Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the use of accrual-based vs. real earnings management by Greek firms, before and after the mandatory adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The research is motivated by the fact that past studies have indicated the existence...

Past research has documented a substitution effect between real earnings management (RM) and accrual-based earnings management (AM), depending on relative costs. This study contributes to this research by examining whether levels of (and changes in) financial leverage have an impact on this...

Empirical evidence regarding accrual-based earnings management around mergers and acquisitions has been setting-specific as far as target firms are concerned. This might be due to the fact that target firms cannot always anticipate an acquisition proposal, and thus lack the motive and the time...

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the effect of a number of debt issue characteristics on debt contracting efficiency. After the initiation of a debt contract, inefficiencies can arise due to incomplete contracts and agency costs. I contribute to understanding whether debt maturity,...