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CPA-Firm Merger: An Investigation of Audit Quality

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  • Taychang Wang
  • Chiawen Liu
  • Chien-Heng Jennifer Chang

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Taychang Wang & Chiawen Liu & Chien-Heng Jennifer Chang, 2011. "CPA-Firm Merger: An Investigation of Audit Quality," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(4), pages 727-761, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:euract:v:20:y:2011:i:4:p:727-761
    DOI: 10.1080/09638180.2011.600485
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    Cited by:

    1. Elena Beccalli & Peter Miller & Ted O'leary, 2015. "How Analysts Process Information: Technical and Financial Disclosures in the Microprocessor Industry," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(3), pages 519-549, September.
    2. Beccalli, Elena & Miller, Peter & O'Leary, Ted, 2015. "How analysts process information: technical and financial disclosures in the microprocessor industry," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 60072, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Lai, Kam-Wah, 2019. "Audit report lag, audit fees, and audit quality following an audit firm merger: Evidence from Hong Kong," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 1-1.
    4. Cahan, Steven & Hay, David & Li, Lina Z., 2021. "Audit firm merger and the strategic response by large audit firms," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 53(3).

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