Audit Fee Determinants in CEE Companies Before and During COVID-19

Audit fee serves not only as a compensation for external audit firms to ensure the accuracy and reliability of a company’s financial statements, but it also plays a role in the financial market, by simultaneously reflecting the accounting quality and overall standing of the auditee. This exploratory study aims to identify the factors determining the audit fees of Central and Eastern European companies taking into account periods before and during COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings indicate an upward trend in audit fees for CEE companies during COVID-19, with total assets of auditee and affiliation with Big Four auditors being positive determinants in both periods.