Audit fees in New Zealand after removing restrictions on competition

Abstract

Audit fees decreased in the United States and Australia after professional accounting bodies removed restrictions on competition in their professional regulations. In New Zealand, the professional body amended its regulations in 1985 allowing auditors to advertise their services, and again in 1991 to allow direct solicitation of potential clients. This study examines audit fees in New Zealand subsequent to these amendments. Audit fees increased between 1985 and 1990, but decreased between 1990 and 1995 after the additional changes to further increase competition. Explanations that allow for both the unexpected increase and the expected decrease include another change to professional regulations, which permitted New Zealand firms to use the names of their international Big Eight affiliates from 1984; and general reforms to the New Zealand economy, which was unusually protected from competition in 1985, but considerably more open to competition in 1991.