ANALISIS FAKTOR PENENTU MANAJEMEN LABA DENGAN UKURAN PERUSAHAAN SEBAGAI VARIABEL MODERASI

Abstract

This study investigates how tax planning, dividend policy, profitability, and leverage influence earnings management, with firm size acting as a moderating variable. Motivated by cases such as EFishery in 2024, where financial statements were allegedly inflated to attract investors, the research highlights how management may exploit stakeholders’ limited information for personal gain. This study using a quantitative approach and purposive sampling, the study selected 18 of 30 firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) as of December 2024 that met the specified criteria. Data were analyzed using multiple regression and Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA) with SPSS 22. The findings reveal that tax planning has no significant effect on earnings management, suggesting firms avoid the risks associated with tax manipulation. Dividend policy positively affects earnings management, reflecting managerial efforts to maintain dividend stability. Profitability shows a negative effect, indicating that well-performing firms have less incentive to manipulate earnings. Leverage also negatively influences earnings management, as highly indebted firms face closer monitoring from creditors. Firm size strengthens the effect of profitability and weakens the effect of leverage on earnings management, but does not moderate the influence of dividend policy.