We analyze whether information asymmetry affects three major aspects of the audit process using an instrumental variables research design that exploits exogenous increases in information asymmetry stemming from brokerage house mergers and closures. Consistent with our predictions, we find that a...

We revisit the client importance and auditor independence debate and investigate whether investors' perceptions of the auditor's economic dependence has changed since the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX). Client importance is measured as the proportion of client non-audit service...

We examine the relation between nonaudit fees and SOX 404 opinions on the effectiveness of a client's internal control over financial reporting. We find a negative association between nonaudit fees and the auditor's propensity to issue an adverse SOX 404 opinion during 2004-2006 (when AS2 was...

After restating their financial statements, companies may voluntarily restate their previously issued internal control (IC) reports for the financial statement (FS) misstatement periods, changing them from “effective” to “ineffective.” This paper examines the determinants and...

We examine the impact of adverse auditors' opinions on clients' internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), issued under SOX Section 404, on auditor dismissals. Companies receiving adverse ICFR opinions are more likely to subsequently dismiss their auditors. This association between...