It is important to note that although we attempt to control explicitly for endogeneity bias and correlated omitted variables through the use of a propensity score matched pair approach and a changes model, each method has its own limitations. Therefore, our ability to infer causality between equity incentives and internal control quality is limited. To the extent that we cannot rule out the possibility that some unobservable firm characteristics drive our results, the documented evidence is best interpreted as associational rather than causal.