Political competition as a motivation for earnings management close to zero: the case of Portuguese municipalities
Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management
ISSN: 1096-3367
Article publication date: 2 July 2020
Issue publication date: 13 October 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this paper is to evaluate if, motivated by political competition, municipalities engage in earnings management practices through discretionary accruals.
Design/methodology/approach
Quantitative methodology.
Findings
Results indicate that, in those municipalities where political competition is greatest, there is a greater tendency to report positive net earnings close to zero. This study also indicates that for such purpose, discretionary accruals are used.
Originality/value
The purpose of this paper is to respond to the lack of information in the area of earnings management in the public sector, to be able to evaluate responsibility, performance and efficiency regarding the allocation of public resources and the degree of satisfaction of citizens/voters' needs-accountability.
Keywords
Citation
Ferreira, A., Carvalho, J. and Pinho, F. (2020), "Political competition as a motivation for earnings management close to zero: the case of Portuguese municipalities", Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management, Vol. 32 No. 3, pp. 461-485. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPBAFM-10-2018-0109
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited