Financial Statement Aggressiveness Related to Tax Accounts and Tax-Related Accounting Misstatements

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-112
Author(s):  
Hughlene A. Burton ◽  
Paul N. Tanyi
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Accounting Restatements

ABSTRACT In this study, we examine two questions: (1) whether financial statement aggressiveness related to tax accounts is associated with the likelihood of having tax-related misstatements in the financial statements, and (2) whether the disclosure of the need to restate prior years' financial statements for a tax-related reason influences tax-related financial statement aggressiveness related to tax accounts in the fiscal year of announcement. Recent evidence of an increase in the rate of tax-related accounting restatements motivates these questions. In this study, we find empirical evidence suggesting that tax-related financial statement aggressiveness is positively associated with the likelihood of having tax-related misstatements in the financial statements. We also find that in the year in which the need to restate prior years' financial statements is announced, companies with tax-related misstatements in their financial statements appear to be less tax-related financial statement aggressive compared to the control group.

Additional Evidence on Audit Report Lag

2001 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Robert Knechel ◽  
Jeff L. Payne
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Quality ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Audit Report ◽  
The Public ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Audit Team ◽  
Available Information

The process for providing accounting information to the public has not changed much in the last century even though the extent of disclosure has increased signifi-cantly. Sundem et al. (1996) suggest that the primary benefit of audited financial statements may not be decision usefulness but the discipline imposed by timely confirmation of previously available information. In general, the value of information from the audited financial statement will decline as the audit report lag (the time period between a company's fiscal year end and the date of the audit report) increases since competitively oriented users may obtain substitute sources of information. Furthermore, the literature on earnings quality and earnings management suggests that unexpected reporting delays may be associated with lower quality information. The purpose of this paper is to extend our understanding about the determinants of audit report lag using a proprietary database containing 226 audit engagements from an international public accounting firm. We examine three previously uninvestigated audit firm factors that potentially influence audit report lag and are controllable by the auditor: (1) incremental audit effort (e.g., hours), (2) the resource allocation of audit team effort measured by rank (partner, manager, or staff), and (3) the provision of nonaudit services (MAS and tax). The results indicate that incremental audit effort, the presence of contentious tax issues, and the use of less experienced audit staff are positively correlated with audit report lag. Further, audit report lag is decreased by the potential synergistic relationship between MAS and audit services.

scholarly journals Using the Beneish M-score model: Evidence from non-financial companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-401
Author(s):  
Artur Hołda
Keyword(s):  
Factor Model ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Financial Information ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Warsaw Stock Exchange ◽  
History Of ◽  
Score Model

The risk of distortion of financial statements has been growing. Following the 2008 crisis, recipients of financial information are increasingly focusing on the likelihood of financial statements being distorted through fraudulent presentation of financial information. Therefore, scientific research pays more attention to models capable of detecting financial statement manipulation.The paper aims to present the principles of functioning and the possibility of using the Beneish M-score model in Polish realities. It analyzes the history of more than 30 companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange to select those whose history indicates that they can be classified as manipulators, and to select the same number of companies from the control group that are considered as non-manipulators.The research method involves the analysis of empirical data on companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The analysis showed the 8-factor Beneish model identified manipulators with 100% accuracy and succeeded in identifying non-manipulators. The effectiveness of the 5-factor model was much lower. To serve the purpose of the study, the effectiveness of the Beneish model was tested on a small sample of Polish listed companies as an introduction to a planned larger scale research. The results obtained are consistent with the results of numerous studies by authors from various countries and confirm the effectiveness of the Beneish model in detecting financial statement manipulation. AcknowledgmentThe publication is sponsored by funds from the Cracow University of Economics for the maintenance and development of research potential.

Information content of IFRS versus GAAP financial statements

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C. Ricketts ◽  
Mark E. Riley ◽  
Rebecca Toppe Shortridge
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Forecast Accuracy ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
Systematic Change ◽  
Forecast Errors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Us Gaap

Purpose This study aims to determine whether financial statement users suffered a significant loss of information when, in November 2007, the SEC dropped the requirement for foreign private issuers using International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS firms”) to reconcile their financial statements to US generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Design/methodology/approach The study investigates whether analyst forecast errors and forecast dispersion increased for IFRS firms to a greater extent than for US GAAP firms after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dropped the reconciliation requirement. Using a treatment group comprised of IFRS firms and a matched sample of US GAAP firms, this study uses regression analyses to compare forecast errors and dispersion for the last fiscal year the reconciliation was available and the first fiscal year during which the reconciliation was unavailable to analysts. Findings The study finds evidence that forecast errors for IFRS firms exhibited no systematic change after the reconciliation was no longer available for analysts covering those firms. Thus, it does not appear that dropping the reconciliation requirement was associated with a change in forecast accuracy. However, the study does find evidence of increased dispersion in the IFRS firms’ forecasts relative to their US GAAP counterparts after the reconciliation requirement was dropped. Practical implications These findings have implications for evaluating the Securities and Exchange Commission’s 2007 decision to eliminate the reconciliation for IFRS firms. Specifically, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s decision does not appear to have significantly altered analysts’ information environments. Originality/value This paper contributes to the understanding of how a group of sophisticated financial statement users adapt to different sets of accounting standards.

The Relationship between Audit Report Lags and Future Restatements

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan I. Blankley ◽  
David N. Hurtt ◽  
Jason E. MacGregor
Keyword(s):  
Time Pressure ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
Audit Report ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Financial Restatements ◽  
Ex Ante ◽  
The Relationship

SUMMARY: We investigate the relationship between future financial statement restatements and audit report lags. Audit report lags are defined as the number of days between the fiscal year-end and the date of the audit report. Ex ante, it is not clear whether there should be a relationship and, if there is, whether that relationship would be negative or positive. We first discuss the underlying conceptual rationale for both negative and positive associations, then we use a two-stage approach to empirically examine the relationship. We find that compared to non-restating firms, firms that eventually restate their financial statements have longer abnormal audit report lags. In subsequent testing, we consider a number of factors that may undermine additional audit effort and, thus, influence the association between audit report lag and subsequent restatements. Of the factors examined, we find that time pressure appears to be associated with increased probability of financial restatements.

scholarly journals FRAUND DIAMOND DALAM MENDETEKSI KECURANGAN LAPORAN KEUANGAN

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 161
Author(s):  
Poppy Indriani
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Fraud Detection ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
External Pressure ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Financial Statement Fraud ◽  
Audit Opinion ◽  
Fraudulent Financial Statements

Effect of Diamond Fraud in Financial Statement Fraud detection. This study aimed to get empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of diamond fraud in detecting fraudulent financial statements. Variables - variables of diamond fraud is financial stability is proxied by ACHANGE, external pressure proxied with leverage, financial targets are proxied by the ROA, nature of industry proxied by inventory, ineffective monitoring proxied by BDOUT, audit opinion and change of directors. Financial statement fraud detection in this study using the F-score models. The results of this study indicate that external pressure, financial targets, ineffective monitoring, audit opinion and change of directors does not have influence in detecting fraudulent financial statements. While the financial stability and nature of industry to have an influence in detecting fraudulent financial statements.

Do Quarterly and Annual Financial Statements Reflect Similar Financial Statement Error in the Post-SOX Era?

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-31
Author(s):  
Erik S. Boyle ◽  
Melissa F. Lewis-Western ◽  
Timothy A. Seidel
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Quality Reporting ◽  
Public Company

ABSTRACT The U.S. has invested substantial resources into the regulation and oversight of public-company financial reporting. While these investments should incentivize high-quality reporting among quarterly and annual financial statements, the sharp rise in public company auditor oversight may disproportionately benefit annual reports given the fiscal year-centric nature of audits. We compare the within company-year difference in financial statement error between quarterly and annual financial reports and examine how any difference changed following SOX. We find that pre-SOX error is lower for audited financial statements than for reviewed financial statements and that this difference increases following SOX. Additional tests suggest that elevated auditor oversight, rather than managerial incentives, is the impetus for the change. Despite regulatory investment designed to incentivize the production of high-quality quarterly and annual financial statements, the post-SOX difference in error between quarterly and annual financial statements appears to have increased. Data Availability: Data are available from public sources cited in the text. JEL Classifications: M41; M42.

scholarly journals The Analysis of Company Size, Complexity of Operation, Profitability, Solvency and Audit Firm Size toward Timeliness of Financial Statement Reporting for Company listed in LQ45 Index in Indonesia Stock Exchange (2012 – 2014)

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Raditya Pratama ◽  
Monika Kussetya Ciptani
Keyword(s):  
Firm Size ◽  
Annual Report ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
Company Size ◽  
Audit Firm ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Test Result

<p>Companies are required to submit their annual report timely after the end of fiscal year to support stakeholder’s need of information. Financial statements would have benefits if delivered accurately and timely to the users for decision making. This research is aimed to identify the effect of company size, complexity of operation, profitability, solvency, and audit firm size toward the timeliness of financial statements reporting in companies that are listed in LQ45 index from 2012 to 2014 either simultaneously and partially. The research involves 69 samples, which consist of 3 years data of 23 companies that are consistently listed in LQ45 index from 2012 to 2014. The research found that complexity of operation, profitability, and audit firm size are statistically significant toward the timeliness of financial statements reporting. While company size and profitability are not statistically significant toward the timeliness of financial statements reporting. The F-test result revealed that one or more independent variables have significant influence toward the timeliness of financial statements reporting. Then, the R<sup>2</sup> analysis showed that the regression model is able to describe timeliness of financial statements reporting by 26.3%. The rest 73.7% is explained by other factors apart from this research.</p>

scholarly journals Effect of Inventory Management on Profitability: Empirical Evidence from Uniliver Nepal Limited

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-43
Author(s):  
Chitra Bahadur Karki
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Inventory Management ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Regression Technique ◽  
Fiscal Year

The study examines the effect of inventory management on the profitability of Uniliver Nepal Ltd. in Kathmandu. Secondary data have been collected from the annual financial statements of Uniliver Nepal Ltd. Kathmandu from fiscal year 2071/72 to 2075/76. A regression technique has been used considering statistical package Minitab 16 version to analyse the data. The study reveals the positive impact of efficient inventory management upon the profitability of Uniliver Nepal Ltd. in Kathmandu. Based on the findings the study recommends that Uniliver Nepal Ltd. should adopt effective and efficient inventory management practice, using appropriate modern technology for effective inventory management and employ capable and qualified staff who should be trained regularly on proper and efficient inventory management.

Materiality Thresholds: Empirical Evidence from Change in Accounting Estimate Disclosures

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Keunho Chung ◽  
Marshall A. Geiger ◽  
Daniel Gyung Paik ◽  
Collin Rabe
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Firm Size ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Materiality Thresholds ◽  
Industry Membership

This paper provides empirical evidence on the materiality thresholds adopted in "change in accounting estimate" (CAE) disclosures. We also investigate the characteristics of the disclosing firms and their auditors, as well as the characteristics of the CAEs, such as the effect on income, the accounts affected, and disclosure venue. U.S. GAAP requires firms to disclose a CAE if its effect on the financial statements is deemed to be "material" (ASC 250-50-4). We analyze 4,335 CAE disclosures from 2006 to 2016 and provide the first descriptive evidence of the actual materiality thresholds used for CAE disclosures in practice. Our main finding is that quantitative materiality thresholds for CAE disclosures are significantly lower than conventional materiality thresholds, such as 5 percent of pretax income, and that firms may not only apply quantitative materiality thresholds more conservatively, but that other qualitative considerations play an important role in determining CAE materiality. Our results also show that there exists considerable variation in CAE disclosure across firm size, industry membership, auditor, financial statement account effected and the direction of the effect on income.

scholarly journals What Turns the Taxman on? Tax Aggressiveness, Financial Statement Audits, and Tax Return Adjustments in Small Private Companies

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (03) ◽  
pp. 2050011
Author(s):  
Hannu Ojala ◽  
Juha Kinnunen ◽  
Lasse Niemi ◽  
Pontus Troberg ◽  
Jill Collis
Keyword(s):  
Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
Tax Administration ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Private Companies ◽  
Tax Aggressiveness ◽  
Taxable Income ◽  
Tax Returns ◽  
Empirical Tests

This study examines the effect of tax aggressiveness and voluntary audit of financial statements on the likelihood of tax adjustments in small private companies. We provide evidence that (a) tax aggressiveness increases the likelihood of the tax authority not accepting taxable income as reported, whereas (b) voluntary audit decreases it. To derive our hypotheses, we built a theoretical stochastic model explaining tax authority’s reactions to bias and noise in tax returns and how these two relate to tax aggressiveness and voluntary audit. In our empirical tests of the hypotheses, we used a large proprietary data set comprising internal records of the Finnish Tax Administration for the fiscal year 2010 combined with data on the taxable income reported by approximately 19,500 small, private companies. Our results show that while the findings on tax aggressiveness are significant when measured with the book-tax difference using proprietary tax return data from the Tax Administration, they are insignificant when based on the conventional tax aggressiveness measure of book-tax difference derived from publicly available financial statement data. Our paper contributes to the literature by being the first to document the effects of tax aggressiveness and voluntary audit on tax return adjustments of small private companies.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document