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In this study, the relationship between corporate governance structure and the level of corporate risk disclosure (CRD) in oil and gas businesses listed in Canada during tumultuous times is examined. There were 224 firm- ear observations from the study’s 56 firms, which were chosen based on the information that was available throughout the four-year period from 2006 to 2009. Although CRD has information, the primary drivers may act or behave differently during turbulent times. The study used multiple linear regression to find CRD is negatively correlated with block share ownership, positively correlated with board gender diversity and a weaker correlation with board size. However, government ownership, institutional ownership and board independence were not significantly related to the level of CRD.

Keywords: Corporate Governance Structure, Corporate Risk Disclosure, Oil and Gas, Financial Crisis, Board of Directors

This study focuses on two related research questions. First, using Sloan’s (1996) model, we investigate the effect of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) on the persistence of accruals. Specifically, we examine whether SOX has improved the persistence of accruals. Second, we assess the impact of SOX on the pricing of discretionary accruals, investigating whether the overpricing of discretionary accruals has decreased in the post-SOX period. The post-SOX accounting literature suggests that SOX acts as a deterrent to accrual management. An increased deterrent to accrual management is likely to improve the persistence of accruals and should also reduce the overpricing of discretionary accruals. Consistent with our expectations, we find that SOX has improved the persistence of accruals and has decreased the overpricing of discretionary accruals. Our findings suggest a key benefit of SOX, its role in improving persistence of accrual and reducing the mispricing of discretionary accruals, thereby enhancing both financial reporting reliability and market efficiency. These results have important implications for regulators, standard setters, auditors, audit committees and financial statement users by offering evidence that SOX delivers meaningful benefits that may offset its widely debated costs.

Keywords: Discretionary Accruals, Pricing of Accruals, Persistence of Accruals, Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Professional skepticism remains a cornerstone of high-quality audits, directly influencing the credibility of financial statements. This study explores the multifaceted factors affecting auditors’ professional skepticism in  Tacloban City, Philippines, focusing on organizational factors, professional standards, regulatory frameworks, individual characteristics, and technology. Utilizing a correlational-predictive design, data were collected from a localized small sample of private auditors (n = 27) through a validated survey instrument. Both Pearson correlation and regression analyses were employed to examine the relationships and predictive strength of each factor. The findings suggest that individual characteristics play the most significant role in shaping professional skepticism, while technology demonstrates a negative association. Although organizational factors, professional standards, and regulatory frameworks are perceived as important, they exhibit weaker relationships. These results underscore the need for targeted auditor training, reflective organizational cultures, and mindful integration of technology. The study offers practical insights for audit practitioners, educators, and regulatory bodies aiming to strengthen audit quality and professional judgment in similar regional settings.

Keywords: Professional Skepticism, Audit Quality, Individual Characteristics, Technology, Organizational Factors, Professional Standards, Filipino Private Auditor

This study looks at how stakeholder perceptions and audit quality are affected by blockchain technology throughout the financial reporting ecosystem. The research investigates how blockchain enhances transparency, fraud detection, and audit efficiency while identifying adoption challenges and regulatory concerns. A quantitative empirical approach is employed, gathering 350 valid responses from auditors, regulators, investors, academic researchers, and audit committees. One-Sample T-tests, One-Way ANOVA, and Regression Analysis are used to assess blockchain’s impact on audit quality dimensions. Results confirm that blockchain significantly improves audit transparency, enhances fraud detection capabilities, and reduces reliance on traditional sampling techniques. Differences in stakeholder perceptions are observed with investors and auditors demonstrating strong confidence in blockchain-enabled audits, while regulators express concerns due to legal uncertainties. Major adoption barriers include regulatory resistance, high implementation costs, and a lack of standardized audit procedures. This research integrates blockchain technology within the IAASB audit quality framework, providing empirical validation of its impact on financial assurance. Findings offer practical insights for audit firms, regulators, and policymakers, advocating for hybrid audit models combining blockchain and AI for enhanced financial reporting reliability.

Keywords: Blockchain, Audit Quality, Transparency, Fraud Detection, Regulatory Challenges, Financial Reporting, Stakeholder Perceptions.

This study explores the relationship between audit committee characteristics and sustainability reporting among listed environmentally sensitive companies in Nigeria. Using a longitudinal research design, the study draws on secondary data from 46 firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group over a ten-year period (2013–2022). The analysis, conducted through descriptive and inferential statistical methods, reveals that key audit committee attributes of size, diligence, and independence play a significant role in shaping the extent of sustainability disclosures. These findings suggest that strengthening audit committee structures can enhance transparency and accountability in environmental reporting practices. The study recommends that regulatory authorities develop incentive frameworks to promote sustainability reporting as a core aspect of corporate governance. Limitations relating to data availability and sectoral representation are acknowledged, and directions for future research are proposed to explore other governance mechanisms and cross-sectoral comparisons.

Keywords: Audit Committee Size, Audit Committee Diligence, Audit Committee Independence, Corporate Sustainability Reporting, Environmentally Sensitive Companies.

This study investigates the relationship between Risk-Based Internal Auditing (RBIA) and the quality of Integrated Business Reports (IBR) in the Sudanese Banking Sector. Using a sample of 8 banks selected from a population of 33 banks for the period 2023-2024 (the first phase of data collection due to ongoing war conditions in Sudan), the study employs a quantitative descriptive-analytical approach to examine this relationship. Four indices were developed to measure different dimensions of RBIA implementation: Risk Identification and Assessment Index, Risk-Based Audit Planning Index, Risk-Based Audit Execution Index, and Risk-Based Audit Reporting Index. Data was collected through structured questionnaires administered to Chief Audit Executives, achieving a 100% response rate through a combination of face-to-face interviews (75%) and electronic questionnaires (25%). The findings reveal that both Risk Identification and Assessment Index and Risk-Based Audit Planning Index have a statistically significant positive relationship with IBR quality, while Risk-Based Audit Execution Index and Risk-Based Audit Reporting Index demonstrate varying degrees of influence on different aspects of report quality. When examined collectively, these dimensions explain a substantial portion of the variance in IBR quality. These findings contribute to the existing literature on internal auditing by providing empirical evidence of how different dimensions of RBIA influence a company’s reporting quality, with implications for corporate governance policies, stakeholder decision-making, and regulatory frameworks. Building on recent research (2023-2024) that connects RBIA practices with enhanced regulatory compliance and improved sustainability reporting, this study offers valuable insights for banking institutions operating in challenging environments.

Keywords: Risk-Based Internal Auditing, Integrated Business Reports, Report Quality, Corporate Governance, Information Asymmetry, Sudanese Banking Sector.