bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gender differences in perceptions of accounting firm alumni
Authors: Iyer Venkataraman M. , Raghunandan K. , Rama Dasaratha V. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo examine if there are systematic gender‐based differences in the perceptions of accounting firm alumni about their experiences with accounting firms.Design/methodology/approachAlumni of Big 4 firms' offices in two large cities in the USA are surveyed. The analysis is based on responses from 110 alumni who had left the firm within the previous ten years.FindingsResults indicate that women are less likely than men to believe that their former accounting firms developed their abilities to think and express themselves; helped them learn to manage others; and trained them for their present job. Further, women rated the training, personnel evaluation, and counseling programs at their former accounting firms lower than did men. Women were less likely to recommend their former firm to friends and acquaintances, and less likely to inform the former accounting firm about opportunities or pitfalls.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations associated with survey research such as non‐response bias must be taken into account.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that more efforts are needed to bridge the gender gap in the public accounting profession.Originality/valueThis study is one of the few that have examined alumni's perceptions about their former firm.
Determinants of audit time as a proxy of audit quality
Authors: Leventis Stergios , Caramanis Constantinos 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine auditor‐ and auditee‐related factors that determine audit time, as a proxy of audit quality. The issue of audit quality is of particular significance, while companies in Europe move towards adoption of international accounting standards.Design/methodology/approachThe paper compares the actual audit hours for corporate audits of listed companies with a minimum prescribed by the Supervisory Council of the Hellenic Institute of Certified Auditors (known in Greek with the acronym SOEL). The data used are from the period immediately preceding the implementation of SOEL's minimum audit time criteria.FindingsAn “audit effort” ratio calculated as actual hours to minimum hours prescribed is found to bear a positive correlation with company size and gearing, and is also significantly higher for companies audited by large multinational audit firms and for companies that seek equity finance. A proportion of audits is found to have been conducted at less than the prescribed minimum.Research limitations/implicationsA number of theoretical and measurement limitations are acknowledged that could further increase the explanatory power of the model. A discussion is also included of the potential effectiveness of regulation as a mechanism for strengthening the agency relationship between management and shareholders.Practical implicationsThe study should be of assistance to auditors, auditees and regulatory authorities.Originality/valueThis paper fills a widely acknowledged gap in the literature regarding the determinants of audit time and the concept of audit quality, particularly in a newly developed capital markets.
Communication skills are critical for internal auditors
Authors: Smith Gene 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo provide internal auditors with a summary of the communications skills needed for a successful professional career in internal auditing.Design/methodology/approachA range of recently published (2000‐2004) publications, which aim to show the importance of communication skills to internal auditors, is reviewed to show internal auditors the importance of highly‐developed communication skills in almost every aspect of their activities.FindingsInternal auditors need to possess excellent communication skills in order to succeed and advance in the changing, complex international global marketplace. Auditors utilize communication skills in almost every situation they encounter. Auditors must create an image of adding value to the organization and not just being investigators. Auditors must possess strong listening and interpersonal skills. Auditors have to be careful in using certain voice reflections when working with different types of individuals at various levels within an organization. Auditors must be aware of how their mannerisms impact auditees.Originality/valueThis paper identifies the importance of communication skills for internal auditors in their daily activities as professional auditors. Internal auditors will be more cognizant of the need to continually improve their communication skills throughout their professional career after reading this paper.
Qualified audit opinions in Malta
Authors: Farrugia Konrad J. , Baldacchino Peter J. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis paper has the objective of identifying the different types of qualifications in auditor's reports of companies in Malta, the extent of multiple and repeated qualifications in such reports and any significant relationships between such main types of qualifications and firm‐specific variables.Design/methodology/approachThe study in this small Mediterranean island is designed to investigate the auditor's reports of 419 companies in the period 1997/2000. This is also complemented by an analysis of 12 interviews held with audit partners in different practices.FindingsResults show that 19.9 per cent of sampled companies had a qualified auditor's report. The most common type of qualification was that of limitation‐on‐scope found in small companies and issued by non‐Big Four audit firms. Small companies were also prone to going concern qualifications in view of their more common net liability situations. Disagreement‐with‐management qualifications were found to be more likely in larger companies and to be mostly issued by Big Four audit firms.Research limitations/implicationsThe methodology adopted by the study may also be used in similar future studies in other small states and further research could possibly be undertaken on the motivation behind the issuance of such qualifications.Originality/valueThe study concludes that Maltese companies, which are as yet all required to be audited irrespective of size, have an apparently high rate of audit qualifications and also that the auditor's reports of non‐Big Four audit firms are often deficient or even incompatible with the wording of the International Standards on Auditing.
Lending validity and consistency to performance measurement
Authors: Samuel Sale Ryan , Lair Sale Martha 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to suggest a performance evaluation technique that allows for the inclusion of qualitative data in a way that is more easily quantified.Design/methodology/approachThe performance evaluation technique described in this paper is a combination of two existing techniques: the balanced scorecard and the analytical hierarchy process.FindingsThese two methods are found to complement each other quite well. An example illustrates the combined usage of the two techniques and the inherent advantages of the combination.Research limitations/implicationsUse of analytic hierarchy process, without reliance on one of several commercially available software programs, may prove to be unwieldy and time consuming.Practical implicationsThis paper demonstrates a technique allowing managers to use qualitative measures in performance evaluations without concern that the results will be judged to be unsubstantiated and overly subjective.Originality/valueThis paper combines two existing methods. The strengths and weaknesses of these two methods combine to create a technique that is superior to the use of either one in isolation.
Informational content of the cost of equity capital: empirical evidence
Authors: Elmoatasem Abdelghany Khaled 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe effect of the cost of capital CEC on the investing and financing decisions is a matter of considerable interest and importance to the financial studies. However, the impact of CEC on the stock prices is not well established. This research aims to examine whether the CEC has a significant incremental explanation of the changes in the stock prices which the basic traditional accounting variables could not provide.Design/methodology/approachApplies the adjusted constant dividend‐growth model to measure the CEC and the incremental explanatory power test on a sample of 37 companies listed on NYSE.FindingsThe results indicate that there is non‐significant impact of CEC for the full sample, the small size firms, and the manufacturing firms. However, I find an evidence that CEC has a significant impact on the stock prices for both the large‐size firms and the non‐manufacturing firms.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was completed at a specific date of measurement which puts some limitations on the generality of its results.Originality/valueAssesses whether the cost of equity possess incremental explanation to the change in the stock prices beyond the explanation provided by the traditional accounting variables.
Defining training needs of five‐star hotel personnel: an application in the Antalya Region of Turkey
Authors: Akin Aksu A. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo provide an useful way for tourism industry professionals regarding defining training needs of hotel personnel and noting the interests of hotel managers in the training subject.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaire technique was used both for superiors and staff in a sampled five‐star hotel in Antalya. For statistical evaluation the SPSS program was used.FindingsAccording to the combination of the scoring table used in questionnaire, the training areas given before and in the sampled hotel, for superiors and staff most suggested are; organizational structure, management and organization, communication, motivation, accounting‐budgeting, foreign languages (German, English and French) and customer relations.Research limitations/implicationsIt is not possible to generalize the findings for all five‐star hotels in Antalya, but this study can be evaluated as a starting point in defining training needs of hotel personnel. In addition to this, much more researches must be done may be in other parts of Turkey in order to compare the results of this study.Practical implicationsUseful information in orienting tourism professionals to defining needs. Beside this study benefiting from managerial observations and forming of focus groups can be suggested.Originality/valueThe findings can be seen as a practical implications for tourism professionals and academicians as well.
The foreign direct investment decision‐making process
Authors: Sykianakis Nicos , Bellas Athanassios 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a better understanding of the foreign direct investment (FDI) decision‐making process, and to explore the roles of management accounting information to that.Design/methodology/approachAn interpretive methodology was preferred, applying the case study method in a Greek company that had engaged in FDIs in the Balkans. In studying FDI decision‐making, the role of context (external environment and organisation) was taken into consideration.FindingsThe study reported here reveals that the FDI decision‐making process is cyclical in nature, with information continuously received, processed and used as feedback for subsequent action. This supports the view that the dichotomy between strategy formulation and implementation is a false one.Practical implicationsAlthough the FDI process should be recognised as iterative in nature, evidence from this study suggests that it can be thought of as comprising two main tasks, each of which makes different uses of management accounting information and reflects different decision‐making concerns. The first task concerns the decision whether or not to invest abroad while, the second task concerns decisions about how the project will be developed.Originality/valueThe implementation of capital investments enables the participation of various organizational actors trying to influence the final outcome of the process in line with their own interests. The recognition of differential political engagement within these two distinct decision‐making phases has implications for understanding capital investment practice and for reflecting on prior empirical evidence in this domain.
Pricing on Andersen's FIS and internal audit services by successor auditors
Authors: Young Lee Ho 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo examine whether or not new auditors of former Andersen clients perceive prohibited non‐audit services from Andersen as a business risk indicator and, therefore, adjust for the effects of this important risk factor in their audit pricing.Design/methodology/approachUtilizing a significant number of involuntary auditor switches in the US as a result of the collapse of Andersen in late 2002, this study uses regression analyses to examine the hypothesized associations between two types of non‐audit services and successor auditors' audit pricing.FindingsThis study finds that the provision of financial information systems (FIS) design and implementation services and internal audit outsourcing services are positively associated with audit fees charged by successor auditors. This study supports the recent prohibition on the provision of FIS and internal audit services mandated by the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002.Originality/valueThis study adds to the recent body of work on the association between the provision of certain non‐audit services and the predecessor auditor independence or audit quality perceived by the successor auditor and provides valuable information for policy makers.
ABC: adopters, supporters, deniers and unawares
Authors: Cohen Sandra , Venieris George , Kaimenaki Efrosini 
Published: January 2007

PurposeDespite the great interest in activity based costing (ABC), companies seem to be reluctant to adopt it. Our research aims at examining the rate of adoption of ABC by Greek companies that belong to all three sectors of the Greek economy, i.e. manufacturing, retail and services, as well as investigating the reasons that influence a firm's decision to change its current cost accounting system.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical survey via questionnaires was conducted during 2003 on a sample of 88 Greek leading companies and four company categories were identified in respect to their perceptions towards ABC (ABC adopters, ABC supporters, ABC deniers and ABC unawares).FindingsOur findings indicate that ABC diffusion in Greece is quite satisfactory. Furthermore, we present evidence that firms that have implemented ABC (ABC adopters) have experienced multidimensional management facilitating benefits from the system. However, the adequacy of resources was found to be the variable that is positively and statistically correlated with the majority of problems encountered during ABC implementation process. On the other hand, the companies that include ABC in their future plans (ABC supporters) seem to be familiar with the corresponding expected benefits and potential problems of its adoption. We present evidence that the possibility of future ABC adoption is related to the degree of satisfaction from the currently used cost accounting system. Companies that do not intend to adopt ABC (ABC deniers) were found to be more satisfied with their existing cost accounting system in comparison to ABC supporters. We also report the characteristics of companies that still have complete ignorance of the ABC technique (ABC unawares).Originality/valueThe paper not only proceeds in a thorough analysis of the benefits perceived in relation to ABC as they have been presented in similar research, but also moves a step further and groups these benefits into distinct categories as well as ranks them in order of perceived importance. Furthermore, it analyzes the basic characteristics of the firms that have complete ignorance of ABC (ABC unawares), a group that is rarely met in ABC research papers.
Measuring the quality of earnings
Authors: ElMoatasem Abdelghany Khaled 
Published: January 2007

PurposeAlthough the academic research on the quality of earnings has been improved by presenting different approaches of measurement, there is no agreed‐upon generally accepted approach to measure the earning quality. Aims to present results of an empirical study measuring the quality of earnings on companies listed in NYSE.Design/methodology/approachUses a sample of 90 companies listed in the NYSE. The analysis is directed to reach a general assessment of the quality of earnings if there is a complete consistency among the three approaches, and if not, the quality of earnings is questionable and needs further analysis and investigations.FindingsThe results show that different approaches of measuring the quality of earning lead to different assessment, and one industry or one company can not be labeled as having low or high quality of earning based on the result of one approach only. The results also suggest that the stakeholders before making any financing, investing decision or taking any corrective action, have to use more than one approach to assess the quality of earnings.Originality/valueIndicates that financial analysts and governmental agencies dealing with companies should apply more than one measure for the quality of earning in order to have strong evidence about the level of quality before taking any corrective action or making any decision related to those companies.
The implications of merger for market share, audit pricing and non‐audit fee income
Authors: Pong C.K.M. , Burnett S. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeConcern has been raised over the impact of the PricewaterhouseCoopers merger on the competitiveness of the market for audit services. This paper aims to examine the market share and audit pricing of PricewaterhouseCoopers in the UK before and after its merger. It also seeks to examine the change in consultancy services income of PricewaterhouseCoopers since its merger.Design/methodology/approachNumerical data analysis is performed. In particular, concentration indices and audit fee model (OLS) are used.FindingsThe increase in audit services market concentration as a result of the merger has not led to an increase in audit prices. Although the merger has enabled PricewaterhouseCoopers to increase its market leadership in regions and in industrial sectors, neither industry leadership nor city leadership generated a premium in audit pricing. An analysis of non‐audit services fee income leads to the rejection of claims by critics that the main purpose of the merger is to enable PricewaterhouseCoopers to generate more non‐audit services income from their audit clients. Its non‐audit fee income has decreased since its merger.Research limitations/implicationsAudit fee models used in the literature have not included the behavioural aspects of audit pricing, for example, client‐auditor relationship. In addition, due to data availability, consultancy fee income of PricewaterhouseCoopers before the merger cannot be analysed.Originality/valueThe research provides useful information for the accountancy profession and the regulators.
Peer review effectiveness
Authors: Russell Joshua , Armitage Jack 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo assess peer review effectiveness by identifying potential loopholes that could lead to Type II errors, that is, loopholes that would allow reviewed firms to pass their peer review when they should not pass.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 500 CPA firms in the USA. A total of 200 responses were received for a 40 percent response rate.FindingsThis study found many firms allowed to self‐select will select their engagements least likely to contain violations, allowing firms to review engagements selected before submitting them to the reviewer is a problem, 1 percent of respondent firms neglected to fulfill relevant professional standards because the firms felt there was an insignificant chance of the engagements being selected, and 9 percent of respondent firms indicated they had duplicated work papers and may not have actually done required procedures.Research limitations/implicationsIf improprieties were occurring within respondent firms, those firms could fear some form of backlash from answering the survey truthfully, thus limiting the usefulness of responses received.Practical implicationsMany loopholes discussed in this paper are not supported by results showing large percentages of firms violating peer review standards. However, many violations are so significant (e.g. auditor's intentionally violating auditing standards), that even few violations could harm the profession.Originality/valuePrior research has not been extensive in this area and generally surveyed auditors or users of financial statements to obtain their opinion of peer review. This study gathered data on specific problems contained within peer reviews.
Accounting professionalism – a cultural perspective of developing countries
Authors: Askary Saeed 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the effects of culture on accounting professionalism in 12 developing countries by applying Gray's 1988 model and Hofstede 1980 cultural study.Design/methodology/approachConnecting seven variables introduced within a testable model lead the finding to classify the twelve countries within a range from statutory control to professionalism. The data set was collected from 1996 to 2000 through different sources. Twelve developing countries have been chosen from the Middle East and South East Asia in this study and cluster analysis is used for analysing and classifying the countries.FindingsThe results show while the Gray's hypothesis of statutory control is positively confirmed for Iran, and moderately for Bangladesh, Jordan, Oman, and Qatar, it is negatively rejected for Pakistan, Turkey, Malaysia, and Indonesia.Research limitations/implicationsOne limitation of this study is the improvised nature of the data set caused by the difficulty in collecting an extensive data set from developing countries.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study provides a useful source of information about accounting authority in those developing countries in which improve the knowledge and literature about the accounting practice internationally.Originality/valueThe findings of the study are useful in harmonization process of the international accounting practices. Knowledge about important aspects of accounting setting of the countries is essential to realize the impediments of harmonization.
Determinants of audit fees for French quoted firms
Authors: Gonthier‐Besacier Nathalie , Schatt Alain 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis study seeks to contribute to the international literature by researching the factors influencing audit fees in France, where law requires a joint auditing process involving two separate auditors for firms that publish consolidated financial statements.Design/methodology/approachSince, 2003, the disclosure of audit fees has been compulsory in France, but numerous firms decided to voluntarily disclose their audit fees for the year 2002. An attempt is made here to elucidate the amount spent on audit fees in 2002 in a sample of 127 French (non‐financial) firms.FindingsThe main finding is that audit fees depend on firm size, firm risk, and the presence of two of the Big Four firms. When two Big Four firms audit company accounts, the fees charged (adjusted for company size) are significantly lower in comparison with those paid in the other cases. These results appear not to have been influenced by the share of fees paid by the companies to the main auditor.Originality/valueThis study is original because the French law requires a joint auditing process involving two separate auditors.