Timeliness of Audited Financial Reports of Malaysian Listed Companies
Hashanah Ismail, Mazlina Mustapha, Cho Oik Ming

Abstract
This study examines the determinants of audit delay among Malaysian public listed companies before the Code of Corporate Governance was revised. Specifically, the study examines the relationship between audit delay and audit opinion as well as the characteristics of audit committee independence, the frequency of meetings held during the financial year and the financial literacy of audit committee members. Based on 636 annual reports of companies listed on the Main board of Bursa Malaysia the study finds that only 2.3% of companies experienced delays and audit delay is associated with the type of audit opinion other than an unqualified one. Types of external auditor and change in auditor are also seemingly not significant factors influencing audit delay. The difference in characteristics of audit committee between companies with audit delay and companies without audit delay is not significant suggesting therefore that in form, listed companies have similar audit committee characteristics.

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