Data for this study were generated through secondary source from annual reports and accounts of fifty one
randomly selected quoted companies in Nigeria. The data generated were then analyzed with the use of multiple
regression analysis with the aid of E-view. The data for the study are presented in appendix 1. The model for the
study is presented below:
RLBT = f(COMPS, PROFIT, AGE, SAP)………………………………………………………………….. (1)
In econometric form, we have;
RLBT = f(a + a1COMPSit + a2PROFITit+ a3AGE + a4SAFit + ei)............................... (2)
Where; RLFT = Total accruals at time t scaled by total assets at time t-1 COMP = Company size, PROFIT =
Profitability, AGE = Company age, SAF is Size of audit firm, a0 = the intercept a1 = Impact of company size a2
= impact of profitability a3 = Impact of company age a4 = impact of size of audit firm e.i = the error term
From the table in Appendix IA, Accrual figures of the various companies to represent Reliability of Financial
Reporting (RLBT). The book value of total assets at the end of financial year was used to represent the various
company sizes (COMPS). The net profit figures of the various companies were used to represent their
profitability (PROFIT). The age of the companies (AGE) was represented by the number of years of existence of
the companies since the first annual general meeting. The size of the audit firm (SAF) was coded 1 for
international audit firms or local firms with international affiliation and 0 represented local audit firms.
The result of the analysis is presented below in table 1.