Enhance Audit Quality Research Articles

Does Engagement Partners’ Effort Affect Audit Quality? With a Focus on the Effects of Internal Control System

An audit team includes engagement partners, CPAs, and staff. Among them, partners play a vital role in performing tasks that require expertise and experience, such as analyzing and understanding the industry, and supervising the overall audit process. In detail, the partners establish an audit plan, determine the overall audit time, provide the audit input ratio of the engagement team, and review the audit reports. This study examines for association between the partner’s audit hour ratio and audit quality depending on the client firms’ characteristics. Although the role of partners is important, the information about partner audit hours is limited. However, the Korean government requires audit firms to disclose the partner hour information in the audit report starting in the 2014 fiscal year. By the disclosure, it is possible to examine the association between partner audit hours and audit quality. In this study, the information on partner audit hour is hand-collected from the firms’ business reports. Using 6340 observations from 2014 to 2017, the partner audit hour ratio is associated with audit quality, under the characteristics of client firms. Firms’ risks are adopted for client characteristics, and we focused on the operation of internal control. The internal control operation level is measured by the following: (1) the ratio of internal control personnel and (2) experience of the internal control personnel in the accounting and IT departments. The result suggests that for the firms where internal control is not effectively operated, partners make more effort to enhance audit quality.

Man Versus Machine: Complex Estimates and Auditor Reliance on Artificial Intelligence

ABSTRACTAudit firms are investing billions of dollars to develop artificial intelligence (AI) systems that will help auditors execute challenging tasks (e.g., evaluating complex estimates). Although firms assume AI will enhance audit quality, a growing body of research documents that individuals often exhibit “algorithm aversion”—the tendency to discount computer‐based advice more heavily than human advice, although the advice is identical otherwise. Therefore, we conduct an experiment to examine how algorithm aversion manifests in auditor judgments. Consistent with theory, we find that auditors receiving contradictory evidence from their firm's AI system (instead of a human specialist) propose smaller adjustments to management's complex estimates, particularly when management develops their estimates using relatively objective (vs. subjective) inputs. Our findings suggest auditor susceptibility to algorithm aversion could prove costly for the profession and financial statements users.

Does task-specific knowledge improve audit quality: Evidence from audits of income tax accounts

Two forms of expertise can influence audit quality: industry and task-specific expertise. If tax knowledge is predominately task-specific, audit offices with increased exposure to complex tax issues will develop tax task-specific expertise. Using outcomes related to income tax account audits, we examine whether tax task-specific knowledge (TSK) accumulates at the audit office level and affects the income tax accounts’ audit quality. We find that tax TSK increases the income tax accounts' audit quality, suggesting individual tax TSK accumulates at the office level. Additionally, semi-structured interviews of partners/senior managers at Big 4 audit firms validate group information processing as a theory that explains TSK developing at the office level and confirms that tax knowledge is predominately task-specific with some industry-specific knowledge. We contribute to and extend the literature examining audit office expertise by providing evidence that exposure to complex tax issues develops TSK at the office level and enhances audit quality. These findings provide archival and qualitative evidence of how TSK develops at the office level.

The Implications of Board Independence and Foreign Ownership on Audit Quality of Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria

This study investigated the implications of board independence and foreign ownership on audit quality of manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are to examine the effects of board independence as well as foreign ownership on audit quality of manufacturing firms quoted in Nigeria. Secondary data were carefully collected from a total of fifty eight (58) quoted manufacturing firms in Nigeria for the period (2010 – 2018) and the binary model of regression (logit, probit and gombit) was properly used for hypotheses testing. The outcome reveals that board independence had a positive and insignificant influence on audit quality while foreign ownership had a positive and significant influence on audit quality. The study therefore recommends that composition of the board should be such that its function is not undermined and one of such ways is to have an appropriate mixture with non-executive directors. Also having foreign ownership could enhance audit quality given the different corporate cultures they may possess.

The effects of self‐esteem and perspective‐taking on group auditor's review actions

We examine the effects of self‐esteem and perspective‐taking—both separately and jointly—on group auditors' selection of the next steps after reviewing the findings of a component auditor on a warranty provision. These individual and situational determinants of professional scepticism are important factors for enhancing audit quality in multinational group audits given the concerns about group audit quality raised by regulators. We hypothesize that group auditors who have high self‐esteem and are prompted to take the regulator's perspective plan more effective next steps after reviewing the work of component auditors. In an experiment with 103 audit partners and managers, we measured self‐esteem and manipulated a perspective‐taking prompt. As hypothesized, we find that group auditors who have high self‐esteem or who are prompted to take the regulator's perspective plan more effective next steps than those with low self‐esteem or who are unprompted. We find no support for an interaction between self‐esteem and perspective‐taking in the context of our study. Audit firms can use the insights from our study in selecting group auditors based on self‐esteem and developing firm policies to consider the regulator's perspective when reviewing the findings of component auditors to enhance audit quality in multinational group audits.

Does the Length of the Cooling-Off Period Affect Audit Quality?

SUMMARYThis paper examines the association between the length of the cooling-off period and audit quality: (1) when partners rotate back and (2) during the cooling-off period, ahead of an extension to the minimum cooling-off period requirement in Australia. Using multiple measures of audit quality, we find some evidence of a positive association between the cooling-off period length and audit quality when partners rotate back, yet evidence of a negative association between the two, during the cooling-off period. We also find that auditor and client characteristics—such as partner busyness, client knowledge, geographic proximity, and client importance—play important roles in determining the cooling-off period length and whether a partner rotates back onto a client. Overall, we provide timely evidence that extending the cooling-off period only marginally enhances audit quality when a partner rotates back onto a client, and evidence of an unintended consequence of this policy during the cooling-off period.Data Availability: Data are publicly available.JEL Classifications: M42.

Auditor tenure and audit quality: an investigation of moderating factors prior to the commencement of mandatory rotations in India

PurposeThe Indian Companies Act 2013 mandated auditor rotations in the financial year 2018–2019. Similar regulations are being considered in many countries, based on the assumption that longer tenure is detrimental to audit quality; yet, the evidence from investigations of this assumption is inconclusive. This paper aims to examine the effect of moderating factors on the relation between audit quality and audit tenure, given the regulatory trend and the lack of consensus in extant literature.Design/methodology/approachThis paper examines the relationship between audit quality and audit tenure among Indian firms from 2001 to 2015 and tests for moderating factors including auditor compensation, business group affiliation and chief executive officer (CEO) duality.FindingsContrary to the objective of mandatory rotations, this study finds that longer auditor tenure generally enhanced audit quality among Indian firms prior to mandatory rotations. However, for companies paying abnormally high compensation to auditors, this paper finds that longer tenure decreases audit quality, particularly if the firm is affiliated with a business group or firms where the CEO also serves as the board chair. Thus, the potential benefits of mandated shorter tenure appear to be confined to high-fee paying companies with a business group affiliation and/or a dual-role CEO.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first to examine conditioning factors that affect the relationship between audit quality and auditor tenure. Results suggest that regulations limiting auditor tenure would be beneficial only to the shareholders of a narrow group of firms; while for the majority of firms, limiting auditor tenure may actually be counter-productive.

English

Although the audit expectation gap has been subject to substantial research over the past two decades, it remains a controversial issue for the audit profession. This study, therefore, examines the existence of an audit expectation gap in Cameroon between auditors and users (accountants, bankers, and investors), assesses the dimensions of the gap, and relates the findings to prior findings on the expectation gap. A survey questionnaire capturing fifteen semantic different belief statements on a five-point Likert scale was filled by respondents (n=365). The questionnaire addressed issues concerning auditors’ duties, and the consistency and usefulness of audits and audited statements of account. The results indicate significant evidence (α = 0.05) of an audit expectation gap concerning auditors’ accountability to prevent as well as detect fraud and to maintain the soundness of internal control systems, and issues related to auditors' objectivity and impartiality. An expectation gap was equally observed regarding auditors’ trustworthiness and whether audited statements of accounts obviously articulated the degree of guarantee and the work performed by auditors. We mainly recommend the establishment of an informative and educational platform aimed at keeping users abreast of auditors’ responsibilities. These findings serve as a critical reference point for policymakers and regulators interested in enhancing audit quality and audit reliability in Cameroon and other developing economies exhibiting similar audit regulatory and socio-economic characteristics as Cameroon.   Key words: Auditing, auditors, cameroon, expectation, perception, users.

Auditing in the Digital Era: Challenges and Opportunities for Auditor

This qualitative study explores the challenges and opportunities faced by auditors in the digital era, focusing on data privacy concerns, cybersecurity threats, skills shortages, and regulatory complexities. Grounded theory methodology was employed to analyze literature encompassing auditing in the digital environment. Data collected from various scholarly sources were systematically reviewed, synthesized, and analyzed using open and axial coding techniques. The findings reveal that auditors encounter significant challenges related to navigating stringent data privacy regulations such as the GDPR and CCPA, addressing evolving cybersecurity threats, mitigating skills shortages in critical areas like data analytics and cybersecurity, and complying with dynamic regulatory frameworks like ISAs, GAAS, and SOX. However, amidst these challenges, auditors also have opportunities to enhance audit quality through advanced technologies like data analytics and AI, expand their scope of assurance services, and improve client collaboration using digital communication tools. The study underscores the importance of proactive measures to address skills shortages, foster collaboration between auditors and stakeholders, and adapt audit methodologies to the digital landscape. Overall, the research provides insights into the complex interplay between auditors, digital technologies, and regulatory environments, offering implications for audit practice, education, and research.

Showcasing Audit Quality through Voluntary Public Disclosure of Audit Quality Indicators

SUMMARYPublic accounting firms continuously invest significant resources into enhancing audit quality. In this paper, we summarize Brown and Popova's (2019) key findings related to public disclosure of audit quality indicators (AQIs) and discuss important implications for audit practitioners. Specifically, we discuss the current landscape of AQI disclosure from a regulatory and practitioner standpoint, and we provide recommendations for audit practitioners to consider when developing their own framework for AQI disclosure. Finally, we discuss how important stakeholder groups such as individual investors are influenced by AQI disclosures when making significant decisions concerning the audit firm (e.g., making auditor ratification decisions) and the audit client (e.g., making investment changes). The insights provided in our summary inform audit practitioners on how to showcase their audit quality enhancement efforts through voluntary AQI disclosure.

Revealing Oz: Institutional Work Shaping Auditors' National Office Consultations*

ABSTRACTNational office consultations (NOCs) are a mechanism intended to enhance audit quality, consistent with the logic of professionalism inherent in the audit profession. Yet research indicates that the competing logic of commercialism has become institutionalized in audit firms. We examine how the coexisting and conflicting logics of professionalism and commercialism manifest themselves in the current NOC dynamic. Specifically, we interview 22 highly experienced Big 4 audit firm partners to investigate how key actors engage in institutional work that creates, maintains, and disrupts the influence of professionalism and commercialism in NOC practices. We observe a swing of the pendulum: in the wake of SOX, audit firms adopted professionalism‐based practices which involved creating a more authoritative, “Oz”‐like national office identity, while in recent years key actors' institutional work reconfigured NOC practices and placed a renewed focus on commercialism. Our findings bring to light a number of implications that offer opportunities for future research. Although the new client‐inclusive culture aims to improve audit outcomes by encouraging consultations and fostering open dialogue with clients, it also exposes the national office to relationship‐management pressures and client‐service demands. Thus, practices developed to uphold professionalism also created a channel for commercialism‐focused practices, leading to unintended second‐order effects.

Big data and data analytics in auditing: in search of legitimacy

PurposeThis study aims to analyze the utilization of big data and data analytics (BDA) in financial auditing, focusing on the process of producing legitimacy around these techniques, the factors fostering or hindering such process and the action auditors take to legitimate BDA inside and outside the audit community.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis bases on semi-structured interviews with partners and senior managers of Italian audit companies.FindingsThe BDA’s legitimation process is more advanced in the audit professional environment than outside the audit community. The Big Four lead the BDA-driven audit innovation process and BDA is used to complement traditional audit procedures. Outside the audit community, the digital maturity of audit clients, the lack of audit standards and the audit oversight authority’s negative view prevent the full legitimation of BDA.Practical implicationsThis research highlights factors influencing the utilization of BDA to enhance audit quality. The results can, thus, be used to enhance the audit strategy and to innovate audit practices by using BDA as a source of adequate audit evidence. Audit regulators and standards setters can also use the results to revise the current auditing standards and guidance.Originality/valueThis study adds to the literature on digital transformation in auditing by analyzing the legitimation process of a new audit technique. The paper answers the call for more empirical studies on the utilization of BDA in financial auditing by analyzing the application of such techniques in an unexplored operational setting in which auditees are mainly medium-sized enterprises and family-run businesses.

Impact of Auditor Competence, Integrity, and Ethics on Audit Quality in Saudi Arabia

This research is conducted to investigate the impact of auditor’s competency, integrity, and ethics on audit quality from the perceptions of auditors. The data is collected through questionnaires distributed to auditors in auditing firms in Saudi Arabia. The sample used was amounted to 102 auditors. The study surveyed different external auditors to explore their audit process attributes for achieving quality of audit. The findings show that the attributes of competence, integrity, and ethics have significant impact on audit quality. The findings indicate that the most important elements of attributes affecting audit quality are auditors’ continuous improvement and training programs, ways of carrying out their duties, and their compliance to code of conduct. This study extends the literature on audit quality and provides useful insights for audit firms and professional bodies for the policies and producers to be adopted and implemented to enhance audit quality.

Antecedents of IFRS Compliance: The Moderating Effect of Audit Quality

Despite the significant non-compliance with IFRS, most audit reports provide unqualified opinion which brings into question the audit quality in enforcing IFRS compliance. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine the antecedents of compliance with IFRS by focusing on the moderating effect of audit quality on the association of firm characteristics and IFRS compliance. The collection of data was done through quantitative content analysis of annual reports of 20 Zambian listed companies and Zambia Institute of chartered Accountants covering the years 2012 to 2018. Being a longitudinal study requiring panel data analysis, a Hausman test was done to choose the model to employ. The Hausman test showed that the random effect model was suitable. Results indicate that audit quality moderates the association of firm characteristics and IFRS compliance. Also, there was a positive association between firm size and compliance with IFRS. There was a negative association between firm profitability and compliance with IFRS. However, there was a statistically insignificant positive association between foreign investors, institutional investors, audit quality and IFRS compliance. The study suggests that large companies are expected to comply more with IFRSs and profitable firms withhold financial information. Audit quality was not impaired probably due to the size of the audit firms and international affiliation. Meanwhile, the influence of institutional investors and foreign investors on IFRS compliance was insignificant probably because both institutional and foreign investors in Zambian listed companies are transient investors without significant incentives to demand financial disclosures and they may have other means to access financial information. The financial reporting regulators should focus on enhancing audit quality for listed companies in Zambia and even in other African countries. Future research can focus on the relevance of IFRS disclosures to the domestic investors in Africa considering the cultural differences both at firm and national-level.

Organizational Culture and Its Influence on Auditing Practices: A Case Study in Audit Firms

This research investigates the influence of organizational culture on auditing practices within audit firms. The study aims to explore how various dimensions of organizational culture, including leadership style, communication patterns, ethical climate, teamwork, and risk orientation, shape auditing processes. The research adopts a qualitative approach, utilizing literature review, interviews with audit professionals, and data analysis to derive key insights. Findings reveal that leadership style significantly impacts the ethical climate within audit firms, with transformational leadership fostering a positive ethical climate conducive to high-quality auditing practices. Effective communication channels enhance collaboration and teamwork among audit teams, leading to improved audit outcomes. Moreover, a prudent risk management culture prioritizes audit quality and professionalism, while a risk-seeking or risk-averse culture may compromise audit effectiveness. The study contributes to the existing literature by offering nuanced insights into how specific cultural attributes within audit firms influence auditing practices. The findings underscore the importance of cultivating a positive organizational culture to enhance audit quality and professionalism.

Can audit effort (hours) reduce a firm’s cost of capital? Evidence from South Korea

ABSTRACT In this paper, we examine the relationship between audit effort measured as audit hours and a firm’s weighted average cost of capital (WACC). Using a sample of Korean listed firms, we hypothesise a potentially bi-directional relationship between WACC and audit effort based on audit “supply”/audit “demand” theory. We find that after controlling for known determinants of firm risk, additional audit hours reduce a firm’s WACC. In our additional analysis, we continue to find that WACC reduces with audit hours based on risk partitioning for (i) Big4 clients/investment grade (IG) firms and (ii) NonBig4 clients/non-investment grade (NIG) firms. However, we find the reduction in WACC occurs at a lower rate for the less risky group compared to the riskier group. We interpret that market participants consider Big4 clients/IG firms to have lower risk, and thus, the marginal effect of greater audit hours in enhancing audit quality (reducing audit risk) is lower for Big4 clients/IG firms compared to NonBig4 clients/NIG firms. Taken together, our findings consistently demonstrate that audit hours (effort) reduce WACC based on audit hours signalling audit quality to market participants.

Investigating the effect of the Board of Directors characteristics on auditor selection in the companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange

Objective: Increasing the number of users of the audit report, as customers of this public good, has caused the quality of the auditors‟ job to be put under observation. Methodology: Quality of the auditors‟ work and their opinion can lead to improving the financial information system of countries and finally optimal economic decision-making. Result: The results of studying the research variables among 74 companies in 6 industries, using multiple linear regression and panel data, showed that the Board size has a significant inverse relationship with auditor tenure. But this variable has no significant relationship with auditor size. So, it is suggested that acceptable standards be considered for auditor selection in order to improve the audit procedures so that the auditor tenure will be less affected by the Board size and also personal judgments. In addition, the proportion of outside directors has no significant relationship with auditor tenure and auditor size. Conclusion: The results indicated that the company size has a significant positive relationship with the auditor size. Thus, larger companies use larger firms for auditor selection. Accordingly, it is recommended that larger organizations should employ larger audit firms to enhance audit quality.

Auditors' Perception on Ethical Responsibility in Auditing: A Qualitative Study

This qualitative study explores auditors' perceptions of ethical responsibility in auditing, aiming to elucidate the multifaceted dynamics shaping their attitudes and behaviors. The research delves into various dimensions of ethical behavior, organizational factors, professional standards, and regulatory frameworks influencing auditors' conduct. Through thematic analysis of existing literature, key concepts related to ethical responsibility in auditing are defined, and specific aspects pertinent to the research context are elucidated. The study highlights the critical role of ethical behavior in maintaining public trust and confidence in financial reporting, emphasizing principles of integrity, objectivity, independence, and professional competence. Organizational culture, professional norms, and regulatory oversight mechanisms are identified as influential factors shaping auditors' ethical decisions and actions. Moreover, the research underscores the importance of professional skepticism and independence as essential components of auditors' ethical responsibility, emphasizing their role in enhancing audit quality and deterring financial misconduct. The findings contribute to theoretical discourse on auditing ethics, enriching our understanding of the ethical imperatives governing auditors' conduct. Furthermore, practical implications for auditing firms, regulatory bodies, and professional associations are discussed, with recommendations for promoting ethical conduct and integrity within the profession.

Revealing Oz: Institutional Work Shaping Auditors’ National Office Consultations

National office consultations (NOCs) are a mechanism intended to enhance audit quality, consistent with the logic of professionalism inherent in the audit profession. Yet research indicates that the competing logic of commercialism has become institutionalized in audit firms. We examine how the coexisting and conflicting logics of professionalism and commercialism manifest themselves in the current NOC dynamic. Specifically, we interview 22 highly experienced Big 4 audit firm partners to investigate how key actors engage in institutional work that creates, maintains, and disrupts the influence of professionalism and commercialism in NOC practices. We observe a swing of the pendulum: in the wake of SOX, audit firms adopted professionalism-based practices which involved creating a more authoritative, “Oz”-like national office identity, while in recent years key actors’ institutional work reconfigured NOC practices and placed a renewed focus on commercialism. Our findings bring to light a number of implications that offer opportunities for future research. Although the new client-inclusive culture aims to improve audit outcomes by encouraging consultations and fostering open dialogue with clients, it also exposes the national office to relationship management pressures and client service demands. Thus, practices developed to uphold professionalism also created a channel for commercialism-focused practices, leading to unintended second-order effects.

Non-Audit Service Provision and Its Effect on Auditors’ Independence and Audit Quality

This research examines auditors’ perceptions on the provision of non-audit services (NAS) to audit clients towards auditor independence and audit quality. It is a descriptive study that mainly investigates whether auditors perceive the provision of NAS to impair their independence, enhances audit quality, or whether it has no effect on auditor independence. This research utilized a questionnaire that was sent to external auditors that are currently working in public accounting firms in Indonesia. Seventeen auditors responded to the online survey. It was found that auditors somewhat perceive the provision of NAS to impair their independence, as well as enhance audit quality. In addition, they disagree that it has no effect on independence. Moreover, this study found no significant difference in auditors’ perception when gender, working experience, position, educational background, the experience of NAS provision, and age group were considered.