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Non‐audit fees, long‐term auditor–client relationships and earnings management

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  • Steven Cahan
  • David Emanuel
  • David Hay
  • Norman Wong

Abstract

We examine whether auditor independence is affected by the amount spent on non‐audit services. Faster growth in non‐audit fees and longer time periods over which non‐audit services are purchased might reduce the auditor's independence from that client. Our results do not provide any support for a relationship between non‐audit fee growth rates or the length of time of the non‐audit fee relationship with the client and discretionary accruals, our measure of earnings management. We do find some evidence that the interaction of the non‐audit fee time‐period measures and client importance is positive and significantly related to discretionary accruals.

Suggested Citation

  • Steven Cahan & David Emanuel & David Hay & Norman Wong, 2008. "Non‐audit fees, long‐term auditor–client relationships and earnings management," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 48(2), pages 181-207, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:acctfi:v:48:y:2008:i:2:p:181-207
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-629X.2008.00251.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Reshma Kumari Tiwari & Jasojit Debnath, 2021. "Joint Provision of Non-audit Services to Audit Clients: Empirical Evidences from India," Vikalpa: The Journal for Decision Makers, , vol. 46(3), pages 153-165, September.
    4. Reguera Alvarado, Nuria & Laffarga Briones, Joaquina & de Fuentes Ruiz, Pilar, 2015. "Modelos de gestión de resultados: un estudio transnacional," Revista de Contabilidad - Spanish Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 18(1), pages 11-19.
    5. Alrashidi, Rasheed & Baboukardos, Diogenis & Arun, Thankom, 2021. "Audit fees, non-audit fees and access to finance: Evidence from India," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    6. Karen Benson & Peter M Clarkson & Tom Smith & Irene Tutticci, 2015. "A review of accounting research in the Asia Pacific region," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 40(1), pages 36-88, February.
    7. Bugeja, Martin, 2011. "Takeover premiums and the perception of auditor independence and reputation," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 43(4), pages 278-293.
    8. Yu (Elli) Zhang & David Hay & Claus Holm, 2016. "Non-audit services and auditor independence: Norwegian evidence," Cogent Business & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(1), pages 1215223-121, December.
    9. Sarowar Hossain & Larelle Chapple & Gary S. Monroe, 2018. "Does auditor gender affect issuing going‐concern decisions for financially distressed clients?," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 58(4), pages 1027-1061, December.
    10. Alzoubi, Ebraheem Saleem Salem, 2018. "Audit quality, debt financing, and earnings management: Evidence from Jordan," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 69-84.
    11. Silvia Ferramosca & Giulio Greco & Marco Allegrini, 2017. "External audit and goodwill write-off," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 21(4), pages 907-934, December.

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