However, because the number of shareholders in a close
corporation is smaller, it is likely that a 50% stake is needed to achieve control
(e.g. Bennedsen and Wolfenzon, 2000). Finally, the choice of a firm’s auditor is
likely to affect earnings quality and Big 4 audit firms are usually associated to less
earnings management (Johl, Jubb and Houghton, 2007).