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Trends in Auditor Reporting in Australia: A Synthesis and Opportunities for Research

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  • Elizabeth Carson
  • Neil Fargher
  • Yuyu Zhang

Abstract

type="main"> The purpose of this review is to synthesise the existing research literature regarding audit reporting and, in particular, the going concern decision. We consider the findings of research conducted in Australia and New Zealand on these issues. We then analyse trends in audit reporting from 2005 to 2013. We identify an increase in auditors’ reports highlighting going concern issues well beyond the global financial crisis period confirming that this period represents a period of prolonged economic uncertainty. We identify trends by audit firm type, by industry and company size. We analyse the subsequent year outcomes for firms receiving going concern opinions. We also identify opportunities for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth Carson & Neil Fargher & Yuyu Zhang, 2016. "Trends in Auditor Reporting in Australia: A Synthesis and Opportunities for Research," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 26(3), pages 226-242, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ausact:v:26:y:2016:i:3:p:226-242
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Yihan Guo & Deborah Delaney & Ammad Ahmed, 2020. "Is an Auditor's Propensity to Issue Going Concern Opinions a Valid Measure of Audit Quality?," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 30(2), pages 144-153, June.
    4. Ahmed Eltweri & Alessio Faccia & Scott Foster, 2022. "International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) Adoption: An Institutional Perspective," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-19, September.
    5. Michael Kend & IIias Basioudis, 2018. "Reforms to the Market for Audit and Assurance Services in the Period after the Global Financial Crisis: Evidence from the UK," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 28(4), pages 589-597, December.
    6. Fabrizio Bava & Melchior Gromis di Trana, 2021. "Big4 Versus Non-Big4 Opinion about the Going Concern Assessment: A Survey," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 14(2), pages 1-87, July.
    7. David Hay & Jenny Stewart & Nives Botica Redmayne, 2017. "The Role of Auditing in Corporate Governance in Australia and New Zealand: A Research Synthesis," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 27(4), pages 457-479, December.
    8. Yitang (Jenny) Yang & Roger Simnett & Elizabeth Carson, 2022. "Auditors’ propensity and accuracy in issuing going‐concern modified audit opinions for charities," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(S1), pages 1273-1306, April.
    9. Larelle Chapple & James Routledge, 2020. "Board Turnover and Reorganisation Outcomes: Evidence from Voluntary Administration," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 30(3), pages 212-224, September.
    10. Geiger, Marshall A. & Basioudis, Ilias G. & DeLange, Paul, 2022. "The effect of non-audit fees and industry specialization on the prevalence and accuracy of auditor’s going-concern reporting decisions," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 47(C).
    11. Stewart Jones & Nurul Alam, 2019. "A machine learning analysis of citation impact among selected Pacific Basin journals," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 59(4), pages 2509-2552, December.

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