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The key element of the digital economy is the digital technology that has pervaded the financial services and tax advisory sector. In order to sustain digital technologies in this sector, there is a clear need for innovation. Innovations are the factor responsible for economic growth, which in turn requires research, development and training to drive innovation. This study examines the impact of innovation expenses, employee training expenses and research and development expenses on the annual revenues of the Big Four entities, which are representative for the financial services and tax advisory sectors. Therefore, this study focuses on the dynamic analysis of the aggregate global revenue and innovation, learning and development expenses and the efficiency rate of the mentioned expenses for the Big Four entities. The results of the study reflect the insignificant influence of the absolute change of innovation expenses on aggregate global revenues, while the absolute change in development and training expenses leads to the same change of aggregate global revenues. However, the growth rate of these expenses exceeds the growth rate of aggregate global revenues. This condition is explained by the phenomenon of technological transformation in the financial services and tax consultancy sector, which does not generate immediate results on financial performance, but prepares the stage for future financial results.

The key element of the digital economy is the digital technology that has pervaded the financial services and tax advisory sector. In order to sustain digital technologies in this sector, there is a clear need for innovation. Innovations are the factor responsible for economic growth, which in turn requires research, development and training to drive innovation. This study examines the impact of innovation expenses, employee training expenses and research and development expenses on the annual revenues of the Big Four entities, which are representative for the financial services and tax advisory sectors. Therefore, this study focuses on the dynamic analysis of the aggregate global revenue and innovation, learning and development expenses and the efficiency rate of the mentioned expenses for the Big Four entities. The results of the study reflect the insignificant influence of the absolute change of innovation expenses on aggregate global revenues, while the absolute change in development and training expenses leads to the same change of aggregate global revenues. However, the growth rate of these expenses exceeds the growth rate of aggregate global revenues. This condition is explained by the phenomenon of technological transformation in the financial services and tax consultancy sector, which does not generate immediate results on financial performance, but prepares the stage for future financial results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Many believe that the Big Four are simply global accounting firms with a large menu of additional services. Using both quantitative and qualitative data, we show that their role in the world political economy extends much beyond such description. We argue that the Big Four play a coordinating role in the organization and expansion of global value chain (GVC) in multiple territories, value‐chain segments and at multiple scales. Building on the literature of the multidimensionality of power in the GVC, we investigate the multiple dimensions through which the power of the Big Four is exercised. Uncovering the power manifestations of the Big Four as global actors, the article contributes both empirically and conceptually to the dialogue among the literatures on the international political economy, critical accounting and GVC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper verifies whether and how the country's cultural dimensions moderate the relationship between the quality of the audit firm and the level of earnings management. The sample is formed by 88,428 observations from 18,842 companies in 23 countries, covering the period from 2011 to 2018 in an unbalanced panel. The dimensions of national culture were based on the GLOBE project, and the level of earnings management was estimated by Dechow et al. (1995). The results show that national culture influences the monitoring of the largest auditing firms and benefits companies in preparing financial statements. Such results suggest a relationship of audit bias due to cultural aspects, which may compromise the quality of accounting information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Management Analysis / Revista Gestão em Análise is the property of Revista Gestao em Analise and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this commentary, we argue that the Big Four professional service firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC) are positioning themselves as a bridge between Māori and the Crown in Aotearoa New Zealand. In a political economy that is evolving in line with te Tiriti/the Treaty of Waitangi, this bridge presents a profitable opportunity. We engage with theories of imperialism, the business case for diversity and revolving doors to advance our argument. We conclude with opportunities for future research that take the role of the Big Four in the Māori economy seriously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contextualização: A presença feminina no mundo dos negócios vem crescendo, todavia ainda existem vários obstáculos para alcançar a igualdade de oportunidades em cargos gerenciais. As mulheres têm baixa representatividade em cargos de gestão, principalmente os de alto escalão. Este estudo foi feito para analisar a representatividade feminina nos cargos gerenciais em firmas de auditoria no Brasil. Objetivo: Este estudo analisa a representatividade feminina em cargos de liderança nas firmas de auditoria Big Four do Brasil entre o período de 2016-2023. Método: Neste sentido, foi realizada uma pesquisa documental, inspecionando-se os Relatórios de Sustentabilidade GRI destas organizações. Também foram buscadas, através dos sites das empresas, as informações acerca dos programas desenvolvidos que contribuem para a ascensão da mulher na função de líder. Resultados: Os resultados demonstraram que a representatividade feminina, principalmente no cargo de sócia, ainda é baixa quando comparada com a masculina, embora tenha tido evolução nos anos analisados, progredindo de 16% (2016) a 25% (2023) no caso da firma EY e 16% (2016) a 26% (2023) na KPMG. As Big Four iniciaram políticas de equidade de gênero e desenvolvimento de talentos femininos. Conclusões: Conclui-se que o Teto de Vidro ainda se faz presente nestas organizações e está sendo descontruído aos poucos.

As the world’s second-largest economy, China has seen an increase in demand for auditing services in recent years. Auditing plays the role of “economic police” and is of great significance to the healthy and orderly development of the market economy. This study does not only enrich the theoretical study of China’s audit market, but also offers suggestions for its improvement, which have practical significance for the sustainable development of China’s audit market. The purpose of this study is to examine the situation on audit market in China, analyze its scale as well as the dynamics of audit in listed companies. As a methodological basis, the author used the works of the Russian scientist E. M. Gutzeit and reports on the audit market of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation. The study reveals that the audit market in China is characterized by intense growth and concentration of large and medium-sized audit organizations; it is still dominated by traditional audit services; audit fees for listed companies are positively correlated with the size of the latter’s assets. The market leaders are the Big Four — Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Deloitte & Touche, Ernst & Young and KPMG. This study gives recommendations to the Ministry of Finance of China and the Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants: it is necessary to improve the system of state regulation of the audit market and encourage the establishment of self-regulation mechanisms; to actively expand the scope of audit organizations; to strengthen the branding of domestic audit companies.

The objective of this research is to probe the moderating role of Big Four auditors (a representative of corporate governance) on the market performance of firms during the pandemic period, with specific focus on Fintech and non-Fintech firms. Design/Methodology: Employing data from 48 Fintech and 140 non-Fintech firms spanning 2010 to 2021, the study utilizes ordinary least squares, quantile regression, and dynamic Generalised Moments Method (GMM) regression to assess the implications of engaging with a Big Four auditor on firms' market performance during the pandemic. The study reveals that Fintech firms, compared to their non-Fintech counterparts, displayed a significantly poorer market performance by 110.4% during the pandemic. Additionally, Fintech firms audited by a Big Four auditor experienced a decline in market performance by 101.9%, indicating a potential negative impact of Big Four auditors' engagement for Fintech firms in crisis periods. The outcomes of this research underscore the importance of corporate governance during financial crises, and its influence on shareholder perception, especially in the context of Fintech firms. As such, it provides meaningful insights for governments, policymakers, and various practitioners including firm shareholders and start-up entrepreneurs. This study introduces a novel examination of the moderating effect of Big Four auditors on firms' market performance during a pandemic, especially in the context of Fintech firms. By shedding light on the relationship between corporate governance and market performance during crises, it fills a significant gap in the existing literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar se e como as dimensões culturais do país moderam a relação entre a qualidade da firma de auditoria e o nível de gerenciamento de resultados. A amostra foi composta por 88.428 observações de 18.842 empresas localizadas em 23 países, abrangendo o período de 2011 a 2018 em um painel desbalanceado. As dimensões da cultura nacional foram baseadas no projeto GLOBE, e o nível de gerenciamento de resultados foi estimado conforme Dechow et al. (1995). Os resultados apresentam evidências de que a cultura nacional tem influência no monitoramento exercido pelas maiores firmas de auditoria e conferem benefícios às empresas no que tange à elaboração das demonstrações contábeis. Tais resultados sugerem relação de parcialidade da auditoria em virtude de aspectos culturais, o que pode comprometer a qualidade da informação contábil.

Purpose. This paper investigates the effect of cross-reporting quality transfer: the association between the merits of the financial auditor and the quality of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting. Specifically, we examine whether the effect of Big Four financial audits on the CSR reporting quality of Chinese listed firms differs from that of non-Big Four firms. Design/methodology/approach. This paper uses archival data and regression analysis from a sample (5257 firm-year observations) of A-share listed firms on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges from 2009 to 2018. Findings. The analysis shows that when a company's financial auditor is a Big Four firm, the quality of CSR reports is higher than when it is audited by non-Big Four auditor, which in turn can be explained by differences in cross-reporting quality transfer between Big Four and non-Big Four firms. Moreover, this effect is more pronounced in non-stateowned enterprises (NSOEs) than in state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and among firms residing in high-pressure legal environments as opposed to low-pressure regions. Originality. This study extends the literature on the quality of CSR reporting based on the type of financial reporting audit provider, thus bridging the gap between financial audit and sustainability reporting practice and elucidating the cross-reporting quality transfer effect. Practical implications. The paper's findings shed light on the impact that Big Four firms have on the quality of CSR reports through financial audits, thus confirming the cross-reporting quality transfer effect in China. These findings might appeal to political decision-makers, authorities and companies given the notable contribution of CSR disclosure to the decision-making processes of stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the specifics of settlements with clients in the world's four largest audit companies by revenue. As a result of the study, it was found that billing customers for the services provided takes place in several stages. The main responsibilities of the company's participants who are involved in the process of invoicing customers are clarified. It is established that companies have multi-level control over the generated invoices, which involves employees of the operational and financial departments of companies, as well as project managers who are direct service providers to the client. It was revealed that in the process of communicating with customers and making settlements with them, the big four companies use the Microsoft Office, a specially developed system for invoicing based on SAP, and BAS accounting software products, M.E.Doc, a service for electronic document management between the company's structural units and the client «Vchasno». However, despite the coherence of the billing mechanism and several levels of control, companies face certain risks that can negatively affect the quality of information in accounting and reporting on the status of settlements. In particular, this is due to technical failures in software due to uneven server load, as well as loss of information caused by a human factor - errors in entering data into the electronic system, negligence, abuse of official position. In the course of the study, it was found that insufficient awareness of employees of the operational and financial departments, as well as limited access to the necessary documents for making settlements with customers, can lead to a decrease in the quality of information in the company's reporting, fraud and other illegal actions. Based on the results of the study, approaches to solving existing problems in companies when making settlements with customers were described. The study showed that in an unstable economic environment, the Big Four companies constantly need to adapt to changes in the business environment and comply with the highest standards of data quality and security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Retaining competent and qualified public accountants has become a challenge for most audit firms. Accordingly, some universities and audit firms are combining their efforts to attract accounting students by establishing the ‘School Leavers’ Program’. The objective of this research is to highlight some of the challenges auditors experience in the fieldwork. These challenges are defined by the unethical behaviour that auditors exhibit in order to achieve better performance evaluation. Design/Methodology: The sample of the study comprises two subgroups stratified based on the type of educational system: Classical Accounting Education (CAE) and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) education system. Findings: The research paper aids in identifying whether dysfunctional behaviour is demonstrated more within a specific academic context. Originality: The results are expected to help in avoiding and preventing unethical acts, leading to two forms of dysfunctional behavior; Premature Sign-Off and Underreporting of Chargeable Time when auditors are up to performance evaluation.

Objective - The primary objective of this exploratory research is to investigate the perception of Big Four auditors in Vietnam on the importance of analytical procedures in financial audits, factors affecting the adoption of analytical procedures, and how Big Four auditors apply analytical procedures in audit practice. Methodology/Technique – Through the utilization of qualitative research methods, including interviews, internal documents from Big Four audit firms, and secondary data, this study seeks to uncover valuable insights into the adoption of analytical procedures within the Big Four audit firms. The current study uses thematic analysis as the method for data analysis. Findings - The results indicate that analytical procedures were important and necessary in an audit engagement at the Big Four. Experienced auditors consider analytical procedures to be more important than less experienced auditors. Big Four employees actively apply these procedures in all three phases of an audit. Managers mainly perform analytical procedures when planning, and partners and seniors might be involved. The auditors utilize trend analysis, ratio analysis, and reasonable testing in the planning state. However, trend analysis is the major technique preferred. During the audit stage, the application of analytical procedures depended on the auditors’ experience, audit clients' size, and characteristics. Big Four auditors use simple analytical techniques such as trend analysis, ratios analysis, and reasonable analysis but do not use advanced techniques such as regression analysis. The team leader, executives, and partners perform the analysis at the reviewing stage. The auditors still mainly apply Excel in the analytical procedures with almost all audit clients. With some extensive audits whose books are suitable with the data analysis software, auditors will utilize such software to automate analytical procedures. Novelty - The first study addresses the factors affecting and mode of application of analytical techniques in Big Four audit firms in Vietnam by utilizing a qualitative method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to investigate the influence of the ownership structure on the choice of a Big Four independent audit, expecting a positive relationship if there is an entrenchment effect represented by the voting rights variable and a negative relationship if there is an incentive effect represented by the right cash flow variable. We analyze 122 publicly traded companies listed on B3 between the years 2010–2018. In addition to the variables of interest, we also control other variables that can influence the choice of a Big Four: company size, leverage, return on assets, issuance of ADRs, sector, CEO duality, board independence, B3 governance level and specialist auditor. The study uses an econometric method rarely used in research on this topic, the logit for panel data. The results found suggest that the right to cash flows (incentive effect) negatively influences the choice of a Big Four audit in the national scenario, confirming the second research hypothesis. As for the control variables, the findings suggest that the issuance of ADRs and being a member of a sector, whose auditing firm is a specialist influence the choice for a Big Four. The main contribution made by the work is to expand the evidence about the surrogate effect between internal mechanisms of corporate governance, with emphasis on the capital structure, and external mechanisms of corporate governance, such as the chosen external audit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background: Audits are intended to ensure the reliability of financial statements, as this is fundamental for different stakeholders. However, both auditor tenure and audit fees could affect the earnings management of companies. In 2014, the European Union established a mandatory audit firm rotation policy. In the United States, although there is still no mandatory regulation in this regard, there has been a large public debate over the advisability of this policy. Another unresolved controversy is whether audit fees determine audit quality. Purpose of the article: The aim of this research is to study the effect of auditor tenure and audit fees on earnings management, i.e., to determine whether a longer-term relationship between the auditor and the audited company, as well as higher audit fees, reduce the audited company's earnings management, thereby making the financial statements more reliable for stakeholders and increasing the quality of the audit report. In addition, the Big Four auditing companies in the United States were analyzed in order to determine the influence of corporate culture. Methods: A sample of companies listed in the S&P 500 stock market index was employed for the analysis, covering the years 2012 to 2021, resulting in a dataset comprising 3,010 observations. To examine the research hypotheses while mitigating the potential bias from omitted variables, a linear regression analysis was conducted using panel data with fixed effects regression. To enhance the robustness of the results, winsorized variables were also employed. Findings & value added: Overall, the results confirm that the quality of financial statements improves as auditor tenure increases, and so implementing a mandatory auditor rotation may not be in a company's best interests. The results also support the market segmentation theory, as higher audit fees are aligned with higher quality financial reporting. Furthermore, by analyzing the Big Four audit companies in the US, it is shown that the influence of audit fees and auditor tenure on earnings management also depends on the internal aspects of the particular audit firm, especially its ethical culture. In sum, US policymakers should neither set limits on audit fees nor enforce a mandatory audit firm rotation similar to that of the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research problem The extant audit market concentration (AMC) literature is quite scattered, which makes it challenging to comprehend the current state of knowledge and to highlight the areas that require further exploration. An improved understanding of AMC and its possible effects require a comprehensive review of the AMC literature, since no such review has yet been published. Therefore, our paper intends to: (a) synthesize the empirical work in the AMC literature; (b) determine the limitations in the ways AMC has been investigated; (c) identify avenues of inquiry that could guide future thinking on AMC; and (d) develop insights into how future AMC investigations can be further developed. Motivation The most noticeable developments in AMC occurred after the audit firm megamergers of the 1980s and 1990s and Andersen’s demise in 2002. This trend toward fewer and larger suppliers of auditing services has sparked intense debate about the costs and benefits of AMC. However, the literature provides mixed evidence on the determinants and consequences of AMC. Adopted methodology A structured literature review [Massaro, M., Dumay, J., & Guthrie, J. (2016). On the shoulders of giants: Undertaking a structured literature review. Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, 29(5), 767–801. https://doi.org/10.1108/ AAAJ-01-2015-1939] was employed to review the extant AMC literature. Analyses We analyzed 108 empirical papers published in 39 peer-reviewed quality accounting and auditing journals in the English language over a 55-year period (1967 to mid2021). Findings The analysis suggests a consistent rise in AMC levels, leading to a tight oligopoly and, in rare cases, to a duopoly, across countries and over time. Studies of audit pricing and audit quality comprise the predominant part of the literature, and these report mixed findings as to whether AMC facilitates monopolistic pricing and allows audit-quality-threatening behaviors. This could be attributed to several factors, including the focus on short-term effects of AMC; substantial variations in how concentration was measured; and misguided use of proxies for audit competition and audit quality. The review identifies four key limitations that circumscribe our understanding of AMC: (a) the lack of investigation into the actual dynamic rivalry among audit firms; (b) great reliance on the positivistic approach and quantitative methods, and the lack of use of explicit theories aside from economic theories; (c) a focus on the audit of publicly listed companies in the United States, the U.K., and Australia; and thus; (d) the absence of key organizational settings and central regions in the AMC debate. To counter these limitations, this review puts forward possible future research avenues that can help to advance our understanding of AMC to address emerging challenges in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El mercado de auditoría es de relevancia internacional y contribuye en darle confianza a los mercados. Las firmas Big Four (en adelante, B4) poseen un alcance internacional, prestigio y facturación que no quedan ajenas del interés de concentrar importantes carteras de clientes. Este estudio revisa 13 años de participación de las B4 en las 29 empresas IPSA en Chile e incluye 348 informes de auditoría consultados. El objetivo es comprender el nivel de concentración de mercado, revelar el nivel de rotación de firmas y socios, participación femenina a nivel de socios que firman y describir el estado de los informes. Los resultados presentan una alta concentración de B4 en IPSA, baja rotación de firmas/socios, una escasa presencia femenina y socios que exceden el tiempo para una misma entidad. Este estudio aporta datos empíricos sobre esta industria en Chile y propone una discusión sobre la importancia de la rotación del auditor.

In the past two years, three major corporate mergers have begun to reshape what was an already concentrated international market for agricultural chemicals, seeds, and fertilizers. If the mergers gain approval from their relevant regulatory agencies, these six multinational corporations would fold into three (Dow-DuPont, Bayer-Monsanto, and ChemChina-Syngenta), and have a profound impact on the future of global agriculture. The mergers would drastically reduce competition in the areas of crop protection, seeds, and petrochemicals; further consolidate the agrochemical market; reduce procompetitive research and development (R&D) collaborations; and, most urgently, pose a critical danger to ecosystem sustainability and exacerbate the global climate crisis.

The assurance of sustainability information by small and medium‐sized entities (SMEs) has not attracted much research interest to date. To rectify this, we draw on a sample of European firms (from the EU, the United Kingdom and Norway) extracted from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) database and explore the disclosure variable in relation to country‐specific factors. Assurance rates are found to be low among SMEs, and moreover, the level of disclosure is limited. The assurance market is dominated by accounting firms, above all by the Big Four. Legal origin is found to be a highly relevant factor, with Scandinavian countries presenting the highest percentage rates of sustainability report assurance. Among the cultural variables analysed, power distance, masculinity and uncertainty avoidance have a significant negative impact on the decision to assure sustainability information. Overall, the study serves to enhance understanding of SME practices in different countries of origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The professional practice of accounting, auditing and management in transnational organizations called Big Four presents complex work environments and high demand for technical skills, building competitive environments among their employees. This article aims to critically reflect on the conditions and factors that shape the work environment that is generated within these organizations, discussing the positions of employees with different academic perspectives. Methodologically, the article is based on a qualitative research process, leading reflection through discussions on human management in organizations, labor exploitation, organizational behavior, work motivation and the role of millennials in contemporary forms of work. The findings indicate that the work environment in the Big Four does not represent a positive result in the cost-benefit relationship, since the conditions of work stress prone to burnout syndrome and progressive rejection of accounting processes are prevalent, generating a bifurcation between its employees : 1) an irrational love for the company on account of dedicating their lives to organizational development, or; 2) a totalitarian rejection of the work scheme, valuing the techniques learned

This study responds to ongoing challenges with recruiting quality graduate talent in the accounting/finance industry, critical given transforming labour market requirements. Drawing on Person‐Organisation Fit (POF) theory, we explore what attracts 475 Accounting/Finance students to graduate roles, their preferences for different organisation types, and influences on career decision‐making. Supporting earlier work, we evidence dominating preferences for 'Big Four' firms yet discern several appealing features of other organisational types and important intrinsic and extrinsic factors in decision‐making. Findings inform stakeholder strategies to support students for sustainable careers in different accounting/finance contexts and improve the recruitment outcomes of all organisation types in the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The paper presents the issue of non-financial information assurance and identifies the practices of companies operating in Europe in this regard. Methodology/research approach: The research is based on a literature review and analysis of a sample of 935 companies whose non-financial reports, prepared according to the GRI guidelines, are available from the GRI Sustainability Disclosure Database. In particular, we analyze how many companies had their non-financial information verified in 2017 and their previous practice in this regard (since 2005), as well as their structure according to the assuror type, the assurance standard used, the engagement type, and the assurance scope. Findings: Nearly half of the companies had their non-financial information independently and externally verified, including 34 Eastern European companies (30%) and 426 from Western Europe (52%). Most of the entities which provide assurance are so-called Big Four audit companies, mainly Deloitte and E&Y, which use the ISAE 3000 standard for this purpose. The most common engagement type is limited engagement. Limitations: The study is descriptive, which results from the nature of the data collected and the large disparity between companies using assurance in Western and Eastern Europe. Originality/value: The Article broadens accounting knowledge, in particular, on non-financial reporting. It indicates the need to take steps towards the wider use of non-financial information assurance in Eastern Europe.

The International Standards on Auditing (ISA) consider the understanding of the control environment as a basic phase of an auditor's assessment of internal control. This comprehension influences the nature, timing, extent and, ultimately, the quality of the procedures managed by auditors. Several studies have investigated the determinants and implications of control environment assessment, internal control evaluation, and audit quality. However, very few studies have adopted a human capital perspective and matched the number and type of the control environment elements considered during control environment evaluation with auditors' human capital attributes. Starting from these considerations, the paper examines the relationship between auditors' human capital attributes and the assessment of the control environment. Based on a survey of 100 Italian external auditors, this study reveals that auditors perceive "Communication and enforcement of integrity and ethical values" as a relevant element in undertaking control environment assessments. Moreover, the findings indicate that the type of audit firm (Big Four), the regional context (Northern Italy), and the auditor's degree specialization (accounting, finance and auditing) influence the control environment assessment. This study contributes to the literature by consolidating the use of human capital theory in the auditing domain and presenting new results that help clarify the relationship between human capital attributes and control environment evaluation. We have identified the human capital attributes of auditors that match a control environment evaluation based on all seven elements indicated by ISA 315. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inefficacy and associated risks of current antivenom has raised the need for alternative approaches of snakebite management. Aptamers are one such alternative which is being pursued for therapeutic interventions as well as for design of diagnostic kits due to its high specificity. Present study focussed on designing and validating nucleic acid aptamers against snake venom PLA 2, a hydrolytic enzyme present in all venomous snakes. The aptamers were designed by adding nucleic acid chain on the surface of Daboxin P, a major PLA 2 enzyme of Daboia russelii venom. Binding characteristics of the aptamers were confirmed by docking to Daboxin P as well as acidic and basic PLA 2 s from different snake species using in silico docking. The aptamers folded into different tertiary structures and bound to the active and Ca2+ binding site of PLA 2 enzymes. Molecular dynamics simulation analysis of Daboxin P-aptamer complexes showed that the complexes were stable in an aqueous environment. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay further confirmed the binding of the synthetic aptamers to Daboxin P and other snake venom PLA 2 enzymes. The aptamers inhibited the sPLA 2 activity with an IC 50 value ranging between 0.52 μM and 0.77 μM as well as the anticoagulant activity of Daboxin P. The aptamers could also inhibit the PLA 2 activity of Echis carinatus crude venom and anti-coagulant activity of Bungarus caeruleus crude venom, members of big four snakes. However, the aptamers didn't inhibit fibrinogenolytic or proteolytic activity of big four venom as well as the coagulation and hemolytic activities. Thus, aptamers can be rationally designed to inhibit the biochemical and biological activities of snake venom proteins. • In silico designing of nucleic acid aptamers against Daboxin P. • In vitro inhibition of biochemical activities of Daboxin P by the aptamers. • In vitro inhibition of some biochemical activities of "Big four" venom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a detailed, longitudinal study of the role and strategies of the Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CICPA) in building a Chinese home-grown public accounting profession since the late 1980s. Drawing on previously unaccessed archive materials and a series of interviews with senior representatives of the Chinese public accounting profession, this paper reveals a more nuanced empirical story of professional accounting development in China, in which the CICPA has had more strategic influence than is currently represented in the extant accounting literature. While the CICPA's position vis-à-vis the state is a fragile one and necessitates on various occasions following specific state requirements and instructions, it has still been able to pursue its strategic intention of securing a nationalistic approach to professional accounting development. This paper analyses the shifting nature of the CICPA's capacity for agency across three thematic areas of activities, including the CICPA's efforts to counter the power and influence of the Big Four in China, promote the growth of indigenous accounting firms and support the establishment of the Communist Party branches in accounting firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporations increasingly engage in innovative 'tax planning strategies' by shifting profits between jurisdictions. In response, states try to curtail such profit shifting activities while at the same time attempting to retain and attract multinational corporations. We aim to open up this dichotomy between states and corporations and argue that a wealth defence industry of professional service firms plays a crucial role as facilitators. We investigate the subsidiary structure of 27,000 MNCs and show that clients of the Big Four accountancy firms show systematically higher levels of aggressive tax planning strategies than clients of smaller accountancy firms. We specify this effect for three distinct strategies and also uncover marked differences across countries. As such we provide empirical evidence for the systematic involvement of auditors as facilitators in corporate wealth defence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Criterio Libre is the property of Revista Criterio Libre and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Patron-clientelism and corruption were traditionally viewed as problems endemic to underdeveloped marginal countries with weak states, powerful self-serving elites, and widespread civic disengagement. However, recent decades have seen a dramatic increase in corruption scandals in the Global North, particularly its more developed banking and financial sectors. Paradoxically, this has occurred despite a massive expansion in auditing by international accountancy firms (KPMG, PwC, Deloitte, EY) who often portray themselves as warriors of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct. How are these trends connected? Drawing on anthropological studies of Mediterranean patron-clientelism, I illustrate how collusive relations between accountancy firms and their clients create ideal conditions for corruption to flourish. Finally, I ask how can these accountancy scandals help us rethink patron-clientelism in an age of "audit culture"? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to understand how external auditors from Big Four companies perceive their career and what is the relationship with people management in these organizations. For this, an exploratory-descriptive study with a qualitative approach was carried out. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 accountants with at least two years of experience working in a Big Four. The results show that working in a Big Four requires a set of skills, mainly technical and conceptual, but also linked to attitude, not only for the formation of a career trajectory but also for the self-maintenance of the worker in this professional environment. The training and development policies stood out in the participants' opinion, who refer to them as the main attraction attributes, even overlapping the remuneration. A career in a Big Four is typically organizational (traditional); however, it has modeled itself on the characteristics of other career conceptions: protean, borderless, kaleidoscopic, and sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper aimed to examine the effect of dividend on firm value, as well as the impact of audit quality on the relationship between dividend and firm value in Malaysian firms, which was measured via financial statements audited by four large-sized audit firms (henceforth the Big Four). The model projected was assessed by using Pooled Ordinary Least Square (OLS), panel random, and fixed effect regression. To ensure robust results, firm fixed effect were also employed. The results revealed that dividends negatively affected firm value, whereas audit quality moderated the relationship between the variables. The outcomes were robust even in further consideration of endogeneity concerns, specifically the omitted variable bias and reverse causality (i.e. firm fixed effect and Generalized Method of Moments (GMM)). The study findings provide novel information applicable for managers to devise investment strategies in the Malaysian market. The implication from this finding can be very useful for a manager to devise their strategy, especially by looking into the moderating effect of audit quality in mitigating information asymmetry that surrounds within dividend and firm value relationship. To the author’s knowledge, this paper contributes significantly towards dividend and firm value literature by being the pioneering introduction into the moderating effect of audit quality, especially in the context of emerging markets.

O presente trabalho analisou o efeito das Big Four sobre o tipo de opinião dos auditores. O estudo, descritivo, documental e quantitativo, analisou relatórios anuais de 504 empresas listadas na [B]³ no período de 2002-2012 através de estatística descritiva e regressão com dados em painel. Observou-se existir uma concentração do mercado de auditoria, pois as Big Four chegaram a auditar 75% das empresas, o que pode prejudicar a independência do auditor. Em média, a probabilidade de uma empresa listada receber um relatório modificado é 6,20%. Verificou-se ainda que ser auditado por uma Big Four e possuir Níveis Diferenciados de Governança reduzem a probabilidade de se receber uma opinião modificada. Por sua vez, empresas que apresentam prejuízos e a adoção do IFRS Parcial aumentaram a probabilidade de receberem uma opinião modificada. Estes resultados contribuem com os reguladores, investidores e auditores na sinalização dos fatores que afetam o tipo de opinião do auditor.