파트너 감사시간과 파트너 수준의 핵심감사사항 유사도

This study investigates whether partner-level Key Audit Matter (KAM) similarity reflects the concept of partner style, as defined in prior research. Specifically, we examine the relationship between KAM similarity and the proportion of audit hours attributed to the engagement partner. We analyze 3,914 firm-year observations from 2020 to 2022, a period during which KAM disclosure became mandatory for all listed firms. The results show that a higher proportion of partner audit hours is positively associated with greater KAM similarity. In contrast, we find no significant association between KAM similarity and the audit hours of other team members, such as registered accountants, staff, or quality control reviewers. This supports the interpretation of KAM similarity as a valid proxy for the engagement partner’s actual audit involvement. Our findings remain robust after controlling for partner- and firm-level characteristics and applying firm fixed effects. This study contributes to the literature by validating KAM similarity as a novel partner-level variable. It also advances the understanding of partner fixed effects in audit research. Furthermore, we provide empirical evidence that engagement partners enhance audit report comparability by increasing KAM similarity, thereby helping to mitigate information asymmetry from a qualitative disclosure perspective.