... multivariate ordered probit and binary regression models, we determine that contingent payments are less common when the target is audited by a Big N auditor after controlling for several other deal and firm characteristics. Furthermore, we find that the incentive to use stock payments in periods of stock...

...Yuan Xie; Han S. Yi; Yinqi Zhang SUMMARY: Using a large sample between 1987 and 2006, we document that firms with Big N auditors are (1) more likely to become merger and acquisition (M&A) targets, and (2) more likely to be ultimately acquired in M&A deals. Cross-sectional analyses further...