We develop and estimate a two-sided matching model of auditors and clients. We find evidence that
auditors and clients engage in matching based on their preferences on both observable and unobservable
characteristics. This matching appears to partly explain the “Big 4 effect” on audit outcomes: after controlling for the
effects of matching, we find that the positive influence of having a Big 4 auditor on serious restatements and serious
comment letter conversations with the SEC either weakens or disappears. Collectively, our results highlight the
importance of accounting for two-sided matching between auditors and clients in understanding the influence of
auditors on clients’ financial reporting practices.
