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Accrual-based and real earnings management before and after IFRS adoption

Author

Listed:
  • Aikaterini C. Ferentinou
  • Seraina C. Anagnostopoulou

Abstract

Purpose - – The purpose of this study is to examine the use of accrual-based vs real earnings management (EM) by Greek firms, before and after the mandatory adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The research is motivated by the fact that past studies have indicated the existence of significant levels of EM for Greece in particular before IFRS. Design/methodology/approach - – Accrual-based earnings management (AEM) is examined by assessing performance-adjusted discretionary accruals, while real earnings management (REM) is defined in terms of abnormal levels of production costs, discretionary expenses, and cash flows from operations, for a three-year period before and after the adoption of IFRS in 2005. Findings - – The authors find evidence on a statistically significant shift from AEM to REM after the adoption of IFRS, indicating the replacement of one form of EM with the other. Research limitations/implications - – The validity of the results depends on the ability of the empirical models used to efficiently capture the existence of AEM and REM. Practical implications - – IFRS adoption aims to improve accounting quality, especially in countries with high need for such an improvement; however, the tendency to substitute one form of EM with another highlights unintended consequences of IFRS adoption, which do not improve the informational content of financial statements if EM continues under different forms. Originality/value - – Under the expectation that IFRS adoption should lead to improvements in accounting quality, this study examines whether IFRS actually led to a reduction of EM practices for a country with exceptionally high levels of EM before IFRS, by accounting for all possible forms of EM.

Suggested Citation

  • Aikaterini C. Ferentinou & Seraina C. Anagnostopoulou, 2016. "Accrual-based and real earnings management before and after IFRS adoption," Journal of Applied Accounting Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 17(1), pages 2-23, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:jaarpp:v:17:y:2016:i:1:p:2-23
    DOI: 10.1108/JAAR-01-2014-0009
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ana Belen Tulcanaza-Prieto & Younghwan Lee & Jeong-Ho Koo, 2020. "Effect of Leverage on Real Earnings Management: Evidence from Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-20, March.
    2. Theodora Kosma & Pavlos Petroulas & Evangelia Vourvachaki, 2020. "What drives wage differentials in Greece: workplaces or workers?," Economic Bulletin, Bank of Greece, issue 52, pages 69-72, December.
    3. Bilal Kimouche, 2022. "Accrual-based and cash-based earnings management in Algeria: substitution or complementary," Croatian Review of Economic, Business and Social Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 8(1), pages 1-17, June.
    4. Guilong Cai & Wenfei Li & Zhenyang Tang, 2020. "Religion and the Method of Earnings Management: Evidence from China," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 161(1), pages 71-90, January.
    5. Mantzari, Elisavet & Georgiou, Omiros, 2019. "Ideological hegemony and consent to IFRS: Insights from practitioners in Greece," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 70-93.
    6. Nikos Vettas & Konstantinos Peppas & Sophia Stavraki & Michail Vasileiadis, 2020. "The contribution of Industry to the Greek economy: facts and prospects," Economic Bulletin, Bank of Greece, issue 52, pages 29-67, December.
    7. Ioannis Asimakopoulos & Athanasios P. Fassas & Dimitris Malliaropulos, 2020. "Does earnings quality matter? Evidence from the Athens Exchange," Economic Bulletin, Bank of Greece, issue 52, pages 93-112, December.
    8. Himanshu & Jatinder P. Singh & Ashwani Kumar, 2020. "Prioritizing and Establishing Cause and Effect Relationships Among Financial Reporting Quality Metrics," Vision, , vol. 24(3), pages 330-344, September.
    9. Belal Ali Abdulraheem Ghaleb & Shaker Dahan Al-Duais & Abdulwahid Ahmed Hashed, 2021. "Audit Committee Chair s Legal Expertise and Real Activities Manipulation: Empirical Evidence from Malaysian Energy and Utilities Sectors," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 11(1), pages 65-73.
    10. Kouaib, Amel & Jarboui, Anis, 2017. "The mediating effect of REM on the relationship between CEO overconfidence and subsequent firm performance moderated by IFRS adoption: A moderated-mediation analysis," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 338-352.
    11. Afroditi Ntokozi & Christos A. Tzovas & Constantinos G. Chalevas, 2022. "Earnings Management During Financial Crisis: The Case of Greece," Journal of Accounting and Management Information Systems, Faculty of Accounting and Management Information Systems, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, vol. 21(2), pages 200-219, June.
    12. Franck Missonier‐Piera & Cédric Spadetti, 2023. "The consequences of earnings management for the acquisition premium in friendly takeovers," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(1-2), pages 308-334, January.
    13. Constantina Backinezos & Stelios Panagiotou & Evangelia Vourvachaki, 2020. "Multiplier effects by sector: an input-output analysis of the Greek economy," Economic Bulletin, Bank of Greece, issue 52, pages 7-28, December.
    14. Obeng, Victoria A. & Ahmed, Kamran & Miglani, Seema, 2020. "Integrated reporting and earnings quality: The moderating effect of agency costs," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).

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