Audit quality and earnings management: evidence from Jordan

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebraheem Saleem Salem Alzoubi
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Audit Firm ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Jones Model

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to test the association between audit quality and earnings management (EM). Audit quality studies documented that accruals would reduce when the auditor is independent or the audit firm is large. Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses generalised least square regression to investigate the influence of audit quality on EM. The sample contained 86 companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange from 2007 to 2010. The cross-sectional modified Jones model was employed to measure discretionary accruals as a proxy for EM. Findings – This paper revealed that there is a significantly negative association between audit quality and EM. The result inferred that EM level is significantly lower among companies using the services of independent auditors. Moreover, this study exposed that the level of EM is significantly less among companies hiring a Big 4 audit firm, as compared to companies utilising the service of a non-Big 4 audit firm. Research limitations/implications – The measurement error, which is a rigorous concern for studies on EM, is one of the limitations in this study. Hence, the current study wholly inherited the limits of the modified Jones model. Practical implications – The findings based on the current study would provide beneficial information for regulators in Jordan and other countries with an institutional environment similar to that of Jordan. Moreover, the results provided valuable information to investors in assessing the influence of audit quality on financial reporting quality (FRQ). Originality/value – The current study contributed to auditing and corporate governance literature and its influence on EM among Jordanian companies. This research will be of value to companies seeking to reduce EM and enhance FRQ.

Disclosure quality and earnings management: evidence from Jordan

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 429-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebraheem Saleem Salem Alzoubi
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Disclosure Quality ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industrial Companies ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to extend previous research by empirically investigating the effect of the disclosure quality (DQ) on the magnitude of the earnings management (EM) among Jordanian companies listed in Amman Stock Exchange. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the cross-sectional version of the modified Jones model, where discretionary accruals are used for the EM proxy. Generalized least square regression is used to examine the influence of the DQ on EM for a sample of 86 industrial companies in the period of the years from 2007 to 2010. Findings The result produces evidence on the negative association between DQ and EM. The result also evidences the view that as the level of the disclosure is high, the magnitude of the EM reduces and, in turn, increases the financial reporting quality. Originality/value As there are relatively few researches conducted in this area specifically among Jordanian firms, the study broadens the scope by providing empirical evidence of the relationship between DQ and EM. This paper is the first empirical study to investigate the impact of the DQ on EM among Jordanian companies.

Audit committee and financial reporting quality: the moderating effect of audit quality

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sana Mardessi
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Real Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this study is to address the impact of audit quality on financial reporting quality proxied by real earnings management. To further clarify the mentioned links, this study empirically assesses the moderating effect of audit quality. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a sample consisting of 90 non-financial companies that are listed in the Amsterdam stock exchange in AEX all share index over the 2010–2017 period. This study applies a quantitative approach and secondary data as the main source of information for analysis. This paper performs an ordinary least squares regression to examine the moderating effect of audit quality on the relationship between financial reporting quality. Findings Empirical findings demonstrate that corporate governance mechanism, mainly independence members, financial expert and audit committee size has a statistically significant relationship with real earnings management. However, the effect of audit committee meetings on real earnings management is not significant. There is also evidence that audit quality moderates the audit committee – real earnings management links. Originality/value This study extends the existing literature by examining the moderating effect of audit quality on the relationship between financial reporting quality proxied by real earnings management in the Dutch context.

Effective audit committee, audit quality and earnings management

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inaam ZGARNI ◽  
Khmoussi HLIOUI ◽  
Fatma ZEHRI
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Institutional Setting ◽  
Financial Security ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – A steady stream of literature has examined relationships between audit committee effectiveness, audit quality and financial reporting quality. The purpose of this paper is to connect these various streams of research to provide an empirical evidence from an Arabic emergent country namely Tunisia. This study examines the role of audit committee effectiveness and audit quality on financial reporting quality particularly to mitigate the earnings management in the Tunisian companies before and after financial security law adoption. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses ordinary least squares regression model to investigate the effect of audit committee characteristics, audit quality attributes and the interaction between these two overseeing mechanisms on earnings management for a sample of 29 non-financial listed Tunisian firms during the period 2001-2009. Findings – The results document a substitute effect between the presence of Big Four auditor and effective audit committee in order to reduce the discretionary accruals before the enforcement of law no. 2005-96 dealing with the financial securities. The authors find a complementarity link between the score of audit committee’s effectiveness and auditor industry specialization’s to constrain earnings management. Finally, the findings show a complementary relation between audit committee’s effectiveness and audit tenure, after the passage of the law. Research limitations/implications – This study shows the value of considering the institutional setting in governance research. This paper is restricted to firms in the Tunisia from 2001 to 2009. Future research should investigate this issue in other settings and periods. Practical implications – This study is important to practitioner and academic literature, policy makers and professional accounting bodies as it shows that legislative reforms can enhance companies to adopt good governance practices in emerging countries. The results also give useful information to investors in examination the effect of audit committee characteristics and audit quality on earnings quality. Another interesting practical focus of this study is to assess how successful was the implementation of financial security law in improving audit transparency and support shareholder involvement in the audit process. Originality/value – The results suggested that governance regulation is a substitute for strong governance mechanisms in both the pre- and post-law periods.

Is There an Association between Earnings Management and Auditor-Provided Tax Services?

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gopal V. Krishnan ◽  
Gnanakumar Visvanathan
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Significant Relation ◽  
Audit Firm ◽  
Academic Researchers ◽  
Loss Avoidance ◽  
The Media

ABSTRACT The issue of whether auditor-provided nonaudit services enhance or exacerbate financial reporting quality has been intensely debated among regulators, auditors, investors, academic researchers, and the media. In 2006, the SEC approved the rules proposed by the PCAOB limiting the tax services that incumbent auditors can offer to their clients. We contribute to this debate by examining whether auditor-provided tax services mitigate earnings management. We find a negative and significant relation between earnings management (loss avoidance) and tax fee paid to the incumbent auditor. Our results are consistent with knowledge spillover, i.e., when the same audit firm provides both audit and tax services, insight learned from providing tax services can contribute to audit quality.

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.

scholarly journals The Moderating impact of the Big-4 on Audit Committee and Earnings Management: During Pre-Post IFRS Adoption in Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1A) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Bayou ◽  
Magdi El-Bannany ◽  
Mohamad Abdul Hamid
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Auditor Choice ◽  
Dummy Variable ◽  
Big 4

Abstract This study investigates the moderating impart of Audit Quality (AQ) on Audit Committee (AC) and Financial Reporting Quality (FRQ) during pre-post IFRS full adoption. It argues that the AC improves FRQ but subject to the choice of auditor. This study considers several variables on its measurements related to dependent, independent, moderate, control variables which include measures such as discretionary accruals, the yearly number of AC meetings and the dummy variable. AQ is measured by a firm’s auditor choice of the Big-4 and Non-Big 4 as an indication for the demand for high/low quality financial reporting. Using 567 listed firm-year observations from 2009 to 2015, investigations were deducted by examining the statistical significance difference during pre-post IFRS full adoption, using multiple regression analysis and paired sample t-test. The findings show that the Big-4 choice, increase the relationship on the AC and FRQ when companies are adopting IFRS. The level of difference on earnings management practice was not significant. However, the result shows that IFRS full adoption have limited managerial discretion and the possibility for Earnings Management for Malaysian companies. Keywords: IFRS Full Adoption, Audit Quality, Audit Committee, Earnings Management Mohamed Salem M.S. Bayou*, [email protected] Magdi Ahmed Fathi El-Bannany**, [email protected] Mohamad Ali Bin Abdul Hamid

Do Audit Firm Tenure and Size Moderate Changes in Financial Reporting Quality Due to Mandatory IFRS Adoption?

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 201-224
Author(s):  
William N. Riccardi
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Audit Firm ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Ifrs Adoption ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Mandatory Adoption

SUMMARY Regulators have expressed concerns that auditors become less effective external monitors as the length of the auditor-client relationship increases. I examine how audit firm tenure is associated with changes in financial reporting quality due to mandatory adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards. I argue that auditors were integral in proper implementation of IFRS and could have mitigated potential negative consequences associated with IFRS adoption. My findings suggest that short audit firm tenure was associated with a decrease in quality, relative to those with medium length tenure. Differences between clients with medium and long tenure are generally not significant. Other results indicate that companies with a Big 4 auditor had greater improvements, or smaller decreases, in reporting quality relative to non-Big 4 clients. My results do not support concerns that longer tenure impairs audit quality. My study is also relevant to standard setters as they evaluate the results of IFRS adoption.

Has Sarbanes-Oxley standardized audit quality?

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Hoag ◽  
Mark Myring ◽  
Joe Schroeder
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Earning Forecast ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Audit Firm ◽  
Sarbanes Oxley ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Industry Expertise

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the institutional changes accompanying the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) have standardized the audit’s role in the overall financial reporting process, thereby reducing the impact of auditor characteristics on financial reporting quality. Design/methodology/approach To test this hypothesis, the association between audit quality characteristics (auditor size and industry expertise) and measures of financial reporting quality (analyst earning forecast dispersion and accuracy) are estimated using regression analysis. Results of this analysis are compared across the pre- and post-SOX periods. Findings The results of the study document a significant relationship between auditor size (Big N vs non-Big N) and financial reporting quality (as proxied by analyst earnings forecast properties) during the pre-SOX period but not in the post-SOX period. Auditor industry expertise is significantly associated with financial reporting quality throughout the entire sample period. Thus, financial reporting quality continues to be dependent on the degree of specialization of an audit firm in both the pre- and post-SOX periods; however, the impact of auditor size as a surrogate for quality has diminished. Originality/value The SOX Act of 2002 represented one of the most significant changes in the regulation of audits. This paper adds to the literature by examining the Act’s effects on financial professionals’ perception of the impact of audit firm characteristics on their client’s financial reporting quality.

Ownership structure and earnings management: evidence from Jordan

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebraheem Saleem Salem Alzoubi
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Earnings Management ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Ownership Structure ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Discretionary Accruals ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between internal corporate governance mechanism and earnings management of Jordanian companies. More specifically, the author examines several hypotheses regarding the relationships between ownership and earnings management. Design/methodology/approach This study measures the magnitude of discretionary accruals as a proxy for earnings management using the cross-sectional modified Jones model. A number of econometric techniques are used including ordinary least squares and generalized least squares to test the relationship between company ownership and earnings management, using a sample of 62 companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange. Findings The results revealed that insider managerial ownership, institutional ownership, external blockholder, family ownership and foreign ownership have superior influence on financial reporting quality, as it is, to a greater extent, potentially able to curtail earnings management. The findings contended that the aspects of ownership structure have a significant influence on earnings management, which is in agreement with the theories of corporate governance and opinions that have been highlighted through a number of international bodies. Research limitations/implications Due to lack of data, the paper depends on cross-sectional data applied to isolate abnormal accruals. Practical implications The evidence may be conceivably beneficial as a supporting fundamental for regulatory action, particularly those that affect the ownership structure. The findings have significant implications for regulators as well as supervisors, who will benefit by the comprehension of how ownership structure affects earnings management and enhance financial reporting quality. Originality/value The current research produced its essential contribution through empirically displaying that ownership structure has different implications on earnings management. Moreover, the results recommended that both policymakers and researchers would no longer contemplate ownership structure as a whole, given that ownership structure has different implications on earnings management, measured by the discretionary accruals.

The impact of audit quality on earnings management and cost of equity capital: evidence from a developing market

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Le ◽  
Paula Hearn Moore
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Discretionary Accruals ◽  
Equity Capital ◽  
Cost Of Equity Capital ◽  
Cost Of Equity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to examine the effects of audit quality on earnings management and cost of equity capital (COE) considering the impact of two owner types: government ownership and foreign ownership. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a panel data set of 236 Vietnamese firms covering the period 2007 to 2017. Because the two main dependent variables of the COE capital and the absolute value of discretionary accruals receive fractional values between zero and one, the paper uses the generalised linear model (GLM) with a logit link and the binomial family in regression analyses. The paper uses numerous audit quality measures, including hiring Big 4 auditors or the industry-leading Big 4 auditor, changing from non-Big 4 auditors to Big 4 auditors or the industry-leading Big 4 auditor, and the length of Big 4 auditor tenure. Big 4 companies include KPMG, Deloitte, EY and PwC, whereas the non-big 4 are the other audit companies. Findings The study finds a negative relationship between audit quality and both the COE capital and income-increasing discretionary accruals. The effects of audit quality on discretionary accruals and the COE capital depend on the ownership levels of two important shareholders: the government and foreign investors. Foreign ownership is negatively associated with discretionary accruals; however, the effect is more pronounced in the sub-sample of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), the firms where the government owns 50% or more equity, than in the sub-sample of Non-SOEs. Originality/value To the best of the knowledge, no prior similar study exists that used the GLM with a logit link and the binomial family regression. Global investors may be interested in understanding how unique institutional settings and capital markets of each country impact the financial reporting quality and cost of capital. Further, policymakers of developing markets may have incentives to improve the quality of financial reporting and reduce the cost of capital which should result in attracting more foreign investments.

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