Table 2.

Short name and variable measurement

VariablesShort nameMeasurement
Dependent variables
Audit feesLnAuditFeesMeasured as the natural logarithm of total audit fees
Independent variables
Firm complexityFirmCmplx1Total number of subsidiaries owned by the firm
Firm complexityFirmCmplx2Measured as the sum of depreciation, inventory and accounts receivable scaled by total assets
Moderating variables
Executive directors’ financial knowledgeExeFinKnowIndicator variable equal to 1 if at least Two executive directors possess financial expertise (e.g. MBA, CA, CMA, ACCA, CIMA or CFA), and 0 otherwise
Audit committee independenceAuditIndepIndicator variable equal to 1 if independent directors exceed One-third of the audit committee, and 0 otherwise
Family dummyFamIndIndicator variable equal to 1 if the firm is family-controlled, and 0 otherwise
Control variables
Recurring auditRAuditIndicator variable equal to 1 if the firm retains the same audit firm for at least Two consecutive audit terms, and 0 otherwise
Audit tenureAudTenureNumber of consecutive audit periods served by the incumbent audit firm
LossLossIndIndicator variable equal to 1 if the firm reports a net loss in the fiscal year, and 0 otherwise
Export orientationExportIndIndicator variable equal to 1 if the firm declares itself export-oriented, and 0 otherwise
Big4 StatusGraphicIndicator variable equal to 1 if the auditor is a Big Four firm, and 0 otherwise
Busy seasonsBusyIndIndicator variable equal to 1 if the firm’s fiscal year ends in June, and 0 otherwise
Firm ageFirmAgeLog of firm age, defined as years since incorporation
Source(s): Authors’ own work

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