Impact of Impression Management on Accounting Information

This essay reflects on the objectivity, neutrality, and value-free nature of accounting information, discussing how the presentation of financial data can influence stakeholders' judgments. It explores the motivations behind impression management behavior, including maximizing profit, maintaining a consistent public image, and avoiding public failure. The essay also examines whether impression management strategies work in practice, distinguishing between attribution and concealment techniques. Finally, it considers the potential consequences of impression management for the accounting profession, emphasizing the importance of accountants presenting information in a way that is understandable to the public and builds a positive public image.

Accounting context

TABLE OF CONTENT
1. Is Accounting information objective, neutral, and value free.....................................................3
2. What motivates impression management behavior.....................................................................3
3. Do you think the impression management strategies work in reality..........................................4
4. If so, should there be any consequences for the accounting profession......................................4

1. ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SHOULD BE OBJECTIVE, NEUTRAL,
AND VALUE FREE
For the purpose of the effective decision making, it is contended that financial information must
be objective, neutral and value-free. The embedded presentation of financial information is
capable of making an impact on the decision and judgment of stakeholders. Graphical cue was
administered twice, it covertly presented thinking, and thereby the reliability was reassessed
before implementing the final decision. Further, simultaneously presentation of the graphical
representation with the textual data, assist in the evaluation of the opposite aspect of
reconsideration such as fluctuation, increasing, decreasing or stable trend of data when full
disclosure can be reexamined.
2. WHAT MOTIVATES IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT BEHAVIOR
The significant aspect of the motivation of impression management behaviour is described
below-
 The manager would involve in resourceful performance, looking for minimization of the
expected penal provision and the maximization of the profit. Individual may want to
occupy in the impression management because of obtaining their goals or objective.
 The individual wants to certify about the consistency of the public image with their
community role. Individual also be able to establish their self–picture that is similar to the
larger group, who achieved value.
 Public failure and humiliation may encourage the individuals to adopt the impression
management for defying their spoiled image.

3. THE IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN PRACTICAL
WORK ENVIRONMENT
There are two main categories, in which the impression management can be defined, namely
attribution and concealment. The attribution process means, setting up the normal connection
among the bad or good information, and requires praising as well as self-protective attribution.
Concealment means, a reflection of the good or bad information by putting more focus on the
optimistic results and muddying the negative results. It works in reality, because the graphical
disclosure method may impact decision-making skills. Visual representation of the information
captured the attention and guided towards the manner in which information is acquired. It also
assists in the formulation of a planned reading arrangement.
4. IF SO, SHOULD THERE BE ANY CONSEQUENCES FOR THE
ACCOUNTING PROFESSION
Impression management has a significant impact on the accounting profession. It is required by
the accountant to present the information in such a way by which the general public can
understand data given in the report. Further, impression management assists accounting
professionals in the building of the public image by communicating the information to
shareholders, stakeholders and other audience of the company. The annual report, which
represents the financial data of the company, is broadly accessed by the public. It reflects the
information irregularity between the company and those who they are responsible for preparing
it. Therefore it is important for accounting professionals to consider tools such as impression
management while performing their duties.