A Basic Quantification of the Competitive Implications of the Demise of Arthur Andersen

Abstract:     
Andersen's exit from the already-concentrated market for auditing services is shown to have increased market concentration and audit fees. Changes in market concentration are found to be significantly related to changes in audit fees, suggesting that the structure-performance hypothesis is applicable to the post-Andersen accounting industry and that the "Final Four" accounting firms may have exercised market power in this environment. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of Andersen's exit from the market.

Keywords: Arthur Andersen, accounting, audit fees, market concentration, market power, structure-performance hypothesis

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