Audit Quality and Earnings Management in the Tunisian Context

Abstract

In this study, we test the effect of the implementation of the financial security law (n° 2005-96) and the audit quality (Big 4 auditors, auditor industry specialization and audit tenure) on constraining the extent of real and accruals based earnings management in the Tunisian context. Using 319 firm-year observations during the period 2000-2010, our results suggest that auditor industry specialization and Big 4 auditors associated with lower levels of accruals earnings management. We also find that the Big 4 auditors enhance the extent of real earnings management (REM). Further, we document that longer auditor tenure is not associated with greater real and accruals earnings management. Finally, our findings suggest that the adoption of the financial securities law of 2005 is not effective on reducing earnings management in the Tunisian context.