Against this context, the studies on earnings management become increasingly important. Understanding why earnings management occurs will allow policy makers to best craft policies that combat this practice. In general, there are four main incentives for companies to engage in earnings management: debt contracts, compensation agreements, equity offerings and insider trading (Beneish, 2001). Managers often use the flexibility of accounting principles and personal judgments to manipulate earnings. Policy makers and market regulators must take responsibility to tighten the regulations on earnings
management to protect investors and stakeholders.