No abstract

We document an increase in auditors issuing going-concern opinions in Australia over a prolonged period since the Global Financial Crisis that is not fully explained by changes in client risk. Overall, our evidence is consistent with auditors reporting more conservatively with the increased level of scrutiny from Australian Securities and Investments Commission inspections and other increased regulation, and in particular, the negative attention following the 2011-2012 inspections. As a result, auditor reports with reference to goingconcern issues have become less informative regarding future corporate failure.

The purpose of this review is to synthesise the existing research literature regarding audit reporting and, in particular, the going concern decision. We consider the findings of research conducted in Australia and New Zealand on these issues. We then analyse trends in audit reporting from 2005 to 2013. We identify an increase in auditors' reports highlighting going concern issues well beyond the global financial crisis period confirming that this period represents a period of prolonged economic uncertainty. We identify trends by audit firm type, by industry and company size. We analyse the subsequent year outcomes for firms receiving going concern opinions. We also identify opportunities for future research.

Asset securitizations increase audit complexity and audit risks, which are expected to increase audit fees. Using US bank holding company data from 2003 to 2011, we find significant and positive associations between asset securitization risks and audit fees. After the commencement of the global financial crisis (GFC), there was an increased focus on the role of audits on asset securitization risks resulting from the crisis in the banking industry.Therefore, we expect that auditors would become more sensitive to banks' asset securitization risks after the commencement of the global financial crisis. We find that auditors appear to focus on different aspects of asset securitization risks after the onset of the crisis and that auditors appear to charge a GFC premium for banks.

Purpose This paper aims to discuss the application of Faff’s pitch template to a research proposal on client importance and audit quality. Design/methodology/approach The “cocktail glass” approach and “3-2-1” design provide junior researchers with an effective tool to develop, evaluate and communicate research ideas in a simple way. Findings The author further provides a commentary and reflections based on his own experience in this letter. Research limitations/implications Based on my pitching experience, pitching requires significant preparation. Further, the pitching template is a useful means to deposit research ideas and as a control and supervisory tool. Originality/value It is a PRL submission.