IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jjrfmx/v18y2025i6p311-d1672806.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Relationships Between Corporate Control Environment and Stakeholders That Mediate Pressure on Independent Auditors in France

Author

Listed:
  • Giemegerman Carhuapomachacon

    (IESEG School of Management, Université Catholique, 59000 Lille, France)

  • Joshua Onome Imoniana

    (School of Economics, Management and Accounting, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-010, Brazil)

  • Cristiane Benetti

    (Finance Department, ICN Business School, CEREFIGE, Université de Lorraine, 54000 Nancy, France)

  • Vilma Geni Slomski

    (UniFECAP—Centro Universitário Alvares Penteado, Sao Paulo 01502-001, Brazil)

  • Valmor Slomski

    (School of Economics, Management and Accounting, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-010, Brazil)

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine how relationships between corporate control environments and stakeholders mediate the different dimensions of pressure on auditor independence. In France, two (joint) auditors are required by law for listed companies. In this context, we analyze the experiences of higher-echelon professionals of audit firms, controllers, and managers who could elucidate the essence of pressure on auditor independence in their lived environment. An interpretative approach and empirical analysis were adopted for this study to expand on the literature and proffer an answer to the following research question: How does the relationship between a control environment and a stakeholder mediate the pressures on auditor independence? Interviews involved seven participants, mainly higher-echelon professionals of Big Four firms, as well as two members of auditee organizations, and a member of an audit committee. In addition, the narratives from the documents gathered from the EU audit legislation implementation database constitute our data corpus. Thematic coding was used to organize the results. The findings reveal that control environment best practices and down-to-earth corporate governance policies, participated in by both auditors and audited organizations, cushion the pressures on auditors. This, in turn, presents a positive and significant impact on auditor independence. Overall, the dimensions that mediate the pressures on auditors are as follows: the consciousness of pressure in itself; the reputation and experience of the audit firm; and the interactions between the auditors and corporate governance. Other factors include the cordiality of the relationship between the auditor and corporate management and the resulting healthy end of the negotiation between auditors and auditees. This study contributes to the theory and practical discussion of the relationships between the corporate control environment, corporate governance, auditing, and pressure on auditor independence.

Suggested Citation

  • Giemegerman Carhuapomachacon & Joshua Onome Imoniana & Cristiane Benetti & Vilma Geni Slomski & Valmor Slomski, 2025. "Relationships Between Corporate Control Environment and Stakeholders That Mediate Pressure on Independent Auditors in France," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jjrfmx:v:18:y:2025:i:6:p:311-:d:1672806
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1911-8074/18/6/311/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1911-8074/18/6/311/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. repec:eme:maj000:maj-09-2013-0931 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Faccio, Mara & Lang, Larry H. P., 2002. "The ultimate ownership of Western European corporations," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 65(3), pages 365-395, September.
    3. Jeffrey Cohen & Ganesh Krishnamoorthy & Arnold M. Wright, 2002. "Corporate Governance and the Audit Process," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(4), pages 573-594, December.
    4. Jenny Goodwin‐Stewart & Pamela Kent, 2006. "Relation between external audit fees, audit committee characteristics and internal audit," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 46(3), pages 387-404, September.
    5. Joseph V. Carcello & Dana R. Hermanson & Terry L. Neal & Richard A. Riley, 2002. "Board Characteristics and Audit Fees," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(3), pages 365-384, September.
    6. C. Richard Baker & Jean Bédard & Christian Prat dit Hauret, 2014. "The regulation of statutory auditing: an institutional theory approach," Managerial Auditing Journal, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 29(5), pages 371-394, May.
    7. Jensen, Michael C. & Meckling, William H., 1976. "Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(4), pages 305-360, October.
    8. Joe Christopher & Gerrit Sarens & Philomena Leung, 2009. "A critical analysis of the independence of the internal audit function: evidence from Australia," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 22(2), pages 200-220, January.
    9. Michael Gibbins & Steven Salterio & Alan Webb, 2001. "Evidence About Auditor–Client Management Negotiation Concerning Client’s Financial Reporting," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(3), pages 535-563, December.
    10. Klein, Benjamin & Leffler, Keith B, 1981. "The Role of Market Forces in Assuring Contractual Performance," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 89(4), pages 615-641, August.
    11. repec:eme:aaaj00:09513570910933942 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. Joe Christopher & Gerrit Sarens & Philomena Leung, 2009. "A critical analysis of the independence of the internal audit function: evidence from Australia," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 22(2), pages 200-220, January.
    13. C. Richard Baker & Jean Bédard & Christian Prat dit Hauret, 2014. "The regulation of statutory auditing: an institutional theory approach," Managerial Auditing Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 29(5), pages 371-394, May.
    14. Power, Michael K., 2003. "Auditing and the production of legitimacy," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 28(4), pages 379-394, May.
    15. Antle, R & Nalebuff, B, 1991. "Conservatism And Auditor-Client Negotiations," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29, pages 31-54.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Hwang, Seokyoun & Sarath, Bharat & Han, Seung-youb, 2022. "Auditor independence: The effect of auditors’ quality control efforts and corporate governance," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 47(C).
    2. Knechel, W. Robert & Thomas, Edward & Driskill, Matthew, 2020. "Understanding financial auditing from a service perspective," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    3. Alhababsah, Salem & Yekini, Sina, 2021. "Audit committee and audit quality: An empirical analysis considering industry expertise, legal expertise and gender diversity," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 42(C).
    4. Obermire, Kara M. & Cohen, Jeffrey R. & Zehms, Karla M., 2021. "Audit committee members’ professional identities: Evidence from the field," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    5. DeFond, Mark & Zhang, Jieying, 2014. "A review of archival auditing research," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 58(2), pages 275-326.
    6. Melinda Timea FULOP & Nicolae MAGDAS & George Silviu CORDOS, 2019. "Theoretical Background Of Internal And External Environment Of Negotiation," Annales Universitatis Apulensis Series Oeconomica, Faculty of Sciences, "1 Decembrie 1918" University, Alba Iulia, vol. 1(21), pages 1-3.
    7. Shan, Yuan George & Troshani, Indrit & Tarca, Ann, 2019. "Managerial ownership, audit firm size, and audit fees: Australian evidence," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 18-36.
    8. Azhaar Lajmi & Marjène Gana, 2011. "Structure de Propriété et Qualité de l'Audit Externe : Cas des Entreprises Belges Cotées," Post-Print hal-00650542, HAL.
    9. Anthony Moung Yin Chan & Guoping Liu & Jerry Sun, 2013. "Independent audit committee members’ board tenure and audit fees," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 53(4), pages 1129-1147, December.
    10. Maarten Corten & Tensie Steijvers & Nadine Lybaert & Céline Coeckelbergs, 2021. "The Influence of the CEO on Auditor Choice in Private Firms: An Interplay of Willingness and Ability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-19, June.
    11. Jorge Farinha & Luis Filipe Viana, 2006. "Board structure and modified audit opinions: the case of the Portuguese Stock Exchange," CEF.UP Working Papers 0609, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
    12. Helmi A. Boshnak, 2021. "The Impact of Audit Committee Characteristics on Audit Quality: Evidence from Saudi Arabia," International Review of Management and Marketing, Econjournals, vol. 11(4), pages 1-12.
    13. Saeed Rabea Baatwah & Adel Ali Al-Qadasi, 2020. "Determinants of outsourced internal audit function: a further analysis," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 10(4), pages 629-659, December.
    14. Kusharyanti Kusharyanti & Indra Wijaya Kusuma, 2020. "Overconfident Management and the Audit Fee Demand-Side Perspective," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 10(10), pages 1131-1146, October.
    15. Ines Maraghni & Mehdi Nekhili, 2017. "Audit committee characteristics and audit fees: Evidence from France [Caractéristiques du comité d’audit et honoraires d’audit : cas des entreprises françaises]," Post-Print hal-01907594, HAL.
    16. El’fred Boo & Divesh Sharma, 2008. "Effect of regulatory oversight on the association between internal governance characteristics and audit fees," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 48(1), pages 51-71, March.
    17. Raúl Barroso & Chiraz Ben Ali & Cédric Lesage, 2018. "Blockholders’ Ownership and Audit Fees: The Impact of the Corporate Governance Model," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(1), pages 149-172, January.
    18. Kang, Yoon Ju, 2019. "Are Audit Committees more challenging given a specific investor base? Does the answer change in the presence of prospective critical audit matter disclosures?," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 1-1.
    19. Michael Gibbins & Susan A. McCracken & Steve E. Salterio, 2007. "The Chief Financial Officer's Perspective on Auditor†Client Negotiations," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 24(2), pages 387-422, June.
    20. Rania Beji & Ouidad Yousfi & Nadia Loukil & Abdelwahed Omri, 2021. "Board Diversity and Corporate Social Responsibility: Empirical Evidence from France," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 173(1), pages 133-155, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jjrfmx:v:18:y:2025:i:6:p:311-:d:1672806. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.