@article{Fenoll-Bernal_Serrano Madrid_2020, title={Quality accounting information and audit effort: The Spanish case}, volume={4}, url={https://sbir.upct.es/index.php/sbir/article/view/244}, DOI={10.26784/sbir.v4i1.244}, abstractNote={The objective of this paper is to analyze if small and medium auditors are able to detect the earning managments in their audited companies and, in that case, if the increase of the audit effort produces a lower level of discretionary accruals. As a particular contribution, the auditor’s effort has been measured through the hours actually spent, unlike previous work based on estimated or subrogated fees or hours. Similarly, the sample used is composed of small and medium-sized audit firms, which gives added value for this segment of the most competitive audit market. The results show that the client reduces the positive abnormal accruals if the audit effort increases, thus valuing his figure as guarantor of the financial information, contributing to the debate on the quality of small firms. Regarding the negative accrual adjustments, it could be interpreted as an auditor passivity against the accounting conservatism and a learning effect on the client, which increases the negative discretional accruals as the contractual relationship with the auditor increases}, number={1}, journal={Small Business International Review}, author={Fenoll-Bernal, Antonio and Serrano Madrid, Jose}, year={2020}, month={Jan.}, pages={52-68} }