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The effectiveness of the audit committee in Spain: implications of its existence on the auditor’s opinion

Author

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  • Javier Andrés Suárez
  • Elena Cabal García
  • Carlos Fernández Méndez
  • Camino Rodríguez Gutiérrez

Abstract

This research work is aimed at determining the effectiveness of the Audit Committee (AC), analyzing its impact on the reliability of accounting information issued by spanish listed companies. With this aim, we study whether certain features such as its voluntary or otherwise compulsory formation, its independence and activity lead to an improvement of financial reporting quality, which is defined as the removal of avoidable qualifications in the audit report. We considered the periods where ACs were voluntary (1998–2002) and compulsory (2003 onwards). The results obtained suggest that: (a) compulsory ACs are more effective than voluntary ones; (b) ACs with a higher proportion of independent members do not lead to greater improvements in the quality of accounting information; and (c) the number of meetings of the AC is directly related to improvements in the quality of accounting information. Copyright The Author(s) 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Javier Andrés Suárez & Elena Cabal García & Carlos Fernández Méndez & Camino Rodríguez Gutiérrez, 2013. "The effectiveness of the audit committee in Spain: implications of its existence on the auditor’s opinion," SERIEs: Journal of the Spanish Economic Association, Springer;Spanish Economic Association, vol. 4(3), pages 333-352, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:series:v:4:y:2013:i:3:p:333-352
    DOI: 10.1007/s13209-012-0094-7
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    Cited by:

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    3. Tikkos Sitanggang & Titik Aryati & Bambang Pamungkas & Sukrisno Agoes, 2022. "The role of the audit committee to increase the influence of audit quality and internal control on earnings management," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 29(1), pages 399-418, March.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Auditing; Audit Committee; Corporate governance; M42; G34;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M42 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Auditing
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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