SYNOPSIS: We investigate whether the characteristics of chief financial officers (CFOs)
are associated with accounting errors (using accounting restatements as a proxy). We
investigate several metrics of financial literacy similar to those suggested for members
of audit committees by the NYSE-NASD Blue Ribbon Committee. These metrics include
years of work as a CFO, experience at another company, advanced degrees (like
M.B.A.s), and professional certification (like a CPA). We use a logit model to test
whether the likelihood of an earnings restatement is related to the above metrics of
financial literacy (measured at the date of the original accounting error). Restating and
non-restating companies during the period 1997–2002 were matched on year, industry,
and company size. Overall, our results are consistent with restatements being negatively
associated with the CFO’s financial expertise. Specifically, we find that companies
whose CFOs have more work experience as CFOs, M.B.A.s, and/or CPAs are signifi-
cantly less likely to restate their earnings.