Survey Finds Audit Fees on Rise

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that audit fees are rising as a result of new regulations and accounting rules. Citing a report from the Financial Education & Research Foundation, the WSJ reports that average hourly fees public companies pay to external auditors have climbed 31% over the past decade to $283 in 2018 and audit fees are expected to continue to increase. The FERF told the WSJ that new accounting standards were the primary reason respondents gave for changes in audit fees.