DETERMINANTS OF AUDIT FEES IN NIGERIA; AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS
ABSTRACT
This study examines the determinant of audit fee behavior in Nigeria. Thus, the study is delimited to the banking industry in Nigeria. The period 2008-2012 of all the banks listed in the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE). The aim of the study is to examine the Determinants of Audit Fees in Nigeria: an Empirical Analysis. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out to examine the relationship between audit fees and auditee’s size among quoted firms in Nigeria, ascertain the relationship between audit fees and auditee complexity among quoted firms in Nigeria, find out the relationship between audit fees and auditee risk among quoted firms in Nigeria, and examine the relationship audit fees and auditee profitability among listed firms in Nigeria. The research design used in this report is descriptive design, utilizing questionnaire method to obtain information from the respondents for this project. Primary data were collected from the primary source which questionnaire was used as an instrument of data collection while secondary data were sources from textbooks, journals, newspapers and the internet were employed. The data were presented on a frequency distribution table and analyzed using simple percentage, while hypothesis was tested using chi-square test. This study has theoretical and practical implications. This study definitely will extend theory by providing further insights on the factors that determine audit fees among quoted banks in Nigeria. The auditing profession no doubt will find the outcome of this study useful in terms of knowing how to give criteria that serve the basis of pricing audit fees among quoted firms in Nigeria.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
The market for audit services has been recognize to be segmented into varying sub-markets or sub-sectors of an economy. Empirical researchers have shown that the concentration has been as the private sector market than in the public sector. Prices paid to the external auditors for audit services differ significantly from that of the public sector. The basis of determining these fees the statutory auditors receive from client organization has continued to attract the attention of researcher especially in developing countries such as Nigeria. The empirical findings obtained this far as regard the determinants of audit fees in developed economies have been mixed while the use of some variables have yielded positive correlations, others have rather remained inconclusive (Cobbin,2002). Basically, the essence of studying the determinants of audit fees is to enhance or maximize shareholders wealth. This is because audit fees paid by firms to external auditors for auditing the annual financial statements, no doubt constitute a major expenditure; certainly such expenditure does not increase the value of shareholders directly from empirical findings.
The day to day running of the affairs of a business entity no doubt is very much based on true relationship between the resource owners (shareholders) and managements. The owners put their trust on the management with a view to increasing wealth and preserving the continuity of the business. The true reflection of the affairs of the organization is always made known through the audited financial report. Usually, the nature of the work to be performed by an external auditor will determine the audit fees charge the client firm. The understanding of audit fee determination is pertinent to suppliers and customers of the audit services industry (Che–Ahmad &Houghton, 1996). Similarly, the pricing of these fees is very vital to market regulators. Prior studies have shown audit services might not be priced competitively due to high concentration of the number of accounting firms (Che-Ahmad & Houghton, 1996). Most of the studies conducted on audit fees determinants have majorly been in developed countries of the world (Simon, Teo & Trompeter, 1992).
Studies regarding the audit market and its actors (auditors and auditees) have been performed for more than 30 years (Chersan and Mihai, 2012). Consequently, more and more determinants of audit fees have been identified during this time and it has been settled that the impact of these factors on the fee level is mostly contradictory (Cobbin, 2002).
Similarly, the empirical evidence on audit fees determinants have been focused on developed economies with mixed results given some numbers of variables but without adequate researches in developing countries such as Nigeria. It is against this back drop this study examined the determinants of audit fees behavior among quoted firms in the construction sub-sector of the Nigeria Stock Exchange.
1.2 Statement Of The Research Problem
Number variables have been employed in advanced countries of the world to ascertain how they determine audit fees. The results obtained in these studies have been mixed and very contradictory (Cobbin, 2002). In the light of the ongoing researches, the following research questions for this study are:
- What is the relationship between audit fees and auditee’s size among quoted firms in Nigeria?
- What is the relationship between audit fees and auditee complexity among quoted firms in Nigeria?
- What is the relationship between audit fees and auditee risk among quoted firms in Nigeria?
- What is the relationship audit fees and auditee profitability among listed firms in Nigeria?
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Determinants of Audit Fees in Nigeria: an Empirical Analysis. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the relationship between audit fees and auditee’s size among quoted firms in Nigeria.
- To ascertain the relationship between audit fees and auditee complexity among quoted firms in Nigeria.
- To find out the relationship between audit fees and auditee risk among quoted firms in Nigeria.
- To examine the relationship audit fees and auditee profitability among listed firms in Nigeria.
1.4 Statement Of Research Hypotheses
In order to establish the factors serving as the determinants of audit fees, the following null hypotheses are specified as:
Hypothesis One
- H0: Auditee size does not affect audit fees among listed firms in Nigeria.
- H1: Auditee size does affect audit fees among listed firms in Nigeria.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There is no relationship between audit fees behavior and auditee’s complexity among listed firms in Nigeria.
- H1: There is relationship between audit fees behavior and auditee’s complexity among listed firms in Nigeria.
1.5 Scope of the Study
This study examines the determinant of audit fee behavior in Nigeria. Thus, the study is delimited to the banking industry in Nigeria. The period 2008-2012 of all the banks listed in the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE).
1.6 Significance Of The Study
This study has theoretical and practical implications. This study definitely will extend theory by providing further insights on the factors that determine audit fees among quoted banks in Nigeria. It will also provide whether it indeed differ according to the factors determined to influence audit fees. The auditing profession no doubt will find the outcome of this study useful in terms of knowing how to give criteria that serve the basis of pricing audit fees among quoted firms in Nigeria.
1.7 Limitations Of The Study
There is no study or research undertaken in any field that has no limitations. Thus, in this study, the limitations of the study include in adequate research materials dealing extensively on the subject matter and secondly there is the problem of generalizing the outcome of the study to non financial institutions in Nigeria.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Audit: In this study ‘audit’ refers to statutory audit carried out by external auditors. It is an independent examination of the financial statements of a company.
Expectation: This word refers to the purpose of audit as perceived by the users of financial statements.
Gap: This is the inability of auditors to meet the expectation of the users. In this study, the gap is a result of misunderstanding of the auditor’s role and responsibilities, inadequate understanding of the message passed by the audit report and expectations about auditor’s independence.
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
The review of relevant literature is the main topic of this chapter. A literature review covers theoretical and methodological contributions to a certain issue in addition to the state of knowledge at the time of writing. It provides information about the state of the art in relation to the subject you are writing about. It examines the body of work on the chosen subject. The literature evaluation in this study comprises the …
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TABLE OF CONTENTSPRELIMINARY PAGES
- Title page
- Approval page
- Dedication
- Acknowledgement
- Table of Contents
- Abstract
INTRODUCTION
- 1.0 Introduction
- 1.1 Background …
- ⋮
LITERATURE REVIEW
- 2.1 Introduction
- 2.2 Conceptual Review
- 2.3 Theoretical Framework
- ⋮
- 2.4 Empirical Studies
- 2.5 Research Gaps
- 2.6 Summary of Literature Review
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 Research Design
- 3.3 Population of Study
- 3.4 Sampling and Sampling Technique
- 3.5 Validation of Research Instrument
- 3.6 Method of Data Collection
- 3.7 Method of Data Analysis
- 3.8 Questionnaire Administration
- 3.9 Ethical Consideration
- 3.10 Statistical Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS, RESULT AND DISCUSSION
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 Presentation and Analysis of Data
- 4.3 Re-statement of Research Questions
- 4.4 Test of Hypotheses
- 4.5 Discussion of Findings
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
- 5.1 Introduction
- 5.2 Summary of Findings
- 5.3 Conclusion
- 5.4 Recommendation
- 5.5 Suggestion for Further Study
REFERENCES
APPENDIX A - “QUESTIONNAIRE”
Disclaimer for Complete Material Utilization
The displayed research work titled "Determinants of Audit Fees in Nigeria; An Empirical Analysis" is stated as a research guideline towards accomplishing your assigned project / seminar research work. All the research materials on this website are ONLY for research purposes and should be used as a guideline in developing your research work. For no reason should you copy word for word as projectlist.com.ng will not be liable for any who copied the material. By ordering the complete research guideline, it signifies that you've accepted our terms of service.
PRELIMINARY PAGES
- Title page
- Approval page
- Dedication
- Acknowledgement
- Table of Contents
- Abstract
INTRODUCTION
- 1.0 Introduction
- 1.1 Background …
- ⋮
LITERATURE REVIEW
- 2.1 Introduction
- 2.2 Conceptual Review
- 2.3 Theoretical Framework
- ⋮
- 2.4 Empirical Studies
- 2.5 Research Gaps
- 2.6 Summary of Literature Review
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 Research Design
- 3.3 Population of Study
- 3.4 Sampling and Sampling Technique
- 3.5 Validation of Research Instrument
- 3.6 Method of Data Collection
- 3.7 Method of Data Analysis
- 3.8 Questionnaire Administration
- 3.9 Ethical Consideration
- 3.10 Statistical Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS, RESULT AND DISCUSSION
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 Presentation and Analysis of Data
- 4.3 Re-statement of Research Questions
- 4.4 Test of Hypotheses
- 4.5 Discussion of Findings
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
- 5.1 Introduction
- 5.2 Summary of Findings
- 5.3 Conclusion
- 5.4 Recommendation
- 5.5 Suggestion for Further Study
REFERENCES
APPENDIX A - “QUESTIONNAIRE”
Disclaimer for Complete Material Utilization
The displayed research work titled "Determinants of Audit Fees in Nigeria; An Empirical Analysis" is stated as a research guideline towards accomplishing your assigned project / seminar research work. All the research materials on this website are ONLY for research purposes and should be used as a guideline in developing your research work. For no reason should you copy word for word as projectlist.com.ng will not be liable for any who copied the material. By ordering the complete research guideline, it signifies that you've accepted our terms of service.
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