Materiality and Risk Judgements: A Review of Users' Expectations

Abstract

In reviewing contemporary literature on materiality judgement and the audit expectations gap (AEG), this paper considers an apparent void concerning that aspect of the AEG caused by the non‐disclosure of materiality and risk thresholds and criteria in the financial reports. The review enables the formation and discussion of two premises: first, disclosing cornerstone concepts, such as materiality and risk judgements, in financial reports enhances users' understanding of the limitations of information contained therein; and second, expanding the wording in audit reports reduces the AEG and enhances users' understanding of the objectives and limitations of an audit. In supporting the validity of these premises, it is concluded that the disclosure of materiality and risk judgements in financial reports may reduce the AEG. This hypothesis may be useful for future empirical research.

Citation

De Martinis, M.R. and Burrowes, A.W. (1996), "Materiality and Risk Judgements: A Review of Users' Expectations", Managerial Finance, Vol. 22 No. 9, pp. 16-34. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb018579