Definition
The Audit Expectations Gap refers to the discord between what auditors perceive their roles to be and the expectations of financial statement users. This gap comprises two primary components: the communications gap and the performance gap.
Communications Gap
This aspect of the Audit Expectations Gap arises when the general public holds unrealistic expectations about the auditor’s responsibilities. For instance, some might believe that auditors should detect all instances of fraud during their statutory audits. However, according to the International Standard on Auditing 12, auditors are required to plan and perform the audit to prevent and detect fraud, not to guarantee its absolute discovery. The communications gap could be mitigated if users of financial statements were better informed about the nature of audits and their inherent limitations.
Performance Gap
Conversely, the performance gap occurs when the expectations of the public are reasonable, yet the auditor’s performance falls short. This is essentially a failure of the auditor to meet these baseline expectations, which could only be rectified by enhancing the quality and thoroughness of the auditor’s work.
Humorous Insight
Imagine auditors as magicians pulling financial rabbits out of hats – both roles are wildly misunderstood! While magicians might be expected to defy physics, auditors are oddly expected to have the psychic ability to spot fraud with a mere glance at a spreadsheet. Bridging this gap requires less of a magic wand and more of an educational megaphone.
Related Terms
- Financial Statements: Formal records of the financial activities and position of a business, person, or other entity.
- International Standards on Auditing: Professional standards for the performance of financial audit of financial information.
- Fraud Detection: Techniques and activities undertaken by auditors to identify and prevent incorrect financial reporting either due to error or fraud.
Suggested Books for Further Reading
- “Auditing For Dummies” by Maire Loughran - A beginner-friendly guide that demystifies the auditing process.
- “The Expectation Gap in Auditing: Causes and Solutions” by John Auditore - An in-depth exploration of the Audit Expectations Gap, offering practical solutions to bridge it.
- “Fraud Examination” by W. Steve Albrecht - Provides tools and techniques to assist auditors in detecting fraud during their examinations.
Remember, informed users make an auditor’s life much easier, and perhaps some day, the magical feats expected of auditors can be left in the fictional realm where they truly belong!
