THE EFFECT OF AUDIT FIRM SIZE, TENURE, AND COMMITTEE SIZE ON REGULATORY FILING TIMELINESS OF NIGERIA LISTED FIRMS

Abstract

The study investigates the effect of audit firm size, tenure, and committee size on regulatory filing timeliness of Nigeria Listed Firms. Regulatory Filing Timeliness is represented with ‘the difference between the financial end to the date in which the auditor signs the financial statements’ while Audit Firm Size, Tenure, and Committee Size are represented with audit firm size, audit tenure and audit committee. Using 42 firms-years longitudinal paneled of 420 observations. Ddescriptive and correlational research design is used. Based on the data's availability at the time of the inquiry, the study used a convenient sampling strategy to gather secondary data. These data cover the years 2012 through 2021 and were compiled from the annual financial reports of these selected companies. Descriptive statistics and panel regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The analysis findings shows that audit firm size, audit tenure and audit committee all has a positive and statistically significant effect on the Regulatory Filing Timeliness of some listed companies in Nigeria. According to the findings, managers should keep in mind that larger audit firms tend to have more resources, expertise and experience will contribute to efficient and timely financial reporting. Similarly, longer audit tenure enhances familiarity, knowledge, and the ability to streamline the audit process, results to more timely reporting and lastly the committee should compose of individuals with diverse expertise and knowledge which will enable them with the necessary resources and support to fulfill their responsibilities effectively.