Sustainable corporate governance and new auditing issues: a preliminary empirical evidence on key audit matters

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the relationship between the quality of internal corporate governance mechanisms and the audit issues disclosed by external auditors in their report, assuming the beneficial effect related to the adoption of a sustainable corporate governance system. Design/methodology/approach This paper investigates the impact of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’s ISA 701 in the European context as a new auditing principle supporting the key audit matters (KAMs) in reporting and disclosing auditing activities. The analysis is carried out through a quantitative methodology using a sample composed of non-financial companies listed on the Italian Stock Exchange. Findings Empirical findings highlight that firms having a high quality and sustainable corporate governance system tend to have fewer KAMs arising from the audit process and then disclosed in the audit report. To ensure the reliability of the empirical analysis, the authors controlled for a set of variables that could affect the audit function and for the mediating role of the overall business complexity (as proxied by the firm size). Originality/value This study is of interest to academics, practitioners and regulators, as it highlights the role of a higher quality internal corporate governance on the perceived corporate riskiness and complexity. It contributes to the recent debate on sustainable corporate governance, corporate sustainability and auditing streams.