SUMMARY
This study examines auditor commitment to clients and how it affects the level of value-added audit service (e.g., management letter comments) provided to the clients. Our research model is based on social exchange theory. Using a sample of 204 auditors at two public accounting firms that principally serve privately held clients, we find that perceived fair treatment by the client predicts perceived support from the client, and perceived support predicts auditor commitment to the client. We find that client commitment is positively associated with the extent of value-added audit service provided to the client. The results highlight the important role that perceptions of client fairness play in engendering social exchange relationships between individual auditors and clients. Higher-quality relationships lead to higher levels of service that go beyond the basic requirements of the audit itself.
