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Cost-quality conflict in audit firms: an empirical investigation

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  • B. Pierce
  • B. Sweeney

Abstract

Findings are reported from an empirical investigation of cost-quality conflict using a survey of audit juniors and seniors in four of the Big Five audit firms in Ireland. Prior findings, mainly from US studies, indicate the presence of a cost-quality conflict in the audit environment. Conventional accounting controls are only partially effective and, in response to such controls, auditors sometimes engage in dysfunctional behaviours. Evidence from this study suggests that dysfunctional behaviours are significantly related to time pressure (created through a combination of budgets and deadlines) and performance evaluation (incorporating both style and frequency of evaluation). The relationship between dysfunctional behaviours and other specified variables (participation and leadership style) was not statistically significant. There was evidence that major changes have taken place in the audit environment such as a flattening of organizational structures and a de-emphasis on budgets as a form of control. The findings are interpreted in the context of the changed audit environment. Implications for resolving the cost-quality conflict from the perspective of audit firm management are set out and future research opportunities are identified.

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  • B. Pierce & B. Sweeney, 2004. "Cost-quality conflict in audit firms: an empirical investigation," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(3), pages 415-441.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:euract:v:13:y:2004:i:3:p:415-441
    DOI: 10.1080/0963818042000216794
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    1. Breda Sweeney & Don Arnold & Bernard Pierce, 2010. "The Impact of Perceived Ethical Culture of the Firm and Demographic Variables on Auditors’ Ethical Evaluation and Intention to Act Decisions," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 93(4), pages 531-551, June.
    2. Curtis, Mary B. & Payne, Elizabeth A., 2008. "An examination of contextual factors and individual characteristics affecting technology implementation decisions in auditing," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 9(2), pages 104-121.
    3. Gerald Kasigwa, 2014. "Reduced Audit Quality Behavior Scale: Exploratory and Confirmatory Analysis Based on a Sample of External Auditors in Uganda," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 6(1), pages 21-31.
    4. Jose Joaquin Pozo-Antúnez & Horacio Molina-Sánchez & Antonio Ariza-Montes & Francisco Fernández-Navarro, 2021. "Promoting work Engagement in the Accounting Profession: a Machine Learning Approach," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 157(2), pages 653-670, September.
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    7. Inyoman Agus Wijaya & Mentari Tri Yulyona, 2017. "Does Complexity Audit Task, Time Deadline Pressure, Obedience Pressure, and Information System Expertise Improve Audit Quality?," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 7(3), pages 398-403.
    8. Seif Obeid Al-Shbiel, 2016. "An Examination the Factors Influence on Unethical Behaviour among Jordanian external auditors: Job Satisfaction as a mediator," International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, vol. 6(3), pages 285-296, July.
    9. Svanberg, Jan & Öhman, Peter, 2015. "Auditors' identification with their clients: Effects on audit quality," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(4), pages 395-408.
    10. Pernilla Broberg & Torbjörn Tagesson & Timur Uman, 2020. "Antecedents of Psychological Well-Being among Swedish Audit Firm Employees," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-12, May.
    11. Andiola, Lindsay M., 2014. "Performance feedback in the audit environment: A review and synthesis of research on the behavioral effects," Journal of Accounting Literature, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 1-36.
    12. Jose Joaquin del Pozo-Antúnez & Francisco Fernández-Navarro & Horacio Molina-Sánchez & Antonio Ariza-Montes & Mariano Carbonero-Ruz, 2021. "The Machine-Part Cell Formation Problem with Non-Binary Values: A MILP Model and a Case of Study in the Accounting Profession," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(15), pages 1-16, July.
    13. Brennan, Niamh & Kelly, John, 2007. "A study of whistleblowing among trainee auditors," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 61-87.
    14. Sweeney, John T. & Suh, Ik Seon & Dalton, Kenneth C. & Meljem, Sylvia, 2017. "Are workpaper reviews preparer-specific?," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 49(6), pages 560-577.
    15. Pernilla Broberg & Torbjörn Tagesson & Daniela Argento & Niclas Gyllengahm & Ola Mårtensson, 2017. "Explaining the influence of time budget pressure on audit quality in Sweden," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 21(2), pages 331-350, June.
    16. José Joaquín Del Pozo-Antúnez & Antonio Ariza-Montes & Francisco Fernández-Navarro & Horacio Molina-Sánchez, 2018. "Effect of a Job Demand-Control-Social Support Model on Accounting Professionals’ Health Perception," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-16, November.
    17. Gold-Nöteberg, A.H. & Knechel, W.R. & Wallage, P., 2008. "The Effect of Audit Standards on Fraud Consultation and Auditor Judgment," ERIM Report Series Research in Management 11687, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    18. Espinosa-Pike, Marcela & Barrainkua, Itsaso, 2016. "An exploratory study of the pressures and ethical dilemmas in the audit conflict," Revista de Contabilidad - Spanish Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 19(1), pages 10-20.
    19. Chantal Mangion & Norbert Tabone & Peter J. Baldacchino & Simon Grima, 2021. "Audit Quality and Resilience beyond the Role Stress Model: A Maltese Perspective," International Journal of Finance, Insurance and Risk Management, International Journal of Finance, Insurance and Risk Management, vol. 11(3), pages 37-56.
    20. Venus, Thomas J. & Drabik, Dusan & Wesseler, Justus, 2018. "The role of a German multi-stakeholder standard for livestock products derived from non-GMO feed," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 58-67.
    21. Horacio Molina-Sánchez & Antonio Ariza-Montes & Mar Ortiz-Gómez & Antonio Leal-Rodríguez, 2019. "The Subjective Well-Being Challenge in the Accounting Profession: The Role of Job Resources," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-17, August.
    22. Marlena Ciechan-Kujawa, 2015. "Professional financial and accounting services in the light of European Union directives and the deregulation of professions in Poland – current status and research needs," Copernican Journal of Finance & Accounting, Uniwersytet Mikolaja Kopernika, vol. 4(2), pages 65-77.
    23. Andiola, Lindsay M. & Bedard, Jean C., 2018. "Delivering the “tough message”: Moderators of subordinate auditors’ reactions to feedback," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 52-68.

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