This paper investigates how political and legal institutions affect the governance role of auditors for a sample of firms originating in 42 countries. Prior studies focus on investor protection, but I focus on political rights as well. Specifically, I investigate how institutions and audit...

We use Regulation Fair Disclosure (REG FD) to examine a relatively neglected but important effect of disclosure regulation: externalities. REG FD applies to all publicly traded U.S. firms, but foreign firms cross-listed on U.S. stock exchanges are explicitly exempt. Despite the exemption, we...

We quantify the intended and unintended consequences to firms of increasing tax information disclosure to the IRS. Our empirical strategy leverages an exogenously staggered adoption of a redesigned tax form. We find that the redesign was successful at increasing compliance after 2011 among some...

This review synthesizes key perspectives and trends in research and practice on the topic of auditor litigation, beginning with the immediate post-SOX era and ending in 2019. Although fears of catastrophic auditor liability in this period have not yet materialized, audit firms may be facing new...

This paper presents some stylised facts about the book-tax gap, i.e., the difference between book and taxable income, of Italian corporations. This divergence is a reflection of the usage of any tax shields and any applicable credits and rebates which, in turn, implies that the concept of...

I examine the effects of occupational licensing on the quality of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). I exploit the staggered adoption of the 150-hour rule, which increased the educational requirements for a CPA license. My analysis shows that the rule reduces the number of entrants into the...

In a field experiment, we leverage differences in audit subordinates' job-relevant knowledge about clients, fraud brainstorming objectives, and “normal” audit partner leadership to explore whether and how knowledge moderates the effect of a partner-led intervention on brainstorming processes...

This study investigates the determinants of goodwill impairment decisions by firms applying IFRS based on a comprehensive sample of stock-listed firms from 21 countries. Multivariate logistical regression findings indicate that goodwill impairment incidence is negatively associated with economic...

Exploiting a legal regime change in China in 2005 that significantly increased auditors' legal liability, we reexamine why auditors are more likely to issue modified audit opinions (MAOs) to clients who receive negative press coverage before audit report dates. We find that the probability for...

This study examines whether firm governance practices have an effect on accounting earnings quality in Bangladesh. Using a sample of 648 firm-year observations for the period of 2001 - 2006, the result suggests that corporate governance mechanisms provide greater monitoring of financial...