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Audit quality attributes, client size and cost of equity capital

Author

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  • Guy D. Fernando
  • Ahmed M. Abdel‐Meguid
  • Randal J. Elder

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of certain audit quality attributes, namely auditor size, auditor industry specialization and auditor tenure on a client firm's cost of equity capital. Design/methodology/approach - The paper uses empirical data to construct a measure ofex antecost of equity capital for each firm and year using analyst forecasts. Independent audit quality measures used are auditor size, auditor industry specialization and auditor tenure. Firm cost of equity capital is regressed against the three independent variables and appropriate control variables. Findings - The paper finds that auditor size (auditor is a member of the BigX), auditor industry specialization and auditor tenure are negatively associated with the client firm's cost of equity capital. However, the paper finds that this effect is limited only to small client firms, potentially reflecting the poor information environment associated with such firms. Practical implications - The study highlights the importance of audit quality attributes in determining the firm's cost of capital. It also highlights ways in which firms (especially small firms) can reduce the cost of equity capital by improving their information environment through the judicious selection of auditors. Originality/value - This is believed to be the first paper to examine whether the effects of three audit quality attributes (auditor size, auditor industry specialization and auditor tenure) on a firm's cost of capital are dependent on the client's size. The paper empirically shows that such effects are more pronounced for smaller clients.

Suggested Citation

  • Guy D. Fernando & Ahmed M. Abdel‐Meguid & Randal J. Elder, 2010. "Audit quality attributes, client size and cost of equity capital," Review of Accounting and Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 9(4), pages 363-381, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:rafpps:v:9:y:2010:i:4:p:363-381
    DOI: 10.1108/14757701011094571
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Houqe, Muhammad Nurul & van Zijl, Tony & Dunstan, Keitha & Karim, A.K.M. Waresul, 2015. "Corporate ethics and auditor choice – international evidence," Research in Accounting Regulation, Elsevier, vol. 27(1), pages 57-65.
    3. Tarek Abdelfattah & Mohamed Elmahgoub & Ahmed A. Elamer, 2021. "Female Audit Partners and Extended Audit Reporting: UK Evidence," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 174(1), pages 177-197, November.
    4. Mihai Carp & Costel Istrate, 2021. "Audit Quality under Influences of Audit Firm and Auditee Characteristics: Evidence from the Romanian Regulated Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-16, June.
    5. Nguyen, Lily & Vu, Le & Yin, Xiangkang, 2020. "The undesirable effect of audit quality: Evidence from firm innovation," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 52(6).
    6. Justin Logie & Warren Maroun, 2021. "Evaluating Audit Quality Using the Results of Inspection Processes Performed by an Independent Regulator," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 31(2), pages 128-149, June.
    7. Persakis, Anthony & Iatridis, George Emmanuel, 2015. "Cost of capital, audit and earnings quality under financial crisis: A global empirical investigation," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 3-24.
    8. Muhammad Jahangir Ali & Seema Miglani & Man Dang & Premkanth Puwanenthiren & Mazur Mieszko, 2022. "Do family firms pay less for external funding?," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 47(2), pages 225-250, May.
    9. Indrayati & Sumiadji & Jaswadi, 2022. "Implementing Public Accountant Professional Standards to Improve Audit Quality in Public Accountant Firms in East Java, Indonesia," International Journal of Finance & Banking Studies, Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 11(1), pages 34-45, January.
    10. Phung Anh Thu & Thai Hong Thuy Khanh & Nguyen Tran Thai Ha & Nguyen Vinh Khuong, 2018. "Perceived Audit Quality, Earnings Management and Cost of Debt Capital: Evidence from the Energy Listed Firms on Vietnam s Stock Market," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 8(6), pages 120-127.
    11. Maroun, Warren & Atkins, Jill, 2014. "Section 45 of the Auditing Profession Act: Blowing the whistle for audit quality?," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(3), pages 248-263.

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