政府舉措與會計師事務所改聘決定是否影響審計公費與審計品質？以中國為例

Do Government Initiatives and Reasons for Auditor-Client Realignment Influence Audit Fees and Audit Quality? Evidence from China

本文探討中國政府自2007年5月推動會計師事務所「做大做強」的舉措，與企業改聘會計師事務所的決定是否會對審計公費與審計品質造成影響。通過對2002年至2014年中國上市公司資料的分析，本研究發現，政府的舉措和企業國有化程度對企業管理者是否揭示會計師改聘的原因有顯著的影響。再根據事務所所披露改聘的原因進行分類，本研究進一步發現，因客戶相關因素而造成會計師事務所的改聘，顯著地降低了審計公費。然而，因事務所相關因素而改聘會計師，在中國政府頒布會計師事務所做大做強的舉措後，審計品質明顯惡化。依據實證的結果，本研究向監管機構，會計專業組織，和會計師事務所提出相關建議。

This study investigates whether the promotion of the initiative to expand and strengthen accounting firm practices by Chinese government since May 2007, and the decisions for auditor-client realignments will affect audit fees and audit quality. Analyzing data obtained from Chinese publicly listed companies from 2002 to 2014, the study first documents that the government initiative and state ownership are significantly influential in managerial decisions as to whether to reveal the reasons for realigning with auditors. We further classify our observations according to the realignment reasons disclosed and find that companies citing client-related drivers for realignments enjoy significant reductions in audit fees. In contrast, companies citing CPA firm-related reasons to switch auditors experience significant deterioration in audit quality after the government initiative to expand and strengthen accounting firm practices was promulgated in May 2007. Based on our experimental results, we draw policy implications and provide related suggestions to regulatory agencies, professional organizations, and accounting firms.