Abstract

I examine the role of IFRS on the Audit Expectation Gap (AEG). Past research, mostly based on Porter [(1993). An empirical study of the audit expectation-performance gap. Accounting and Business Research, 24(93), 49–68. https://doi.org/10.1080/00014788.1993.9729463]’s work, does not identify the contribution of accounting standards to the AEG. Yet, IFRS may play a crucial role in an auditor’s mission, because accounting standards now result in more complex and more subjective rules and financial statements. I examine whether IFRS are a factor explaining the perception of the AEG and its components by auditors and preparers of financial information. And, if so, what does this impact, more specifically, result from? Using survey data of 158 auditors and preparers of financial information working in an IFRS environment, I find that the contribution of IFRS to the AEG is underestimated while it is, in fact, at least as important as auditing standards. In addition, respondents think that IFRS generated more complexity (especially regarding issues raised by IFRS 9, IAS 36/IFRS 3 or IFRS 2) and more subjectivity, which contributed to the AEG, and led users of financial statements to be more demanding towards auditors. Auditors are perceived as supposed to be able to offset difficulties suffered by investors regarding the complexity and subjectivity of IFRS. However, the capacity of auditors themselves to fully understand the complexities resulting from IFRS may be overestimated. Furthermore, the results show that auditors’ skills and training seem to be insufficient regarding the increasing complexity of IFRS. Lastly, I find that less experienced respondents underestimate the contribution of accounting standards to the AEG.

摘要

我研究了 IFRS 在审计预期差距 (AEG) 中的作用。过去的研究，主要基于 Porter [(1993)。审计期望绩效差距的实证研究。会计和商业研究，24（93），49-68。https://doi.org/10.1080/00014788.1993.9729463] 的工作，未识别会计准则的贡献到 AEG。然而，IFRS 可能在审计师的使命中发挥关键作用，因为会计准则现在导致更复杂和更主观的规则和财务报表。我研究了 IFRS 是否是解释审计师和财务信息编制者对 AEG 及其组成部分看法的一个因素。如果是这样，更具体地说，这种影响是由什么造成的？使用在 IFRS 环境中工作的 158 位审计师和财务信息编制者的调查数据，我发现 IFRS 对 AEG 的贡献被低估了，而实际上它至少与审计准则一样重要. 此外，受访者认为 IFRS 产生了更多的复杂性（尤其是关于 IFRS 9、IAS 36/IFRS 3 或 IFRS 2 提出的问题）和更多的主观性，这导致了 AEG，并导致财务报表使用者对审计师的要求更高. 审计师被认为能够抵消投资者因 IFRS 的复杂性和主观性而遭受的困难。然而，审计师自己充分理解 IFRS 所带来的复杂性的能力可能被高估了。此外，结果表明，对于日益复杂的 IFRS，审计师的技能和培训似乎不足。最后，我发现经验不足的受访者低估了会计准则对 AEG 的贡献。