Antecedents to the Audit Quality of Non-Financial Firms Listed in Iraq Stock Exchange: The Moderating Role of Accounting Fairness

Abstract

The main objective of the current study is to examine audit fee, financial reporting quality, going concern, and earning management as antecedents to the audit quality of non-financial firms listed in Iraq stock Exchange. In addition to that the study has also examined the moderating role of accounting fairness in the relationship between audit fee, financial reporting quality, going concern, earning management and audit quality of non-financial firms listed in Iraq stock Exchange. The data of 60 firms listed on Iraqi stock exchange over the period of 4 years from 2017-2021 is taken from the audited accounts. The study basically employs panel data analytical tools in achieving the set goals of the research. The choice of panel data approach is informed by a number of methodological advantages it offers. Results indicates that that as interest in the agency theory grows, the importance of fairness as a principle will grow, and that it is expected that the value of this concept would grow as a means of resolving conflict and exploiting interests that arise between the many stakeholders in the firm. on the concept of fairness, agreeing that the interests of particular parties should not trump fairness, which he referred to as clarity. The results of the study have provided support to the hypothesis of the study. The findings of the study will be helpful for policymakers, and researchers on the issues related to accounting fairness ,audit fee, financial reporting quality, going concern, earning management and audit quality of non-financial firms listed in Iraq stock Exchange.