Experience and the organization of auditors’ knowledge

Abstract

Recent audit research has explored the impact of auditors’ knowledge on various audit judgments. However, for this knowledge to influence the search for and interpretation of audit evidence, it must first be retrieved from the auditor’s knowledge base. At least two organization schemes have been identified in audit research ‐ transaction cycle and audit objective. Directly compares the two schemes in a preliminary analytical procedures context. Using multiple tests, indicates that the inexperienced auditors and experienced managers/partners exhibit an audit objective organization scheme, while experienced audit staff and seniors exhibit characteristics of both an audit objective and transaction cycle organization scheme, with neither scheme dominating. Task‐specific experience appears to have little effect on knowledge organization until a significant amount of experience is gained.