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Accounting Recognition, Moral Hazard, and Communication

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  • PIERRE JINGHONG LIANG

Abstract

Two complementary sources of information are studied in a multiperiod agency model. One is an accounting source that partially but credibly conveys the agent's private information through accounting recognition. The other is an unverified communication by the agent (i.e., a self†report). In a simple setting with no communication, alternative labor market frictions lead to alternative optimal recognition policies. When the agent is allowed to communicate his or her private information, accounting signals serve as a veracity check on the agent's self†report. Finally, such communication sometimes makes delaying the recognition optimal. We see contracting and confirmatory roles of accounting as its comparative advantage. As a source of information, accounting is valuable because accounting reports are credible, comprehensive, and subject to careful and professional judgement. While other information sources may be more timely in providing valuation information about an entity, audited accounting information, when used in explicit or implicit contracts, ensures the accuracy of the reports from nonaccounting sources.

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  • Pierre Jinghong Liang, 2000. "Accounting Recognition, Moral Hazard, and Communication," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(3), pages 458-490, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:coacre:v:17:y:2000:i:3:p:458-490
    DOI: 10.1506/VK8R-AADH-UR0D-6QR6
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    1. Pierre Jinghong Liang & Xiao‐Jun Zhang, 2006. "Accounting Treatment of Inherent versus Incentive Uncertainties and the Capital Structure of the Firm," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(1), pages 145-176, March.
    2. Meißner, Fabian & Schneider, Georg & Sureth, Caren, 2013. "The impact of corporate taxes and flexibility on entrepreneurial decisions with moral hazard and simultaneous firm and personal level taxation," arqus Discussion Papers in Quantitative Tax Research 141, arqus - Arbeitskreis Quantitative Steuerlehre.
    3. Ilan Guttman & Iván Marinovic, 2018. "Debt contracts in the presence of performance manipulation," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 1005-1041, September.
    4. Frederick W. Rankin, 2004. "Coordinating Effort under Team†Based and Individual Incentives: An Experimental Analysis," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 21(1), pages 191-222, March.
    5. Marinovic, Iván & Povel, Paul, 2017. "Competition for talent under performance manipulation," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(1), pages 1-14.
    6. Gassen, Joachim, 2008. "Are stewardship and valuation usefulness compatible or alternative objectives of financial accounting?," SFB 649 Discussion Papers 2008-028, Humboldt University Berlin, Collaborative Research Center 649: Economic Risk.
    7. ter Bogt, Henk & Tillema, Sandra, 2016. "Accounting for trust and control: Public sector partnerships in the arts," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 5-23.

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