Abstract & Overview
Financial information is one of the most important sources of information used for decision making of internal and external interested parties. Therefore, the quality of financial information determines the quality of decisions based on this information. Managers experience the pressure of various interested parties. On one hand, interested parties expect receiving qualitatively prepared financial reports disclosing precise and true information. On the other hand, managers feel pressure to reach the set targets. Striving to combine expectations of all interested parties may encourage managers using various earning management patterns. The aim of this research is to detect whether Nasdaq Vilnius stock exchange companies are using earnings management and which pattern of earnings management – accrual based or real earnings management – they use. Discretionary accruals estimation model is used for detecting usage of accrual based earnings management. The abnormal cash flow, abnormal production costs and abnormal discretionary expenses valuation model is used for detecting real earnings management. The research in this paper is implemented by using comparative analysis, generalization, content analysis, monography and statistical methods. Prior implemented empirical researches’ analysis shows that managers apply earnings management in order to show better results. Accrual based earnings management is implemented through accounting policy. Real earnings management is implemented through operations that differ from typical structure and timing of the company. The results of this research show that Nasdaq Vilnius stock exchange companies use earnings management by applying both patterns of earnings management - accrual based or real earnings management. The companies did not give priority to any of the pattern of earnings management. The results of this research imply the expediency of evaluation of both pattern[...]