Dinâmica dos honorários de auditoria: uma análise nas empresas brasileiras de capital aberto

Abstract

Independent auditing acts as a mechanism to reduce information asymmetry in the capital market, helping to minimize agency conflicts and strengthen corporate governance. In this context, the main objective of this study is to examine the dynamics of independent auditors' compensation in Brazilian companies listed on B3 between 2010 and 2022, analyzing its evolution over time, variations by sector, the participation of Big Four firms, and the composition of the fees. From a methodological standpoint, the research employed a quantitative approach, using a sample of 3,089 observations from 371 companies. The data were obtained from CVM Reference Forms and analyzed through descriptive statistics and mean comparison tests The main results indicate that most of the resources spent are represented by recurring audit fees, evidencing the legal requirement of Law No. 11,638/2007, while consulting and public offering services have a residual character. The study showed that pricing over time is stable and that there are no significant differences between economic sectors. This indicates that the price is primarily defined by the entity's individual characteristics, such as asset size and risk. In addition, no significant differences were observed in basic audit values between the Big Four and other firms, although large global corporations receive higher compensation for strategic and complementary services, which demonstrates a premium for quality and reputation recognized by the market