Exploring the Role of Country and Client Type on the Auditor’s Client Risk Assessments and Audit Planning Decisions

36 Pages Posted: 30 Mar 2011 Last revised: 3 Sep 2015

See all articles by Michael De Martinis

Michael De Martinis

Monash University

Hironori Fukukawa

Hitotsubashi University - Graduate School of Commerce and Management

Theodore J. Mock

University of Southern California; University of California, Riverside

Date Written: March 28, 2011

Abstract

Purpose – This exploratory study examines whether country (Australia or Japan) and client type (public sector or private sector) impact the auditor’s client risk assessments, subsequent audit planning decisions (planned audit hours), and audit planning responsiveness to client risk assessments.

Design/Methodology/Approach – The study is based on previously developed audit planning models (De Martinis, 2006; Fukukawa et al., 2006; Mock and Wright, 1993; 1999; Choi et al., 2008), and uses working paper sourced data of planned auditor effort and nine client risk assessments. The study’s samples are taken from public and private sector audit engagements of two major audit firms in Australia and Japan, respectively.

Findings – Evidence is found that country and client type do impact the auditor’s client risk assessments and planned total audit hours, but they do not moderate audit planning responsiveness to client risk assessments.

Research Limitations/Implications – The test variable is confounded by the country and client type characteristics inherent in the study’s samples. If the differences are caused by country, this suggests that audit planning decisions vary across countries, even when the same auditing standards are adopted. However, if they are caused by client type, this suggests that the same audit approach (i.e., the audit risk model) is applied differently depending on client characteristics.

Practical Implications – These findings are useful to international standard setters, audit practice quality control and training, and audit research.

Originality/Value – No prior study has examined the role of country and client type on the auditor’s client risk assessments and audit planning decisions. Further, no prior study has examined whether the relationship between the auditor’s client risk assessments and audit planning decisions is moderated by country and client type.

Keywords: Audit Risk Model, Audit Planning, Client Risk Assessments, Country and Client-Type

JEL Classification: M42, M41

Suggested Citation

De Martinis, Michael and Fukukawa, Hironori and Mock, Theodore J. and Mock, Theodore J., Exploring the Role of Country and Client Type on the Auditor’s Client Risk Assessments and Audit Planning Decisions (March 28, 2011). Managerial Auditing Journal, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1798104

Michael De Martinis

Monash University ( email )

23 Innovation Walk
Wellington Road
Clayton, Victoria 3800
Australia

Hironori Fukukawa (Contact Author)

Hitotsubashi University - Graduate School of Commerce and Management ( email )

2-1 Naka Kunitachi-shi
Tokyo 186-8601
Japan

Theodore J. Mock

University of California, Riverside ( email )

Riverside, CA 92521
United States

University of Southern California ( email )

Los Angeles, CA 90089-0441
United States

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