Title: CEO compensation and accruals management

Authors: Qian Hao; Nan Hu; Ling Liu; Lee J. Yao

Addresses: Wilkes University, 84 W. South Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18704, USA ' University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, 105 Garfield Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54702, USA ' University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, 105 Garfield Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54702, USA ' Loyola University New Orleans, 1700 Calhoun St., New Orleans, LA 70118, USA

Abstract: This paper aims to investigate whether the boards curb earnings management by revising the compensation contract with CEOs. Using a sample of CEO compensation from 1993 to 2009, we find that the boards decrease cash payment sensitivity to accruals in the presence of the horizon problem. However, in the mean time, the boards heighten equity payment sensitivity to accruals and keep the total pay for performance sensitivity unchanged. We argue this temporary equity rewards for discretionary accruals will disappear as the value of equity claims will be realised over time and any market overpricing will evaporate by then. Overall, our results suggest that the boards can curb earnings management by revising pay-for-performance sensitivity in the terminal year.

Keywords: CEO compensation; accruals management; horizon problem; boards of directors; earnings management; cash payment; equity payment; discretionary accruals; pay-for-performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIEM.2014.059179

International Journal of Internet and Enterprise Management, 2014 Vol.8 No.3, pp.241 - 262

Received: 15 Apr 2013
Accepted: 18 Oct 2013
Published online: 02 Jul 2014 *

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