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Audit opinion and earnings management: Evidence from Greece

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  • Maria Tsipouridou
  • Charalambos Spathis

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between audit opinions and earnings management, as measured by discretionary accruals, for listed firms on the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE). We divide the qualified audit opinions into two categories: qualified for the going-concern uncertainty and qualified for other reasons. The results indicate that audit opinions are not related to earnings management. Client financial characteristics, such as profitability and size are determinants of the going-concern audit opinion decision. The decision of auditors to issue qualified opinions for other reasons is explained by the type of audit opinion issued in the previous year.

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  • Maria Tsipouridou & Charalambos Spathis, 2014. "Audit opinion and earnings management: Evidence from Greece," Accounting Forum, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(1), pages 38-54, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:accfor:v:38:y:2014:i:1:p:38-54
    DOI: 10.1016/j.accfor.2013.09.002
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    9. Hung Chi Chen & Hsiang-Tsai Chiang & Dessy Voren, 2023. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Quality of Financial Reports," Journal of Applied Finance & Banking, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 13(4), pages 1-1.
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    14. Akhgar M. Omid, 2015. "Qualified Audit Opinion, Accounting Earnings Management and Real Earnings Management: Evidence from Iran," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 5(1), pages 46-57, January.
    15. Mihai CARP & Iuliana Eugenia GEORGESCU, 2019. "The Influence of Audit Opinion on the Degree of Real Earnings Management. The Case of Romanian Listed Companies," The Audit Financiar journal, Chamber of Financial Auditors of Romania, vol. 17(156), pages 666-666.
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    17. Constantina Backinezos & Stelios Panagiotou & Evangelia Vourvachaki, 2020. "Multiplier effects by sector: an input-output analysis of the Greek economy," Economic Bulletin, Bank of Greece, issue 52, pages 7-28, December.
    18. Xin Wang & Xiayun Song & Mingyang Sun, 2023. "How Does a Company’s ESG Performance Affect the Issuance of an Audit Opinion? The Moderating Role of Auditor Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-17, February.
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    20. Elaheh Moazedi & Ehsan khansalar, 2016. "Earnings Management and Audit Opinion," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 8(4), pages 113-122, April.

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