earnings management
noun[U]
ACCOUNTINGukusthe use ofmethodsofrecordingfinancialinformationabout a company'sincomethat give afalseideaof the company'ssuccess, which may not beillegalbut isconsidereddishonest:
Sometypesofearningsmanagementmaycomplywithaccountingrules;otherscrossthelineintoviolationsof thelaw.
See also
creative accounting