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This paper analyzes the auditor choices for a sample of 2,333 predominantly small and mid-sized Finnish firms. Finland requires virtually all commercial enterprises to have a financial statement audit, but allows the smallest firms to choose from four types of audit firms: first tier international firms, first tier national firms, second tier local auditors and non-certified auditors. We find that among the smallest firms, the choice to hire a certified auditor relates to the level of complexity in the organization as measured by size and extent of workforce. For firms that must use a certified auditor, we find that the choice between a first tier and second tier firm is related to size, the extent of debt financing, and complexity associated with being a member of an associated group. Finally, in the upper end of the market, the decision to hire a large international firm relates to size, the need for financing, be it equity or debt, and complexity due to a broad labour force. This pattern is interesting because it indicates that the need for a higher quality auditor is driven first by complexity, then as the firm grows, it is supplemented by the use of debt financing and ultimately by the need to raise equity as well as debt financing.

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Theory suggests that secured creditors may increasingly oppose a debtor's reorganization as the value of their collateral approaches the amount of their claims. If reorganization occurs and the value of the firm appreciates, the secured creditor receives only part of the gain. But if the firm's value depreciates, the secured creditor bears all of the cost. Secured claimants, thus, often have more to lose than to gain in reorganizations. This study of Finnish reorganizations filed in districts that account for most of the country's reorganizations finds that creditor groups most likely to be well-secured are most likely to oppose reorganization. We also find a negative correlation between how well-secured banks and other institutional lenders are and the likelihood of a confirmed reorganization plan. Limiting the priority of secured debt might stimulate reorganizations.

This paper examines the links between the likelihood of a modified audit report and the professional qualifications of the auditor for a sample of small and medium-sized firms. Like Denmark, Germany and Sweden, Finland has a two-tier system for qualifications. The data show that modified audit reports are more common in unprofitable, leveraged and failing firms, but there are no significant differences in the propensity to modify the report between auditors with the higher and lower professional qualification. However, it is found that non-professional auditors, i.e. auditors assumed to meet only general eligibility criteria specified by law, are less likely to modify the report. Finnish auditing laws stipulate that all companies must be audited. However, the company must be audited by a professional auditor only if the business exceeds a certain size. Therefore the paper continues with a study of factors related to the decision to engage a professional auditor, although the law does not require firms to do so. Results show that failing firms are significantly less likely to be audited by professional auditors than non-failing firms.