An Assessment of Audit Approach and Audit Quality in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper addresses the contemporary issue of quest for improved public confidence in financial reporting in Nigeria and the understanding of issues surrounding the way and manner that Nigerian auditors’ carry out their work. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the audit approach in the light of audit quality and the assurances that the financial statement provide. In spite of the number of changes that have taken place in the audit profession during the past twenty years which have changed the way external auditors operate and manage their activities in proving the statutory attest function on the financial statements, there is paucity of research focused on the way auditors’ carry out their attest function in the midst of dwindling investors’ confidence in Nigeria. Using a survey design, the questions that were raised in the study were answered using descriptive and inferential statistics. F-statistics was used in providing answers to the propositions raised in the study. Findings from the study show that respondents believe that auditors’ requirement to comply with ethical standards is a crucial factor in sustaining investors’ confidence. There is also evidence that the size, complexity and clients’ business risk are crucial factors in choice of audit approach in Nigeria. While significant differences were found in respondents’ perception of audit quality been a function of audit approach, it was otherwise on the effect of traditional audit impact on audit quality. The study suggests that there is the need for the profession to gear its effort towards adherence to ethics of the profession in Nigeria, ensure adherence and enforcement of high ethical standard. Audit approach should be based on size, complexity and clients’ business risk in the effort towards restoring the confidence of users of financial statements in Nigeria.

Keywords: Audit Approach, Auditing Profession, Public Confidence, Audit Quality, Nigeria