Healy (1985) provides the evidence that earnings are managed in the direction that is
consistent with maximizing executives’ earnings-based bonus. When earnings will be
below the minimum level required to earn a bonus, then earning are managed upward
so that the minimum is achieved and a bonus is earned. Conversely, when earning will
be above the maximum level at which no additional bonus is paid, then earnings are
managed downward. The extra earnings that will not generate extra bonus this current
period are saved to be used to earn a bonus in a future period. When earnings are
between the minimum and the maximum levels, then earnings are managed upward in
order to increase the bonus earned in the current period.