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Financial Performance Adjustment in English Local Governments

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  • Maria Jose Arcas
  • Caridad Martí

Abstract

This paper analyses financial performance adjustment in English local governments and the specific accruals used to achieve it. Based on statistical approaches used in previous literature, our results indicate the use of abnormal accruals in English local governments in order to report surpluses/deficits close to zero as well as to avoid reporting big deficits. We find that depreciation and impairment expense of fixed assets is the item most significantly related to abnormal accruals. Consistent with the conservatism theory, local governments with higher leverage use more income‐decreasing accounting policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Jose Arcas & Caridad Martí, 2016. "Financial Performance Adjustment in English Local Governments," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 26(2), pages 141-152, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ausact:v:26:y:2016:i:2:p:141-152
    DOI: 10.1111/auar.12094
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Vladan Pavlovic & Goranka Knezevic & Radica Bojicic, 2022. "The Impact of Gender and Age on Earnings Management Practices of Public Enterprises – A Case Study of Belgrade," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 3, pages 130-148.
    3. Jozef Lukáč & Katarína Teplická & Katarína Čulková & Daniela Hrehová, 2021. "Evaluation of the Financial Performance of the Municipalities in Slovakia in the Context of Multidimensional Statistics," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-10, November.
    4. Grzegorz Bucior & Aleksandra Zurawik, 2022. "The Autonomy of Public Sector Units in the Process of Formulating Accounting Policy – Evidence from Poland," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(3), pages 555-581.
    5. Amanda W. Beck, 2018. "Opportunistic financial reporting around municipal bond issues," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 785-826, September.
    6. Javier Garcia-Lacalle & Lourdes Torres, 2021. "Financial Reporting Quality and Online Disclosure Practices in Spanish Governmental Agencies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-21, February.

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