Financial distress and accrual and real earnings management in Polish public companies

Purpose: The study aims to assess differences in accrual and real earnings management strategies between financially distressed and non-distressed companies. The research sample includes public non-financial companies in Poland.Methodology/approach: Based on the GICS classification, cross-sectional regressions were estimated. Abnormal accruals were calculated using the Jones model and the modified Jones model. Based on Roychowdhury, real earnings management was proxied: abnormal operating cash flow, abnormal production costs, and abnormal discretionary expenses. Symptoms of financial difficulties were observed with discriminant analysis, net working capital strategy and ability to pay interest. Parametric and non-parametric statistical tests were used.Findings: There were statistically significant differences in earnings management between non-distressed and distressed companies. Financially healthy companies, as well as those with conservative net working capital strategies and a good ability to pay their interest, were more likely to manage earnings. However, they used selected to influence through real transactions.Research limitations/implications: Proxies for earnings management and financial difficulties are commonly recognized in the literature, but none of them is without imperfections. Therefore, many alternative research approaches have been used.Originality/value: Previous Polish research has not addressed the relationship be-tween earnings quality and financial distress. Multiple robustness tests were imple-mented.