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The role of voluntary internal control reporting in earnings quality: Evidence from China

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Listed:
  • Ji, Xudong
  • Kaplan, Steven E.
  • Lu, Wei
  • Qu, Wen

Abstract

Using discretionary accruals to proxy for earnings quality, this study investigates whether and how the first voluntary internal control reporting in 2007 is associated with earnings quality in China. We find that earnings quality is higher in 2007, yet not in 2006, for public companies issuing a first-time voluntary unqualified internal control report, compared with listed firms not issuing an internal control report. Our findings are consistent with a signalling of performance explanation and inconsistent with a signalling of effectiveness explanation. We also find that earnings quality is lower for public companies issuing an internal control report mentioning a weakness, compared with public companies not issuing an internal control report. Overall, our study suggests that public companies conduct diligent self-assessments when issuing a first-time voluntary unqualified internal control report. Consequently, there is an improvement in earnings quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Ji, Xudong & Kaplan, Steven E. & Lu, Wei & Qu, Wen, 2020. "The role of voluntary internal control reporting in earnings quality: Evidence from China," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 16(2).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jocaae:v:16:y:2020:i:2:s1815566920300060
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcae.2020.100188
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    Cited by:

    1. Mounia Boulhaga & Abdelfettah Bouri & Hany Elbardan, 2022. "The effect of internal control quality on real and accrual-based earnings management: evidence from France," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 33(4), pages 545-567, December.
    2. Wu, Fang & Cao, June & Zhang, Xiaosan, 2023. "Do non-executive employees matter in curbing corporate financial fraud?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    3. Adrian-Cosmin Caraiman, 2020. "Responsibility for Internal Control in Corporate Governance," Ovidius University Annals, Economic Sciences Series, Ovidius University of Constantza, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 0(2), pages 612-618, December.
    4. Wunhong Su & Liuzhen Zhang & Chao Ge & Shuai Chen, 2022. "Association between Internal Control and Sustainability: A Literature Review Based on the SOX Act Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-30, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Internal control reporting; Voluntary; Unqualified; China; First-time reporting;
    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

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