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Internal Control Weakness: A Literature Review

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  • Yu Lu
  • Diandian Ma

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to review empirical literature on internal control weakness over the past seven years. I use an analysis framework consisting of determinants (corporate governance and other affecting factors) and economic consequences (accounting information quality, market reaction, cost of equity, debt contracting) of weakness disclosure and its remediation. Basic findings of prior studies agree that corporate governance and firm characteristics influence the presence of control problems and their remediation. In turn, the effectiveness of internal control impacts the quality of financing reporting, auditor reaction (auditing fees and audit delays), insider trading and leads to capital market consequences (the weakness disclosures affect debt contracting). More internal control studies combine with capital market and provide evidence that SOX are not always effective. Overall, these findings contribute to profession by suggesting that the disclosures of internal control deficiencies generally convey incremental information on the quality of financial reporting to investors. This review integrates and assesses current internal control weakness research and offers some suggestions for future study.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu Lu & Diandian Ma, 2019. "Internal Control Weakness: A Literature Review," Accounting and Finance Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 8(2), pages 121-121, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:jfr:afr111:v:8:y:2019:i:2:p:121
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Suraj Srinivasan, 2005. "Consequences of Financial Reporting Failure for Outside Directors: Evidence from Accounting Restatements and Audit Committee Members," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(2), pages 291-334, May.
    2. Widener, Sally K., 2004. "An empirical investigation of the relation between the use of strategic human capital and the design of the management control system," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 29(3-4), pages 377-399.
    3. Mark L. Defond & Rebecca N. Hann & Xuesong Hu, 2005. "Does the Market Value Financial Expertise on Audit Committees of Boards of Directors?," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(2), pages 153-193, May.
    4. Ashbaugh-Skaife, Hollis & Collins, Daniel W. & Kinney Jr., William R., 2007. "The discovery and reporting of internal control deficiencies prior to SOX-mandated audits," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 44(1-2), pages 166-192, September.
    5. Sarah C. Rice & David P. Weber, 2012. "How Effective Is Internal Control Reporting under SOX 404? Determinants of the (Non‐)Disclosure of Existing Material Weaknesses," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(3), pages 811-843, June.
    6. Xue Wang, 2010. "Increased Disclosure Requirements and Corporate Governance Decisions: Evidence from Chief Financial Officers in the Pre‐ and Post–Sarbanes‐Oxley Periods," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(4), pages 885-920, September.
    7. Anna M. Costello & Regina Wittenberg‐Moerman*, 2011. "The Impact of Financial Reporting Quality on Debt Contracting: Evidence from Internal Control Weakness Reports," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(1), pages 97-136, March.
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    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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