本研究旨在分析金融危機期間，審計意見變化的趨勢，探討當經濟環境在不確定時，會計師是否適當地評估企業的繼續經營能力，及合理的出具審計意見。本研究係以2005年至2010年美國Audit Analytics資料庫所有公司為研究對象，共97,350筆觀測值做為樣本進行研究。研究結果顯示：(1) 繼續經營能力有疑慮審計意見的比例從2005年的16%上升到2008年的21%。(2) 在金融危機期間以娛樂業、住宿和餐飲業及金融保險業繼續經營能力有疑慮審計意見的比例上升幅度最大。(3) 無論四大事務所或非四大事務所，在金融危機期間出具繼續經營能力有疑慮審計意見的比例皆較前幾年度上升。(4) 在2006年公司未收到繼續經營有疑慮的審計意見卻宣告破產的比例為64%，2008年則下降至39%；公司於前一年度收到繼續經營有疑慮的審計意見，但未宣告破產之情形，也從2005年的16%上升至2008年的21%。本研究說明了在金融危機期間審計意見適當的反應了當時經濟的不確定性，且合理表達企業繼續經營之能力。

This study examines the responses of auditors to the financial crisis, and explore whether auditors could properly evaluate a company’s ability to continue as a going concern in the time of economic uncertainty. Using data collected from Audit Analytics, I find that: (1) The proportion of going concern opinion increased from 16% in 2005 to 21% in 2008. (2) During financial crisis, more going concern opinions have been issued in industries such as Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation、Accommodation and Food Services, and Finance and Insurance. (3) Both Big Four auditors and non-Big Four auditors increased the frequency to issue going concern opinion during the financial crisis compared with the pre-crisis period. (4) The proportion of bankrupt companies not receiving a going concern report in the prior year was 64% in 2005 and dropped to 39% in 2008. In addition, the proportion of companies that receive going concern opinions but did not go bankrupt in the next year increased from 16% in 2005 to 21% in 2008. Therefore, the results support that auditors appropriately respond to the increased risks stemming from the economic crisis.

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