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The effect of large audit firm mergers on audit pricing in the UK

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  • Kevin McMeeking
  • Ken Peasnell
  • Peter Pope

Abstract

This paper examines the effects on UK audit market concentration and pricing of mergers between the large audit firms and the demise of Andersen. Based on data over the period 1985–2002, it appears that mergers contributed to a rise in concentration ratios to levels that suggest concern about the potential for monopoly pricing. The high concentration ratios have not improved the level of price competition in the UK audit market. Our pooled models suggest that concentration ratios are associated with higher audit fees. The evidence suggests that the effects of mergers between big firms on brand name fee premium and on price competition vary depending on the particular circumstances. The brand name premium is strongest for the largest quartile of companies prior to the mergers. After the Big Six mergers, the premium increases for average‐sized companies but falls for the smallest and largest companies. Following the PricewaterhouseCoopers merger, the premium increases for below median‐sized clients but decreases for above‐median sized clients. For the Deloitte‐Andersen transaction, the premium falls for the smallest and largest companies but increases for those in the second quartile. Our results provide evidence that auditees are likely to pay higher fees if their auditor merges with a larger counterpart. We attribute merger‐related fee hikes to product differentiation, rather than anti‐competitive pricing.

Suggested Citation

  • Kevin McMeeking & Ken Peasnell & Peter Pope, 2007. "The effect of large audit firm mergers on audit pricing in the UK," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(4), pages 301-319.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:acctbr:v:37:y:2007:i:4:p:301-319
    DOI: 10.1080/00014788.2007.9663314
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Abidin, Shamharir & Beattie, Vivien & Goodacre, Alan, 2010. "Audit market structure, fees and choice in a period of structural change: Evidence from the UK – 1998–2003," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 42(3), pages 187-206.
    2. Ghribi Rihab & Anis Jarboui, 2016. "Impact of accounting and financial manipulations around mergers and acquisitions on shareholders' perception," Post-Print hal-01371223, HAL.
    3. Juan A. Toscano M. & Maria A. Garcia-Benau, 2014. "Structure and Nature of Competition in the Market for Financial Audit Services in Mexico," Journal of Business Administration Research, Journal of Business Administration Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 3(2), pages 1-10, October.
    4. Jeroen van Raak & Erik Peek & Roger Meuwissen & Caren Schelleman, 2020. "The effect of audit market structure on audit quality and audit pricing in the private‐client market," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(3-4), pages 456-488, March.
    5. Xue, Bai & O'Sullivan, Noel, 2013. "Further evidence on the determinants of audit pricing in universities," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 196-212.
    6. O'Sullivan, Noel, 2009. "The impact of directors’ and officers’ insurance on audit pricing: Evidence from UK companies," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 146-161.
    7. Yi-Fang Yang & Lee-Wen Yang & Yahn-Shir Chen, 2014. "Effects of Service Innovation on Financial Performance of Small Audit Firms in Taiwan," The International Journal of Business and Finance Research, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 8(2), pages 87-99.
    8. Heuser, Simon & Quick, Reiner & Schmidt, Florian, 2015. "Die Anbieterkonzentration auf dem deutschen Prüfungsmarkt – Eine empirische Untersuchung der Jahre 2010-2013," Die Unternehmung - Swiss Journal of Business Research and Practice, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 69(1), pages 81-109.
    9. Mark Clatworthy & Gerald Makepeace & Michael Peel, 2009. "Selection bias and the Big Four premium: New evidence using Heckman and matching models," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(2), pages 139-166.
    10. Marlena Ciechan-Kujawa, 2015. "Professional financial and accounting services in the light of European Union directives and the deregulation of professions in Poland – current status and research needs," Copernican Journal of Finance & Accounting, Uniwersytet Mikolaja Kopernika, vol. 4(2), pages 65-77.
    11. Yi-Fang Yang & Lee-Wen Yang & Yahn-Shir Chen, 2012. "Market Competition And Mergers In Professional Service Firms," The International Journal of Business and Finance Research, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 6(3), pages 103-122.
    12. de Fuentes, Cristina & García Benau, María Antonia & Pucheta Martínez, María Consuelo & Ruiz Barbadillo, Emiliano, 2015. "El éxito de los procesos de fusión en el mercado de auditoría: el caso de PriceWaterhouseCoopers," Revista de Contabilidad - Spanish Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 18(1), pages 55-67.

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