Bağımsız Denetim Sürecinin Covid-19 Salgınının Etkileri Açısından Değerlendirilmesi (Evaluation of Independent Audit Process in terms of Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic)

Abstract

Purpose – The coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19), which emerged in the Wuhan province of the People's Republic of China in December 2019 and later has spread rapidly to the whole world, has a serious impact on life of people, economy of countries and activity of businesses. It is inevitable that coronavirus pandemic affects the independent audit processes of businesses as well as many other fields. This study aims to provide contribution with independent auditors who have conducted audit activities nowadays by dicussing the current and potential effects of the coronavirus on the independent audit process and the independent audit report that is the output of this process. Design/methodology/approach – The current and potential effects were evaluated in terms of independent audit process and requirements of International Standard on Auditing (ISA) and examined to what extent auditors draw attention the said effects in the independent audit reports of the companies subject to independent audit published on the websites www.kap.org.tr and www.spk.gov.tr. To do this, document examination method which is one of the qualitative research methods in social sciences is used. The universe used in the study is whole auditor’s reports (81 reports) issued as of the date of investigation made for the study. Findings – Given the current and potential effects, it is seen that coronavirus has serious effects on independent audit process and independent auditors must consider the said effects while planning audit process and preparing auditor’s report. Discussion – It is seen that covid-19 pandemic has important effects on audit's planning and practicing, collecting physical evidence and independent audit process. Therefore, in order to reduce the audit risk, independent auditors should plan the audit process in accordance with this situation and reflect these effects on their report when preparing their “auditor's report”.