School of Accountancy Faculty Publications and Presentations

Chief Financial Officer Turnover, Sarbanes–Oxley, and Market Reactions

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2023

Abstract

We argue that forced CFO turnover has a complex relation with SOX reports of internal control problems. Sometimes forced turnover precedes an adverse SOX report whereas, in other cases, forced turnover follows the unfavorable SOX opinion. Further, financial markets are aware of this complex relation. Using a large sample collected over eight years, we find evidence to support our arguments. Regarding market reactions, we find that upon the announcement of CFO turnover, cumulative abnormal returns (CAR) are negative and significant for forced resignations. This reaction is mitigated if an unfavorable SOX opinion had been issued for the prior year. We also find that negative market reactions to adverse SOX reports are attenuated, in part, by whether the company previously forced the CFO to leave.

Comments

Free access.

© World Scientific Publishing Co. and Center for Pacific Basin Business, Economics and Finance Research

Publication Title

Review of Pacific Basin Financial Markets and Policies

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219091523500042

Share

COinS