The objectives of this research are to investigate whether abnormal audit fees affect the probability of audit opinion deteriorating, and whether abnormal audit fees influence the probability of receiving unqualified auditing opinions. Abnormal audit fees comprise the difference between the actual audit fee paid to the auditor and the expected, normal fee that should have been charged for the audit engagement effort. An ordered logit regression technique was used. The study shows that an increase in abnormal auditing fees increases the probability of a better audit opinion given by the auditor. As a result, a degree of opinion shopping does occur in Indonesia. Furthermore, this study also finds that increases in abnormal audit fees also increase the probability of companies obtaining unqualified audit opinions. This shows that abnormal audit fees influence the audit opinion via opinion shopping, increasing auditors' dependence on their clients and decreasing the independence of the auditor. This research provides advice for regulators to encourage mandatory disclosure on auditing fees. Based on available data, it is evident that companies engage in the practice of opinion shopping, in order to maintain or gain a better opinion. Audit fees that are not disclosed allow companies to take these actions more freely, without being controlled by stakeholders. Opinion shopping practices are harmful for capital market conditions because they erode the trust of stakeholders around assurance services.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.