EFFECT OF CREATIVE ACCOUNTING ON STAKEHOLDER’S WEALTH

Project Abstract

Creative accounting practices have become a widespread phenomenon in the corporate world, raising concerns about their impact on stakeholders' wealth. This research aims to investigate the effect of creative accounting on stakeholders' wealth, particularly focusing on shareholders, creditors, employees, and the general public. The study employs a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative analysis of financial data with qualitative assessments of stakeholders' perceptions. Through an extensive review of literature, this research identifies various techniques used in creative accounting, such as revenue recognition manipulation, expense capitalization, and off-balance sheet financing. These techniques are often employed by companies to portray a more favorable financial position than their actual performance, thereby influencing stakeholders' decisions and perceptions. The potential consequences of creative accounting on stakeholders' wealth include distorted financial statements, misleading performance indicators, and reduced transparency in corporate reporting. The quantitative analysis in this study involves the examination of financial statements of selected companies known for engaging in creative accounting practices. By comparing their reported financial data to industry norms and benchmarks, the research aims to identify potential discrepancies and anomalies that may indicate the presence of creative accounting. Additionally, regression analysis will be conducted to assess the relationship between creative accounting practices and stakeholders' wealth indicators, such as stock prices, credit ratings, and employee satisfaction levels. In parallel, qualitative data will be collected through interviews and surveys with stakeholders, including shareholders, creditors, employees, and the general public. These qualitative assessments will provide insights into stakeholders' awareness and perceptions of creative accounting practices, as well as their attitudes towards companies that engage in such practices. The qualitative data will be analyzed thematically to identify common themes and patterns in stakeholders' responses. The findings of this research are expected to contribute to the existing literature on creative accounting and its implications for stakeholders' wealth. By combining quantitative financial analysis with qualitative stakeholder perspectives, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effects of creative accounting practices on various stakeholder groups. The results may have implications for corporate governance practices, regulatory policies, and investor decision-making processes, ultimately enhancing transparency and accountability in financial reporting.

Project Overview

<p> </p><h3><strong>INTRODUCTION</strong></h3><p><strong>1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY</strong></p><p>The current business environment and even more economic recession, have in recent times pushed the top management of many organizations into paying attention to how to make the financial statements of their organizations look better in order to attract investors by manipulating figures in their financial statement either by increasing or decreasing the figures depending on what they want to achieve at the moment using aggressive or creative accounting otherwise known as financial statement fraud (Anumaka, 2007). In recent times, fraud has been discovered to pose a big threat on organizations. It is a big risk which can incur a very big cost leading to a lot of problems of which on other problem s is loss of confidence of shareholders and the public. This research tries to find solution to financial statement fraud. Another area which the research work will focus on is ‘’auditor involvement in solving creative accounting problems. The researcher will also look into corporate governance as a tool in fraud detection and prevention. According to Osisioma and Enahoro (2006), accounting processes and choice of policies resulting from many judgments at the same time are capable of manipulation, which have resulted in creative accounting. The differences which are observed in financial reporting are legitimately prepared from choice of varied accounting polices of the same organization for the same period, has brought about challenges of credibility to accounting (finically statements and reporting).</p><p><strong>1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM</strong></p><p>Creative accounting and earning management are euphemisms for accounting practices that tend to circumvent, albeit, cleverly, or manipulate the rules of standard accounting practices or the spirit of those values. They are characterized by dubious complications and use of ‘novel’ ways of presenting income, assets or liabilities. There are many reports of price manipulation, profit overstatement, and accounts falsification by some dubious stewards which rendered the financial reporting ineffective. The business failures of the past decade however, have been closely associated with corporate governance failure which involves a number of parties, management board of directors, auditors and some investors (Ezeani, 2010). Most business organizations have always been connected with fraud and have always been affected by financial collapses. Recently, accounting scandals like Enran, World Com, Parmalat, Tyco, etc. have cost not only billions of dollarsto the stakeholders but also have damaged the accounting profession as a result of financial mis-representation. Most of the standards set for the accounting (Audit) report have been eroded.</p><p><strong>1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY</strong></p><p>The main aim of the study is to examine the effect of creative accounting on shareholders wealth. Specific objectives of the study are:</p><p>1. To establish the relationship between creative accounting and shareholders wealth.</p><p>2. To ascertain whether creative accounting practices significantly affect shareholders investment decisions.</p><p>3. To examine the effect of creative accounting on share prices of an organization and shareholders’ dividends.</p><p>4. To ascertain whether a well designed framework of accounting regulation will curb creative accounting practice in corporate financial reporting</p><p><strong>1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS</strong></p><p>In order to achieve the above research objectives for the paper, the following research questions will serve as guide:</p><p>1. What relationship exists between creative accounting and shareholders wealth?</p><p>2. Do creative accounting practices significantly affect shareholders investment decisions?</p><p>3. What effects do creative accounting have on share prices of an organization and shareholders’ dividends?</p><p>4. To what extent will a well designed framework of accounting regulation curb creative accounting practice in corporate financial reporting?</p><p><strong>1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS</strong></p><p>1. Ho: There is no significant relationship between creative accounting and shareholders wealth.</p><p>2. Ho: Creative accounting does not affect shareholders investment decisions.</p><p>3. Ho: There is no significant relationship between creative accounting and share prices of an organization.</p><p><strong>1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY</strong></p><p>The study will be of great benefit to policy makers, management of various organizations, auditors, shareholders and student researchers. The study will enable managers have an in-depth understanding of the effects and costs of window dressing financial statements. It will also benefit investors, shareholders and the public who may resort to audited financial state of organizations to take investment decisions. It will also be readily available for academic consumption.</p><p><strong>1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY</strong></p><p>The research study was carried out under a tight schedule. It was undertaken within a short time and was carried out intermittently with lectures and private studies. There was also a problem of data collection due to reluctance on the respondents to provide information on time.</p><p><strong>1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS</strong></p><p><strong>Creative Accounting:</strong>&nbsp;accounting practices that deviate from standard accounting practices.</p><p><strong>Fraud:</strong>&nbsp;An intentional deception to cause a person to give up property or some legal right, which could also mean deceit trickery or cheating.</p><p><strong>Financial Statement:</strong>&nbsp;A yearly book that contains summarized information of the firm’s affairs organized systematically.</p><p><strong>Auditor:</strong>&nbsp;A person assigned to carry out an independent examination of evidence supporting the financial statement of an organization.</p><p><strong>Shareholders Wealth:</strong>&nbsp;shareholder wealth is the collective wealth conferred on shareholders through their investment in a company</p> <br><p></p>