Fiscal support and earnings management

He, G.

Abstract

It is well documented that firms tend to manipulate earnings before IPO (initial public offerings) and SEO (seasoned equity offerings). This study contributes to the literature by providing the first evidence on whether and how fiscal support in the form of preferential tax treatment and financial subsidy affects a firm's earnings management behaviors. Using data for Chinese firms that have conducted IPO and SEO, I find that firms have a lower level of earnings management prior to the offerings if they enjoy more preferential tax treatment or more financial subsidies from local governments. My results are consistent with the view that firms that receive stronger fiscal support have smaller demand for earnings management, which is a costly tool for a firm to achieve its desired earnings targets.

Citation

He, G. (2016). Fiscal support and earnings management. The International Journal of Accounting, 51(1), 57-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intacc.2016.01.009

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 19, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Jan 21, 2016
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: Dec 5, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 21, 2018
• Journal: The International Journal of Accounting
• Print ISSN: 1094-4060
• Electronic ISSN: 2213-3933
• Publisher: World Scientific Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 51
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 57-84
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intacc.2016.01.009
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1338898