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The Demand for External Audit Quality: The Contribution of Agency Theory in the Context of Cameroon

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  • Michael Forzeh Fossung
  • Samuel Tanjeh Mukah
  • Kueda Wamba Berthelo
  • Motika Eubert Nsai

Abstract

This study examines the effect of agency theory on the demand for external audit quality in Cameroon. Specifically, it looks at the impact of shareholder/manager agency cost, shareholders/creditors agency cost, and majority/minority shareholders agency cost on external audit quality demand in Cameroon. The focus is on a sample of 171 companies drawn from the regions of Littoral, Centre and North-West using questionnaires. We assess the explanatory power of agency theory on the demand for a better quality of audit in the Cameroonian context by modelling external audit quality as a function of agency costs. The logistic regression analysis allows us to study the nature of any possible interaction. The analysis shows that while an increase in shareholder/creditor agency cost and an increase in shareholder/manager agency cost negatively affect the demand for audit quality, the majority/minority agency cost and the size of the audited client positively and significantly affect the demand for audit quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Forzeh Fossung & Samuel Tanjeh Mukah & Kueda Wamba Berthelo & Motika Eubert Nsai, 2022. "The Demand for External Audit Quality: The Contribution of Agency Theory in the Context of Cameroon," Accounting and Finance Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:jfr:afr111:v:11:y:2022:i:1:p:13
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mustafa, Aree Saeed & Che-Ahmad, Ayoib & Chandren, Sitraselvi, 2018. "Board diversity, audit committee characteristics and audit quality: The moderating role of control-ownership wedge," Business and Economic Horizons (BEH), Prague Development Center (PRADEC), vol. 14(3), May.
    2. Watts, Ross L & Zimmerman, Jerold L, 1983. "Agency Problems, Auditing, and the Theory of the Firm: Some Evidence," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 26(3), pages 613-633, October.
    3. Joseph P. H. Fan & T. J. Wong, 2005. "Do External Auditors Perform a Corporate Governance Role in Emerging Markets? Evidence from East Asia," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(1), pages 35-72, March.
    4. Aladdin Dwekat & Zeena Mardawi & Islam Abdeljawad, 2018. "Corporate Governance and Auditor Quality Choice: Evidence from Palestinian Corporations," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 8(2), pages 47-53.
    5. Aree Saeed Mustafa & Ayoib Che-Ahmad & Sitraselvi Chandren, 2018. "Board diversity, audit committee characteristics and audit quality: The moderating role of control-ownership wedge," Business and Economic Horizons (BEH), Prague Development Center, vol. 14(3), pages 587-614, June.
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    JEL classification:

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

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