Assessment of Self, Peers, Superiors and Subordinates on Possession of Detailed Expert Audit Attributes

Abstract:     
Forty three auditors were asked to assess the degree to which they believed themselves, their peers, superiors, and subordinates possessed each of 25 attributes of expertise in auditing. Analyses of the data render four major findings. First, 16 attributes (e.g., current knowledge, problem solver) are increasingly more important for higher professional ranks and expertise levels. The remaining nine attributes that are generally innate in nature (e.g., intelligence, quick thinker) are not different. Second, perceived possession of expert attributes indicates that professional rank is a reasonable proxy for levels of expertise. Third, in comparison to expert specialists, specialty candidates over assess possession of attributes of their superiors, while competent specialists (i.e., intermediate experts) under assess possession of attributes of their superiors and subordinates. Finally, auditors' self and peer attribute possession assessments indicate a self inflated rating bias for specialty candidates and competent specialists, but not for expert specialist who assess other experts at higher levels of attribute possession than themselves. Implications for accounting practice, education and research are discussed.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 35

Keywords: Expert attributes, peer, subordinates and superior evaluation

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