Non-GAAP earnings and board independence

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Frankel, Richard; McVay, Sarah; Soliman, Mark
• 署名单位: Utah System of Higher Education; University of Utah; Washington University (WUSTL); University of Washington; University of Washington Seattle
• 刊物名称: REVIEW OF ACCOUNTING STUDIES
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1380-6653
• DOI: 10.1007/s11142-011-9166-3
• 发表日期: 2011
• 页码: 719-744
• 关键词: pro forma earnings; corporate governance; predictive-value; Audit committee; INFORMATION; investors; STREET; determinants; association; disclosure

摘要

We examine the association between board independence and the characteristics of non-GAAP earnings. Our results suggest that companies with less independent boards are more likely to opportunistically exclude recurring items from non-GAAP earnings. Specifically, we find that exclusions from non-GAAP earnings have a greater association with future GAAP earnings and operating earnings when boards contain proportionally fewer independent directors. Consistent with the association between board independence and the permanence of non-GAAP exclusions reflecting opportunism rather than the economics of the firm, we find that the association declines following Regulation G and that managers appear to use exclusions to meet earnings targets prior to selling their shares more often in firms with fewer independent board members. Overall, our results suggest that board independence is positively associated with the quality of non-GAAP earnings.