This paper investigates remediation of Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 material weaknesses (MWs). Prior research examines full remediation of all MWs or broad categories thereof. We build on these studies by investigating remediation of specific types of MW, thus measuring progress in improving...

This study utilizes attribution theory to guide an exploration of how subordinate auditors understand, rationalize, and internalize recollections of their actual experiences (both worst and best) with audit review. Respondents externally rationalize worst review experiences as the fault of an...

The objective of our paper is to obtain a better understanding of how auditors anticipate the potential for PCAOB inspection, experience the inspection, cope with the consequences of the inspection, and understand the PCAOB's influence within the context of professionalism. We use a qualitative...

We interview thirty-one experienced secondees (i.e., auditors on an international rotation from one member firm to another member firm in a specified role for a fixed period of time), and three practice leaders with the objective of understanding public accounting secondments and how secondments...

This study examines public accounting firms' “tone at the top” with respect to audit quality initiatives from the perspectives of both firm leaders (those who set the tone) and engagement level auditors (non-leaders). Specifically, we (1) solicit the perceptions of audit firm culture and...

This study examines auditor performance with respect to complex tasks. Previous research in both psychology and auditing suggests that expert/novice differences are likely to occur during the problem representation phase of problem solving. An experiment was designed to demonstrate that more...

Recent regulatory and professional developments have increased the frequency with which public accountants work and interact with professionals from other accounting firms. We posit that competitive pressures are particularly salient when clients retain accountants from different firms to...

This study addresses auditors' role in determining the quality of their client's fair value classification judgments for investment securities under ASC 820. The standard requires companies to classify fair value assets into one of three levels (i.e., Level 1, 2, or 3) and there is often...

We investigate how audit partners of non-global network firms (NGNFs) (i.e., firms other than the “Global 7”) shape the audit technologies through the lens of institutional theory. A paradigm within institutional theory, institutional work, suggests partners are positioned as empowered...

Auditors often receive summary information or conclusions from management about account balances or internal controls. They must then gather evidence to assess whether this information is fairly stated. In such situations, management can be considered the first mover and the auditor the second...