In this study we compare the ability of alternative accounting methods for employee stock options (ESOs) to reflect firm value using the Ohlson [1995, 1999] and Feltham-Ohlson [1999] valuation models for a sample of 85 computer software firms. The three methods we compare are APB 25, ESO expense...

This paper investigates factors associated with high quality Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) programs in financial services firms, and whether ERM quality enhances performance and signals credibility to the financial markets. ERM, developed with the assistance of the accounting profession,...

This paper investigates remediation of Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 material weaknesses (MWs). Prior research examines full remediation of all MWs or broad categories thereof. We build on these studies by investigating remediation of specific types of MW, thus measuring progress in improving...

Previous research in non-audit contexts suggests that managers design budgets based on prior performance relative to budget targets, and that this quot;ratchetingquot; response can be asymmetrical (i.e., greater increase in target following good performance than the decrease in target following...

This paper investigates how clients' choices regarding whether or not to engage in competitive bidding affect a bidding firm's decisions about planned engagement effort and pricing. Specifically, we investigate whether competitive bidding is associated with higher planned engagement effort and...

This paper investigates auditors' assessments of earnings manipulation risk and corporate governance risk, and their planning and pricing decisions in the presence of these identified risks. To conduct this investigation, we use engagement partners' assessments of their existing clients made...

This study examines how client risk factors and the provision of additional services affect engagement planning and bid pricing for a set of initial engagement proposals that a single firm submitted to its prospective clients in 1997-1998. The paper finds little effect of risk on planned...

We examine client acceptance and client continuance decisions of a large audit firm to provide empirical evidence on the extent and nature of risk avoidance that the firm uses to purposefully manage its client portfolio. Our results support several key new inferences regarding audit firm...

This paper examines whether risk-management strategies (specifically, the use of specialist personnel and higher billing rates) moderate the effect of risk on client acceptance decisions, thereby assisting auditors in bringing prospective client relationships to acceptable risk/return levels. We...

Prior research shows that the Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) Section 404(b) integrated audit is associated with lower incidence of misstatements. We predict that under 404(b), the auditor's ability to detect misstatements increases relative to other internal control regimes when greater resources are...