This study finds that both discretionary accruals and abnormal accruals are mostly
employed as dependent variables to detect earnings manipulation, and Jones model and
modified Jones model are the most reliable models for determining discretionary accruals.
However, Kothari et al. (2005) is a new model that contains a lag return on assets to
account for some of the shortcomings of the Jones and modified Jones models. With some
exception, this study also finds that the more independent the members of audit committee
and board, the higher the quality of earnings in financial reporting.