Impact of corporate life cycle on misclassification practices: evidence from IFRS adoption in India

Purpose - The study aims to examine the impact of the firm life cycle on the misclassification practices of Indian firms. The study also examines the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on the misclassification practices of Indian firms. Design/methodology/approach - The study uses Dickinson (2011) cash flow patterns to classify firm-years under life cycle stages. Two forms of misclassification, namely revenue misclassification and expense misclassification have been examined in this study. Findings - Based on a sample of 19,268 Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) firm-years spanning over ten years from March 2010 to March 2019, results show that firms operating at high (low) life cycle stage are more likely to be engaged in revenue (expense) misclassification, implying that firms substitute between the classification shifting tools depending upon ease and needs of each tool. Further, our results demonstrate that the magnitude of expense shifting has been significantly increased among test firms (firms reporting under IFRS) relative to benchmark firms (firms reporting under domestic GAAP) in the post-IFRS adoption period, implying that adoption of IFRS negatively affects the accounting quality of Indian firms. Research limitations/implications - The study considers only two main forms of misclassification, namely revenue and expense misclassification. However, future research may explore the cash flow misclassification. Practical implications - The findings suggest that standard-setting authorities make more mandatory disclosure requirements under IFRS to curb the corporate misfeasance of classification shifting. Originality/value - First, the study is among the earlier attempts to examine the impact of the firm life cycle on misclassification practices. Second, the study explores the unique Indian institutional settings concerning the phased-manner implementation of IFRS and examines its impact on the classification shifting practices of firms.