Executive equity risk-taking incentives and audit pricing

Yangyang Chen, Ferdinand A. Gul, Madhu Veeraraghavan, Leon Zolotoy

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

69 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Using a large sample of U.S. firms spanning the period 2000-2010, we document a strong positive association between the sensitivity of CEO compensation portfolio to stock return volatility (vega) and audit fees. We also show that the positive association between vega and audit fees is weaker in the post-Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) period. In supplementary tests, we show that the relation between vega and audit fees is stronger for firms with older CEOs and in firms where the CEO is also chairman of the board. Collectively, our results suggest that audit firms incorporate executive risktaking incentives in the fees they charge for their services.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2205-2234
Number of pages30
JournalAccounting Review
Volume90
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11-2015

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Economics and Econometrics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Executive equity risk-taking incentives and audit pricing'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this