Audit Quality

This study examines the association between auditor type (public versus private) and earnings quality as measured by the levels of discretionary accruals in Iran. This study hypothesize that there is no significant difference in discretionary accruals between public and private sector audit firms when there is low incentives for auditors to provide high-quality audits in Iran. Using a sample of listed firms in the Tehran Stock Exchange from 1998-2003 (1378-1383)، this study finds that there is no significant difference between discretionary accruals of firms with a public sector auditor and firms with a private sector auditor. This result implies that there may be no significant difference in audit quality between public and private sector audits. Partitioning the sample into sub-periods to examine the effect of increased competition، as a result of establishing the Iranian Certified Public Accountants (ICPA) in 2001(1381)، on audit quality، this study finds some evidences of an increase in the levels of discretionary accruals of firms with a public sector auditor. This is consistent with the argument that increased competition in the audit market which may reduce the quality of audits.

Objective: This study investigates the audit fee and the basis for determining that and the reasons for dumping in Iran and the impact of dumping on the quality of financial reporting. Methodology: The research method in the first stage to analyze the qualitative data - a questionnaire from interviews with experts – is to test the research hypotheses and the structural equation model with the help of Smart PLS Software. In the second stage, to analyze the quantitative data - information obtained from financial statements in the period 2015 to 2020 in 100 companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange - is to test the research hypotheses, multivariate regression with panel data. Results: The results of testing the qualitative data showed that audit quality, expertise in the industry of the auditing firm, reputation of the auditing firm, type of audit comment, length of the auditor's tenure, size of the client, dependence of the client on business groups, having several companies by one client, large number of auditing firms, lack of work in the auditing profession, elimination of Article 272 of the Law on Direct Taxes, exemption of small companies from auditing, low income of auditing firms, loss of auditing firms, lack of adherence of members of the community to professional conduct, lack of auditor expertise and the auditor's lack of knowledge of the profession, lack of accuracy in selecting certified public accountants by relevant authorities, the size of the auditing firm, being a single product and focusing only on auditing services and not paying attention to non-auditing services, economic crisis, lack of specific and compiled principles to determine the audit fee by the Society of Certified Public Accountants of Iran and other relevant authorities, the factor of reputation and credibility of the client’s company, audit risk, ownership structure of the client’s company, lack of supervision of audit services rates by relevant organizations are those critical factors that according to the theory of auditing professionals and activists in Iran, affect the audit fee and price breaking in auditing contracts. The results obtained from the effect of dumping on audit fees and competition between audit firms on the quality of financial reporting indicate that dumping in audit fees and competition between audit firms reduce the quality of financial reporting. Innovation: The research results can be helpful for investors, creditors, policymakers, standards and regulatory bodies. It can also effectively develop and improve the quality of auditing and economic development by identifying existing weaknesses and challenges and explaining theoretical frameworks.

Objective: This study examines the relationship between the degree of digitalization of clients and the expertise of audit firms in the digital field on audit quality. It considers the role of auditors in this digital era. Methodology: This research has been carried out using annual data of listed firms on the Tehran Stock Exchange from 2014 to 2022. Multivariate linear regression has been used based on panel data was used to test the research hypotheses. Results: The results show that clients with high digitalization have high audit quality when they are audited. Also, expert auditors in the digital field provide a higher audit quality. In addition, the results of this research show that clients with high digitalization have high audit quality when audited by a firm with evolved and advanced information technology. The expertise of auditors in the digital field reduces the audit risk and increases the quality of the audit. Innovation: The results of this study can be transformed by how external auditors can transform through digitalization and the use of newly developed digital tools. The development of new digital tools can also help the audit profession as one of the corporate governance mechanisms.

The most important and valuable financial information that disclosed on time can be effective for the users and decision makers. The forward-looking information disclosed kind of information that can affect users' decisions. Forward-looking information can reduce the information gap between firms and investors by improving the anticipation of future earnings and investment decisions. Different factors such as audit committee and the audit quality, can affect the forward-looking information disclosures. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between audit committee accounting expertise and forward-looking information disclosure with the emphasis on the role of audit quality of accepted firms in Tehran Exchange Stock. For this purpose, 114 firms selected as statistical sample by using the systematic sampling from among firms accepted in the TSE during 2011-2017. In general 794 firm-year observations were considered to be analyzed. An OLS regression and panel data method is considered for studying the relationship between variables and testing the hypotheses. The results show that there is a positive and significant relationship between audit committee accounting expertise and forward-looking information. Also, the effect of audit quality on the relationship between audit committee accounting expertise and forward-looking information is significant too.

Objectives: The present study aims to investigate the impact of political communication on the risk of lawsuits against auditors, considering the role of audit quality. Design/methodology/approach: This research is applied and, from a methodological standpoint, is causal correlation. The statistical population of the study consisted of all firms listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange. Using systematic sampling, 131 firms were selected as the study sample and studied over a 7-year period from 2016 to 2022. Results: The results of testing the research hypotheses showed a relationship between political communication and the risk of lawsuits against auditors in the first hypothesis. The second hypothesis demonstrated the effect of the interaction of audit quality and political communication on lawsuits against auditors. Innovation: This ongoing research provides evidence that political communication reduces the risk of lawsuits against auditors and improves the quality of auditing.

Objectives: This research examines the relationship between environmental, social, and governance scores and dividend distribution decisions of companies, taking into account the moderating role of financial audit quality to ensure sustainability. Design/methodology/approach: This research is applied, with a causal correlation methodology. Despite limitations, a sample of 152 firms was selected for the years 2018-2022. Multivariate linear regression based on panel data was used to test the research hypotheses. Results: Panel regression analyses reveal a positive and significant correlation between ESG scores and dividend payouts. This suggests that companies with strong environmental, social, and governance practices prioritize stakeholders and shareholders, maintaining dividend payments. However, companies that prioritize high-quality ESG practices experience slower dividend growth. Additionally, audit quality negatively moderates the relationship between ESG scores and dividend payouts, particularly for companies audited by A-rated firms. Quality assurance of ESG factors did not yield statistically significant results. Innovation: The findings have implications for investors, management, analysts, and policymakers, offering valuable insights for companies looking to enhance their sustainability practices.

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between audit quality and business credibility while considering the role of internal control by the employer. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve the research objectives, a sample of 140 firms listed on the stock exchange was selected using a systematic exclusion pattern, and data was collected over 8 years from 2015 to 2022. A linear multivariate regression model was used to test the research hypotheses. Results: The results of testing the research hypotheses indicated that the quality of audits enhances the business reputation of firms. Additionally, the quality of internal controls can impact the relationship between audit quality and commercial credit. Innovation: This research provides evidence that improving the quality of auditing can increase access to business credit, and that internal controls play a significant role in this process.

Objectives: The present study aims to investigate the relationship between audit quality and risk-taking behavior in firms, focusing on the mediating role of company size in value creation. Design/methodology/approach: This research is applied and employs a causal correlation methodology. The statistical population consists of all firms listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange. A systematic sampling method was utilized to select 140 firms as the study sample, covering a period of 7 years from 2017 to 2022. Findings: The hypotheses were tested using simple and multiple linear regression analyses after verifying classical assumptions and applying the Chow test due to the mixed nature of the research data. The results indicate that both audit quality and risk-taking have a positive and significant effect on value creation. Additionally, company size plays a crucial mediating role in the relationship between audit quality, risk-taking, and value creation. Innovation: This ongoing research provides compelling evidence that effective political communication can mitigate the risk of lawsuits against auditors, thereby enhancing audit quality. These findings underscore the importance of integrating governance practices that foster transparency and accountability in financial reporting.