This paper discusses the sign of the expected measurement error in discretionary accruals (DAC) estimates when accrual models do not control for the asymmetric treatment of gains and losses underlying conservatism. I find that DAC in firms with “bad news” are expected to be understated...

This study makes two main contributions to the literature. Firstly, it tests empirically the relative timeliness of accrual measures and earnings components used as explanatory variables in accrual models (“accrual drivers”) regarding the impact of conservatism. Secondly, taking into account...

In this paper I analyze the interaction between firms’ earnings management behavior and conservatism. I predict that firms having conservatism-related bad news in the period have more pervasive earnings management than firms having good news. Departing from Burgstahler and Dichev (1997)...