High-quality auditors vs. high-quality audit: the reality in Oman

Abstract

The objective of this study is to explore the unique setting of Oman with respect to audit quality. This study measures the quality of audit by examining whether big-4 audit firms and industry specialist auditors have a role in improving the quality of the audit. We use data from the companies listed on the Oman capital market between 2006-2013. Using a panel data approach and two measures of audit quality for the purpose of this study, we find that the audit quality of big-4 audit firms and industry specialist auditors is low because they do not enhance the quality of discretionary accruals and do not have a propensity to issue going-concern audit opinion. We also document that big-4 audit firms and industry specialist auditors consider that religion and risk factors provide the means for achieving high-quality audit. This paper is different from prior studies because it is the first to comprehensively examine audit quality in a unique setting - the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Furthermore, it extends our understanding of the role of religiosity in audit quality.