We survey and interview more than 400 executives to determine the factors that drive
reported earnings and disclosure decisions. We find that managers would rather take economic
actions that could have negative long-term consequences than make within-GAAP accounting
choices to manage earnings. A surprising 78% of our sample admits to sacrificing long-term
value to smooth earnings. Managers also work to maintain predictability in earnings and
financial disclosures. We also find that managers make voluntary disclosures to reduce
information risk and boost stock price but at the same time, try to avoid setting disclosure
precedents that will be difficult to maintain.
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