The second provision of SOX applicable to this study is section 302, which
states that the principal executive officer(s) must certify each annual or quarterly
report filed. This certification must acknowledge that (a) the officer(s) reviewed the
report; (b) the report does not contain any untrue statement (including omission) of
a material fact; (c) the financial statements fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition and results of operations; and (d) signing officers are responsible
for establishing and maintaining internal control. If regulators determine that
earnings management (through ETR manipulation or other means) leads to material
financial statement misstatements, officers face increased penalties under SOX
for these transgressions. Thus, SOX may encourage managers to curtail this and
other earnings management techniques: