Auditor Independence Revisited: The Effects of SOX on Auditor Independence

Suggestions for Academic Research, International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Vol. 5(2): 112-125, 2008

Posted: 28 Nov 2013

See all articles by Asokan Anandarajan

Asokan Anandarajan

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Gary Kleinman

Montclair State University

Dan Palmon

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Accounting & Information Systems

Date Written: 2008

Abstract

Much has been written about Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act, especially the great expense that it inflicts upon SEC registrants preparing their annual reports. Less remarked on, though, is whether the restrictions that SOX imposes on the auditing profession in its relationship to its clients has significantly improved auditor independence. This question can only be answered by researchers. We seek to shed some light on this by examining what researchers learned about the impact of Sarbanes Oxley on auditor independence since SOX’s passage. We also examine if researchers have studied the key ramifications of the requirements of SOX. We address the deficiencies of extant published literature and discuss what areas need to be looked at. Finally, we discuss potential alternative audit market structures developed overseas and briefly discuss their relevance here. In essence, we examine whether there is a gap between what regulators want to see addressed and what researchers have actually looked at with respect to issues concerning auditor independence in the post-Sarbanes Oxley period.

Keywords: Sarbanes Oxley Act, auditor independence, corporate governance, audit market

JEL Classification: M42, M48, M49

Suggested Citation

Anandarajan, Asokan and Kleinman, Gary and Palmon, Dan, Auditor Independence Revisited: The Effects of SOX on Auditor Independence (2008). Suggestions for Academic Research, International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Vol. 5(2): 112-125, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2360790

Asokan Anandarajan

New Jersey Institute of Technology ( email )

University Heights
School of Management
Newark, NJ 07102

Gary Kleinman (Contact Author)

Montclair State University ( email )

NJ 07043
United States

Dan Palmon

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Accounting & Information Systems ( email )

96 New England Avenue, #18
Summit, NJ 07901-1825
United States
201-648-5472 (Phone)
201-648-1283 (Fax)

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Abstract Views
1,341
PlumX Metrics