Independent auditors play a pivotal role in validating financial statements and disseminating corporate accounting information. The selection of an independent auditor is considered the most critical decision for shareholders in endorsing the credibility of financial statements. This study review and analysis the factors influencing auditor selection using a logit model. From the perspective of objectives, the research is applied, and methodologically, it is correlational of a causal nature. The statistical population comprises companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange, and through systematic elimination sampling, 130 companies were selected as the sample. The study period spans seven years, from 2017 to 2023. Data were collected through a library-based method, and Stata software was employed to test the hypotheses. The results of the study show that audit opinion and earnings management have an inverse effect on auditor selection. In contrast, auditor industry expertise, government ownership, and return on assets have a direct positive effect on auditor selection.
Many companies today engage in tax avoidance activities to reduce their taxable income. However, the behavior of managers in these economic entities may exhibit various biases that can have short-term and long-term negative impacts on a range of financial statement users and ultimately on society as a whole. This study aims to examine the influence of certain behavioral biases, specifically representativeness bias and conservatism bias, on tax avoidance. The research population consists of companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange. After applying targeted restrictions, 95 companies were selected from the research population for the period of 2013 to 2022. The relationships between the variables were analyzed using panel data and the generalized least squares method. The findings indicate that both representativeness bias and conservatism bias have a positive and significant effect on tax avoidance. The occurrence of optimism or pessimism reflects the presence of representativeness bias in the market, leading individuals to overreact and make irrational decisions regarding various issues. This hinders their ability to transparently communicate financial information in pursuit of their objectives. Moreover, this managerial optimism has a direct and significant impact on tax avoidance. Companies may also avoid tax recognition and payment through conservative accounting practices and tax management by exploiting legal loopholes or regulations, or by altering their business activities.
The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of the delay in the presentation of the auditor's report on the financing rate of companies and the moderating role of the quality of accounting information in this regard. Delay in the audit report is one of the important factors that can reduce investor confidence and increase the cost of capital. To test the hypotheses, using generalized regression, the financial information of companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange was examined during the years 2018 to 2023. The results of the first hypothesis showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between the delay in the audit report and the financing rate; so that the longer the time interval between the end of the fiscal year and the date of the auditor's report, the higher the company's financing costs. Also, the findings related to the second hypothesis showed that the quality of accounting information plays a moderating role in this relationship; That is, in companies with higher accounting information quality, the positive effect of delay in submitting the audit report on the financing rate decreases. The research results, while emphasizing the importance of timeliness of audit reports, highlight the essential role of transparency and reliability of accounting information in reducing investors' perceived risk and improving financing conditions.
In today’s complex and competitive world, the quality of financial reporting is a key tool for enhancing transparency and stakeholder trust in organizational performance. Creative accounting can serve as an opportunity to improve the financial image of organizations; however, it can also pose a threat by potentially misleading investors and other users of financial information. The aim of this study is to design a creative accounting model with a focus on financial reporting quality and decision-making effectiveness. This research is quantitative in nature and was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population included financial managers of companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange. For data collection, 372 valid questionnaires were gathered out of 384 distributed. The results showed that creative accounting practices had a positive and significant impact on the quality of financial reporting (path coefficient: 0.764), enhancing the transparency and accuracy of reports. Additionally, these practices also had an impact on the effectiveness of managerial decision-making (path coefficient: 0.256). Moreover, sustainable financial data and companies’ forward-looking orientation significantly influenced the use of creative accounting methods. The conclusion of this study indicates that the use of creative accounting practices can improve financial reporting quality and decision-making effectiveness, but they must be applied with caution and responsibility.
The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between organizational culture and tax avoidance in companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange. In this research, the dimensions of organizational culture are measured based on the Competing Values Framework (CVF), and their relationship with corporate tax behavior is assessed. The statistical population consists of 121 companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange from 2018 to 2023. Data were collected through textual analysis of board of directors' reports, and a word-based text analysis method was used to assess cultural dimensions. Data analysis was performed using regression analysis and the generalized least squares (GLS) method. The results revealed that a control-oriented culture is positively associated with a reduction in tax avoidance and an increase in the effective tax rate, while a collaboration-oriented culture leads to increased tax avoidance and a decrease in the effective tax rate. This study contributes to the existing knowledge on corporate culture and tax behavior in Iran, showing that understanding cultural dimensions can help improve tax policies and reduce tax risks.
This study investigates the determinants of Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption within management accounting and its subsequent role in driving modernization and digital transformation. As emerging technologies redefine industrial standards, AI integration has become essential for enhancing operational efficiency, data accuracy, and strategic decision-making. Utilizing a descriptive-survey and correlational methodology, the research gathered primary data through structured questionnaires from 318 accountants at companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange. Data analysis was executed via structural equation modeling (SEM) to evaluate the complex interplay between professional perceptions and behavioral characteristics regarding AI technology. Findings demonstrate that perceived usefulness and behavioral intention are critical predictors of AI acceptance. The results confirm that AI adoption significantly advances the digitalization of management accounting frameworks, providing a clear pathway for modernization. Ultimately, the study concludes that AI is not merely an operational tool but a strategic imperative for institutional transformation. It is recommended that organizational leaders and policymakers invest in robust technological infrastructure and comprehensive educational programs. Such initiatives are vital to facilitate the seamless integration of AI, thereby ensuring long-term competitive advantages and superior organizational performance in an increasingly digital economy.
The present study aims to identify the components of organizational culture auditing from the perspective of internal auditors in Iranian banks. Organizational culture, as a fundamental pillar of the control environment, plays a critical role in achieving organizational objectives. It constitutes the root of many risks and underlying issues within organizations. Therefore, establishing and monitoring a sound organizational culture is an essential element of effective corporate governance. In this regard, internal auditors, as the third line of defense, play a significant role in providing assurance services concerning organizational culture. The statistical population of this study comprises board members, senior and middle managers of banks, internal and independent auditors, and academic faculty members. A total of 320 questionnaires were distributed in 1404 (2025), from which 96 valid responses were obtained. Data were collected using a researcher‑designed questionnaire developed based on a conceptual matrix, and analyses were performed using statistical methods, including mean comparison tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings indicate that the components of organizational culture auditing from the perspective of internal auditors in Iranian banks include: (1) transparency; (2) reasonable expectations regarding bank profitability and employee performance; (3) accountability; (4) risk awareness; (5) training; (6) efficient onboarding processes for new employees and managers; (7) organizational alignment; (8) organizational adaptability; (9) communication management; (10) work–life balance; (11) customer orientation; (12) conflict of interest control; (13) organizational flexibility; (14) understanding the role of controls; (15) open-mindedness at various organizational levels; (16) sound decision-making; (17) employee commitment; (18) succession planning; (19) appropriate employee feedback; and (20) engagement with universities and similar institutions. The innovation of this research lies in developing a comprehensive framework for auditing organizational culture in Iranian banks as a practical toolbox for internal auditors, as well as in providing empirical evidence regarding the perspectives of banking managers, independent auditors, and academic scholars on this subject.
The objective of this study is to examine the moderating role of firm size in the impact of free cash flow and stock liquidity on the relationship between firm maturity and financial statement comparability. The research aims to determine whether larger firms at the maturity stage of their life cycle provide more comparable financial statements. This study is quantitative and applied in nature. The statistical population comprises companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange during the period from 2014 to 2023. A sample of 167 firms was selected using a systematic elimination method. Financial data were analyzed using panel data regression with fixed effects. The findings indicate a positive and significant relationship between firm maturity and financial statement comparability. Furthermore, stock liquidity strengthens this relationship, whereas free cash flow does not have a significant impact. In addition, firm size only moderates the relationship between stock liquidity and financial statement comparability, and does not moderate the effect of free cash flow. These results contribute to a better understanding of the corporate life cycle and the quality of financial reporting, offering valuable insights for analysts assessing the transparency of financial statements.
A long audit report lag reduces the value of information, creates concerns for investors, and as a result, increases the cost of equity capital. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of audit report lag on the cost of capital by considering information asymmetry. The statistical population of this study is all companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange. In order to determine the sample, 120 companies were selected for the period 2015–2023 using the systematic exclusion method. A multivariate regression model based on panel data was used to test the research hypotheses. The results of the study indicate that audit report lag increases the cost of capital. The findings of the study also showe that information asymmetry increases the intensity of the effect of audit report lag on the cost of capital. The findings of this study help to provide a better understand the capital market's perception of audit report lag.
This study investigates the impact of audit fees on financial statement restatements among companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange, considering the moderating role of audit quality, specifically auditor tenure and audit firm size. Financial statement restatements are critical for investors due to their implications for a company’s credibility, market value, and even potential bankruptcy. The findings, derived from an analysis of data from 125 companies over the period 2014 to 2023, reveal a significant negative relationship between audit fees and financial statement restatements. Moreover, both audit quality measures auditor tenure and audit firm size serve as reinforcing moderators in this relationship. Increased audit fees, particularly in larger and more experienced audit firms, lead to enhanced audit quality and a substantial reduction in restatements. Accordingly, it is recommended that managers perceive auditing not merely as a cost but as a strategic investment aimed at preserving credibility and mitigating risk. These results underscore the pivotal role of audit quality in enhancing financial transparency and minimizing reporting errors, providing valuable insights for regulatory bodies and investors in evaluating corporate performance. Furthermore, emphasizing the engagement of professional auditors and reputable audit firms facilitates an improved business environment and strengthens market confidence.
This research aims to analyze the mediating role of investment efficiency in the relationship between the company's sustainability performance and the company's financial performance. In this research, multivariate linear regression model and ordinary least square statistical model were used to investigate the relationship between variables. The statistical sample consists of 98 companies accepted in Tehran Stock Exchange during the six-year period of 2016–2021. To measure the independent variable of sustainability performance reporting, 88 indicators from Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) in 2022 were used. Also, the effect of three dimensions of sustainability performance, including the economic dimension with 7 categories and 16 indicators, the social dimension with 19 categories and 40 indicators, and the environmental dimension with 8 categories and 32 indicators, were tested.Apart from the social dimension, which has a positive and significant effect on the financial performance of the company, other dimensions of sustainability performance do not have a significant effect on the financial performance of the company in the selected sample. Furthermore, only the social dimension of sustainability performance has a positive and significant effect on the investment efficiency variable. The results showed that investment efficiency had no significant effect on the relationship between any of the dimensions of sustainability performance and the company's financial performance. In the Iranian sample, it appears companies have yet to fully recognize the benefits of sustainability reporting and performance. Consequently, the potential of sustainability reporting to attract domestic and international customers and investors remains underutilized. Considering that in Iran, the mediating role of investment efficiency on the relationship between sustainability reporting and financial performance has not been studied. Considering that the theoretical literature confirms the positive effect of investment efficiency on the relationship between sustainability reporting and financial performance, investigating why this effect was not confirmed in the selected sample in Iran can be important and with the companies' awareness of The benefits of adherence to sustainability reporting issues that have globally led to improved financial performance and investment efficiency will increase the likelihood of improving the quality of sustainability reporting.
In recent decades, the situation of Iran's water resources has reached a critical state. Given the lack of a coherent and integrated model in the field of water management accounting and the emphasis on upstream documents and emphasis in this field, the present study aimed to develop an integrated water accounting model and validate it with an exploratory mixed approach. For this purpose, in the qualitative section, an integrated water accounting model was developed using the Grounded Theory approach based on Strauss and Corbin (2008). The data collection tool in the qualitative section is a questionnaire based on interviews with 22 experts, which continued until theoretical saturation. Also, the statistical sample of the quantitative section consists of 140 financial managers, university professors, and senior accountants in the water sector. The data collection tool in the quantitative section includes a researcher-made questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis technique (Lisrel software) confirmed the fit of the proposed model. Also, the results of the structural equation modeling technique (SmartPLS software) showed that causal conditions have a significant effect on the central category, and also the central category, intervening conditions, and contextual conditions had a significant effect on strategies; and finally, the effect of strategies on outcomes was also significant. The model of this research provides important variables for various stakeholders such as the government, legislative institutions, companies, and researchers to implement a water management accounting system in order to manage water and provide more desirable services.
Financial reporting serves as a fundamental source of information for investors and enables shareholders to effectively monitor managerial performance. Previous studies highlight that financial investment may be associated with unethical behavior, while the abstract mindset linked to psychological distance can enhance investors’ inclination to assist others. The present study aims to examine the effects of financial investment and psychological gap on financial reporting readability, emphasizing the mediating role of usefulness and financial information quality. This research is applied in purpose and descriptive case‑study in method. The statistical population included distinguished accounting and finance faculty members at the assistant professor rank or higher. Through simple random sampling, 384 individuals were selected, from which 306 complete questionnaires were obtained. Measurement instruments included the standardized questionnaires of Monteiro et al. (2024), Ashtab and Ahmadi (2019), and Hunt (2022). SPSS and Smart PLS software were used to assess the research model. The findings indicate that financial investment and psychological gap have no significant direct impact on financial reporting readability. Nevertheless, when usefulness and financial information quality are considered, both variables demonstrate a significant influence.
The objective of this study is to analyze the trend of international scholarly publications indexed in the Scopus database in the field of Islamic financial reporting, focusing on academic collaboration among authors, journals, universities, countries, and trending topics in this domain. The sample includes 340 international scholarly documents related to Islamic financial reporting, indexed in Scopus from 1990 to 2025. Data analysis was conducted using Excel and VOSviewer software. The results indicate that the global publication trend in Islamic financial reporting has generally been upward. This study identifies the key contributors, including authors, journals, universities, and countries, and maps their academic collaboration networks as well as the chronological emergence of the field. In the keyword co-occurrence analysis, the findings reveal that the domain of Islamic financial reporting comprises six thematic clusters: (1) Frameworks and Standards of Islamic Financial Reporting, (2) Sustainability, Social Responsibility, and Financial Performance, (3) Corporate Social Responsibility and Islamic Values, (4) Islamic Banking Performance, (5) Shariah Governance, and (6) Social Reporting and Islamic Financial Instruments. Topic trends were categorized into four distinct time periods, with Islamic Corporate Social Responsibility identified as one of the emerging hot topics in the field. Given the holistic approach of this scientometric analysis, the findings of this research can serve as a valuable resource for researchers, students, managers, and policymakers engaged in the field of Islamic financial reporting.
Today, financing and attracting financial resources are considered to be top priorities in managers' planning. Issuing Sukuk is one of the financing tools that, given the support of Islamic governments, is gradually being welcomed by companies and investors. The present study was designed and implemented with the aim of identifying the factors affecting the issuance of Sukuk by companies listed on the capital market to help decision-makers in the capital market predict and better understand the conditions of issuers and make better investment decisions. For this purpose, data from 175 companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange were tested as a research sample during the years 2017 to 2023. Logistic regression analysis was used to test the 9 hypotheses presented.The results of the research indicate that companies with a high ratio of long-term debt to total assets, which indicates financial problems and risk, as well as companies with a high ratio of fixed assets to total assets, which indicates high liquidity problems and lack of flexibility in the face of market changes, resort to financing through the issuance of sukuk. Also, increasing the size of the company also leads to an increase in the issuance of sukuk.In the present study, what leads to a decrease in Sukuk issuance is an increase in return on assets. An increase in return on assets indicates better management of companies in their profitability. In fact, companies that tend to issue Sukuk have poor profitability.
The purpose of this study is to measure the effect of corporate sustainability on investment inefficiency of companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange, and in addition, the mediating role of information transparency and the moderating role of institutional support for sustainable development have been examined. Data from 180 companies during the years 2013 to 2023 with a total of 1,980 year-company observations were analyzed using the panel data method with fixed effects of company and year. The results show that corporate sustainability has a negative and significant effect on investment deviation. Also, information transparency plays a significant mediating role in this relationship. On the other hand, institutional support for sustainable development also significantly moderates the relationship between corporate sustainability and investment inefficiency. In addition to supporting agency and stakeholder theories, the research findings have practical implications for policymakers, financial managers, and institutional investors. These results, while aligned with agency and stakeholder theories, have important practical implications for policymakers, financial managers, and institutional investors in promoting transparency and institutional support for sustainability policies.
This study compares the effectiveness of statistical and machine learning models in predicting the returns of investment funds in developed and developing countries that are members of the Federation of European and Asian Stock Exchanges. This study is applied in nature and examines the financial data related to the funds of the aforementioned countries over the period from 2015 to 2023. To predict returns, machine learning methods and statistical methods are compared. The main objective is to measure the effectiveness of models in predicting the performance of funds under different economic conditions. The results of the study showed that machine learning methods perform better than statistical methods, especially in predicting the returns of investment funds in developed and developing countries. In the present study, machine learning models such as decision trees and C5.0 provided the best results with a prediction accuracy of 99%, while statistical models such as linear regression and logistic regression could not achieve the same level of accuracy. Classification trees also showed acceptable results. In contrast, multilayer perceptron showed weaker results. Therefore, based on the research findings, the use of machine learning models can be a more effective tool for predicting the returns of investment funds. These methods predict the performance of funds under different economic conditions with higher accuracy and help investors make better decisions in the field of selecting and managing their investments
The emerging technologies of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain have not only formed the basis of profound transformations in practice but have also become the subject of extensive research in accounting and auditing literature, with a rapidly growing trend in recent years. This has made it essential to map the intellectual and conceptual networks, as well as analyze research relationships and frameworks, to reveal the past, present, and future state of this interdisciplinary and highly active field. To this end, the present study employs bibliometric techniques to systematically analyze 710 articles published up to 2024 in journals indexed in the latest list released by the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC). Research in this field has seen a significant increase since 2018, with the number of published articles in the most recent year of the study period showing an approximately 80% growth—a testament to the widespread interest of researchers in this domain. The most frequently recurring keywords in this research area include blockchain, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cryptocurrency, deep learning, neural networks, Bitcoin, data analytics, text mining, and smart contracts. Additionally, the paper "The Informational Content of Predictive Statements in Corporate Reports: A Machine Learning Approach Using Naïve Bayes" stands as the most-cited article in this field, with 751 citations. Miklós Vasarhelyi, with 968 citations and 16 publications, is the most-cited and most prolific author in this domain. At the country level, the United States leads with 8,859 citations and 266 publications, making it the most-cited and most productive nation in this research area. Among institutions, the University of Southern California is the most prolific with 6 publications, while Rutgers University is the most-cited with 743 citations. Finally, the International Journal of Intelligent Systems in Accounting, Finance & Management emerges as the most influential journal, with 84 publications and 2,272 citations, ranking as both the most productive and most-cited outlet. The findings and results of this study provide valuable insights for stakeholders at various levels—from researchers making decisions on selecting active and promising research areas, identifying potential collaborators and suitable academic institutions and journals, to academic organizations monitoring and evaluating bibliometric trends (at the author, university, and journal levels) for policy-making and performance assessment in this critical research domain.
A large number of researchers share the view that value relevance should be considered one of the most interesting and controversial research streams in the accounting and finance literature. Value relevance means that historical information in financial statements (e.g., accounting earnings) is able to explain changes in current information in the market (e.g., stock returns), and the higher explanatory power is, the greater the value relevance. The introduction of the term value relevance in 1968 has led to a wide range of advancements in the accounting and finance literature. Today, there has been a great deal of research in regard to value relevance, and studies have examined various aspects of this new research area. In order to identify the main topics and top players of the value relevance literature, this study seeks to examine the accumulated literature in this field using bibliometric techniques (performance analysis and science mapping). To achieve this goal, by analyzing 927 documents published in the Scopus database over a 29-year period (1996 to 2024), we found that value relevance, international financial reporting standards, earnings, accounting information, corporate governance, and earnings management should be considered the main topics in this field. In addition, the most cited documents and top players in the value relevance literature were identified. The findings of this study can be beneficial for researchers in this field in selecting research topics, identifying the most prominent research components, formulating policies regarding collaboration with other researchers, and so forth
This study investigates the impact of gender diversity among audit partners on earnings management in firms listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange. The research used data from 189 companies over the period 2011 to 2022 and employing fixed-effects and generalized method of moments (GMM) regression models, the effects of the presence of women at the audit partner level on earnings management (measured by discretionary accruals) were analyzed. The results of the study reveal that gender diversity among audit partners has a significant negative impact on earnings management, indicating that the presence of women at the audit partner level leads to a reduction in earnings management. These findings, consistent with Dawson's gender theory and resource dependence theory, suggest that female auditors, due to characteristics such as greater conservatism and stronger professional ethics, play an effective role in improving the quality of financial reporting and reducing earnings manipulation. Additionally, supplementary tests, including propensity score matching (PSM) and analysis of changes in audit partner composition, support the main findings of the study. Given the specific cultural and institutional context of Iran, this research contributes to the existing literature on gender diversity and audit quality and can provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in enhancing the role of women in the auditing industry.
