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Refinancing pressure and earnings management: Evidence from changes in short-term debt and discretionary accruals

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  • Fields, L. Paige
  • Gupta, Manu
  • Wilkins, Mike
  • Zhang, Shage

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate whether refinancing pressure leads managers to manipulate earnings. Our tests examine the relation between changes in short-term debt and discretionary accruals. We find that firms have higher discretionary accruals during periods of increasing short-term debt. We also find that this relationship is stronger for firms that ultimately obtain new loan financing. Finally, we show that the presence of investment grade debt attenuates the relationship between discretionary accruals and refinancing pressure.

Suggested Citation

  • Fields, L. Paige & Gupta, Manu & Wilkins, Mike & Zhang, Shage, 2018. "Refinancing pressure and earnings management: Evidence from changes in short-term debt and discretionary accruals," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 62-68.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:25:y:2018:i:c:p:62-68
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2017.10.011
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    3. Ammar Hussain & Minhas Akbar & Muhmmad Kaleem Khan & Marcela Sokolová & Ahsan Akbar, 2022. "The Interplay of Leverage, Financing Constraints and Real Earnings Management: A Panel Data Approach," Risks, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-21, May.
    4. Kim, Young Sang & Kim, Yura & Yi, Ha-Chin, 2021. "Vice or virtue? The impact of earnings management on bank loan agreements," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 303-324.

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