An analysis of causal relationships of ethical values in auditing from Islam’s perspective

Purpose - The validity and legitimacy of auditing profession depends on trust as one of the most important assets of auditing profession that trust itself is directly derived from capacity of this profession in responding to responsibilities. The present research has tried to identify 15 ethical values in auditing and analyzing causal relationships of ethical values in auditing from Islam’s perspective using fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) approach. The purpose of this paper is analyzing causal relationships of ethical values in auditing from Islam’s perspective because ethical values improve auditing and keep the auditor’s independence. Design/methodology/approach - Reviewing the literature and conducting a survey among 14 certified auditing experts, 15 ethical values in auditing were identified according to Islamic law using fuzzy DEMATEL techniques. Adopting this approach, the study was then to determine causal relationships and to identify influential values. Findings - Based on the findings, the metrics “independence” with (D−R) = +1.045 was identified to be the cornerstone of the auditing profession. Independence is an essential component for users’ trust in the financial statements. If it is ignored, many other values will further make no sense. Truth-seeking as a value with (D + R) = +3.289 has the greatest interaction with other values, and this reveals that truth-seeking is one of the most significant auditing missions. Additionally, the value “trust” with (D−R) = −1.605 is mostly affected by other variables, suggesting that other values strongly influence this value, and it will be distorted if other values are ignored. Research limitations/implications - Auditing ethics is one of the most important and striking factors that maintains the credibility and dignity of the auditing profession. Today, the society’s expectations from auditing and accounting professions have increased. Increasing these expectations requires official accountants to provide their professional services in the form of ethical auditing. As this model has been designed using the ideas of the Muslim professional experts, the results may be different from those of non-Muslim professional experts. Originality/value - Considering that identified values are of great importance in Islam religion, it seems that using Islamic culture and pragmatic tone by professionals, scholars and legislative bodies is necessary to create changes required in the current business culture and as the result to create fundamental changes in professional behaviors of auditing area. This study is the first to provide evidence on the improvement of auditing based on a review of auditing studies in Islam.