THE IMPACT OF AUDIT ATTRIBUTES ON FINANCIAL REPORTING TIMELINESS OF LISTED DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examines the impact of audit attributes on financial reporting timeliness of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria using an Ex Post Facto Research Design. The population of the study consist of thirteen (13) listed deposit money banks from the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX). However, the study uses the census sampling approach, where ten (10) banks were selected as the sample size. Data were collected from secondary sources including annual reports and accounts of listed deposits money banks. The collected data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis techniques. The findings revealed that audit size (big four) positively and significantly influence financial reporting timeliness of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria. However, audit fee and tenure did not significantly influence financial reporting timeliness of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria. The study concluded that the use of big four audit firms by banks improve the reporting timeliness of banks in Nigeria. It is recommended among others that deposit money banks should consider engaging Big Four audit firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG) when possible. These firms' expertise and resources can enhance compliance with reporting deadlines and improve financial statement reliability.