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Accounting expertise in the audit committee and earnings management

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  • Mujeeb Saif Mohsen Al-Absy
  • Ku Nor Izah Ku Ismail
  • Sitraselvi Chandren

Abstract

This study attempts to investigate the influence of accounting expertise in the AC on the level of accrual earnings management (AEM) in Malaysian firms by using two proxies, the Modified Jones Models by Dechow et al. (1995) and Kasznik (1999). A sample of 143 firms with slight positive earnings were selected from the Bursa Malaysia Main Market for 2013, 2014 and 2015. Using panel data regression, this study shows that accounting expertise in the AC does not mitigate AEM. The accounting expertise of the AC directors and chairman and the AC’s balanced accounting expertise have a positive relationship with attitude for AEM. In line with prior studies, this paper concludes that AC directors are either not truly independent or do not have time or energy to mitigate earnings management practices. Thus, more policies are needed to strengthen the independence of the AC and ensure the members carry out their duties more responsibly.

Suggested Citation

  • Mujeeb Saif Mohsen Al-Absy & Ku Nor Izah Ku Ismail & Sitraselvi Chandren, 2018. "Accounting expertise in the audit committee and earnings management," Business and Economic Horizons (BEH), Prague Development Center, vol. 14(3), pages 451-476, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:pdc:jrnbeh:v:14:y:2018:i:3:p:451-476
    DOI: 10.15208/beh.2018.33
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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Audit committee; audit committee chairman; accounting expertise; accrual earnings management; Malaysia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • M42 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Auditing
    • M48 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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