International Journal of Finance & Managerial Accounting

International Journal of Finance & Managerial Accounting

Investigating the Effect of Unusual Auditors' Fees on the Divergence of Investors' Opinions on the Tehran Stock Exchange

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Parvaneh Motie 1
Mohammad Hossein Fatheh 1
Hashem Valipour 2
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Accounting, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Accounting and Finance, Fir.C. Islamic Azad University, Firoozabad, Iran
10.22034/ijfma.2025.77851.2155
Abstract
Purpose: The basis of decision-making by investors and participants in the capital market is the information published by companies in the form of financial statements. Investors can fully benefit from this information when it is timely, complete, accurate, and understandable. However, if this information is distributed unfairly, unequally, or asymmetrically, it can lead to different results that affect the capital market and investors. Abnormal auditors' fees also impact the quality of financial reporting. Therefore, this study aims to explore the effect of abnormal auditors' fees on investors' opinions on the Tehran Stock Exchange.
Method: This study is an applied and methodologically causal correlation. To achieve the research objectives, sample data from 86 companies listed on the stock exchange was collected using the systematic elimination model over a 10-year period from 2013 to 2022. The research hypothesis was tested using a linear multivariate regression model.
Findings: The results of the hypothesis test showed that paying abnormal fees to the auditor overshadowed the auditor's independence. This questioning of the ability to validate financial reports intensified the divergence of investors' opinions.
Conclusion: When auditors request unexpectedly lower fees, business unit managers may increase the quality of financial reporting. However, if audit firms lose their independence due to unexpected fees, business unit managers may lack the motivation to report high-quality financials. This worsens deviations in financial statements and their impact on users and beneficiaries, eroding trust in the audit community
Keywords
abnormal Auditors' Fees
Divergence of investors' opinions
Quality of Financial Information
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