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Audit Quality and Financial Statement Manipulation: The Moderating Effect of Tone at the Top

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  • Alastair Marais

    (School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)

Abstract

South Africa has recently fallen victim to numerous major corporate frauds. This has called into question South Africa’s audit quality, as indicated by its loss of the number one place for auditing and reporting standard strength, according to the World Economic Forum. This study examined the moderating effect of tone at the top on the relationship between audit quality and financial statement manipulation. Using a South African sample of 829 firm-year observations from 2011 until 2018, principal component analysis was used to construct two audit quality variables (competence and independence) and two tone at the top variables (autocratic and pragmatic). Financial statement manipulation was measured using fraud and discretionary accruals. The findings revealed that while an autocratic tone strengthened the negative relationship between audit quality and fraud, it also resulted in higher income-increasing discretionary accruals. This study contributes to the audit quality literature in South Africa by revealing how the tone at the top can affect the auditor’s ability to conduct a quality audit. The results will interest auditors and shareholders seeking to reduce fraud and earnings management.

Suggested Citation

  • Alastair Marais, 2024. "Audit Quality and Financial Statement Manipulation: The Moderating Effect of Tone at the Top," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 14(5), pages 220-232, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eco:journ1:2024-05-23
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Audit Quality; Financial Statement Manipulation; Discretionary Accruals; Fraud; Tone at the Top; South Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting
    • M42 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Auditing

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