Big Four or Big Fees? Latest Evidence of the Auditing Costs in the United States
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Abstract
With an emphasis on the influence of Big Four auditors in the US between 2000 and 2024, this paper explores the factors that influence audit fees and associated non-audit fees. We examine trends in audit, tax-related, and miscellaneous fees using a dataset that includes 1,187 auditors and 13,822 distinct entities across 1,315 sectors. In order to determine if the Big Four auditors—Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG—command a higher cost for their services, we examine how firm-specific factors like revenue, assets, book value, and earnings affect fee structures. This study looks at both linear and non-linear associations using advanced econometric methods, such as multiple regression analysis and non-parametric Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. It additionally incorporates interaction variables to account for differences between Big Four and non-Big Four auditors. The findings reveal that companies audited by Big Four auditors pay significantly more, which is symptomatic of their perceived market dominance and audit quality. While non-audit fees demonstrate clear trends impacted by auditor type, larger businesses with higher revenues and assets are also linked to higher rates.
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