This study investigates the influence of audit committee characteristics on the likelihood of financial restatements by firms in Malaysia. Annual reports of 350 firms that have restated their financial statements in the year 2008 and 2009 are analyzed. An additional 350 firms that did not restate their financial statements are considered, resulting in a total of 700 observations. Regression analysis identifies audit committee characteristics such as its independence, size, expertise and activity as statistically significant in explaining the likelihood of financial restatements. This article highlights the important role of the audit committee in mitigating financial restatements by firms in Malaysia.

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This study examines the effectiveness of audit committee independence when moderated by firms’ family ownership. This is to investigate the implication of revised Malaysia Code on Corporate Governance (2007) that requires majority composition of independence directors in the audit committee. We study 1,206 firm-year observations between fiscal years 2004 to 2009 of firms listed in Bursa Malaysia. The findings suggest that independent directors are more effective in curbing earnings management when there is stronger ownership of family members. Our research offers insights on the important of family institutional structures on corporate governance reforms in Malaysia. Malaysian family firms are mostly traditional firms which have built their reputation and strength in the industry for many generations. The reputation built, improve shareholders confidence and reduce potential agency conflicts