The earnings management literature has been judged to thus far have provided only
‘modest insights’ for standard-setters (Healy and Wahlen, 1999, p. 380). It is argued that
standard-setters will be unsurprised by the finding from aggregate accruals models that
earnings management occurs. What is now required is studies that identify which
accounting standards are used, what the dominant underlying motivation is and what
factors constrain such behaviour?