The Impact of Mandatory IFRS Adoption on Audit Fees: Theory and Evidence

2012 ◽  
Vol 87 (6) ◽  
pp. 2061-2094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeong-Bon Kim ◽  
Xiaohong Liu ◽  
Liu Zheng

ABSTRACT: This study examines the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption on audit fees. We first build an analytical audit fee model to analyze the impact on audit fees for the change in both audit complexity and financial reporting quality brought about by IFRS adoption. We then test the model's predictions using audit fee data from European Union countries that mandated IFRS adoption in 2005. We find that mandatory IFRS adoption has led to an increase in audit fees. We also find that the IFRS-related audit fee premium increases with the increase in audit complexity brought about by IFRS adoption, and decreases with the improvement in financial reporting quality arising from IFRS adoption. Finally, we find some evidence that the IFRS-related audit fee premium is lower in countries with stronger legal regimes. Our results are robust to a variety of sensitivity checks. Data availability: Data are available from public sources identified in the paper.

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (03) ◽  
pp. 2050013
Author(s):  
Mara Cameran ◽  
Domenico Campa

This paper investigates the impact of the voluntary adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by unlisted firms on both their financial reporting quality and cost of debt. Using a large international sample of unlisted EU companies for which the choice of IFRS is voluntary, we find that IFRS adoption has a positive impact on financial reporting quality and results in a decrease in the cost of debt. In addition, unlisted firms adopting IFRS are more likely to be acquired or go public in the years subsequent to the adoption, relative to other unlisted firms. We document a tangible benefit of voluntary IFRS adoption by unlisted firms.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 102-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Newman Wadesango ◽  
Edmore Tasa ◽  
Khazamula Milondzo ◽  
Ongayi Vongai Wadesango

The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in its objectives and preamble, presume that IFRS adoption and perceived compliance to regulatory framework is associated with increased financial reporting quality. Based on these assumptions, this desktop study reviewed several documents to determine whether the IFRS adoption has led to increased financial reporting quality in Zimbabwe. The researchers reviewed literature on how the IAS/IFRS and regulations affect the financial reporting quality of listed companies. The factors around IFRS adoption were identified (mandatory, voluntary and convergence) and discussed in relation to the financial reporting quality. Evidence from previous studies conducted in line with this same issue shows that there is no conclusive evidence on how IFRS and regulations affect the financial reporting quality. Issues to be addressed in further studies include the importance of financial statements prepared under IFRS framework and the importance of compliance with accounting and auditing requirements.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahsan Habib ◽  
Md. Borhan Uddin Bhuiyan ◽  
Mostafa Monzur Hasan

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption on financial reporting quality and cost of equity. The paper further investigates whether such association varies at different life cycle stages. Design/methodology/approach This paper follows the methodologies of DeAngelo et al. (2006) and Dickinson (2011) to develop proxies for the firms’ stages in the life cycle. Findings Using both pre- and post-IFRS adoption period for Australian listed companies, the paper finds that financial reporting quality reduced and cost of equity increased because of the adoption of IFRS. The paper further evidences that financial reporting quality in the post-IFRS period increased cost of equity. Finally, the paper finds that mature firms produce a better quality of earnings, which result in lower cost of capital. The results indicate that a mature firm was benefited because of the adoption of IFRS. Originality/value The finding of this research is useful to the regulators and practitioners to understand the widespread benefit of IFRS adoption.


2012 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel T. De George ◽  
Colin B. Ferguson ◽  
Nasser A. Spear

ABSTRACT This study provides evidence of a directly observable and significant cost of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption, by examining the fees incurred by firms for the statutory audit of their financial statements at the time of transition. Using a comprehensive dataset of all publicly traded Australian companies, we quantify an economy-wide increase in the mean level of audit costs of 23 percent in the year of IFRS transition. We estimate an abnormal IFRS-related increase in audit costs in excess of 8 percent, beyond the normal yearly fee increases in the pre-IFRS period. Further analysis provides evidence that small firms incur disproportionately higher IFRS-related audit fees. We then survey auditors to construct a firm-specific measure of IFRS audit complexity. Empirical findings suggest that firms with greater exposure to audit complexity exhibit greater increases in compliance costs for the transition to IFRS. Given the renewed debate about whether the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) should mandate IFRS for U.S. firms, our results are of timely importance. Data Availability: Data are publicly available from the sources identified in the paper. Survey response data are available from the authors upon request.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Borhan Uddin Bhuiyan ◽  
Ummya Salma ◽  
Jamal Roudaki ◽  
Siata Tavite

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the association between the existence of a risk committee (RC) in a firm and financial reporting quality. We also investigate whether having an RC has an effect on audit pricing. We argue that the existence of an RC in a firm contributes to higher financial reporting quality and this, eventually, affects audit pricing.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses two different proxies for RC measures and investigates the impact on financial reporting quality and audit pricing. Multivariate regression analysis and propensity score matching techniques are both applied to data from the Australian Stock Exchange's listed companies for the years 2001–2013.FindingsThe results indicate that the existence of an RC reduces the discretionary accruals; this means the financial reporting quality improves when RCs are in operation. Our findings also indicate that the existence of an RC increases audit fees.Practical implicationsThe findings from this study will be beneficial to the regulatory authorities responsible for improving the compliance of corporate governance (CG). An RC can serve as a risk-mitigating tool in the investment decision-making process. Finally, the results are beneficial for the development of best practices in CG by promoting the existence of an RC.Originality/valueThis study goes beyond the traditional focus on CG as we use the existence of an RC as an indicator of better governance practices to mitigate financial and non-financial risk factors. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is among the first to investigate the consequences for firms operating with RCs. This issue has implications for investors, auditors, directors and regulators.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-25
Author(s):  
Saheed Ademola Lateef ◽  
Norfadzilah Rashid ◽  
Johnson Kolawole Olowookere ◽  
Abdullahi Bala Ado

The emergencies of the globalization of accounting standards and other critical issue have been reported to reduce the cost of enhancing comparability, understandability, and producing supplementary information, and analysis of the accounting reports. This allowed many developing nations who do not want to be left behind to take a cue from the world's major economies to meet the international financial reporting standards (IFRS) that Nigeria has taken measures to converge equally. The study examines the effect of IFRS adoption on financial reporting quality of listed non-financial companies in the Nigerian stock exchange. Particularly, in the area of value relevance and timely loss recognition. The study used 63 non-financial companies’ annual reports listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for the period of 2008 to 2018 (i.e., 5years pre-adoption and 5years post adoption). Multiple linear regression was used in analyzing the collected data via STATA software. The result shows a significant increase in the value relevance of financial reports after IFRS adoption. The study also showed that the identification of significant losses increased in the post-IFRS adoption era. Based on the result, the study suggests that the relationship between accounting measures on IFRS adoption and financial reporting quality indicates that both foreign and local investors can predict the future of market value of individual securities. Therefore, investor receives considerable information by knowing the price information on time that shows more value relevant. Finally, this study contributed to the theory and practice, as well as direction for further studies related to the financial reporting standards and the reporting quality.


2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean Hanlon ◽  
Mehdi Khedmati ◽  
Edwin KiaYang Lim

SUMMARY This study investigates the impact of backscratching between the CEO and directors on a firm's future performance, financial reporting quality, and audit fees. We find that the presence and extent of boardroom backscratching are associated with weaker future performance, poorer quality financial reporting, and higher audit fees. We attribute these findings to backscratching firms' increased business and information risks inducing auditors to exert greater effort and charge risk premiums in response to heightened audit engagement risks. We observe consistent results when extending our investigation to backscratching between the CEO and audit committee and between the CEO and the CFO, given that the audit committee and the CFO influence financial reporting quality. Finally, we provide evidence that backscratching firms display greater audit report lag and a higher likelihood of receiving a going concern audit opinion. Our study offers insights to regulators concerning policy development to strengthen board effectiveness and remuneration disclosures.


2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 252-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soo-Jung Jung ◽  
Bum-Joon Kim ◽  
Ju-Ryum Chung

Purpose This paper aims to examine how the relationship between abnormal audit fees and audit quality changed after adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Korea. Design/methodology/approach Using empirical data collected over the period from 2008 to 2013, this study analyzes the association between abnormally high/low audit fee and audit quality. This study uses linear regression to test the hypothetical relation using discretionary accrual as a proxy for audit quality. Findings This study finds that there exists no significant relationship between abnormally high audit fees and audit quality measured by the magnitude of discretionary accruals in the pre-IFRS adoption period. However, the relationship between abnormally high audit fees and the magnitude of discretionary accruals turns to be positive in the post-IFRS adoption period. These finding suggests that the IFRS enables some clients to engage more discretion in the choice of discretionary accruals and auditors charge higher audit fees in return for allowing the discretion for such clients. Practical implications This study provides insight to regulators of the need to review carefully the financial statements of firms with abnormally high audit fees, and to investors to be more cautious when using financial information about these firms. Originality/value To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to assess IFRS impact on audit fee-quality relation. Also, unique Korean audit market with intensifying competition and discounting audit fee provides interesting setting to review the impact of abnormal audit fee on audit quality.


2019 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annita Florou ◽  
Serena Morricone ◽  
Peter F. Pope

ABSTRACT We examine the costs and benefits of proactive financial reporting enforcement by the U.K. Financial Reporting Review Panel. Enforcement scrutiny is selective and varies by sector and over time, yet can be anticipated by auditors and companies. We find evidence that increased enforcement intensity leads to temporary increases in audit fees and more conservative accruals. However, cross-sectional analysis across market segments reveals that audit fees increase primarily in the less-regulated AIM segment, and especially those AIM companies with a higher likelihood of financial distress and less stringent governance. On the contrary, less reliable operating asset-related accruals are more conservative in the Main segment and, in particular, those Main companies with stronger incentives for higher financial reporting quality. Overall, our study indicates that financial reporting enforcement generates costs and benefits, but not always for the same companies. JEL Classifications: K42; M41; M42; M48. Data Availability: Data are available from the public sources cited in the text.


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