The Bonus plan hypothesis is a concept within positive accounting theory that suggests managers use accounting choices to maximize their personal financial gain. This theory assumes that managers are motivated by self-interest and will manipulate accounting information to increase their bonuses. One type of Bonus plan hypothesis is the earnings management hypothesis. It suggests that managers will engage in earnings management practices, such as income smoothing or income increasing activities, to ensure their performance targets are met and thus secure their bonuses. Another type is the income-increasing hypothesis. This hypothesis posits that managers will adopt accounting policies and practices that artificially boost reported earnings to maximize their bonuses. Such practices may include aggressive revenue recognition or understating provisions. Additionally, the Bonus plan hypothesis encompasses the bonus plan design hypothesis. This hypothesis analyzes the effect of different bonus plan structures on managerial behavior. It examines factors like the size of the bonus, the performance metrics used, and the frequency of bonus payments to determine how they influence managers' incentivized behavior. The Bonus plan hypothesis is a significant component of positive accounting theory. It recognizes that managers' personal financial interests can impact the accounting choices they make, and it seeks to understand and predict such behavior. By identifying the various types of Bonus plan hypotheses, researchers and accountants can gain insights into the potential influences on managers' decision-making processes.