Academic Practitioner Auditors

• In Event: Individual Auditor Effects on Audit Quality

Abstract

Academic practitioner auditors engage in research in terms of publishing journal articles, books, and book chapters on top of their audit activities. Based on theory and on interviews with academic practitioner auditors, we argue that engaging in research helps practitioners to deliver higher audit quality. Moreover, we expect that this engagement enables lead auditors to develop their professional reputation and, hence, to generate higher audit fees. Using data from Germany, where lead auditors frequently engage in practically oriented research, we find empirical evidence for these conjectures. Our study contributes to the current AAA and AICPA debate about the value of bridging the gap between academia and audit practice.

Authors

• Juergen Ernstberger, Technische Universitaet Muenchen

• Christopher Koch, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

• Martin Prott, Technical University of Munich