Effect Of Creative Accounting On Stakeholders Wealth

This study is motivated by the existence of a deficiency in the financial reporting system in Nigeria, which is the act of creative accounting. The rate at which financial statements of various Nigerian companies are being manipulated is increasing and greatly affects the various stakeholders in one way or the other. This research work focuses on "the effect of creative accounting on shareholders wealth in business organizations". The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of creative accounting on shareholders wealth. Four (4) research questions were raised for the study and three (3) hypotheses were formulated. The survey research design was adopted with a sample size of fifty (50). The questionnaires were instruments used for data collection. The data collected was subjected to simple validity and reliability test. The analysis of data was based on statistical frequency table and simple percentages, while correlation analysis was used to test hypothesis. Some of the findings are that creative accounting affects shareholders wealth and their investment decisions. Also, it has a great impact on the share prices of the business organizations. Based on these findings, it is recommended that only well and legally audited financial statements should be relied on by shareholders in making important decisions. Also, the financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) should always ensure good corporate governance and due compliance with accounting standards, framework and other relevant legal statutes in Nigeria

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

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).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

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.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main aim of the study is to examine the effect of creative accounting on shareholders wealth. Specific objectives of the study are:

To establish the relationship between creative accounting and shareholders wealth.

To ascertain whether creative accounting practices significantly affect shareholders investment decisions.

To examine the effect of creative accounting on share prices of an organization and shareholders" dividends.

To ascertain whether a well designed framework of accounting regulation will curb creative accounting practice in corporate financial reporting

1.4 Research Questions

In order to achieve the above research objectives for the paper, the following research questions will serve as guide:

What relationship exists between creative accounting and shareholders wealth?

Do creative accounting practices significantly affect shareholders investment decisions?

What effects do creative accounting have on share prices of an organization and shareholders" dividends?

To what extent will a well designed framework of accounting regulation curb creative accounting practice in corporate financial reporting?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Ho: There is no significant relationship between creative accounting and shareholders wealth.

Ho: Creative accounting does not affect shareholders investment decisions.

Ho: There is no significant relationship between creative accounting and share prices of an organization.

1.6 Significance of the Study

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.

1.7 Limitations of the Study

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.

1.8 Definition of Terms

Creative Accounting:

Accounting practices that deviate from standard accounting practices.

Fraud:

An intentional deception to cause a person to give up property or some legal right, which could also mean deceit trickery or cheating.

Financial Statement:

A yearly book that contains summarized information of the firm"s affairs organized systematically.

Auditor:

A person assigned to carry out an independent examination of evidence supporting the financial statement of an organization.

Shareholders Wealth:

Shareholder wealth is the collective wealth conferred on shareholders through their investment in a company

Summary of Findings, Conclusions and Recommendation

5.1 Summary of Findings

In this chapter, attempt will be made to summarize some of the important findings that have been made on the subject matter of this research work. The main aim of this exercise is to give a brief conclusion and make a list of suggested recommendations that the researcher considers appropriate in solving the problems of this study. This will subsequently be extended by stating few broader topics and techniques for further studies and improvement on the topic of this research work.

In the research work, the project was to examine the effect of creative accounting on shareholders" wealth in business organizations and to provide answers to the questions in chapter one. The following are the research findings in accordance with the research questions; reference was also drawn from the data analysis.

The practice of creative accounting gives shareholders access to false financial reports.

Creative accounting practices mislead the investors in the business in decision making.

A significant relationship exists between creative accounting and shareholders wealth.

Creative accounting gives shareholders more interest to invest with optimism not knowing the manipulative intention

Share prices of an organization are greatly affected as a result of creative accounting.

A well designed regulation on accounting practice can reduce the rate of creative accounting.

5.2 Conclusion

Based on the results obtained from this study, the researcher made the following conclusions:

A significant relationship exists between creative accounting and shareholders wealth.

Creative accounting practices do significantly affect shareholders" investment decisions.

Creative accounting practice also has effect on the share prices of an organization.

A well designed framework of accounting regulations will curb creative accounting practice in corporate financial reporting.

5.3 Recommendations

From the results and the conclusions drawn from this study, the researcher made the following recommendations:

The practice of creative accounting should be reduced or completely eradicated through a well- designed framework of accounting regulations and standards.

Shareholders should only use audited financial statements in making material and significant business decisions.

There is need to carry out this same study with larger number of respondents to enhance the accuracy of the findings.

The government should control the practice of creative accounting by organizations to protect the shareholders from fraud through the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).

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