The determinants of non-audit fees in French firms

Abstract

This study analyzes the determinants of non audit-fees for a sample of 67 French companies belonging to the SBF 120 index during the period 2005-2007. Our attention focused on the influence of shareholder / creditor agency costs - namely debts and investment opportunities. Based on panel regression methodology, our results reveal that the affiliation of the auditor to an international network, the presence of an audit committee, the debt, the size of the company and the closing date have an effect on non-audit fees. However, investment opportunities do not affect the amount of non-audit fees.

Keywords

• Non-audit fees
• Corporate governance
• Financial performance