Abstract
This paper examines intra‐Big 4 audit fee premiums in the Australian market. During the period examined (2002–2004), there is both Big 4 and intra‐Big 4 market dominance. The three largest firms – the ‘Big 3’ (Ernst & Young, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers) – hold over 80 per cent of audit fees for companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. We find the main feature of the Australian audit market over this period is a PwC brand premium, which suggests price competition and thus no collusive pricing. Within the Big 4, audit pricing effects are likely to be a growing area of inquiry in future audit pricing literature. Overall, our study implies that regulatory concerns about a lack of a competition in the audit market during this period are inconsistent with the audit pricing evidence.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
