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Can Audit Partners Predict Subordinates' Ability to Detect Errors?

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  • WILLIAM F. MESSIER, JR.
  • VINCENT OWHOSO
  • CARTER RAKOVSKI

Abstract

This study examines audit partners' predictions of the ability of managers and seniors to detect financial statement errors. If partners are unable to predict the ability of their subordinates to detect errors, audit effectiveness may be affected. Audit partners are asked to predict which members of the audit team (managers or seniors) are able to detect specific types of errors. These predictions are then compared to errors detected by managers and seniors that are seeded in working papers. The results show that partners (1) exhibit significant overconfidence in the ability of subordinates to detect errors, (2) are more accurate in predicting managers' performance than seniors, (3) are more accurate at predicting subordinates' ability to detect mechanical (simple) errors than conceptual (complex) errors, and (4) are not better at predicting subordinates' ability to detect more frequent and more important errors than less frequent and less important errors.

Suggested Citation

  • William F. Messier, Jr. & Vincent Owhoso & Carter Rakovski, 2008. "Can Audit Partners Predict Subordinates' Ability to Detect Errors?," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(5), pages 1241-1264, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:joares:v:46:y:2008:i:5:p:1241-1264
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-679X.2008.00307.x
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    2. Garcia-Blandon, Josep & Argilés-Bosch, Josep Maria & Ravenda, Diego, 2019. "Is there a gender effect on the quality of audit services?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 238-249.
    3. Kris Hardies & Diane Breesch & Joël Branson, 2012. "Male and female auditors' overconfidence," Managerial Auditing Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 27(1), pages 105-118, January.
    4. Maksymov, Eldar, 2015. "Auditor evaluation of others’ credibility: A review of experimental studies on determinants and consequences," Journal of Accounting Literature, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 104-124.
    5. Kris Hardies & Diane Breesch & Joël Branson, 2011. "Male and female auditors' overconfidence," Managerial Auditing Journal, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 27(1), pages 105-118, November.
    6. Jeffrey L. Hoopes & Kenneth J. Merkley & Joseph Pacelli & Joseph H. Schroeder, 2018. "Audit personnel salaries and audit quality," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 1096-1136, September.

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