IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/coacre/v4y1987i1p32-60.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Rationality of executive compensation schemes and real accounting changes

Author

Listed:
  • A. RASHAD ABDEL†KHALIK
  • CHARLES CHI
  • DIMITRIOS GHICAS

Abstract

. Managerial preference for accounting methods is examined with respect to the effects of the chosen methods on executives' annual compensation (salary and bonus). Two propositions are considered: (a) the bonus†hypothesis, and (b) the rationality of compensation schemes. While the former asserts a tie between compensation and accounting income, the latter stipulates a connection between the real (cash flow) consequences of the choice of accounting methods and executives' compensation. Two accounting method changes were used: (a) the change in pension costing and funding (which increases both income and operating cash flows), and (b) the change in inventory valuation method to LIFO (which decreases income and increases cash flows). Unexpected compensations in the switch†year were correlated with the effects of each accounting change on income. The results suggest that top executives' salary and bonus payments increased in the switch†year beyond levels predicted by the pre†switch compensation parameters. Several validation checks were also performed using comparison samples. Furthermore, the effects of these two accounting changes on income were found to correlate with unexpected compensation in the directions predicted by the hypothesis of rationality of compensation schemes. Résumé. Les préférences de la direction quant aux méthodes comptables sont examinées relativement aux effets des méthodes retenues sur la rémunération annuelle des dirigeants (salaries et gratifications). Deux propositions sont envisagées: (a) l'hypothèse de gratification, et (b) la rationalité des systèmes de rémunération. Alors que la première proposition affirme l'existence d'un lien entre la rémunération et le bénéfice comptable, la seconde est à l'effet qu'il existe une relation entre les conséquences réelles (flux de trésorerie) de la méthode comptable choisie et a rémunération des dirigeants. Deux types de changement de méthode comptable furent considérés: (a) le changement dans la comptabilisation des coûts et la capitalisation des régimes de retraite (augmentant à la fois le bénéfice comptable et le flux monétaire d'exploitation), et (b) le changement de méthode d'évaluation des stocks pour DEPS (diminuant e bénéfice comptable et augmentant les flux de trésorerie). Les rémunérations imprévues versées dans l'année où il y eut changement ont été corrélées aux effets de chaque modification comptable sur le bénéfice.

Suggested Citation

  • A. Rashad Abdel†Khalik & Charles Chi & Dimitrios Ghicas, 1987. "Rationality of executive compensation schemes and real accounting changes," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 4(1), pages 32-60, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:coacre:v:4:y:1987:i:1:p:32-60
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1911-3846.1987.tb00654.x
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1911-3846.1987.tb00654.x
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1111/j.1911-3846.1987.tb00654.x?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Holthausen, Robert W., 1981. "Evidence on the effect of bond covenants and management compensation contracts on the choice of accounting techniques: The case of the depreciation switch-back," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(1), pages 73-109, March.
    2. Collins, Daniel W. & Rozeff, Michael S. & Dhaliwal, Dan S., 1981. "The economic determinants of the market reaction to proposed mandatory accounting changes in the oil and gas industry: A cross-sectional analysis," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(1), pages 37-71, March.
    3. Bengt Holmstrom, 1979. "Moral Hazard and Observability," Bell Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 10(1), pages 74-91, Spring.
    4. Leftwich, Richard, 1981. "Evidence of the impact of mandatory changes in accounting principles on corporate loan agreements," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(1), pages 3-36, March.
    5. Murphy, Kevin J., 1985. "Corporate performance and managerial remuneration : An empirical analysis," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 7(1-3), pages 11-42, April.
    6. Bowen, Robert M. & Noreen, Eric W. & Lacey, John M., 1981. "Determinants of the corporate decision to capitalize interest," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(2), pages 151-179, August.
    7. Holthausen, Robert W. & Leftwich, Richard W., 1983. "The economic consequences of accounting choice implications of costly contracting and monitoring," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 77-117, April.
    8. Antle, R & Smith, A, 1985. "Measuring Executive-Compensation - Methods And An Application," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(1), pages 296-325.
    9. Zmijewski, Mark E. & Hagerman, Robert L., 1981. "An income strategy approach to the positive theory of accounting standard setting/choice," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(2), pages 129-149, August.
    10. Ciscel, David H & Carroll, Thomas M, 1980. "The Determinants of Executive Salaries: An Econometric Survey," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 62(1), pages 7-13, February.
    11. Hagerman, Robert L. & Zmijewski, Mark E., 1979. "Some economic determinants of accounting policy choice," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 1(2), pages 141-161, August.
    12. Healy, Paul M. & Kang, Sok-Hyon & Palepu, Krishna G., 1987. "The effect of accounting procedure changes on CEOs' cash salary and bonus compensation," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 9(1), pages 7-34, April.
    13. Fama, Eugene F, 1980. "Agency Problems and the Theory of the Firm," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 88(2), pages 288-307, April.
    14. Lev, B & Ohlson, Ja, 1982. "Market-Based Empirical-Research In Accounting - A Review, Interpretation, And Extension," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 20, pages 249-322.
    15. Hunt, Hg, 1985. "Potential Determinants Of Corporate Inventory Accounting Decisions," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(2), pages 448-467.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Keune, Marsha B. & Keune, Timothy M. & Quick, Linda A., 2017. "Voluntary changes in accounting principle: Literature review, descriptive data, and opportunities for future research," Journal of Accounting Literature, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 52-81.
    2. Michael Ettredge & Jeong Youn Kim, 1994. "Dividend behavior surrounding LIFO adoption," Review of Financial Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 4(1), pages 39-53, September.
    3. Duh, Rong-Ruey & Lee, Wen-Chih & Lin, Ching-Chieh, 2009. "Reversing an impairment loss and earnings management: The role of corporate governance," The International Journal of Accounting, Elsevier, vol. 44(2), pages 113-137, June.
    4. Ramachandran Ramanan & Bala V. Balachandran, 1993. "Management Compensation Surrounding an Accounting Change and Long†Term Construction Projects," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 10(1), pages 211-226, September.
    5. Chalevas, Constantinos G., 2011. "The Effect of the Mandatory Adoption of Corporate Governance Mechanisms on Executive Compensation," The International Journal of Accounting, Elsevier, vol. 46(2), pages 138-174, June.
    6. Comprix, Joseph & Muller III, Karl A., 2006. "Asymmetric treatment of reported pension expense and income amounts in CEO cash compensation calculations," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 42(3), pages 385-416, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Brown, Lawrence D., 1996. "Influential accounting articles, individuals, Ph.D. granting institutions and faculties: A citational analysis," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 21(7-8), pages 723-754.
    2. Rã‰Al Labelle, 1990. "Bond covenants and changes in accounting policy: Canadian evidence," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 6(2), pages 677-698, March.
    3. Bushman, Robert M. & Smith, Abbie J., 2001. "Financial accounting information and corporate governance," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(1-3), pages 237-333, December.
    4. Rã‰Al Labelle, 1990. "Clauses restrictives et modifications comptables: une étude canadienne," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 6(2), pages 699-723, March.
    5. S. P. Kothari & Charles Wasley, 2019. "Commemorating the 50‐Year Anniversary of Ball and Brown (1968): The Evolution of Capital Market Research over the Past 50 Years," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 57(5), pages 1117-1159, December.
    6. Baber, William R. & Kang, Sok-Hyon & Kumar, Krishna R., 1998. "Accounting earnings and executive compensation:: The role of earnings persistence," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 25(2), pages 169-193, May.
    7. Dean Hanlon, 2019. "Mandatory accounting change and debt covenant violation: Additional evidence from SFAS 150," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 44(3), pages 355-387, August.
    8. Healy, Paul M. & Palepu, Krishna G., 2001. "Information asymmetry, corporate disclosure, and the capital markets: A review of the empirical disclosure literature," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 31(1-3), pages 405-440, September.
    9. Dietl Helmut M & Duschl Tobias & Lang Markus, 2011. "Executive Pay Regulation: What Regulators, Shareholders, and Managers Can Learn from Major Sports Leagues," Business and Politics, De Gruyter, vol. 13(2), pages 1-32, August.
    10. Watts, Ross L., 1992. "Accounting choice theory and market-based research in accounting," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(3), pages 235-267.
    11. Christian Stadler & Christopher W. Nobes, 2014. "The Influence of Country, Industry, and Topic Factors on IFRS Policy Choice," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 50(4), pages 386-421, December.
    12. Steven Balsam, 1998. "Discretionary Accounting Choices and CEO Compensation," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(3), pages 229-252, September.
    13. Rhoda Pierce-Brown & Tony Steele, 1999. "The economics of," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(2), pages 157-173.
    14. Dechow, Patricia & Ge, Weili & Schrand, Catherine, 2010. "Understanding earnings quality: A review of the proxies, their determinants and their consequences," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(2-3), pages 344-401, December.
    15. Lewellen, Wilbur G. & Park, Taewoo & Ro, Byung T., 1996. "Self-serving behavior in managers' discretionary information disclosure decisions," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 21(2), pages 227-251, April.
    16. Pascal Frantz, 1997. "Discretionary Accounting Choices: A Debt covenants Based Signalling Approach," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(2), pages 99-110.
    17. repec:eee:labchp:v:3:y:1999:i:pb:p:2485-2563 is not listed on IDEAS
    18. Thomas W. Scott, 1991. "Pension disclosures under SFAS No. 87: Theory and evidence," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 8(1), pages 62-81, September.
    19. Lim, Terence & Lo, Andrew W. & Merton, Robert C. & Scholes, Myron S., 2006. "The Derivatives Sourcebook," Foundations and Trends(R) in Finance, now publishers, vol. 1(5–6), pages 365-572, April.
    20. Sualihu, Mohammed Aminu & Rankin, Michaela & Haman, Janto, 2021. "The role of equity compensation in reducing inefficient investment in labor," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    21. repec:eee:labchp:v:3:y:1999:i:pb:p:2373-2437 is not listed on IDEAS
    22. Neal Arthur, 1990. "Financial Reporting to the Industries Assistance Commission: A Study in the Rôle of Accounting Information in Regulatory Decision Making," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 15(2), pages 217-241, December.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wly:coacre:v:4:y:1987:i:1:p:32-60. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://doi.org/10.1111/(ISSN)1911-3846 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.