Female CFOs Research Articles

Does CFO Gender Matter in Corporate Cash Holdings? Evidence from an Emerging Country

ABSTRACT This study examines whether CFO gender is associated with corporate cash holdings in the context of China, one of the largest emerging market countries. We find that firms with female CFOs have more cash holdings than those with male CFOs. Next, we find that the positive relationship between female CFOs and cash holdings is less pronounced in firms with high financial leverage than those with low financial leverage. We further find that the negative moderating effect of financial leverage on the relationship between female CFOs and cash holdings is stronger for firms with a lower presence of female board members. Our main result is robust to an alternative measure of cash holdings and endogeneity concerns. This study provides meaningful implications for developing and emerging market countries by elucidating the relationship between female CFOs and cash holdings. The empirical evidence can also help shareholders and bondholders better understand the female CFO—cash holdings nexus in light of financial leverage and the presence of female board members.

Female directors and cash holdings: The case of Vietnam

This study investigates the impact of gender equality on corporate cash reserves, focusing on the roles women occupy on corporate boards. Using data from 325 publicly listed companies in Vietnam between 2020 and 2022, the research employs various statistical models, including ordinary least squares (OLS), fixed-effect model (FEM), random-effect model (REM), and Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS), to address heteroscedasticity. The findings reveal that the presence of female directors on corporate boards is significantly associated with lower cash reserves, suggesting that gender diversity influences cash management practices. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the role of female directors in enhancing a firm's financial flexibility. It underscores the importance of creating an equitable workplace for female employees and provides insights into the benefits of gender diversity in corporate governance. The research specifically examines the Vietnamese context, reflecting the global trend towards gender diversity in corporate leadership. Regression analysis shows a significant negative relationship between the proportion of female CFOs and cash holdings, indicating that firms with more female CFOs tend to hold less cash. These findings have important implications for policymakers, investors, and corporate leaders by demonstrating the potential of female directors to shape financial policies and reduce risks associated with representative issues.

Executive gender and capital structure: New evidence from rebalancing events

Existing literature shows that female-led companies exhibit lower leverage compared to their male-led counterparts, a trend frequently attributed to the traditional view of higher risk aversion among women. We explore firms with female CFOs at or close to their optimal leverage and find that their capital structure is no different than that of firms with male CFOs. We argue that female CFOs reveal their true preferences and risk appetite during significant capital structure adjustments and find that their tolerance for risk aligns closely with that of their male counterparts. Our study challenges the conventional narrative by demonstrating that the financing decisions of top executives are likely not influenced by gender-based psychological differences.

Determinant of earnings management practices in manufacturing companies

Research aims: This study aims to examine the effect of audit committees, independent commissioners, and the presence of women on boards, such as the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, on earnings management practices.Design/Methodology/Approach: This research used a quantitative method with a final panel data sample of 25 companies in the manufacturing sector for three years from 2020 to 2022. Hypothesis testing employed the regression model with the Common Effect Model (CEM) test. Sampling was conducted using secondary data on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) and each company's website.Research findings: The results of the study demonstrated that independent commissioners, independent audit committees, audit committee expertise, audit committee activities, and audit committee size yielded a significant effect on earnings management practices, while female CEOs and female CFOs had no significant impact on earnings management practices.Theoretical contribution/Originality: This research develops a theory that previously did not exist; in this research, the authors used asymmetric information theory to test the independent and dependent variables. Additional variables by suggestions in previous research are provided; therefore, it is hoped that this can strengthen the results of prior research. Practitioner/Policy implication: The practical implication of this research is that the existence of an independent audit committee with a positive influence on earnings management can improve the company's financial performance, make it easier for managers or internal company parties to make better decisions in the future, and meet performance targets set by other parties, such as investors and creditors. Profit management can also be used to obtain tax benefits. During the previous pandemic, the government implemented tax compensation for taxpayers who met the criteria.

The Likelihood of Financial Reporting Fraud: Does the Gender of CEO, CFO, Board of Commissioners, and Audit Committee Matter?

The purpose of this study is to examine whether the presence of women in executive positions such as CEO, CFO, board of commissioners, and audit committee can reduce the occurrence of financial statement fraud. The sample was selected from manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) from 2013 to 2022. The results of this study show that female CFOs and audit committees have a negative and significant influence. This indicates that the presence of women in the CFO position and the audit committee can reduce the occurrence of financial statement fraud in companies. This study offers a different perspective on the two-tier system of corporate governance in a developing country, namely Indonesia, about the impact of female CEO, CFO, board of commissioners, and audit committee on the occurrence of financial statement fraud. The practical implications of this research are first, the importance of promoting gender diversity of executives as a corporate governance mechanism. Second, it can provide recommendations or requirements for gender diversity as part of corporate governance mechanisms to create gender equality.

The effect of client gender and negotiation style on auditors' proposed audit adjustments

This study examines whether client gender affects the efficacy of two common negotiation strategies used by management when disputing a proposed audit adjustment. Eighty-two experienced auditors participated in an experiment in which CFO gender (female or male) and negotiation style (concessionary or contentious) were manipulated randomly between subjects. The results provide evidence of a gender-by-negotiation strategy interaction. Specifically, auditors are less likely to propose an audit adjustment for a male CFO who uses a contentious negotiation strategy as compared to the concessionary strategy. Conversely, auditors are more likely to propose an audit adjustment for a female CFO who uses a contentious negotiation strategy as compared to a male CFO who uses this same strategy. These findings indicate that the use of pressure-related tactics in negotiation is beneficial for male CFOs, but that female CFOs are penalized (as compared to male CFOs) for using contentious tactics.

Female CFOs and managerial opportunism

Female CFOs and managerial opportunism

Eksekutif wanita, struktur kepemilikan, dan manajemen laba

This study aims to analyze the effect of female CEOs, female CFOs, blockholder ownership, management ownership and institutional ownership on earnings management. A sample of 892 pooled data from manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange 2015-2020 obtained by purposive sampling. Research data in the form of documentation of financial statements and annual reports obtained at www.idx.co.id or the website of the company concerned. The data were then analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis. The results of the study are female CEOs, blockholder ownership and institutional ownership have a negative effect on earnings management, while female CFOs and management ownership have no effect on earnings management. The research implication is the need to consider gender diversity in executive positions to reduce earnings management, as well as the supervisory role of blockholder and institutional stockholders to reduce earnings management.

Top executives’ gender and analysts' earnings forecasts

This study adds a behavioral dimension to the analysts’ earnings forecast literature by examining the effect of executives’ gender on forecast accuracy. We theorize that these gender-based behavioral differences can influence analysts’ forecast accuracy. Our research documents that the presence of female CEOs significantly improves analysts’ forecast accuracy across all firms, reflecting CEO's dominant position, while female CFOs have a positive influence on analyst forecast accuracy only for firms with greater information asymmetry. Overall, the evidence shows that analysts are able to draw more accurate assessment of the firm's prospects for corporations led by female executives.

Does executive gender diversity supply accounting conservatism in traditional societies? Evidence from CEO-CFO combinations in China

We evidence the reinforcement of traditional gender roles is a negative determinant of the presence of female CFOs. Firms that nevertheless have executive gender diversity, with male CEO-female CFO combinations, exhibit higher accounting conservatism, with this conservatism more pronounced in more traditional external environments. Female CFOs, supply accounting conservatism in greater amounts when 1) CEOs are male, and 2) the firm operates in a more traditional external environment. In especially traditional environments, female CFOs supply a counterbalance to excessive male risk taking. We contribute to understanding the impacts of executive gender diversity and the external conditions that mediate these outcomes.

Do Female CFOs Reduce Disclosure Violations in Listed Companies? Empirical evidence from China's capital market

Abstract This paper selects the data of China's listed companies from 2007 to 2016 as the sample and uses the binary logit regression method to explore whether the gender of the CFO has an impact on the company's information disclosure violations. The results show that female CFOs significantly reduce the probability and number of information disclosure violations of listed companies, and the stronger their own ability, female CFOs have a significant incremental impact on restraining information disclosure violations of listed companies. The research conclusion provides a reference for enterprises to select and hire CFOs. JEL classification numbers: G34, M4. Keywords: CFO, Female executives, Violation of information disclosure.

The effect of female CEO and CFO on tail risk and firm value

This study investigates the effects of female CEOs and CFOs on stock tail risk and firm value. Results using the Taiwan data show the female CEOs have a positive effect on stock tail risk whereas the female CFOs have a negative effect. Female CEOs stimulate growth of the firm by undertaking more external investments with M&As that increase the tail risk, while CFOs promote organic growth of the firm using R&Ds and interact with R&Ds to reduce tail risk. Both female executives improve firm value.

CFO gender and tax aggressiveness: Evidence from China

Using data of Chinese listed companies from 2009 to 2016, this study documents that companies with female CFOs avoid tax more aggressively than those with male CFOs. Further analysis indicates that the positive relationship between female CFOs and tax aggressiveness is weaker in regions with a better legal environment or firms with older CFOs. In addition, CFO pay, female CEO, non-state ownership and poor firm performance strengthen the gender-aggressiveness association. Overall, our empirical analysis suggests that female CFOs, as rational economic agents, make tax decisions based on a trade-off between the cost and benefits associated with tax avoidance activities.

Executive Gender and Firm Environmental Management: Evidence from CFO Transitions

We investigate whether female executives influence corporate environmental management (green management). Based on a difference-in-difference approach, our study provides evidence that female CFOs conduct more environmentally responsible activities, and the effects are more prominent when firms are of high risks. Female CFOs are more likely to involve in environmental management voluntarily. Further, environmental management improves firm performance such as debt cost saving. This research advances the gender diversity literature and suggests that female executives play an important role in corporate decisions and firm performance.

Gender diversity of boards and executives on real earnings management in the bull or bear period: Empirical evidence from China

AbstractThis study investigates whether gender diversity in the roles of executives, boards of supervisors and management impacts real earnings management during the bullish and bearish periods from 2000 to 2017. The sample is separated by bullish (11,616 firm‐year observations) and bearish (14,436 firm‐year observations) periods. The results suggest that female participation on supervisory boards and executives tend to kerb real earnings management during bearish and bullish periods. Another important finding is that female CEOs are more cautious in real earnings manipulation due to their risk‐averse nature during the bearish period, while female CFOs are more likely to constrain real earnings management in the bullish period. This study failed to find the relation of gender diversity on boards of management to real earnings management; however, the study has found that female executives (excluding CEOs and CFOs) who are also directors are more likely to limit earnings manipulation.

The Gender Effects of Audit Partners on Audit Outcomes: Evidence of Rule 3211 Adoption

This paper investigates whether the impact of PCAOB Rule 3211 on the quality and cost of audit services differs between female and male audit partners. We find that the improvement of audit quality is more pronounced for female audit partners than male partners after Rule 3211 adoption. Female audit partners are also associated with higher increases in fees and report lags than male counterparts after the adoption of Rule 3211. Further, we find that the presence of female CFOs (or female audit committee members) attenuate the audit fees and report lag increases in the post-adoption periods. Overall, our findings confirm the importance of the gender effect on audit outcomes, which needs further consideration by standard setters. Our study also provides empirical evidence of the benefits of gender equality in the workplace.

Benefits of Having a Female CFO

We examine gender differences in the language of CFOs that participate in quarterly earnings calls. Female executives are more concise, less optimistic, are clearer, use fewer idioms or cliches, and provide more numbers in their speech. These differences are particularly strong in the more spontaneous Questions and Answers (QA) section of the calls. The tone of female CFOs is positively associated with future earnings surprises, while for male CFOs it is more related to future firm expansion. Finally, firms with female CFOs earn higher abnormal returns around the call date than those with male CFOs after controlling for variables that are related to the contents of the call.

Вплив генерального та фінансового директора жіночої статі на грошові кошти підприємств харчової промисловості, що котируються на Індонезійській фондовій біржі

The current trend in the management of large companies is implementation of the gender diversity measures. The existence of women at the top management became one of the growing issues recently, especially in corporate governance. The prevailing opinion is still that men are better and more deserving to hold the power of leaders in the company. But authors believe that this statement needs to be verified. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of female CEO and CFO on cash holdings of Indonesian food and beverages companies. The data used in this study are the data from annual report of food and beverage companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the 2016-2020 period. The company's cash holdings in this study are assessed on the basis of two indicators: a) the ratio of the cash and cash equivalents to the company's total assets; b) the ratio of the cash and cash equivalents to the company's net assets. The sample of the study is presented by 25 companies with 125 observations. For data analysis authors use the panel data regression analysis and the fixed-effect model. Microsoft Excel 2013, Stata/MP 16.0 and Reviews 10 software were used for data processing. The analysis results show that the female CEOs have a significant positive effect on the company's cash holdings, while female CFOs have no significant positive effect on the company's cash holdings. These results have the practical significance because they will help the business owner to make the right decision when he selects candidates for the position of CEO/CFO.

The impact of CFO gender on corporate fraud: Evidence from China

This study investigates the impact of CFO gender on financial-reporting-related corporate fraud. Building on findings in psychology and sociology that women are more risk-averse and ethical than men, we hypothesize that firms with female CFOs are less likely to commit risky and unethical fraud than otherwise similar firms with male CFOs. Our findings, based on a sample of Chinese listed firms from 2004 to 2014, provide support for our prediction. Further, we find that the negative association is more pronounced when female CFOs have higher levels of education and/or external job opportunities. These findings hold true in a battery of robustness checks.

Listed zombie firms and top executive gender: Evidence from an emerging market

This paper examines the implication of top executive gender on the zombie likelihood of firms listed in China's stock market. Our investigation shows that an increase in female executive percentage can significantly reduce corporate risk and zombie likelihood. This reduction in zombie likelihood is mainly achieved by the financial supervision of the female CFOs, mainly through the channels of quality improvement in information disclosure as well as in corporate governance. By contrast, loans and subsidies from local governments and financial institutions do not improve the performance of listed companies but increase zombie likelihood. Female executives' previous appointments with government agencies and financial institutions increase zombie likelihood as well. The academic background of female executives does not affect zombie likelihood. These findings provide insights into the relationship between executive gender diversity and corporate governance. We provide policy recommendations to help address the issue of zombie firms in China.