EVALUATING INTERNAL CONTROL DEFICIENCIES

Ashbaugh-Skaife et al. use the sequence of ICD disclosures to conduct within-firm and across-firm testing of the effects of changes in the effectiveness internal controls over time in ways that minimize competing explanations for observed differences in the quality of accounting accruals. Stephens examines the role of corporate governance in the disclosure of ICDs prior to SOX-mandated audits, and holds constant the existence of control problems by examining only those companies that disclosed material weaknesses in internal controls in their first audited internal control report. (pp. 129–133)