ABSTRACT: ERP systems have become the system of choice for the majority of publicly
traded companies and have radically changed the way accounting information is
processed, prepared, audited, and disseminated. In this study, we examine whether
ERP system implementations have affected the extent to which firms manage earnings
amounts and release dates. We find, for a sample of ERP adopters, that implementations
led to increases in the absolute value of discretionary accruals (i.e., greater earnings
management). We also find a positive relationship between the extent of ERP
module adoption and the extent of earnings management. With respect to earnings
release dates, firms with incentives to increase the timeliness of their release dates
experienced a decrease in reporting lag after implementing ERP systems. These results
should be of interest to financial statement preparers initially adopting or implementing
new versions of ERP applications, auditors serving clients with ERP systems, and regulators
overseeing the financial markets and consolidation in the ERP industry.
Keywords: ERP systems; discretionary accruals; implementation; reporting lag.
Data Availability: Key data items used in this study were obtained from a proprietary
source. All other sources of data are described in the study.