Persistent internal control failures: Examining multiple consecutive years of disclosing material weaknesses

Abstract

In this study, we analyze a sample of accelerated filers that have reported material weaknesses (MWs) in their internal controls for multiple consecutive years. The recent emphasis by the Securities and Exchange Commission on improving accounting and controls within public companies has led to heightened scrutiny of firms with ongoing MW disclosures. Analyzing data from 2004 to 2021, we find that approximately one-third of MW observations are for 2 or more consecutive years, with the longest duration being 12 years. Our research shows that these firms face progressively higher audit fees and longer audit report lags for each additional year of MW disclosure. Firm–years with long-standing MW disclosures (5 or more consecutive years) have the highest audit fees and the longest audit report lags. Our findings also reveal a significant increase in the likelihood of misstatements during the first and second consecutive years of MW disclosures, and a consistent and notable rise in discretionary accruals over the initial 4 consecutive years of MW reporting for these firms. Overall, our results highlight the financial repercussions for firms that do not promptly address MWs in their internal controls. These consequences include higher audit fees, extended audit report lags, and declining financial reporting quality.