The role of independent directors on financial reporting quality: a review of previous research

Abstract

As a result of recent national and international financial scandals, the financial information published by companies has often lost its credibility and transparency. In an attempt to regain confidence in the information produced and released by companies, a series of codes of good corporate governance have been published, with one of their main recommendations being that the Board of Directors be composed of external directors, particularly independent directors, given the role they can play in ensuring the production of quality financial information. Independent directors are those who, appointed for their professional and personal qualities, can perform their duties without being influenced by direct relationships with the company, its significant shareholders or managers. Therefore, this paper aims to review the literature which refers to the impact that independent directors on the Board of Directors have on the quality of financial reporting. The results revealed by the studies have mostly shown a positive relationship between the tasks performed by such directors and the quality and integrity of accounting information. However, it should be emphasized that the results documented in the studies carried out in a Spanish and Anglo-Saxon context differ somewhat, which could be explained by the legal, cultural, social and corporate governance culture differences, amongst others, which exist between the two countries.