Unexpected SEC Resource Constraints and Comment Letter Quality

Posted: 19 Mar 2019

See all articles by Matthew Ege

Matthew Ege

Texas A&M University - Department of Accounting

Jennifer L. Glenn

Ohio State University (OSU) - Department of Accounting & Management Information Systems

John R. Robinson

Texas A&M University - Department of Accounting

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: February 15, 2019

Abstract

We investigate whether reviews of transactional filings by the SEC unexpectedly constrain SEC resources leading to lower quality comment letters for periodic reports. The Sarbanes Oxley Act requires the SEC to review periodic reports (e.g., 10-Ks) at least once every three years. However, the SEC also reviews transactional filings (e.g., IPOs and acquisitions), which are unpredictable and often occur in waves. We find comment letters for periodic reports are of lower quality (in terms of outputs, inputs, and firm responses) during periods of abnormally high transactional filings. We also find that comment letters issued during periods of abnormally high versus low transactional filings are associated with increased information asymmetry and lower earnings response coefficients in the quarter after the resolution of the comment letter. Overall, our results suggest that unexpected resource constraints affect the quality of SEC oversight of periodic reports.

Keywords: SEC Comment Letters, SEC Resource Constraints, Financial Reporting Quality

JEL Classification: G18, M41, M48

Suggested Citation

Ege, Matthew and Glenn, Jennifer L. and Robinson, John R., Unexpected SEC Resource Constraints and Comment Letter Quality (February 15, 2019). Contemporary Accounting Research, Forthcoming, Mays Business School Research Paper No. 3137092, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3137092 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3137092

Matthew Ege

Texas A&M University - Department of Accounting ( email )

430 Wehner
College Station, TX 77843-4353
United States

Jennifer L. Glenn

Ohio State University (OSU) - Department of Accounting & Management Information Systems ( email )

2100 Neil Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
United States

John R. Robinson (Contact Author)

Texas A&M University - Department of Accounting ( email )

430 Wehner
College Station, TX 77843-4353
United States

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