Did Conservatism in Financial Reporting Increase after the Sarbanes-Oxley Act? Initial Evidence

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald J. Lobo ◽  
Jian Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Discretionary Accruals ◽  
Managerial Discretion ◽  
Reporting Behavior ◽  
Sarbanes Oxley ◽  
Confounding Variables ◽  
Certification Requirement

In this paper, we investigate the change in managerial discretion over financial reporting following the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (hereafter SOX). We document an increase in conservatism in financial reporting following SOX and the resulting requirement by the SEC that financial statements be certified by firms' CEOs and CFOs. First, we find that firms report lower discretionary accruals after SOX than in the period preceding SOX. Second, based on the Basu (1997) measure of conservatism, we find that firms incorporate losses more quickly than gains when they report income in the post-SOX period. These results are obtained with alternative estimation and measurement approaches and after controlling for potentially confounding variables. This empirical evidence suggests that SOX and the resultant SEC certification requirement may have altered management's discretionary reporting behavior to make it more conservative.

Timeliness of Tunisian Audit Reports: An Empirical Investigation based on Ownership and Partnership Visions

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mondher Fakhfakh
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Qualitative Feature ◽  
Transmission Delays ◽  
Emerging Country ◽  
Audit Reports ◽  
Audit Information

Timeliness of audit reports is a qualitative feature that enhances the usefulness of audited financial statements. As an emerging country, Tunisia has modernized its accounting legislation to enhance the quality of financial reporting. This legislation encourages independent auditors to optimize the transmission delays of audit reports. The authorities assume that the satisfaction of stakeholders is secured by regulating disclosure of audit reports. Our research analyses the date of issue of Tunisian audit reports and timeliness of audit information for shareholders and all users of financial statements (stakeholders). This paper provides new empirical evidence about the timeliness of audit reports in Tunisia. It holds two dates that influence the needs of users of financial statements: the date of signature of the auditors and the date of publication of the audit reports in the financial bulletin. The same article discusses the variability of the timeliness of audit reports and the factors that explain the delay information.

Independent monitoring and review functions in a financial reporting context

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albertus Louw ◽  
Warren Maroun
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Corporate Reporting ◽  
Independent Review

Purpose Independent monitoring and review bodies have become a defining feature of the professional accounting and auditing space. Exactly how these institutions function to improve the quality of the corporate reporting or audit function is, however, poorly understood. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to provide empirical evidence on how the activities of an independent review process functions on individual preparers, auditors and those charged with an organisation’s governance. Design/methodology/approach The study is an interpretive one. Data are collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed by the researchers. Findings The review function performed by an independent body results in companies being more aware of the need for compliance with the applicable financial reporting standards. Independent reviews also act as a process of examination which functions at the level of the individual accountant, auditor or director. These subjects of regulation report an added sense of accountability to their respective employer and profession and a heightened awareness of the need for high-quality corporate reporting. Research limitations/implications Independent monitoring and review bodies are not just symbolic displays which reassure uninformed users that the quality of financial statements are sound. Examination of financial statements and identification of non-compliance with the applicable financial reporting standards drive actual changes in reporting practices. Originality/value This study complements the predominantly positivist financial reporting research which does not deal with precisely how the work of regulatory bodies operates on the subjects of regulation. The research makes an important practical contribution by providing empirical evidence in support of laws and regulations which promote independent review of the accounting profession.

scholarly journals ANALISIS PENGUNGKAPAN INTERNET FINANCIAL REPORTING PERUSAHAAN ASURANSI-PERBANKAN SYARIAH DI INDONESIA-MALAYSIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilham Maulana Saud ◽  
Bustanul Ashar ◽  
Peni Nugraheni
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Regression Analysis ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Annual Report ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Analysis Techniques

<em>This study aims to find empirical evidence related to the influence of leverage, auditor reputation, efficiency, growth, internationalization and board of commissioner's level of Internet Financial Reporting. The population in this study are all sharia-based companies in Indonesia and Malaysia. Sampling using purposive sampling method and obtained sample of 66 company data in Indonesia and 73 company data in Malaysia. Data analyzed in this research is processed from annual report and company financial statements and analysis techniques used in this research is multiple regression analysis using SPSS version 24. The results of this study indicate that in Indonesia, the reputation of auditors and internationalization has a positive and significant impact on Internet Financial Reporting while leverage, efficiency, growth and education level of board of commissioners have no significant effect on internet financial reporting. In Malaysia the reputation of auditors, growth and internationalization have a positive and significant impact on internet financial reporting while leverage, efficiency and education level of board of commissioner have no significant effect to internet financial reporting.</em>

scholarly journals Predicting Bankruptcy After The Sarbanes-Oxley Act Using The Most Current Data Mining Approaches

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wikil Kwak ◽  
Yong Shi ◽  
Gang Kou
Keyword(s):  
Data Mining ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Bankruptcy Prediction ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Corporate Fraud ◽  
Sarbanes Oxley ◽  
Net Method ◽  
Better Than

Our study proposes several current data mining methods to predict bankruptcy after the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002) using 2007-2008 U.S. data. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) of 2002 was introduced to improve the quality of financial reporting and minimize corporate fraud in the U.S. Because of this SOX implementation, a companys financial statements are assumed to provide higher quality financial information for investors and other stakeholders. The results of our data mining approaches in our bankruptcy prediction study show that Bayesian Net method performs the best (85% overall prediction rate with 94% in AUC), followed by J48 (85% with 82% AUC), Decision Table (83.52%), and Decision Tree (82%) methods using financial and other data from the 10-K report and Compustat. These results are better than previous bankruptcy prediction studies before the SOX implementation using most current data mining approaches.

scholarly journals Deferred tax and earnings management under MASB 25

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Noor Hasimah M. Yacob ◽  
Nor'azam Mastuki ◽  
Rohaya Md Noor
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Discretionary Accruals ◽  
Income Taxes ◽  
Management Behavior ◽  
Reporting Standard ◽  
Accounting Standard ◽  
Deferred Tax ◽  
Accounting For Income Taxes

This paper investigates whether Malaysian publicly listed companies in 10 sectors use deferred tax and discretionary accruals as tools to manage earnings in order to meet earning targets: 1) to avoid an earning decline and 2) to avoid a loss. This research examines financial statements prepared during the period 2003 to 2005 when the Malaysian Accounting Standard Board (MASB) 25 Accounting for Income Taxes was in place. This study uses Burgstahler and Dichev's approach to identify earnings management firms. Healy's model and a modified Jones model are also employed to identify and separate accruals. The results show no evidence that deferred tax has been used by firms as a tool to manage earnings during the period of study. The finding suggests that the implementation of the MASB 25 (now known as Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 112), which is more comprehensive and specific than lAS 12, has reduced the use of deferred tax by firms in managing their earnings. In contrast, the findings of this study provide evidence that firms use discretionary accruals to avoid reporting losses. The results ofthis study may be of use to researchers studying earnings management behavior and for standard setters with regard to establishing and monitoring standards.

scholarly journals Does Attestation of the effectiveness of Internal Control over Financial Reporting Discourage Earnings Management? Evidence from China

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Li Dang ◽  
Qiaoling Fang
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Chinese Firms ◽  
Public Firms ◽  
Sarbanes Oxley

To improve financial reporting quality, the Chinese government issued the Basic Standard for Enterprise Internal Control in 2008 and other related guidelines/regulations in the following years (hereafter China SOX). The scope of China SOX is broader but similar to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) in the U.S. Formal adoptions of China SOX requires management and external auditor’s report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (ICFR). A company’s ICFR, if effective, should provide reasonable assurance that the company’s financial statements are reliable and prepared in accordance with the applicable accounting standards. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether China external auditor attestation of ICFR discourage earnings management, an indicator of financial reporting quality. By analyzing a sample of Chinese public firms during 2011 to 2013, we find that: (1) Chinese firms that disclose audited ICFR reports exhibit lower earnings management than firms that do not; (2) Chinese firms that are mandated to disclose audited ICFR reports exhibit lower earnings management than firms that voluntarily disclose audited ICFR reports. Our empirical results seem to suggest that attestation of the effectiveness of ICFR discourages earnings management and therefore improve financial reporting quality. 

Does the IFRS improve earnings quality? A comparison of Turkish GAAP and IFRS

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aydın Karapınar ◽  
Figen Zaif
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Earnings Quality ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Discretionary Accruals ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Difference

Purpose The purpose of this study is to reveal the effect on earnings quality of switching to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) from Turkish generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) by comparing two sets of financial statements based on Turkish GAAP and IFRS. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on mathematical modeling. The variables (total assets, net income, total accruals, cash receivables, return on assets and size) in the models are core to the quantitative research that examines the relationship between them. In this study, the total accruals are computed based on the indirect approach, and the prediction error of the model represents discretionary accruals that reflect earnings management. The data set includes financial data prepared under IFRS and Turkish GAAP. The univariate and multivariate analyses are conducted by SPSS. Findings The results of this study indicate that IFRS does not cause any significant differences in total assets, but the net income under IFRS is larger compared to that under the Turkish GAAP. It is also found that while there is no significant difference in total accruals, there is a difference in discretionary accruals. In other words, Turkish firms use income-reducing discretionary accruals when adopting IFRS. Originality/value This study provides more insights into the effect of IFRS on earnings quality. It also provides evidence of the effect of accounting culture on IFRS adoption. As a code-law country in Turkey, publicly traded firms have to prepare financial statements based on both Turkish GAAP, which is rule-based and restricts management decisions with strict rules, and the principle-based IFRS which leaves more room to manipulate. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that reveals the effect of accounting standards on earnings management by comparing two sets of financials of the same period prepared under different standards.

Computone Corporation: An Instructional Case in Earnings Management and Revenue Recognition

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Lynn Stallworth ◽  
Robert L. Braun
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Fraudulent Financial Reporting ◽  
Revenue Recognition ◽  
Software Products ◽  
Competitive Industry ◽  
Sarbanes Oxley ◽  
The Impact

During the boom of the 1990s, Computone Corporation was a high-tech company with viable hardware and software products. The company struggled financially, however, in this very competitive industry. This case demonstrates how the company employed earnings manipulation techniques that resulted in violations of GAAP through improper revenue recognition. Developed from SEC Enforcement Releases, the case demonstrates the SEC's willingness to prosecute corporations and individuals involved in fraudulent financial reporting. The case requires you to analyze the impact of improper revenue recognition on financial statements and to identify risk factors that may have provided incentive and opportunity to engage in fraudulent financial reporting. In addition, the case asks you to consider the potential effect of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and discuss corporate governance issues.

Former Audit Partners on the Audit Committee and Internal Control Deficiencies

2009 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 559-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vic Naiker ◽  
Divesh S. Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
House Of Representatives ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Discretionary Accruals ◽  
Negative Association ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Sarbanes Oxley ◽  
External Auditor ◽  
Internal Control Deficiencies

ABSTRACT: This study examines the association between internal control deficiencies (ICDs) reported under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX, U.S. House of Representatives 2002) and the presence of former audit partners on the audit committee who are affiliated (AFAPs) and unaffiliated (UFAPs) with the firm's external auditor. We find a negative association between AFAPs and UFAPs on the audit committee and ICDs. We also find results that suggest the NYSE and NASDAQ three-year “cooling-off” rule applying to AFAPs may be unwarranted and deserves further empirical and regulatory attention. Further tests suggest AFAPs do not allow management to circumvent the disclosure of ICDs when conditions appear to suggest this may be so, and that AFAPs are negatively related to performance-adjusted discretionary accruals. Collectively, we interpret these findings to suggest that AFAPs and UFAPs on the audit committee are associated with more effective monitoring of internal controls and financial reporting.

scholarly journals PENGARUH DEBT TO EQUITY RATIO, PROFITABILITAS, KUALITAS AUDITOR DAN PERGANTIAN AUDITOR TERHADAP KETEPATAN WAKTU PELAPORAN KEUANGAN PADA PERUSAHAAN MANUFAKTUR YANG TERDAFTAR DI BEI

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gita Desyana
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Auditor Quality ◽  
Equity Ratio

This study aims to find empirical evidence whether factors such as debt to equity ratio, profitability, auditor quality, and auditor turnover affect the compliance of manufacturing companies in the timely submission of financial statements on the Indonesia Stock Exchange.The data in this study are secondary data obtained from the company's annual financial statements in the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX). This type of research is ex post facto research. This research was conducted using a sample of 76 manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the period of 2016-2018, so the research data analyzed amounted to 201. The data analysis technique used was descriptive statistics, multivariate test using logistic regression. Based on hypothesis testing, it can be concluded that overall, the companies that are on time are more numerous than the companies that are not on time in financial reporting to Bapepam. And the test results with logistic regression show empirical evidence that debt to equity ratio, profitability, auditor quality, and auditor turnover do not affect the timeliness of corporate financial reporting. Keywords : Debt To Equity Ratio, Profitability, Auditor Quality, Auditor Change And Timeliness.

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