The impact of corporate governance on audit report lag: Evidence from listed companies in Vietnam

Abstract

This study examines the impact of corporate governance on audit report lag (ARL) among listed companies in Vietnam during the period 2021-2024. Data were collected from 291 companies and analyzed using panel data regression models with two-step GMM estimation. The results indicate that board meeting frequency and the presence of an audit committee are positively associated with ARL, implying a longer time to issue audit reports. In contrast, board size, ownership concentration, and audit quality (Big4 audit firms) do not have a significant impact on ARL. These findings provide empirical evidence on the role of corporate governance in financial reporting timeliness in an emerging market context such as Vietnam. Based on the results, the study offers implications for firms and regulators to enhance the effectiveness of corporate governance mechanisms, thereby reducing ARL.