This study reports the results of a survey of 107 audit partners from large
public accounting firms that investigates and compares partner perceptions of Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) inspections’ and Internal Quality
Reviews (IQRs): (1) predictability, (2) conduct, (3) reviewer qualifications and behavior,
and (4) effects (i.e., on audits, partners, and firms). A majority of partners can or try to
predict the year of both reviews and perceive that, relative to PCAOB inspections, IQR
reviewers have a better understanding of firms’ audit methodologies, IQRs focus more
on whether firms follow their methodology, and IQRs examine more audit areas. In
addition, partners believe that PCAOB inspectors are more focused on finding
deficiencies than are IQR reviewers, and that IQR feedback is more timely and helpful
for improving audit quality. Both reviews are perceived to impact professional reputation;
however, partners perceive that PCAOB inspections increase their firms’ litigation risk
more so than do IQRs. Finally, less experienced partners perceive reviews as more
invasive and as posing more consequences than do more experienced partners. We
provide credible, informed perceptions of partners directly involved in both PCAOB
inspections and IQRs (which heretofore have not been examined directly by practitioner
or academic research) that should be beneficial to accounting researchers, practicing
auditors, and regulatory bodies interested in understanding the perceived effects and
effectiveness of PCAOB inspections and IQRs.