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Audit Committee Attributes and Earnings Management: Evidence from Nigeria

Author

Listed:
  • Ibadin L. Ayemere Ph.D

    (Department Of Accounting, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State.)

  • Afensimi Elijah

    (Department Of Accounting, University Of Benin,)

Abstract

Using the agency theoretical framework, the study postulates that audit committee attributes can impact significantly, constraining accrual-based distortion of financial reporting credibility and thus improve the quality of financial reporting. To assess our arguments, audit committee size, audit committee financial literacy, audit committee attendance at meetings, audit committee independence and audit meetings frequency of meeting were regressed on financial reporting quality measured by discretionary accruals. The findings for the full sample and negative discretionary accruals sample confirm our expectation that audit committee characteristics have a constraining effect on earnings management. Specifically, audit committee financial expertise, audit committee size, audit committee independence and diligence showed an inverse and significant relationship with earnings management. This is in tandem with theoretical expectations and suggest that increases in these variables we exert a declining influence on earnings management. The study concludes that there is the need for companies to focus on attributes that strengthen the effectiveness of their audit committees.

Suggested Citation

  • Ibadin L. Ayemere Ph.D & Afensimi Elijah, 2015. "Audit Committee Attributes and Earnings Management: Evidence from Nigeria," International Journal of Business and Social Research, MIR Center for Socio-Economic Research, vol. 5(4), pages 14-23, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:mir:mirbus:v:5:y:2015:i:4:p:14-23
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Sattar Khan & Yasir Kamal & Azhar Khan & Arif Hussain & Muhammad Rafiq & Maryam Bibi & Syed Fahad Ali Shah & Zahir Shah & Muhammad Khan, 2020. "The Impact of Ownership Types on the Value of Discretionary Accruals: What is the Role of Audit Committee? Evidence from Pakistan," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 10(4), pages 141-150.
    3. Yousef Abu Siam & Mohammed Idris & Saleh Al- Okdeh, 2021. "The Moderating Role of Family Control on the Relationship between Audit Committee Financial Expertise and Earnings Management," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 13(12), pages 1-31, July.
    4. Bilal, & Chen, Songsheng & Komal, Bushra, 2018. "Audit committee financial expertise and earnings quality: A meta-analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 253-270.
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    6. Tikkos Sitanggang & Titik Aryati & Bambang Pamungkas & Sukrisno Agoes, 2022. "The role of the audit committee to increase the influence of audit quality and internal control on earnings management," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 29(1), pages 399-418, March.

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