Do Small Firms Benefit from Auditor Attestation of Internal Control Effectiveness?

2012 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 115-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gopal V. Krishnan ◽  
Wei Yu
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Securities And Exchange Commission ◽  
Control Effectiveness

SUMMARY While auditor attestation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) is required for firms with a public float of at least $75 million (accelerated filers), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has delayed auditor attestation for non-accelerated filers several times. The Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 exempts non-accelerated filers from auditor attestation. We examine the relation between auditor attestation and revenue quality for a sample of non-accelerated filers and small accelerated filers. We find that discretionary (abnormal) revenues, our proxy for revenue quality, are lower by about 1.5 percent of total assets for accelerated filers relative to non-accelerated filers. This finding holds even among firms whose management has certified their ICFR to be effective. Overall, the findings support the notion that auditor attestation of the effectiveness of ICFR benefits small accelerated filers via higher revenue quality. We believe our findings are timely and potentially informative to regulators, investors, and others.

Repeat offenders: examining cases of multiple years of internal control weaknesses

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-520
Author(s):  
Kathleen Bakarich ◽  
Devon Baranek
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Securities And Exchange Commission ◽  
Repeat Offenders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Company ◽  
Material Weaknesses ◽  
General Material ◽  
Current Sample ◽  
One Year

Purpose This study aims to identify characteristics of firms reporting multiple years of material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting (MWICFR), labeled “Repeat Offenders”, and examine their characteristics and the types of material weaknesses they report using both broad and COSO-based classification schemes. The analysis compares these firms with firms reporting only one year of MWICFR and examines the differences between Repeat Offenders reporting consecutive and non-consecutive weaknesses. Design/methodology/approach Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted on a sample of 1,793 firm-year observations, split into Repeat Offenders and non-Repeat Offenders, and collected from AuditAnalytics and Compustat from 2007 to 2015. Findings On average, 40% of adverse opinions in ICFR each year can be attributed to Repeat Offenders. Compared to one-time MWICFR firms, Repeat Offenders are significantly more likely to report general material weaknesses and, within the COSO framework, are significantly more likely to report issues with Segregation of Duties and Processes and Procedures. Repeat Offenders reporting consecutive years of MWICFR are significantly more likely to have general weaknesses than non-consecutive Repeat Offenders and are also significantly more likely to report issues with Segregation of Duties and Personnel. Research limitations/implications Prior studies have examined unremediated ICFR issues in the periods immediately following SOX implementation. This study extends this literature with a longer, more current sample period, focusing on both broad and COSO-specific control issues, as well as examining consecutive and non-consecutive MWICFR and firms with more than two years of MWICFR. Originality/value This study underpins recent Securities and Exchange Commission and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board concerns regarding pervasive ICFR issues. This study identifies some of the characteristics of firms associated with weaker ICFR and pinpoints more specific areas within internal controls that frequently lead to adverse opinions.

Does the JOBS Act Reduce Compliance Costs of Emerging Growth Companies? Theory and Evidence

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 151-175
Author(s):  
Inder K. Khurana ◽  
Lei Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Initial Public Offering ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Audit Fees ◽  
Significant Cost ◽  
Compliance Costs ◽  
Disclosure Requirements ◽  
Public Offering ◽  
Jobs Act

SUMMARY In April 2012, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act was enacted to revitalize the initial public offering market by reducing regulatory burdens for small firms. We focus on audit fees, one directly observable and significant cost of complying with the JOBS Act. Specifically, we examine whether the exemption of emerging growth companies (EGCs) from SOX 404(b) auditor attestations of internal control over financial reporting and other disclosure requirements affected audit fees paid by EGCs. We find that EGCs paid higher audit fees than non-EGCs after IPOs. Moreover, we find that the positive relation between EGCs and audit fees is more pronounced for firms with high financial reporting risk. Collectively, our results reveal an unintended consequence of the JOBS Act: it failed to reduce audit fees, a major component of the compliance costs of EGCs.

COSO 2013: Aligning Internal Controls and Principles

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Dickins ◽  
Rebecca G. Fay
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Securities And Exchange Commission ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Reading Assignment

ABSTRACT Strong systems of internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) are critical to the production of reliable financial statements. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations require that companies design, maintain, and regularly evaluate their systems of ICFR, and Auditing Standard No. 5 requires that auditors evaluate companies' systems of ICFR. Therefore, it is necessary for accountants to be able to (1) describe and classify internal controls and (2) determine deficiencies in internal control. Recent reports suggest that accountants may lack sufficient training and guidance in these respects (e.g., Rapoport 2012). This activity provides an opportunity for students to practice these skills while learning more about the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission's (COSO) 2013 Framework. Provided are a summary discussion of ICFR and the COSO 2013 Framework, an outside-of-class reading assignment, and an activity that requires students (independently or in groups, either in or outside of class) to employ critical-thinking skills to: (1) classify (i.e., map) a listing of controls as being aligned with one (or more) of the COSO 2013 Framework's five components and 17 principles that comprise a well-designed system of internal control, and (2) identify any deficiencies (gaps) in design due to missing or inadequate internal controls.

scholarly journals Impact of auditors and internal control effectiveness on the financial reporting quality in small and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. First
Author(s):  
Pham Quoc Thuan
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Measurement Scale ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Control Effectiveness ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
The Impact

This study aims to determine the impact of auditors (Big 4 and non-big 4) and internal control effectiveness on the financial reporting quality in Small and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam. The case study reasearch with participants who are in the following positions: Head of finance and accounting department; General manager/director; Internal control manager; Auditors is used to build and complete the measurement scale of financial reporting quality based on viewpoints of FASB and IASB 2018. Weighted average is applied for the elements of information quality in measuring financial reporting quality. By using the survey method with a sample of 183 respondents from small and medium - sized enterprises in Vietnam, the authors have developed a regression model showing the impact of these factors named: Auditors (Big 4 and Non-big 4) and Internal Control Effectiveness to the financial reporting quality. In which, the differences in the influence of Big 4 and Non-Big 4 on the quality of financial statements information is the highlighted contributions of this study. In terms of financial reporting quality, the survey results show that financial reporting quality in small and medium - sized enterprises in Vietnam is considered acceptable with average point being 3.49/5. Among 3 qualitative characteristics of financial reporting quality, the enhancing characteristics are highly evaluated (3.94/5) while the fundamental characteristics (relevance and faithful presentation) are considered as moderate (3.43/5 and 3.31/5).

How Much Does IFRS Cost? IFRS Adoption and Audit Fees

2012 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel T. De George ◽  
Colin B. Ferguson ◽  
Nasser A. Spear
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Audit Fees ◽  
Securities And Exchange Commission ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Publicly Traded ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Response Data ◽  
Ifrs Adoption

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.

Of Hurricanes and Harness Racing: The Accounting Fraud at DHB Industries, Inc.

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-152
Author(s):  
Michael C. Knapp ◽  
Carol A. Knapp
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Securities And Exchange Commission ◽  
Accounting Fraud ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Fraud Risk ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT: This instructional case focuses on an accounting and financial reporting fraud involving DHB Industries, Inc., the nation's largest manufacturer of bullet-resistant vests. Three executives of this Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registrant, including its founder and CEO, masterminded a large-scale fraud that grossly misrepresented DHB's financial statements. The three executives colluded to conceal their misdeeds from the four accounting firms that served as the company's independent auditors over the course of the fraud. In late 2010, a federal jury convicted DHB's former CEO and COO of multiple counts of fraud and related charges. This case addresses a wide range of auditing issues raised by the DHB fraud, including the identification of fraud risk factors, auditing of related-party transactions, the impact of frequent auditor changes on audit quality, and the internal control reporting responsibilities of auditors.

Internal control and financial reporting quality of small firms

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-246
Author(s):  
Jagan Krishnan ◽  
Jayanthi Krishnan ◽  
Sophie Liang
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Policy Debate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Material Weaknesses ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The Dodd–Frank Act of 2010 exempts small, non-accelerated filers from compliance with Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX) Section 404b internal control audits. However, these firms are required to comply with other internal control regulations, namely, SOX Sections 302 and 404a, starting in 2002 and 2007, respectively. A small number of these firms also voluntarily adopted (and sometimes dropped) Section 404b during 2004-2010. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of a series of internal control regulations introduced by SOX on the financial reporting quality of small firms. Design/methodology/approach The research design for this study is empirical. Using unsigned and signed discretionary accruals as measures of financial reporting quality, the authors compare the financial reporting quality for adopters and non-adopters across four regulation regimes over the period 2000-2010: PRESOX, SOX 302, SOX 404a and SOX 404b. Findings The results indicate that most of the adopters and non-adopters benefited from SOX 302 and 404a compared with the PRESOX period. However, only the non-adopters gained incrementally when moving from SOX 302 to SOX 404a. Also, Section 404b benefited firms with material weaknesses, as well as firms without material weaknesses that had the lowest reporting quality, in the PRESOX period. Research limitations/implications This study helps inform the important policy debate on whether to increase the threshold that is used for the SOX 404b exemption. It shows incremental benefits for firms that adopted Section 404b audits, even when they were complying with Section 302 and Section 404a. Consequently, extending the exemption to more companies would result in a loss of the reporting quality benefit of 404b. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by focusing exclusively on non-accelerated filers and by examining differences across four regulation regimes over a long window compared to prior studies. It provides evidence that the financial reporting benefit of SOX 404b is not transitional, but rather extends for a few years even after some firms discontinued the 404b audits.

Koss Corporation Case: Trouble in Brew City

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 547-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Daugherty ◽  
Daniel G. Neely
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Securities And Exchange Commission ◽  
Financial Statement Fraud ◽  
President Obama ◽  
Public Companies ◽  
Chief Operating Officer ◽  
Sarbanes Oxley

ABSTRACT This instructional case provides auditing students an opportunity to examine an interesting real-life embezzlement and financial statement fraud occurring at a publicly traded company in the post-Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) era. The case focuses on independent auditors' and senior management's reporting responsibilities related to internal control over financial reporting involving smaller public companies (nonaccelerated filers). While all public companies are subject to external auditor and management attestation on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting following SOX, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) granted nonaccelerated filers numerous extensions for the effective date of required auditor attestation. In 2010, President Obama signed legislation to permanently exempt nonaccelerated filers from auditor attestation. The case also highlights inherent risk assessments by the independent auditor when one individual holds multiple C-level titles (Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, etc.) within the organization concurrent with membership on the board of directors, and requires students to recommend internal control policies and procedures designed to prevent or detect the embezzlement.

scholarly journals An Empirical Analysis on Determinants of Accounting Internal Control Effectiveness: Evidence from Emerging Market

2021 ◽  
Vol 04 (05) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Hanh Hong HA ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Operation Performance ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Control Effectiveness ◽  
Management Alternative ◽  
Potential Factors

Prior research mentioned internal control as a useful management alternative to improve enterprises’ operation performance and information quality. According to Trenery (2013) internal control can be fundamentally divided into two functions of operating and accounting internal control. The paper aims to identify the determinants of accounting internal control effectiveness that are addressed in existing literature review. Primary data was collected from samples of 109 members of board of directors and chief accountants in Vietnam by direct interview and email survey. The data was analyzed using exploratory factor analysis of SPSS software to illustrate the potential factors of accounting internal control effectiveness. The result shows that there are several determinants of accounting internal control effectiveness such as: good financial ratio, efficient resources deployed, errors found in the financial reports that are convergent into three specific groups of factors, namely: effectiveness and efficiency of accounting activities, reliability of financial reporting and compliance with law and accounting regulations. Based on the research findings, some suggestions are given to enterprises in Vietnam and other emerging markets to improve the effectiveness of accounting internal control.

Section 404 Compliance and Financial Reporting Quality

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 441-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert L. Nagy
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Securities And Exchange Commission ◽  
Small Companies ◽  
Section 404 ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Sarbanes Oxley

SYNOPSIS: This study examines whether the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 404 (S404) compliance efforts lead to higher quality financial reports. An objective of S404 is to encourage companies to devote adequate resources and attention to their internal control systems, which should lead to more reliable financial statements. A natural laboratory of S404 compliance and noncompliance companies exists because the Securities and Exchange Commission has deferred the S404 compliance date for small companies (nonaccelerated filers). A logistic regression model is estimated using a sample of companies surrounding the S404 compliance threshold to measure the S404 compliance effect on the likelihood of issuing materially misstated financial statements. The results show a significant and negative relation between S404 compliance and issuance of materially misstated financial statements, and suggest that the S404 regulation is meeting its objective of improving the quality of financial reports.

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