The joint effect of supervisor influence and investor perspective: unintended consequences on assessing accounting estimates

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the joint effect of supervisor influence and investor perspective on novice auditors’ assessments of accounting estimates. Design/methodology/approach The experiment used a 2 × 2 between-subjects design, randomly assigning proxies of novice auditors among four conditions. The authors manipulated the supervisor’s level of emphasis on evidence that suggests accounting estimate adjustment and whether auditors are prompted to take an investor perspective. Participants were asked to assess the misstatement risk of the allowance for doubtful accounts of the client company. Findings The authors find that auditors assign a higher (lower) risk of misstatement when their supervisor places high (low) emphasis on evidence suggesting accounting adjustment. The authors also find that contrary to the belief that taking the perspective of investors could enhance objectivity and independence, investor perspective leads to a decrease (rather than an increase) in auditors’ perceived risk of misstatement when the supervisor places low emphasis on evidence suggesting accounting adjustment. Originality/value This study provides early evidence on the efficacy of investor perspective and is one of the first to document an unintended consequence of asking auditors to take an investor perspective.

The Effect of using Audit Procedures in Accordance with the IAS 545 in Assessing Audit Risk

The current research aims to determine the effect of using audit procedures in accordance with the International Auditing Standard (IAS. No.545) in auditing measurement and disclosure on the basis of fair value in assessing audit risk, as the questionnaire was used to identify the opinions of the sample in the statement of the impact of the use of audit procedures in accordance with the IAS 545 in auditing measurement and disclosure on the basis of fair value in the assessment of audit risk. Nevertheless, after analyzing the study variables and testing the hypothesis, the research reached the most important conclusions, which are that most auditors lack the skills necessary to audit fair value accounting estimates because there are no fixed bases for measuring fair value, which creates difficulty for the auditor to understand the models used in preparing fair value estimates by the administration, and this affects in assessing audit risk. The most important recommendations were that work should be done to provide specific bases and clear models for measuring fair value, to reduce dependence on personal judgment for fair value estimates. Therefore, the auditor should use the same measurement models used by management when auditing fair value estimates, which contributes to improving the audit risk assessment.

Risk-based approach to building an audit strategy of accounting estimates on personnel costs

The article systematizes and classifies, according to the degree of verifiability, the types of accounting estimates for personnel costs, which make it possible to ensure the rationality of the audit strategy and the effectiveness of procedures in response to the assessed risks.

Accounting estimates as the most important factor in the formation of the book value of accounting objects

Subject. This article discusses the category of Accounting Estimates, which is important from the methodological and practical points of view, including the upcoming transition to Federal Accounting Standard 6/2020 (FAS 6/2020) – Property, Plant and Equipment. Objectives. The article aims to analyze the essence of the category of Accounting Estimates, including from the standpoint of the transformation of these estimates and their impact on the book value of fixed assets accounted for in accordance with FAS 6/2020. Methods. For the study, we used the methods of systems analysis and generalization. Results. Using some cases of transactions in fixed assets, the article shows that before the transition to FAS 6/2020, it is necessary to analyze which accounting estimates may get changed and how these changes will affect the dynamics of depreciation elements and financial statements indicators. Conclusions and Relevance. One of the reasons for the likelihood of practical difficulties associated with the justification and correct reflection of accounting estimates is the lack of knowledge of regulatory documents and international accounting practices. Therefore, it is advisable to prepare methodological recommendations on the reflection of changes in accounting estimates, given the upcoming transition to new accounting standards, and expand the practice of effective implementation of IFRS. The results of the study are intended for scientific and practical activities and training of specialists in the field of accounting, as well as the development of proposals for improving the Russian accounting methodology, focused on convergence with current international practice.

What Happens When Managers Are Informed? Effects of Critical Audit Matter Awareness and Auditor Relationship on Managers' Accounting Estimates

We examine how managers' accounting estimates are affected by whether they are informed about an impending critical audit matter (CAM) disclosure from a close or distant auditor. A close (distant) auditor is one who has a smaller (greater) social distance from the client in terms of their working relationship. We predict and find that being informed about an impending CAM by a close (distant) auditor leads to more (less) aggressive estimates than if managers are not informed. With a close auditor-client relationship, managers perceive a CAM disclosure as forewarning investors about estimate subjectivity, thus providing a moral license to report more aggressively. With a distant relationship, a CAM disclosure does not provide a moral license but signals greater auditor scrutiny, which leads to less aggressive reporting. Our results inform regulators and standard setters about the effects of CAM on managers' reporting decisions in the presence of a close auditor-client relationship.

A Forward-Looking Approach to Accounting Change: Complexities of Understanding and How to Apply

Over the past more than a quarter of a century of active reform of Russian accounting in accordance with IFRS, half of this period in the regulatory documents there was no such concept as “change in estimated values”. Changes in accounting estimates are recognized prospectively. Not everyone understands this perspective order unambiguously and correctly. In this article, the prospective procedure is considered on the example of changing the useful life of fi xed assets.