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Understanding the Auditor Ratification database
Who is this article for?
Users who want to learn about the Auditor Ratification database.
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This article introduces the Auditor Ratification database, a resource for analysing shareholder voting outcomes on the approval of independent auditors across public companies.
1. Overview
- The Auditor Ratification database from Audit Analytics provides shareholder voting results for the ratification of independent auditors.
- These results are disclosed in SEC Form 8-K Item 5.07 and are typically reported within four business days after the vote.
- Coverage includes all '33 and '34 Act filers as required by the SEC.
2. Common uses
- Track shareholder vote outcomes for auditor ratification
- Identify companies with high percentages of votes against auditor ratification
- Filter data by company, auditor, vote results, industry, location, and more
- Benchmark shareholder voting trends across peer groups
- Analyse voting patterns by auditor, vote totals (for, against, abstain, broker non-votes), and percentage against
The Auditor Ratification database is available online, through WRDS, and via data feeds (Feed55) with a valid subscription.
- Saved Search Alerts: Yes
- Daily Summary Emails: No
3. Collection methodology
- Data is sourced from SEC filings including Form 8-K, 8-K/A, and Item 5.07
- Collected data includes:
- Auditor
- Share Class
- Fiscal Year End
- Vote Date
- Votes For
- Votes Against
- Votes Abstained – votes not cast for the proposal
- Broker Non-Votes – votes cast without instructions on non-routine matters
4. Search filters
The Auditor Ratification search page includes the following filters:
| Name | Description | Data Dictionary Field(s) | Sortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filter by Auditor | Search for a specific auditor or group | Auditor | Yes |
| Search by Ticker or CIK Code | Filter results to a specific company | CIK Code, Ticker | Yes |
| Market Index | Filter by market index | N/A | No |
| Market Cap | Filter by company market capitalisation | Market Cap ($) | Yes |
| Revenue | Filter by company revenue | Revenue ($) | Yes |
| Year Ended | Filter by fiscal year end | Year Ended | Yes |
| Search Industries | Filter by industry | SIC Code, NAICS Code Key | No |
| Company Location | Filter by business address | Location | No |
| File Date | Filter by SEC filing date | Filing Date | Yes |
| Vote Date | Filter by date of shareholder meeting | Vote Date | Yes |
| Vote % Against | Filter by percentage of votes against | Vote Against % | Yes |
5. Viewing results
- Results are displayed at the bottom of the search page
- Available downloads and links include:
- Auditor Ratification Data Dictionary
- CSV download of search results
- All fields in the CSV are defined in the Data Dictionary
- Company profile overviews
- Auditor profiles