DETERMINANTS OF AUDIT REPORT TIMELINESS IN SAUDI ARABIA: EVIDENCE FROM SELECTED QUOTED COMPANIES

Abstract

The timeliness of audit report had impact on securities prices of listed companies. The understanding of determinants of factors that influence timeliness delivery of audit report is import for Saudi Arabian listed companies since its influenced security prices. This study was invested factors that can impact on timeliness of audit reports for 15 firms quoted in Saudi Stock Exchange (TADAWUL) between 2010 and 2014. The data was collected from annual report and accounts. The collected data were analysed using relevant diagnostic tests, Pearson correlation matrix and simple, multiple regression test. The result suggested that there was an impact of profitability as measured by ROA and EPS on timeliness of audit report. In additions, there also an impact of operation complexity toward timeliness of audit report. There also impact of firm size as measured by (total assets) on timeliness of audit report. Besides, there was impact of internal factors such as ROA, EPS, operation complexity, firm size and total assets toward timeliness of audit report.