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Economic Policy Uncertainty, Corporate Risk-Taking and Abnormal Audit Fees

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  • Jinfeng Wang
  • Ran Zhu

Abstract

As a result of economic imbalances, global turmoil, and catastrophic global health events, economic policy uncertainty is rising across countries, and corporate risk taking is heterogeneous, which can affect auditors’ decisions. This paper explores the impact of economic policy uncertainty on abnormal audit fees based on a corporate risk-taking perspective, using A-share listed companies in China from 2007-2019 as a research sample. According to the research, the level of abnormal audit fees increases as economic policy uncertainty increases, and corporate risk-taking worsens the correlation. Further research shows that higher economic policy uncertainty leads auditors to increase additional inputs and charge a higher compensation for audit risks, resulting in a larger positive and negative abnormal audit fee. Additionally, the positive association between economic policy uncertainty and abnormal audit fees is present in non-state-owned enterprises, while it is not significant in state-owned enterprises.

Suggested Citation

  • Jinfeng Wang & Ran Zhu, 2022. "Economic Policy Uncertainty, Corporate Risk-Taking and Abnormal Audit Fees," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 14(12), pages 1-28, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:ibn:ijefaa:v:14:y:2022:i:12:p:28
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cui, Xin & Wang, Chunfeng & Liao, Jing & Fang, Zhenming & Cheng, Feiyang, 2021. "Economic policy uncertainty exposure and corporate innovation investment: Evidence from China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    2. Liu, Guanchun & Zhang, Chengsi, 2020. "Economic policy uncertainty and firms' investment and financing decisions in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    3. Guan, Jialin & Xu, Huijuan & Huo, Da & Hua, Yechun & Wang, Yunfeng, 2021. "Economic policy uncertainty and corporate innovation: Evidence from China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    4. Daniel A. Cohen & Aiyesha Dey & Thomas z. Lys, 2013. "Corporate Governance Reform and Executive Incentives: Implications for Investments and Risk Taking," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(4), pages 1296-1332, December.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Zou, Siqi & Long, Yang, 2025. "The nonlinear impact of economic policy uncertainty on corporate green total factor productivity," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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