新외감법의 감사인 지정제도 개정시행으로 인한 영향: 외부감사인 등급 하향신청 기업을 중심으로

The recently revised External Audit Law was designed to improve accounting transparency and reliability through the implementation of the auditor designation system. Based on the results of a survey of companies and auditors on the effect of implementation of the auditor designation system, this study reviews how the system is being affected in accounting practice and its policy suggestions. According to this study, firstly, the independence of auditors was expected to increase, and secondly, for audit quality, where auditors expected the audit quality to be higher in 2020 and the previous year, companies expected the audit quality to be the same or similar as in the past, indicating a specific difference in perspective between auditors and companies. Third, both companies and auditors were calling for improvement on the downward grade application system for external auditors. Finally, auditors were generally in favor of the designation system, but companies were not in favor of it, so even if the auditor designation system is maintained, more detailed improvement is needed. This study is the first result of examining the perspective of companies and auditors following the implementation of the auditor designation system under the revised External Audit Law. It also contributes to examine specific differences in the perspective of companies and auditors on the implementation of the auditor designation system, and also suggests directions of the financial supervisory authorities' policy for improvement on the auditor designation system by specifically examining areas, such as the downward grade application system for external auditors.