【正文】 ting it does not constitute a major transgression. From that point on, manipulating accounts seems to be an ethical practice, almost natural, an act so anchored in everyday values that individuals may not even be aware of it. The relevance of Positive Accounting Theory Positive Accounting Theory, which studies accounting choices, has been overly interested in earnings management. Despite this attention, academic research has shown limited evidence of earnings management. We focus on two points: the methodology chosen, and the model of man. Theory positions itself in an objective perspective which consists in discerning earnings management from accounting documents, and checking the validity of economic hypotheses formulated on the behavior of managers regarding earnings management. Moreover, Positive Accounting Theory researchers examine large samples of firms to make general statements about earnings management. Dechow and Skinner argue that researchers “tend to use statistical definition of earnings management that may not be very powerful in identifying earnings management”, and conclude that “the current research methodologies simply are not that good at identifying earnings management”. The study of accounting is a social science, an accounting theory that seeks to explain and predict accounting cannot divorce accounting research from the study of people. The contracting approach to studying accounting requires researchers to understand the incentives of contracting parties. The positive accounting literature explains why accounting is used and provides a framework for predicting accounting choices。 big bath accounting wipes the slate clean for a new appointed director。 the debt/equity hypothesis (the more a pany is in debt, the more it is in its interest to focus on present earnings because debt covenants, mon in the United States, require certain levels of profitability)。 中文 3482 字 THE PROFIT AND ITS MANIPULATION Masca Ema Universitatea “Petru Maior”, Tg. Mures, bld. 1 Decembrie 1918, nr. 13/10, 0265266237, Email: In the light of recent corporate scandals, accounting today as an objective way of presenting economic reality is suffering from a real crisis of confidence. Central to the AngloSaxon system of corporate governance, it has been pushed into the public spotlight, where its impartiality and objectivity is being questioned. Keywords: profit, manipulation, management The Positive Accounting Theory and profit manipulation Even though most of the scandals have taken place in the United States, the crisis of confidence has had an impact far beyond . borders, as the AngloSaxon system of governance is spreading throughout continental Europe and particularly in France. In order to contain the crisis, the United States and France are mitted to institutional and legal reform. Moreover, those identified as having perpetrated such manipulation, essentially auditors and financial directors, have been legally sanctioned. We should noheless question whether these legal and legislative measures will be sufficient to restore longterm confidence in the system. Bernard Collase is asking himself if shouldn’t the social dimension of the issue be taken into account? Isn’t it necessary first to understand the reasons behind profit manipulation and how it functions before changing legislation? Tenants of Positive Accounting Theory have represented the mainstream of accounting research since the early 80s. They see profit manipulation, which they euphemistically call “earnings management”, from an exclusively economic standpoint. How and why do management controllers take part in profit mani