Audit Committee Research: Where Do We Stand, and Where Do We Go from Here?

SUMMARY Audit committees (ACs) are a topic of significant research interest, with numerous studies published each year. We synthesize AC findings from articles published between 2010 and 2020 to develop a conceptual framework encompassing AC inputs, processes, and outputs. We then provide new insights related to AC characteristics, AC relationships, the AC environment, and AC oversight processes. We encourage future research addressing underexamined AC characteristics (e.g., diversity, busyness, and tenure); AC relationships, environment, and processes; and outcomes related to internal audit and internal controls. We also encourage researchers to focus on four contemporary AC issues (remote work; new technologies and cybersecurity; environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and climate; and AC workload) and to embrace diverse research methods and theories. We provide numerous specific research questions to guide future research toward advancing our understanding of ACs and their impact on corporate governance.