Abstract
Use of discretionary accounting accruals has long been recognized as a vehicle for earnings management in the private sector. More recently, evidence has emerged suggesting that public officials may similarly manipulate discretionary accruals in order to achieve ‘balanced’ operating results. This paper extends the previous literature on the manipulation of depreciation accruals to the realm of high-stakes public policy-making.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Joseph Drew
Joseph Drew is a Lecturer at the Institute of Public Policy & Governance, University Technology Sydney, Australia and Adjunct Professor at Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan.