both accrual and real-based earnings management (EM) behavior of listed corporations in tax-free countries during different economic situations. It also addresses the link between firm- and country-level determinants of accrual and real-based EM and explores economic conditions' influence on these determinants.Design/methodology/approachThe study examines 1,608 firm-years, covers sixteen years (2004–2019), clustered into three periods according to the global financial crisis (GFC): four years prior (2004–2007), two years during (2008–2009), and ten years post the GFC (2010–2019). We employ the modified Jones model (performance-matched) developed by Kothari et al. (2005) to measure the accrual-based EM (positive and negative discretionary accrual EM) and the three levels model for Dechow et al. (1998) to measure the real-based EM (cash flow from operating, discretionary expenses and abnormal production cost).FindingsThe study finds a significant increase in EM practices in the listed corporations in tax-free countries during the economic downturn. These corporations are found to understate their earnings during the economic stress period. Simultaneously, the firm-level determinants of EM practices were at the same level of significance during different economic conditions in accrual-based EM. In contrast, the country-level EM determinants vary based on the economic conditions.Originality/valueFinancial reports' users gain a deep understanding of the quality of financial reports in the context of tax-free country. And, the study outcomes inspire policymakers to develop relevant legislation to mitigate financial reports' risk and adequately protect the financial reports' users.

The Impact of Audit Quality on Earnings Management: Evidence from Listed Companies in Sri Lanka

Earnings Management (EM) is related to the manipulation of reported income through accounting practices and decisions. With the occurrence of numerous financial collapses and failures, the reliability of the audit function has been challenged, as auditors play a critical role in expressing an opinion on the financial statements. This study investigates the impact of Audit Quality on EM in Sri Lankan listed companies. This study employs Modified Jones model to examine earnings management practices through Discretionary Accruals (DA). The selected proxies of audit quality which are Length of Audit Tenure, Audit Firm Size and Auditor Independence are the independent variables. The data is collected from annual reports for the financial periods 2015 - 2020 and audit reports for the financial period 2012 - 2020 of listed companies on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). This study employed descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multivariate analysis to analyze the data. Based on the quantitative analysis, the results demonstrated that the association between audit firm size and earnings management in Sri Lankan listed companies is negative and significant. It was found that the level of EM between companies using Big 4 auditors and those using non-Big 4 auditors is much lower. This study revealed that auditor independence and EM have a significant negative association. It was suggested that independent auditors have a greater ability to regulate and identify EM activities through company management. Further, this study exposed that there is an insignificant association between the length of audit tenure and earnings management. These findings are useful to shareholders in appointing or reappointing auditors. Furthermore, this study enables stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, to examine the presence of EM practices in listed companies of CSE.

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF THE SARS-COV-2 PANDEMIC ON EARNINGS MANAGEMENT BEHAVIOUR IN POLAND

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic turbulence on the extent and intensity of earnings management practices according to the opinions of representatives of non-financial companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE). Methodology. This study is based on the method of standardised computer-assisted questionnaire interviews (CATI). The research sample consisted of 37.1% of all companies indexed on the WSE Main Market that do not operate in the banking, insurance or capital market services sectors. The target respondents were managers, employees of financial and accounting services and other persons authorised by the company's managerial staff representatives. Results. The survey findings showed that the economic turbulence caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic contributed to an increase in earnings management activities in public companies. Respondents who reported that the companies they represented deliberately manipulated earnings were much more confident about the negative impact of the pandemic crisis on the quality of reported data. An interesting finding of the research is that respondents who had experienced earnings management in their professional practice were more likely to believe that the pandemic had distorted the credibility of reported earnings. Finally, the study provided statistical evidence that respondents from larger companies were more likely than respondents from smaller companies to say that the economic crisis related to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic contributed to an increase in earnings management activities. Practical implications. This investigation may draw the attention of market participants to the deterioration in the financial reporting of non-financial public companies during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The intensification of profit manipulation may not only distort the current perception of the company's economic performance, but also deteriorate the future value of companies. In addition, the findings provide valuable information for statutory auditors, as they highlight potential audit risks that may arise with the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Value/originality. Unlike most studies on the subject, this research does not focus on the estimated values of discretionary accruals, but on the knowledge and experience of financial professionals who are familiar with the specifics of the Polish capital market. An original contribution to the literature is the inclusion in the study of potential factors that could influence the respondents' perception of the impact of the consequences of the SARS-CoV-2 turbulence on the pattern and intensity of the earnings management phenomenon.

Unveiling Earning Management Practices: A Qualitative Analysis of Accounting Research

This research explores earning management practices through a qualitative analysis of accounting literature. It aims to elucidate the motives, mechanisms, and consequences of earning management, considering diverse industry contexts and regulatory environments. The study utilizes a comprehensive review of empirical studies, industry-specific research, and regulatory interventions to uncover nuanced patterns and emerging trends in earning management behavior. Findings indicate that earning management practices vary across industries, with regulated sectors exhibiting higher manipulation levels. Competitive dynamics also influence earning management decisions, with firms in fiercely competitive environments more likely to engage in aggressive tactics. Regulatory interventions, notably the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, have played a crucial role in deterring opportunistic practices. Despite regulatory efforts, challenges persist, including adaptive responses and unintended consequences such as regulatory arbitrage and greenwashing. The study underscores the importance of contextual factors in shaping earning management practices and highlights the need for tailored regulatory interventions and governance mechanisms. The research contributes to theoretical advancement in accounting, finance, and corporate governance and provides managerial insights into navigating ethical dilemmas and upholding transparency and integrity in financial reporting.

Analysis of accruals earnings management using the Jones Model. The case of Romania listed companies

Research Question: To what extent earnings management operations are used by Romanian entities listed on a regulated market and what is the impact of these operations on the quality of reported financial information? Motivation: The financial statements reported by each entity are intended to provide useful information all the users, they are intended to describe clearly and honestly presents the financial position and performance and cash flows respectively. There are cases where, out of a desire to gain the trust of stakeholders (investors and other equity providers), some entities tend to commit manipulations in financial reporting using earnings management. Idea: The study aims to assess the extent to which the operations of earnings management are used by the Romanian entities listed on a regulated market and the impact of these operations on the quality assurance of the reported financial information. Data: This study was conducted based on the information collected from the annual financial statements of the entities that are listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, for the period between 2019-2021 Tools: The collected data were analyzed using the Jonse model based on the linear regression analysis. Findings: Using the Jones model based on the linear regression analysis, the results of the study indicate a distortion of the results presented by the analyzed companies, a solid reason being given by the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic with a strong impact on the economic environment. Contribution: This study provides an overview of the concept of earnings management based on information from the specialized literature. The analysis of earnings management practices was undertaken on the listed entities in Romania.

Plural form business strategy and financial reporting quality in hospitality firms

This paper analyzes how the plural form business strategy (i.e., simultaneously pursuing a fee-oriented and an equity-based strategy) impacts financial reporting quality of international hospitality firms. Drawing on the agency theory perspective, we analyze a sample of global hospitality companies over 2010–2019 using OLS, entropy balancing, and Heckman two-stage estimations. Our results suggest that greater use of the plural form is positively associated with higher earnings management (i.e., lower financial reporting quality). The plural form induces financial reporting complexity, which increases the likelihood of earnings management. However, the presence of large shareholders, aiming at reducing earnings management practices for reputation purposes, offsets this effect. This study identifies a specific feature of the hospitality industry, namely the pursuit of the plural form business strategy, as triggering more complexity, which results in detrimental lower reporting quality for investors.

How Audit Fees Impact Earnings Management in Service Companies on the Amman Stock Exchange through Audit Committee Characteristics

The primary objective of this research was to investigate the potential moderating role of audit fees in the relationship between audit committee characteristics and earnings management. Specifically, this study aimed to establish connections between audit committee features, such as committee size, member independence, and financial expertise, and the practice of earnings management. To address these research questions, a convenient sample of 46 service providers listed on the Amman Stock Exchange between 2016 and the subsequent year was employed. Descriptive statistical methods were applied to characterize the variables under investigation, while a multiple regression model was utilized to assess the study’s hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed that there was no significant correlation between the size of the audit committee and earnings management. However, a negative correlation was observed between the audit committee’s independence and the financial expertise of its members. Importantly, when audit fees were introduced as a moderating variable, the relationships between committee member independence and earnings management, as well as between committee member financial expertise and earnings management, were found to be weakened. These results have potential implications for policymakers and regulators in Jordan. They may offer valuable insights into corporate governance reforms that could assist Jordanian businesses in enhancing their earnings management practices.

Earnings Management: Boon or Bane for Growth in Indonesia Consumer Sector?

This study investigates the relationship between earnings management and financial risk on company growth in the Primary Consumer Goods Industry sector listed on the IDX from 2017 to 2021. The findings show that earnings management practices positively and significantly impact company growth, indicating that companies implementing management profits tend to experience higher growth (Growth Companies). Enhancing positive and efficient earnings management practices can improve company performance and overall business growth. The statistically significant effect indicates that this relationship is not coincidental, emphasizing the strong relationship between earnings management and firm growth. However, financial risk does not significantly affect company growth and cannot moderate the relationship between earnings management and company growth. This observation highlights the complexity of the impact of financial risk on corporate growth, which various unmeasured factors, including changes in interest rates, market fluctuations, and credit risk, may influence. Other internal and external factors that affect the relationship between financial risk and firm growth may not be considered in this regression model, limiting its ability to capture the subtleties of this relationship fully. Nonetheless, this study shows that Financial Risk and Earnings Management significantly affect the dependent variable, Company Growth. The results show that companies that apply better earnings management practices in their financial reporting experience better or higher growth. However, this study had limitations, and future research should explore a different sector, as this may yield different results. In addition, future research may consider including control variables such as firm size, liquidity, leverage, industry growth, and other economic factors to understand their impact on firm growth better

Assessing the Practice of Earnings Management in COVID-19 Era. Landscape of European Companies: An International Comparison

Beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 crisis holds for firms all over the world. Under these circumstances, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the landscape of the European countries in terms of the earnings manipulation in COVID-19 era. Therefore, we compared companies from 15 European countries. The results show that the deteriorating economic conditions caused by COVID-19 are reflected in the managers’ activity for earnings management in the context of European companies. Moreover, the panorama of earnings management activities in Europe is quite heterogeneous and inconsistent as we observe significant differences between European countries in the practice of earnings management. Additionally, rather than a single incentive or factor, we find a wide range of variables that affected managers’ decisions to engage in earnings manipulation in COVID-19 times. Indeed, the results show that lack of growth opportunity caused by the pandemic, increased amount of debt, volatility of cash flow or sales, even size, age, or book value, were variables that influenced managers’ decisions to manipulate earnings in pandemic. In addition, the industry effect cannot be separated from the impact of COVID-19.  Surprisingly, institutional mechanisms of control, including audit quality or board monitoring, which are widely documented in the literature as limiting earnings management, were ineffective in the COVID-19 period. The presence of mechanisms of control is considered essential variables that limit the practices of earnings management, but even these can occasionally fail, as confirmed our study.

The Relationship between Accounting Comparability and Earnings Management Practices under IFRS: An Empirical Study for Egyptian Firms listed on Egy

The Relationship between Accounting Comparability and Earnings Management Practices under IFRS: An Empirical Study for Egyptian Firms listed on Egy

Directors’ Compensation and Earnings Management Practices: Evidence from the Nigerian Banking Sector

Compensation contracts is one of the tools recommended by theorists and scholars towards ensuring that directors perform their function of effective monitoring of an organisation. However, this may induce earnings management (EM) practices as a result of being tied to accounting earnings or stock prices. The study thus evaluated the effect of directors’ compensation on EM practices within the Nigerian banking sector anchored on the Agency Theory. Adjusted population of eleven listed commercial banks was used as the census sampling method was employed. Directors’ compensation was measured using a mix of executive directors and non-executive directors (NEDs) compensation while EM practices was proxy by discretionary provision for loan loss (DPLLs) measured using the Beaver and Engel (1996) model. Using the ordinary least square (OLS) regression, all forms of directors’ compensation except executive compensation were found to have positive effect on EM practices. However, only NEDs fees and allowances was found to have a significant effect on EM practices necessitating the regulation of directors’ compensation. The study concluded that directors’ compensation does affect EM practices of listed banks in Nigeria though to varying extent depending on the kind of compensation. The study recommended a shift of focus from just Chairman compensation to include the totality of NEDs compensation and an institution of guidelines for mandatory disclosure of directors’ compensation. The study thus provides practical contribution for regulatory authorities towards ensuring that the accounting process is rid of EM practices as well as investors by consolidating confidence in the Nigerian banking sector.

Does the board of directors play a role in mitigating real and accrual-based earnings management in the MENA context?

Purpose In light of the key role attributed to the board of directors as a monitoring tool to constrain earnings management practices, this study aims to examine the effect of some board attributes on accrual-based earnings management and real earnings management in the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) context, whose institutional, economic and legal environment is markedly different from that of most organization for economic cooperation and development countries. Design/methodology/approach The authors selected a sample of 161 nonfinancial companies from nine MENA countries between 2014 and 2021 (corresponding to an unbalanced data panel of 486 observations). The authors used the generalized least squares regression test to examine the relationship between board attributes and earnings management. Findings The authors found that three board attributes (size, independence and gender diversity) have no effect on both types of earnings management practices, while CEO duality has no effect on accrual-based earnings management but has a significant and negative effect on real earnings management. Overall, the results suggest that most board attributes do not play a crucial role in reducing earnings management. Research limitations/implications The results provide valuable insights into the universal role of corporate governance mechanisms and raise questions about the role of the board of directors in improving reporting quality in the MENA context. Practical implications Regulators should adapt corporate governance mechanisms to the characteristics of the institutional context in which they are inserted. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the effect of various board characteristics on both types of earnings management practices in the MENA context. It also provides the first empirical evidence of the relationship between board gender diversity and earnings management in the MENA region.

DOES INDEPENDENT COMMISSIONER CONTRIBUTE TO DECREASE EARNINGS MANAGEMENT AND TAX AVOIDANCE ACTIVITIES

This study examines the independent commissioner's role in moderating earnings management's effect on tax avoidance practices in the building construction industry. This study uses data from building construction sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during 2017-2020. Of the 15 companies observed, 42 samples were obtained using purposive sampling to be used in the study. They are processing data using regression analysis with cross-sectional data. The study results show that the company's earnings management positively affects tax avoidance activities carried out by building construction companies. Meanwhile, an independent commissioner does not affect the relationship between earnings management practices and corporate tax avoidance. Keywords: Corporate Governance, Earnings Quality, Tax Planning

Management skills and the quality of accounting information in Brazil

This study aims to analyze managerial skills in the practice of earnings management via earnings smoothing and accruals in B3 companies. To this end, a quantitative and descriptive study was conducted using data from the Economática database, with a sample of 966 observations from 2010 to 2020. Demerjian et al.’s (2012) model was used to measure managerial skill. Its efficiency parameters are the manager’s characteristics in using resources to generate revenue. The models by Leuz et al. (2003) and McNichols (2002) were used to measure smoothing and levels of earnings management. The results showed that, on average, more skillful managers tend to smooth and manage earnings at higher levels than less skilled managers, indicating that in Brazil, on average, more skillful managers reduce the quality of Brazilian firms’ earnings. This paper contributes to the literature and fills a gap regarding managerial skills and the impact on the results of Brazilian companies. It shows that, in Brazil, managerial skill is associated with smoothing and earnings management practices and sheds light on interested parties regarding the influence of the profile of managers and their ability to influence the numbers released in the Brazilian market.

Apakah Komisaris Independen Memoderasi Hubungan Koneksi Politik, Kepemilikan Institusional, Dan Manajemen Laba?

Purpose: This research aims to empirically prove the influence of political connections, institutional ownership and independent commissioners on earnings management in non-cyclical consumer sector manufacturing companies listed on the IDX in 2018 - 2022. Methodology/approach: this research uses quantitative methods whose data is obtained from the official website of the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI). The method used in sampling was purposive sampling, so that the sample obtained in this research was 17 companies with 85 observation data. The data analysis method used is multiple regression analysis with the help of SPSS version 25 data processing application software. Findings: The results of this study found that the presence of independent commissioners in the company will create tighter and more objective supervision of the financial reporting process so that it will prevent earnings management actions carried out by politically connected managers and with high institutional ownership within the company the institutions will be able to control company and will avoid earnings management practices. Practical and theoretical contributions/Originality: this research provides benefits for related parties such as investors. The results of this research provide new knowledge and insight for investors when they want to invest in a company. With this research, investors are able to assess and analyze a company whether the company is worthy of investment or not. Research limitations: this research has limitations, namely the difficulty in accessing data on each company's website because there are several companies whose data is incomplete. Apart from that, the sample used was too small due to certain criteria so that the sample was limited and the researcher only focused on one sector.

Impact of Financial Distress on Earnings Management with the Moderating Role of Audit Quality: Evidence from Pakistan

The core aim of the financial reports is to provide a firm’s annual results of financial performance and position to stakeholders on time. Several accounting scandals led to the default of many large-scale corporations, leading to investors’ lack of confidence in the reliability of financial information and also putting a question mark on the effectiveness of internal control mechanisms and external audits. Business managers of financially distressed firms use the choice of accrual accounting methods which gives them leverage to misuse their powers and expropriate stakeholders by showing good financial results. So, this study fills this gap by investigating the presence of Financial Distress (FD) and its effect on Earnings Management (EM) with the moderating role of Audit Quality (AQ). The sample of this study contains the data of 96 non-financial listed companies for the period 2017-2022 on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). This study uses the discretionary accruals as a proxy for the EM and Z-score for FD. The results and analysis find that FD and EM have a significant positive relationship, which reveals that corporate managers of distressed companies do EM while AQ weakens this relationship. This study recommends that professional bodies, regulatory authorities, and corporate governance institutions must design policies that restrict corporate managers from getting involved in earning management practices, especially in the time of FD.