Audit market structure and related changes in Taiwan: the effects of CPA qualification changes and mergers

There are four material structure changes over the certified public accountants (hereafter the CPA) industry in Taiwan since 1988. They are the relaxation of CPA qualification examinations in 1988, the merger of KPMG and Cooper & Lybrand (C&L) in 1999, the reduction of CPA examination pass rates in 2001, and the merger of T. N. Soong (TNS) and Deloitte & Touche Taiwan (D&TT) in 2003. Thus, this study investigates how the four events make impact on the market concentration of CPA industry and the market competition type. Empirical data are obtained from the Census Report of Public Accounting Firms in Taiwan (1989–2003). Main findings show that the Big international accounting firms dominate the majority of the audit market. Besides, the Big international (or Big Four) market concentration during 1992–1997 is lower than that in other periods after loosing the CPA examination pass rates since 1988. Since tightening up of CPA examination pass rates in 2001, the Big international (or Big Four) market concentration display an increasing trend. Finally, accounting firm mergers in 1999 and 2003 have all contributed to the increase of market concentration of international (or Big Four) accounting firms.     

Independent directors and earnings management: The moderating effects of controlling shareholders and the divergence of cash-flow and control rights

The research results on the suppressing effect of independent directors on earnings management are not consistent in existing literature. In addition, it has been argued that using financial statements provided by top management to investigate top management's earnings management is not appropriate. Therefore, the purpose of this study is twofold. First, we used external auditors (including the auditors of Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation and the auditors of two Big Four accounting firms – Deloitte & Touche and KPMG in Taiwan) as respondents in order to obtain less biased data. Second, we investigate the moderating effects of controlling shareholders and the divergence of cash-flow and control rights on the relationship between independent directors and earnings management. The results show that both the existence of controlling shareholders and the divergence of cash-flow and control rights have significant suppressing effects on the relationship between independent directors and earnings management. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.     

CPA-Firm Merger: An Investigation of Audit Quality

It would be interesting to know how the theories and hypotheses in auditing developed for a mature economy work in an emerging market. This paper uses the merger of Diwan, Ernst & Young and J.T. Lai & Co., CPAs in Taiwan in 2000 as a target to study the effects of a CPA-firm merger on audit quality, measured by discretionary accruals. Diwan, Ernst & Young and J.T. Lai & Co., CPAs belonged to Big 5 and non-Big 5 CPA firms in Taiwan, respectively, before they merged. The magnitudes of the increased size and reputation caused by the merger are different between the two firms. Therefore, we also analyse whether the merger has different effects on audit quality of these two firms. The empirical evidence shows that after the merger, the discretionary accruals of the two firms' clients significantly decrease. In addition, the magnitude of the change is greater for the clients of J.T. Lai & Co., CPAs than for those of Diwan, Ernst & Young. The results are consistent with predictions of both size and reputation effect hypotheses.     

关于审计质量问题现状的博弈分析

审计质量是注册会计师和会计师事务所的生命,但我国资本市场上一系列审计舞弊事件的发生(如“银广厦”、“郑百文”等),造成了审计职业界的信誉危机。针对这些问题,本文着重从注册会计师与事务所质量控制制度、被审计单位以及审计报告使用者的博弈关系来考察。根据博弈分析的结果,并结合目前我国会计和审计市场不成熟的现状,提出了提高事务所审计质量的相关对策。     

审计独立性缺乏的因素分析及对策研究

本文认为,独立性是审计的灵魂,是会计师事务所生存和发展的源泉,离开了独立性审计质量只能是空谈。安然公司会计丑闻导致了安达信瓦解,社会对安达信提供的非审计业务是否影响审计独立性提出了质疑。非审计业务的巨额收益使得会计师事务所与客户间产生经济关联,利益驱使注册会计师与客户合谋而损害审计独立性。本文在对审计独立性影响因素进行分析的基础上,提出保持审计独立性的对策。     

Audit Market Response to PCAOB Censures of US Big 4 Firms

Abstract

Subsequent to the first-ever Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) censure of a US Big 4 firm (Deloitte) in December 2007, there were two other PCAOB US Big 4 firm censures as of 2016 year-end. We examine whether these two post-2007 PCAOB censures of US Big 4 firms conveyed new information to the audit market. For both censures, we find little or no evidence of any change in the factual audit quality of the censured firm over a three-year window surrounding the censure. Our findings suggest that the quality control deficiencies (identified during inspection of specific audit engagements) that triggered the PCAOB censure were isolated occurrences rather than systemic to the firm at large, i.e., the censures do not imply an impairment in the US Big 4 firm's overall factual audit quality. We also find that the negative response of investors and audit committees documented in prior research for the 2007 Deloitte censure disappeared for the later US Big 4 firm censures. Given that the PCAOB inspects (and can censure) non-US auditors who audit US-listed foreign companies, our findings are of potential interest to regulators, investors and audit committees outside the US.     

DEA ARs and CRs applied to worldwide major oil companies

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methods were applied to data of 14 major oil companies (Majors) for the years 1980–1987. The oil model focuses on the worldwide reserve exploration and oil production activities. Data were reported by Arthur Andersen & Co.'sOil & Gas Reserve Disclosures.Newly developed DEA theory was used to link the input and output multiplier bounds and to measure maximum and minimum profit ratios. Also, this theory was used to identify uniquely inefficient firms and to project them uniquely to the DEA frontier.The DEA profit and efficiency measures partitioned the firms into low and high achievers. Discriminant analysis of a similarly constructed data base lends statistical support to this partition.With DEA, top-managers of major oil companies may capture the cost savings/profit ratio gains of making inefficient firms efficient. DEA allows them to benchmark entire firms against the best-practice norm. Looking outwardly, they may gain much more from adapting best-practice competitor practices than from just looking inwardly searching for small marginal gains.     

Success in failure? Reflections on the changing Spanish audit environment

The 1990s in Spain have witnessed a significant shift in attitudes towards the role of auditing, with promises of more transparent reporting being replaced by talk of audit expectations gaps. This paper explores the changing atmosphere, both through an analysis of one of the most notorious scandals of recent times - involving the Banco Español de Credito (‘Banesto’) - and a more general review of the way the Spanish profession has responded to such downturns in public expectations of auditing. While at first sight, the profession appears to have become more defensive and the audit environment more competitive, the multinational accounting firms do appear to have strengthened their position in the Spanish audit market. Intriguingly, despite public expressions of concern with the quality and capabilities of auditing and the imposition of large fines on audit firms for inadequate audit work, proposed ‘solutions’ for improving audit quality include the establishment of a self-regulated audit regime and reductions in auditor liability. The Spanish experience allows for some timely reflections on the significance of an audit expectations gap and highlights the importance of viewing the audit function from an international perspective.     

The Impact of the Big 8 Mergers on Market Power: Evidence from the Hong Kong Market

This study examines the impact of the Big 8 mergers on market power in an audit market where the merging firms have little presence. Audit fee changes for each merger participating firm are identified and fee changes for several post‐merger years are examined. The pre‐merger differential market power between the merging and non‐merging long‐established Big 8 firms (Price Waterhouse and KPMG Peat Marwick) in Hong Kong provides a unique opportunity to examine whether the mergers could help the merging firms to increase their market power. The results are consistent with the hypotheses that the audit fees of the merging firms were significantly lower than that of the non‐merging, long‐established Big 8 firms before the mergers, but the audit fees of the merged firms increased significantly to a level comparable with that of the latter group after the mergers. In addition, the market share of the merged firms increased significantly after the mergers. However, no association is found between market concentration and market power. Overall, the results show that the Big 8 mergers have helped the merged firms increase their market power and market share in the Hong Kong audit market where they had little presence.     

内部审计在防范会计舞弊中的有效性分析

近年来,会计舞弊案件的大量增加,注册会计师越来越多的被卷入法律诉讼,由此极大地动摇了公众对注册会计师审计的信心;而美国世界通信公司会计舞弊案的发现,引起了世界各国政府对内部审计查错防弊职能的关注。本文通过对我国会计舞弊的特点和动因分析,重新探讨了内部审计对防范会计舞弊的有效性,并在此基础上对内部审计在防范会计舞弊中的对策进行了研究。     

The Effect of Arthur Andersen's Demise on Clients' Audit Fees and Auditor Conservatism: International Evidence

Using samples from 12 non‐U.S.A. countries, we find that following Arthur Andersen's failure in the United States of America, successor Big‐N auditors charged an audit fee premium for ex‐Andersen clients compared to existing clients and non‐Andersen switch‐ins. We show that this audit fee premium is not attributable to the Andersen switch‐ins having lower prior earnings quality or lower bargaining power than non‐Andersen switch‐ins. We also show that ex‐Andersen clients exhibit higher earnings quality after the switch than do ongoing clients and other switch‐ins. These results suggest that the audit fee premium is attributable to auditor conservatism. Furthermore, we find that risk assessments for ex‐Andersen clients are higher in countries with weak legal and extra‐legal institutions. We interpret this result as suggesting that the effect of lost auditor reputation is stronger when objective evidence of earnings quality is uncertain because of weaker supporting institutions. This is the first study to document a direct effect of countrywide institutions on audit risk assessment.     

Employment and remuneration of Irish chartered accountants: evidence of

Literature on gender-based salary differentials has proliferated in recent years but there have been few studies on salary differentials in the accounting profession. This paper examines factors influencing remuneration of Irish chartered accountants. Responses to the Leinster Society of Chartered Accountants (LSCA) annual salary survey in 1995 and 1996 were analysed. Employee-related and employer-related factors influencing remuneration were examined including gender, work experience, level of responsibility, employment contract and size and industry. Gender was a significant explanatory variable in explaining differences in salaries paid to employees working in non-audit businesses. Gender, however, was not found to be significant in explaining differences in salaries paid in audit practices. As partners in auditing firms are not included in this research (because partners do not earn a salary) this finding must be interpreted cautiously.     

Cultural Influences on Judgments of Professional Accountants in Auditor–Client Conflict Resolution

This study examines cultural influences on professional judgments of Australian, Indian and Chinese Malaysian accountants in relation to auditor–client conflict resolution. The study draws on cultural characteristics of, and differences among, these societies to formulate hypotheses that Australian accountants are less likely to resolve audit conflicts by acceding to clients than Indian and Chinese Malaysian accountants, and are also less accepting of resolving audit conflicts in this way. Data are gathered through a survey questionnaire administered to samples of senior accountants from "big-six" (at the time of data collection) firms in Australia, India and Malaysia. The questionnaire comprised an auditor–client conflict scenario, and used both single-item and multidimensional [specifically, the Multidimensional Ethics Measure of Reidenbach and Robin (1988, 1990)] measures of professional judgment. The results support the hypotheses about differences in Australian compared to Indian and Chinese Malaysian professional judgments. Additionally, the results support the Multidimensional Ethics Measure as having greater explanatory power than a single-item measure. The results have implications for the international harmonisation of accounting and auditing standards, and for audit procedures and codes of conduct in international accounting firms.     

The differential effects of public R&D support on firm R&D: Theory and evidence from multi-country data

This paper aims to evaluate the effects of various forms of public research and development (R&D) support on firms’ incentives to invest in R&D. First, in order to identify potential channels through which public R&D support influences firm R&D, a formal model of firm R&D with public R&D support is developed and analyzed. Four potential channels are identified: the technological-competence-enhancing effect, the demand-creating effect, the R&D-cost-reducing effect and the (project) overlap (or duplication) effect. These multiple channels indicate that it is difficult to evaluate the aggregate effect of public R&D support and that there are differential effects of public R&D support on firm R&D, depending on various firm- or industry-specific characteristics. Second, the differential effects of public R&D support are empirically tested using unique firm-level data for nine industries across six countries. Public support tends to have a complementarity effect on private R&D for firms with low technological competence, for firms in industries with high technological opportunities and for firms facing intense market competition. In contrast, firms with high technological competence and firms that have enjoyed fast demand growth in recent years show a crowding-out effect, and firm size and age do not show any discernible differential effect.     

Audit Services and Fees of Large Accounting Firms

In the audit literature, it was postulated that audit firms are differentiated due to their quality and, thus, the fees charged are a function of quality. We hypothesize that this may lead to audit firm specialization in different amounts of auditing, leading to a differential audit fee structure. This hypothesis is empirically tested by using a very large sample of audit fees paid to then Big Eight auditors. The results are consistent with the hypothesis in that three Big Eight auditors are observed to charge significantly different fees when compared with the other firms.     

Client-firm market reaction to regulatory action against a major accounting firm

This study assesses the audit client firm share price reactions to a disclosure that the California State Board of Accountancy considered revoking Ernst & Young's (E&Y) license to practice in California due to alleged gross negligence in the Lincoln Savings and Loan fraud scandal. The insurance hypothesis and/or the audit quality explanation justify the expectation of significant client-firm share price reactions. We find limited empirical support that the disclosure of the revocation event is associated with negative market responses for E&Y’s clients. Results also indicate that auditor-supplied insurance and audit quality are more important for client firms experiencing financial distress, higher growth rates, and higher return variability.     

会计师事务所营销策略研究

本文通过对注册会计师服务市场现状和问题的分析，以服务营销理论为理论工具，结合注册会计师行业的特点，提出了会计师事务所的一般营销策略，包括市场定位策略、产品策略、价格策略、促销策略、人员策略、服务过程策略及有形展示策略等。     

Auditor Concentration of Listed Public Companies on International Stock Exchanges

This paper explores the concentration of audit services provided to listed public companies on the Stock Exchanges of Canada, Hong Kong, London, and Singapore. The Canadian and London stock exchanges are chosen as representatives of the North American and European markets, while the Hong Kong and Singapore exchanges represent the newly developed Asia Pacific markets. Public accounting firms have benefited from the globalisation trends by expanding their own markets. The reason frequently mentioned for the mergers of the Big 8 accounting firms to form the Big 6 is that they want to increase their international presence and be in a better position to service multinationals in different markets. However, previous studies of concentration of firms in providing auditing services have all been restricted to the USA or individual countries. This study uses both concentration ratios and Herfindahl indices to examine concentration of audit firms in the international stock exchanges. The results indicate a disparate competition amongst the larger firms in each of the Canadian, Hong Kong, London, and Singapore markets. In all of the four markets, the concentration ratios and Herfindahl indices calculated indicate a lack of competition even at the four firm level. This imbalance was very pronounced when the size of the companies audited is considered using their reported total assets. We also present the market shares of the leading six firms in each exchange and discuss some implications of this disparate competition.     

审计质量与公允价值计量的价值相关性

文章探讨审计质量是否能够提高公允价值计量的价值相关性,研究发现:(1)公允价值信息具有价值相关性;(2)四大审计能够提高公允价值计量信息的价值相关性。研究结论为在中国这样的新兴市场国家如何提高公允价值计量的价值相关性提供了经验证据。