The Tax Litigation-auditor change nexus: strategic rotation patterns in Brazil's hyper-litigious environment.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Tax Litigation-auditor change nexus: strategic rotation patterns in Brazil's hyper-litigious environment.
Alternate Title: O nexo entre Litigiosidade Tributária e troca de auditor: padrões estratégicos de rotação no ambiente hiper-litigioso brasileiro.
Authors: Lopo Martinez, Antonio, Fonseca do Amaral, Ana Clara, Brasil, Camila Viana, Ribeiro Soares, Larissa, Taboada Pinheiro, Laura Edith
Source: Brazilian Journal of Management / Revista de Administração da UFSM. Jul-Sep2025, Vol. 18 Issue 3, p1-24. 24p.
Subjects: Corporate governance, Auditors, Investor confidence, Audit departments, Brazilians, Tax court decisions
Geographic Terms: Brazil
Abstract (English): Purpose: This study investigates whether tax litigation influences voluntary changes in audit firms among Brazilian publicly listed companies operating within a highly litigious tax environment. Design/methodology/approach: Using panel data on B3 firms from 2014 to 2023, the study estimates logistic models. Tax litigation is proxied by tax-related provisions plus contingent liabilities scaled by total assets. Control variables include firm size, Big Four engagement, and a COVID-19 crisis dummy (2020-2021). Findings: The results indicate that greater tax litigation is positively associated with the likelihood of a voluntary audit firm change. Each 1 p.p. rise in tax contingencies relative to assets raises the change probability by about 2.58 p.p. Larger firms change more often. At the same time, Big Four audits and the COVID-19 crisis period are associated with a lower probability of change. Research limitations/implications: The use of provisions and disclosed contingencies as proxies may not capture all disputes; the sample covers only listed firms. Results highlight the governance role of audit-firm choice under tax risk. Practical implications: The findings inform audit committees' retention and rotation policies and guide auditors' client-risk assessments in litigious contexts. Social implications: Clearer auditor-client alignment in the context of tax risk can reduce information asymmetry and support investor confidence. Originality/value: The study identifies a direct link between tax litigation intensity and voluntary audit firm change in Brazil, advancing evidence on how corporate governance adapts in high-litigation settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Abstract (Portuguese): Objetivo: Investigar como a litigiosidade tributária influencia decisões de rotação voluntária de auditores em empresas listadas no Brasil, caracterizado por níveis excepcionais de litigância tributária. Desenho/metodologia/abordagem: Realizou-se regressão logística com dados em painel das companhias abertas listadas na B3 entre 2014 e 2023. A variável independente principal foi mensurada através das provisões e passivos contingentes tributários como proporção do ativo total. As variáveis de controle incluíram tamanho da empresa, presença de auditoria Big Four e períodos de crise econômica (COVID-19). Resultados: A litigiosidade tributária aumentou significativamente a probabilidade de troca voluntária de auditor. Cada aumento percentual nas provisões tributárias relativas aos ativos totais elevou a probabilidade de mudança de auditor em aproximadamente 2,58 pontos percentuais. Empresas maiores têm maior tendência à troca, enquanto auditoria Big Four e períodos de crise econômica reduziram essa probabilidade. Limitações/implicações da pesquisa: As limitações incluem o uso das provisões e passivos contingentes como proxies para litígios, podendo não captar completamente os aspectos qualitativos das disputas tributárias. O foco em empresas listadas limita a generalização. Implicações práticas: Auditores podem melhor compreender estratégias de retenção de clientes em contextos litigiosos. Reguladores podem aprimorar políticas para melhorar a qualidade das auditorias e a conformidade tributária. Implicações sociais: O estudo promove transparência nas relações auditor-cliente, reduzindo assimetria informacional e aumentando a confiança dos investidores. Originalidade/valor: O estudo preenche uma lacuna ao analisar especificamente a rotação de auditores como resposta estratégica à litigiosidade tributária no contexto brasileiro, oferecendo insights sobre adaptações da governança corporativa diante de desafios regulatórios extremos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:Purpose: This study investigates whether tax litigation influences voluntary changes in audit firms among Brazilian publicly listed companies operating within a highly litigious tax environment. Design/methodology/approach: Using panel data on B3 firms from 2014 to 2023, the study estimates logistic models. Tax litigation is proxied by tax-related provisions plus contingent liabilities scaled by total assets. Control variables include firm size, Big Four engagement, and a COVID-19 crisis dummy (2020-2021). Findings: The results indicate that greater tax litigation is positively associated with the likelihood of a voluntary audit firm change. Each 1 p.p. rise in tax contingencies relative to assets raises the change probability by about 2.58 p.p. Larger firms change more often. At the same time, Big Four audits and the COVID-19 crisis period are associated with a lower probability of change. Research limitations/implications: The use of provisions and disclosed contingencies as proxies may not capture all disputes; the sample covers only listed firms. Results highlight the governance role of audit-firm choice under tax risk. Practical implications: The findings inform audit committees' retention and rotation policies and guide auditors' client-risk assessments in litigious contexts. Social implications: Clearer auditor-client alignment in the context of tax risk can reduce information asymmetry and support investor confidence. Originality/value: The study identifies a direct link between tax litigation intensity and voluntary audit firm change in Brazil, advancing evidence on how corporate governance adapts in high-litigation settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:19834659
DOI:10.5902/1983465992051