The effect of audit firm attributes on audit delay in the presence of financial reporting complexity

Purpose This study aims to examine the effects of audit firm attributes on audit delay associated with financial reporting complexity (FRC). Design/methodology/approach The authors use regression models with a sample of public firms with distinct monetary eXtensible Business Reporting Language tags to test the research hypotheses. Findings The authors find that two audit firm attributes (audit firm tenure and non-audit services performance) moderate the effect of FRC on audit delay. Practical implications The study provides insights to regulators, practitioners and investors into how firms may reduce audit delay from FRC by keeping their long-tenured auditors and allowing their auditors to gain more knowledge about the firms by providing non-audit services. The results, therefore, have implications for mandatory audit firm rotation. Originality/value To the best of the knowledge, this study conducts the first comprehensive analysis of this topic, exploring the impact of three audit firm attributes on audit delay caused by FRC. It attempts to illustrate the impact of external audit firms on reducing the adverse consequences of FRC.

Aspects Regarding the Structure of the Financial Audit Market in the European Union from Fees Perspective

The audit market, developed out of the need to strengthen the credibility and the quality of financial reporting, has led since the 1980s to a concentration around large audit firms, the dominance effect being marked on the one hand by the auditor’s increasing reputation and notoriety, and on the other hand by the client’s association with a reputed auditor, which contributes to improving the company’s image on the market. In this context, a major issue is represented by the level of the fees charged, as they represent key elements that may affect the auditor’s independence. Moreover, a sensitive aspect is the relationship between the fee charged for financial audit services and the one for non-audit services and the compensation practices between them. The European Commission wants to facilitate competition in an overly concentrated market and also provide the opportunity for small and medium-sized audit firms to become active players in the large corporate audit market through joint audit, in which at least one of the audit firms is not part of the Big4 group. The mandatory audit firm rotation and the limitation on the non-audit services provided are the main aspects of the recent audit reform that directly influences the fee level. The main purpose of this study is to analyse whether there is a pattern of audit costs at the community level. In this context, this paper aims to assess the uniformity of audit costs, namely to determine the structure of the audit market in the European Union. The research involves data set comparison methods, by analysing a sample of 2,896 firms listed on the stock exchange in 35 different states over the period 2013-2021.

Joint Provision of Non-audit Services to Audit Clients: Empirical Evidences from India

Executive Summary The provision of non-audit services (NAS) by an incumbent auditor has remained a highly contentious issue. One school argues that the joint provision does not impair an auditor’s independence. Instead, it reduces total costs, enhances the ability to detect material misstatements, increases technical competence due to knowledge spillovers and leads to intense competition. However, a substantial tranche of an audit firms’ income is derived from NAS, and the joint provision increases economic ties with the client. Therefore, another school of thought perceives that the joint provision impairs auditor independence. It is also alleged that auditors expect non-audit work after finishing the auditing job. Their independence is also affected by the risks of self-review. Extant literature reveals that the majority of the studies on the issue are archival and experimental. The studies are concentrated in the US, UK, Australia, Malaysia, Nigeria, South Africa, China, and some of the European Union Nations. The article examines the perspective of chartered accountants (CAs) on the joint provision of NAS in India. The study samples 119 CAs. The reliability of the survey result was measured using Cronbach’s α, and a score of 0.77 indicated acceptable internal consistency reliability. The data were analysed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Mann Whitney U test statistic. The summary of their suggestions for ensuring auditor independence is presented separately. The findings reflect that existing prohibitions imposed by the Companies Act, 2013, are not enough to ensure auditor independence, and the Management Services u/s 144 of the Act needs to be clearly defined. Practitioners do not support the proposition that joint provision should end and a separate category of professionals be mandated to render NAS. However, the recommendations include strengthening provisions to reduce the conflict of interest.

Tax Non-Audit Services and Client Income Tax Estimation Error

The provision of non-audit services (NAS) to audit clients can increase or decrease financial reporting quality, depending on whether NAS generate knowledge spillovers that enhance auditors’ judgments or self-review and self-interest threats that impair auditors’ independence. Prior research finds mixed evidence of a relation between tax NAS and clients’ (actual and potential) material GAAP violations in accounting for income taxes. As auditors are likely to avoid material GAAP violations, we re-examine this issue using a measure that reflects immaterial or within-GAAP estimation error in clients’ income tax expense. We find that greater amounts of tax NAS are associated with greater income tax estimation error, consistent with tax NAS threating auditors’ independence. The association is partially offset by auditor expertise and concentrated in engagements where auditors face both self-review and self-interest threats. Our findings inform the ongoing policy debate regarding whether accounting firms should provide tax NAS to their audit clients.

Investments in Auditor-provided Non-audit Services and Future Operating Performance

The "organization capital" of a firm consists of its internal investments in its business units, processes, know how, employee skills, and information systems. We investigate whether a firm's investments in auditor-provided non-audit services (NAS) can supplement its own internal investment in organization capital, resulting in improved operating performance. We find that investments in NAS are positively related to a firm's subsequent operating performance consistent with NAS augmenting a firm's organization capital. Firms with low organization capital in general, high complexity, or disruption due to acquisitions benefit the most from purchasing NAS from their auditor. We also show that firms engaging auditors with a high level of expertise manifest higher levels of future operating performance. We find no evidence that the improvement in operating performance subsequent to NAS investment is due to earnings management or lower audit quality.

EFFECTS OF AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES FEES ON CORPORATE PERFORMANCE OF FIRMS LISTED IN PAKISTAN

Purpose of the Study: The main purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the provision of audit and non-audit services jointly by the same audit firm on the corporate performance of firms in the capital market of Pakistan. Methodology: This study uses hand-collected secondary data taken from firms' financial statements, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for 2012-2016. Panel data analysis techniques are employed using E-views statistical software. Main Findings: we find a negative relation between audit and non-audit services fees with the firm performance. It is also documented that the appropriate amount of the NAS fee exceeds the amount of the audit fee received by the same auditor in the same assignment. Application of the Study: This study has vital implications from both theoretical as well as practical perspectives. It adds a significant aspect of audit and non-audit services provided in the context of Pakistan to the existing body of knowledge/literature. This study also implies the bifurcation of audit services provision and its serious implications on the corporate sector of Pakistan. These results thus, signify its implications for regulators as well as standard setters in Pakistan. Novelty/Originality of this Study: Various studies covering the audit aspect have been conducted in Pakistan. However, this is a unique study covering the multi-facet dimensions of audit, i.e., audit and non-audit services provision by the same audit firm and its effects/implications on corporate performance in Pakistan.

EFFECT OF NON-AUDIT SERVICES ON AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE: EVIDENCE FROM ACCOUNTING PRACTITIONERS IN ABIA STATE

This study investigates the effect of the provision on non-audit services on Auditor’s independence: evidence from accounting practitioners and consequent effect on the auditor’s objectivity and professional skepticism in the financial statement audited. The study used the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) domiciled in Abia State. The data for the study were generated from primary source: questionnaires were the major instrument for data collection. The instrument was subject to both content and faces validity by experts. Three questions were structured in Likert scale form and the formulated hypotheses were tested with ordinary Logistic regression using SPSS package. The study found that non-audit services have no effect on auditor’s independence, the auditor’s objectivity and professional skepticism. The study therefore recommends that the audit committee should have full oversight of the auditor’s independence, including the nature and extent of the work they do and their fees. The audit committee should make its charter public. The charter should give investor information about how the audit committee chooses its auditors and how it decides the type of service they can provide.

The Impact of Corporate Governance Mechanisms on Compliance with IFRS and Financial Reporting Quality

The present study examines the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on compliance with IFRS and financial reporting quality, especially focusing on non-audit service and accountant’s tenure. The adoption of IFRS is launched in Taiwan since 2012. The study aims to investigate this issue using a sample of 3997 data gathered from listed companies traded on the Taiwan Stock Exchange and OTC over the period from 2012 up to 2019. The results show the evidence to support that the collective effect of non-audit services/accountant’s tenure on audit quality has changed to be more influential. This research findings also open valuable insights to regulators, stock markets, practitioners, and academicians in this issue. JEL classification numbers: D22, G32, M41. Keywords: IFRS, Non-audit services, Accountant’s tenure.

The Relationship between Non-audit Services and Auditor Independence: Evidence from Chinese Listed Companies

The rapid development of non-audit services (NAS) has jeopardized the independence of auditors, which has led many Western countries to enact regulations that restrict the provision of NAS. While in China, NAS have just emerged, and its development in China is far less mature than in Western countries. The purpose of this paper is to explore whether NAS in China have damaged auditor independence and whether Chinese regulators need to emulate Western countries and strongly limit the provision of NAS. In order to achieve this objective, 213 Chinese listed companies are selected in this study. The audit opinions issued by the auditors are used as substitute variables for auditor independence (dependent variables), and the ratio of non-audit service fees to the total of audit service fees and non-audit service fees as a substitute variable for the provision of NAS (independent variable), and meanwhile some suitable control variables are also selected. Analyse these data by building a binary logistic regression model. The results show that there is no evidence in China that NAS can undermine auditor independence and there is no need for China to enact regulations to prohibit the provision of NAS.