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Financial reporting quality and outsourcing of accounting tasks: Evidence from small private firms

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  • Höglund, Henrik
  • Sundvik, Dennis

Abstract

This study explores whether the financial reporting quality of small firms differs between firms that outsource accounting tasks and firms that perform these tasks internally. Using accruals quality as a measure for the financial reporting quality and a sample of small Finnish limited liability firms, we find that the quality among the firms is positively related to the decision of purchasing accounting services from an external service provider. This result is also economically significant. The evidence shows that outsourcing of accounting tasks such as the preparation of the statutory financial statements and longer outsourcing relationships increases reporting quality. However, outsourcing of additional tasks, such as payroll processing, does not result in higher quality. These findings are consistent with previous studies showing that small firms in general lack the resources and expertise to prepare high quality financial reports. We provide evidence of an important yet under-researched area of financial reporting quality among small firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Höglund, Henrik & Sundvik, Dennis, 2016. "Financial reporting quality and outsourcing of accounting tasks: Evidence from small private firms," Advances in accounting, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 125-134.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:advacc:v:35:y:2016:i:c:p:125-134
    DOI: 10.1016/j.adiac.2016.03.001
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    3. Aase, Øivind André Strand, 2022. "Effects of Voluntary Audit on Accounting Quality in Small Private Firms," Discussion Papers 2022/1, Norwegian School of Economics, Department of Business and Management Science.
    4. Isip Adrian, 2023. "What Digital Technologies are Used Today by Accounting Firms to Deliver Services," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 17(1), pages 1967-1979, July.

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