Using a novel dataset of online job postings by accounting firms, this study empirically examines audit offices’ skill preferences and whether they relate to audit quality. Consistent with prior work in labor economics, we find the demand for cognitive, social, and technology- related skills...

Prior studies suggest that financial accounting audits improve earnings quality and exert positive effects on a firm’s cost of capital/investments. We argue, however, that managers who have experienced prior downward audit adjustments, will react myopically by increasing future real earnings...