Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
addClaim

Opinion Shopping, Audit Firm Dismissals, and Audit Committees

Authors: Clive Steven Lennox;

Opinion Shopping, Audit Firm Dismissals, and Audit Committees

Abstract

This paper tests whether SEC registrants engage in opinion shopping and examines the role of audit committees when auditors are dismissed (1996-98). There are three main findings. First, companies strategically dismiss incumbent auditors if they are more likely to issue unfavorable audit opinions compared to newly appointed auditors. Using the methodology of Lennox (2000), it is estimated that opinion shopping motivates 17% of auditor dismissals. Opinion shopping dismissals are also found to occur significantly later in the fiscal year compared to other types of dismissals. Second, I use the level and change in meeting activity during the auditor dismissal year to investigate the extent to which committees participate in auditor dismissal decisions. It is estimated that 15% of audit committees do not participate in auditor dismissal decisions but opinion shopping is not significantly associated with participation. Third, Accounting Series Release No. 247 requires that companies disclose whether audit committees approve audit firm changes. After controlling for non-participation, I find audit committees are more likely to disapprove of auditor dismissals that are motivated by opinion shopping. However, independent audit committee members are more likely to leave committees that disapprove of opinion shopping.

Related Organizations
  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    12
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Top 10%
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Top 10%
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
12
Top 10%
Top 10%
Average
Upload OA version
Are you the author of this publication? Upload your Open Access version to Zenodo!
It’s fast and easy, just two clicks!