Accrual and Real Earnings Management: Firm Value Analysis

Abstract

The study examines the effect of accrual and Real Earnings Management (REM) on firm value of selected manufacturing firms in Nigeria. Tobin's Q was employed to measure firm value, while Larcker and Richardson's (2004) andRoychowdhury's (2006) models were used to proxy accrualbased and REM respectively. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select thirty-seven (37) listed manufacturing firms across conglomerates, health care, industrial goods, and consumer goods sectors in Nigeria. Panel regression analysis employed to analyse secondary data gathered for the study. The results reveal a negative and significant influence of accrual-based, while REM has a positive and significant influence on firm value of selected listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The study concludes that earnings management has a significant effect on firm value of manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The study recommends that REM be used only when absolutely necessary for the companies' survival and success.