The Information Role of Conservatism
59 Pages Posted: 2 Aug 2006
There are 2 versions of this paper
The Information Role of Conservatism
Date Written: April 26, 2007
Abstract
In this paper we argue that information asymmetry between firm insiders and outside equity investors generates conservatism in financial statements. Conservatism reduces the manager's incentives and ability to manipulate accounting numbers and so reduces information asymmetry and the deadweight losses that information asymmetry generates. This increases firm and equity values.
Our empirical tests are consistent with our proposition that information asymmetry is significantly positively related to conservatism after controlling for other demands for conservatism. Further, our tests are more consistent with our prediction that changes in information asymmetry between equity investors lead changes in conservatism than the FASB's proposition that conservatism produces information asymmetry among equity investors. An important implication is that, if the FASB was successful in meeting their stated goal of eliminating conservatism, they would increase information asymmetry between investors, not reduce it. This outcome is inconsistent with the objectives of the Securities Acts.
Keywords: Conservatism, Accounting Standards, Earnings Management, Corporate Governance, Securities Litigation
JEL Classification: M41, M43, M44, G32, G33, G34, G35, K22
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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