Materiality Guidance of the Major Public Accounting Firms

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aasmund Eilifsen ◽  
William F. Messier
Keyword(s):  
Data Availability ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Public Accounting Firms ◽  
Qualitative Factors ◽  
Research And Education ◽  
High Level ◽  
Implementation Of Standards

SUMMARY This paper examines the materiality guidance for eight of the largest U.S. public accounting firms. Knowledge of how materiality guidance is integrated into a firm's methodology is important for accounting and auditing researchers as well as for practitioners, regulators, and educators. Our results show a high level of consistency across the firms in terms of the quantitative benchmarks (e.g., income before taxes, total assets or revenues, and total equity) used to determine overall materiality, the related percentages applied to those benchmarks, the percentages applied to overall materiality for determining tolerable misstatement, and what constitutes a clearly trivial misstatement. We also find that the firms' guidance for evaluating detected misstatements, including qualitative factors and firm guidance for group audits, is consistent across firms. However, there are differences in how the firms consider the possibility of undetected misstatements when evaluating detected misstatements. The results of this study provide important insights into implementation of standards and valuable information for future research and education. Data Availability: The data used are proprietary to the firms and are not available for distribution.

A Theoretical Framework of the Relationship between Public Accounting Firms and Their Auditors

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Dreike Almer ◽  
Julia L. Higgs ◽  
Karen L. Hooks
Keyword(s):  
Future Research ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
The Public ◽  
Sociology Of Professions ◽  
Rich Description ◽  
Public Accounting Firms ◽  
Current Article ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Significant Attention

The behavior of auditors in the context of their employment by public accounting firms has received significant attention in the accounting literature. The current article extends this literature by providing a framework that identifies what auditing professionals contribute and receive as a result of their work efforts, as well as related influences. Using agency theory modified with fundamental ideas from the sociology of professions literature, we develop a model of the auditor-public accounting firm employment relationship. This framework is grounded in a timely, contextually rich description of the public accounting work environment, and the pressures and incentives faced by auditors. Propositions for future research are suggested that arise from understanding the auditor-firm relationship.

scholarly journals Comments by the Auditing Standards Committee of the Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association on the PCAOB Rulemaking Docket Matter 029: PCAOB Release No. 2011-007, Improving Transparency Through Disclosure of Engagement Partner and Certain Other Participants in Audits

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. C1-C6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith L. Jones ◽  
Jagadison K. Aier ◽  
Duane M. Brandon ◽  
Tina D. Carpenter ◽  
Paul Caster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Exposure Period ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Audit Report ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Comment ◽  
Public Company ◽  
Public Accounting Firms ◽  
Auditing Standards

SUMMARY In October 2011, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB or Board) issued a release to solicit public comment on amendments to its standards that would improve the transparency of pubic company audits. The objective of the release was to solicit public comments on a proposed standard that would (1) require registered public accounting firms to disclose the name of the engagement partner in the audit report, (2) amend the Board's Annual Report Form to require registered firms to disclose the name of the engagement partner for each audit report already required to be reported on the form, and (3) require disclosure in the audit report of other independent public accounting firms and other persons that took part in the audit. The PCAOB provided for a 91-day exposure period (from October 11, 2011, to January 9, 2012) for interested parties to examine the release and provide comments. The Auditing Standards Committee of the Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association provided the comments in the letter below to the PCAOB on PCAOB Rulemaking Docket Matter 029: PCAOB Release No. 2011-007, Improving Transparency Through Disclosure of Engagement Partner and Certain Other Participants in Audits. Data Availability: Information about and access to the release is available at: http://pcaobus.org/Rules/Rulemaking/Docket029/PCAOB_Release_2011-007.pdf

Sitting Requirements and the CPA Exam

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jared S. Soileau ◽  
Spencer C. Usrey ◽  
Thomas Z. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Data Availability ◽  
Graduate Degree ◽  
Pass Rates ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Public Accounting Firms ◽  
Cpa Exam ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Educational Requirements

ABSTRACT This study examines the association between jurisdictions' CPA exam educational requirements and exam pass rates, scores, and number of candidates from 2006 to 2013. More specifically, we examine provisional candidacy to sit for the CPA exam. Provisional status allows a candidate to sit for the CPA exam prior to obtaining the required number of hours or graduate degree. Our results indicate that while 150-hour exam jurisdictions outperform 120-hour jurisdictions, provisional jurisdictions outperform both 150- and 120-hour jurisdictions for pass rates and average scores. We also find that the number of candidates sitting for the exam is significantly lower for provisional and 150-hour jurisdictions than for 120-hour jurisdictions. Our study contributes to the literature by considering the potential benefits of sitting in provisional jurisdictions and is likely to be of interest to accounting educators, state boards, and public accounting firms. Data Availability: Data are publicly available from sources indicated in the text.

An Exploratory Study into the Use of Audit Data Analytics on Audit Engagements

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 75-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aasmund Eilifsen ◽  
Finn Kinserdal ◽  
William F. Messier ◽  
Thomas E. McKee
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Theory ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Data Analytics ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
It Systems ◽  
Audit Data ◽  
Public Accounting Firms

SYNOPSIS This study explores the use of audit data analytics (ADA) in current audit practice. First, we interviewed the heads of professional practice of five international public accounting firms in Norway. We find that they differ in strategies on how to implement ADA and the heads report significant uncertainty about the supervisory inspection authorities' response to the use of ADA. Second, we administered a questionnaire to 216 engagement partners and managers about their perceptions of ADA and their actual ADA use on 109 audit engagements. Overall, the attitudes toward ADA usefulness are positive. Analysis of the audit engagements suggests use of ADA is relatively limited and use of more “advanced” ADA is rare. More ADA are used for clients with integrated ERP/IT systems and for newly tendered audit engagements. We also provide details of ADA use on each phase of the audit. We discuss our findings from an institutional theory perspective. Data Availability: The data used in this study are confidential by agreement with the participants.

scholarly journals Comments by the Auditing Standards Committee of the Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association on PCAOB Release No. 2013-009, Proposed Rule on Improving the Transparency of Audit: Proposed Amendments to PCAOB Auditing Standards to Provide Disclosure in the Auditor's Report of Certain Participants in the Audit

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. C1-C7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Urton L. Anderson ◽  
Lisa Milici Gaynor ◽  
Karl E. Hackenbrack ◽  
Ling Lei Lisic ◽  
Yi-Jing Wu
Keyword(s):  
Data Availability ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
The Public ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Public Company ◽  
Public Accounting Firms ◽  
Auditing Standards

SUMMARY On December 4, 2013 the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) solicited public comments on its reproposed amendments to its standards that would improve the transparency of public company audits. The amendments would require (1) disclosure in the auditor's report of the name of the engagement partner, and (2) disclosure in the auditor's report of the names, locations, and extent of participation of other independent public accounting firms that took part in the audit and the locations and extent of participation of other persons not employed by the auditor that took part in the audit. The comment period initially ended on February 3, 2014, but was subsequently extended to March 17, 2014. This commentary summarizes the contributors' views on these amendments. Data Availability: The exposure drafts of the proposed and reproposed rules and related information are available at: http://pcaobus.org/Rules/Rulemaking/Pages/Docket029.aspx

An Investigation of Ethical Environments of CPAs: Public Accounting versus Industry

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna D. Bobek ◽  
Derek W. Dalton ◽  
Brian E. Daugherty ◽  
Amy M. Hageman ◽  
Robin R. Radtke
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Decision ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Certified Public Accountants ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Work Settings ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Public Accounting Firms

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to investigate certified public accountants' (CPAs) perceptions of their ethical environments. More specifically, we compare the perceptions of CPAs in (1) public accounting firms to those in industry, and (2) perceptions of CPAs at Big 4 public accounting firms to those at non-Big 4 firms. The ethical environment is one component of overall organizational culture and is important for encouraging ethical decision making. Based on responses from 904 CPAs, we find CPAs working at public accounting firms perceive their ethical environments as significantly stronger than CPAs in industry (and other nonpublic accounting work settings). Additionally, within public accounting, CPAs at Big 4 firms perceive their ethical environments as significantly stronger than those working at non-Big 4 accounting firms. Implications for research and practice are discussed. Data Availability: Please contact the authors.

Enhancing Knowledge Sharing in Public Accounting Firms

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra C. Vera-Mun˜oz ◽  
Joanna L. Ho ◽  
Chee W. Chow
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Professional Staff ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Audit Process ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Cpa Firms ◽  
Public Accounting Firms ◽  
Audit Team

The goal of this study is to advance understanding of factors that may enhance or hinder knowledge sharing in public accounting firms and, in the end, provide practical recommendations for the firms. Attention to this topic is warranted for two reasons. First, today's regulatory environment and new auditing standards have broadened and intensified pressures on CPA firms to enhance the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of the audit process. Second, knowledge and expertise are unevenly distributed among the members of the audit team. Thus, knowledge sharing can help CPA firms in leveraging the skills, knowledge, and best practices of their professional staff. Against this background, CPA firms' ability to effectively deploy knowledgesharing activities is increasingly vital to their competitive advantage, including gaining tangible benefits in terms of time and cost reductions. We draw upon prior research in accounting, organizational learning, psychology, and knowledge management to examine the role of three factors–information technology, formal and informal interactions among auditors, and reward systems–in encouraging knowledge sharing. We develop recommendations for public accounting firms and suggest several directions for future research.

scholarly journals Audit Firm Perspective on Audit Firm Rotation and Enhancing Independence: Evidence from PCAOB Comment Letters

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. A22-A44
Author(s):  
L. Tyler Williams ◽  
W. Mark Wilder
Keyword(s):  
Audit Committee ◽  
Auditor Independence ◽  
Overwhelming Majority ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Audit Firm ◽  
Public Accounting Firms ◽  
Comment Letters ◽  
Alternative Solutions

SUMMARY This study examines practitioners' perspectives on audit firm rotation and alternative solutions to enhance independence in the audit industry as solicited by the PCAOB's “Concept Release on Audit Firm Rotation and Auditor Independence.” Accordingly, we synthesize the opinions found in comment letters of 15 American public accounting firms—eight of which are annually inspected by the PCAOB and seven of which are inspected tri-annually. Altogether, we find the firms generally offer homogenous rationale for opposition to audit firm rotation. However, most importantly, we note that the overwhelming majority of the alternative solutions offered by the firms to enhance the independence relationship between auditor and client lies with fortifying the audit committee. To that end, while regulators have generally attempted to strengthen independence by introducing regulation at the auditor level, our review indicates that perhaps a shift in regulatory philosophy is warranted—one that suggests progressing regulation at the client level. Data Availability: Publicly available.

Turnover in public accounting firms: a literature review

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 294-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Nouri ◽  
Robert James Parker
Keyword(s):  
Audit Quality ◽  
Role Theory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Accounting Firms

Purpose This paper reviews and synthesizes the extensive literature that investigates turnover in public accounting firms. Design/methodology/approach This paper initially identifies turnover studies by searching two commonly used business databases, ABI and Business Source. Subsequently, references in these studies are examined. Over 100 published studies of accounting firms are identified. Findings Prior turnover studies can be classified by the underlying theory: psychological attachment; role theory; mentoring; and organizational justice. Using these theories, prior research has examined a wide variety of issues such as the role of gender in turnover. Practical implications Turnover is a significant and long-term problem in accounting firms. Practitioners and researchers have long noted that firms lose the costs of training employees who leave the firm. Recently, many in the auditing field have recognized that employee turnover may reduce audit quality. This paper summarizes prior turnover research, which may provide guidance to future researchers and managers of accounting firms. Originality/value This study fills a void in the accounting literature, which is missing a comprehensive and up to date review of prior studies of turnover in accounting firms. Opportunities for future research are also explored. While much has been learned, some theoretical and methodological issues remain unresolved.

Efficacy of Social Media Utilization by Public Accounting Firms: Findings and Directions for Future Research

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda Eschenbrenner ◽  
Fiona Fui-Hoon Nah ◽  
Venkata Rajasekhar Telaprolu
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Business Objectives ◽  
Success Stories ◽  
Big 4 ◽  
Public Accounting Firms ◽  
Second Tier

ABSTRACT Social media presents a new platform for businesses to communicate and interact with others, both internally and externally. Social media may be utilized for activities such as sharing success stories and providing industry updates. Although a plethora of opportunities to achieve business objectives with social media usage exists, the efficacy of its use by public accounting firms is unclear. This article identifies the business objectives that Big 4 and second-tier firms are pursuing with social media. Primary business objectives being fulfilled by social media include Knowledge Sharing, Branding and Marketing, and Socialization and Onboarding. The findings suggest that Big 4 firms are pursuing Knowledge Sharing on Facebook™ and Twitter™ to a greater extent than second-tier firms, while second-tier firms pursue Socialization and Onboarding on Facebook and Branding and Marketing on Twitter to a greater extent than Big 4 firms. Suggestions for business opportunities and future research are also identified.

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