Determinants of Earnings Quality with Profitability as a Moderating Variable

Authors

  • Dien Sefty Framita Universitas Serang Raya
  • Dian Maulita Universitas Serang Raya
  • Tjut Rana Afra Universitas Serang Raya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32939/dhb.v7i1.5885

Keywords:

Earnings Quality, Company Size, Capital Structure, Profitability

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to empirically examine the influence of company size and capital structure on earnings quality, with profitability serving as a moderating variable, in manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during 2019–2023.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study employs a quantitative research design with a causal-associative approach to test the hypothesized relationships. Data were analyzed using statistical methods to assess the effects of the independent variables—company size and capital structure—on earnings quality, while evaluating the moderating role of profitability.

Findings: The empirical results indicate that company size does not significantly affect earnings quality, whereas capital structure has a significant impact. Additionally, profitability does not moderate the relationship between company size and earnings quality but significantly moderates the relationship between capital structure and earnings quality.

Research Implications: The findings highlight the importance of capital structure and profitability in managing earnings quality. Companies should carefully consider the composition of debt and equity and how profitability may influence this relationship. While company size does not directly affect earnings quality, firms should remain attentive to size-related factors that could indirectly influence earnings quality outcomes.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ayem, S., & Solop, S. (2023). The influence of capital structure, firm size, and profitability on earnings quality. Jurnal Literasi Akuntansi, 3(2), 87–99. https://doi.org/10.55587/jla.v3i2.91

Ball, R., Kothari, S. P., & Robin, A. (2000). The effect of international institutional factors on properties of accounting earnings. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 29(1), 1–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-4101(00)00010-1

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.

Dechow, P. M., Ge, W., & Schrand, C. (2010). Understanding earnings quality: A review of the proxies, their determinants and their consequences. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 50(2 3), 344–401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacceco.2010.09.001

Dechow, P. M., Ge, W., & Schrand, C. (2010). Understanding earnings quality: A review of the proxies, their determinants and their consequences. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 50(2–3), 344–401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacceco.2010.09.001

Firdaus, I. M., & Trisnaningsih, S. (2023). The influence of firm size and profitability on earnings quality (Case Study of Infrastructure, Utilities, and Transportation Sector Companies). International Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting Research, 7(2), Article 8904. https://doi.org/10.29040/ijebar.v7i2.8904

Francis, J., LaFond, R., Olsson, P. M., & Schipper, K. (2004). Costs of equity and earnings attributes. The Accounting Review, 79(4), 967–1010. https://doi.org/10.2308/accr.2004.79.4.967

Frank, M. Z., & Goyal, V. K. (2009). Capital structure decisions: Which factors are reliably important? Financial Management, 38(1), 1–37. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-053X.2009.01026.x

Ghoffar, M. A., & Yuyetta, E. N. A. (2023). Firm size, leverage, liquidity, investment opportunity set, profitability toward earnings quality. Diponegoro Journal of Accounting, 12(4).

Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.

Hakim, M. Z., & Naelufar, Y. (2020). Analysis of profit growth, profitability, capital structure, liquidity, and company size on earnings quality. Jurnal Akuntansi dan Auditing Indonesia, 3(1), Article 10348. https://doi.org/10.22219/jaa.v3i1.10348

Pariang Siagian, A., Amalia, A., & Lusianah. (2022). Determinants of good corporate governance, firm size, profitability, and leverage on earning quality. Journal of Applied Finance and Accounting, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.21512/jafa.v9i2.8159

Purnamasari, E., & Fachrurrozie, F. (2020). The effect of profitability, leverage, and firm size on earnings quality with independent commissioners as moderating variable. Accounting Analysis Journal, 9(3), 173–178. https://doi.org/10.15294/aaj.v9i3.42067

Purnamasari, E., & Fachrurrozie, F. (2020). The effect of profitability, leverage, and firm size on earnings quality with independent commissioners as moderating variable. Accounting Analysis Journal, 9(3), 173–178. https://doi.org/10.15294/aaj.v9i3.42067

Rachmawati, R. N. (2025). The influence of leverage, firm size, liquidity, and profitability on earnings quality in industrial sector companies listed on the IDX. Journal of Social Research, 4(9).

Rachmawati, R., & Colleagues (2025). The influence of leverage, firm size, liquidity, and profitability on earnings quality. International Journal of Social Research (Vol. 4)

Risdawaty, I. M. E., & Subowo. (2023). The effect of capital structure, firm size, information asymmetry, and profitability on earnings quality. Jurnal Dinamika Akuntansi, 7(2), Article 4121. https://doi.org/10.15294/jda.v7i2.4121

Siti Nur Handayani & Syaiful Syaiful. (2024). How firm characteristics shape earnings quality: Evidence from Indonesian manufacturing firms. Economics, Business, Accounting & Society Review, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.55980/ebasr.v4i1.176

Sugiyono. (2017). Metode penelitian kuantitatif, kualitatif, dan R&D. Alfabeta.

Tanto, T. (2025). Earnings quality as a function of capital structure and firm fundamentals. Journal La Bisecoman, 6(2).

Tanto. (2023). Earnings quality as a function of capital structure and financial signals. Journal La Bisecoman, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.37899/journallabisecoman.v6i2.2292

Yuliana, S. Z., & Fauziah, F. E. (2020). The effect of firm size, capital structure, liquidity, and profitability on earnings quality. Eksos, 18(1), Article 434. https://doi.org/10.31573/eksos.v18i1.434

Downloads

Published

2026-03-17

How to Cite

Framita, Dien Sefty, Dian Maulita, and Tjut Rana Afra. “Determinants of Earnings Quality With Profitability As a Moderating Variable”. Al Dzahab 7, no. 1 (March 17, 2026): 128–135. Accessed March 19, 2026. https://ejournal.iainkerinci.ac.id/index.php/al-dzahab/article/view/5885.