Audit pricing and auditor industry specialization in an emerging market: Evidence from China

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• 作者：Kun Wang ; Sewon O ; Zahid Iqbal
• 关键词：Audit fee ; Big 4 firms ; Industry specialization ; Emerging market
• 刊名：Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation
• 出版年：2009
• 出版时间：2009
• 年：2009
• 卷：18
• 期：1
• 页码：60-72
• 全文大小：220 K

文摘

In this paper we examine the determinants of audit fees by focusing on auditor industry specialization and second tier auditors in the Chinese market. We find evidence of Big 4 premiums for brand name as well as industry specialization in both the statutory and supplementary market. Big 4 industry specialists earn additional premiums in the statutory market as compared to non-industry specialists. We also find that market expansion did not provide the second tier auditors any price advantage. These auditors increased their market share mainly in the mid- and small-sized clienteles. Moreover, industry experience developed by the second tier firms may have helped them gain economy of scale and reduce service fees. This may be their strategy to win future clients that seek low-priced audits.