the Relationship Between Audit Firms’ Structural Characteristics And Key Audit Matters (KAMs) Readability

Authors
Mohsen Tanani 1
hassan farajzadeh dehkordi 2
saeed aeini 3
1 Assistant Prof., Department of Accounting, Faculty of Financial Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran. (Corresponding Author)
2 Assistant Prof., Department of Accounting, Faculty of Financial Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran, Ha.dehkordi@khu.ac.ir
3 MSc. Student, Department of Auditing, Faculty of Financial Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran Aeinisaeed1378@gmail.com
Abstract
In recent years, various criticisms have been raised regarding the quality of audit reports, including insufficient attention to their informational role and a decline in their overall reliability. To address these concerns and enhance transparency as well as public trust, Auditing Standard No. 701 was issued by the Audit Organization in 2021 and became mandatory in 2022. One of the essential aspects of audit quality is the readability of reports, particularly the Key Audit Matters (KAMs), which can significantly expected to be associated with users’ understanding. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to examine the factors affecting the readability of KAMs disclosed in independent audit reports.

For this purpose, independent audit reports of 118 companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange and Iran Fara Bourse over the past two years were analyzed. The readability of KAMs was measured using the Flesch Reading Ease Index, and data related to audit firm characteristics—including firm type, auditor gender, auditor tenure, and audit fees—were collected. Multiple regression analysis was then employed, controlling for variables such as profitability and audit committee structure.

The findings indicate that while most individual and institutional auditor characteristics do not have a significant impact on readability, two factors—namely the type of audit firm and auditor tenure—play a meaningful role. Specifically, the presence of state-owned audit firms improves readability, whereas frequent auditor changes reduce it. These results can be explained within the framework of agency theory and information asymmetry and bear noteworthy implications for audit practice and policymaking.
Keywords
Agency relationship
Assurance
Auditing
International auditing standard No.701. Key audit matter
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Value and Behavioral Accounting
Volume 10, Issue 20
Winter 2025
Pages 435-463