The economic impact of audit failures

This paper examines the economic consequences associated with an audit failure in the field of statutory auditing services, by analyzing changes in the audit firm’s market share around the time of the investigation process undertaken by the Spanish Public Oversight Board. We explore the variations in audit market share by applying the difference in differences method to a treatment group of 70 sanctioned audit firms and a matched control group of 70 non-sanctioned audit firms. The period of analysis covers the years from 1999 to 2015. Our results show that the sanctioned audit firms suffered a significant decrease in their relative number of clients. Moreover, this measure of market share decreased not only after the publication of the sanction disclosure (which may be attributed to reputational losses) but also after the initiation of the investigation (which may be attributed to the firm’s reluctance to audit risky clients). Findings are similar for both small and large firms when the market share is measured in terms of clients, whereas the evidence is weak concerning variations in their turnover-based market share. Our conclusions could be of interest for audit firms and also for audit regulators when designing disciplinary systems. Este trabajo examina las consecuencias económicas asociadas a un fallo de auditoría en el ámbito de los servicios de auditoría legal, analizando los cambios en la cuota de mercado de la firma de auditoría en torno al momento del proceso de investigación emprendido por el Consejo de Supervisión Pública español. Exploramos las variaciones en la cuota de mercado de la auditoría aplicando el método de diferencia en diferencias a un grupo de tratamiento de 70 firmas de auditoría sancionadas y a un grupo de control emparejado de 70 firmas de auditoría no sancionadas. El periodo de análisis abarca los años comprendidos entre 1999 y 2015. Nuestros resultados muestran que las firmas de auditoría sancionadas sufrieron un descenso significativo en su número relativo de clientes. Además, esta medida de la cuota de mercado disminuyó no sólo después de la publicación de la comunicación de la sanción (lo que puede atribuirse a las pérdidas de reputación), sino también después del inicio de la investigación (lo que puede atribuirse a la reticencia de la empresa a auditar clientes de riesgo). Los resultados son similares tanto para las pequeñas como para las grandes empresas cuando la cuota de mercado se mide en términos de clientes, mientras que la evidencia es débil en lo que respecta a las variaciones de su cuota de mercado basada en el volumen de negocio. Nuestras conclusiones podrían ser de interés para las firmas de auditoría y también para los reguladores de la auditoría a la hora de diseñar sistemas disciplinarios.

Accounting Firm Association Membership and Audit Firm Growth

In this study, we explore a topic of primary concern to small audit firms – attracting public audit clients. A potential avenue available to small audit firms to enhance their visibility and legitimacy among potential public audit clients is to join an association of accounting firms (ACAP 2008; GAO 2008). We examine whether small audit firms with accounting association membership have greater public clientele growth than their peer audit firms without association membership. We find that member firms experience public clientele growth as measured by number of clients and revenues audited. We find that this growth is impacted by both gaining new entrants to the audit market and winning over clients from competitors. Further, we find that the reputation of associations positively affects the clientele growth seen by member firms. In additional analyses, we also find some evidence of private client growth of association members using LexisNexis® Company Dossier data.

The interplay between global accounting firms and national institutional contexts: The establishment of the Big Four in China from 1978 to 2007

This paper provides an analysis of the establishment of global accounting firms (the ‘Big Four’) in China between 1978 and 2007. Drawing on the extant literature on professional service firms, and the work of Faulconbridge and Muzio (2015) , this paper examines how the Big Four entered China following the country's ‘Reform and Opening-up’ and evolved from tentative representative offices to established accounting firms in the Chinese audit market. Based on an extensive analysis of archival materials and interviews, the findings of this paper show that the Big Four's establishment in China has been deeply intertwined with the country's socio-political and economic transition. It reveals important conjunctural moments in history that have provided the Big Four with important windows of opportunity to actively shape local institutional change to their own interests. This paper contributes to the extant accounting literature on the expansion of the Big Four in China by highlighting the interplay between their surrounding institutional context and their capacity for agency.

Main directions of improving audit quality in auditing firms

The paper examines in detail the problems of audit market quality. The modern audit quality control system in Ukraine is analyzed, the main indicators characterizing the development trends of the audit services market are considered. When representatives of different segments of society use the services of independent audit firms to make effective management decisions, it is necessary to conduct high-quality audits. To achieve this goal, we have given and described the structure, given a description of its elements, identified ways to develop to improve the quality of auditing. The market for audit services has an extremely high level of competition. In such circumstances, each individual audit firm must maintain a sufficiently high degree of image among current and potential users of their services. This can be achieved only by maintaining the impeccable quality of audits and constant review of the personnel structure of the audit firm. The purpose of writing the paper is to analyze the problematic aspects of quality control of audit services, functional aspects of audit quality control from the point of view of the external user, and the internal organization of quality work of specialists. In the context of globalization of the economy, the growth of commercial activity, production of goods, works and services, the main competitive advantage is quality, including this is typical for auditing. The main product of audit services is documentary evidence of financial (accounting) statements. With regard to related and other services, the result of audit activities is the provision of advice and development of measures for effective management of financial and economic activities of the enterprise. The quality and effectiveness of the audit product cannot be assessed before or at the time of service, only after all audit procedures have been performed. Quality control of audit activities is a set of measures aimed at improving financial and economic activities and reducing the risks of audit organizations. The decisive role for clients in choosing an audit company is played by an impeccable business reputation, so only organizations that provide their services in a quality and honest manner can count on competitive advantages in the audit market and profitability of sales.

RESEARCH OF THE GLOBAL MARKET OF AUDIT SERVICES IN THE CONTEXT OF TODAY’S CHALLENGES

Purpose. The purpose of the research is to define the size of the global audit market in 2020, define the revenue of the Big Four for 2014–2020 and predict the amount of income for 2021; to determine how the crisis caused by Covid-19 has affected on the activities of the Big Four companies; perform a SWOT analysis of the audit market in terms of Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC; identify trends in the field of audit in 2021, knowledge of which will allow the Big Four to maintain their market position. Design/methodology/approach. The study examines the hypothesis of the effectiveness of global trends in the global audit market, with their possible implementation in the activities of the Big Four companies. The methodological basis of this study are general scientific, theoretical and special research methods that allow analyze all phenomena and processes in the field of auditing in interdependence. To solve the tasks in this study the following methods has been used: statistical and economic analysis, synthesis, logical generalization, comparison, forecasting, SWOT analysis, graphical and expert method. Findings. The study examines the activities of the Big Four companies in the context of today’s challenges. The dynamics of changes in the revenues of the Big Four companies for 2015–2020 and forecasts the total income of the surveyed companies for 2021 have been showed at the study. The authors determined the share of revenues from auditing in the overall revenue structure of each of the companies and graphically presented the revenue structure of the Big Four companies for 2019–2020. The authors developed a SWOT-analysis, which describes the strengths and weaknesses of each of the companies, as well as opportunities and threats to the environment. The authors also summarized the main trends in the global audit market, which were formed as a result of the crisis caused by Covid-19. Practical implications. The research could be used to adapt the experience of large companies in the recommendations for Ukrainian companies in the field of audit. Originality/value. Considering current crisis situation around the world, the results of this study are valuable for international audit companies and for Ukrainian as well, as it shows the main trends in the field of auditing. As organizations experience difficult economic times due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, audit firms will need to prioritize their resources and demonstrate their value effectively in line with these new expectations in 2021. Covering automation and digital technologies such as research analytics, automated control testing, robotic process automation, and continuous risk assessment, auditing can forget about repetitive manual tasks and free up time for more value-added activities. As long as the Covid-19 pandemic continues, the changes caused by the pandemic will be felt for a long time. The experience of auditors in the field of risk management will continue to grow, as all companies will adapt to this new rule. However, despite budget cuts, new audit processes, and custom work, auditors will continue to be reliable business consultants and help companies thrive even in the face of growing threats and an uncertain future.

Aspects Regarding the Structure of the Financial Audit Market in the European Union from Fees Perspective

The audit market, developed out of the need to strengthen the credibility and the quality of financial reporting, has led since the 1980s to a concentration around large audit firms, the dominance effect being marked on the one hand by the auditor’s increasing reputation and notoriety, and on the other hand by the client’s association with a reputed auditor, which contributes to improving the company’s image on the market. In this context, a major issue is represented by the level of the fees charged, as they represent key elements that may affect the auditor’s independence. Moreover, a sensitive aspect is the relationship between the fee charged for financial audit services and the one for non-audit services and the compensation practices between them. The European Commission wants to facilitate competition in an overly concentrated market and also provide the opportunity for small and medium-sized audit firms to become active players in the large corporate audit market through joint audit, in which at least one of the audit firms is not part of the Big4 group. The mandatory audit firm rotation and the limitation on the non-audit services provided are the main aspects of the recent audit reform that directly influences the fee level. The main purpose of this study is to analyse whether there is a pattern of audit costs at the community level. In this context, this paper aims to assess the uniformity of audit costs, namely to determine the structure of the audit market in the European Union. The research involves data set comparison methods, by analysing a sample of 2,896 firms listed on the stock exchange in 35 different states over the period 2013-2021.

Practice of Non-Financial Reports Assurance Services in the Polish Audit Market—The Range, Limits and Prospects for the Future

In recent years, many companies have been issuing non-financial information which is used by a wide range of stakeholders in their decision-making processes. Considering the fact that such reports play an important role in financial markets, the information they provide should be submitted to verification by an external, independent body. Our study, carried out in 2020, showed that only 2.3% of audit firms in Poland offer auditing non-financial report services. This was the starting point for our further investigations, the results of which will be presented in this article. The aim of the article is to identify the factors that limit or stimulate the performance of auditing in Poland with respect to non-financial data, and to determine the scope of operations carried out by audit firms which provide this service. The article comprises literature perusal and results of empirical studies among audit firms in Poland. Several important findings have emerged, including the fact that there are few companies in the Polish auditing market rendering the service of auditing non-financial reports, which are leaders in this field. The factor that most significantly limits the performance of non-financial report auditing is the low demand for such a service, which arises from the fact that verification and assurance of non-financial data are not obligatory for all reporting undertakings. Given that the number of CRS reports is increasing every year, it seems necessary to make full audits in order to confirm the reliability of non-financial information provided by reporting companies. Otherwise, stakeholders interested in these reports might be exposed to a risk of making inadequate decisions.

Will mandatory audit firm rotation reduce audit market concentration in South Africa?

Purpose: Deconcentrating the audit market was one of the stated objectives of the proposed mandatory audit firm rotation (MAFR) ruling in South Africa. With MAFR being a contentious topic, this study aimed to explore the possible effect of MAFR on audit market concentration in South Africa in anticipation of the implementation thereof in 2023.Design/methodology/approach: A sample of 415 South African listed companies was studied for the period 2010–2018. Data were mainly captured from annual reports. Descriptive statistics and significance testing were performed on calculated concentration ratios and identified audit firm rotations.Findings/results: South African audit market concentration mirrored empirical evidence from most developed countries – with Big 4 audit firms dominating the audit market, whilst a monopoly within the Big 4 audit firm grouping was also evident. Based on observed audit firm concentration and audit firm rotation behaviour, it was anticipated that MAFR might further increase audit market concentration. A concerning result was the sheer scale of audit firm rotations to be carried out in anticipation of MAFR in 2023.Practical implications: This study identified the impairment of audit quality and increased costs as possible unintended consequences of MAFR in South Africa.Originality/value: This study contributed to the limited body of knowledge on the possible effect of MAFR in South Africa. This study proposed alternatives to MAFR and recommended areas for future research to support evidence-based decisions on remedies to address audit quality and audit market concentration in South Africa.

Don't Make Me Look Bad: How the Audit Market Penalizes Auditors for Doing Their Job

We examine the reputational impact of an audit office issuing adverse internal control opinions (adverse ICOs). While prior research has examined how clients that receive an adverse ICO respond, we focus on clients that did not receive an adverse ICO. We find that audit offices that issue more adverse ICOs experience lower growth and that this effect is stronger when the adverse ICO is associated with a more visible client or refers to an entity-level control weakness. Finally, we find that clients are less likely to select auditors with a history of issuing adverse ICOs and that auditors are able to recoup some of their lost growth when they issue fewer adverse ICOs. Our results indicate that the market for audit services penalizes auditors for disclosing information critical of management, which undermines the value of direct-to-investor auditor communications and provides insight into potential longer-term implications of the expanded auditor's report.

Determinan Shopping Opinion: Perspektif Klien Dan Kantor Akuntan Publik

This study analyzes the effect of audit market competition, client size, and financial distress on shopping opinions. The sample used in this study is a manufacturing company listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for 2016 to 2017. The data used in the study were 76 data from the company's annual reports. The data analysis method used was binary logistic regression. This study indicates that audit market competition and client size do not affect shopping opinion practices. However, financial distress has a significant positive effect on the tendency to practice shopping opinion. This indicates that a company with an excellent financial condition chooses to change its auditor compared to the same auditor; this is done because financially, the company can change public accounting.