Korean Academic Society of Business Administration
[ Article ]
korean management review - Vol. 50, No. 1, pp.215-243
ISSN: 1226-1874 (Print)
Print publication date 28 Feb 2021
Received 03 Jun 2020 Revised 12 Sep 2020 Accepted 13 Oct 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17287/kmr.2021.50.1.215

임원의 초과보상과 감사인의 대응 및 기업가치

Lin Jin ; Seung Uk Choi
(First Author) Department of Accounting and Taxation Kyung Hee University jinlin46@naver.com
(Corresponding Author) Department of Accounting and Taxation Kyung Hee University suchoi@khu.ac.kr
Auditors’ Responses to Executive Excess Compensation and Their Impact on Firm Value


Copyright 2011 THE KOREAN ACADEMIC SOCIETY OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0, which permits unrestricted, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of executive excess compensation on audit fees, audit hours, and hourly fees. By using Korean listed firms from 2011 to 2017, current study documents the positive relation between executive excess compensation and audit fees. Furthermore, when we decompose audit fees into audit hours and hourly fees, the results are derived by audit hours only. Lastly, we find that the firm value increases as the interaction between audit fees and executive excess compensation increases. The results are similar when we use audit hours alternative to audit fee. Collectively, auditors’ efforts are largely invested in response to executives' excess compensation. Since recent regulation requires firms to report more sophisticated information on executive compensations, current study reflects this increasing interest of stakeholder and regulator on the compensation level of executives. Lastly, the presence of significant association between executive compensation and fees paid to auditors offers useful implication for investors and regulators in the capital market.

Keywords:

Executive Excess Compensation, Audit Fees, Audit Hours, Hourly Audit Fees, Firm Value

Acknowledgments

This paper is based on the Master’s Thesis of the first author at Kyung Hee University. We are grateful for the guidance from the committee members: Professor Hyung-Rok Jung and Professor Mun Ho Hwang. We also thank two anonymous referees for their constructive comments on this paper.

References

  • Abbott, L. J., S. Parker, G. F. Peters, and K. Raghunandan(2003), “The Association between Audit Committee Characteristics and Audit Fee,” Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 22(2), pp.17-32. [https://doi.org/10.2308/aud.2003.22.2.17]
  • Bae, G. S., S. U. Choi, and J. H. Rho(2016), “Audit hours and unit audit price of industry specialist auditors: Evidence from Korea,” Contemporary Accounting Research, 33(1), pp.314-340. [https://doi.org/10.1111/1911-3846.12145]
  • Becker, C. L., M. L. DeFond, J. Jiambalvo, and K. R. Subramanyam(1998), “The effect of audit quality on earnings management,” Contemporary Accounting Research, 15(1), pp.1-24. [https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1911-3846.1998.tb00547.x]
  • Bell, T. B., W. R. Landsman, and D. A. Shackelford (2001), “Auditors' perceived business risk and audit fees: Analysis and evidence,” Journal of Accounting Research, 39(1), pp.35-43. [https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-679X.00002]
  • Bergstresser, D., and T. Philippon(2006), “CEO incentives and earnings management,” Journal of Financial Economics, 80(3), pp.511-529. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2004.10.011]
  • Caramanis, C., and C. Lennox(2008), “Audit Effort and Earnings Management,” Journal of Accounting and Economics, 45(1), pp.116- 138. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacceco.2007.05.002]
  • Carcello, J. V., D. R. Hermanson, T. L. Neal, and R. A. Riley Jr(2002), “Board characteristics and audit fees,” Contemporary Accounting Research, 19(3), pp.365-384. [https://doi.org/10.1506/CHWK-GMQ0-MLKE-K03V]
  • Chang, W. J., R. M. Hayes, and S. A. Hillegeist (2016), “Financial distress risk and new CEO compensation,” Management Science, 62(2), pp.479-501. [https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.2146]
  • Cheng, S.(2004), “R&D expenditures and CEO compensation,” The Accounting Review, 79 (2), pp.305-328. [https://doi.org/10.2308/accr.2004.79.2.305]
  • Choi, J. H., J. B. Kim, and Y. Zang(2010), “Do abnormally high audit fees impair audit quality?,” Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 29(2), pp.115-140. [https://doi.org/10.2308/aud.2010.29.2.115]
  • Choi, K-S. and K-H. Kim(2016), “The Effect of CEO’s Excess Compensation on Earnings Management,” Korean Journal of Management Accounting Research, 16(2), pp.241-262.
  • Chung, D. Y. and W. D. Lindsay(1988), “The pricing of audit services: The Canadian perspective,” Contemporary Accounting Research, 5(1), pp.19-46. [https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1911-3846.1988.tb00693.x]
  • Chung, H., W. Q. Judge, and Y. H. Li(2015), “Voluntary disclosure, excess executive com- pensation, and firm value,” Journal of Corporate Finance, 32, pp.64-90. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2015.04.001]
  • Chung, Y-J.(2005), “The Association between Audit Committee Chracteristics and Audit Fees,” Study on Accounting, Taxation & Auditing, 41, pp.145-166.
  • Coles, J. L., N. D. Daniel, and L. Naveen(2006), “Managerial incentives and risk-taking,” Journal of Financial Economics, 79(2), pp. 431-468. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2004.09.004]
  • Core, J. E., R. W. Holthausen, and D. F. Larcker (1999), “Corporate governance, chief executive officer compensation, and firm performance,” Journal of Financial Economics, 51(3), pp. 371-406. [https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-405X(98)00058-0]
  • Craswell, A. T.(1988), “The association between qualified opinions and auditor switches,” Accounting and Business Research, 19(73), pp.23-31. [https://doi.org/10.1080/00014788.1988.9728832]
  • Craswell, A., D. J. Stokes, and J. Laughton(2002), “Auditor independence and fee dependence,” Journal of Accounting and Economics, 33 (2), pp.253-275. [https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-4101(02)00044-7]
  • Dah, M. A., and Frye, M. B.(2017). “Is board com- pensation excessive?,” Journal of Corporate Finance, 45, pp.566-585. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2017.06.001]
  • DeAngelo, L. E.(1981), “Auditor size and audit quality,” Journal of Accounting and Economics, 3(3), pp.183-199. [https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-4101(81)90002-1]
  • Dechow, P. M., R. G., Sloan and A. P. Sweeney (1995), “Detecting earnings management,” The Accounting Review, 70(2), pp.193-225.
  • DeFond, M. and J. Zhang.(2014), “A review of archival auditing research,” Journal of Accounting and Economics, 58(2-3), pp. 275-326. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacceco.2014.09.002]
  • Engel, E., R. M. Hayes, and X. Wang(2010), “Audit committee compensation and the demand for monitoring of the financial reporting process,” Journal of Accounting and Economics, 49(1-2), pp.136-154. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacceco.2009.08.001]
  • Fama, E.(1980), “Agency Problem and the Theory of the Firm,” Journal of Political Economy, 88(2), pp.311-323. [https://doi.org/10.1086/260866]
  • Fich, E. M., L. T. Starks, and A. S. Yore(2014), “CEO deal-making activities and compensation,” Journal of Financial Economics, 114(3), pp. 471-492. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2014.07.011]
  • Hill, M. S., T. J. Lopez, and A. L. Reitenga(2016), “CEO excess compensation: The impact of firm size and managerial power,” Advances in Accounting, 33, pp.35-46. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adiac.2016.04.007]
  • Hogan, C. E., and M. S. Wilkins(2008), “Evidence on the audit risk model: Do auditors increase audit fees in the presence of internal control deficiencies?,” Contemporary Accounting Research, 25(1), pp.219-242. [https://doi.org/10.1506/car.25.1.9]
  • Jensen, M., and K. Murphy(1990), “Performance pay and top-management incentives,” Journal of Political Economy 98(2), pp.225-264. [https://doi.org/10.1086/261677]
  • Kim, Y. S.(2017), “The Effect of the Owner CEO in Chaebol Firms on Overcompensation and Future Performance,” Accounting and Information Review, 35(1), pp.1-33. [https://doi.org/10.29189/KAIAAIR.35.1.1]
  • Kothari, S. P., A. J. Leone, and C. E. Wasley(2005), “Performance matched discretionary accrual measures,” Journal of Accounting and Economics, 39(1), pp. 163-197. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacceco.2004.11.002]
  • Krishnan, G. V. and Wang, C(2015), “The relation between managerial ability and audit fees and going concern opinions,” Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 34(3), pp. 139-160. [https://doi.org/10.2308/ajpt-50985]
  • Lee, E. S.(2012), “Audit Fees, Audit Hours, and Directors’ Cash Compensation,” Journal of Finance and Accounting Information, 12 (1), pp.231-250.
  • Lee, S. C., J. Park, and K. Jeong,(2010), “An Effect of Executives’ Stock Option on Audit Fees,” Korean Journal of Management Accounting Research, 10(1), pp.103-132.
  • Lennox, C.(2000), “Do companies successfully engage in opinion-shopping? Evidence from the UK,” Journal of Accounting and Economics, 29(3), pp.321-337. [https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-4101(00)00025-2]
  • Lennox, C. S., J. R. Francis, and Z. Wang(2012), “Selection models in accounting research,” The Accounting Review, 87(2), pp.589-616. [https://doi.org/10.2308/accr-10195]
  • Miller, K. D., and P. Bromiley(1990), “Strategic risk and corporate performance: An analysis of alternative risk measures,” Academy of Management Journal, 33(4), pp.756-779. [https://doi.org/10.5465/256289]
  • Miller, J. S., R. M. Wiseman, and L. R. Gomez-Mejia (2002), “The fit between CEO compensation design and firm risk,” Academy of Management Journal, 45(4), pp.745-756. [https://doi.org/10.5465/3069308]
  • Niemi, L.(2002), “Do firms pay for audit risk? Evidence on risk premiums in audit fees after direct control for audit effort,” International Journal of Auditing, 6(1), pp.37-51. [https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1099-1123.2002.tb00004.x]
  • Rosen, S.(1982), “Authority, control and distribution of earnings,” Bell Journal of Economics, 13 (2), pp.311-323. [https://doi.org/10.2307/3003456]
  • Simon, D. T., and J. R. Francis(1988), “The effects of auditor change on audit fees: Tests of price cutting and price recovery,” The Accounting Review, 63(2), pp.255-269.
  • Simunic, D. A.(1980), “The pricing of audit services: Theory and evidence,” Journal of Accounting Research, 18(1), pp.161-190. [https://doi.org/10.2307/2490397]
  • Smith Jr, C. W., and R. L. Watts(1992), “The investment opportunity set and corporate financing, dividend, and compensation policies,” Journal of Financial Economics, 32(3), pp. 263-292. [https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-405X(92)90029-W]
  • Stanley, J. D.(2011), “Is the audit fee disclosure a leading indicator of clients' business risk?,” Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 30(3), pp.157-179. [https://doi.org/10.2308/ajpt-10049]
  • Wallace, W.(1987), “The economic role of the audit in free and regulated markets: A review,” Research in Accounting Regulation, 1, pp. 1-34.
  • Wallace, W.(2004), “The economic role of the audit in free and regulated markets: A look back and a look forward,” Research in Accounting Regulation, 17, pp.267-298. [https://doi.org/10.1016/S1052-0457(04)17012-4]
  • Wright, P., M. Kroll, and D. Elenkov(2002), “Acquisition returns, increase in firm size, and chief executive officer compensation The moderating role of monitoring,” Academy of Management Journal, 45(3), pp.599-608. [https://doi.org/10.2307/3069384]
  • Wysocki, P.(2010), “Corporate compensation policies and audit fees,” Journal of Accounting and Economics, 49(1-2), pp.155-160. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacceco.2009.11.002]
  • Yermack, D.(1995), “Do corporations award CEO stock options effectively?,” Journal of Financial Economics, 39(2-3), pp.237-269. [https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-405X(95)00829-4]

∙ The author Lin Jin received Master‘s degree in Business from Kyung Hee University, Department of Accounting and Taxation. Her primary research interests are audit fees and audit quality.

∙ The author Seung Uk Choi is an assistant professor at School of Management, Department of Accounting and Taxation, Kyung Hee University. His recent research interests lie in integrating accounting and audit quality issues.