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Earnings management surrounding CEO changes in France
[La gestion du résultat comptable autour d'un changement de dirigeant en France]

Author

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  • Yves Mard

    (CRCGM - Centre de Recherche Clermontois en Gestion et Management - UdA - Université d'Auvergne - Clermont-Ferrand I - ESC Clermont-Ferrand - École Supérieure de Commerce (ESC) - Clermont-Ferrand)

  • Sylvain Marsat

    (CRCGM - Centre de Recherche Clermontois en Gestion et Management - UdA - Université d'Auvergne - Clermont-Ferrand I - ESC Clermont-Ferrand - École Supérieure de Commerce (ESC) - Clermont-Ferrand)

Abstract

We analyse earnings management carried out by the outgoing and the incoming top managers from a sample of 52 French firms who encountered a change of CEO during the 2000-2005 period. The study of discretionary accruals shows that they engage in upwards earnings management during the two years preceding their departure. Then, we observe a very clear decline of accruals during the year of succession, according to the "big bath" hypothesis. During the years following the change, upward earnings management is observed in case of routine changes as soon as T+1, but only in T+2 in the case of a non routine departure. Finally, a multivariate analysis pinpoints, in the case of CEO changes, the influence of some governance mechanisms on accruals.

Suggested Citation

  • Yves Mard & Sylvain Marsat, 2009. "Earnings management surrounding CEO changes in France [La gestion du résultat comptable autour d'un changement de dirigeant en France]," Post-Print hal-02156582, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02156582
    DOI: 10.3917/cca.153.0141
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-02156582
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    References listed on IDEAS

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