Does earnings acceleration affect earnings management in different firm life cycle stages? Evidence from Indonesia

This study investigates the relationship between earnings acceleration (EA) and earnings management (EM) at the firm life cycle stages. It is designed to analyse how variations in EA can influence different EM strategies. We use data from 629 non-financial firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2008 to 2022. The results show significant differences in EA and EM across the firm life cycle stages. Earnings acceleration affects accrual and real earnings management and expense shifting except revenue shifting. These findings imply that EM in the previous period can be the performance benchmark that drives EM for the current period. This study is the first to test the relationship between EA and EM within the firm life cycle stages. The EA variable is still limited in empirical research. However, it is well-considered in investment decisions. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.