scholarly journals Are Audits of Financial Statements Born Unequal?

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Manh Dung Tran ◽  
Van Anh Doan ◽  
Thi Thuy Bui ◽  
Manh Cuong Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Audit Firm ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Goodwill Impairment ◽  
Audit Firms ◽  
Arthur Andersen

Audit is getting more and more importance in assuring the reliability of financial information including financial statements for all parties. Commonly, quality of an audit is viewed as probability that financial reports are free from material irregularities. In the previous literature, there is a positive relationship between size of audit firm and audit quality that has long been understood. This has resulted in many publications to gather evidence of differential audit quality relating to audit firm size. In consequence, the conclusion has been focused that bigger audit firms produce higher audit quality than smaller ones. However, the collapse of many big international audit firms, typically Arthur Andersen has reduced the statement that large audit firms have higher audit quality than small ones. Therefore, this study looks into audit quality basing on the extent of compliance with disclosure requirements pertaining to goodwill impairment of large listed firms in Hong Kong context in the second year transition to IFRS. We found that audit firm identity appears to be a substantial variation, in which compliance levels changed significantly among auditors in the context of Hong Kong.

Should PCAOB Disciplinary Proceedings Be Made Public? Evidence from Sanctions against a Big 4 Auditor

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. P18-P24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Callaway Dee ◽  
Ayalew Lulseged ◽  
Tianming Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Stock Prices ◽  
Stock Price ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Audit Firm ◽  
Stock Market Reaction ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Audit Firms ◽  
Price Effects

SUMMARY: In our paper “Client Stock Market Reaction to PCAOB Sanctions against a Big 4 Auditor” (Dee et al. 2011), we examine stock price effects for clients of a Big 4 audit firm when news of sanctions imposed by the PCAOB against the audit firm was made public. These PCAOB penalties were the first against a Big 4 auditor, and they revealed information about quality-control problems at the audit firm that were not publicly known until the sanctions were announced. Our analysis of stock prices suggests that investors in clients of the penalized Big 4 firm reevaluated their perceptions of the quality of the firm's audit work after learning of the sanctions. The negative stock price effects for the firm's clients were consistent with investors inferring that the financial statements were of lower quality. In the paper, we conclude that investors find information about PCAOB sanctions against audit firms to be relevant in assessing audit quality and use that information in setting stock prices for audit firms' clients. This finding has relevance for the debate on the proposed legislation in Congress (H.R. 3503), which would allow the PCAOB to disclose proceedings against auditors before the investigations are concluded. Our results suggest that, although investors may find early disclosure of this information useful, public disclosure of Board disciplinary proceedings before they are completed could unfairly harm an audit firm's reputation if the firm is ultimately vindicated of wrongdoing.

The Spillover Effect of Audit Firm Office Acquisition on the Audit Quality of the Existing Client Base

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra B. Zimmerman ◽  
Amirali M. Chaghervand ◽  
R. Drew Sellers ◽  
Timothy J. Fogarty
Keyword(s):  
Audit Quality ◽  
Spillover Effect ◽  
Accounting Firm ◽  
Audit Firm ◽  
Audit Firms ◽  
Local Practices ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Arthur Andersen ◽  
Robust Evidence

This study investigates accounting firm office acquisitions. It explores whether office acquisitions affect post-acquisition office audit quality, particularly whether there is a spillover effect on the existing client base of the acquiring office. We capitalize on a unique circumstance: the 2002 acquisition of Arthur Andersen (Andersen) offices by other audit firms. This setting involves a set of offices in each of the remaining large international audit firms that acquired entire Andersen local practices and a set of offices that did not acquire Andersen practices. Using a within-audit firm matched sample and a difference-in-differences research design, we find robust evidence of higher audit quality post-acquisition among the audits of existing clients of the acquiring offices. These findings extend the literature on office audit quality and provide initial evidence of the impact of audit firm office acquisitions on the existing client base.

IFRS Compliance in the Year of the Pig: Hong Kong Impairment Testing

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyrone M. Carlin ◽  
Nigel Finch ◽  
Dung Manh Tran
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Large Sample ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Goodwill Impairment ◽  
Economic Profit ◽  
Early Adoption

Several studies have assumed that the implementation of IFRS can enhance the quality of financial reports, in turn improving their reliability and usefulness (Wyatt, 2005; Barth et al., 2008). However, such studies generally suggest that the introduction of IFRS guarantees consistency and compliance in practice. Given that goodwill impairment testing under IFRS presents a technically challenging task (Hoogendoorn, 2006; Wines et al., 2007) that can materially impact the determination of economic profit, this study focuses on assessing the compliance quality of a large sample of Hong Kong listed firms that are mature IFRS adopters. By examining the detailed disclosures made by 264 large listed firms in 2007, three years after Hong Kong’s implementation of IFRS, an alarmingly high rate of non compliance with HKAS 36 still exists among these goodwill-intensive firms, casting doubts over the hypothesis that lax compliance is a characteristic associated solely with early adoption.

scholarly journals A longitudinal study of audit quality differences among independent auditors

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 234-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manh Dung Tran ◽  
Khairil Faizal Khairi ◽  
Nur Hidayah Laili
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Goodwill Impairment ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
High Level

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the differences of audit quality of financial statements among auditors, including Big 4 and non-Big 4 auditors. Design/methodology/approach By employing cross-sectional analysis of compliance (a proxy of audit quality) of goodwill impairment testing of listed firms in the context of Hong Kong, the variation of audit quality of financial statements of auditees has been shown. Findings Audit quality of Big 4 auditors is viewed to be higher than that of non-Big 4 audit firms and the homogeneity of audit quality among Big 4 auditors is not long accepted, but variation. Practical implications Even though unqualified opinions have been given on the auditors’ reports, the quality of financial statements audit is a skeptical issue because of the high level of non-compliance of goodwill impairment testing under International Financial Reporting Standards. Originality/value This study does emphasize the higher audit quality of financial statements of Big 4 auditors than that of non-Big 4 auditors and stresses the variation of audit quality among Big 4 auditors.

Audit Quality Differences Among Auditors: The Case of Hong Kong

2015 ◽  
pp. 75-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyrone M. Carlin ◽  
Finch Nigel ◽  
Tran Dung Manh
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Audit Firm ◽  
Goodwill Impairment ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Audit Firms

Audits play a critical role in satisfying the public interest in strengthening accountability and supporting confidence in financial reporting. Conventionally, audit quality is defined as a probability that financial statements are free from material misstatements. The existence of a positive relationship between audit firm size and audit quality has long been accepted in previous literature. This has resulted in numerous studies collecting evidence of differential audit quality relative to the size of audit firms, both large and small. Consequently, the conclusion has been asserted that larger audit firms produce a higher and more homogenous audit quality. The collapse of Arthur Andersen, however, has undermined the premise that large audit firms provide higher audit quality than smaller firms. This research investigates audit quality based on the extent of compliance levels with disclosure requirements pertaining to goodwill impairment of large listed Hong Kong firms in the third year transition to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The result found that audit firm identity appears to be a significant proportion of cross-sectional variation, in which compliance levels and disclosure quality varied considerably among auditors.

scholarly journals ECONOMETRIC APPRAISAL OF AUDITORS’ INDEPENDENT CHARACTERISTICS AND AUDIT QUALITY OF DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS IN NIGERIA

2015 ◽  
pp. 66-81
Author(s):  
Sabo Ahmed ◽  
Alfred Kwanti
Keyword(s):  
Audit Quality ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Audit Fees ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Audit Firm ◽  
Audit Firms ◽  
Audit Reports

The study examines the characteristics of auditor’s independence on audit quality of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) from 2010 to 2019. A sample size of seven Deposit Money Banks was selected using the purposive sampling technique. The study used secondary data, sourced from the audited annual financial reports of the sampled banks. The analysis of the data was done using descriptive statistics, correlation matrix, and panel regression technique. The findings reveal that audit independence and audit firm rotation are positively related to audit quality, whereas audit firm tenure relates negatively to audit quality. The relationship between audit fees and audit quality is positively insignificant. The study recommends that audit firms are to be rotated after three years of service so as to avoid over-familiarity that may jeopardize the quality of audit reports. Also, the regulatory bodies should commence the enforcement of the three years audit tenure requirement proposed by stakeholders to forestall lengthy auditor/client relationship.

An Empirical Investigation of IPO Underpricing and the Change to the LLP Organization of Audit Firms

2004 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven R. Muzatko ◽  
Karla M. Johnstone ◽  
Brian W. Mayhew ◽  
Larry E. Rittenberg
Keyword(s):  
Initial Public Offering ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Limited Liability ◽  
Litigation Risk ◽  
Ipo Underpricing ◽  
Audit Firm ◽  
Legal Structure ◽  
Audit Firms ◽  
Public Offering

This paper examines the relationship between the 1994 change in audit firm legal structure from general partnerships to limited liability partnerships (LLPs) on underpricing in the initial public offering (IPO) market. The change in legal structure of audit firms reduces an audit firm's wealth at risk from litigation damages and reduces the incentives for intrafirm monitoring by partners within an audit firm. Prior research suggests that underpricing protects underwriters from litigation damages, and that the level of underpricing varies inversely with both the amount of implicit insurance provided by the audit firm and the quality of the audit services provided. We hypothesize the change in audit firm legal structure reduced the assets available from audit firms in IPO-related litigation and indirectly reduced audit quality by lowering intrafirm monitoring. As a result, underwriters have incentives as a joint and several defendant with the audit firms to increase IPO underpricing, particularly for high-litigation-risk IPOs, following audit firms' shifts to LLP status. Our findings are consistent with this hypothesis.

scholarly journals Corporate Governance, Disclosure Quality, and Cost of Equity: Evidence from Pakistan

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Safia Nosheen ◽  
Naveed-Ul-Haq Naveed-Ul-Haq ◽  
Muhammad Faisal Sajjad
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Cost Of Equity ◽  
Disclosure Quality ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Governance Disclosure

The link between disclosure of corporate information and the cost of equity in firms is one of the most important issues in finance. This paper aims to examine the connection between corporate governance, disclosure quality of information, and the cost of equity in Pakistani-listed (PSX-listed) firms. Using the Generalized Methods of Movements (Sys-GMM) model, a sample of 167 non-financial firms listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) for the period of 2011-2015was analyzed. Sys-GMM estimation was applied to overcome the problem of endogeneity among corporate governance variables. To test the robustness of GMM estimations, we compared the results of pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) and fixed-effect estimations and found they did not overcome the problem of endogeneity, providing spurious results. We found a negative association between cost of equity and disclosure quality of financial statements. The findings suggested that the board size, concentrated ownership and CEO duality, are found as significant factors in reducing the cost of equity of PSX-listed firms. Audit committee independence and audit quality of the firm showed a positive relationship with the firm’s cost of equity. Our findings suggest that employing a high-quality auditor and independent director’s results in increased cost of equity for PSX-listed firms. Furthermore, no significant relationship between independence of the boards and duration of the authorizations of financial statements by the board of directors is found. The results also revealed the investors demand more return on their investments if inadequate and incomplete information is disclosed in the annual reports of the firms. This study provides useful insights for Pakistani corporate governance regulators, the executive management of Pakistani firms, and their investors.

scholarly journals AUDIT COMMITTEE INDEPENDENCE AND A CONTRACTING PERSPECTIVE ON GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT: SINGAPOREAN EVIDENCE

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (0) ◽  
pp. 128-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamaliah Abdul Majid
Keyword(s):  
Policy Implication ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Debt Covenants ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Goodwill Impairment ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Reporting Incentives ◽  
Logistic Regressions

This study examines factors influencing and constraining the decision to recognize zero goodwill impairment in a sample of 52 Singaporean listed firms from 2010–2012. Using binary logistic regressions, the results reveal that firms that are approaching violation of their debt covenants have a higher likelihood of exercising the recognition choice, while a higher proportion of audit committee independence constrains this choice. The policy implication of this study is that to improve the quality of the financial statements, the relevant authorities need to monitor firms’ reporting incentives closely. This study contributes to the literature on IFRS by providing evidence that supports the applicability of the debt hypothesis in explaining the decision of Singaporean listed firms to recognize zero goodwill impairment.

scholarly journals FACTORS INFLUENCING THE QUALITY OF FINANCIAL AUDIT

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 7-15
Author(s):  
Camelia-Daniela Hategan
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Quality Factors ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Energy Field ◽  
Auditor Rotation ◽  
Financial Audit

Investors’ decisions are based on financial and non-financial information. To be useful, the information provided by the financial reports must be accurate, which is also ensured by the opinion expressed by the auditors. The purpose of the paper is to show the importance of the quality of audit services both for investors and for professional accountants and auditors. Audit quality factors can be structured according to several criteria and were represented by the size of the auditor, rotation, duration of the contract, types of services provided. In order to support this hypothesis, the correlation between the variables was tested on the basis of a sample of seven companies listed at Bucharest Stock Exchange in the energy field and utilities included in index BET, for period 2013 - 2018. The data was collected from the annual financial statements and reports issued by financial auditors. The results show that there is a correlation between variables, but of different intensities depending on the indicators chosen. Increasing the quality of financial reporting and the quality of audit leads to increased investor confidence in professional accountants.

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