An Overall Perspective of Income Smoothing as a Strategy of Earnings Management

Abstract

This chapter provides insights on earnings management (EM) explanatory factors. These factors are analyzed within the framework of a specific strategy of EM: income smoothing (IS). This strategy is often used to report earnings with an artificially reduced variability. Thereby, the purpose of the chapter is to explore the motivations, the determinants (anticipated by the positive accounting theory), and some firm-specific factors that might explain IS practices. The relevance of this chapter is justified essentially by two reasons. First, it highlights the contemporary importance of this research line. The academic community, professionals, and regulatory bodies have expressed publicly the concern about the quality of financial reporting. Consequently, a deep knowledge of the factors that possibly explain these accounting discretionary practices is crucial. Second, the extensive literature on EM also justifies this chapter. Thereby, the systematization of the literature on the IS explanatory factors can help researchers and increase future empirical research focused on this area.