Auditor Concentration and Industry Specialization Among French Listed Companies in 1997-98
Comptabilité - Contrôle - Audit (Accounting, Auditing and Control), Vol. 11, No. 2, pp. 149-173
Posted: 2 Nov 2005 Last revised: 5 Oct 2015
Abstract
This paper investigates the global and industry concentration of auditors, as well as the determinants of the appointment of specialized auditors by French listed companies in 1997. The descriptive analysis documents that the global concentration is typically the one of an oligopolistic market; however less pronounced than in Anglo-Saxon countries. Significant differences exist between industries, which could be attributable to regulation. Finally, and despite the domination of Big Six auditors, large national audit networks stand out as significant actors, which probably owes to the mandatory requirement of joint auditorship. The determinant analysis shows that the presence of a specialized auditor increases with firm complexity; and that firms operating in regulated industries tend to engage auditors with a higher industry implication. These results are consistent with a demand for specific competencies.
Keywords: Statutory auditing, auditor concentration, industry specialization, Big Six
JEL Classification: M41, M49
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation