The impact of internal control weaknesses on pension assumptions manipulation Online publication date: Mon, 01-Feb-2021
by Seokyoun Hwang; Bharat Sarath
International Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Performance Evaluation (IJAAPE), Vol. 16, No. 2/3, 2020
Abstract: This study examines the effect of internal control weaknesses (ICWs) on managers' choices of pension assumptions, using data disclosed under Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 404 from 2004 to 2012. We hypothesise that firms with ICWs are better able to opportunistically set pension assumptions, such as the expected rate of return (ERR) and the discount rate (DR), which in turn helps to report higher earnings or healthier balance sheets. First, we find that firms with ICWs tend to report higher ERR and DR than non-ICWs firms. Particularly, the use of higher DR by ICW firms is heightened under FAS 158 which requires the funding status of plans to be reported on the balance sheets. Next, we find that the effect of ICWs on pension assumptions is much stronger when managers have greater incentives to report high profits. Finally, we find that remediation of ICWs reduces the bias in assumed ERR for smaller plans.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Performance Evaluation (IJAAPE):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook