Ricardo Malagueño, Chad Albrecht, Christopher Ainge and Nate Stephens
The purpose of this paper is to better understand the relationship between accounting and auditing quality and the perceived level of corruption.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to better understand the relationship between accounting and auditing quality and the perceived level of corruption.
Design/methodology/approach
This relationship is studied by performing a cross‐country analysis using public data to measure accounting quality, audit quality, and corruption.
Findings
Consistent with the authors' predictions, the paper finds evidence that accounting and auditing quality are significantly related to the level of perceived corruption in a country.
Research limitations/implications
These findings suggest that countries with more transparent reporting have lower levels of perceived corruption and that the level of perceived corruption may be reduced in a country by improving accounting and auditing quality.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that countries can reduce the level of perceived corruption by improving the transparency of financial reporting by improving accounting and auditing standards.
Originality/value
While significant amounts of research has examined perceived corruption, this study is the first to address the impact of high‐quality accounting information on the level of perceived corruption.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine whether external auditor traits influenced the reporting of internal control deficiencies (ICDs) prior to SOX‐mandated audits, holding…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine whether external auditor traits influenced the reporting of internal control deficiencies (ICDs) prior to SOX‐mandated audits, holding constant the existence of a control weakness.
Design/methodology/approach
Data are collected from publicly available sources such as Securities and Exchange Commission filings and Audit Analytics database.
Findings
Companies that were audited by industry leading auditors were more likely to disclose ICDs prior to SOX‐mandated audits and that companies with longer client‐auditor tenure were less likely to disclose ICDs prior to SOX‐mandated audits.
Originality/value
These findings suggest that while external auditors were not required to participate in internal control evaluation and certifications prior to their audit of internal control for the 2004 fiscal year, they nevertheless influence the likelihood of ICD disclosure prior to their initial audit.
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David N. Herda, Michael J. Petersen and Richard Fontaine
– The purpose of this paper is to determine if self-serving bias affects audit client satisfaction level with their audit firm.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine if self-serving bias affects audit client satisfaction level with their audit firm.
Design/methodology/approach
A 2×2 between-subjects design is used, where the authors experimentally manipulate the level of client involvement in the audit and the extent of value-added services the client received.
Findings
Using a sample of 115 financial managers (audit clients), the authors find no evidence that self-serving bias exists among clients in the experimental setting. Rather, they find that clients appear to be more satisfied with their auditor when they (clients) participate more in the service exchange.
Research limitations/implications
The research is limited to a specific context within the privately held company audit setting.
Practical implications
Audit firms may consider encouraging their privately held clients to participate more in the audit process by clearly communicating expectations and providing clients with audit preparedness materials, including templates and training where necessary.
Originality/value
Although the self-serving bias has been shown to exist in the marketing literature, the authors present a setting where the relationship between service provider (auditor) and customer (client) is such that the self-serving bias may not hold.
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Kriengkrai Boonlert-U-Thai and Pradyot K. Sen
The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence that the quality of earnings of family run firms is superior to that of the other firms and that firms run by founding family…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence that the quality of earnings of family run firms is superior to that of the other firms and that firms run by founding family members exhibit this trait even more prominently. Using insights from the fundamental accounting valuation model, this study also hypothesizes that financial markets place a higher weightage on earnings than book value for founding family-run firms in Thailand as these firms report a more reliable earnings number.
Design/methodology/approach
This is an empirical archival research.
Findings
The authors report evidence that financial markets place a higher weightage on earnings than book value for founding family-run firms. The evidence is consistent with the insight that current earnings of the founding family-run firms offer more information about future earnings and cash flow compared to book value than those for family (FAM) and non-family (NonCS) firms. The authors also provide evidence that earnings persistence and the accrual quality of the founding family firms are higher compared to the other firms. This evidence is contrary to the notion that family firms have more opaque disclosures, lower earnings quality and higher implied cost of equity capital.
Research limitations/implications
The authors find support for the alignment hypothesis of the long-term family ownership of Thai firms. The authors consider these evidences consistent with the shareholder interest alignment hypothesis of the controlling shareholders as opposed to the entrenchment hypothesis.
Practical implications
The study implies that earnings of the Thai firms run by founding family members are more reliable and can be relied on more for firm valuation. Additionally, the authors also offer a different methodology by appealing to the valuation properties of the reported accounting numbers besides looking at the quality of accruals and earnings persistence tests offered in the existing literature.
Social implications
The society is better off if there are more opportunities to invest in Thai firms run by founding family members. The finding of the quality difference in governance by firms with founding family members is new. Therefore, the study points to the need of finer partition of the family firms while looking at their corporate governance practices. The fact that the FF firms offer a higher quality of earnings implies that they are less engaged in opportunistic manipulation of earnings and cash flow and, thus, are self-motivated to protect the longer term interest of the firms.
Originality/value
This if the first time the accounting fundamental valuation theory has been used to provide evidence of higher earnings quality.
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Investigates the differences in protocols between arbitral tribunals and courts, with particular emphasis on US, Greek and English law. Gives examples of each country and its way…
Abstract
Investigates the differences in protocols between arbitral tribunals and courts, with particular emphasis on US, Greek and English law. Gives examples of each country and its way of using the law in specific circumstances, and shows the variations therein. Sums up that arbitration is much the better way to gok as it avoids delays and expenses, plus the vexation/frustration of normal litigation. Concludes that the US and Greek constitutions and common law tradition in England appear to allow involved parties to choose their own judge, who can thus be an arbitrator. Discusses e‐commerce and speculates on this for the future.
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Barrie O. Pettman and Richard Dobbins
This issue is a selected bibliography covering the subject of leadership.
Abstract
This issue is a selected bibliography covering the subject of leadership.
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Thomas P. Mullen and Stephen A. Stumpf
Personal management styles tend to heavily influence strategic decision making. The authors identify six management styles and describe how each style can influence a company's…
Abstract
Personal management styles tend to heavily influence strategic decision making. The authors identify six management styles and describe how each style can influence a company's strategic planning.