Are Dividends Associated with the Quality of Earnings?

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 183-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen H. Tong ◽  
Bin Miao
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Earnings Quality ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Absolute Magnitude ◽  
Discretionary Accruals ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Lower Standard Deviation ◽  
Lower Standard

SYNOPSIS: We examine whether dividend paying status is associated with the quality of earnings. We find dividend paying status is associated with (1) lower absolute values of discretionary accruals; (2) lower standard deviation and absolute magnitude of the errors associated with the mapping of accruals into cash flows; and (3) more value relevant earnings. We also find evidence that the positive association between dividend paying status and earnings quality is stronger (weaker) when the size of dividend payouts is larger (smaller). Overall, our results suggest dividend paying status is indicative of firms’ earnings quality.

Discussion of the Quality of Accruals and Earnings: The Role of Accrual Estimation Errors

2002 ◽  
Vol 77 (s-1) ◽  
pp. 61-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen F. McNichols
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Error ◽  
Earnings Management ◽  
Earnings Quality ◽  
Discretionary Accruals ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Estimation Errors ◽  
Empirical Estimates

Dechow and Dichev (2002) model earnings quality as the magnitude of estimation errors in accruals, and provide empirical estimates of this construct based on the relation between accruals and cash flows. I characterize the innovation and limitations in this approach, and provide empirical evidence of measurement error in their empirical specification. I also adapt their model to assess the specification of the Jones' (1991) model and document that this model provides estimates of discretionary accruals that are significantly associated with cash flows, which are likely to be substantially nondiscretionary. I conclude with suggestions for future research on earnings quality and earnings management.

scholarly journals The role of accrual estimation errors to determine accrual and earnings quality

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javad Izadi Zadeh Darjezi
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Cash Flow ◽  
Earnings Quality ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Significant Information ◽  
Accrual Quality ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Managers, investors and security analysts all pay special attention to the bottom line of income statements and they miss significant information included in accruals about the quality of earnings. A considerable portion of the earnings-quality literature examines the possibility of using the accruals to shift reported income among fiscal periods. One of the main roles of working-capital accruals is to adjust the recognition of cash flows. This paper aims to focus on earnings quality by examining the working-capital accruals quality using the method of Dechow and Dichev (2002). Design/methodology/approach Following the Dechow and Dichev (2002) model, the result of this paper shows that accrual quality is related to the absolute magnitude of accruals negatively. Also, the standard deviation of accruals, cash flows, sales and earnings is positively related to firm size. The result demonstrates and suggests that these observable firm characteristics can be used as instruments for measuring accrual quality. According to this framework, the author expects that the larger the unsigned abnormal accrual measure, the lower the earnings quality. Therefore, firms with low accrual quality have more accruals that are unrelated to cash flow realisations and so have more noise and less persistence in their earnings. Findings After examining earnings and accrual quality, this paper finds that average UK company behaviour was quite similar to the behaviour found earlier in the USA. This paper’s findings show that greater volatility of sales, cash flow, accruals and earnings results in a lower accrual quality. Without a doubt, some of the analysis in this paper, especially that using different equations to calculate working-capital accruals, leads us to a valuable improvement of the earlier studies. Originality/value In this paper, the author follows the method of Dechow and Dichev (2002) and define accrual quality as the extent to which accruals map into cash-flow insights based on the UK data. To find the quality of working-capital accruals, the author uses the standard deviation of the residuals as accrual quality that resulted from the author’s firm-specific OLS regressions of working-capital accruals based on last, current and one-year-ahead operating cash flow. Unlike prior research, to avoid a restriction to working-capital accruals, we use different equations to cover more items of working-capital accruals.

scholarly journals Linear and Angular Deviations of Implants Placed in Experimental Casts with Stereolithographic Drill Guides Fixed by O'ring Ortho Implant Devices

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 391-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Michele Novellino ◽  
Newton Sesma ◽  
Dalva Cruz Lagana ◽  
Glais Ferrari
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Bone Tissue ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Implant Surgery ◽  
Lower Standard Deviation ◽  
Surgical Template ◽  
Lower Standard ◽  
Cad Cam ◽  
Surgical Templates

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the introduction of a device, resulting from the combination of an o'ring attachment with an orthodontic implant (o'ring ortho implant, O'ROI), to affix the surgical template of CAD/CAM-guided implant surgery contribute to minimizing the deviations in the position and inclination of implants at the time of their placement. Ten models simulating bone tissue were fabricated and randomly divided into 2 groups: 5 with the scanning and surgical template of the usual technique, representing the Control Group (C), and 5 with scanning and surgical templates fixed by o'ring ortho implants (O'ROI), representing the Test Group (T). Forty implants measuring 4×11 mm were placed in the groups, using the respective templates. The results were evaluated by the fusion of CT images of the planned and placed implants. The locations and axes were compared. There were no statistically significant differences for the angular (Tukey's test F = 1.06 and p = 0. 3124) and linear (ANOVA F = 2.54 and p = 0.11) deviations. However, the angular values of Group T showed a lower standard deviation in comparison with those of Group C. The use of o'ring ortho implants (O'ROI) is able to minimize the angular and linear deviation of implants at the time of their placement.

How Would the Mandatory Adoption of IFRS Affect the Earnings Quality of U.S. Firms? Evidence from Cross-Listed Firms in the U.S.

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 837-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry Sun ◽  
Steven F. Cahan ◽  
David Emanuel
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Quality ◽  
Discretionary Accruals ◽  
Earnings Persistence ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Ifrs Adoption ◽  
The Cross ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Timely Loss Recognition ◽  
The U.S

SYNOPSIS We examine the impact of IFRS adoption on the earnings quality of foreign firms cross-listed in the U.S. from countries that have already adopted IFRS on a mandatory basis. We use the cross-listed firms as surrogates for the U.S. firms so we can observe the effect of IFRS adoption in the U.S. We examine five measures of earnings quality related to discretionary accruals, target beating, earnings persistence, timely loss recognition, and the earnings response coefficient (ERC). To isolate the effect of IFRS adoption, we use a matched sample design where each cross-listed firm is matched to a U.S. firm. We find the difference in earnings quality from the pre- to post-IFRS period is not different for the cross-listed and matched firms when earnings quality is measured by absolute discretionary accruals, timely loss recognition, or a long-window ERC. However, for the incidence of small positive earnings and earnings persistence, we find significant difference-in-differences, indicating that IFRS adoption led to an improvement in earnings quality for cross-listed firms relative to the matched firms. Our results are slightly surprising since U.S. GAAP is generally viewed as high-quality standards with little room for improvement.

scholarly journals Earnings quality and corporate governance bonding

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Mei Cong
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Capital Market ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Earnings Quality ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
National Standards ◽  
International Capital ◽  
Full Sample

The primary objective of this paper is to investigate whether corporate governance bonding is significantly associated with the earnings quality of PRC foreign primary listing firms. By analyzing a base sample of 245 PRC foreign primary listing firms listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEx) or Stock Exchange of Singapore (SGX) in 2010, we find a positive association for our full sample. Additional tests indicate the relationships are stronger for PRC foreign primary listing firms incorporated outside of the PRC. Our findings have implications for various interested parties. For example, our findings suggest international capital market regulators may need to implement policies to ensure closer streamlining of corporate governance standards of PRC foreign primary listing firms and national standards.

Does Mandatory Adoption of IFRS Enhance Earnings Quality? Evidence From Closer to Home

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (01) ◽  
pp. 1950003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gopal V. Krishnan ◽  
Jing Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Earnings Quality ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Policy Debates ◽  
Mandatory Adoption ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Accounting Convergence

The global accounting convergence and the often discussed probable adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by U.S. regulators is a timely topic. We contribute to the literature by examining a more recent mandatory IFRS adoption by Canada. Canadian GAAP (CGAAP) is often considered a close substitute for U.S. GAAP. One key feature of this setting is that two earnings numbers are available for fiscal year 2010 since Canadian firms were required to reconcile earnings under CGAAP with earnings under IFRS. We run a “horse race” of earnings quality between earnings under CGAAP and IFRS. We find that on average, relative to IFRS-earnings, earnings under CGAAP have greater association with next period cash flows and higher degree of persistence. Further, when the difference between earnings under CGAAP and IFRS is large, IFRS-earnings are less value-relevant and less persistent. These results strongly support the notion that higher earnings quality is associated with CGAAP. Finally, the results also indicate that differences between CGAAP and IFRS with regard to accounting for financial instruments and investments significantly impair the quality of IFRS-earnings. Our findings are potentially informative to any revival of policy debates on the possible adoption of IFRS by U.S. firms.

Exploring the Term of the Auditor-Client Relationship and the Quality of Earnings: A Case for Mandatory Auditor Rotation?

2003 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 779-799 ◽  
Author(s):  
James N. Myers ◽  
Linda A. Myers ◽  
Thomas C. Omer
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Earnings Quality ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Firm Age ◽  
Management Decisions ◽  
Industry Growth ◽  
Auditor Rotation ◽  
Auditor Tenure ◽  
Client Relationship

In this study, we document evidence on the relation between auditor tenure and earnings quality using the dispersion and sign of both absolute Jones-model abnormal accruals and absolute current accruals as proxies for earnings quality. Our study is motivated by calls for “mandatory auditor rotation,” which are based on concerns that longer auditor tenure reduces earnings quality. Multivariate results, controlling for firm age, size, industry growth, cash flows, auditor type (Big N versus non-Big N), industry, and year, generally suggest higher earnings quality with longer auditor tenure. We interpret our results as suggesting that, in the current environment, longer auditor tenure, on average, results in auditors placing greater constraints on extreme management decisions in the reporting of financial performance.

scholarly journals Impact of Macro and Micro Governance Structures on Earnings Management

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Muhammad Nurul Houqe
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Earnings Quality ◽  
Discretionary Accruals ◽  
Institutional Setting ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Legal Enforcement ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Reported Earnings ◽  
Macro Variables

<p><b>This study examines the macro and micro level determinants of the quality of reported earnings. The prior literature suggests that both micro and macro variables impact on discretionary accruals choice in managing earnings. However, most of the studies on earnings management have been single country studies that have focussed only on micro variables as all firms within the samples examined have been subject to the same interplay of macro economic, legal, cultural and institutional frameworks. This study addresses this gap in the literature by using a sample of 156,906 firm year observations from 63 countries over the period 1998-2007 to examine the role of thirteen micro and macro variables in determining earnings quality.</b></p> <p>The macro variables studied include legal enforcement, political system, and control of corruption, culture and adoption of IFRS. Earnings management is estimated using the modified Jones model (Dechow et al. 1995) in a cross section (DeFond and Jiambalvo 1994; Francis et al. 1998).</p> <p>The results of the study indicate that macro and micro level variables have a strong impact on earnings management behaviour and thus earnings quality. The limits imposed by a country's legal, cultural and institutional setting on managerial discretionary accruals choices, strongly impact the quality of reported earnings. Future research on earnings management should therefore control both micro and macro level variables.</p>

scholarly journals Impact of Macro and Micro Governance Structures on Earnings Management

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Muhammad Nurul Houqe
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Earnings Quality ◽  
Discretionary Accruals ◽  
Institutional Setting ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Legal Enforcement ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Reported Earnings ◽  
Macro Variables

<p>This study examines the macro and micro level determinants of the quality of reported earnings. The prior literature suggests that both micro and macro variables impact on discretionary accruals choice in managing earnings. However, most of the studies on earnings management have been single country studies that have focussed only on micro variables as all firms within the samples examined have been subject to the same interplay of macro economic, legal, cultural and institutional frameworks. This study addresses this gap in the literature by using a sample of 156,906 firm year observations from 63 countries over the period 1998-2007 to examine the role of thirteen micro and macro variables in determining earnings quality. The macro variables studied include legal enforcement, political system, and control of corruption, culture and adoption of IFRS. Earnings management is estimated using the modified Jones model (Dechow et al. 1995) in a cross section (DeFond and Jiambalvo 1994; Francis et al. 1998). The results of the study indicate that macro and micro level variables have a strong impact on earnings management behaviour and thus earnings quality. The limits imposed by a country's legal, cultural and institutional setting on managerial discretionary accruals choices, strongly impact the quality of reported earnings. Future research on earnings management should therefore control both micro and macro level variables.</p>

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