Firm Characteristics, Financial Performance, and Financial Reporting Quality of Listed Firms in Malawi

Sheron Ndhlovu
Malawi Adventist University
Email: ndhlovusher@gmail.com

Abstract: This study examines the relationship between firm characteristics (firmographics), financial performance, and financial reporting quality. The analysis focused on firm size, industry classification, profitability, and liquidity as key determinants of reporting practices. The findings reveal that industry membership significantly influences financial reporting quality, suggesting that sector-specific factors and regulatory environments play a critical role in shaping reporting outcomes. In contrast, firm size was found to be insignificant, indicating that larger firms do not necessarily produce higher-quality financial reports compared to smaller firms. Additionally, the results show that liquidity has a significant positive impact on financial reporting quality, highlighting the importance of financial stability and resource availability in ensuring transparent and reliable reporting. These findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on the determinants of financial reporting quality by underscoring the relevance of industry dynamics and financial health over firm size and profitability.