Profit manipulation has been largely studied through Positive Accounting Theory (PAT). However,
the weakness of the results obtained would suggest using different theoretical and methodological
approaches to examine this subject. In France, management controllers play a central role in profit
manipulation. This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of their profit manipulation practices. Using
results from 32 interviews in 13 companies, we argue that the spread of Anglo-Saxon corporate
governance model has fostered such behaviour. Far from the opportunism hypothesis supported by
Positive Accounting Theory, profit manipulation is used as a tool by management controllers to gain
broader legitimacy within organisations and/or to adopt what they claim to be ethical behaviour.
© 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.