IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/rvmgts/v19y2025i5d10.1007_s11846-024-00793-7.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Birds of the same feather: CEO-CFO surname ties and corporate accounting information comparability

Author

Listed:
  • Liuyang Ren

    (Guangdong University of Foreign Studies
    Guangdong University of Foreign Studies)

  • Xi Zhong

    (Guangdong University of Technology)

Abstract

Comparability of accounting information (AIC) is the most basic feature to ensure the usefulness of accounting information. AIC can help users identify and understand the similarities and differences among enterprises and accurately judge the actual operating conditions of enterprises. However, academic and practical understanding of the factors affecting the AIC is far from comprehensive and adequate. Based on social identity theory and agency theory, we examine the effect of CEO-CFO surname ties on comparability of accounting information (AIC). We propose that CEO-CFO surname ties exacerbate the agency problem and subsequently reduce the AIC. In addition, we propose that corporate governance mechanisms moderate the above relationships. That is, the effect of CEO-CFO surname ties on AIC will be weakened in companies with multiple major shareholders or institutional investors’ site visits. The empirical test results obtained using a sample of Chinese-listed companies from 2007 to 2020 support most of our theoretical arguments. This study is the first to empirically test whether and when CEO-CFO surname ties affect AIC. The findings of this study bring important insights for shareholders to improve the quality of corporate governance and for policymakers to effectively improve the quality of information in capital markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Liuyang Ren & Xi Zhong, 2025. "Birds of the same feather: CEO-CFO surname ties and corporate accounting information comparability," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 19(5), pages 1317-1346, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:rvmgts:v:19:y:2025:i:5:d:10.1007_s11846-024-00793-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11846-024-00793-7
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11846-024-00793-7
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11846-024-00793-7?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gus De Franco & S.P. Kothari & Rodrigo S. Verdi, 2011. "The Benefits of Financial Statement Comparability," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(4), pages 895-931, September.
    2. Marianne Bertrand & Sendhil Mullainathan, 2003. "Enjoying the Quiet Life? Corporate Governance and Managerial Preferences," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 111(5), pages 1043-1075, October.
    3. Medhat Endrawes & Zhuoan Feng & Meiting Lu & Yaowen Shan, 2020. "Audit committee characteristics and financial statement comparability," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 60(3), pages 2361-2395, September.
    4. Liuyang Ren & Xi Zhong & Liangyong Wan, 2022. "Missing Analyst Forecasts and Corporate Fraud: Evidence from China," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 181(1), pages 171-194, November.
    5. Jensen, Michael C. & Meckling, William H., 1976. "Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(4), pages 305-360, October.
    6. Wu, Sang & Xue, Wenjie, 2023. "Accounting comparability and relative performance evaluation by capital markets," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 75(1).
    7. Tahir Akhtar & Mohammad Ali Tareq & Kashif Rashid, 2021. "Chief Executive Officers’ monitoring, board effectiveness, managerial ownership, and cash holdings: evidence from ASEAN," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(8), pages 2193-2238, November.
    8. Charles Ward & Chao Yin & Yeqin Zeng, 2020. "Motivated monitoring by institutional investors and firm investment efficiency," European Financial Management, European Financial Management Association, vol. 26(2), pages 348-385, March.
    9. James S. Ang & Rebel A. Cole & James Wuh Lin, 2000. "Agency Costs and Ownership Structure," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 55(1), pages 81-106, February.
    10. Xu, Qifa & Tan, Chao & Jiang, Cuixia & Zhao, Qinna, 2022. "Surname relationship and trade credit: Evidence from China," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    11. Yang, Xia & Ma, Zhong, 2022. "Institutional investors’ corporate site visits and dividend payouts," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 697-716.
    12. Clare Wang, 2014. "Accounting Standards Harmonization and Financial Statement Comparability: Evidence from Transnational Information Transfer," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(4), pages 955-992, September.
    13. Fang, Yuanli & Hu, Maggie & Yang, Qingsen, 2018. "Do executives benefit from shareholder disputes? Evidence from multiple large shareholders in Chinese listed firms," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 275-315.
    14. Lai, Shaojie & Li, Xiaorong & Liu, Shiang & Wang, Qing Sophie, 2022. "Institutional investors’ site visits and corporate employment decision-making," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 18(3).
    15. Douglas A. Schuler & Wei Shi & Robert E. Hoskisson & Tao Chen, 2017. "Windfalls of emperors' sojourns: Stock market reactions to Chinese firms hosting high-ranking government officials," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(8), pages 1668-1687, August.
    16. Martin Hiebl, 2014. "Upper echelons theory in management accounting and control research," Metrika: International Journal for Theoretical and Applied Statistics, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 223-240, January.
    17. Zhong, Xi & Ren, Liuyang & Song, Tiebo, 2021. "Different effects of internal and external tournament incentives on corporate financial misconduct: Evidence from China," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 329-341.
    18. Othar Kordsachia & Maximilian Focke & Patrick Velte, 2022. "Do sustainable institutional investors contribute to firms’ environmental performance? Empirical evidence from Europe," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 16(5), pages 1409-1436, July.
    19. Wang, Fangjun & Zhang, Zhichao & Ho, L.C. Jennifer & Usman, Muhammad, 2023. "CFO gender and financial statement comparability," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    20. Joseph H. Zhang, 2018. "Accounting Comparability, Audit Effort, and Audit Outcomes," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 35(1), pages 245-276, March.
    21. Mangena, Musa & Priego, Alba Maria & Manzaneque, Montserrat, 2020. "Bank power, block ownership, boards and financial distress likelihood: An investigation of Spanish listed firms," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    22. Xingqiang Du, 2019. "What’s in a Surname? The Effect of Auditor-CEO Surname Sharing on Financial Misstatement," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 158(3), pages 849-874, September.
    23. Sam Garg & Qiang (John) Li & Jason D. Shaw, 2018. "Undervaluation of directors in the board hierarchy: Impact on turnover of directors (and CEOs) in newly public firms," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(2), pages 429-457, February.
    24. Chakraborty, Indraneel & Gantchev, Nickolay, 2013. "Does shareholder coordination matter? Evidence from private placements," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 108(1), pages 213-230.
    25. Charlie X Cai & David Hillier & Jun Wang, 2016. "The Cost of Multiple Large Shareholders," Financial Management, Financial Management Association International, vol. 45(2), pages 401-430, May.
    26. Thomas Bourveau & Jason V. Chen & Ferdinand Elfers & Jochen Pierk, 2023. "Public peers, accounting comparability, and value relevance of private firms’ financial reporting," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 28(4), pages 2642-2676, December.
    27. Wu, Wenxin & Zhang, Xuezhi & Zhou, Zixun, 2022. "Institutional investors' corporate site visits and pay-performance sensitivity," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    28. Liu, Wei & Tian, Gary Gang, 2022. "Controlling shareholder share pledging and the cost of equity capital: Evidence from China," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 54(6).
    29. Jiang, Fuxiu & Ma, Yunbiao & Wang, Xue, 2020. "Multiple blockholders and earnings management," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    30. repec:eme:jal000:jal-03-2022-0031 is not listed on IDEAS
    31. Ouyang, Caiyue & Xiong, Jiacai & Huang, Kun, 2020. "Do multiple large shareholders affect tax avoidance? Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 207-224.
    32. Charles Ham & Mark Lang & Nicholas Seybert & Sean Wang, 2017. "CFO Narcissism and Financial Reporting Quality," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(5), pages 1089-1135, December.
    33. Zhichao Zhang & Fangjun Wang, 2023. "Managerial short‐termism and financial statement comparability," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(5), pages 5027-5067, December.
    34. Zhao, Lei & Li, Na & Wu, Yanjun, 2023. "Institutional investors' site visits, information asymmetry, and investment efficiency," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    35. Xingtong Fang & Kaigang He & Yijun Meng & Jianfang Ye, 2022. "Supervision or collusion? CEO–CFO social ties and financial reporting quality," Journal of Accounting Literature, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 44(2/3), pages 133-153, September.
    36. Minhang Deng & Yunyi Wang & Gaoliang Tian & Bozhi Xu & Yuyan Tang, 2023. "Institutional investors' corporate site visits and resource extraction: Evidence from China," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(5), pages 5211-5243, December.
    37. Kaijuan Gao & Manya Wang & Renyun Zhang, 2023. "Institutional investors' corporate site visits and firm management earnings forecasts," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(4), pages 4479-4504, December.
    38. Qing (Sophie) Wang & Shaojie Lai & Xiaping (Jerry) Cao & Shiang Liu, 2022. "The effect of institutional investors’ site visits: evidence on corporate cash holdings," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(41), pages 4767-4781, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Bai, Min & Fu, Yumei & Sun, Mingwei, 2023. "Corporate diversification and labor investment efficiency: Evidence from China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    2. Zhao, Ling & Huang, Hao, 2024. "Information disclosure by industry and the cost of equity: Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 89(PA), pages 196-212.
    3. Bian, Wenlong & Ren, Yan & Zhang, Hao, 2022. "Do multiple large shareholders matter in financial firms? Evidence from China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    4. Fu Xin & Huimiao Yu & Xuan Dong & Chunhua Chen, 2025. "When the customers comes to you: mobile apps and corporate investment efficiency," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-18, December.
    5. Chen, Gaocai & Zou, Mengqi, 2025. "Industry-specific information disclosure regulation and corporate ESG performance: Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    6. Liu, Xinyu & Gao, Shuanping & Tong, Lijing & Li, Jiyuan, 2025. "Multiple large shareholders and pay-performance sensitivity: Evidence from China," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 73(PA).
    7. Wang, Fangjun & Zhang, Zhichao & Ho, L.C. Jennifer & Usman, Muhammad, 2023. "CFO gender and financial statement comparability," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    8. Hu, Juncheng, 2021. "Do facilitation payments affect earnings management? Evidence from China," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    9. Sabri Boubaker & Riadh Manita & Wael Rouatbi, 2021. "Large shareholders, control contestability and firm productive efficiency," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 296(1), pages 591-614, January.
    10. Michael Neel & Irfan Safdar, 2024. "Financial statement relevance, representational faithfulness, and comparability," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 62(1), pages 309-339, January.
    11. Guernsey, Scott & Sepe, Simone M. & Serfling, Matthew, 2022. "Blood in the water: The value of antitakeover provisions during market shocks," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(3), pages 1070-1096.
    12. repec:mth:ijafr8:v:8:y:2018:i:3:p:174-211 is not listed on IDEAS
    13. Zhao, Lei & Li, Na & Wu, Yanjun, 2023. "Institutional investors' site visits, information asymmetry, and investment efficiency," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    14. Zhichao Zhang & Fangjun Wang, 2023. "Managerial short‐termism and financial statement comparability," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(5), pages 5027-5067, December.
    15. Lee, Woo Jae & Choi, Seung Uk, 2024. "The effect of the new revenue recognition principle (IFRS 15) on financial statement comparability: Evidence from Korea," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    16. Shao, Yanmin & Xu, Kunliang & Shan, Yuan George, 2024. "Leveraging corporate digitalization for green technology innovation: The mediating role of resource endowments," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    17. Nindhita Nisrina Sari & Siti Nuryanah, 2024. "The role of shareholders in controlling tax avoidance: evidence from ASEAN countries," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 21(3), pages 421-432, September.
    18. Rongli Yuan & Yadong Han & Zhanliao Chen, 2023. "Multiple Large Shareholders and Financial Reporting Quality: Evidence from China," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 59(1), pages 197-229, March.
    19. Lu Zhang & Boyang Hao & Dan Yang & Guojun Wang, 2024. "Managerial ability and accounting comparability: Evidence from Chinese listed firms," Economics and Politics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(3), pages 1731-1762, November.
    20. Chen, Fengqin & Huyghebaert, Nancy & Lin, Sen & Wang, Lihong, 2019. "Do multiple large shareholders reduce agency problems in state-controlled listed firms? Evidence from China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    21. Qianhui Ma & Lan Ju & Zishi Zhang, 2022. "Innovation Input and Firm Value: Based on the Moderating Effect of Internal Control," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-24, September.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    CEO-CFO surname ties; Accounting information comparability; Multiple large shareholders; Institutional investor site visits; Agency issues;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting
    • M50 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - General

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:rvmgts:v:19:y:2025:i:5:d:10.1007_s11846-024-00793-7. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.