The Effects of Audit Partner Pre-Client and Client-Specific Experience on Audit Quality and on Perceptions of Audit Quality

45 Pages Posted: 21 Nov 2008 Last revised: 7 Oct 2016

See all articles by Wuchun Chi

Wuchun Chi

National Chengchi University (NCCU) - Department of Accounting

Linda A. Myers

University of Tennessee, Haslam College of Business, Accounting and Information Management

Thomas C. Omer

University of Nebraska at Lincoln - School of Accountancy

Hong Xie

University of Kentucky - Von Allmen School of Accountancy

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: October 1, 2016

Abstract

We examine the associations between audit partner pre-client and client-specific experience and audit quality using data from Taiwan, where signing audit partner names are disclosed. Using discretionary accruals and interest rate spreads to proxy for audit quality and perceptions of audit quality, respectively, we find that both pre-client and client-specific experience improve audit quality and creditor perceptions of audit quality. We also find that audit partner pre-client experience is positively associated with audit quality early in the engagement, but not when the partner has been with the client for at least five years. Our findings provide evidence consistent with the assumption underlying the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s decision to require the disclosure of engagement partner names. They also suggest that pre-client experience cannot completely mitigate the loss of client-specific knowledge when partner or audit firm turnover occurs. 

Keywords: Audit Partner Experience, Audit Quality, Discretionary Accruals, Interest Rate Spreads, Auditor Tenure

JEL Classification: M49, M41, M43, M47, G12

Suggested Citation

Chi, Wuchun and Myers, Linda A. and Omer, Thomas C. and Xie, Hong, The Effects of Audit Partner Pre-Client and Client-Specific Experience on Audit Quality and on Perceptions of Audit Quality (October 1, 2016). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1304953 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1304953

Wuchun Chi

National Chengchi University (NCCU) - Department of Accounting ( email )

No. 64, Sec 2
Chih-Nan Road
Wenshan 116, Taipei
Taiwan
886-2-29393091-81031 (Phone)
886-2-29387113 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www3.nccu.edu.tw/~wchi/

Linda A. Myers (Contact Author)

University of Tennessee, Haslam College of Business, Accounting and Information Management ( email )

Knoxville, TN
United States

Thomas C. Omer

University of Nebraska at Lincoln - School of Accountancy ( email )

307 College of Business Administration
Lincoln, NE 68588-0488
United States

Hong Xie

University of Kentucky - Von Allmen School of Accountancy ( email )

Lexington, KY 40506
United States
(859) 257-4648 (Phone)
(859) 257-3654 (Fax)

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