Work

Legal infrastructure construction and audit opinion: Evidence from the implementation of China's new securities law

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Based on the background of the implementation of China's New Securities Law (NSL) and the data of Chinese listed enterprises from 2016 to 2023, this paper investigates the influence of the new-updated legal infrastructure construction on auditors’ behavior of issuing audit opinion. The findings depict that the implementation of NSL can significantly improve the possibility of issuing non-standard audit opinion by auditors. Mechanism tests confirm that reducing audit market concentration and increasing disciplinary risks are core mechanism approaches. Further discussion reveals that the incentive effect of NSL implementation on the possibility of issuing non-standard audit opinion is more prominent under the synergy of both the stock exchange inquiry and the scrutiny action of the CICPA interview. This paper makes practical implications for standardizing auditors’ behavior, improving the quality of audit verification responsibility, and consequently protecting the legitimate rights of investors.

Source: Finance research letters

DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2024.106206

Authors: Ziwei Li, Xin Li

Institutions: Wonkwang University, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics

Language: English

Topic: Auditing, Earnings Management, Governance

Subfield: Accounting

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,350