Research on the Impact of Senior Executives' Information Technology Background on Reducing Audit Fees

The application of information technology by top management to enhance operational efficiency is crucial for curbing audit costs. This paper investigates how senior executives' IT backgrounds influence audit fees and uncovers the underlying mechanism. Our findings show that firms led by executives with IT experience pay significantly lower audit fees. Mediation analysis reveals that these executives drive down fees by accelerating the firm's digital transformation. Further tests indicate that this effect is especially pronounced when auditors demonstrate stronger professional competence and in non-state-owned enterprises. By enriching the literature on the consequences of corporate IT adoption, this study provides new empirical evidence for audit fee setting.