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21 – 30 of over 7000Hossein Sayyadi Tooranloo and Pedram Azizi
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…
Abstract
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.
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Together with the globalization, the markets throughout the world entered into an intense competition and it led the companies in capital markets into a panic. During the…
Abstract
Together with the globalization, the markets throughout the world entered into an intense competition and it led the companies in capital markets into a panic. During the competition for being at the top, the companies may sometimes have recourse to various frauds, corruption, or manipulations. The advancing technology is the most useful instrument of companies for this purpose. Countering these frauds and corruptions, which are gradually becoming more complex, is the profession of “auditing” which entered into an institutionalization and professionalization process. One of the most important milestones in this process is the emergence of the forensic accounting profession. The forensic accounting services, especially in the USA and Canada, provide courts and lawyers with support by making use of accounting, auditing, and analytical investigations on legal issues involving financial disputes. The forensic accountants offer service to relevant persons and institutions in order to determine the frauds made by the companies and support the lawsuits.
The objective of the present study is to provide information about the forensic accounting profession and its development in the world, as well as contributing to the development and recognition of forensic accounting practices.
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Harina Ndaba, Michael Harber and Warren Maroun
This paper explores how technical constructions of audit practice are influenced by mandatory audit firm rotation (MAFR) regulations. The paper responds to calls for additional…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper explores how technical constructions of audit practice are influenced by mandatory audit firm rotation (MAFR) regulations. The paper responds to calls for additional research on how external regulation influences audit quality and supplements the predominately quantitative research dealing specifically with firm rotation and its relevance for audit quality.
Design/methodology/approach
Data are collected from South Africa which is the latest jurisdiction to adopt MAFR (from 2017). Detailed interviews with 49 participants comprising 24 audit partners and 25 non-auditors are conducted to explore how MAFR can impact audit quality. For this purpose, audit quality is defined according to a schematic developed interpretively and based on professional auditing standards and the prior research on audit quality.
Findings
There is no guarantee that MAFR will bolster auditors' independence or contribute to a more thorough audit approach. On the contrary, the effort required by incoming audit firms to gain an understanding of new clients coupled with material tendering costs is expected to decrease the profitability of audit engagements with adverse implications for audit quality. A loss of client experience and staff retention challenges may contribute further to a decline in audit quality. There may be some improvements to audit practice when an incumbent firm's work is going to be scrutinised by a new auditor but audit methodologies, including the nature and extent of testing performed, are not expected to change significantly because of MAFR. In this way, the regulation may be a symbolic response to a perceived decline in audit quality and auditor independence rather than part of an effective strategy to encourage more rigorous audit practice for the benefit of the users of financial statements.
Originality/value
The current paper provides one of the first exploratory accountants of how MAFR is expected to impact audit practice and, in turn, audit quality. The research responds to the call for more field-work studies on the mechanics of the audit process by engaging directly with practitioners instead of relying on inferential testing of broad audit quality surrogates. The study also makes an important empirical contribution by providing primary evidence on how external regulation influences audit practice from a seldom studied African perspective.
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Thomas R. Weirich and Natalie Tatiana Churyk
The accelerated pace of change in the global economy and capital markets along with the complexity of transactions and financial reporting that involve applying fair value…
Abstract
The accelerated pace of change in the global economy and capital markets along with the complexity of transactions and financial reporting that involve applying fair value measurements (FVM) is a major third-party user concern. The 2008 financial crisis highlighted risks that investors are exposed to when making FVM-related capital allocations. Accounting estimates often involve subjective assumptions and measurement uncertainty, increasing potential management bias (Choudhary, 2011; Ramanna & Watts, 2012). FVMs are of critical importance to the reliability of the financial statements. Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to inform educators of the possible need to evaluate their curriculum as to coverage of FVM topics. The support for this evaluation is based on our attempt to: (1) evaluate the extent of reported FVM-related deficiencies with reference to regulatory bodies’ findings of significant deficiencies in FVM; (2) examine the use of FVM specialists; (3) determine if colleges and universities are keeping pace with FVM demands; (4) list the Uniform CPA Examination Blueprint FVM testing areas; and (5) provide curricular FVM topic recommendations.
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R. Jayalakshmy, A. Seetharaman and Tan Wei Khong
To highlight the pressures that the auditors would face in the era of globalisation and the challenges they should be willing to accept in order to maintain trust and integrity.
Abstract
Purpose
To highlight the pressures that the auditors would face in the era of globalisation and the challenges they should be willing to accept in order to maintain trust and integrity.
Design/methodology/approach
A wide range of articles and journals published in international journals as well as local journals has been reviewed. The areas covered include audit fraud, true and fair view interpretation, auditor independence and role of internal auditors. Further, ideas have also been obtained from critical write‐ups in the business magazines on the fall of multinationals.
Findings
A wide range of interpretation has been given by various groups of people on their understanding of the phrase “true and fair”. This has created great confusion as to the interpretation of the audit reports. This has been proven by the fall of many multinationals and the audit pioneers, Andersens. This is one of the causes of audit fraud and it is also seen that as the auditors face an enormous challenge as they enter the twenty‐first century, they should be willing to change their attitudes towards their clients. Professionalism should be in the forefront, and an overhaul in the concept of “true and fair” could probably be the solution to harmonisation of the economy.
Research limitations/implications
This paper lacks statistical data on the views of the authors. It is based purely on secondary data.
Practical implications
Provides awareness to the auditors, corporations and general public on the necessity to revamp the existing auditing practices. This can help the auditors not only to be professionals, but also to be seen as professionals.
Originality/value
This paper provides scope for research in this area to identify whether the overhaul concept is acceptable. If yes, what should the new concept be? If no, what is the solution to the existing public outcry?
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