Hedge accounting, IFRS 9 and audit fees: Evidence from China

Using data for 2016–2021 on a sample of Chinese non-financial firms, this study documents a positive association between the use of hedge accounting and audit fees and finds that the new requirements under International Financial Reporting Standards 9 (IFRS 9) help mitigate this positive relationship. Channel analyses show that the new hedge accounting requirements mitigate earnings volatility and accruals management, which results in audit fee reductions. Further, the post-IFRS 9 audit fee decrease is greater among large audit firms, firms in regions with higher marketisation levels and firms with better corporate governance.