+ All Categories
Home > Documents > Auditing Final

Auditing Final

Date post: 08-Apr-2018
Category:
Upload: harry-li
View: 219 times
Download: 0 times
Share this document with a friend

of 21

Transcript
  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    1/21

    Abstract

    The article investigates the managers of the audit firms upon the relationship between

    the audit risk and audit fees through survey. Based on the historical and experimental

    data and literatures, it is concluded a common point of view that there exists a positive

    relationship between audit risk and audit fee. The aim of the article is to find the

    possibility of other elements affect the relationship between audit fee and audit risk in

    terms of the survey to the audit firms.

  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    2/21

    Table of content

    Abstract ...........................................................................................................................1

    1.0 Introduction ..............................................................................................................2

    2.0 Literature review ....................................................................................................... 32.1 Audit pricing model and low-balling theory ...........................................................3

    2.2 Risk model review ................................................................................................... 6

    2.3 Hypothesis review ..................................................................................................7

    3.0 Methodology: .............................................................................................................9

    3.1 The purpose of survey ............................................................................................9

    3.2 Reasons for using a survey in this paper ................................................................. 9

    3.3 Sampling strategies ................................................................................................10

    3.4 How to design our survey questions ......................................................................10

    3.5 Data issue ...............................................................................................................11

    4.0 Analysis .....................................................................................................................11

    4.1 Competition among audit firms ............................................................................ 12

    4.2 Low-balling provided by auditing firms ................................................................13

    4.3 Measurement to reduce the audit risk ....................................................................13

    5.0 Conclusion and Limitation ..................................................................................... 15

    6.0 reference ................................................................................................................... 15

    7.0 Appendix .................................................................................................................. 18

    7.1 Appendix 1 (Survey questions) ............................................................................. 18

    7.1 Appendix 1 (Top 100 accounting firms in Australia) ............................................18

    1.0 IntroductionAccording to the previous studies it can be concluded that a well-acceptable theory is

    there exists a positive relationship between the audit risk and audit fee. However, we

    have doubted that whether the positive relationship might be affected by the auditor

    rotation (Australian Auditor Independence Requirements issued in 2006). The key

    statutory provision about auditor rotation, s.324DA of Corporations Acts raises a

    limited term for eligibility to play a significant role in audit of listed companies is 5

  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    3/21

    consecutive years. This statutory law probably increase the competition in the audit

    marketplace. Basis on this situation, we are interested in finding whether there is a

    strong competitive pressure to audit firms to reduce audit fee to obtain new clients after

    5-year-rotation regulations issued. However, this low-balling price strategy conflicts

    with the sufficient quality control procedures and qualified auditor input which comply

    with the assurance standards, guidelines.

    The remainder of the paper is divided into four sections. The next section provides a

    review of the prior research and identifies the hypotheses. This section is then followed

    by a description of the research method and the analysis of the findings. The final

    section is devoted to a summary and limitation of the paper.

    2.0 Literature review

    2.1 Audit pricing model and low-balling theory

    The pricing model is a well-researched topic in literature review. Simunic (1980)

    originally develops an audit fee model explaining nexus between the audit risk and audit

    fees. The hypothesis is: When market for audit is competitive, the minimum fees for

    different level of audit quantity will equal the incremental expected total cost.

    The model is well developed in 2000s. At December 15, 2003, SEC (Securities and

    Exchange Commission) alter the audit fee disclosure requirements therefore more

    classified and integrated audit services are being performed. Based on regulations set by

    SEC in 2006 Dunmore and Shao not only propose a nonlinear regression model to

    investigate the different fees charged by auditors in various risky scenarios but also

    develop a linear relationship between the audit risk and audit fees.

    Although Messier in 2008 states that audit pricing model is the essential component to

    assist auditors to make audit decisions. It still can be argued that merely obeying

    Simunics model will transfer the focus from specification of pricing model to

    exploration of different determinants for audit fees. A variety of factors like the client

    size, complexity of operation and risk, industry of client, the firm type of client should

    be considered as determinants for audit fees according to the review. Based on the previous results on audit pricing model, audit resources are the vital elements

  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    4/21

    determining the audit fees. By utilizing the specific pricing model auditors are able to

    evaluate a specific client. Therefore it is necessary to take a look at the empirical pricing

    model. It is again Simunic originally introduces the variable factors in analysis of audit

    effort and audit risk.

    In spite that Palmrose fails to propose the statistic nexus between audit risks and audit

    fees its contribution is still remarkable due to the declaration that there exists a positive

    relation between clients size and audit fees. In 1994 the conclusion is supported by

    Anderson who asserts that the size of the auditor firms could exert a significant

    influence on the assessment of risk and performance of the auditors revenue. However

    the limitation for the theory is it merely applies to small clients rather than the sample of

    the large clients.

    Audit risk has the association with audit fees in a subsequent positive or negative

    consequence however the role of risk is a difficult concept to understand. Therefore

    OKeefe (1994) investigates the likelihood of bearing the legal costs of risk by the audit

    firm and their clients. The goal is achieved by examining the nexus between the

    auditors business risk and audit fees. The opinion is agreed by Bell, Landsman, and

    Shackelford (2001) and both literatures hold the opinion that there is a positive

    coefficient nexus between the audit fees and audit risk.

    In 2005 Lyon and Maher also investigate the relation between audit risk and fees paid to

    auditors by examining the clients misconduct. They predict that auditors will charge a

    fee premium to compensate a higher risk. Their hypothesis has been supported by the

    statement that there is an obvious relationship between the audit fees and the payment

    of bribes. The research illustrates that the audit fees are higher to clients disclosing to

    have paid bribes.

    Audit fee is decided by various determinants with the purpose maximizing the firms

    profit therefore it becomes common phenomenon that the auditors grant a lower price

    (discount fee) to the first-year client. The method involved can be defined as low-

    balling price

    According to the term regulated in AICPA, 1978, low-balling of audit fee is the fee

    that auditors charge for initial engagement below cost in order to obtain business in the

    audit market and impair audit independence.

    When it comes to the low-balling behavior it can be attributed to purchase by auditors

    of information on the clients true financial statements. In another words initially-

  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    5/21

    engaged clients who are assessed as low risk customers are eager to pay an increased

    renewal fees.

    It is the common phenomenon that audit firms are more willing to reduce the audit fees

    to certain extent to lure more clients. In order to set tone of the audit industry then in

    1981 DeAngelo defines low-balling as the practice of setting fees below total current

    costs during the initial audit engagement.

    Tread way Commission, a subsidiary of AICPA (1987) make the conclusion: auditing

    firms led to the competition between the audit fees, the main pressure exerted on the

    cost of bring the appropriate issues. The action can be taken involve reducing staff and

    reducing time in manual process. By focusing on the pricing of the first-year audit fee

    we can test for the role of pricing of risky engagements in the context of the practice of

    low-balling.

    Following prior literature, study relies on a regression framework to determine how risk

    is priced in the first year of an audit engagement for a comprehensive sample of U.S.

    public firms with audit fee data between 2000 and 2006. As in prior studies of audit-

    fees, we include several firm characteristics that proxy for audit effort and audit risk.

    Consistent with prior studies, we find that auditors discount audit fees for first year

    audits compared to continuing audits, confirming the existence of low-balling in the US

    audit market (Turpen 1990; Walker and Casterella 2000; Ghosh and Lustgarten 2006,

    Ghosh and Pawlewicz 2008).

    However Arrunada and Paz-Ares (1995) hold the different opinion on the effect of the

    low-balling of audit fees. Based on their literature review and well-organized pricing

    model they propose that the application of low-balling will inevitably decrease the

    competition between the audit firms. In the light of the statement as the audit costs

    increase there could be a definite reduction in the incentive for audit firms to be

    efficient.

    According to SEC (2000) the SEC has regarded the innovation as a frustration by

    criticizing: create an economic incentive that may inappropriately influence the audit.

    The evidence is in 2000 former SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt states that the audit is

    sometimes priced lower to attract clients willing to pay for higher margin consulting

    services it can be inferred although low-balling has demonstrated the willingness of

    auditor to keep clients and it may benefit the firm to certain extent, the problems

    existing at the discount of audit price have the risk leading to unhealthy competition

    in the long run.

  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    6/21

    Levitt supports the assertion in 2000 by stating: This discounting of audit prices is

    problematic as it demonstrates a willingness of auditors to make compromises with

    clients in order to attain lucrative contracts for non-audit services. Audits are discounted

    to promote the more profitable business of NAS so a high level of NAS is considered to

    be a sign of lower audit quality.

    By review of the pricing model

    2.2 Risk model review

    According to terms regulated by U.S.GAAP and U.S.GAAS: the risk that the auditor

    may unknowingly fail to appropriately modify his opinion on financial report that are

    materiaibility to do audit under the general accepted auditing standards (GAASlly

    misstated [AICPA, 1983,PAR.2] All auditors have the respons).

    SEC (association between financial reporting risk and audit fees) has also accepted the

    disciplines set by the GAAS to meet the disclosure requirements. Therefore auditors are

    required to take a host of circumstances into account and then choose the most suitable

    approach to audit. Meanwhile auditors are supposed to gain sufficient knowledge of a

    companys internal control as well as the ability to examine the effectiveness of controls

    especially they plan to rely on the substantive procedures.

    Based on the method established by Morgan and Stocken (1998), clients business riskand risk of litigation costs (AICPA 1992) are main components of auditors risk. It

    should be beard in mind that even the audit is done accordance with GAAS the

    likelihood of existence of litigation risk can be still high. (SAS NO. 107, Footnote 2).

    When it comes to the factors contributing to the audit risk Houston et al, (1999)

    proposes that the litigation is the main reason leading to business risk and it is

    evidenced that minority of the business risk arises from other components. Based on the

    previous studies the audit risks can be decomposed into three components: (1) inherent

    risk (2) control risk and (3) detection risk. {Definition stated at Statement on Auditing

    Standards (SAS)}.

    The mathematical relationship between the risks can be expressed in the formula below:

    AR = IR x CR x DR

    Note: each item is defined conditionally due to various scenarios therefore all

    components can be combined multiplicatively. However according to the method raised

    by Kahneman, Slovic, and Tversky [1982] auditors are more willing to use the

    simplifying rules instead of complex rules. Many assumptions have been raised in

  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    7/21

    1980s. Example is an abstract from accounting review, April 1985 with three

    hypothesis listed below:

    H1: when control risk rises it will lead to a greater slump in control reliance in a more

    susceptible process than in a less susceptible process.

    H2: when control design strength decreases it will lead to a greater reduction in control

    reliance in a more susceptible process than a less susceptible process.

    H3: when the test strength decreases it will lead to a greater reduction in control reliance

    in a more susceptible process than a less susceptible process.

    By understanding the definition of Audit risk (AR, the risk which the auditor may

    unknowingly fail to appropriately modify his or her opinion on financial statements that

    are materially misstated). It can be inferred that the level of understanding of the audit

    risk model is decided by profession of auditors in performing an audit.

    2.3 Hypothesis review

    Nexus between the audit risk and audit fees

    Collier and Gregory (1996) investigate the nexus between audit fees paid to auditors

    and audit committees in both supply and demand sides. Based on their method, at

    demand side the preference of low risk may strength auditors to work extra hours tomaintain the quality of the audit and thus lead to an increase in audit fees. As auditors

    have the incentive to ensure a high quality audit then the risk of litigation, deterioration

    and ruin of the fame in the event of fraudulent activity will be relatively reduced or

    eliminated.

    Another finding is that the higher external audit fee is probably the result of application

    of internal control. This result indicates that firms that engage in greater internal

    monitoring through the application of internal audit also demand higher quality external

    auditing and thus the payment to auditors goes up.

    Houston 1999 Philips 1999 Beaulieu 2001, suggest that auditor should contemplate the

    nexus between the aggressiveness of audit reporting and risk of manipulation process

    before action.

    Then in 2003 Gul proposes a positive relation between the audit risk and audit fees. In

    2004 Bedard and Johnstone demonstrate the theory by performing a set of data analysis.

    They utilize the internal information of a proprietary company to do clients risk

  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    8/21

    assessment and conclude that management risk and governance risk have the linkage

    with an increase in planned audit effort and increasing pricing level.

    However the statement declares that a higher audit fee implies higher audit quality

    (Francis, 2004, p.352) the higher audit fees imply an increased audit testing and as a

    consequent a higher quality audit should improve the quality of financial reporting and

    thus reduce or eliminate external audit risk. In the light of the statement Shannon L.

    Charles, Steven M. Glover, and Nathan Y. Sharp (2010) raise two hypothesis associated

    between financial reporting risk and audit fees.

    Two hypotheses come out afterward:

    H1: Audit fees increase as financial reporting risk increases.

    H2: The responsiveness of audit fees to financial reporting risk increases.

    Another hypothesis incorporating the committee factors are presented below:

    H1: Higher external audit fees are associated with the existence of an audit committee.

    H2: Higher external audit fees are associated with audit committees that are more

    independent, have greater accounting and finance expertise and meet more frequently.

    H3: External audit fees are associated with an interaction between audit committee

    independence, accounting and finance expertise and meeting frequency.

    All the literature review is the existing research around low-balling of audit fee,

    pricing model and risk model.

    Firstly, by taking a brief look at the low-balling, the reasons why most firms adjust

    the audit fees are methodically investigated. It will guide us perform the survey

    sufficiently and make it relevant to the topic.

    Secondly by reviewing various pricing models we bear in mind there are a host of

    determinants in pricing model while in the survey the size of client is our focus and will

    be further discussed. The discussion is about will the influence exerted by application of

    low-balling be different in various size of firm?

    Finally it can be inferred after review that audit risk is difficult concept to understand.

    Although the nexus between various risks (inherent risk, control risk and diction risk)

    can be explained in a formula, it still hard to capture and assess the audit risk.

    Therefore the purpose of reviewing various risk models is to choose the most relevant

    pricing model in the survey from professional perspective.

  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    9/21

    3.0 Methodology:

    3.1 The purpose of survey

    Basis on the literature review above, it is generally believed that there is a positive

    relationship between the audit risk and audit fee. Audit firms charge their clients high

    audit if they find the level of audit risk is high. However, there is no telling that it is

    always positive in every circumstance. Numbers of elements existed to exert impact on

    this relationship. Our target of this paper is to find more detail to prove or refute this

    opinion. In particular, we are interested on whether the restriction of 5 years rotation

    affects the positive relationship between audit fee and audit risk.

    Due to the 5 years rotation principle came out, the cooperative time between audit firms

    and their clients have been reduced sharply. Hence, more and more new clients show up

    in the audit market. This situation could probably result in intensifying competition

    among different audit firms. Inevitably, some of the audit firms might provide low-

    balling price for attracting new clients. Nevertheless, the audit firm which get new

    clients by giving discount of the audit fee does not have enough experience to minimise

    the firms risk exposure because this is their fist cooperation. On the other hand, because

    of the low audit fee, the timing and extent of audit procedures input to audit are less

    than before. Hence, the audit risk will increase.

    We want to raise survey questions to find out the possibility of the 5 years auditor

    rotation affects the positive relationship between audit fee and audit risk on the basis of

    the above analysis and discussion.

    3.2 Reasons for using a survey in this paper

    For the purpose of exploiting in this topic, we made a survey to investigate respondents:

    Australia audit firms. We believe that doing a survey in questionnaire is the best way

    for us. Firstly, survey can be administered from remote locations by using email or

    telephone. In this case, there are thousands of audit firms. They locate in different area

    of the country. It is impossible for us to interview even small part of them. In addition,

    almost all the audit firms have emails. It is the most convenient way for us to send them

  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    10/21

    the survey by email. Further more, as we can get respondents email easily, large

    samples are feasible. The more sample we choose the more accuracy of the statistical

    result.

    3.3 Sampling strategies

    We expect to collected feedback from managers of audit with their points of view.

    Obviously, the population of the investigation is all the audit firms in Australia. We did

    not choose the whole world scope because different countries have different audit

    standards. The sample of the population is the audit firms which will receive the survey

    questions. We choose the judgement sampling to select our sample which is top 100

    accounting firms in Australia. The criterion of choosing top 100 accounting firms is

    basis on their revenues, service scope, and how many of their employees.

    3.4 How to design our survey questions

    Firstly, we have to check whether the audit firms have new clients which entered into

    contract last year. Secondly, if the audit firm really get new clients last year, the second

    step is to calculate how many new clients in every selected audit firms and theproportion of new clients in its total clients. It is important for the survey as this data

    can prove whether 5 years rotation restriction has increased the number of new clients

    in audit firms. After getting this data, we can find out that the competition in audit

    market affected by increasing or decreasing new audit clients. Generally speaking, the

    increased rotation frequency probable result in intensifying competition in audit market.

    Hence we assume that there is more competition between audit firms in external audit

    market after 5 years rotation restriction issued. Further more, due to the increased

    competition, some audit firms may obtain an assurance engagement by charging a lower

    audit fee for attracting a new client. This is called lowballing policy. We want to

    know how many audit firms have taken the lowballing policy to obtain new clients and

    their reasons. Next, there is another query coming up, do the small audit firms gain the

    same benefit from the lowballing policy as well as the large audit firms? Following this

    query, there are several aspects need to ask. We will keep focus on whether audit firms

    adjust the time and qualified staffs assigned to the new clients task. And what quality

    control procedures will be taken to comply with all applicable assurance standards and

  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    11/21

    guidelines under a low level of audit fee. In addition, we want to figue out whether

    different sizes of audit firms exert impact on the sufficiency of the audit risk assessment

    on the new clients audit task. At last, we want to know if there is other beneficial

    policy taken by audit firms to obtain the initially-engaged clients besides lowballing

    policy.

    3.5 Data issue

    The first stage is sending survey questions to managers of audit firms by email. The

    second stage is the collection of their responses.

    On one hand, collection surveys have the potential to provide an enormous amount of

    information vital to planning the management of your collection. Due to all of our

    survey questions are open-ended questions, there are different kinds of answers of the

    survey questions. Which means the procedures of collect and analyse the responses is

    difficult. In order to reduce the complex, we are going to create a database through

    Microsoft Office Access for data analysis. Because the answers of the survey are sent

    back by email, it is easy for us to copy audit firms answers to the Access database from

    email box. And separate their answers into groups which have different points of view.

    On the other hand, we have to consider there are a portion of audit firms will not reply

    our survey questions. It is concern that the percentage of effective survey questionnaires

    must stay at a high level. Otherwise, the survey is not precise as we expect.

    4.0 AnalysisOur survey is based on the assumption that there is a positive nexus between audit risk

    and audit fee. Our targeted respondents are the managers from top 100 audit firms in

    Australia.

    Generally the aim of the survey is to gather various opinions from managers of audit

    firms upon low-balling strategy. There are 2 limbs decomposed: 1) gather the responses

  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    12/21

    to influence of low-balling in terms of risk assessment and pricing model 2) analyse the

    factors that should considered in order to attain the new clients in terms of audit fees.

    As can be concluded from the Arthur Andersen and Enron case, it is the long-term

    relationship (approximately 10 years) between clients and auditors that leads to thecorruption. Therefore the Section 203 of the SOX prohibits a audit firm from providing

    audit services to a company for certain continuing period.

    In Australia it regulates that the limited term for eligibility to play a significant role in

    audit of listed companies is 5 consecutive years.

    Such mandatory auditor rotation will inevitably bring a series of revolution especially in

    audit operation and it can be inferred that certain strategy will be rearranged or replaced.

    4.1 Competition among audit firms

    According to the results that all firms confirm they do contract with new clients last

    year regardless the population of clients it can be inferred that the audit market becomes

    more active than before during the survey period.

    In another words the competition among audit firms turns out to be more fiercely.

    The evidence is that approximate % respondents declare the new clients dominated the

    revenue. As a result it can be predicted that it must be introduction of certain

    measure/measures that stimulate the market.

    In order to find out the causes to the phenomenon it is necessary to do the strategy

    review which is to compare the previous prevailing strategy with the current common

    practice. The quality-oriented strategy dominated the industry previously. However with

    the introduction of rotation policy auditors are more willing to reduce the audit fees

    (price-oriented) in order to lure clients.

    To summarize, the explanation to alteration of strategy is introduction of rotation policy

    on one hand, the motivation of audit firms on the other.

    But it should be noticed that due to variability of circumstances and complexity of the

    risk assessment, the merits or demerits of the strategy should be further discussed.

    Furthermore as a host of determinants for risk assessment such as procedure, reputation

    and competence of auditors vary in large and small audit firms, whether the competition

    brought by new policy will benefit all sized corporation could be questioned and further

    discussed.

    It becomes a common phenomenon it is the increasing level of competition within theaudit industry pushing audit firms to offer discount fees.

  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    13/21

    4.2 Low-balling provided by auditing firms

    In the survey % of the audit firms confirm that they do offer discount fees to new clients

    last year. It is the evidence to the statement that auditors are more willing to provide low

    price to the first-year clients rather than those with continuing engagements.

    According to the survey results, about % of firms accept that the audit risk has been

    increased by the application of low-balling price. Therefore it is crucial to examine the

    reasons.

    Normally the nature of the client should be considered as a priority. The complexity of

    clients risk should also be considered.

    However by the application of the lower audit fees, certain negative effects come up

    with the phenomenon that the financial reporting risk increases with the deterioration of

    quality for audit services.

    In the article we support one of the causes is the insufficient resource allocated to low

    charged clients that lead to the poor performance of the audit service. Additionally, the

    inferior understanding of audit procedures, lack of knowledge and experience dealing

    with clients also contribute to the increase of audit risk. In the scenario created torespondents in survey it is likely that auditors may carry out irregular practices in order

    to attain the client, for instance the timing and extent of audit procedures are lessened,

    such behaviour will increase the risk of audit failure.

    The opinion then has been supported by the survey results that % of the auditors believe

    that the application of low audit fees has exerted negative effect upon audit process and

    main reason for unqualified audit is the low price.

    4.3 Measurement to reduce the audit risk

    Most auditors accept the opinion that the audit risk (detection risk) increases by offering

    a discount fee to new clients. The next step is to figure out the alternatives to eliminate

    or reduce the audit risk.

  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    14/21

    Recommendations are as follows:

    According to the results it is suggested that audit fees for initially-engaged clients is

    approximate % less than those for continuing services.

    It is a significant alteration in audit. As payment to auditors decrease, it will inevitably

    affect the motivation of managers in the firm. The auditors attitude to clients may be

    altered from positive to negative. With less charge on clients, managers are more likely

    to nominate insufficient auditors responsible for the audit tasks.

    Although the payment to employees is saved, the audit risk conversely is raised.

    According to the mathematical formula below:

    DR = AR / (IR x CR).

    When inherent and control risks increase, the detection risk need go down. Therefore

    audit procedures will be adjusted by auditors. Normally more procedures are required in

    various scenarios, timing, nature and extent.

    As a consequence the goal is to limit the risk to the acceptable low level and see an

    appropriate balance between the costs of an audit opinion and costs of performing the

    additional audit procedures to reduce audit risk.

    Another finding from the survey is that reporting problems frequently happen during the

    first-year clients.

    By enquiring measures that auditors take to limit the potentially increasing risk, we bear

    in mind the common practice adopted by most audit firms as well as practices tackling

    clients with different size and industry.

    For instance the procedures taken to gas, oil exploration industry will be different with

    manufacturing industry.

    Facing the influence exerted by adoption of low-balling audit firms should judge the

    level of risk and work on designing the procedures.

    Obtaining an understanding by reviewing the clients previous experience, enquiring of

    appropriate staff personnel, inspecting relevant documents and records and observing

    the financial decisions and operations assist auditors to figure out the risk level and thus

    to create relevant assessing procedures.

  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    15/21

    By analysing the responses from audit firms upon question (!!!!!), we find all firms are

    assessing the potentially increased risk and trying to produce an acceptable level of

    detection risk by performing substantive procedures.

    (Again it can be explained by formula above: inherent and control risk cant be

    controlled by audit firms, detection risk is the only one item can be controlled)

    5.0 Conclusion and Limitation

    Almost all research studies have limitations and a finite scope. It is the same to this

    paper. Firstly, due to all of our survey questionnaires are open-ended questions, it will

    take much more time for respondents to answer than close-ended questions. It is

    possible that the manager of an audit firm do not even want to waste their precious time

    on answering these complex questions. It will make the effective survey questionnaires

    not enough for analysis. However, as we discussed above, there are thousands of audit

    firms located in different areas. It is impossible for us to interview even small part of

    them. Secondly, there is some of the survey questions refer to secrets of corporate

    governance. It might be that some managers of audit firms are either reluctant to answer

    that or answer it without facility.

    6.0 referenceAloke, G & Robert,P,2009, the Impact of Regulation on Auditor Fees: Evidence from

    the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Auditing Sarasota: Nov. Vol. 28, Iss. 2; p. 171 (27 pages)

  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    16/21

    Audit Quality in Australia, a Strategic Review, 2010 the Treasury

    Bobbie, W, Daniels, J & Jackson, 2002,Consultant Experience in Conducting

    Environmental Audits in Malaysia Questionnaire Environmental Auditing, Department

    of Environment

    Choi, J., R. Doogar, &A. R. Ganguly. 2004, The riskiness of large audit firm client

    portfolios and changes in audit liability regimes: Evidence from the US market,

    Contemporary Accounting Research. 21(4): 747-85

    Dorothy, A, Feldmann, William J Read, Mohammad J, & Abdolmohammadi,

    2009,Audit Fees, and the Moderating Effect of CFO Turnover, Auditing Sarasota,

    Vol. 28, Iss. 1; p. 205 (19 pages)

    Daniel, T, Simon, Mark, H & Taylor, 2002, A Survey of Audit Pricing in Ireland,

    International Journal of Auditing Int. J. Audit. 6: 3-12

    Douglas & Niven, 2010, Audit fees and maintaining audit quality, Technical focus

    ASIC

    Ferguson, A. and D. Stokes. 2002.Brand name audit pricing, industry specialization

    and leadership premiums post Big 8 and Big 6 mergers ,Contemporary Accounting

    Research 19(1):77-110

    Hsuehchang, T & Mingshu, H, 2009, the Effects of Audit Quality on Loan Interest

    Rates for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Taiwan, International Journal of

    Business, Fresno. Vol. 14, Iss. 3; p. 265 (17 pages)

    Jenny, PK, 2006, The relation between external audit fees, audit committee

    characteristics and internal audit, School of Business papers

    Monika, CW, Robert Knechel & Jason M, 2007,Does Consulting Lead to Audit

    Lowballing: Longitudinal Evidence from Audit Fees, International Journal of Business,

    Fresno.

    Michael, J, Meyer John T & Rigsby, JB, 2007, The impact of auditor-client

    relationships on the reversal of first-time audit qualifications, Managerial Auditing

    Journal Vol. 22 No. 1

    Nieves, GAC, Christopher, HM & Emiliano, RA, 2007,Mandatory audit firm rotation

    in Spain: a policy that was never applied, Accounting, Auditing &Accountability

    Journal Vol. 20 No. 5

    Presha, E, Neidermeyer, TL, Tuten, Adolph, A, Neidermeyer & Gender, 2003,

    Differences in auditors attitudes towards lowballing: implications for future practice

    International Journal of Auditing Int. J. Audit. 6

  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    17/21

    Robert, L, James TA and John J. Willingham, 1985Process Susceptibility Control Risk

    and Audit Planning the accounting review Vol lx No.2 April

    Ramgopal, Venkataraman, Joseph, Weber, Michael & Willenborg, 2005,

    LITIGATION RISK, AUDIT FEES AND AUDIT QUALITY: INITIAL PUBLIC

    OFFERINGS AS A NATURAL EXPERIMENT

    Rani Hoitash, Udi Hoitash, Jean C Bedard, 2008, Internal Control Quality and Audit

    Pricing under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act,

    Auditing. Sarasota. Vol. 27, Iss. 1; p. 105 (22 pages)

    Rani Hoitash, Ariel, Markelevich, Charles ,A. Barragato, 2007, Auditor fees and audit

    quality, Managerial Auditing Journal. Bradford:. Vol. 22, Iss. 8; p. 761

    James Bierstaker, Rich Houston, 2006, The Impact of Competition on Audit Planning,

    Review, and Performance, Journal of Accounting Literature. Gainesville:. Vol. 25; p.

    1 (58 pages)

    Richard, WH, Michael, FP, Jamie H Pratt. 2005, Nonlitigation Risk and Pricing Audit

    Services, Auditing. Sarasota. Vol. 24, Iss. 1; p. 37 (17 pages)

    Stephen, D, Paul,F, Noel OSullivan, 2002, Highballing and Lowballing in Audit

    Pricing: the Impact of Audit Error Professor, CRIS Discussion Paper Series 2002.I

    Shannon, LC, Steven, MG, Nathan YS 2010, The Association between Financial

    Reporting Risk and Audit Fees before and after the Historic Events Surrounding SOX,

    Auditing. Sarasota: May 2010. Vol. 29, Iss. 1; p. 15 (25 pages)

    Timothy, B, Wayne, R, Landsmen & Douglas, S,2010, Auditors Perceived Business

    Risk and Audit Fees: Analysis and Evidence, Journal of Accounting Research Vol. 39

    No. 1 June 2001

  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    18/21

    7.0 Appendix

    7.1 Appendix 1 (Survey questions)

    Survey questions:

    1) Do you have any new clients last year? How many new clients

    entered the contract with you for audit service last year? What is the

    percentage of the new clients among all clients?

    2) Do you think the low-balling price policy can attain the new

    clients? Specify your reasons below

    __________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________

    _________________________________

    3) Do you think the small audit firms can benefit from the low-balling

    price strategy as well as the large audit firms?

    4) What is your consideration when determining the specific audit price

    for new clients? Do you think there is a need to adjust the audit time

    and procedures after reducing the audit fees?

    5) What measures will you take if suffering an increased audit risk by

    offering the discount audit fees to first-year clients?

    6) Do you think the impact upon sufficiency of the audit risk

    assessment will be varied by different size of the audit firms after

    they reduce the audit fees?

    7) What is cost or benefit outcome of low-balling price strategy inyour firm compared to the previous?

    8) What other beneficial policy will you take to attain the initially-

    engaged clients besides low-balling strategy?

    7.1 Appendix 1 (Top 100 accounting firms in Australia)

    PricewaterhouseCoopers

    KPMG

  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    19/21

    Ernst & Young

    Deloitte

    WHK Group

    PKF

    BDO

    Horwath

    Pitcher Partners

    Grant Thornton

    Moore Stephens

    RSM Bird Cameron

    William Buck

    Bentleys MRI

    H&R Block

    HLB Mann Judd

    Acumen Alliance

    Ferrier Hodgson

    McGrathNicol+Partners

    KordaMentha

    WalterTurnbull

    SimsPartners

    MGI Australian Association

    Hall Chadwick

    UHY Haines Norton

    Forsythes

    DFK Australia

    BKR Walker Wayland

    Hayes Knight Group

    Nexia Court & Co

    INPACT McDonald Carter

    Accru Group

    MSI Group

    Lawler Partners

    Johnston Rorke

    DKM Group

    http://www.gradconnection.com.au/ernst-and-young/graduate-jobs/accounting.dothttp://www.gradconnection.com.au/deloitte/graduate-jobs/accounting.dothttp://www.gradconnection.com.au/bdo/graduate-jobs/accounting.dothttp://www.gradconnection.com.au/pitcher-partners/graduate-jobs/accounting.dothttp://www.gradconnection.com.au/walter-turnbull/graduate-jobs/accounting.dothttp://www.gradconnection.com.au/deloitte/graduate-jobs/accounting.dothttp://www.gradconnection.com.au/bdo/graduate-jobs/accounting.dothttp://www.gradconnection.com.au/pitcher-partners/graduate-jobs/accounting.dothttp://www.gradconnection.com.au/walter-turnbull/graduate-jobs/accounting.dothttp://www.gradconnection.com.au/ernst-and-young/graduate-jobs/accounting.dot
  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    20/21

    Perks

    Prosperity Advisers

    Australian Solutions Group

    Boyce Chartered Accountants

    Borough Mazars

    Avenir Group

    Nexia ASR

    Worrells Solvency and Forensic Accountants

    Crosbie Warren Sinclair

    Einfeld Symonds Vince

    Gaddie Metz Kahn

    McLean Delmo & Partners

    BRW

    Roberts & Morrow

    Cutcher & Neale

    Bell Partners Accountants & Business Advisors

    Jones Condon

    Stanton Partners

    Edwards Marshall

    Pilot Partners

    Duesburys Nexia

    Gould Ralph & Company

    Hood Sweeney

    Webb Group

    The Allan Hall Partnership

    Ulton

    Fennell Allen & Co

    Byfields

    Forsyths

    Alan Morse & Co

    Hill Rogers

    Williams & Partners SCI

    Bedford Titley

    Molloy Orr & Ronan

    http://www.gradconnection.com.au/boyce/graduate-jobs/accounting.dothttp://www.gradconnection.com.au/boyce/graduate-jobs/accounting.dot
  • 8/6/2019 Auditing Final

    21/21

    PDY Partners

    NelsonWheeler Nexia

    Saccasan Bailey Partners

    Pritchard Adams

    Camerons Accountants & Advisors

    Mulqueen Griffin Rogers

    WMS Chartered Accountants

    Bush and Campbell

    Stewart, Brown & Co

    Wise Lord Ferguson

    MB+M Business Solutions

    Poole & Associates

    Wearne & Co.

    McInnes, Graham & Gibbs

    Duncan Dovico

    Benson Partners

    Marsh Ticknell

    Anderson Roscoe

    Cassim Calligeros Simos

    GHR Accounting Group

    Wilson Watt Panadrea

    Barnes Dowell James

    MJC Partners

    Rhodes Docherty

    Bentley Brett & Vincent

    Berger Piepers

    Elliotts Accounting


Recommended