Purpose: This study investigates the occurrence of pre-acquisition accrual-based earnings management for a sample of stock- and cash- financed Canadian acquirers between 2005 and 2015 before and after transitioning IFRS in 2010. Design/methodology/approach: Both parametric (t-test) and non-parametric (Wilcoxon test) tests are used to examine the occurrence of accrual-based earnings management in the year preceding the announcement of acquisition. These are compared across stock and cash acquirers as well as before and after the implementation of the IFRS. Findings: Unlike cash acquirers, ...