Harber, M. and Maroun, W. orcid.org/0000-0001-7448-1220 (2020) Mandatory audit firm rotation: a critical composition of practitioner views from an emerging economy. Managerial Auditing Journal, 35 (7). pp. 861-896. ISSN 0268-6902
Abstract
Purpose This study aims to address an acknowledged gap in the literature for the analysis of experienced practitioner views on the effects and implications of mandatory audit firm rotation (MAFR).
Design/methodology/approach Using an exploratory and sequential design, data was collected from South African regulatory policy documents, organisational comment letters and semi-structured interviews of practitioners. These findings informed a field survey, administered to auditors, investors, chief financial officers (CFOs) and audit committee members of Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed companies.
Findings Practitioners expressed considerable pushback against the potential efficacy of MAFR to improve audit quality due to various “switching costs”, notably the loss of client-specific knowledge and expertise upon rotation. In addition, the cost and disruption to both the client and audit firm are considered significant and unnecessary, compared to audit partner rotation. The audit industry may suffer reduced profitability and increased strain on partners, leading to a decline in the appeal of the profession as a career of choice. This is likely to have negative implications for audit industry diversity objectives. Furthermore, the industry may become more supplier-concentrated amongst the Big 4 firms.
Practical implications The findings have policy implications for regulators deciding whether to adopt the regulation, as well as guiding the design of policies and procedures to mitigate the negative effects of adoption.
Originality/value The participants are experienced with diverse roles concerning the use, preparation and audit of financial statements of large exchange-listed multinational companies, as well as engagement in the auditor appointment process. The extant literature presents mixed results on the link between MAFR and audit quality, with most studies relying on archival and experimental designs. These have a limited ability to identify and critique the potential’s witching costs and unintended consequences of the regulation. Experienced participants responsible for decision-making within the audit, audit oversight and auditor appointment process, are best suited to provide perspective on these effects, contrasted against the audit regulator’s position.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Keywords: | Audit quality, Audit regulation, Auditor independence, Auditor rotation, Mandatory audit firm rotation |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Business (Leeds) > Accounting & Finance Division (LUBS) (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 08 Feb 2024 11:22 |
Last Modified: | 08 Feb 2024 16:31 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Emerald |
Identification Number: | 10.1108/maj-09-2019-2405 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:208953 |