Timeliness of corporate annual financial reporting in Greece

Abstract This paper reports on the results of an empirical investigation of the factors that affect timely annual financial reporting practices by 95 non-financial, group companies listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. A descriptive analysis indicates that 92% of the companies reported early (relative to the 161-day regulatory deadline), 3% reported on the 161st day and 5% reported late. A multivariate regression analysis suggests that large companies, service companies and companies audited by the former Big-5 audit firms have shorter final reporting lead-time. Our tests provide strong empirical evidence to suggest, however, that companies in the construction sector, companies whose audit reports were qualified and companies that had a greater proportion of their equity shares directly and indirectly held by insiders do not promptly release their audited financial statements. No empirical evidence was found in support of the monitoring cost theory. Policy implications of the results for the regulatory agency of the stock market are suggested.