Does office size matter in client acceptance decisions? Evidence from big 4 accounting firms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Ting Hsieh ◽  
Chan-Jane Lin ◽  
Hsihui Chang
Keyword(s):  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Client Acceptance ◽  
Office Size ◽  
Size Matter

A Contemporary Analysis of Accounting Professionals' Work-Life Balance

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Buchheit ◽  
Derek W. Dalton ◽  
Nancy L. Harp ◽  
Carl W. Hollingsworth
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Support ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Important Distinction ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Accounting Professionals ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Public Accounting Firms

SYNOPSIS In recent years, work-life balance surpassed compensation as the most important job satisfaction factor among AICPA members (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants [AICPA] 2004). Despite the continued importance of this issue in the accounting profession (AICPA 2011), prior research has not examined work-life balance perceptions across different segments of the profession. We survey 1,063 practicing CPAs in order to assess the comparative work-life balance perceptions across (1) Big 4 versus smaller public accounting firms, (2) audit versus tax functions, and (3) public accounting versus industry work contexts. Consistent with predictions based on institutional logics theory, we find that work-family conflict and job burnout perceptions (our proxies for work-life balance) are highest in the Big 4. We are the first study to measure both support-for and viability-of traditional alternative work arrangements (AWAs), and we report an important distinction between these two constructs. Specifically, while CPAs across all public accounting firms (i.e., Big 4, national, regional, and local firms) report similar levels of organizational support-for AWAs, Big 4 professionals report significantly lower perceived viability-of AWAs (i.e., the ability to use AWAs and remain effective at one's job) compared to accounting professionals at smaller public accounting firms. Further, we find no differences between audit and tax professionals' perceptions across any of our work-life balance measures. We also document nuanced differences regarding work-life balance perceptions in public accounting versus industry. For example, contrary to conventional wisdom, work-life balance is not uniformly “better” in industry (e.g., burnout is actually lower in smaller public accounting firms compared to industry). Finally, we use open-ended responses from a follow-up survey to provide several recommendations for firms to improve their work-life balance efforts.

Capital Market Consequences of Audit Office Size: Evidence from Stock Price Crash Risk

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Jeffrey L. Callen ◽  
Xiaohua Fang ◽  
Baohua Xin ◽  
Wenjun Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Capital Market ◽  
Stock Price ◽  
Bad News ◽  
Crash Risk ◽  
Public Firms ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Empirical Tests ◽  
Office Size ◽  
Market Consequences ◽  
Robust Evidence

SUMMARY This study examines the association between the office size of engagement auditors and their clients' future stock price crash risk, a consequence of managerial bad news hoarding. Using a sample of U.S. public firms with Big 4 auditors, we find robust evidence that local audit office size is significantly and negatively related to future stock price crash risk. The evidence is consistent with the view that large audit offices effectively detect and deter bad news hoarding activities in comparison with their smaller counterparts. We further explore two possible explanations for these findings, the Auditor Incentive Channel and the Auditor Competency Channel. Our empirical tests offer support for both channels. JEL Classifications: G12; G34; M49.

Audit Senior Modeling Fallibility: The Effects of Reduced Error Strain and Enhanced Error-Related Self-Efficacy on Audit Juniors' Responses to Self-Discovered Errors

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Emby ◽  
Bin Zhao ◽  
Jost Sieweke
Keyword(s):  
Survey Data ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Direct Relationship ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

ABSTRACT This paper examines the relationship between audit seniors discussing their own experiences with committing and correcting errors (modeling fallibility), and audit juniors' thinking about errors and error communication (openly discussing their own self-discovered errors). The paper investigates the direct relationship between senior modeling fallibility and juniors' responses, and whether the relationship is mediated through error strain and error-related self-efficacy. Survey data from 266 audit juniors from two Big 4 Canadian accounting firms showed a direct positive association between audit senior modeling fallibility and audit juniors' thinking about errors, and error communication. This relationship is positively mediated through error-related self-efficacy. We also found that the relationship is mediated by error strain. However, although audit senior modeling fallibility was associated with reduced error strain, error strain was positively related to both thinking about errors and error communication, contrary to our hypothesis. The paper discusses the theoretical and practical implications of these results.

scholarly journals Do Big 4 auditors improve the ability of goodwill to forecast future cash flows?

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 164-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Al-Hiyari ◽  
Rohaida Abdul Latif ◽  
Noor Afza Amran
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Predictive Ability ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Reporting Standard ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Business Combination ◽  
Accounting Rules ◽  
Future Cash Flows ◽  
Professional Judgement

The accounting rules prescribed in Malaysian Financial Reporting Standard (MFRS) 3, Business combination, and (MFRS) 136, Impairment of Assets, give managers considerable reporting discretion in allocating goodwill and estimating its actual value. Agency theory predicts that managers may use the accounting discretion granted by the new rules to pursue their own interests at the expense of shareholders. Hence, auditors are required to exercise professional judgement when investigating hard-to-verify management assumptions and valuations. We exploit this issue by examining whether predictive ability of goodwill improved in the presence of Big 4 auditors. We provide evidence that goodwill has a significant predictive ability for second and third-year ahead cash flows which exists only in the firms audited by the large international reputable accounting firms. This suggests that Big 4 auditors play an important role in ensuring appropriate implementation of the present accounting for goodwill.

PCAOB Inspections and Large Accounting Firms

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan K. Church ◽  
Lori B. Shefchik
Keyword(s):  
Audit Quality ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Public Companies ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Second Tier ◽  
Over Time

SYNOPSIS The purpose of this paper is to analyze the PCAOB's inspection reports of large, annually inspected accounting firms. The inspection reports identify audit deficiencies that have implications for audit quality. By examining the inspection reports in detail, we can identify the nature and severity of audit deficiencies; we can track the total number of deficiencies over time; and we can pinpoint common, recurring audit deficiencies. We focus on large accounting firms because they play a dominant role in the marketplace (i.e., they audit public companies that comprise approximately 99 percent of U.S.-based issuer market capitalization). We document a significant, downward linear trend in the number of deficiencies from 2004 to 2009. We also identify common, recurring audit deficiencies, determine the financial statement accounts most often impacted by audit deficiencies, and isolate the primary emphasis of the financial statement impacted. Our findings generally are consistent comparing Big 4 and second-tier accounting firms, though a few differences emerge. In addition, we make comparisons with findings that have been documented for small, triennially inspected firms. Data Availability: The data are available from public sources.

Big 4 Firms as Legal Service Providers: Implications for Audit Practice and Future Research Directions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David N. Herda ◽  
Jonathan H. Grenier ◽  
Billy E. Brewster ◽  
Mary E Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Legal Services ◽  
Legal Service ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Rule Changes ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
The U.S

The Big 4 accounting firms have expanded their legal service arms to historic proportions over the last decade, employing thousands of lawyers around the world. Although most of the Big 4's revenue from legal services is presently generated outside the U.S., they are now making inroads into the U.S. legal market, and rule changes are being considered that would further allow the Big 4 to offer legal services in the U.S. This essay summarizes the current status of Big 4 firms as legal service providers, discusses potential implications of legal offerings for their U.S. audit practices, and suggests directions for future research. Our proposed research questions are informed by several literatures, interviews with former Big 4 partners and practicing attorneys, and a survey of the general public. They center on the fundamental difference between audit and law practices, brand equity considerations, and culture changes within the Big 4.

scholarly journals What Does It Take to Become a Partner at a Big 4 Accounting Firm? Insights From Singapore’s Experience

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 166
Author(s):  
Gary Pan ◽  
Poh-Sun Seow ◽  
Yang Hoong Pang ◽  
Kwong Sin Leong
Keyword(s):  
Role Model ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Leadership Skill ◽  
Accounting Firm ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Client Relationship ◽  
Asian Context ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Waves

Due to the shift in partner’s identity, there have been growing interests in understanding characteristics, skills and behaviours of accounting partners. Given that Big 4 Accounting firms are supposedly international accounting firms that are organized in similar structures, an interesting question of whether the same partner qualities can be applied in the Big 4 accounting firms for a non-western context such as Asia. As far as we know, no such study has been conducted in an Asian context. We argue this could be of great interest to the Big 4 Accounting firms as Asia is one of their fastest growing regions and it is essential they have partners who are equipped with the right attributes to ride the waves of rapid growth. Accordingly, our research aims to identify the essential attributes of a partner in the Big 4 accounting firms in Singapore.Our data collection involved interviewing 24 partners and ‘partners-to-be’ from the Big 4 Accounting firms in Singapore. From the data, we identified a number of attributes of a partner. Essential attributes include technical expertise, strong client relationship, solid leadership skill, team management skill, a strong sense of integrity and ethics, and good business sense. There are a few ‘good to have’ attributes that include overseas exposure, being IT savvy and having ‘X’ factor. Our study also highlighted that nurturing partner attributes may involve a development process. Mechanisms within the partner development process include having senior partners to be mentor, imitate a role model, sense-making through leadership and wide exposure to clients.

The effect of financial crisis on auditor conservatism: US evidence

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Beams ◽  
Yun-Chia Yan
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Going Concern ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Distressed Firms ◽  
Recent Financial Crisis ◽  
Auditor Conservatism

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the effect that the recent financial crisis had on auditor conservatism in the form of increased going-concern opinions. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses a sample of US’ distressed firms from 2005 to 2011 to test the change in going-concern opinions issued. This paper uses a logistic regression model to control for other predictors of going-concern opinions to determine when the financial crisis led to an increase in auditor conservatism. Findings – The authors find that auditors became more conservative in the form of issuing higher levels of going-concern opinions even after controlling for other predictors of going-concern opinions. This increased conservatism was present in both Big 4 and non-Big 4 accounting firms. The increased conservatism quickly returned to normal levels when the financial crisis eased. Originality/value – These findings add to the literature on the effects of environmental changes on audit opinions. Additionally, this study finds a difference in the timing of the reaction by large and small accounting firms, but, overall, it finds consistency in that both increased conservatism during the crisis and quickly returned to normal afterward.

Increasing productivity in the Big 4: a research note

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-302
Author(s):  
Chereen Pasha
Keyword(s):  
Research Note ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Employee Productivity ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Business Professionals ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Development Data

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to examine the idea of increasing employee productivity and retention within the Big 4 accounting firms through the inclusion of sleeping pods to allow napping. Design/methodology/approach – I have reviewed multiple sources of information and data including Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development data to conclude that allowing napping within Big 4 accounting firms could increase productivity. Findings – As a research note suggesting future research, I am hoping that future research shall find support for the idea that there may be a relationship between being well rested and increase in performance. Practical implications – Higher quality of workers will increase their productivity and the company’s profits. Conservative leaders in large audit firms may reject the idea of incorporating “energy pods”. New ideas always come with push back and criticism. Originality/value – Big 4 firms have developed a working system that could be improved to remove the negative stigma of overworking their employees. The value this research strives to reveal is a structure that reduces turnover and increases retention after two years. “Energizing pods” have been introduced into technology and airline companies. Taking naps in a fast-paced, stressful work environment is not common, but it is a concept that should further explored for the sake of business professionals.

U.S. Big 4 and Local Auditors in the China Initial Public Offering Market

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (04) ◽  
pp. 1950024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi-Yuan Feng ◽  
Hua-Wei Huang ◽  
Mai Dao
Keyword(s):  
Initial Public Offering ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Audit Fees ◽  
Agency Conflicts ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Corporate Fraud ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Investment Distortions ◽  
Ipo Pricing ◽  
Public Offering

This paper examines (1) whether auditor type affects initial public offering (IPO) pricing; (2) whether the effect of IPO pricing is different for clients with different ownership structures. We find that (1) firms being audited by Big 4 accounting firms receive IPO premium while others being audited by local accounting firms do not; (2) Big 4 auditors receive higher audit fees than China’s Top 10 or small local auditors. This paper extends the prior research (e.g., Kumar, P and N Langberg (2009). Corporate fraud and investment distortions in efficient capital markets. The RAND Journal of Economics, 40, 144–172) that reduces agency conflicts between shareholders and manager (by means of better audit quality) and also reconciles corporate misreporting and investment distortions.

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