Audit quality and earnings management: evidence from Jordan
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to test the association between audit quality and earnings management (EM). Audit quality studies documented that accruals would reduce when the auditor is independent or the audit firm is large.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses generalised least square regression to investigate the influence of audit quality on EM. The sample contained 86 companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange from 2007 to 2010. The cross-sectional modified Jones model was employed to measure discretionary accruals as a proxy for EM.
Findings
This paper revealed that there is a significantly negative association between audit quality and EM. The result inferred that EM level is significantly lower among companies using the services of independent auditors. Moreover, this study exposed that the level of EM is significantly less among companies hiring a Big 4 audit firm, as compared to companies utilising the service of a non-Big 4 audit firm.
Research limitations/implications
The measurement error, which is a rigorous concern for studies on EM, is one of the limitations in this study. Hence, the current study wholly inherited the limits of the modified Jones model.
Practical implications
The findings based on the current study would provide beneficial information for regulators in Jordan and other countries with an institutional environment similar to that of Jordan. Moreover, the results provided valuable information to investors in assessing the influence of audit quality on financial reporting quality (FRQ).
Originality/value
The current study contributed to auditing and corporate governance literature and its influence on EM among Jordanian companies. This research will be of value to companies seeking to reduce EM and enhance FRQ.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author gratefully acknowledges the helpful comments and suggestions received from the two anonymous reviewers. Julia Mundy provided excellent editorial support. All the remaining errors are the sole responsibility of the author. Funding statement The author gratefully acknowledges that there is no funding support this research paper.
Citation
Alzoubi, E.S.S. (2016), "Audit quality and earnings management: evidence from Jordan", Journal of Applied Accounting Research, Vol. 17 No. 2, pp. 170-189. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAAR-09-2014-0089
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited