It has been widely recognized that the way in which audit teams are structured and function plays a crucial role in determining the level of audit service quality (PCAOB, 2013). However, despite this claim, little empirical research has been conducted on this phenomenon. Using private data from two of the Big 4 audit firms, we fill this gap and document how the group structure of audit teams and the deriving social dynamics influence audit quality. Drawing from existing work in auditing and sociology, we develop our model by arguing that teams are composed not simply of individuals, but of groups of individuals that variously combined affect team performance. Starting from this premise, we study how the professional group structure (the different mix of work assigned to the groups of partners, managers, seniors and staff) influences audit quality, and how this effect varies depending on the years of tenure. We also show that the group structure of leading auditors with a common educational background impacts on audit quality. Finally, we provide evidence that the group structure of incumbent managers vs stable managers during the life-cycle of an engagement, and the groups of female vs male leading auditors are also relevant for the quality of the auditing work. Our findings provide useful insights that are potentially interesting for audit firms because they suggest some strategies for enhancing the quality of the work done by their teams. Moreover, regulators around the world may consider implementing specific rules aimed at ensuring the best interactions among groups of individuals in audit teams.

Audit team attributes matter: how diversity affects audit quality

CAMERAN, MARA;DITILLO, ANGELO;PETTINICCHIO, ANGELA KATE
2018

Abstract

It has been widely recognized that the way in which audit teams are structured and function plays a crucial role in determining the level of audit service quality (PCAOB, 2013). However, despite this claim, little empirical research has been conducted on this phenomenon. Using private data from two of the Big 4 audit firms, we fill this gap and document how the group structure of audit teams and the deriving social dynamics influence audit quality. Drawing from existing work in auditing and sociology, we develop our model by arguing that teams are composed not simply of individuals, but of groups of individuals that variously combined affect team performance. Starting from this premise, we study how the professional group structure (the different mix of work assigned to the groups of partners, managers, seniors and staff) influences audit quality, and how this effect varies depending on the years of tenure. We also show that the group structure of leading auditors with a common educational background impacts on audit quality. Finally, we provide evidence that the group structure of incumbent managers vs stable managers during the life-cycle of an engagement, and the groups of female vs male leading auditors are also relevant for the quality of the auditing work. Our findings provide useful insights that are potentially interesting for audit firms because they suggest some strategies for enhancing the quality of the work done by their teams. Moreover, regulators around the world may consider implementing specific rules aimed at ensuring the best interactions among groups of individuals in audit teams.
2018
2017
Cameran, Mara; Ditillo, Angelo; Pettinicchio, ANGELA KATE
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
acceptanceletter_EAR.pdf

non disponibili

Descrizione: Lettera di accettazione
Tipologia: Allegato per valutazione Bocconi (Attachment for Bocconi evaluation)
Licenza: NON PUBBLICO - Accesso privato/ristretto
Dimensione 102.2 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
102.2 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri
Audit Team Attributes Matter How Diversity Affects Audit Quality.pdf

non disponibili

Descrizione: file doi
Tipologia: Pdf editoriale (Publisher's layout)
Licenza: NON PUBBLICO - Accesso privato/ristretto
Dimensione 403.69 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
403.69 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11565/3995252
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 62
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 51
social impact