Abstract This study examines whether auditor industry specialist duration (i.e., the cumulative number of years an audit firm can be deemed an industry specialist) affects earnings management. Using a sample of 17,546 observations during the period of 2006 to 2014, we find that audits performed by firms with longer industry specialist durations are associated with lower levels of earnings management, as proxied by the absolute value of discretionary accruals. This finding enhances the industry specialization literature by showing that, in the long run, specialist auditors constrain the accrual management activities of their clients. However, we also find that audits performed by firms with longer industry specialist durations are associated with greater levels of real earnings management. In turn, this is consistent with real earnings management surfacing as an unintended consequence of specialist auditors being able to better constrain the accrual management activities of their clients (Chi, Lisic, & Pevzner, 2011).

中文翻译：

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评估行业专家任职时间对盈余管理的影响

摘要本研究探讨了审计师行业专家的任职时间（即，可以将一家审计公司视为行业专家的累计年限）是否影响盈余管理。使用2006年至2014年期间的17,546项观察样本，我们发现，由具有较长行业专家任职期的公司执行的审计与较低的收益管理水平相关，这取决于可自由支配应计费用的绝对值。这一发现通过显示从长远来看，专业审计师会限制其客户的权责发生制管理活动，从而增强了行业专业化文献。但是，我们还发现，由具有较长行业专家任职期的公司执行的审计与更高水平的实际收益管理相关。反过来，